Sasra 2 written by Unit Vanilla and illustrated by Enjin Yamimaru

[insaneneko]

The continuing adventures of our "doomed" lovers in the pretty reincarnation epic in the second volume of the Sasra series by Unit Vanilla and illustrated by Enjin Yamimaru. Check out the series review/book 1 summary here.

I had to do a lot of research for the historical context and to try to spell the names correctly instead of making something up from the katakana, but there was a lot I couldn't figure out. :P I did end up spending a lot of time reading up on the history online...I love the internet, seriously. There's just so much info out there.




The story begins at the end of the Second Marcomannic War. A coalition of Germanic tribes, led by the Marcomanni, engage in a big "last stand"-type battle. The warriors of a smaller but fierce tribe, the Quadi, are led by Andreus, the son of the head of the tribe. He has a lapis lazuli that has been handed down from father to son in his family for generations (supposedly ever since it was given to some ancestor by a traveler on the Silk Road) and his best friend and right-hand man Benedictus to accompany him in the battle. At first the Germanics do pretty well but they are hard pressed against the training and numbers of the Romans. Right after Benedictus is killed by a Roman commander the head of the Marcomanni is also killed. This demoralizes the Germanics. A lot of them run away, and the rest are routed. Andreus keeps fighting until he is wounded and loses consciousness.

On the other side is Lucius (pronounced with hard "c") Alexandrius, second-in-command of the legions (and the acknowledged "true" leader in lieu of the elderly nominal general). After the Roman victory he is summoned by the emperor Marcus Aurelius, who offers him congratulations. Lucius's deceased mother was the emperor's niece and Lucius has grown up respecting the wise and good emperor. Lucius looks like his mother--absolutely gorgeous and lithe. They are interrupted by the arrival of Commodus, Marcus Aurelius's vain and worthless son (apparently the villain in the movie Gladiator?), who also has a thing for Lucius. Lucius is completely icked out by Commodus and tries to avoid him as much as possible (while not being open about how repelled he is). Marcus Aurelius is displeased that Commodus has left Rome when he had put Commodus in charge during his absence. Commodus tells his father that he'd left the state in capable hands. He wants to talk about an "important matter." Lucius takes his leave because he knows that Commodus has come to try to convince his father to name him his successor. There is no rule that the throne has to pass down from father to son, so Marcus Aurelius can adopt someone worthy to succeed him instead....Unfortunately Marcus Aurelius dies from a heart attack while talking to Commodus. Commodus claims that his father had named him his successor before he died. Lucius wants to deny it, but as no one else had been with the two when the emperor had died he doesn't want to refute Commodus. Lucius gives his loyalty to Commodus reluctantly. The legions return to a hero's welcome (a triumph?) in Rome. There, Lucius is ordered to become commander of the imperial guard (I'm not sure if it's the Praetorian Guard). He doesn't want to be separated from his men, but he has no choice...


In the meantime, the wounded Andreus had been healed and taken to Rome. He is bought by a former gladiator who'd won his freedom, Clemensis, to be a gladiator in the games Commodus is planning on holding. However, he has absolutely no interest in fighting. Although he is punished with whippings and solitary confinement and threatened with death, as well as cajoled by promises of money and women and possibly even freedom, he shows no desire to cooperate. He hadn't been able to die gloriously on the battlefield with his people and has no reason to live. Lucius stops by. He used to come by and fight with the gladiators for fun and training before going out with the legions. Andreus is struck by Lucius's delicate beauty and feels a vague sense of recognition which he can't place. Lucius tries to get a volunteer to fight him, but the other gladiators don't want to bother with such a weak-looking guy. Lucius offers a large lapis lazuli if someone beats him. Andreus is shocked to see his family's heirloom in this young Roman nobleman's hands. He accepts Lucius's challenge.




They fight, quite well matched in skill, until Andreus decides he needs to do something to end it before he his strength gives out (he hadn't eaten during solitary confinement). He throws his sword at Lucius and knocks him down while he dodges it. Lucius accepts his defeat and gives him the stone. Andreus thanks the spirits of his ancestors for bringing the stone to him. He decides that he will win in the arena and gain his freedom. Then he can take the stone back to his people.

