thegoodfellas/blogset-br huggingface dataset:
in the yard, in his body, so uncanny was the likeness of hisperformance to yours. I know not how you did it, but you aided him.Andif I did?Itwas not fair to Tyrde.Andwas he fair to Lassen when he challenged him, knowing him for anovice? Rohyr looked at his uncle pityingly. Say what you willbut Tyrde was no defenseless victim. He actively colluded with you tocoerce me into marrying him. And beyond warming my bed, he showed nopropensity for my company even when I offered it. I suppose it wasbecause that wouldnt have gotten children on him. But most tellingof all, he greatly enjoyed the prospect of killing Lassen andwatching me live out my life in agony over it.Imcaelclenched his fingers around his cup. Most telling?Ithink you suspected it as much as I, Uncle. There was something wrongwith him. Whether it was madnessor a touch of evilI cantsay.TheHerun closed his eyes and bowed his head. It matters little now,he hoarsely said. Hes dead and whatever he held within diedwith him. Still, I love him and shall always grieve his loss.Butof course. I expect no less.Imcaelopened his eyes and silently regarded his nephew for a space. Rohyrreturned his perusal just as silently. At length, Imcael exhaled andplaced his cup on the table.Itwas never my intention but I put you in grave peril and caused youmuch unhappiness as well, he reluctantly admitted. In that Ivedone a greater disservice to this realm than your leman ever did orcould.Herose to his feet. Yovan is right. Ive permitted my beliefs todictate my choices to the point of ignoring sound advice anddisregarding the opinions of others. Hardly the mark of a goodcounsellor. I had best retire to Qimaras. Its time for Mahael tomake a place for himself in your court.Hellbe most welcome, Rohyr assured him.AfterImcael departed, Rohyr leaned back and stared at the dregs in thebottom of hiscupfor several minutes. Finally, he stood and entered the bedchamber. Hesmiled upon seeing Lassen seated in the corner chair, a drowsingVyren in his arms. Dressed in a loosely belted robe, he had justfinished suckling their child.Rohyrtook his son and cradled him a while, pressing kisses to the babespetal-soft cheeks and the downy hair on his crown. Certain that Vyrenwas fast asleep, he laid him in his crib and tucked him in.Youheard? he asked as he straightened. Lassen nodded. I truly pityhim.Rohyrtook his hand and led him to the bed. They reclined against theheadboard in companionable silence, Lassen ensconced in Rohyrsarms. At length, Lassen stirred and regarded Rohyr curiously.Roh?Hmm?Willyou tell me now? What do you want to know?Tostart? Well, what you did during the duel... It seemed like you werethere with me. In me. And then youyou tore that spear apart. Iknow youre especially talented but that was beyond anything Iveever heard adepts being capable of.Rohyrhesitated then exhaled. I am a templar, he quietly said. Lassenstared at him. Like Tenryon?Rohyrdipped his chin in assent. Its why I trained under him. Myparents let everyone believe that they chose him because they wantedthe best teacher for me. Well, Tenryon is the best. But the realreason
I spent a good portion of my adolescence in Ziana was becauseit is there that all the templars of Ylandre are trained. Its ourbrotherhoods base.Lassenblew his breath out. Does Imcael know?Rohyrshook his head. Its up to each of us to choose to whom toreveal ourselves. I cant tell you who the others are; its notmy right. So far, Ive told only Dylen, Eiren and you. And inEirens case, it was because I felt that my personal physicianshould know all there is to know about me.Butthe others... It seems as if they know.Theyascribe many of my uncommon abilities to the Essendri potential. Myfamily is strongly gifted after all and I am doubly so because myparents were of the same line of descent. More than that they maysuspect but they do not know for certain.Willyou ever tell them?Ifdisclosure becomes crucial. Why the secrecy?Weare better served when we can move amongst the populace anonymously.But Tenryon makes no secret of what he is.Itis he who initially trains our acolytes and training starts inadolescence. Its easier to ask parents to entrust their sons tohim if they know who he is.Lassenlapsed into ruminative silence. When you spoke of our bond, hesaid after a brief while. You