It took Blaine a moment to realize that he was not under compulsion. Looking into Sir's eyes and feeling no loyalty, no tug toward loving him, nothing to battle or submit to...

It was odd. So odd that Blaine couldn't process it at first.

It was also kind of sad.

Sir was kind of sad. He looked waxy and a bit more aged than he had when Blaine had last seen him. Of course, it was certainly possible that he had always looked that way, but the compulsion had kept Blaine from seeing it.

But Milord did not look well either. And Blaine recalled how Kurt had looked when Dronyen had him draped in iron chains.

It was as if it sucked something vital and life-giving from their bodies. And Blaine tried not to pity them, but he couldn't seem to control himself.

If anyone deserved such a fate, it was Sir and Milord.

But that was just the problem. No one did.

Did they?

"Friend?"

Blaine was startled out of his thoughts by the driver looking at him curiously. Blaine's first thought was to snap don't call me friend at the flesh-peddlers. He held it in.

"I'm...I'm sorry. I just...where did you find them? How did you catch them?"

The driver gave him a smug smile. "Honeysuckle bush just up the road. Rigged up some chains. Easy as a lass from L'auhe, and works every time."

Blaine was suddenly very glad that Kurt hadn't been in the mood for honeysuckle the night before.

"Pretty things, ain't they?" the driver's companion added. "Even prettier when you get them on the verbena and take away the iron. You sure you're not looking to buy? There's nothing better than being the first to break in a wild one."

"I don't really believe in slavery," Blaine said coldly before he could stop himself. The man's words had reminded him so much of Dronyen, and really, he couldn't, he just couldn't...

The driver snorted. "Oh, here we go. You a religious man, friend?"

Don't you dare call me friend, you - "If you're trying to use the T'aukhi Scrolls to defend yourself, don't bother," Blaine replied. "For one thing, I notice that so-called religious men seem to enjoy picking and choosing amongst them. The scrolls do also dictate that one should not wear wool with leather, you know."

Blaine looked pointedly at the woolen leggings and leather boots worn by both men.

"And then, there are all of the frankly hypocritical c-"

"We didn't stop to get into a theological debate," the driver's companion snapped. "We were merely wondering if you might have something to trade. You said you trade in spices? Salt, perhaps?"

"Sorry, no," Blaine muttered. "I should...I should probably be on my way."

He looked back at Sir and Milord. Sir looked utterly resigned, but Milord looked beseechingly at Blaine. It was a look of pure desperation, a look that said please don't leave me please don't leave me please don't leave me.

Blaine swallowed. "You know you can't bring slaves into the border towns, don't you?"

The driver laughed sharply. "Son, we've been doing this a long, long time. We have everything we need to get us far enough east to make a profit."

A long, long time.

How long?

Longer than five years, perhaps?

"Kurt!" Blaine barked suddenly, loud and sharp.

The two humans stared at him. "Excuse me?" demanded the driver.

"I...um...nervous tic. Just...you know, I believe I might have some salt after all. If you'll just give me a moment..."

The men were looking at him suspiciously. Blaine started to climb down from the perch, carrying his bow with him.

"You know what, friend? Why don't you just stay right there. And we'll be on our way."

Blaine bit his lip. Should he just drive on? The man next to the driver looked ready to nock an arrow in his own bow as he glared at Blaine, and Blaine was pretty sure that this could turn ugly if-

"I think you should let them go," said a soft, clear voice beside him. Blaine looked over in surprise. He hadn't even heard him move out of the carriage.

Kurt was staring at the men evenly, and his voice betrayed nothing of the fear he must have been feeling.

The men simply stared at him for a moment. Then the driver's companion quickly nocked an arrow, quickly screaming when both bow and arrow burst into flames.

"No." Kurt said calmly. "I did not ask you to shoot me with an arrow. I asked you to-"

Kurt's eyes flickered over to the cage and widened when he saw Sir and Milord.

"Let them go," he finished steadily, returning his gaze to the two humans in front of him.

The driver quickly snapped the reins to set the horses in motion, but Kurt gave a quick, sharp cry in his native tongue and the horses stilled, watching him.

"Thank you," Kurt said, smiling at the horses. "You see? Some people actually listen to me when I speak. Now, I could kill you"- Kurt flicked a wrist, and the three additional men that were attempting to crawl out of the carriage in a stealthy manner fell to the ground as the earth shook violently beneath their feet. "All of you. It would be quite the...what did you call it, Blaine? Catharsis. Yes, that's it. But the trouble is, killing people seems to do something to me." Kurt frowned. "And killing you would feel exceptionally good, but it would also hurt me. So..."

