City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 2
City of Gold
THE day began just like any other. Gallienus, a veteran of
the wars that had ended the previous year, in 1130, went to
his postwar duties at the gates of Constantinople, the jewel
in the crown of the Byzantine Empire. He limped up and
down the lines of wagons carrying all manner of goods from
the East for trade, inspected the packs and wagons, and
waved merchants through to the city. He gave directions to
the merchants quarter when necessary and detained those
who were smuggling items prohibited by Emperor John
Komnenos the Second. At midday, he ate a small meal and
drank a tankard of ale with his fellow gate guards. He smiled
ruefully as they talked about past wars and how lucky
Gallienus was to have survived the violent conflicts with a
limp and an ugly scar from a crossbow bolt to show for
them. After the meal, he returned to his post by the gates,
and the business of inspecting merchant pack trains
resumed.
Yes, it was a day like any other, unremarkable, his
routine unchanged. Gallienus expected this to be the way his
life would continue until it ended. He knew he should be
grateful to be alive and allowed to continue to serve the
Empire, even as a lowly gate guard of Constantinople. He
was grateful, but he was a soldier, trained to fight the
enemies of the Empire, to march proudly beneath the
standard of the golden eagle of Byzantium. He was not
meant to be languishing here, checking cargo. He should be
out with the rest of his men, the men who served with honor
for the glory of the Empire.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 3
It was nearing late afternoon when Gallienus s day took
an unexpected turn, a turn that would change his life
forever. He was inspecting the goods of a merchant and his
train from the Far East. The merchant said they had come
from the city of Gyeongju, once the capital of the Kingdom of
Silla. Gallienus nodded absently, only half-listening to the
oddly accented Greek that the merchant spoke as he limped
down the line of the pack train, inspecting the goods that the
merchant had for trade. Gallienus s hip was aching, as it
often did toward the end of the day, another legacy of the
injury that had seen him gently released from the Emperor s
armies and reassigned to this duty.
Pausing for a moment and taking a deep breath, forcing
his mind not to dwell on the growing pain in his hip and leg,
Gallienus looked down the line of horses and mules and a
few camels. His gaze stopped, lingering on one person, a
man who had emerged from behind a heavily laden mule. As
Gallienus stared, the man approached and gracefully bowed
low, and as he straightened, Gallienus could see there was
curiosity in his handsome face.
 Is everything to your satisfaction, my lord?
The voice of the merchant jerked Gallienus out of his
reverie, and he flushed, turning away from the vision in front
of him to nod at the merchant.  Yes. Everything s fine. As he
turned back to face the man who had so transfixed him,
Gallienus asked,  Have you been to Constantinople before?
 Oh yes, the merchant cheerfully answered as the
object of Gallienus s fascination gazed at him and shook his
head slightly in the negative.  I have traded here many times
over the years, my lord. The merchant s voice droned on and
on as Gallienus and the other man gazed at each other,
unmoving. It was only when the merchant lightly shoved the
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 4
young man s shoulder, to get him to move with the rest of
the train as it slowly plodded through the gates and into the
city of Constantinople, that Gallienus felt himself released
from that captivating gaze.
 Misahuen, move, the merchant said not unkindly,
Gallienus was relieved to hear.  We must find lodgings before
dark.
Gallienus turned as the merchant and the man
Misahuen walked past him.  There is an inn to the west of
the main square of the merchants quarter called The Grape
Vine. Tell the owner that Gallienus Angelos sent you, and he
will see to it that you and your men are well taken care of.
The merchant bowed low.  Thank you, my lord, you are
most kind. He barked instructions to others of his men in a
language that Gallienus did not understand, and Gallienus
looked again at Misahuen.
 Thank you, Misahuen said, bowing to Gallienus.  You
honor us. His voice was soft, rich, educated, and his Greek
was flawless. Gallienus felt his cheeks color as his heart
pounded within his chest.
Returning the bow, Gallienus answered,  No, thank you.
It is I who am honored to serve. The ritual phrase came
automatically, although the sincerity with which Gallienus
said it was not.
Misahuen s lips curved upward in the faintest of smiles,
and then he was gone, walking into Constantinople with the
merchant and the rest of his pack train.
