marlowemuses | Fools in Love, for gentry

"Quite shocking," Laurent confirmed, laughing as they returned to the hallway. He leaned against Gansey as they considered their next destination.

"The wine cellar?" Laurent repeated, blinking a few times. "I'm not particularly inclined, unless there's something more significant about it than it being where you keep your wine. Besides, it seems like the sort of place where I'd be unusually tempted to lure you into a quiet corner and ravish you, and neither of us need that sort of temptation if we're ever going to get anything done. I'd rather get the lay of the land and then head out to tour the gardens. I would quite like to see the barracks and training grounds, as well, if that's acceptable."

"It's quite significant, if you ask my father. I'm fairly certain that he only has two interests: fine wine and aged cheese. If you ever chat with him, talking about one or the other is certain to endear him toward you." Frankly, it was almost embarrassing how fond his father was of fancy imported cheese and wine. He could at least pick up an actual hobby, like painting.

"While I'm very tempted by the promise of being ravished in a dark, private place, there will be time for that later. Same for the gardens—you'll have to wait for your tour of those, I'm afraid. That will be for tonight." Gansey winked, heading in the direction of the training grounds.

"Honestly, I can't say I've spent too many hours on the training grounds myself, but they're top notch. I know basic swordsmanship and not much else. I tried archery a few times, but always managed to smack myself in the face with the bow. How about you?"

Laurent hesitated a moment before replying, fingertips stroking at the fabric of Gansey's sleeve. He didn't mind letting Gansey notice that he was considering what information to offer in response to that and what to hold back--or at least to hold back until they were alone.

"I'm an expert swordsman," Laurent said, quietly. "At one point I had an idea of challenging a... friend of my brother's. Even once I'd abandoned the idea, I appreciated the physical discipline and it was... one of the few passions that my brother and I shared. We trained together. And, once I had men of my own, I enjoyed spending time in the barracks among them. I don't know if it's traditional here, for the consort to maintain a personal guard contingent. It was difficult for me to leave the soldiers I had then. My soldiers."

Laurent had seen few guards, compare to Vere, and didn't expect to be allowed a contingent. But he could, at least, spend some time on the training grounds. He traditionally, strictly, preferred to train alone or with his brother. Making an exception to that might make him some friends. After that, Laurent intended to take an interest in the defense of the kingdom. From what he'd seen, the Raven Kingdom was peaceful and expected to remain so, with very few defenses compared to the more paranoid kingdom of Vere. But Laurent was very aware that an invasion could happen suddenly.

Though he intended to prioritize diplomatic protections for his new country, Laurent planned to have the kingdom and himself ready--if war threatened, Laurent wanted to be confident that they could rebuff any approach.

Of course Gansey noticed the hesitation. From the moment Laurent had descended from his carriage Gansey had made it his business to learn what his tells might be, what certain actions might mean. So it was not lost on him, and he would not press for more information while they were out and about the castle.

Not that he wasn't curious. Challenging a friend of his brother's? From the slight hesitation, it didn't sound like friend was the word Laurent really wanted to use, but he couldn't be sure. For what reason? Maybe he'd ask about that later.

"You may maintain your own cohort, if you want. It always depended upon the consort." Gansey glanced from Laurent to the halls ahead, "Our guards work on a rotation around this time of year. There are a lot of festivals and holidays in the main town and they like to be with their families, so we keep smaller groups that rotate tours. They're on call in case of an emergency, of course, and my parents have their own undercover protection. At least five ladies in my mother's parlor with you were hiding swords under their skirts."

He pushed open the large wooden door that lead toward the training grounds. They were past the stables but away from the woods, the flourish of the gardens in sight. As he said, the guards were light. Enough to cover all areas of the castle but clearly not of normal numbers. They seemed to be having a good time, even, sparring while one of the commanders barked out criticisms.

"I asked, because I was wondering if you'd like to have a spar. We don't have to today. Whenever. I should get back to sharpening my skills. You would probably not appreciate it if I got out of shape and fat, hm?" He nudged Laurent's side gently with his elbow as he lightly teased. "If you're as well-trained as you say, I think you'll have me on my back quite a bit."