Andreus begins to train properly. He mocks the "young nobleman" Lucius, who shows up a lot to watch the gladiators train. Lucius, for his part, has enjoyed watching and fighting with the gladiators from years ago. He also likes the anonymity of being a generic "young nobleman." He now enjoys seeing the only man to have ever beaten him in single combat train, wishing to fight him again when he's even stronger.

Lucius doesn't have any duties except to obey Commodus's whims. He is forced to dress up in silly costumes and keeps being given utterly useless yet massively expensive gifts. He can't stand Commodus's lustful and possessive looks and the frivolous parties filled with toadies who don't do any work. Lucius longs to do something useful, to be with his army, to be away from the emperor that so obviously wants to have him...

Lucius asks Clemensis to allow him to fight in the emperor's gladiatorial games that were to start soon. Clemensis refuses at first as the battles are dangerous and Lucius has no reason to fight in them. But he realizes how serious Lucius is and relents. He becomes more enthusiastic about the idea when Lucius asks to partner with Andreus as they'd probably make a splashy and effective team. Just before the two go out to their first battle, Lucius asks why Andreus accepted him as his partner. Andreus responds that he figured he'd have a better chance of winning partnering with Lucius. He tells Lucius that he wants to win his freedom and go back to his people. He then asks Lucius why he fights. Lucius responds that he wants to feel like he's alive. Lucius wears a helmet to avoid being recognized by the audience (and Commodus). They quickly win their fight.




Andreus notices Lucius's birthmark at the back of his neck after the fight. He also notices Lucius's excitement over the fight and the crowd's approval of their win. He finds it all distasteful as it's simply killing for entertainment. When Lucius tries to point out that he's helping Andreus gain his freedom, Andreus replies that Lucius is simply drunk on the joy of fighting and killing. Lucius isn't fighting for Andreus, he's fighting for himself. Lucius admits that he does feel ecstatic during battle. He'd been so afraid before his first battle, but quickly had to throw away that fear and fight the opponent in front of him. Lucius reflects that he had gained a feeling of exaltation while in battle while losing something precious in the process. He asks Andreus if he scorns Lucius for being that way. Andreus senses that Lucius is somehow terribly dangerous, but can't help but be drawn to him. He shakes his head, admitting that he's the same way. Only those who have been in battle can know that excitement. They are interrupted by a pleased Clemensis. Clemensis tells Andreus that he needs to prolong the fight to please the crowd. Andreus refuses and stalks off. Lucius tells Clemensis that he'll fight in the next battle as well.

They keep fighting together and keep winning handily. They gain popularity and status. Clemensis tries to get Andreus to prolong the fights but Andreus continues to refuse. Lucius agrees with Andreus and has been matching his fighting style with Andreus. This surprises Andreus, since he'd always thought the Romans were arrogant bastards and Lucius is not only a Roman but a nobleman. He's also disturbed by the longing in Lucius's face when he stares at Andreus (and disturbed at how disturbed he is), as well as how he notices how beautiful Lucius is.

Before a fight, Lucius asks Andreus if he has someone waiting for him back home. Andreus answers that he does...He has his father, his sister and her children. Lucius, though, thinks Andreus has a lover or a wife and kids. He's distracted during the fight and almost gets cut down. He dodges and kills his opponent thanks to Andreus's shout of warning, but loses his helmet. He's recognized by the crowd (and by Commodus) and realizes his game is up.

After they leave the field Andreus demands to know who Lucius is. Lucius explains that he's now the commander of the imperial guards, but used to be out on the field with the legions. Andreus questions Lucius further and realizes that Lucius was the Roman commander that had killed his best friend...

Lucius is summoned to the palace by Commodus, who demands to know why Lucius had secretly participated in the games. Lucius can't tell him the true reason because it'd just piss Commodus off. Commodus punishes him by forbidding him from fighting in the games. Lucius begs Commodus to let him go back to the field, but Commodus refuses. He then pressures Lucius into his bed by threatening Lucius's sister...