Kurt glanced back at Blaine. "Blaine? What do you think?"

"I...I don't know, Kurt. These...are these the same men that..."

"No. If they were they would most definitely be dead by now."

The men were now looking between Kurt and Blaine with naked fear.

Kurt sighed. "All right, well...why don't you start by unloading the carriage. Completely. Leave the...the prisoners where they are."

Several hours later, Kurt and Blaine continued west along the trail, Kurt now sufficiently refreshed to sit beside Blaine and hold his hand. They were mostly silent, their chosen course of action weighing on each of them heavily.

The carriage was significantly heavier. They had relieved the slave traders of all forms of iron and verbena, as well as weapons and most items of value in their possession. There was also a heavy iron cage on wheels trailing behind them. The cage still held its two occupants.

The slave traders had gone in the opposite direction, had not been stripped of either horses or carriage. Neither Kurt nor Blaine felt entirely at ease with their decision, but they weren't sure what else they could have done. Leaving them without a carriage would just encourage them to steal one from someone else or do something equally desperate, Kurt had reasoned. Killing them would have been simple, but neither Kurt nor Blaine had it in them to simply kill the men execution-style. Not when they had been groveling and whimpering and pleading for their lives.

Kurt was fairly sure he'd done enough killing to last him a good long while, anyhow.

He had done his best to instill intense fear in them. He had glowered at them with blue fire eyes, surrounded them in flames and told them there are more like me, and they are coming for men like you. Most are not so merciful. The border is going to start going through some changes, men, and you don't want to be seen trading slaves when it comes.

Kurt's words had chilled Blaine to the bone. Because there was not even the barest hint that this might be bravado, or an empty threat at all. Kurt had sounded like a man with a very specific plan in mind.

It didn't sound like a bad plan, but it sure as hell sounded like a bloody one.

They finally pulled into a suitable clearing as dusk approached. Kurt immediately leapt down and began cooing over the horses, who were exhausted from the extra burden they had had to pull that day. Blaine meandered to the back of the carriage, stopping in front of the cage and folding his arms across his chest.

"Well. This is..."

"Ironic, yes." Sir cut him off. "Congratulations, boy. We are completely at your mercy. Now either kill us or let it go if you don't mind."

Milord's eyes widened. "No...he just...no. Don't listen to him. He's just...he's tired. And upset. And..."

Blaine narrowed his eyes at Sir, who seemed to be shifting uncomfortably on the floor of the cage.

"S..." Blaine stopped himself before calling him Sir. "Did...did they hurt you?"

"What do you think?" snapped Sir. "They dropped iron chains onto us. Or is that how you take your pleasure? I never took you for one who-"

"That's not what I mean and you know it," Blaine said softly. "Did they...touch you?"

Sir looked away. Milord flinched.

"I'm sorry," Blaine said.

"Spare us your pity," Sir snarled. "Coming from an animal like you, it-"

"I should think you'd be rather grateful for his pity," Kurt snarled, as he stalked over to join them. "Seeing as how it's just about all that's keeping you alive right now."

"Kurt..." Blaine said gently, "You don't understand. Those men, they-"

"I know," Kurt said. "They did exactly what slave traders do. I remember." Milord's eyes widened at that, and even Sir's gaze flickered over to him for a moment.

"It shouldn't have happened, and I'm sorry for you that it did, but it doesn't make either one of you innocent. You've done exactly the same thing to the humans you've enslaved, and I don't want to know how many times."

"It wasn't the same!" Milord protested desperately. "They, they liked it..."

"They were compelled," Kurt corrected.

"They were compelled to like it!" Sir exploded. "Gods, are you really doing this? You? Humans experience compulsion as pleasure, their bodies enjoy it, it isn't rape!"

"Yes it is!" Blaine cried out incredulously.

Sir looked at Kurt and said something in Elfin tongue.

"Speak Villaluan," Kurt insisted harshly, "so that Blaine can understand you."

Sir continued speaking in his native tongue.

"If you call him that again, I'll cut your tongue out of your head!" Kurt snapped, stopping just short of lunging bodily at the cage.

"He doesn't mean it, he's just...old fashioned," Milord said desperately.