"It's a good idea, having undercover guards. I like it because it encourages a variety of disciplines for the staff, and supplies them with better opportunity. I have always opposed the idea of having helpless servants who know only a single skill. It penalizes everyone." Laurent smiled as they spoke, brows lifting with interest as they entered the training grounds. His sharp eyes took in everything, noting the condition of the guards and their apparent discipline.

"You're absolutely not allowed to get out of shape and fat," Laurent confirmed, though he didn't believe for a minute that there was any danger of it. Not at the rate that the two of them loved to explore and run. "A demonstration, then? I expect your men will enjoy seeing you get a lesson in swordplay." He tapped Gansey's elbow lightly, to draw his attention so he could speak more quietly. "Introduce me to anyone here whom you know by name, please."

"Ah, shame me in front of the troops, will you?"

He leaned when Laurent's tone went softer and the hand touched his elbow. "Easily done, considering I know them all by name." He didn't question why Laurent would want him to. With great strides he lead Laurent into the area; all eyes were on them within seconds, and Gansey's smile was brilliant enough to shame the sun.

"Good morning, men! I hope you're all doing well today. I heard your wife finally gave birth, Emerland, congratulations." One of the guards gave them a thumbs up. Giving the nod for the men to return to what they were doing, Gansey pointedly led Laurent to one especially cheerful young man. From the east if his features were any tell, with tall styled black hair—he was the only one not wearing some kind of helm or headgear. Lest it ruin his hair, obviously.

"Ganseyboy!" the youth said cheerfully, "and a beautiful companion? It's lovely to meet you, sir." The man bowed and Gansey turned to Laurent. "Laurent, this is Henry. Henry, my fiance, Laurent."

Laurent was thrilled to find that Gansey was on such familiar terms with the guards, which made him adore his fiance all the more.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Laurent said, inclining his head in polite greeting but not letting go of Gansey's arm. He was very pleased to meet Gansey's men, and intrigued as to why Gansey wished him to meet this one in particular. He stood out, even if it weren't for the specialized introduction, which made Laurent suspect that he had a different skill set from the rest. "Are you a specialist of some sort?"

"You could say that," Henry answered happily, giving Laurent a wink. "I have quite a few skills."

Gansey wrinkled his nose and set his hand on the small of Laurent's back, "And here I thought your only skill was styling your hair in the most foppish way possible."

"Merely one of many," Henry chipped without missing a beat, smoothing his hand back over his hair.

Gansey rolled his eyes, but was still smiling. He turned his face toward Laurent so he could address his fiance properly. "We're longtime friends. He does, however, have a very annoying fighting style. Very quick." If he was going to introduce Laurent to anyone, he figured that it might as well be Henry. Henry was more or less his eyes and ears out in the barracks; not that he would say so in front of all the men. They just thought him the foolish young man that spent too much time being vain.

Henry nodded, "Like a sting, eh?" Picking up his sword, he swung it around slowly, so he might loosen out his wrist. "Were you looking for a partner to spar with, fiance-Laurent?

"I thought I had one," Laurent said, giving Gansey a wry smirk before stepping away and turning his attention to Henry. "I think my fiance wants to see if I can be beaten before he risks challenging me," he said, pretending to whisper.

Taking a moment to scan the field and the audience, he nodded. "If I might borrow a sword? I would be very grateful for a bit of practice."

His hand strayed to his waist, where his sword had been, and should be. He'd been stripped of his barbs, coming here. They'd allowed him his sword in the carriage, in case of ambush, but he'd left it upon the seat when he emerged. He knew where his sword lay in his rooms, but if Gansey carried no sword about his daily business, neither could Laurent. He felt naked without it.

Gansey snorted, resting his hands on his hips with an arched brow, "Oh, yes. I'd quite like to know my odds first."

No, Gansey was not really one for carrying swords around, which he didn't even consider a possible oddity. They both watched as Laurent's hand wandered to his hip and had different understandings: Gansey merely figuring he was miming out what the wanted, and Henry knowing the habit of the movement. So Henry gave Laurent an understanding smile and nodded his chin at Gansey, "Nope, he probably doesn't even think about it."