That night in his cell Andreus is boggling over the fact that Lucius had killed his best friend when Lucius slips in, having bribed the guards. Lucius is rather hysterical, repeating over and over how he wants to be with his troops. Andreus can't understand Lucius's distress as he's in a prestigious and enviable position. But then Lucius blurts out that Commodus wants him sexually and doesn't see any value in him as a warrior (and thus as a man). He clings (in a manly way) to Andreus, the only one who can understand his manly needs--to understand his soul's hunger that can only be satisfied on the battlefield.

Andreus thinks about killing the vulnerable Lucius to avenge his friend, but finds that he can't...In fact, he's filled with a strange feeling he doesn't understand and wants to embrace the trembling Lucius instead.




Unfortunately Lucius can't contain his repulsion when Commodus tries for penetration and lashes out...Bringing Commodus's wrath down upon him. He is given a death sentence and made to fight in the glatoriatorial contests until he is killed. His first fight is against Andreus. Lucius is injured and loses, but the crowd clamors for mercy. Commodus grants it, giving Lucius another day of life. Andreus is granted his freedom.

That night Andreus breaks Lucius out of his cell and they make their escape (aided by Clemensis's tips on how to get out easier). Lucius is angry that Andreus is risking his life to break him out when he's gained his freedom and he has someone waiting for him back home. Andreus tells him it's only his father and sister and her kids, and that he isn't going back north without Lucius. They stop for the night, where Andreus tends Lucius's wounds. They have heartfelt confessions, in the following manner: Andreus: You killed my best friend. Lucius: Oh, then you have the right to kill me. I'd like to be killed by you. Andreus: Nah, it was on the battlefield, you were just doing your job, we're all killers anyways. Plus, we're the same. I felt as if a part of my soul had died when I heard you were locked up. Lucius (trembling, but in a manly way): I was happy to learn that you were going to be my opponent because I'd rather be killed by you. But I was also happy when you came for me...I thought I'd never see you again...I love you! Andreus (in a manly way): I love you!




Their confessions lead to sex, of course. They feel complete and happy and all that. They vow to die together.

Of course they will get their wish, since the next morning they spot their pursuers from Rome. As they prepare for battle, Andreus talks about the grape harvest that's happening in his village now and how Lucius will be welcomed because every extra hand helps. These guys are so manly, aren't they? Casually preparing for a fight they aren't going to survive...






The lovers this time, Leonhart and Alphonse.

The year is sometime around 1198. In a village on the Neckar River (a major tributary of the Rhine) in southern Germany, a group of merchants from Aachen in the north stops at an inn carrying goods from Norway. Leonheart, a worthless womanizer currently sleeping with a maid at the inn, overhears the boasting of a bodyguard of the caravan. The maid, upset that Leon had earlier called her by another woman's name, flirts with the bodyguard. She urges him to take care of the bandits called the Falcon's Band based at the nearby castle of Falkenburg. Leon joins in to urge the bodyguard to take care of the bandits. A mysterious hooded man also eating at the inn comments that one way to get into such an impenetrable fortress is to sneak in with an offering of a woman. He offers to "play" the woman (he figures they can trick the guards in the dark with the hood of a woman's mantle up). Leon, boasting bodyguard, mysterious hooded man, and hooded man's servant go to the fortress and manage to get in, but are quickly surrounded and tied up. Leon is untied and revealed to be the leader of the band. The guy who had been talking for the band until then, Blitz, complains that Leon is lucky he was recognized and not shot full of arrows. Leon brushes aside the complaints by giving them the news of the merchant's caravan. He figures that mysterious stranger is a noble and tells him to write a letter to ask for ransom. The others are doubtful that a guy wandering around the countryside with one servant is worth much money, but they are proven wrong when mysterious stranger gives his name--Alphonse von Welf. Alphonse is the younger brother of Otto, who is being backed by the King of England and the Pope to become the next Holy Roman Emperor against the current imperial dynasty the Staufens (Frederick I Barbarossa had just died and his brother Philip had become King of Germany). The Welfs had been kicked out of their vast lands the generation before and is now trying to take power over Germany and the Empire.




