Mage, Man

He gave me a kind look. "I don't mean it to be. I think being young is the greatest gift of all. There's so much you will do in your life, it's just beginning." He got sort of a faraway look in his eyes, like he was remembering something important from long ago.

I rubbed my knees with my hands at hearing his words. "Does that mean I won't be here forever?"

He looked at me and then away again. "No, you won't be. You're not my slave. I..." His voice became fainter. "You're my servant true, but I value your companionship." He refused to look at me as he said this final part.

I felt genuinely stunned. Was it possible I had misjudged the man? I puzzled over how the mage could be both towering and terrifying in the square, showering the crowd with magic, and also a lonely, sensitive old hermit. It was difficult to consolidate the two in my head.

I said nothing, I really had no response prepared. I suppose I felt some gladness that he enjoyed my company. I had grown over time to look forward to our game days, talks about books I had finished reading and the exceedingly rare kind word about one of my dishes. If I really stopped to consider, the best parts of my days were times spent with August.

We spent the entire afternoon in the greenhouse. It was warm, and relaxing. The mage showed me around, what plants I shouldn't touch, which ones were edible, what I could pick to use in the kitchen and how much I would want to take. We returned to the kitchen late where he helped with dinner. It was the best day for me in quite some time.

I woke up the following morning, allowing myself enough time to dress and head to the kitchen. After I brought August his morning meal he invited me to a game of Conquest. I had brought my own breakfast and so we ate in silence and employed our strategies against one another.

About halfway through the game he said, "Tomorrow's laundry day. I'll leave my clothes and linens outside my chamber door. Make sure to clean yours too."

My mind was focused entirely on the task at hand so I replied with, "Mmhmm."

Normally I would wash all of the laundry the night before and then hang it out to dry overnight, letting the morning sun finish the task the next day. I would wake up early and place the cleaned clothing and blankets back outside his door in a basket from the laundry room. This time however I had been distracted by our game and had also been excited to get back to a book about a thing called space and its explanation of stars and large round orbs called planets. When I awoke I began reading my book, knowing there would be time before I had to prepare breakfast. As I casually left my room, I still had the book in hand, learning about asteroid belts and comets. It wasn't until I was passing August's chamber that I stopped when I noticed the high pile of clothes sitting on the floor. My eyes grew wide.

"Oh fuck!" I exclaimed into the silent corridor, causing a faint echo. My heart began beating faster. I had completely forgotten, these were supposed to be washed and dried by now.

I grabbed up the heavy load of wash and ran hard back down the corridor to the laundry room. I frantically began running hot water into the washtub and added soap. I started scrubbing some of the old mage's robes, tossed them aside, grabbed a pair of his underwear and scrubbed those too. There was no way I had time to finish. I had about thirty minutes until I would have to serve his breakfast and there was no way any of the laundry would even have started drying in that time. I cursed again under my breath, prioritizing in my head. Breakfast would be most important, the laundry could wait. I would have to apologize, profusely, and finish the cleaning and drying later.

As I reached August's study, half an hour later, with a plated omelette in my hands, I already had an apology on my lips as I shouldered my way into the room. When I entered however I suddenly found myself at a loss for words. I had expected that August may have noticed this morning that the dirty clothes heap was still outside his door, and not the expected basket of clean laundry, at best I considered he might not care too much and likely still had something clean to wear. Instead I became aware of the stark reality straight away.

The mage was at his desk, as usual, but instead of sitting behind it, he was standing in front of it, completely nude. He had his back to me and was leaned forward, apparently reading a book.

I stuttered. "Uh, I uh, have your breakfast here." I said awkwardly.

August stayed turned away. "Oh you can just set that on the desk." He said casually.

I didn't mean to gape but this was also the first time I had ever seen the mage dressed down, let alone fully naked. He was in better shape than I would have guessed, maybe younger too. He was quite fit, not terribly muscular, but in good shape, and not just for a man of his age... whatever that might be. I nervously approached the naked man with his breakfast, glancing down at his ass as I did. It was plump, round. I surprised myself again by how my eyes lingered there, but it was also the first time I had seen anyone else naked in a couple months, I couldn't help but have a look.

