“Busy time, eh, Maen?” Grien smiled widely at me - he had a very friendly manner which often cheered me, though I was concerned that it would prevent him from being promoted to Gold Warrior. He worked well, and was very accomplished, physically - he was our current champion in the spear and axe events. He was also an excellent wrestler - he beat me more and more easily, as years went by! And he was a tall, attractive, dark-haired man - he’d always been Called very frequently by the Ladies, and had been designated a Favourite by many of them. Even my Mistress spent longer with him when he was a Bronzeman than many of the others. I liked him, personally: I knew that wasn’t of significance, but I couldn’t deny that his assistance helped me to run the barracks more easily and pleasantly. If he sometimes lacked the gravitas that was needed to progress in the service of the City, I thought that would pass. When my Mistress looked at him, she’d smile gently - she didn’t look as if she would trust him with her Household. I had always believed that to be the most important part of our duty. Then I would see him at work or share a joke and a drink with him, and I’d question that certainty.

I was delaying his Appraisal, for these very reasons. I had some latitude in scheduling the periodic reports, but I couldn’t delay it for much longer.

And now he was here, smiling at me with easy warmth. I pushed the papers aside, and smiled in return. “Supper’s ready?”

Grien lowered himself down into my one other chair, and nodded. “Devotion in half an hour, then food.” He moved gracefully for a grown man. He wore only the sleeveless vest that we have on under our armour, and the trousers made of soft, thick fabric, tucked into his boots. He’d removed his belt - he carried no arms, not even a knife. Grien could be an almost reluctant soldier - he fought with a ferocity that few matched, but when he was off duty, he dropped the clothes and insignia of the military at the earliest opportunity. None of us had many personal clothes, for they were not required for City service: but Grien had the most of us all.

“It went well, I hear - the Choosing. That fool Justes has been boasting he’s been Called by my Mistress, and it seems that a couple of the others have also been Called, by the Ladies. Their lusts are high, in anticipation of the new Bronzemen - they need some reminder of the technical details, eh?” He smiled at his own crude wit, knowing he could be fairly relaxed in front of me: we were both soon to be off duty. “The rest of us on late shift are going into the City for a drink or two -”

“Or three,” I said, though teasingly. Everyone knew Grien loved to drink.

“Or three,” he agreed, with a laugh. He peered at me, as if searching my expression, and his eyes suddenly clouded - his mood could change like that, very swiftly. “How many will it take, then?”

“What do you mean?”

His voice was low. “How many must I - or you - drink, before you’ll join me in the quarters tonight?”

I tensed, my hands suddenly tight on the side of the table. I knew this was an invitation beyond a casual drink with the men. This wasn’t the first time Grien had asked - nor the first time I’d refused. Understand this, I wasn’t offended - far from it! But it wasn’t my wish tonight.

“You need some relaxation - Sir…” he said, in the same low, vibrant voice. The title sounded mocking in his rich tone.

“I have been Called by my Mistress at midnight,” I replied, quietly. “I can join you in town until then. After that, though, I have no idea when I’ll be back in the quarters.”

Grien bit at his lip: there was a slight flush on his face, though he wasn’t usually a man to be embarrassed. “Of course. You are one of her Favorites. Though after tomorrow, she’ll have new blood to entertain her for a while, eh?”

“Yes,” I agreed. I didn’t want to say anything more. The air in the room felt tight with tension.

Grien stood up suddenly, his chair scraping across the floor. He stretched out his long, athletic limbs. He was a very attractive man, indeed: and he knew I was watching him. “She won’t Call you for ever, Maen. And there’s no restriction on enjoying yourself with the rest of us, is there?”

He was right, of course. It was expected that the Silvers maintained their prime condition, and the development of a strong body often led to an equally healthy libido. It was important that they were able to enjoy whatever pleasures of the flesh they could. Therefore, if a Lady didn’t Call you, there was no shame in coupling with the men of your Guard - your fellow soldiers; even the Golds. In fact, it was encouraged! The Silvers must be kept satisfied; it allowed them to concentrate all their mental energy on their military duty to the City.

Grien had moved over to the table: he moved smoothly, like a feral cat. He was almost predatory. He landed a hand either side of mine, the hard sound thumping on the wood. His head bent down over mine. I could smell the freshness of cold water on his skin, from his wash after the day’s work; the underlying muskiness on his vest of leather straps; the tang of metal from the armour he’d worn all day. On his breath, I could smell the ale that he must have already supped in the barracks kitchen. He always had allies there who would supply him in advance of a meal.

“Don’t you feel the need any more, Maen?” he hissed. “Is that what it is, to be a Gold? You make the requisite Devotions - and in return, you’re driven to avoid your natural desires - to repress your urges - to devote yourself to your paperwork instead?”

I leapt to my own feet, angry at his blasphemy. Too late, I realised my face was now very close to his, my furious breath dusting his cheek.

His eyes locked on mine: his expression was a far more complex mix than mere anger. “Relax, Maen,” he growled. “I know what a model citizen you are. I just wish you’d loosen up a little. Show the man underneath the Warrior to someone other than our Mistress - someone else who could offer you the attention you need.”

“You?” I said, harshly.

His eyes flashed with fury, though I’d not meant it insultingly. There was a sudden movement of his upper body, his arm lifting towards me, reaching for my neck. Before I could move away, he’d gripped the hair at my nape, his fingers tangling in it, a forceful caress against the skin of my neck. His face was set pale, and far too close. I wasn’t afraid of him - there was nothing he could do that would put me in danger, we both knew that. But that familiarity was the very thing that made me pause - that, and an instinctive reaction to drop my head back, baring my neck and pushing only a token resistance against his possessive grip. Then his heated breath was on my face, and his mouth came down on mine. His thick tongue licked at my lips, asking for entrance between them.

I opened my mouth wider, to protest: but when Grien’s tongue thrust inside, I let it. In fact, I leant further in towards him, savouring the warmth, and the strong sweetness that could only be found in a masculine mouth. I was vividly aware of the callused pads of his fingertips, gripping at my flesh; I could feel the loose threads of his dark hair caught against our chins, as we came together. My lips were crushed against his and the pulse in my neck was throbbing painfully. My tongue slid across his, caressing the rough surface, teasing at the sensitive taste buds; seeking to plunge into his mouth in return.

He groaned. It woke me up from my erotic daydream.