A Ship Run Aground (M/M) - New Chapters AUG 30

[Volobond]

@DeeperThanRed  @Socksbound  @gag1195 @KidnappedCowboy  @harveygasson  @Guardianbound  @Bradstick

At least the bed was comfortable.

Senma had been returned to his quarters with the utmost respect a guest was due. And that same utmost respect was applied to ensuring he was bound spread-eagled and silenced, a fine net of chains placed over the bed, and the sailor linked to them, like an insect caught in a spiderweb.

That damnable muzzle was returned to him, viciously tight from the ire of the serving lad he had tricked - so much for bygones being bygones!

Something about Berheim, Senma guessed - it was always trying to ensnare him. It often succeeded. Whether it was the chains of its conquerer or the wiles of its queen, the land of rivers had wound its way round his sea-salted heart.

Hours, it seemed. His arms had long since passed ache and into numbness, and his jaw creaked if he dared try to gnaw upon the obstruction drying out his mouth. He whiled away the time counting each tile in the portion of the ceiling mosaic he could see. How targeted - the pattern was of the goddess of tides! It nearly made Senma laugh.

You'll have to do better than that, Princess.

"I see you've noticed the art." Esme's sardonic voice resounded, almost in response.

Senma refused to give her the satisfaction of jolting or looking to meet her gaze. But he felt that she had seen his minute moment of freezing up.

She approached, reaching out and gently resting her hand on his stomach, caressing the rippling muscles there, before she climbed into the bed, tucking herself against his side.

He felt her warmth near him, and his instinct was to try and curl around her. But with that being impossible, he contented himself with the knowledge that his Princess was more like his beloved ocean than she claimed - untamable and never truly belonging to anybody but herself; and it was something he loved about them both.

Esme said nothing, her pale fingers drawing soft, lazy spirals along Senma's bronze skin. For a long moment she stayed like that, her cheek on Senma's shoulder, before she lifted her head into his field of vision. She pressed a gentle kiss to the muzzle's leather over his mouth, and he would've given the world to have the layer of leather and fabric removed. His eyes met hers, her hair hanging down over one shoulder in a curtain, and Senma felt strands tickling his nose, the scent of her hair wafting around him...

She distracted him like no other, and he knew she knew it. What was a sailor to a princess? A Shiplord to a Queen? A demigod of waves to a tamer of rivers?

Esme slowly removed the muzzle. "They didn't even use the built-in restraints." She glanced in slight disapproval at the chain net. Her fingertips ghosted across Senma's lips before plucking the massive wad of sodden fabric from his mouth.

"A shame they don't know how easy you made it for them to restrain me." Senma jabbed, though he couldn't bring himself to lob any true acid her way.

Esme straddled him, admiring the line of his jaw, before leaning over him. Teasing him by moving as if she would grant him the kiss he so desired, but stopping to press a well-concealed button on the headboard.

"Damn you." He whispered into her hair, and she laughed, before pushing his wrists into the fine leather cuffs springing from concealed chambers in the bedposts. She then freed him from the chain net with a silver knife, but he was already stuck.

She guided him into a sitting position, the cuff chains sliding up on tracks that had been well concealed in the posts, locking them in place in slots among the slats making up the bed's canopy while not concealing the mosaic above.

Senma now balanced on his knees, wrists chained up above his head and spread out, as she used the knife to cut away what was left of his prisoner tunic, leaving his torso bare.

"Do I still please you, Princess?"

"You're still far too cocky."

"Well, can't help that. I'm a shower."

"Churl."

"Tease."

She burst into laughter, and he chuckled along, his heart thrilling when she leaned into him.

"If I'd known bondage was what it took to earn your affection, Lady, I'd have begged to be your pet long ago." Senma sighed. She nuzzled into his neck again.

"I wouldn't have let you. It'd be a crime to keep you from the sea."

"Not if I was at the mercy of something just as implacable. Being at your feet... a man would never miss the sea."

"Damn you." Esme groaned. "You might've thought about telling me this years ago. Or spiriting me away from this castle when we first met."

"I did think about it." Senma admitted. "But you needed... no, you deserved the chance to choose for yourself. You need no husband to order you about or king to dictate your fate. I would gladly fight all your battles, Esme - but you would not thank me for it."

Esme looked at him in something resembling wonder, and no small amount of mingled frustration and pleasure. "I suppose you really are a demigod."