To which Gansey smartly responded, "What?" Henry laughed some more and shook his head.

"My kingdom is a much rougher place than this one," the boy explained as he stepped away to grab a sword to pass to Laurent. Something light and easy to spar with. "Where if you don't have a weapon on you at all times, you'll either get kidnapped or killed. Or both."

Gansey pursed his lips and went to fetch his own sword; it was one he used most often when he trained, and was often left alone because of that reason. Some of the other guards were breaking and watching Henry, Laurent, and Gansey with some interest. When the young prince returned to his fiance's side, he swung his blade around slowly, getting used to its weight again.

"I don't think I'll be so bad."

"So am I fighting you or him?" Laurent asked, stepping close to Gansey to kiss his cheek. He was fully aware that they were being watched by the entire courtyard, but he preferred to let Gansey set the terms of this encounter as much as possible. Showing his skill to the guards could make him either very liked or very disliked. People didn't like being shown up. But as long as he was careful to stay within the safety of how much everyone liked Gansey, he thought he could secure the fond admiration of the soldiers.

Henry waved his hand back and forth excitedly, as though begging to be chosen. Gansey leaned into the kiss and then turned his head to plant one against Laurent's forehead. He had no problems showing his fiance affection in front of the men; in fact, it would keep them extra civil, he knew, if they were well aware of Gansey's feelings toward the man. ( And a third added benefit, that none of them would get the idea that they might have a chance with the prince. )

Gansey laughed lightly, "Well, I do still need to see if you can be beaten. So may as well make Henry's day. Do me a favor and put him on his ass?" Henry wrinkled his nose, seeing as Gansey didn't even bother to whisper that, but bounced from one foot to the other in anticipation.

With that, Gansey took a step back, giving the men who had decided to peek in on what was happening a friendly nod.

Henry smoothed his hair back and then assumed his position, sword raised as though he might be fencing, other arm raised behind him dramatically. "Whenever you're ready, fiance-Laurent!"

"I hope you'll go easy on me," Laurent said to Henry, with a little grin. He knew perfectly well how he looked: soft. Spoiled. A nobleman who thought he knew a little fencing. In addition to which, he had no idea how skilled Henry was. Laurent knew he could beat any man in Vere--save one--but how Veretian sword skills compared to the Raven Kingdom, or how those compared to any foreign tutelage Henry might have... Laurent had no way to know.

He raised his own sword, posture elegant. He looked the part of a prince from a storybook, beautiful and noble, but easily trounced by any seasoned soldier.

Shooting a grin at his opponent, Laurent advanced, feeling him out. His forays were easy at first, playful, learning how Henry moved and how to counter it. He didn't want to draw blood, and he knew that Henry wouldn't dare, which slowed the fight, at least until Laurent had seen how fast Henry could move.

Gaining in confidence once he was more sure of Henry's skill, Laurent relaxed, playing and showing off as he fought. They circled, taking up space and making use of the obstacles at the edges of the arena--since neither wanted to draw blood, tripping an opponent over a hay bale would be an easy way to win.

Laurent was highly adaptive, and as he figured out that neither of them would draw blood, he started making use of that, knowing that he could make gambles that he wouldn't make in any normal fight. Without their treaty in place, drawing blood from a foreign prince, even in a play fight, could mean an act of war. Laurent held himself to the same standard, and would forfeit at once if he miscalculated and drew a drop from Henry. More so, because Laurent would not allow the risk of war, even as he chanced it through his playful gambles.

Men scrambled aside as the two of them moved into the more cluttered space near the barracks, where there were hay bales and tack underfoot. Laurent dodged back from an attack that might have disarmed him, mounting up a stack of hay bales in his retreat and swinging onto the low gabled roof over the door to the barracks. He flashed a grin, challenging Henry to follow.

Henry grinned, clearly having quite a bit of fun, meeting the beginning easy forays with an equal amount of playfulness. It wouldn't be difficult to puzzle out that Henry was not a hard hitter; he relied on his speed mostly, paired with cleverness. Like a sting. Were he anything, he would be a bee, moving back and forth haphazardly and striking when he thought he saw a weak spot.