Gallienus groaned and closed his eyes, looking up at the
sky to seek strength to finish his working day without
rushing to see if the merchant had taken his advice about
the inn& and to see Misahuen. He could not recall ever
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 5
having been so mesmerized and so quickly by another
person, male or female, in all of his life.
IT WAS evening several days later before Gallienus could find
a reason to go to the inn and see his friend the innkeeper. At
least, that was what he told himself he was doing as he
climbed the few steps that led to the door of the taproom of
The Grape Vine. Deep down, however, he knew the truth of
the matter was that he was there to see Misahuen. He had
not been able to get the man out of his head.
Gallienus nodded to the innkeeper as he entered the
taproom, the place almost empty save for an old soldier, a
veteran of battles long past, mumbling over his tankard
about the Crusades of the 1090s. Gallienus chose a table in
a dimly lit corner of the taproom and sat, ordering a tankard
of ale. When the innkeeper s son brought it to him, he paid
the boy with a small coin and leaned back against the wall.
There appeared to be no one else around, and Gallienus
reluctantly concluded Misahuen must be staying elsewhere.
If the merchant had taken lodgings at another inn, it could
be days, even weeks, until Gallienus found him. His duties
prevented him from searching the merchants quarter at
least unless he had good reason and he knew his superiors
would not consider a fascination with a young man from the
Far East to be a good reason.
There really was only so long one could nurse one s
drink without looking ridiculous, and he did have duties the
next day. Gallienus was on the verge of draining his tankard
and going to his small home a soldier s billet, little more
than a one-room cottage near the walls of the great city. He
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 6
was about to stand and leave when there were sounds of
voices speaking that language he did not understand, and
the tread of feet upon the stairs. The language sounded, now
that he was fully paying attention, musical, almost lyrical. As
Gallienus listened and watched, the merchant and several
other men descended from the upper floors of the inn and
into the taproom.
One of them was Misahuen.
Gallienus s breath caught as he watched the group and
listened to their conversation, even though he could not
understand what they were saying. He did not want to make
himself obvious, yet he hoped desperately that Misahuen
would turn and see him and linger. Gallienus could not
fathom why he was fascinated by this man, why he was so
drawn to him. He could not explain to anyone, least of all
himself, why the desire to know Misahuen was so great. This
was the first time in his life that he had found himself feeling
such things for another, and it was alien and unfamiliar to
him. He found it confusing and strange, yet he did not want
to run from it. He was a soldier, after all, and soldiers did
not retreat least of all from situations like this. Or so he
told himself.
Misahuen was silent as the rest of the party he was with
talked among themselves, and Gallienus watched, hoping
against hope that Misahuen would turn and see him there in
the shadows. After a moment that felt like a lifetime,
Misahuen looked around and his eyes met Gallienus s. They
gazed at each other, unblinking, and finally Misahuen looked
away and touched the shoulder of the merchant to get his
attention. Words in that language that Gallienus did not
understand were exchanged, and Misahuen bowed as the
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 7
merchant and the other men in the group left the inn, the
door closing with a soft click behind them.
The taproom felt almost eerily silent with their
departure, and Gallienus s heart was in his throat as
Misahuen walked to him and half-bowed politely.
 May I join you?
Gallienus nodded, gesturing to the bench opposite the
one upon which he sat.  Please do.
Misahuen smiled and sat down.  Thank you. He
clasped his hands together in front of him on the worn wood
of the table, and Gallienus bit his lip, watching those long
fingers.  I am Misahuen of Gyeongju, Misahuen formally
introduced himself.
Biting back the instinctive answer of  I know who you
are, Gallienus nodded instead.  Gallienus. My father named
me after the emperor of the same name. Retired soldier and
now a gate guard. He was annoyed at himself for sounding
bitter as he said it.  Would you like something to drink,
Misahuen?
 Water, please. Misahuen was looking at him curiously,
dark brown eyes like pools of rich coffee gazing at Gallienus,
making Gallienus feel as if he was being stripped bare, as if
all his secrets were laid out for Misahuen to see. Squirming a
little beneath that intense gaze, Gallienus gestured to the
innkeeper s son and ordered water for his companion and
another tankard of ale for himself.
