Warnings: HAU, M/M sex, violence, swearing, angst, possible humor, blatant use of movie dialogue, OOC, varying chapter lengths. Unbeta'd
Rating:Chapters 1-25 R (For swearing and violence) Epilogue NC17 (For M/M sex.)
Pairing: 100% S/X ( S&Oz, S&Oz&Giles, X&Oz&Giles FRIENDSHIP only)
Author: Naughty_Fae
Comments: Comment if you want to, though it would be nice to know someone is reading it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, everything belongs to someone who is not me. I write for fun not profit.
Note 1: This is derived from the movie Ladyhawke and is dedicated to two of the most handsome actors ever: James Marsters and Rutger Hauer. It is also dedicated to the memory of Othello the magnificent Friesian stallion who portrayed Goliath.
Note 2: My heartfelt thanks go out to my dear friend Bmblbee, for holding my hand through the writing and posting process. *Hugs*
Note 3: This is a plot driven story. Chapters 1 to 25 Rated R for violence and language. Epilogue (Original writing, not part of the legend or movie) Rated NC17 for MM sex.
Note 4: This is fantasy human/medieval Spike, Oz and Xander and behave as such. Although BTVs names are used, they are NOT in Sunnydale personas.
Special Note: This is posted on Bloodclaim with the knowledge and support of Darkhavens *Hug*
Summary: When the Count D’Anjou forfeits all his land and wealth gambling, his son the handsome, eighteen year old Xander is sent to live with a cousin in Aquila. It is hoped that Xander's good looks and title will attract a wealthy wife. But Xander meets William (Spike) Navarre the handsome, dashing Captain of The Guard. They fall in love. They keep their illicit love from everyone but their confessor. When they are betrayed to The Bishop of Aquila he calls down a terrible curse on the lovers. Can Daniel (Oz) Osbourne a thief and escapee from Aquila's dungeons help Spike and Xander defeat the curse?
Chapter 2/25 + Epilogue (This is not a WIP. One Chapter will be posted daily, until complete.)
Rating: 1 -25 R, EPILOGUE NC17
Chapter 2/25+ Epilogue
Rating: NC17 Overall
Angelus was tall and broad, clean shaven with dark eyes and hair, with a handsome if cruel face. His feet echoed eerily as he walked into the vaulted Cathedral and he sighed. The Bishop would not like the news he had for him. As Captain of The Guard the apprehension and the imprisonment of criminals was his responsibility, the Bishop was a strange, violent man and rumored to be acquainted with the Black Arts. Angelus dismissed such claims as nonsense, nevertheless The Bishop was powerful, dangerous and unpredictable, only a fool would be less than wary of him; Angelus was no fool.
The Mass was drawing to a close, he took off his sword and handed it to Jonathan waiting just inside the huge, oak and iron doors. The people turned and murmured at the sight of the Captain of The Guard. Angelus bowed in the direction of the altar, crossed himself and then made his way through to the walled cloisters to await the Bishop.
The surge of water carried Oz along. Submerged as he was he lost his bearings, then he caught sight of a dim light ahead and an iron grille, he swam toward them. The grille covered the sewer opening entirely, and the squares cut into it were too small for him to pass through. "Fuck! He panicked and began thrashing in the water. His chest hurt, his heart thumped against his ribs and he felt as though his lungs would burst, in desperation he dived in the hope of being able to find a way under the grille. There was no way under, instead he found that there was a section of the grille rusted away, he managed to swim through and with a last effort he struck out for the surface.
He bobbed up in the river, a quick look round confirmed he was outside the City wall.
Angelus sat on the low, stone wall overlooking the neat garden, the bell tolled the end of the Mass and shortly after the Bishop appeared. A tall, thin man in flowing white robes, with sharp features, a narrow, cruel mouth and swarthy skin. He walked purposefully toward Angelus.
Angelus stood and bowed his head in an indication of respect. The Bishop walked up to him and placed his hand on his head. "Bless you my son. You wish to see me?"
Angelus nodded and walked slowly along beside The Bishop. "Bad news Your Grace, a prisoner has escaped from the dungeons." The Bishop raised an eyebrow. "That is not possible. No one escapes from the dungeons of Aquila, the people accept this as a fact," he said in clipped tones. Angelus cringed at the sharp, cool calmness in the voice. "The responsibility is mine." He mumbled. "Yes!" The Bishop snapped in agreement.
Angelus drew himself up to his full height. "It will be a miracle if the gets through the sewer system Your Grace." The Bishop turned and faced him. "But I believe in miracles Angelus, it's part of my job," he said flatly. "Your Grace it's only the bastard Daniel Osbourne, one insignificant, petty thief." Angelus reasoned carefully. The Bishop fixed him with a piercing glare. "And one spark may start the fires of a rebellion," he hissed.
Angelus felt a cold chill pass through him and the hair on the back of his neck stood up. He shuffled uncomfortably. "If he's out there Your Grace, I'll find him." Angelus vowed.
"Yes!" The Bishop held out his hand and Angelus bowed and kissed the ring, then he spun on his heel and hurried away. The Bishop turned slowly. "You'd better," he mumbled darkly..
Angelus thundered across the drawbridge and down the ramp, he pulled his horse to a skidding halt between the lines of mounted guards. "Jonathan take ten men and ride to Chanee," he ordered . We ride North as far as Gabroche and the name of the man who kills Daniel Osbourne will be brought to the attention of The Bishop himself, as will the body of the fuck up who lets him escape!" He growled.
The guards split up and galloped away, ten with the Lieutenant and the rest following Angelus.
Oz made his way through the shallow water at the river's edge and up along the river, ducking and diving, keeping as close as possible to the cover of the reeds. He drew alongside some soldiers drinking and playing cards on the bank. They were already drunk and one sat drinking and swaying on a log close to the river, his back to the water; from his belt a pouch round and heavy with coin hung temptingly close to the water's edge.
Oz looked at the pouch. "Lord," he whispered. "I know I promised never again; but I know, that you know, what a bastard I am.". He moved close and slid the soldier's knife unnoticed from his belt. As the soldiers laughed and drank he carefully cut the leather thongs holding the pouch to the belt and slipped silently away through the water.
Oz left the river further upstream at a desolate spot, away from the prying eyes of the City. He wouldn't be safe as long as he stayed within the province ruled by The Bishop, that meant traveling North to Gabroche and into the neighboring Province.
It was already late afternoon and he needed to be far away by morning. If he stayed off the roads he knew he would be safer. Perhaps on the way he could steal a horse or mule, even beg a ride in a wagon?
He began to run towards the shelter of the forest.
Far to the North a huge, black, Friesian stallion crested the top of a hill. His black hooded and cloaked rider stretched out his left arm and a circling hawk landed lightly on his gloved hand, he smiled and stroked the beautiful bird's chest lovingly, a look of sadness in the piercing, pale blue eyes. "Soon this will end my love, one way or another," he murmured.