said it pre-dated our firstmeeting.Doyou recall how I sought you in Tal Ereq? Rohyr asked. When Lassennodded, he said, Your spirit called to mine. It was why I probedyour thoughts. I had to ascertain that it was indeed you returned tome.Idont understand.Thougha reborn Deir no longer harbors the memories of his past lives, hisspirit will always remember, Rohyr explained. They are lockedin the innermost chambers of the mind, accessible only to thosegifted with the key.Likeyou.Likeall the templars. We are the only ones who can recall every lifecycle of our existence and withstand the burden of it. All otherswould go mad from such knowledge.Then...I was right, Lassen said. You werein Ziana. Right after it was sacked by the Varadani. You saw theslaughtered priests in the temple.Rohyrsaid, I was born Diorn Essendri, second son to Wylan Essendri,Ardan of Ylandre.Lassengaped at him, more shocked by the discovery of Rohyrs previousidentity than by the disclosure that he was a templar. After pausingfor a few seconds to allow for Lassen to recover from his surprise,Rohyr continued.Asis the way of our kind, Im always reborn an Essendri though notnecessarily within the immediate royal family. Ive served throughmany generations under Tenryons leadership. But Ive also alwaysdone my duty to my House. In all my lifetimes I have served thisrealm in one capacity or anothergovernor, warrior, diplomat,educator.Soyou knew me from a previous life, Lassen ventured.Morethan that. I loved you in a previous life. Rohyr smiled atLassens stunned expression. You had my heart in your keepingbefore you were born and have had it for some twelve hundred years oflife and death.Onceagain Rohyr paused to give Lassen time to cope with yet anothershocking revelation. I was sent to Ziana for training when it wasdiscovered that I was a templar. I virtually grew up there and cameto regard its people as dearly as I did the Rikarans. Toward the endof my stay, I
met Liere, a newly arrived temple acolyte. We fell inlove and formed a bond not only of the heart but also of the soul. Iswore to claim Liere as soon as he finished his ten-year of celibateservice in the temple. But when my brother Rovar tried to usurp thethrone, our sire sent for me and I perforce served in the Royal Armyin the campaign against Rovars insurgency. That same year, theVaradani swept over the border and occupied the northwestern regionsof Ylandre. They captured Ziana and made it their base. You know therest of the story.Hiseyes glistened as they had when he first recounted the story toLassen a decade ago. Liere was one of the acolytes who took theirlives. I grieved for him so deeply that I only handfasted with theconsort my advisers later urged on me. And down through thecenturies, it was for dynastic purposes that I wed and sired sons.But never in fane marriage. I couldnt bind myself to anotherbefore Veres; not until Liere was restored to me. Rohyrs voicelowered to a shaky whisper. But the taking of ones own life isa wound to the spirit that is extremely slow to heal. Liere was notreborn until now. Until you.Lassenstared at him in awe. Incredible, he said in a hushed voice.Theyfell silent for a long while as Lassen digested the information.Feeling Rohyrs gaze on him, he looked at his mate and saw hisuncertainty as well as his yearning. It moved him beyond words thatRohyr had waited all these centuries to reclaim him. He leaned overto kiss his spouse tenderly, hungrily.Iwant you to know, he murmured against Rohyrs lips. I amyours not by dint of any bond but because I love you with all that Iam. And now that we are soul-mated, we shant ever again be partedfor long. It gladdens me that well always seek each other in everylifetime to come.Rohyrgroaned and pulled him flush against him. His hands slid underLassens robe to caress his bare skin and moved down his sleek backto cup his firm bottom possessively. Breaking their kiss as little aspossible, Lassen shrugged off his robe and set to undressing Rohyr aswell.Assoon as the last of his clothing came off, Rohyr bore Lassen down andpinned him to the bed. Lassen gasped as their shafts came intocontact, sliding against each other with maddening sensuousness.Iwant to taste you, Rohyr growled against his throat.Lassentrembled as Rohyr slid down between his thighs then moaned when hewas drawn into the moist warmth of