Warnings: HAU, M/M sex, rape, violence, vague non graphic mentions of het sex, swearing, angst, harsh themes, mild Sub/Dom. OOC, varying chapter lengths, Unbeta'd, blatant use of movie dialogue.
Rating: NC17 Throughout
Pairing: 100% S/X
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.
Note1: This is Europe in 1501. Times and people were harsh. Life was cheap and plague rife. This is not a cuddly story and Spike is not a cuddly character. Some might find his treatment of Xander, questionable.
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. What sex there is happens in the natural course of the plot and as part of Spike and Xander's relationship.
Note 4: This is a human/medieval Spike and Xander expect them to behave as such.
Summary: When Prince Rupert is usurped and ousted from his city, he lays siege. He decides to use a group of wandering mercenaries led by the charismatic but dangerous Spike to supplement his army. When he goes back on his word to allow the mercenaries 24 hours free hand to loot the City unopposed, Spike plots revenge. Unfortunately it is Rupert's 18 year old, scholarly son Xander who must pay the price.
Chapter 22/26 + Epilogue
Rating: NC17
Chapter: 22/26 + Epilogue
Rating NC17 Throughout
Lindsey looked up at Angelus. "I came here under a flag of truce." Angelus snorted. "Well you're not dead so I guess it worked." Lindsey made to get to his feet, Angelus drew his sword. "Knees are fine." Lindsey glowered. "I need to speak to Prince Rupert," he hitched his voice for effect. "about his son, Xander." Angelus's eyes narrowed. "Did Spike send you? Does he want to make a deal?" Lindsey gave a hollow laugh and shook his head. "Spike doesn't know I'm here, none of them do, he's already threatened to kill me for defending the boy." Angelus glanced at Graham. "You never struck me as the noble sort. Just what is it you want?"
"I told you, I need to speak to the Prince." Lindsey persisted. Angelus sighed. "Anything you'd say to the Prince, you can say to me, I'll decide if he ought to be bothered with it."
"Oh believe me, he's going to want to hear this." Lindsey glanced around and frowned. "Where is everyone?" It suddenly occurred to him that apart from the men he could see the camp appeared deserted.
"No business of yours." Graham snapped. Angelus raised Lindsey's chin with the tip of his sword. "Either you speak to us, or we take you back to the castle, tell them you tried to betray them and then watch while they use you for target practice." Lindsey's eyes flickered nervously. "Alright."
Lindsey sighed heavily. "I admit I thought kidnapping the young Prince and holding him to ransom was a good idea." Angelus grunted. "After all his father did screw us over."
"I don't need a history lesson." Angelus growled. "Get on with it." Lindsey tried for his most contrite expression. "You saw how Spike was with the boy on the wall, he'd been sniffing around him since we took him prisoner." Angelus raised an eyebrow but said nothing, Spike's sexual activities were well known, quite simply gender seem unimportant to the blond mercenary, if he wanted someone one way or another he generally got them. "I think he thought to seduce the boy," Lindsey continued. " then when his father arrived it forced his hand." Lindsey shook his head. "Holding him for ransom is one thing, but raping and murdering an eighteen year old boy," he let his voice trail away for effect.
Graham gasped. "Murder, Prince Xander's dead?" Lindsey nodded. Angelus scowled. "I don't believe it." He said flatly. " Spike is capable of most things but murdering someone like Xander, the boy barely knows how to defend himself, killing a defenseless eighteen year old boy is out of character even for him." Lindsey looked the Captain in the eye and lied. "He tried to rape the boy. Xander fought back, he'd gotten a dagger from somewhere and managed to cut Spike, he flew into a rage and killed the boy." He watched the myriad of emotions pass over Angelus's face.
Angelus's mind raced. Could it be? The prince was right it was all his fault? I showed Spike mercy because he'd saved my life, when I should have kept my word and executed him. If I'd done my job, Xander would be .... But was he dead? He thought back to the wall, the way Spike held and touched the boy. His stomach lurched, what had he done? Angelus staggered as the enormity of his failure crashed over him. He threw back his head and roared. "Spike! God damn you Spike! God damn you to Hell!" Angelus lunged forward with his sword and impaled Lindsey through the heart. Graham gave a horrified gasp. "Captain! He was under a flag of truce!"
"There'll be no truce here." Angelus snarled. "I failed once because I showed mercy, it won't happen again." There was an eerie mournful howl, Angelus looked around and saw the hound stagger and fall. "What's wrong with the dog?" Graham shrugged. "Stupid creature drank some of your blood, must have caught plague." Angelus face slid into a slow smile. He began to approach the dog, sword in hand. "You and I friend, will wipe out that bastard."
In the early evening Andrew and Jonathan hung a sheet in the courtyard and behind they had arranged several rows of lit torches set into tall, wrought iron holders. In front the mercenaries lounged on cushions watching as they performed a play with puppets they had found, hinged figures on sticks whose shadows were cast onto the sheet. Spike lounged between Drusilla curled into his side and Xander who he'd pulled to lounge across him. Gunn pushed his way through and tapped his shoulder, Spike turned and he motioned for Spike to follow him. Spike spoke to Xander. "Stay here Little Prince, with Dru, I'll be a moment." He stood and followed Gunn to the shadows. "Lindsey's gone." He whispered. Spike shrugged. "Are you sure?" Gunn nodded. "He's been missing all afternoon. I thought he was sulking somewhere. I checked the room he shares with Forest. His stuff is gone and his share of the spoils."
Spike frowned. "How'd he get out?"
"I found a rope tied to a turret on the battlements, looks like he used it to climb down, I removed it." Gunn explained. Spike looked thoughtful. "Anyone else know?" Gunn shook his head. "Not so far, he had the watch and was alone up there but it won't be long before Forest misses him." Spike pursed his lips then shrugged. "No great loss, must have taken my advice and left." Gunn sighed. "Suppose Angelus picked him up?" Spike shook his head. "Not likely or we'd have heard something by now." He slapped Gunn on the back. "You worry too much, come and watch the show."