"And you have befriended metal, haven't you?" Senma grinned. "Imprisoned men and made it grab them for you."

"You mean the magnetic plates? Yes... I have learned to speak to metal, I think."

"That's my Princess." He gave into the instinct, reaching to draw her into a hug before groaning in irritation at the restraints. "Are these truly necessary?"

She moved close, embracing him, letting him bury his face in her hair the way he wanted. Esme pressed their skin together, and kissed his chest. He almost felt greedy for wanting more, and then he did his best to surrender.

She smiled up at him. "Well, King of the Waves... I think you've languished long enough."

"I quite agree, Queen of the Rivers."

She laughed at him then, before she retreated to the writing desk, where she had laid a small package. From it, she withdrew a straight razor. "Time to tame whatever that thing on your face is."

"You don't like my rascal's beard?"

She giggled. "I'll try to get it to something nearing rascally, I promise."

He flexed in the restraints, as if he had any power. "I'll hold you to that."

"I hope you do." She whispered, before she kissed him, deep and passionate as the ocean.

[Volobond]

Heheh, I know, a little bit of F/M there, rare for me! But we'll be back to the regularly scheduled hunk on hunk bondage soon!

It's been a while, since the site shift and all, and I'm glad to have brought another chapter to y'all!

@gag1195 @Socksbound Honestly, I've been STEWING in the idea of that and I kinda love itttt

@Guardianbound Hehe, we've just gotta see how the threads connect!

[DeeperThanRed]

It's always a great day when I see an update from this story in my notifications.

I gotta agree with Senma here, Esme is a tease! I loved the affectionate banter between the two, especially with Esme ungagging Senma (always an underrated aspect of TUGs) only to further strip and shave him. He really can't get a break!

[KidnappedCowboy]

A lovely interlude before we're

back to the regularly scheduled hunk on hunk bondage

Just love the pillow talk between Senma and Esme! Or is it chain talk? Or cuff talk?

And Senma better be careful of his cocky attitude lest it is his

shower

and not his beard that Esme takes a razor to!

[Bradstick]

God I love Esme, what a tease! I am so excited to see you continue this story! Cant wait to see more of these characters, they are all amazing!!!

[gag1195]

Heheh, I know, a little bit of F/M there, rare for me! But we'll be back to the regularly scheduled hunk on hunk bondage soon!

I'll forgive it when its so well written with this amazing dialogue and characters like this chapter! And once again, Esme is not beating any of my allegations- enslaving her king and husband, and easily restraining and seducing the King of the Waves... I see where her sons get their skills at getting their own kings and lords to fall for them...

[Volobond]

@DeeperThanRed  @Socksbound  @gag1195 @KidnappedCowboy  @harveygasson  @Guardianbound  @Bradstick

"Gawain, don't be such a fool." Captain Ariel grimaced. "I did not take you for one so easily swayed by the charms of a noblewoman."

Gawain had led them to the recieving chamber, leaving a dozing Rune to his slumber, still bound tightly in the bedchamber. He hadn't expected Ariel to be enthusiastic about his decision to ally with the risky plot of Esme, but he also hadn't considered outright derision.

"What reason would she have to play this hand out, if she truly wished to overthrow us?"

Ariel rolled his eyes. "You overestimate her. Even a genius needs no reason more than pride to fight against a percieved slight."

"She has... her past bears considering. Your past bears considering."

Ariel frowned, looking at Gawain with a wary expression. "You're saying that the Mechanist was once a slave as well?"

"As good as. Kidnapped by the king, forced to... well, I cannot blame her for being wary of authority."

"So you would risk our hold on this land - the Empire's hold on this land - because you wish to make a true ally of her?"

"I am no fool, Brother. I know that Esme is... crafty. And bears scars that would make her opposed to Imperial dominion. But I can get her to see me as a friend and ally. And that, that is more than worth the risk."

"But by letting Senma go? To form his own rebellion? That is foolish."

"The antidote to the poison of sedition is a happy populace." Gawain chuckled. "In her own way, she's trying to place a check on our power - Senma's rebellion will gather no steam if we are not tyrannical and despotic in our governance."

"I very much doubt you can rely on good feeling alone to keep Senma powerless."

"So what? You ask that I tarnish my honor? That I renege on an agreement?"

"I'll... I'll handle it. I have an idea."

"No!"