his beloveds mouth. Hestruggled to keep his wits, which he knew would soon scatter quitespectacularly to the four winds if Rohyr continued what he was doing.Letme pleasure you, too, he managed to say.Rohyrgrinned as Lassen hurriedly shifted around. A moment later, he caughthis breath when Lassen tended to his hard shaft, drawing upon it withgusto. Not to be outdone, Rohyr quickly resumed his onslaught onLassens length. They thrust into each others mouths, theirpleasure spiralling in near tandem.Rohyrpried Lassens legs farther apart and set upon the invitingentrance behind his seed pouch. Lassen whimpered in pleasure aroundhis luscious mouthful as Rohyr wickedly drew
assistant toleave the fitting room so he could suck Martins cock; he imaginedMartin trying to keep quiet, Martin pulling at his hair. He came outof this momentary reverie with a hot face and hurriedly concentratedon the idea of the elderly tailor stabbing his prick with a straightpin to keep from getting hard.Theochre suiting sample was held up against Henrys torso beneath thesuit jacket and Martin agreed that it might look very nice andwouldnt make him look too sallow. He then suggested that Henryought to choose a tie, as well. It was another hour before they couldleave the store, with an ochre plaid waistcoat on order, as well asthe striped shirt with attached cuffs and collar. They took away withthem the new suit and two new neckties, one which was meant to gowith the ochre waistcoat and one that Henry just liked the look of, ared foulard.Henryhad Martin hail them a cab so that he wouldnt have to stand on theomnibus holding the suit. They sat together facing forward, the suitin its dust sheet laid across the rear-facing seat. Henry tookMartins hand and Martin let him hold it a few minutes, though itclearly made him nervous.Ican wear the new suit to Reggies party, he remarked. He thoughtit rather too splendid to waste on Louis.Itlooks so nice on you, Sir, Martin said. I-I was a little shy tosay how handsome I found you in front of those gentlemen. I wasafraid Id give something away, that it would be there in my toneor expression.Youwere fine, Im sure, Henry said reassuringly. He squeezedMartins hand, which was Martins cue to gently but firmlywithdraw it from Henrys grip.Henrysighed. He wished Martin would be a little more romantic, a littleless worried about being observed. He let Martin have his hand back,but leaned against him for a moment in substitute for an embrace.Athome, Henry tried on the new suit with the previously-purchasedpaisley waistcoat and foulard tie and they were in agreement that helooked both stylish and mature. While Henry stood before the mirror,Martin went down to his knees and unbuttoned the new trousers. Hegrinned up at Henry as Henrys stiffening prick slid along hischeek.Goon, Sir, he said. Make me do it. Onthe night of the Wiltons farewell party for Reggie, Father claimedhed had some sort of important business come up and was not goingto be able to attend. Henry did not believe this for an instant, butwas glad his father was absenting himself; the gathering should beonly people who loved Reggie.Someof Mothers jewelry was brought out from the vault for theoccasion. She hadnt been dress shopping in years, but she did havea severe black velvet that didnt look too unfashionable and madean elegant backdrop for her ruby-and-diamond parure. She wasalternately excited for the party and tearful for its cause, andPearl made her lie down on the chaise in the blue parlor to restwhile they waited for Old Bob to bring the carriage around.Henrywore his new suit, the paisley waistcoat, and the coordinatingfoulard tie. Martin straightened and patted and picked invisiblethreads off his lapels. Youre so handsome in this outfit, Sir.Ridingdowntown,