Showing off, at that, was something Henry could appreciate. He did the same, angling more for the show rather than earnestly trying to end the fight quickly. Where was the fun in that? Not to mention, Gansey was watching Laurent with delight, thoroughly enjoying the show. Would they end so quickly and disappoint the prince? Henry didn't think so.

There were plenty of obstacles in the area for them to use. Henry had the same idea; no, there would be no blood, no need for accidental war or scarring one of their handsome selves. While his skills would be less effective in a clunkier area like the one Laurent led him to, he wasn't about to peel off. He grinned back and followed without a second thought, The men below cheered and Gansey watched, unblinking, as his friend and fiance met swords.

Henry swung into the roof as well, patting the flats of his feet down against it before flashing another smile. "You're quite good!" he said happily, dancing as he took another strike. While fighting on a roof could lead to serious injury, this was low enough and surrounded by hay bales that Henry wasn't incredibly concerned.

"You're not half bad yourself," Laurent said. When Henry followed him up, Laurent had a strong advantage for a moment, with higher ground and stable footing while Henry was still mounting up. He pushed the advantage hard, pushing forward and striking Henry's sword to the side, unbalancing him and forcing him to either drop his sword or fall. It was a gamble and a slightly underhanded move, but Laurent was counting on it to work in his favor.

Any normal person would drop their sword rather than fall, and Laurent trusted to that, swinging his other arm forward so that he would catch Henry's wrist. If Henry kept his sword, he'd fall onto the bales and probably suffer no serious injury, and Laurent would be clearly seen to be un-sporting in his ambition to win. If, as Laurent was gambling, Henry dropped his sword, Laurent would win and catch him, clearly framing him as a winner and hero. It was exactly the sort of risk that Laurent couldn't resist.

As dramatic as a fall would be, no doubt it would ruin his hair. Which was simply unacceptable. So Henry let his sword fall (though not without a dramatic flourish). Some of the crowd below gasp, some whooped, and Gansey was wearing a slight smirk as he saw the flash of silver land in the bale below.

Henry let out a breath when his wrist was caught, his position still precarious as he stood unsteadily on the roof. "Whew! You got me, you got me. Excellent play, old bean! Don't let me go, now. My hair would never survive the hay."

Evidently, a slightly underhanded move didn't bother Henry. Really, had he the chance, he probably would have done the same.

"I think we have a winner!" one of the men cheered from below, and several other stepped closer. There was scattered applause. One of the men retrieved Henry's sword.

Laurent tugged Henry up and made sure he had steady footing before he let go of him. Dropping to the ground by his side, Laurent grinned, enjoying the cheers and appreciation for their little performance.

Returning immediately to Gansey's side, Laurent claimed his kiss for victory, sliding his arm around Gansey's waist. He was flush with triumph, thrilled to have had a challenge and a game. And, best of all, to be able to return to Gansey's side at the end, safe in Gansey's affection. "Still want to challenge me?" he teased, sneaking a pinch to Gansey's ass to make him blush.

Henry gave a bow before hopping off the roof behind Laurent, going to the guard that had grabbed his sword for him. Spirit seemed to be high, and several of the men went back to training as scheduled, others taking their breaks and wiping down with rags.

Laurent was awarded his kiss for victory quite happily, with Gansey threading his fingers through golden hair all the while. What a challenge and a game it had been! Gansey was pleased to see that Laurent looked so happy, and may have commented on how his fiance seemed to glow when besting other men, except for the fact that he was very distracted when Laurent pinched his ass. It was very different when it was someone you were attracted to doing the pinching.

Indeed he blushed, turning away from the guards lest they see his colored ears or cheeks, making to steal a kiss before he answered.

"Only if you promise to go easy on me," Gansey murmured, a chuckle with his words. "I'm not sure I can hop on that roof quite so deftly."

"I think you could," Laurent said, releasing him and taking up his sword again. He picked it up in the left hand this time, to give himself the balanced exercise and skill. It would level the playing field between them a little, if Gansey's protestations of his skill were to be believed, and it would give Gansey a challenge he might not usually have.