When I reached the desk I set down the plate at the mage's side and decided to beat a hasty retreat. Instead August turned fully around to face me, book now in hand.

"Breakfast looks good." He remarked.

"Uhh, thanks." I replied, red-faced.

"What's wrong, boy?" He asked.

My eyes darted to his crotch, then to the books over his shoulder, back to his crotch and then up to his face. I really had no idea where to look. I felt sweat beading my forehead. "I didn't expect you to be in a state of undress."

"Oh is that so?" He asked. "Well what should I wear when all of my clothes are in the laundry?"

I let out a sigh. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again. I understand I messed up." I said.

"I see." Replied August. He leaned back with his hands on the edge of the desk and crossed his legs in front of him. The new position of his thighs forced his flaccid cock and low-hanging sack to push up and outward, almost pointing the thing at me. He was a good size I couldn't help but notice, his groin topped by soft-looking silver pubic hair. His prick differed from mine somewhat I could tell, he had some extra flesh hanging over the head, hiding it from view. His stomach had a bit of a paunch and a trail of grey hair dusting it which exploded outward as it reached his chest. His chest was broad with some roundness from age. It appeared strong, with a bit of softness on top, like the rest of him.

I found myself at a loss for words. I was uncomfortable with his nakedness, my furtive glances, and his nonchalance at my discomfort. He had promised not to light me on fire anymore, but I had a strong suspicion that it might be preferable to this new punishment.

"Look, you win. I'll go finish your laundry." I said as I put my hand to my forehead, shielding my eyes.

"Well what's the hurry? Clearly it can wait. Why not have a game with me?" August asked coyly. He was relishing how uncomfortable he was making me, with minimal effort on his part.

"A game? Now?" I sighed. I shifted my weight anxiously.

"Yes, I would think now is a fine time." He said and moved over to the small gaming table.

He sat and gestured for me to join him. I sat opposite and tried to focus on the board. Unfortunately the table only came up to our knees, meaning that just behind the board were the mage's genitals, invading my view.

"Blue or red?" August asked. He absently scratched the side of his nose.

"Don't care." I responded.

"Oh come now, boy, don't you usually play red? It would certainly be a fitting color choice for you at the moment." He flashed me a devilish grin.

I blushed even more deeply.

The game was excruciating. August purposefully took his time for every move, chuckling to himself if it made me squirm. As for me, I gradually began to relax a little. August had a good body and seemed to be proud of himself. I shouldn't be so uncomfortable, we were both men after all. Aside from the almost white flesh, he looked very similar in build to any human male of comparable age. The bigger problem, which shocked me to discover, was the longer I allowed my eyes to settle on his naked body, I could feel the beginnings of arousal between my legs. I chalked my condition up to the strange stress of the situation. I focused intently on the rest of the game until my erection subsided. When we were done I got quickly to my feet.

"I'm sorry about the laundry." I said firmly. "You are a strange man who teaches lasting, if uncomfortable lessons."

He laughed, resigned. "Well if you're done eyeing me then, I guess you can go finish your chores."

I gave the slightest of bows then hurried from the room, grateful at last to be free of the hairy naked fellow.

Over the next week and a half it was business as usual in August's tower. I wasn't late on meals and I didn't forget the laundry again. However, if I'm being entirely honest I thought about that day in his study frequently. I was reminded of when I was living in town and had fooled around with Anders. We had gotten pretty drunk, done some night fishing and started talking about our sexual exploits with some of the girls in the town. All the talk had aroused us enough to where we soon found our hands down the other's pants. It felt better than my own hand if nothing else. We had brought each other to orgasm, had a good laugh about it the next day and gotten together a few more times. I wondered if it was something the old mage might entertain, not that I would ever broach the subject. Though he and I were now getting along, I still had to remind myself of the destruction he could bring to my town below, or the pain he could inflict on me personally.

A few days later we were in a tense game of Conquest. August had begun a rather offensive campaign from the start which was somewhat surprising compared to his usual wait and see approach.

"There's going to be a gathering at my home in the next week." He said as he moved one of his gargoyle pieces diagonally across the board.