Mother said, You cant know how much it means to methat youre close with Reggie, darling. I love both my brothers,but Reggie has always been special to me.Hesalways been special to me, too, Henry assured her. Im gladhe gets to come home after his business is completed.Hellbe home this summer, Mother said determinedly. Hes promisedme as much. And then maybe...maybe well open the summer house.Its been years since weve been, hasnt it, darling?Idont know that Ive been at all, actually. Henry knew theyhad a house at the shore, just as he knew they had a country houseand a rustic mountain camp, but he didnt have clear memoriesof visiting any of them. Father would rather work than have anyvacation, and Mother hadnt wanted to leave her room in town foralmost a decade.Youwere so little when we last went, I suppose...Ive been too ill togo anywhere, you know. She frowned, but then drew herself upright.But! Everything will be different, darling, once Reggies homefor good. He wont let me indulge myself as Ive been doing allthese years. Reggie will get me back to my real self. She smiledto herself and then at Henry. Ive been a terrible mother to youand your sister, I know, darling.No...Henry said, though without conviction. She hadbeen a terrible mother. Luckily, most of the mothers he knew of werepretty terrible, so he didnt feel that hed missed too much.Everyone he knew had actually been raised by a nurse in any case.Ina low, soothing tone, Pearl said, Maam, please dont be hardon yourself, and Mother patted Pearls arm in response.Theyarrived at the Wilton house and the family came out to greet them,Reggie taking Mothers arm and Jesse eager to welcome Henry. Ivegot so much to tell you, he said. And Ive finished mydrawing. Im really quite proud of it.Iwant to hear it all, Henry assured him. I want to see it.Thatssome outfit youve got on, Jesse remarked. First the greensuit at Christmas, and now this. Youre quite a clothes-horse,arent you?Ilike clothes, Henry admitted.Yourelike Reggie in that way, Jesse said. Ive never developed theinterest.Theywent into the front parlor, where the adults drank aperitifs andReggie made a fuss over how handsome Jesse and Henry were, slouchedtogether on the sofa. Im going to miss you boys, Reggie toldthem. Youll write me, wont you?Ofcourse, Jesse said.Ofcourse, Henry echoed, already worrying about the quality of hisletters. Jesse was a prolific correspondent, he knew, at least withhis Elizabeth, and Henry loathed the idea of Jesse supplanting him inReggies affections just because he was a better letter-writer. Hecould, he thought, get Martin to help him; he suspected Martin couldwrite a beautiful missive.Theywere called into dinner where Henry was seated next to Jesse, acrossfrom Mother and Reggie. They were served an endless array of courses,just as they would have been at the Blackwell table, but the Wiltonsserved simpler food that, quite frankly, was far more agreeable toHenrys palate. Mother, he noted, actually ate some of her dinner,and at no point did she ask Pearl for her medicine. He and Jesse werepermitted wine, as it was a special occasion, and Jesse
repeatedlyhanded his glass up to Russ without comment from any of the adults,so Henry did the same with Martin, also without remark.Fordessert, they had lemon tarts, as these were Reggies favorites,and a glass of sweet wine as a digestif. While they ate their tarts,the slaves had their meal. Henry sipped his digestif with numbedlips. He felt slightly tipsy, having already been servednot-insignificant amounts of five different wines during dinner. Whenthe companions returned to their masters sides, he drained hisglass and let Jesse lead him out of the dining room and up thestairs.Reggiewants to spend some time alone with Aunt Louisa, Jesse explained.And then a bunch of the other relatives are coming around fordrinks and Id just as soon stay out of the way for awhile, ifthats all right with you.Certainly,Henry said woozily. He could taste the wine lingering in his mouth,and wondered if it also lingered for Martin, if hed taste it thereif he kissed him. He turned to look at Martin on the stair and he wasradiantly handsome, smiling up at Henry.Heput his hand on Henrys elbow. Are you all right, Sir?Henryblushed. Im lovely, he assured him.Jesselocked his bedroom door behind them. I want to show you mydrawing. I think its done now. Im quite pleased with it, as Isaid.Thehalf-naked woman, formerly a skillful sketch, was now rounded,burnished, dimensional. She had a look in her eyes that Henry hadseen in Martins, hungry and promising, and it made him blush.Itsbeautiful, Henry said, truly impressed.Thankyou. I think its a good likeness, as well, dont you?Ionly know her from the one photo, Henry reminded him, but Ithink it very like.Jesseput the drawing down. Id like to do a painting, he said,but Im simply not a good enough painter to do the subjectjustice.Youllonly get better by