 So what brings you to Constantinople? Gallienus paid
for the drinks, and they were quickly brought to the table; he
was relieved that the boy did not linger after scooping up the
few coins Gallienus placed on the rough wood. He felt out of
his depth, for he had no idea how to talk to Misahuen.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 8
Gallienus knew only that he wanted to get to know Misahuen
a very great deal.
 Trade. Misahuen smiled the ghost of a smile.
 Although I assume you are asking why I chose to leave my
homeland in the first place?
Gallienus smiled a little ruefully.  Yes, I am. Sorry, I
should have been clearer.
 It is nothing. Misahuen s smile broadened.  Your
language of Greek is beautiful, but there are nuances to it
that I cannot find a comparable translation for in my native
tongue. So there are times when the translation is, how do
you say& it is not as correct as it could be.
Nodding, Gallienus took a sip of his ale.  I understand.
 There is civil war in my land, Misahuen continued, the
smile fading.  My family was killed, and I fled. I did not know
where to go or what to do. It was luck that brought me to
Merchant Yuen s camp. He had taken on others who had
fared similarly to myself, so it seemed providence had
brought me to him as well. He offered me a place in his train,
working with the animals and helping guard the goods he
was trading as we travelled the Silk Road, and so, here I
am.
 I m sorry, Gallienus said softly.  For the loss of your
family.
Misahuen shrugged.  What will be, will be. And what of
yourself, Gallienus? How long have you guarded the gates of
this magnificent city?
Gallienus shook his head ruefully.  A year, more or less.
A little more than less, I d wager. The last campaign was a
hard one, and I was injured. Crossbow bolt through the
thigh. He shrugged as Misahuen made a soft sound of
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 9
sympathy.  I was lucky. Many others died. My commanding
officer decided that I could serve the Empire better by
patrolling the walls and guarding the gates of Constantinople
than out in the field fighting for the Emperor.
 But you do not agree? Misahuen canted his head
slightly, his expression a mixture of curiosity and
compassion.
 Logically, I do. I would slow down any fighting unit in
the field. Emotionally& no, emotionally, I don t agree. I
remind myself that it could be worse, though. I could be
dead.
Misahuen nodded once.  As you say. Consider, however,
that this duty you perform now is not as useless as you may
think.
Gallienus arched an eyebrow in eloquent query.  What
do you mean?
 This city, Constantinople, it is the capital of your
Byzantine Empire, yes? As Gallienus nodded, Misahuen
continued.  Therefore, the walls which you guard and
protect, the gates you patrol, are the last bastion of refuge
and safety for those who seek shelter from their enemies.
You and your companions who share these duties protect
and defend them. You are still a soldier of the Empire it is
just that your duties in war have changed. They are no less
important than before, merely defensive in nature rather
than offensive.
Gallienus was silent, rolling that around his mind. He
smiled at Misahuen and shook his head.  How is it that you
see what I could not?
 I am separate from the situation. Misahuen smiled a
small smile in return.  Does what I said make sense to you?
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 10
 A very great deal. Gallienus nodded.  Thank you. He
felt better about his duties than he had for a very long time,
since the fight that had led to his injuries and his
reassignment from the battlefield to the city.
 It is nothing to thank me for. Misahuen sipped his
water.
A companionable silence fell between them. Gallienus
broke it by asking,  So, are you married?
Misahuen blushed faintly and shook his head.  No. Are
you?
Gallienus also shook his head.  Never found the time,
he admitted.  A soldier s life doesn t generally include a wife
and children. My father wanted me to go into the family
trade and become a blacksmith, but I chose the army
instead. My older brother married and had children. He lives
in Anatolia now. He paused a moment before continuing.  I
never met anyone who made me think of lasting
commitments. It was odd, Gallienus thought, as the words
left his mouth, how quickly and easily he was opening up to
this man he barely knew. Yet he felt comfortable doing so,
knowing instinctively that Misahuen would not repeat
anything he said.
 I see. Misahuen smiled.  It is traditional in my country
to marry, but there are many who have lovers outside the
marriage, lovers of both sexes.
