Changes (IC)

Nidge Darkfold enters the room quietly. The room is as yet unfamiliar to him, but his belongings are here. This place will become more familiar as time passes. It is his private infirmary; here he can treat people in a safe environment where they will not be disturbed and watchful eyes cannot see. No one can find him in this place. Any attempts to do so would be very unwise.

Music seems to hang in the air and outside he hears the sound of birds in the trees. He pulls out his chair and sits down at his desk. His journal is there, as always. Running his hands over the cover, he sighs deeply. So much has changed in so little time. Nidge opens the the journal and turns to a blank page. Reading the previous entry, he shudders. That entry marked the start of the changes that have lead him to this place. He takes up his pen and dips it in to the ink and begins to write the events that have occured since he last sat in front of it.

"Things have changed since my last entry. I am no longer in the service of the Dark Lord. I have fled from him and his cold dwelling, but am in fear of reprisals - especially as I have treated an injury he had inflicted on a young kajirus. HIs vileness etched in the boy's chest with a blade. I hope I have managed to removed all trace of it. I dare not set foot on Scimitar Isle for fearing of being caught by him - no matter how much I would like to see my dear friends. I did venture back once and discovered a couple of his victims impaled on spikes by the entrance."

Nidge shakes his head as he tries to cast out the thoughts of darkness. Momentarily he smiles, lost in thoughts of being lost in someone's arms for hours on end. In a moment of pain he had found so much pleasure. He closes his eyes and thinks of the man's strong arms around him, the weight of his body on him, the depth of his kiss and the hours they spent locked in the slow, sensual, passionate exploration of each other's bodies. His whole body tingles at the memory and yearns to feel as desired as that again. He opens his eyes, the smile lingering on his lips as he gathers his thoughts and continues with his writing.

"The death of the kajirus at Scimitar Isle appears to have been an accident so my free companion was absolved of any crime. My free companion and I, however, have parted company. I am not sure if this is permanent. Many people have tried to get me away from him. Many people have tried to keep me with him. His tyrannical ways were wearing me down. His dark sexual desires left me cold. His words cut me as deep as any knife. So I fled from him too as I had fled from the Dark Lord."

"A man I barely know took pity upon me and gave me safe haven. Not only did he make me feel safe, but he made me feel alive and awakened my senses. While I was with him I felt myself burning as hot as the sun itself. I long to feel that way again. Perhaps in time I will be lucky - or I shall live on the memory of my time with him until the day I die."

Nidge takes a moment and lets his eyes wander around the room. His books are here, his pictures, his other belongings. He dips his pen and, turning his thoughts back to the page, continues to write..

"I went wandering. I had nowhere to belong; my home was gone and I was alone in the world. While in Silver Tree of Tabor I met a strange man. I was mightily afraid of him at first. He was dressed in black and wore a mask. There was no mark on his forehead so I knew he was not a member of the black caste there to kill me, but I suspected he was an outlaw. His manner and words soon told me differently. He was charming, though he had a roughness and rudeness to his charm. He was direct without being forceful. His attention was most welcome for someone as alone as I, yet I declined the offer of flying off with him on his tarn. As we talked, a member of the Taborean red caste appeared. There seemed to be tension between the two men. Part of the tension appeared to be the stranger's advances towards me. Eventually a scuffle broke out between the two men. The stranger hastily disappeared and I was alone with the guard. Sadly, I had been safer with the man in black. The guard used his sword to remove my clothing. As I stood naked and at his mercy, the stranger returned on his tarn! He gathered me up and took me to his homestone in an oasis. He cared for me in my embarrassed and disadvantaged state. We ran on the sand, swam in the water and explored the caves together. He was a most handsome man. Of course, he had a secret - something I dare not even reveal on this page for fear of someone reading it and using the information against my rescuer."

Nidge chuckles to himself. He hopes he will see the stranger again soon - he needs to thank him properly for the rescue. Of course, it helps that the man was very attractive and had a fine body. He was also so different from the other men he had been in the company of. Nidge dips his pen in the ink again and thinks also of the two men of his caste who he has warm feelings for. One of them brought him exquisite pleasure one afternoon. A little pleasure here and there is gladly accepted in lieu of something more permanent. He cannot understand why he has become the focus of attention, but is deeply flattered. His cheeks flush with colour as he writes the conclusion of his adventures.

"I went to another oasis to try to relax a while. I had been there several times as it was recommended to me by a friend and I am filled with admiration for the scribe there. While I was there I was met by a dear friend from Scimitar Isle. He asked me to join him and the Princes of the oasis as they chatted. They were most welcoming and I was made to feel at home instantly. Out of nowhere I was offered the chance to make it my home - using the infirmary there and the house above it. Before I had time to think, it was generally agreed that it was for the best that I stayed there and I was escorted to the infirmary by one of the Princes. He was a most helpful man...in fact he could not help me out of my warm, heavy clothing fast enough! Clad in only a piece of cloth until I found some appropriate clothing, I wandered around in the heat of the desert. I swam naked in the river and felt my troubles wash away. I have no idea where this strange turn of events will lead, but for now it pleases me to feel the heat of the desert."

Nidge puts down his pen. It has begun to grow dark. As he looks around the room, he realises that it doesn't matter where he is. He has his things. He has his life. He has his friends. He pushes the chair back and stands up. Crossing the room, he washes in the basin and thn moves around the screen to the bed in the corner of the infirmary. There is no need to lock the door here. Remvoing his clothes, he places them in a neat pile by the bed. He sinks in to the bed and closes his eyes. Sleep comes quickly. He feels peace in the darkness now.