Kurt raised an eyebrow at Milord. "Is that what you're going to call it?"

"You know what I mean," Milord muttered, looking at his feet.

"No, I really don't," Kurt said.

Milord looked puzzled. Sir simply snorted.

"He doesn't know what you're talking about, because he probably flitted around doing whatever he pleased while the other children were learning. I imagine it was all just beneath you, wasn't it, you precious little thing?"

Kurt glared at him.

"Um, Kurt?" Blaine asked tentatively, walking away from the cage and gently pulling Kurt along with him. Kurt allowed it, his expression still dark.

When they were out of earshot, Blaine sighed and turned to Kurt.

"Let me kill them," Kurt blurted out.

Blaine gaped at him. "Kurt, no."

"Why not? Is this some sort of official let-slave-trading-rapists-go-free day? Some sort of Villaluan holiday I never learned about?"

"I think that holiday is observed every day in Villalu," Blaine answered with a sad smile. "But we can't kill them in a cage, Kurt. We need to figure out what to do."

Kurt sighed. "I know what I need to do." He walked back to the cage.

"Tell me your names."

Milord quickly spoke his. After a solid minute and a heavy sigh, Sir followed suit.

"All right. Now what are your (unpronounceable Elfin word)? Blaine needs to be able to call you something too."

"Tash," Milord said quickly, before Sir could open his mouth. "And he's Brec." Sir (Brec, Blaine corrected himself) glared at Tash.

Kurt exhaled deeply. "All right. Now I don't want to kill you quite so much. Brec, I'm going to bind you."

For the first time, Blaine saw fear race across Brec's eyes.

"Kill me instead," he whispered. "You may as well. I'll be defenseless."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "You must have something else."

Brec sighed, and waved a hand dismissively. "Earth," he said, sounding unimpressed.

Kurt's lips twitched up into something that was almost a smile.

"You were a home-grower," he said with an edge of unmasked delight.

Brec glowered at him. "What of it? Too low-caste an occupation for your taste?"

"Of course not. It takes great skill to do it well. Much more respectable than being a slave-trader."

"I was never a slave-trader," Brec said stubbornly.

Ignoring Brec's statement, Kurt turned to Blaine to explain. "Sidhe with the power to compel usually have an elemental power as well. One of the non-abhorrent ways one can use compulsion is to direct it at an element. Those who command earth can use the combination of the two to grow homes and other structures. Like the Sidhe inns we stayed at." Kurt turned back to Brec. "It's a talent I've always envied," he admitted.

"Then why don't you go ahead and do it?" Brec groused. Kurt gave him an odd look.

"Kurt can't compel," Blaine said, feeling like he was missing something.

"Oh, is that what he told you?" Brec asked with a delighted laugh.

"It's true, I can't," Kurt said quickly, looking at Blaine. "I was bound," he added, turning back toward Brec. "By choice."

Brec looked incredulous. "You expect me to believe-"

"Look. I may have been a precious little thing that flitted around while the other children were learning, but I did have a basic sense of right and wrong." Kurt walked closer to the cage, got as close as he could without touching it.

"I know what it can do to people. I understand the constant temptation, Brec, I do. And I will admit that I loved my power, that I still love my power, but there was no good that would come of the compulsion for me. I knew I didn't have a future as a home-grower or a light-keeper or a water-bearer. I only would have used it for control."

"But you...you could have controlled Sidhe," Tash breathed, staring at Kurt with something very much akin to wonder. "You could have done anything."

"I...yes." Kurt conceded. "And now, thank the gods, I can't."

"Don't you miss it? Can't you feel it...itching at you when you aren't using it?" Brec was searching Kurt's face desperately.

"Yes," Kurt answered softly. "But if I can live with it, so can you."

Kurt did not trust Brec around Blaine, no matter how ardently Blaine swore that he would avoid his eyes. He lead a miserable and resigned-looking Brec into the forest, leaving Blaine with Tash.

"Are you hungry?" Blaine asked, suddenly realizing that it had probably been a good long while since the elf had eaten. Tash nodded mutely.

Blaine picked a variety of leaves that he was pretty sure he'd seen Kurt eat, and brought a flask of water to the cage as well. He sat down in the grass beside the cage as Tash settled in to eat.

"Tash...what is Kurt going to do?"

Tash sighed. "He's going to bind him. Suppress his power to compel. Permanently. It will be like feeling constantly hungry but never being able to eat."

"And Kurt...feels that way too?"