Gallienus blinked in surprise.  It is?
 Oh yes. It is not& what is the word& taboo. As long as
there are children to continue the family line within the
marriage, any affairs that take place between a husband or
wife and another man or woman are not illegal.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 11
Gallienus frowned. The idea was completely alien to
him, and yet he couldn t quash the spark of hope that
Misahuen s words gave him. To love and live freely like
that& he could not imagine it.  It is the opposite here in the
Empire, he said softly.  There are times, during war, that&
camp followers are not present and so, well. He coughed
discreetly.
 I see. Misahuen saved him from explaining further.
 Cultures are different, he mused.  I have seen much while
travelling here from Gyeongju. My eyes have been opened.
 Where did you learn Greek? Gallienus decided to
change the subject. He didn t want to discuss comparative
sexuality at least, not yet. It seemed easier to talk about
other things for the moment.
 There is a member of Yuen s train, one of his servants,
who speaks it, and he taught those of us who were not
familiar with it on the journey. It was a long trip, Misahuen
chuckled softly.  Nearly a year, by your calendar.
Gallienus let out a low whistle at that.  Why come so far
to trade? Gallienus was growing more and more curious.  It
seems to be an enormous risk.
 It is, but the money is good, I am told. Misahuen
shook his head.  I am not a merchant, and I do not fully
understand such things, but Yuen says that the Byzantine
trade is the best and the money is worth it. For myself,
seeing this land and your beautiful city is worth more than
any amount of money.
Gallienus smiled at that, proud of his city and his
homeland.  Constantinople is the wonder of the world, he
agreed.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 12
 She is, Misahuen nodded.  I hope the wonder of the
world s people find our wares to their liking. I would very
much like to stay here for a while.
 What goods are you trading here? Gallienus rested his
chin on the palm of one hand, wholly absorbed by the
conversation.
 Herbs and spices from Korea and China, silks that are
also from China. We are also trading the mineral called
kaolin, which is from my native province, where the city of
Gyeongju is. It is used for many things, and is in great
demand by the noble houses of the west, I am told. It is used
for making smoking pipes, which are popular with the men,
and by medical men for treatment of gastric disorders.
Misahuen paused to take another sip of his water and
continued,  Kaolin is also used in cosmetics for women, for
soap and as a cleanser for the teeth.
Gallienus blinked in surprised at the last one.  A
cleanser for the teeth? he echoed.
 Yes. Kaolin is a soft stone, and it is ground up into a
fine powder, Misahuen explained.  Then it is mixed with a
little cold water, which is best if it is flavored with mint
leaves. One mixes this to a paste and it is scrubbed over the
teeth, then one rinses one s mouth with clean water and
spits out the water and the paste.
 Remarkable, Gallienus marveled.  And it really
works?
 It really works, Misahuen nodded seriously.  It is not
easy to sell, though, he added thoughtfully.  Many are
suspicious of such a thing.
 Perhaps if demonstrations were offered, more would be
inclined to buy? Gallienus asked.  Perhaps too, if& if you
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 13
wished, that is, to stay longer in Constantinople, you would
be willing to hold such demonstrations? he trailed off
awkwardly.
Misahuen smiled.  I would like to stay longer, he said
softly.  Very much, I confess.
EVEN before his first glimpse of Misahuen at the gates of
Constantinople, Gallienus had been a frequent patron of the
taproom of The Grape Vine. It was no great surprise to the
innkeeper or his family that Gallienus continued to drink
there at the end of his shifts. That Misahuen was, more often
than not, Gallienus s companion during the long evenings
did not seem strange, for Gallienus was well known to be
fond of conversation and well liked by those who knew him.
However, Gallienus knew he had to be careful. The law
was such that he did not dare state openly how he felt about
Misahuen; even hinting at it was enough to make him
nervous. He had come to the conclusion only a few days after
their first conversation in the taproom that he was attracted
to the man. Not only that, as the days turned into weeks and
they met nearly every night, Gallienus realized that he was
falling in love.