They are surprised again when his hood is pulled off, revealing his amazingly beautiful countenance.

The merchant's guild refuses to pay the boasting bodyguard's ransom, so he is kicked out naked. Alphonse is locked up in the dungeons. His servant takes the ransom demand to his family. They respond, saying they need some time to put together the rather large amount. Blitz wants Alphonse gone before winter sets in, but Leon is rather excited. Alphonse's beauty was startling, but what impressed Leon was the fact that he never showed any anxiety throughout the attempt to sneak in or the capture. They speculate that Alphonse will not be in his right mind when he's let out of the dungeon.

Leon decides to see how it'd feel to make a proud noble fall onto his knees. He has Alphonse taken to up to his room, which had been the room of the lord of the castle. It's very lavishly appointed. He offers Alpshonse use of the bathtub. He notices that Alphonse has no wounds on his lovely body...He's disappointed because he thought Alphonse must be a good swordsman but figures he's never had real training or fighting experience to be so unmarked. He notices something on the back of Alphonse's neck and tries to scrub it off. Alphonse tells him it's a birthmark (in the shape of a flower). Leon shows Alphonse his birthmark (in the shape of a bird) on the back of his hand. He is drawn to Alphonse's birthmark and presses his lips to it. Alphonse jerks away and demands to know what Leon was thinking. Leon tells him he was having a little taste. He wants to court--no, propose to--the lovely lady (as what knight would dress up like a woman, weaponless?)...He offers Alphonse a choice: either be fucked by Leon in comfort or go back to the dank and dark dungeons. Leon is filled with anticipation. He figures that even if the proud noble rejects him now, there'd be no way he'd be able to stand being in the dungeons for long. Leon thinks that Alphonse will refuse him three or four times before giving in...But is disappointed when Alphonse quickly agrees to be fucked. Leon is less interested in a not so proud and noble Alphonse, but decides he'll get what he can. He climbs on top of Alphonse, but then Alphonse throws him for a loop. Alphonse confirms that Leon had proposed to him just now, that Leon wants him as his bride. He asks for the proper tradition to be observed. He tells Leon that in his family the groom wears the engagement ring for forty days, upon which it is given to the bride. He asks for freedom within the castle and extravagant gifts as proof of Leon's love. He then demands that they don't have sex until they are properly married in a ceremony in a church, because the Church forbids sex outside of marriage. Alphonse looks straight into Leon's eyes and tells Leon that he'll only accept Leon's proposal if Leon agrees to his conditions. Otherwise, Leon can stick him back into the dungeons. Leon is thunderstruck by Alphonse's audacity at first, but then is delighted. He laughingly agrees to Alphonse's conditions.




Leon takes Alphonse down to the treasure room so that he can pick out a ring. Alphonse choses a large lapiz lazuli, which makes Leon happy. He'd been drawn to it as well, which was why he had never sold it. They also run into a mute boy the bandits had found on the same shipwrecked merchant ship the lapiz lazuli was found in. He does odd chores in the castle as well as provide medical care when needed. Leon offers the boy to Alphonse as a servant. Alphonse names him Licht for "light" (so that God's light can guide and watch over him).

At dinner that night Leon announces that "Lady" Alphonse is his bride. Alphonse attends dinner wearing very nice clothing and sits on a sumptuous chair next to Leon. The bandits are amused by it all and drink to the "lady."

Alphonse is dissatisfied by the loose, immoral life the bandits lead. Most of the day is taken up by drinking and gambling. Alphonse harasses Leon about the women the bandits kidnap and rape until Leon forbids such activity--though no one pays any attention. Alphonse also can't stand how they consume everything and don't hoard for winter like most people. The bandits typically simply steal what they need when they need it. In contrast, Alphonse wakes up early every morning to pray at the abandoned chapel.