Giving his fiance a grin, Laurent flicked his sword to tap Gansey's, playful as ever.

He did go easy on Gansey, searching for Gansey's weaknesses and doing his best to help him improve. It made for pleasant practice, as Laurent believed that there were few things better for sword skills than frequent drilling of the basics, and he was happy to mix that up with a little bit of playful challenge.

Gansey smiled when Laurent tapped their swords together, "We'll see, yes?"

Despite his claims, Gansey was not as bad as he claimed. Rusty? Certainly. But he had been drilled from the age of seven to about fifteen nearly every day. A few years of skipping lessons as often as possible was not enough to kill the reflexes that had been hammered into him. As they practiced together he grew sharper, his footwork by the book, unlike Henry's.

"When I was younger," he said as they met swords, "my tutor used to spank me with the flat of his sword when I messed up. Then he told me I would be lucky if my enemies did the same."

He circled. Having started largely on the defensive, he moved onto being a bit more offensive, taking a few steps forward as he met Laurent's sword.

With a playful smirk he added, "I don't think I'd mind, were you in his shoes."

Laurent couldn't help laughing at that, giving a few feet of ground because of it. "I had no idea your tastes ran in that direction. Is that a request?"

His smirk was just as playful, more than willing to add an extra layer of challenge to their match. If it were a question of which of them would fluster first from sexual innuendoes, Laurent was certain he would win.

His left arm tired quicker, but he refused to switch back, liking the challenge. He was extremely pleased to see that Gansey's skill had such a solid base. He wasn't as creative or unusual in his swordplay as either Henry or Laurent could be, but Laurent was very pleased to know that his beloved wasn't helpless.

No, not helpless, thankfully. Mostly just textbook. Sparring with Laurent would sharpen his skills right back up; that he had no doubt of. Especially if it was something his fiance enjoyed—it seemed to be so. Learning the things Laurent enjoyed delighted him.

The accusation made him laugh. He was much less shy when it came to flirting. Really, it was much more fun flirting with someone he actually had feelings for. Gansey was never much one hunting for the sport of it, like many men and women in the kingdom. Most of his experience had merely been from normal curiosity. Then, it was back to hunting for sleeping kings and sticking his nose in a dusty old journal.

"I have other requests that might take precedence," he admitted freely, sliding back into a more defensive position to switch things up. "And if I were to speak true, my tastes might run the opposite way."

Laurent grinned at that, very intrigued. "I suddenly feel fatigued," he said, all playfulness. "All this excitement. I fear I might need a nap. And further details."

Putting up his sword, he bowed to Gansey, satisfied with only exercise. There was no need to defeat Gansey, though he was confident that he could. Returning his sword, he hooked his arm through Gansey's again, kissing his cheek. "I think we're in need of lunch. And I need to hear more details about these requests of yours."

"Ho. Wore you out, have I?"

Gansey returned the bow with a twinkle in his eye, well aware that Laurent could have bested him had he really wanted to. Maybe one day they could have a serious bout of it. After he'd sharped up his skills, so he didn't look too much like a clumsy scholar that rarely saw the light of day.

"Lunch we can do. As for those details... well, I wouldn't want to distract you from that nap." With a chuckle he pressed his lips to Laurent's temple before turning to pass his sword to one of the guardsmen that had noticed they were finished.

"That's the main tour of the grounds, I'd say. What's left are some of the upper rooms, and the garden. The latter I'll be showing you tonight." Leading Laurent back to the castle and toward the kitchens, he continued, "What might you want for lunch?"

"Something simple," Laurent said, smiling at the kiss to his temple. "And you."

They stopped by the kitchens to pick up a basket of lunch stuffs, and then swung by Laurent's room to retrieve the book that he'd been loaned but hadn't yet had a chance to start. Then he coaxed Gansey to return to his tower room, lounging across his lover's bed as he nibbled on an apple and some cheese. "So what were these requests of yours that might take precedence?" Laurent asked, grinning impishly while he pretended to be focused on the book in front of him.

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