That night, it was nearing midnight, and the owner of
The Grape Vine kept shooting Gallienus and Misahuen
meaningful looks it was obvious that he wanted to close his
doors for the evening and go be with his wife. Gallienus
finally nodded and smiled ruefully.  I m going, I m going, he
said good-naturedly, draining the last of the ale in his
tankard and standing. To his surprise, Misahuen stood as
well.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 14
 I will walk with you a little way, he said.  I am not yet
tired. Perhaps a walk will weary me enough for sleep.
Gallienus nodded.  All right. Inwardly, he couldn t stop
grinning. He wasn t ready for the night to be over; he and
Misahuen had been so involved in their conversation that
the hours had passed like minutes. With a polite nod to the
innkeeper, Gallienus led the way out of The Grape Vine and
onto the darkened street.
The candles in the lamps lining the paths and roads
cast a dull glow over the city as Misahuen fell into step
beside Gallienus. They walked in companionable silence
until the lamps gave way to torches, flames sputtering fitfully
and set in iron rings buried in ancient stone walls. Misahuen
broke the silence with a quiet sigh, an expulsion of breath
that had Gallienus raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
 Misahuen?
 I hope you do not think me too forward, Gallienus,
Misahuen began hesitantly,  but& I would like to see your
home. If you are amenable.
Gallienus gulped. Heat shot through him, and he took a
moment to breathe, to get his voice under control so that
when he answered, he would not sound like an excitable
schoolboy.  I d like that, he said.  I d like it a lot.
Misahuen s voice echoed the smile on his face.  Thank
you, Gallienus.
The walk had never seemed longer to Gallienus.
Although it was only a few blocks to his modest home, it felt
as if it took forever. His emotions fluctuated between excited
hope and abject terror that somehow he was misinterpreting
Misahuen s intentions, that he was seeing things that were
not there, that Misahuen s wish to see his home was born
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 15
solely out of friendship, if, if, if& . By the time they reached
the solid wooden door set into the thick brick wall of his
home, Gallienus was in a state that could only be described
as nervous agitation.
Unlocking the door, Gallienus stepped inside and lit the
single candle that stood on a plain wooden chest just inside
his home. The tiny flicker of flame didn t cast a lot of light,
but it was enough. Gallienus led Misahuen inside his modest
abode and closed the door behind them. Almost as an
afterthought, he clicked the latch that locked it, threw the
single bolt, and finally, unable to stall any longer, he turned
and faced his companion.
The light of the candle was a finger of orange-yellow,
barely enough to illuminate beyond the house s threshold. In
the dark of the single room that was Gallienus s home,
Misahuen was cast in shadow, a man chiseled out of
obsidian. Gallienus swallowed hard, willing his heart to stop
pounding in his chest as he looked at the outline of his
companion s figure as Misahuen looked around his simple
home. There was a chest containing clothes against a wall, a
basin for washing, and another door that led out to a tiny
cubicle containing only the minimum of bathing and latrine
facilities. A simple table, a stove, and two chairs stood in
shadow against the far wall, and of course the bed, large
enough for two people to sleep comfortably, stood beneath
the single small window, shuttered closed against the
elements.
 You live simply. Misahuen s voice was full of wonder.
 I m a simple man, Gallienus shrugged.  I don t need
much.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 16
Misahuen laughed softly.  Forgive me, he said.  I
imagined grander things. I am a fool, sometimes.
Gallienus took a step closer.  How are you a fool?
 Because, Misahuen paused.  Because I have thought
of you often, very often, I confess, and I cannot get you out of
my mind. I had thought that you were of high station and
that I would be beneath your consideration, and that our
friendship was already one-sided, let alone anything else
that I was feeling.
 Our friendship is not one-sided. Gallienus took a deep
breath before continuing.  What else are you feeling? He
was trembling now, heart pounding so loudly that he was
sure Misahuen could hear it.
Misahuen was silent for a long moment, and Gallienus
cautiously took another step closer. He couldn t deny what
he was feeling any longer. He wanted Misahuen, wanted him
as his lover and his friend and companion. He didn t really
know how he was going to maintain such a relationship in
the capital of the Byzantine Empire when homosexual
relationships were loudly denounced from pulpit to
parapet frequently hypocritically but that was, at that
moment, merely a detail.