One day Leon comes upon a young member of the band practicing with a sword too large for him. When he advises the kid to use a smaller sword, the kid comments that Alphonse had told him the same thing. The kid dismisses any advice that comes out of the "lady knight," however. He mentions that one of the other bandits had said that Alphonse didn't conquer his enemies with his sword but in bed (the kid has no clue what that means, though). Leon finds Alphonse's willingness to teach some bandit kid the basics of sword-fighting intriguing. The two of them come across Alphonse lecturing the castle cook, a drunken lout who makes various crappy pig dishes every day. When Alphonse posits that the cook can only cook crappy pig dishes, the cook boasts that he used to make fancy food for kings. He figures that the bandits couldn't ever appreciate his skill and thus doesn't bother. Alphonse dismisses the cook's claims as lies to cover up his non-existent cooking skills. That pisses the cook off even more. The kid wonders if the cook will poison the soup or something, but instead dinner that night is a magnificent feast. At the end, Alphonse praises the cook and takes back his words. He requests a particular dish the next time. The cook "grudgingly" agrees to make it for Alphonse, adding how probably only Alphonse could appreciate his skill. Alphonse then tells the cook that he'll be waiting for the dish, but won't expect much. The cook is obviously fired up by Alphonse's words.

Leon is delighted even more by Alphonse. He's never met someone so intriguing...so smart and so beautiful.





Alphonse finally sets off Georg, a loud, simple, and coarse guy and the second best fighter in the band. He overhears Georg boasting about his "adventures" (pillage and rape) and insults him. Georg lunges at Alphonse to steal a kiss after making lewd comments about Alphonse showing the wiles he'd used to seduce Leon, but ends up thrown onto the ground. Georg accuses Alphonse of tripping him and draws his sword. Leon, who had simply been observing until then (he'd been restrained from barging into the fight by Blitz, who warns him that the bandits are all irritated about Alphonse and his lecturing), throws Alphonse his sword. Alphonse quickly disarms Georg and has him at swordpoint. Everyone is shocked at the situation, but Leon can't help himself. He jumps in and picks Alphonse up. He's delighted that his bride is so obviously talented. Alphonse definitely will fill his life with excitement and fun. He asks the bandits if anyone else wants to cross swords with his bride. Georg admits that Alphonse is good. Alphonse's dry humor in his response to Georg's comments makes Georg laugh. He announces that Alphonse is no cowardly lady knight, but a proper one. He threatens to beat up anyone who calls Alphonse a lady from now on.

Alphonse becomes popular with the bandits, giving lessons to the kid and telling stories about palace life to the others. He also has a secret meeting with his servant, who had snuck into the castle. They discuss how to take control of the castle. Alphonse tells the servant that Leon is the key and that there may be a way to convince him to accept their authority. They will continue to communicate using birds as it is very difficult to sneak in.

Alphonse sees Leon training with his sword as he's making his way to the chapel. He assesses Leon's skills and thinks that Leon might come out on top if they fought. Leon notices Alphonse and is surprised to find out that Alphonse had woken up late and is only now going to chapel. Alphonse admits that he's been having trouble sleeping lately. Leon jokingly? offers to keep him company at night(he's given his bedroom to Alphonse). When Alphonse asks if Leon practices every day, Leon replies that he does--he expends his energy in such activity since Alphonse won't oblige him in bed. Alphonse thought that Leon had been playing with the girls in the village as he used to, but Leon tells Alphonse that he's been celibate since their "engagement." He points to the ring on his finger, that he has only a month left to wait. Alphonse asks why Leon continues the charade. After all, the Church will never acknowledge a marriage between them. Leon could've had his way with Alphonse anytime he wanted to. Leon confesses to Alphonse that his feelings had become sincere since then. He wants to have Alphonse's heart as well as his body. Alphonse is flustered by Leon's serious gaze and changes the subject. They end up talking about Alphonse's family. After they part, Alphonse runs into Georg and a couple of the other bandits. They act oddly and quickly excuse themselves to go eat. Alphonse is suspicious as he enters the chapel. When he enters he sees a beautiful cross on the altar, tapestries covering the barren walls, a new door, candles, a bible, etc...He realizes that Georg and the others must have done it. He finds the chapel more beautiful than any great cathedral...