I gave him a questioning look. "What does 'a gathering' mean?" I asked.

"Several mages. We try to meet once a year or so and this year happens to be my turn to host." He added.

"What does this mean to me?" I asked as I shifted one of my own pieces onto a defensive square.

"You'll need to cook for six of us, as well as yourself for a few days." He informed me. "Try to prepare your good meals, if you would."

I stifled my initial haughty retort and instead asked, "What are my good meals then?"

"Your omelettes are quite good. For dinner, you made a spiced ham once that I rather enjoyed." He said as he made another move.

"I didn't know you ever enjoyed my food." I said with some brightness in my voice. "You've become quite the flatterer."

He shook his head. "This is why I try to never pay you any compliments, boy. They go straight to your head." He gave a small chuckle, which in turn made me smile.

His voice turned more serious then as he said, "You will put food on the table at breakfast and dinner for the mages, but I want you to keep yourself scarce otherwise."

"Why?" I asked.

August paused, halfway through making his next move. "There will be a mage here, named Fraust. I don't much like him and he doesn't really care for me either." He said with a frown.

"I don't really understand why--?" I began but August cut off my response.

"If he knows I have a fondness for my servant he may... harass you. I'd prefer he didn't." He asserted.

I gave the mage a sideways smile. "First you tell me you like my cooking and now you have a fondness for me? Who knew what a softie you were becoming." I teased.

"Oh shut up." He growled. "First off, I said you once made a ham that was not immediately nauseating, and second I was merely implying you aren't the absolute worst servant I've employed." Behind his mock insults I could see a smile hiding at the corner of his mouth.

"I'm still taking both of those as signs of adoration." I said, beaming.

He laughed at my attempts at humor and I laughed with him. I couldn't help but like it when he laughed. It was the closest I could come to feeling like I had a friend in this place.

For the next several days leading up to the gathering of mages, August was in his study, absorbing thick spellbooks and tomes from morning to night. In fact it was beginning to make me mildly worry about him. He took every meal at his desk and only left it to relieve himself. I wasn't even sure if he was sleeping in his bed at night or just passing out where he sat.

It was now the day before the mages were due to start arriving at the tower. I had just set down some eggs and bacon for August on the desk near his elbow when I looked him over to make a full assessment. His hair was greasy and matted to his forehead. His long grey beard was unkempt with whiskers pointing in all directions. His face and hands appeared grubby, I could only speculate on the conditions beneath his heavy robes. I dared to take a sniff near him and almost coughed. The smell of unwashed man was thick in the air around the mage.

"When are your mage friends arriving again?" I inquired.

"Please boy, don't bother me, I still have much I need to memorize and prepare before their arrival." He said dismissively.

"When are they arriving?" I asked again a little louder than before, lowering my face near his.

He gave me an annoyed look. "Any day, could be today, probably tomorrow, they'll arrive as they each make the journey, it won't be all at once."

"Well then," I began. "You're taking a bath, right now, you stink."

He scowled up at me. "Later, that's not important." He said and peered back into his book.

"I assure you, it is. I'm not letting you meet with your fellows looking and smelling like you do. Get up." I ordered him. When he didn't budge I slammed his book shut.

"Hey! Boy! Enough!" August shouted.

He made a move to reopen the book but I snatched it away from his grasp and tucked it under an arm. With the other I grabbed him bodily by the armpit of his robe and lifted him to his feet and out of his chair.

"If you won't listen, then I have no choice." I said, as one might instruct a disobedient child.

He groused and swore but ultimately he allowed me to walk him down the hall to the bathroom. I left him in the doorway long enough to start the hot water filling the large tub. When I looked up a moment later he had opened the book again and was reading where he stood.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked incredulously. "Strip and get in the tub!" I ordered.

He pretended to ignore me.

"August! Get out of those disgusting robes and get in the damned water!" I yelled at him.

He gave me a startled look. At first I figured it was the tone of my voice but I quickly realized it was the first time I had ever called him by his name.

"No need to shout at me." He said after a few moments. He walked slowly to the edge of the tub where he set his book down on one of the small counters. He began to untie the thick sash at his waist and I looked away to give him some privacy while he finished shedding the rest of his clothing. He gingerly stepped into the steaming bath.