 I& . Misahuen took a deep breath, a soft noise in the
quiet dimness of Gallienus s home.  I think I have fallen in
love with you.
Gallienus s heart skipped a beat, and he felt almost
dizzy with the wave of relief and hope that crashed over him
like a flood. He took another step closer to Misahuen,
reaching out to brush the back of his hand over Misahuen s
cheek.  I feel the same about you, he whispered.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 17
There was another moment of silence, the air between
them so charged with emotion it felt thick, heavy, like a
blanket. Gallienus could see the tiny shifts in the shadows
that surrounded Misahuen s body, his shape a darker
outline in the soft darkness of his home. Emboldened and
scared both at once, Gallienus leaned forward and brushed
the softest of kisses over Misahuen s lips.
 Gallienus, Misahuen murmured, his voice full of
longing.  Gallienus.
 Yes? Gallienus hesitated.
 Please. Misahuen moved closer, his hand cupping
Gallienus s cheek.
Gallienus closed the small distance between them and
kissed Misahuen once more. Misahuen s lips were soft as
velvet and warm and inviting. They opened willingly to
Gallienus s tongue, a small moan escaping Misahuen as
Gallienus kissed him deeper, trying not to rush, trying to
keep things moving slowly. It was difficult, however, and he
was shaking, but Gallienus wanted to make this last. He
wanted to enjoy and savor every single moment of it.
Feeling Misahuen s hand slide up to curl around the
back of his neck, Gallienus groaned softly, pressing closer,
his arms winding around Misahuen s waist. As the kiss
gradually deepened and became more passionate,
Gallienus s focus narrowed to Misahuen. Misahuen s body
was warm and solid against him, hard muscle beneath his
hands that Gallienus longed to touch without the
impediment of clothing. His mouth was enticing, his kiss
slow and deep, and his fingers were smooth, the pads free
from calluses, so unlike Gallienus s own. Nothing existed for
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 18
Gallienus at that moment except Misahuen, and as his
embrace tightened, he wished that this could go on forever.
Gallienus was by no means sexually inexperienced; he
was a soldier, and while on campaign, there was always
someone to satisfy those needs men might feel while so far
away from home. None of those camp followers had ever
been as passionate as Misahuen was, however; none of them
had elicited the kind of response from Gallienus that
Misahuen did as the kiss gradually deepened. Gallienus
wanted everything that Misahuen could give him, and all his
fears about the law vanished for the moment as Misahuen s
other hand slipped up to tangle in his hair.
When the kiss finally ended, Gallienus felt a little out of
breath. He rested his forehead against Misahuen s, not
wanting to pull away, not wanting to break the spell of the
moment, content to remain as they were for as long as
Misahuen wished. The silence between them was louder
than speech and conveyed emotions and longing that were
beyond any words that Gallienus could think of. The
darkness of Gallienus s single-roomed home was soft and
inviting, and the tiny flicker of light from the candle by the
door was more than enough. Gallienus shivered, not from
cold but from desire, and Misahuen let out a slow breath
against Gallienus s lips.
 I want you, Misahuen whispered.  A very great deal,
Gallienus.
 I want you too. Gallienus s voice wavered only a little.
 Although, I must tell you, Misahuen, I ve not& I haven t
done this with a man before.
Misahuen kissed the corner of Gallienus s lips.  I will
guide you, he answered, his voice intense with desire. His
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 19
hands moved to Gallienus s tunic, and after a moment,
Gallienus raised his arms, and the garment was tugged off
and dropped carelessly to the floor.
Mirroring the action, Gallienus made short work of
unfastening the ties that kept the robes Misahuen wore
closed. Slowly, his hands trembling with nervousness and
arousal, Gallienus pushed the robes from Misahuen s
shoulders, and they fell to the floor to pool at his feet.
Beneath the robes, Misahuen was entirely naked, and while
there was not enough light to see the details of his body,
Gallienus had no desire to light more candles. His hands slid
slow paths over Misahuen s shoulders and down his chest,
curious fingers mapping every line of muscle, every curve of
Misahuen s torso, down his stomach to his hips.