trying, though, wont you? said Henry, whoseonly experience of artistic improvement was indirect, observingMartin with his violin.Ofcourse youre right, Jesse agreed. I should just resignmyself to making a very ugly painting and learning from it. Heopened his desk drawer and dug around inside, coming up with some ofthe same incense hed lit at Christmas.Doesntthe smell of this make you feel like youre in a tent in thedesert, surrounded by sloe-eyed beauties all eager to do yourbidding? Jesse didnt want for him to answer, but immediatelyasked, Do you want a cigarette? Ive got a whole pack.Henryhad not had good luck with cigarettes in the past, but he didntwant to say no. Maybe we could share one, he suggested. Idont think I can smoke a whole cigarette on my own.Goodidea. Jesse went to the bookshelf and pulled out a fat dictionary,reaching behind to retrieve a cigarette packet and a demitasse cupwith a broken handle that they could use as an ashtray. He crackedopen the window by the shelf and lit a cigarette, inhaled, and walkedover to Henry with smoke streaming from his nostrils. Handing thecigarette to Henry, he sat down on the floor, leaning back againstthe foot of his bed. Make yourself comfortable, Henry.Henrysat down facing him and made a tentative inhale, feeling the smokeswirl into his lungs. He was not
Jesse smiled, sly andseductive. No touching, he said, unless, of course, youchange your mind.Idont understandJesseslips at his ear again. I want to watch Martin suck your cock,he said, his hot breath sending shivers down Henrys spine. AndI want you to watch Russ suck mine.Henryfroze, horrified and powerfully aroused. His cock was hard, strainingat his buttons. He turned to look at Martin, and Martin was lookingback with excitement in his eyes; he would, Henry realized, gladly doit. Henry didnt know how to feel about that.Eliand I do it all the time, Jesse blithely assured him. Youhavent done it before, so Ill go first. Without waiting forHenry to respond, Jesse beckoned to Russ, who came and knelt betweenJesses spread legs. Its really so much more exciting withsomeone watching, or at least Ithink so. Jesse ran his hand through Russ hair and Russ grinnedup at Jesse and rubbed his cock through his trousers.Henrywasnt sure he wantedto watch, but thats what he was doing. He didnt tell Jesse tostop, nor did he get up to leave, though he did hurriedly scoot away,putting a little distance between Jesse and himself. As he watched,Russ unbuttoned Jesses trousers and bent over his lap. Henrywasnt sure what he was seeing, but then suddenly Russ reared upand there was Jesses cock standing up stiff out of the vee of hisopen drawers, and Henry hadnt seen enough hard cocks to becomejaded and so stared at this one with a sharp intake of breath, theheat of a flush spreading beneath his skin. Not as big as his own,and not as pretty as Martins, perhaps, but very nice all the same.Jesseleaned back onto both hands and let his head fall back with a sigh,the line of his throat in profile very graceful. Russ bent over hiscock again and licked it, and Henry could see how it jerked againstRuss tongue. Henrys face grew hotter and hotter, and he wasdimly aware of Martin sitting at his other side, shifting closer.Henry reached for him without looking back, and Martin squeezed hishand. He could tell how badly Martin wanted to do it, too, to put ona show, and he didnt want to disappoint him, but he just didntknow if he could let something like this happen.AsHenry continued to watch, transfixed, Russ moved with purpose, hishead bobbing up and down. He would let Jesses cock slide out ofhis mouth every now and then, giving Henry a good look at it, darkwith blood and gleaming with spit. Russ breathing seemed very loudand he made little groans, soft but urgent, as he sucked. Jesse gavehitching gasps, incremental, pressure building up. He put his hand onthe back of Russ head and huffed out raspy breaths. Oh, baby,he said, Just like that, just keep doing that. He turned thento look at Henry, his gaze intensetoo intense for Henry, frankly.Im gonna come, Henry.Henrycould say nothing in return, but sucked in a mortified breath, hisface on fire. Martin pressed close behind him, his hand snakingaround Henrys waist to rub his cock through his trousers.Jessedid come then, head thrown back, a pained expression on his handsomeface,