Alphonse receives a letter from his brother Otto. An army is heading south to engage the enemy and will require him. If necessary he should give up on the castle and leave. The ransom is ready and in the hands of the servant nearby waiting for word from Alphonse. He has three choices: one, to drive out the bandits and take the castle, two, to incorporate the band as well as the castle into their forces, or three, to pay the ransom and leave. He knows the first would be easy to do, he'd just have to drug the food or something. He's gotten to know the men and doesn't want to do it though, and eliminates that choice. The second choice would mean the bandits would be used in the front lines. He has heard about the crappy lives commoners live and how much it doesn't matter to them who the ruler is. He doesn't want to involve them in the selfish struggles of his family...But he remembers his birth and life in exile with his brother, and how they'd vowed to do whatever it took to gain the throne and reclaim their father's honor (their father, Henry the Lion, had been blamed for Frederick I's losses in Italy when he had refused to help in that campaign and had been driven out of his lands). Just as he's about to write his response, he's interrupted by Georg calling to him from below. He thanks Georg for the chapel. Georg tells him it's an early Christmas present from everybody. Everything had been properly bought, as Leon knew Alphonse wouldn't like stolen goods being used. The conversation makes Alphonse think of Leon. He knows Leon would make a great addition to their forces, and that if he could just get Leon to go along the bandits would probably follow. And he knows that he could offer his body (as he'd been prepared to do all along) to get it...

In the end, Alphonse sends a short letter telling his servant to wait. However, it is intercepted by Blitz and Leon in the forest. Blitz, who is able to read, explains the contents of the letter to Leon. He urges Leon to kill Alphonse as a danger to them. Leon, however, isn't so adverse to serving under Alphonse. After all, Alphonse was able to change the bandits from a rowdy bunch of drunken bastards into something a bit less unsavory. They actually take care of their equipment and train instead of drink and gamble all day, and don't kill or rape so indiscriminately any more. Blitz is adamantly against the idea of joining with the Welfs.

Leon gives Alphonse a lot of gorgeous clothing as he had promised. The bandits laugh at Leon for still going on about Alphonse being his bride, but Leon mocks them back, claiming that they are just jealous. He also gives Alphonse a sword. Alphonse is rather shocked, but Leon tells him that no one in the castle is against Alphonse having a real sword (except for the glaring Blitz XD). No one thinks of Alphonse as a hostage at this point. Alphonse feels a pang at Leon's indulgent expression.

Leon tries to talk to Alphonse afterwards, but he is interrupted by Blitz. Blitz wants Leon to scout out a suspicious group that has entered the forest. Licht tries to stop Leon from going. Alphonse also councils against going out then, as the weather isn't too good. He's also worried that the suspicious group is from the Welfs and that they might run into Leon and Blitz in the forest...But Leon goes out anyway.

In the forest, Blitz trains an arrow at Leon's heart. He'd been working for the Staufens to watch the bandits and make sure they don't join with the enemy. His family is living well back home thanks to his service, and he can't risk the castle and the bandits falling to the Welfs. An army was even now heading to the castle to keep it from the Welfs. He tries to get Leon to at least leave Alphonse behind and go somewhere else with the band, but Leon has already accepted Alphonse as one of his. He doesn't abandon one of his own. Blitz understands that that is the kind of guy Leon is (and why people follow him), and fires the arrow...

In the meantime, Alphonse is worried. Dinner comes and goes without Leon's return. He is dozing in his room when Licht comes in. Licht urges Alphonse to come with him. Alphonse puzzles out that something has happened to Leon and that Licht wants to take him to Leon. He rushes to the gate and asks the guard to lower the bridge. But Leon has just returned, alone and wounded. He explains that Blitz is dead.

Leon calls everyone in the castle together and explains that Blitz had been working for the Staufens, had tried to kill Leon and frame Alphonse for the murder, and that Leon had killed Blitz instead. Leon admits that Blitz might not have actually wanted to kill Leon...He would've never missed at such close range normally. But the bandits console Leon, telling him it wasn't his fault. Alphonse thinks that it wasn't Leon's fault that Blitz died. It is his.