Tash shrugged. "Kurt has quite a bit more power than Brec in other areas. In every other area. It probably isn't as much of a hardship for him." Tash chewed thoughtfully for a moment. "Or maybe it's worse. Because his ability to compel would have been so much stronger than Brec's. Suppressing something like that could be pure torture. I don't really know."

Blaine swallowed hard. So Kurt was suffering constantly. Perhaps that was why he had endured so much without breaking. Because he had had so much practice. Because he had already learned to live his life withstanding what most people couldn't imagine feeling for even a day.

Another thought struck Blaine suddenly, before he could force himself to push it away.

Tash knew who Kurt was. Or at least what Kurt was with respect to other Sidhe. All Blaine had to do was ask, and it probably wouldn't be difficult to figure out exactly what the problem was, exactly what the hesitation was around staying in Khryslee with Blaine. If he found out now, he would have time to formulate arguments and think of solutions. All he had to do was ask...

And then the idea was forcefully tackled by a wave of guilt.

Kurt obviously knew that Tash would answer Blaine's questions. He obviously knew that Blaine would have every opportunity to ask. But Kurt had promised to explain everything to Blaine as soon as they crossed the border. And Kurt trusted him. Kurt trusted him completely.

Blaine stood up. "I'll get you a blanket," he said, and quickly strode away.

Blaine and Kurt lay together in the tent that night, each lost in thought.

Kurt finally sighed. "That was...hard. The binding. I didn't enjoy it."

Blaine was lying with his cheek against Kurt's chest. He glanced up at him.

"Tash said having a power bound is like always being hungry and never being able to eat."

Kurt laughed softly. "Well, that might be a bit dramatic."

"Kurt, why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't hold it back on purpose, Blaine. I suppose I just...I don't know. It seemed simpler that way."

"You need to stop doing that," Blaine said, keeping his voice gentle and punctuating the statement with a kiss to Kurt's chest. "I know you're not ready to tell me everything yet, but you really do need to stop holding things back like it's instinctive or something. I want to know everything about you. Even the complicated parts."

Kurt smiled. "I went a long time without having anyone to trust, Blaine, so I suppose it has become a bit instinctive. But you're right. And I do trust you."

Blaine stroked Kurt's chest lovingly. "I know you do. Kurt...what is it like for you? Having part of your power bound?"

"Well, it's unpleasant, but I've gotten pretty accustomed to it by now. There are even times when the pain seems to stop altogether."

"Mmmm. Like when?"

"Like when you're inside me," Kurt whispered into Blaine's ear, making him shiver.

Blaine turned his face back up toward Kurt just in time to find his lips caught in a gentle kiss.

"Kurt," Blaine whispered, pulling back, "I'm sorry you had to do that today. I know S- Brec, I mean, probably deserves far worse, but it must have been difficult to cause that kind of pain."

"It was. It is. But now he can't hurt anyone else the way he hurt you, Blaine. I'm not sorry I did it."

"Neither am I."

"And now I don't want to think about him anymore," Kurt added, trailing his fingers below the back of Blaine's waistband.

Blaine smiled. "You're trying to seduce me."

"Yes, Blaine, trying would seem to be the appropriate word choice."

Blaine's smile turned into a laugh, and he rolled over until he was on top of Kurt. "Well, don't stop now. You've got me almost convinced."

They tried to keep quiet, but their moans and cries easily carried to the cage behind the carriage, where the two men huddled under blankets and tried not to notice the sharp and familiar scent of a certain flower that was most certainly not indigenous to this particular area.

It was clear to the Sidhe in the cage that the men in the tent were not merely having sex but making love. The groans were interspersed with comfortable laughter, the murmurs clearly full of pure adulation.

Tash sighed heavily, and decided to try and drown out the noises of pleasure coming from the tent with simple conversation.

"What are we going to do, Brec?"

Brec stared stonily up into the night.

He felt as though he had been neutered. Neutered.

"I'll tell you what we're going to do. We are going to kill his fucking human and make him watch, and then we are going to bleed him dry until he's weak as a kitten and we're swimming in essence, and then we are going to sell him to the first brain-dead sadist of a wealthy human we can find, sell the essence, and live like kings."

Tash stared at him with wide eyes. "But...what...we shouldn't...we can't just...he's going to...but...how?"

Brec laughed bitterly, his voice cutting into the darkness around them.

"I don't know. But we've got all night to come up with something."