"Oh, that's too hot!" He exclaimed and tugged his foot back.

"No it's not." I assured him, I stuck my arm in to make sure. "And besides, it's going to need to be hot enough to wash the filth from you. You look like you haven't washed in days." I glanced over his grubby nude body. Once again I could feel a tinge of arousal, especially with him standing so close, and me on my knees at the edge of the bath.

"It has been several days I think." He admitted sheepishly.

August slipped into the bathwater to his knees slowly as I turned the faucet off. The tub was now full and let off a constant steam into the large room. He was lowering himself into the water the rest of the way when he unexpectedly gave a sharp yelp.

"What's wrong?" I asked in a panicked voice.

He looked at me shyly. "Oh nothing, just, I might've burned my berries a bit."

I couldn't help but laugh at the older man. "You call them berries?"

"I don't think it's very funny." He muttered indignantly.

"You're right, and I'm sorry." I conceded. I'm not laughing at your... berries getting scalded. Just your name for them. I didn't mean to laugh at you." I assured him.

He finished submerging himself and sat on the step inside the spacious tub with the water to his waist before reaching out and grabbing up his book.

"What are you doing?" I asked, shaking my head.

August still had on his reading glasses so when he turned to look at me he tilted his head down to fix me with a stare. The glow from his eyes looked not unlike the steam rising from the water.

"I told you I need to finish some studies before the others arrive. I allowed you to drag me in here. If I need a scrub so badly, you do it!" He snarled and turned back to his book, clearly still upset over me laughing and wounding his pride.

"This was not part of our arrangement." I said rigidly. August said nothing in reply. "Really?" I asked aloud. "It's not enough that I did you the favor of forcing you in here so you aren't a stinking mess when your fellows arrive? You expect me to bathe you?" The mage still refused to respond.

"Stubborn ass." I said, resigned. "Lift your arm."

August held one of his arms straight out from his side while I found a washcloth and bar of soap on the counter next to me. I dunked the cloth into the warm water and began to clean the man's arm. I spent extra time on his hand and under his nails where he was dirtiest. His long arm was more muscular than I might have guessed and the forearm dusted with fine silver hair.

"I'll leave your other arm to the end so you can continue your reading." I offered.

"Thank you." He said simply.

I didn't have any experience bathing someone else, but I determined it was basically the same as when washing myself: start at the top and work your way down.

"Lean back a little." I said, and he did.

I wrung out the cloth over the mage's head and then applied some soap to it and began to clean his short grey hair. It felt somewhat odd, washing another man's head. I washed and rinsed and felt the soft short hairs between my fingers. I continued down to his neck. As I scrubbed here he leaned forward and let out a small sigh. I supposed it must feel good, relieving some of his obvious stress over the other mages arriving. I tried to massage his neck and shoulders as I washed them. He actually set his book down to focus on my ministrations.

"That feels incredibly good." He informed me.

I said nothing but moved to his other side and washed and cleaned his other arm since it was now available. With that finished I rolled up my pant legs and stepped into the bath beside him. I needed to wash his front and I couldn't do that easily from where I had been kneeling behind him.

"Close your eyes." I said softly.

He did and I carefully removed his spectacles, setting them aside next to his book. I again applied warm water to his head, over his face, letting it course down his cheeks and sharp nose, through his long silver beard. I lathered up the soap and gently began to wash his face, around his eyes, the deep creases across his forehead and into the tangle of facial hair that was his moustache and beard. With his eyes shut and a completely serene look over his face I noticed for the first time he might actually be a handsome man. My hands found their way beneath the flowing scruff and delicately washed his throat. I felt him swallow gently under the cloth. I then carefully washed his beard which came down to the middle of his chest. The stray whiskers began to fall into place as I worked. Seeing as how the beard ended in his hairy chest, I decided to continue washing him here as well. I was enjoying this part the most, feeling each manly breast in turn, gently massaging them with the washcloth as I did so. His nipples were a pale pink and I attended to these too, carefully encircling each one with the cloth and sliding my fingers over them.