Alone that night, Alphonse confesses that he'd been in correspondence with his people. He has decided that he can't involve the bandits anymore, and plans on leaving alone the next day. But Leon tells Alphonse that they will go with him. They've all decided to serve the Welfs. Leon tells Alphonse that he knew that Alphonse had come to the castle to try to take it over, and that he'd been hesitant to eliminate Leon to gain the men as well. He throws the letter into the fire and tells Alphonse that no one besides Blitz could read. They can't tell if Alphonse is telling the truth, but it doesn't matter...Because from now on Alphonse's words will be their truth. Alphonse is incredulous at such trust, but Leon tells him that he's a knight. Knights don't lie. Alphonse protests that he'd lied about why he came to the castle. Leon tells him that he'd done what he said he would, which was to get rid of the bandits. He'd turned them into his men.




Leon asks Alphonse to knight him, so that no matter what battlefield he is sent to he can fight as Alphonse's knight. He tells Alphonse not to knight him in God's name...he wants to be knighted by Alphonse in his name.

Alphonse tells Leon that a knight can ask a favor of his lord at his knighting. Leon asks for a kiss. Alphonse gives him permission, Leon kisses the edge of Alphonse's robe. He is about to leave to let Alphonse rest when Alphonse keeps him back. Alphonse asks where Leon is going. Leon has no clue what Alphonse means. Alphonse asks if Leon has no regrets...The next time they meet will be on the battlefield. Leon replies that he doesn't. Alphonse then asks if Leon has something to give him. Leon, confused, asks if Alphonse wants something else. He'd already given Alphonse clothes and a sword. Alphonse realizes that Leon really doesn't get it, so he tells Leon to give him the damn engagement ring already. It finally dawns on Leon just what Alphonse was getting at, walks back to Alphonse, and picks him up to take him to bed.




And they have sex.

Afterwards, Leon asks Alphonse that if Alphonse sees a dog walking around on some battlefield with an arm with his birthmark on it, will Alphonse praise him for fighting and dying bravely for him? Alphonse chokes up a bit, but then he glares at Leon and tells him that he'd never let his knight die in vain. He tells Leon that as he's sworn an oath upon Alphonse's name, he has to spend the rest of his life next to him, protecting him and...instead of finishing his sentence Alphonse takes Leon's face into his hands and kisses him. Leon smiles and simply responds, "As you wish, my lord."



Overall I enjoyed this volume more than the first, in spite of the The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire-style viewing of history through modern morals and values. Seriously, the moral judgements of the decadence of Rome or the suffering of the peasants in medieval Europe in the narrative was distracting and annoying...I somehow don't think these historical characters would have such "enlightened" thoughts. I rolled my eyes when Leon tells Alphonse that "poverty and hunger" killed Blitz, not either of them. Please, authors, stick to the romance and tragedy of the "doomed" lovers, don't try to opine on the world at the time through the characters or the narrative.

I loved the whole manly men fight in life-and-death battles idea in the Roman story. Fits right in with the popular theory of why the Romans "fell." ^^;

I didn't really think these lovers had particularly tragic lives, considering the times they lived in. Lucius and Andreus got to fight to death trying to escape to freedom. Isn't that just fitting for these two warriors? And Alphonse and Leon probably came to not so nice ends (who really knows since neither are historical characters, but Otto IV came to a bad end so why not them?), but they probably did their duty to the end. Hopefully they were together, but even if they weren't...I don't think either would find it tragic. Am I supposed to impose my modern ideas of what a happy life is to these supposedly historical characters?

In case it wasn't obvious, Licht was Titi. Titi only made a brief appearance in the Roman story line, as an audience member in the last fight in the arena with whom Lucius makes eye contact.

To be utterly shallow, I must admit that I love Andreus in his gladiator outfit with the birthmark across his chest. He looks so good.

Alphonse and Leonhart's story is one of my favorites from this series. I am just a sucker for this kind of relationship dynamic. XDXD

Comments

[hpstrangelove.livejournal.com]

I'm finally catching up some on my flist - sorry for commenting so late...this was really interesting. I appreciate your hard work on it.

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome. I think I went overboard writing this up...

[zedta.livejournal.com]

:D
The second story sounds really interesting :D

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

It totally kicks ass, IMHO. XD