Ariel placed his hand over the Governor's mouth. Gawain's eyes lit up for just a moment in recognition.

"Remember when we were lads, and how we resolved our quarrels?"

"If you'll let Rune judge."



So Rune was able to giddily watch, ungagged but still bound, as Ariel and Gawain stripped to the waist, each wrist and ankle adorned with a trailing length of rope forming a shackle. Barefoot, shirtless, and bereft of adornment, the warriors began to circle each other.

The sight was glorious, Silverblade and Goldenhand. Ariel's powerful shoulders and lithe grace versus Gawain's impressive build and sheer strength. The goal: to immobilize one's opponent using the strands of rope around their limbs. When words would fail, the two would trust in their bodies and their hearts.

The first time they had fought this contest of wills, they had been but boys, one of noble birth and the other his servitor, deciding whether or not to risk of Gawain taking Ariel with him wherever he went, even to sword lessons, to school, to train in the army, to live like a free man.

"I promised you on our name day last year." The young golden haired boy had said firmly. "I won't ever leave your side."

"They might not allow it. And if I get in trouble, they'll separate us forever." The cautious silver eyes of his brother-in-all-but-name wavered.

They had fought then, gangly limbs and uncoordinated maneuvers. Gawain was a sneaky bastard, even then, and had stolen Ariel's first kiss to distract him and bind his wrists tightly. Ariel had gasped, his eyes widening, as Gawain shoved him onto his side to manhandle his legs up into a bent formation, and then to bind his ankles and connect them to his wrists in a clumsy ball tie.

"Forever, I told you. I never break my oaths." Gawain had whispered before gagging him with cloth.

They had each won and lost their share over the years, but had not conflicted since before they had come to this place, the capitol city of Berheim.

Ariel circled his opponent again, deftly undoing a hasty knot without looking. Gawain had one hand bound behind his back, quickly looped under and through his smallclothes, which Ariel knew would distract him but could not easily be undone without being distracted from the fight as well.

He pressed the advantage, seizing Gawain and taking him roughly to the ground.

Gawain yelped in protest, his smallclothes bunching up and compressing him, and he quickly looped his legs around Ariel's torso, squeezing and trying to lock his feet.

Rune watched with undisguised lust, naked body showcasing his great interest in the outcome. He was certain the victor would be bound with him, but in the moment, he couldn't decide if he wanted to have Gawain submit with him, or have him control both him and Ariel.

Ariel groaned as Gawain struggled to crush him into submission, but at that moment, the disrupted smallclothes gave way, tearing along where the rope had been secured. While this freed Gawain's hand, it had also freed his half-hard cock, poking through the tear.

Not one to give up an advantage, Ariel leaned forward, suckling at the thing and causing Gawain's legs to spasmodically twitch in surprise.

And that was all the opportunity Ariel needed to get Gawain on his stomach and fold each limb back to tightly package him in a crossed-ankle hogtie.

Ariel playfully smacked his comrade's plump rear, leaving a red handprint. When Gawain's mouth opened to protest, in went the sundered undergarments. Ariel unwound the rope around his own limbs and used them to reinforce the hogtie and secure the gag.

He carried Gawain to the bed where Rune lay, stunned, and deposited him along the other man. "I'll be back soon. Enjoy him, little Rune."

"Wait!" Rune called, as Ariel made to leave. "You... aren't staying?"

Ariel's eyes flicked to Gawain's wide ones. "I... I wouldn't wish to intrude upon... you two have-"

"I know how important you two are to each other. And... I like being put under your guard when Gawain is gone. Are you two... that is to say, do you want..."

Ariel began to chuckle, and Rune's face burned with humiliation, until he heard the soft moans of his fellow captive, and turned to see Gawain nodding with overenthusiastic vehemence. He chuckled as well.

"I... I adore you, Gawain. Every part of you. Even the part of you that resides in Ariel. Maybe especially that." Rune whispered.

Ariel glanced at the door. "I have something I must do... but I want this too. I... I was fearful that I would lose my brother, my best friend, my right hand... and I am overjoyed to know I am gaining, not losing. I... oh, damn it all, I'll do it later!"

The captain practically ran to the bed, seizing both bound men for round of passionate kisses.

[Guardianbound]

Where do I sign up to begin instigating fights between Gawain and Ariel so I can be the judge of their nude tussle.

Revolts and political intrigue can wait, passionate love making between hunks like these should always come first

[DeeperThanRed]

Sensual, engrossing and sexy!

Maybe they should just settle all kinds of political disagreements like this from now on. I can see it making the sovereign quite popular.

[gag1195]

These three continue to be perfect. Again, if anything happens to them I may never forgive you!

That being said, I am with Ariel on this one... I've made it not secret that I suspect Esme is up to something, and its time these other characters agreed with me!

[Socksbound]

These three continue to be perfect. Again, if anything happens to them I may never forgive you!

That being said, I am with Ariel on this one... I've made it not secret that I suspect Esme is up to something, and its time these other characters agreed with me!

I’m with you on this something happening to these three would be unforgivable.

Esme is definitely working an angle and I can’t understand how everyone else hasn’t worked this out yet

[Volobond]

@DeeperThanRed   @Socksbound   @gag1195 @KidnappedCowboy   @harveygasson  @Guardianbound   @Bradstick

The delay had been useful.

An hour or two whiled away making love with the men he cared for more than any other in this world was only made better by the fact that it allowed him an extra advantage in his scheme.

"Captain." The warden of the prisoner wing saluted him, nodding when Ariel shot him a nod in return. A guard behind him, stripped to the waist, was testing out some of the older restraints, a fellow guard putting each one on him and bidding him struggle. Ariel wasn't sure how necessary the muzzle was for the exercise.

"Report."

"The prisoner has had a long visit with the Imperial Mechanist. She bribed a servant to allow her access, and the information was offered to me."

"A servant from Berheim, no doubt."

"Aye. We have rewarded the informant."

"Good. It's important for the servants here to realize they have more to gain with Lord Gawain than they do with Lady Esme." Ariel nodded. "How long is a 'long' visit?"

"A few hours, sir."

"Thank you. Stand at ease." Ariel nodded, deep in thought. So he had not been the only one taking a moment with a loved one, had he?

It was almost disappointing to know he was right. That Gawain wanted to believe Esme was being forthright and she was still playing games. That likely she was seducing Senma as her pawn. She thrived on being underestimated, and when she had been caught, skilfully adopted a persona that could be underestimated anew.

He suspected she had had to revise her plan many times, particularly when Rune and Gawain became involved. While she had been a competent, if complacent, ruler, focused on her innovations more than the lives of her subjects, Ariel didn't accept that she felt pressured by the shackles of rulership. Her sons had been of age for years before the Empire cam to call - if she was so burdened, why had she not abidcated then; establish a ruling council; give up the throne entirely?

No, Ariel had not always been a noble. A former slave saw through her in a way that a fellow noble or a free pirate never could.

But she had been caught in her own trap. She was careful, always careful to maintain deniability - to ensure that there was always an explanation for her behavior that fit into her story. And yet, here was the key.

A bribe to one she was sure would be loyal. Senma would never find out - she could've had nothing to hide and gone through the warden; he would have let her through unaccompanied. But she hadn't. She wanted this kept secret, and only underestimated how little her people actually wanted her back in power.

Senma was her ace. Her queen on the board, all she had to do was set him free, and he would cause all sort of havoc, all sort of trouble. He could be a hero for the loyalists of Berheim and Osmir to rally around, and poor innocent Esme would be sadly forced to resume the rule she so ardently hated.

Well, then. If Senma was the linchpin... so be it.

Ariel strode towards the cell. He knew that Esme wouldn't have freed him. The game would be given away too early if so. She must have offered him some kind of escape plan. Perhaps a promised delivery with a tool hidden within, or a bribed guard. Trickery, then. Gawain and Senma were men of honor. Ariel was a man of action.

[Volobond]

Senma jolted when the dark haired warrior entered his cell. His shaggy hair was damp with sweat, his gag a much more lenient band of silk wrapped around his head and between his teeth several times. His chest and neck were red, littered with fading love bites, and his jaw freshly shaven, still stubbled, but much more managed. He had also been left naked, as Esme sought to tease him. He was spread eagled, bound once more by the bed and not the chain net under him.

Senma recognized his visitor at once as the conquerer's captain of the guard. He could not imagine a worse sight when he was naked and basking in the afterglow.

The man approached and removed his gag, looking... guilty?

"My name is Ariel, guest."

Senma raised an eyebrow, not sure what to make of the formal address. "Senma. Shiplord of the Osmiri. Obviously."

Ariel nodded. "Did you enjoy your visit with Lady Esme?"

Senma blanched, not wanting to give anything away, but certain from what Esme had told him that her visit was... clandestine at best.

"Right. A warrior's honor. I respect that." Ariel nodded when the sailor remained silent.

"You respect nothing, slaver." Senma spat.

Ariel shrugged. "I am a warrior first, myself. You are a worthy opponent of the Emperor. So I cannot allow you to fall to a manipulation as crude as this."

"What are you talking about? Speak plain, boy!"

Ariel ignored the disrespect. "She will not leave with you. She will not risk her safety or the safety of her sons while she can manage to keep on the Empire's good side."

Senma flinched as if struck. How had he known? Esme had mentioned playing the governor into weakening the guard - perhaps this was it. Make it seem like releasing Senma was all she planned. But... if she didn't intend to run away with him, why would she set him free?

The guard captain gave him a look of sympathy. "She'll have her laboratory, her inventions, the security of the palace for her and her children. She wins if the Empire maintains control - she can spread her works across the land. All the while, you'll build the freedom movement and gather soldiers to your banner - without her having to lift a finger. Whether you oust us or we rout you, the only one who wins no matter what is her."

"You're lying." Senma growled. These Imperials, they couldn't touch anything without soiling it, could they? "On my honor, if you're lying-"

Ariel cut in. "You know what Belrun did to her. How her youngest son betrayed her for the Emperor. Do you really think she'd ever wish to make herself vulnerable again? Do you think she'd ever trust a man again?"

The words landed upon Senma like blows, and he yanked at the cuffs, muscles flexing uselessly as he strained against them.

"Damn you, Imperial! Haven't you taken enough from me?" Senma raged. "My freedom, my country! You have to take her, too?"

"Was she ever really yours?" Ariel asked softly, and Senma howled in fury.

She could have left. Could have come with him. He would never have presumed to fight her battles for her, strong and untamable as he knew her to be. But she was not the sea. She was a woman, warm and beautiful and with her power and grace... if she ever once truly wanted to, she could have called him to her. Could have made him hers. He would have given up name, ship, and country for the right to even sit at her feet.

"Why are you telling me this? What do you get out of it?" Senma growled.

"I tire of the games of politics. I would have rather executed you than consider engaging Esme in a war by proxy with you as her pawn. All that gets is more dead civilians. The people that you and her should be focused on protecting!

"You call yourself a Shiplord. Did you know the people of Osmir are now sent food and goods, instead of their pirate kings having to pillage others for it? Did you know that Gawain has sent men to oust lords in Berheim hoarding resources that Esme overlooked while in her laboratory? Did you know that after the fighting stops and after the Empire bring peace, the farmers and merchants breathe a sigh of relief?"

"They are conquered!"

"And they were before the Empire came. What does it matter to a farmer what queen or emperor demands her taxes? All that she wants is peace. And Esme would use you to disrupt another peace to gain power."

"You disrupted peace yourself, Imperial. You didn't have to go on the warpath."

"We didn't. The North and Osmir were won through coups." Ariel reminded him. "Think on that, Shiplord. What grievance will you turn the people to your side on? When the Empire keeps them safe, brings down the nobles that trod them underfoot? What injustice will you fight, besides the battered pride of a chosen few?"

Senma snarled, incoherent with rage.

"Do not underestimate your lady love, Senma." Ariel insisted. "And do not underestimate the lure of power to one who has been without it."

Senma squeezed his eyes shut. "What else do I have?"

"You have your honor, for now. Live with that."

The door gave a final, resounding boom as Ariel left, before Senma began to thrash and rage.

The sea was churning, a storm brewing...

[Volobond]

A little double chapter for y'all! Hope you enjoyed the plot's thickening, and soon things will start to boil over!

[gag1195]

“The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends," Ser Jorah told her. "It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace." He gave a shrug. "They never are.”


Ariel speaks the truth of the matter- they will still play taxes, it matters not to whom the payment goes. They will still grow and harvest and starve and feast and struggle and thrive, the machinations of a shiplord or mechanist queen or the governor and his polycule matter little, until fighting and war and violence disrupt that peace.

Peace may be ultimately an illusion, but it is an illusion people are content to live in. And Esme wants to represent that peace, wants people to flock back to her and her stabile rule before all this started... after engineering fights and rebellions and war, all without raising a single sword or banner...