 Gallienus. Misahuen s own hands slid over Gallienus s
shoulders and abdomen, down his stomach. They stopped at
the waistband of Gallienus s breeches, Misahuen silently
waiting for Gallienus to give permission.
Gallienus s breath hitched and he stilled for a moment.
He wanted this; he was in no doubt about that at all.
However, he was nervous, and his nervousness made him
uncharacteristically shy.  Mishka, Gallienus said, gathering
his courage as best he could,  just& go slow.
 As you say. Misahuen s hands slid back up to
Gallienus s chest. His fingers lingered over the tracery of
scars from battles old scars now, their dull pink faded to a
silvery hue, the smoothness of the flesh hairless and at stark
odds with the rest of Gallienus s chest.  Pardon, what is
Mishka?
 It s a pet name, Gallienus explained, smiling in spite of
himself. The incongruous question had, oddly enough, put
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 20
him at ease, and his nerves vanished like fog in rain.  Does it
bother you?
 Not at all, saja. Misahuen s voice held a smile.
 Saja?
 It means lion in my native tongue. Misahuen kissed
Gallienus s shoulder.  It seemed fitting.
 I like it. Gallienus smiled, hands sliding down
Misahuen s stomach to his groin, brushing through pubic
hair. The touch elicited a soft gasp from Misahuen, and,
emboldened by the reaction, Gallienus s hands moved lower
until they reached Misahuen s cock.
Curious, Gallienus stroked his fingers over the thick
hardness, feeling the length of it, marveling at how silky the
skin felt beneath his fingers. Misahuen moaned, trembling,
and Gallienus s fingers continued their slow exploration as
Gallienus ducked his head and pressed unhurried, lingering
kisses to Misahuen s shoulder and the curve of his neck.
This time, he didn t protest as Misahuen s own hands
moved to the front of his breeches, didn t tense as they were
unfastened and pushed down. He stepped out of them,
kicking them to one side along with his boots, which he
removed almost as an afterthought. It seemed to Gallienus
that this languid exploration by touch alone was a prelude to
what would be a more perfect joining, a more complete
discovery of each other s bodies.
Gallienus couldn t stop the moan as Misahuen s hand
wrapped around his cock and stroked once and once only.
He whimpered, rocking his hips, trying to get Misahuen to do
it again, only Misahuen let go and, before Gallienus could
protest, took Gallienus s hand in his own and gently tugged
him back to the bed.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 21
There were no words now, only the soft noises of
passion and desire, a low whimper of need as Gallienus
kissed Misahuen and was kissed in return, a hard, hungry
kiss that asked and answered the question of whether this
was truly what each of them wanted. Gallienus nipped
Misahuen s lower lip as Misahuen bucked up into him and
wrapped his legs around Gallienus s hips, his hands sliding
down Gallienus s back and up along the length of his spine.
Their bodies rocked together, hardness against hardness,
through the slick slide of precum, and Gallienus knew he
was drowning, lost in the pleasure and in the love he felt for
this remarkable man beneath him.
Misahuen let go for a moment, and Gallienus made a
soft noise of query, only to be answered as, a long moment
later, he felt Misahuen s hand on his cock, something
lubricating, cool and slick on Misahuen s palm, rubbing his
length. The meaning was unmistakable Misahuen wanted
Gallienus inside him, and Gallienus was more than happy to
oblige. With Misahuen guiding him with his touch, his noises
of quiet approval, and the low, almost desperate moan that
came from him as Gallienus slowly thrust all the way into
his body, Gallienus was soon buried balls-deep inside tight
heat and gasping into the kiss as it resumed, more
passionately than before.
It was a new sensation, loving a man like this, and
Gallienus did not move for a moment, simply feeling, feeling
Misahuen tight around him, his strong, muscled body
beneath him, his hands on Gallienus s skin. Breaking the
kiss to breathe, Gallienus panted as he slowly began to
thrust, feeling Misahuen s muscles flexing around him, the
delicious friction making him ache with ecstasy. Shifting a
little, guided more by instinct than knowledge, Gallienus
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 22
worked one hand between their bodies to wrap around
Misahuen s cock. Stroking him in time with his thrusts,
Gallienus kissed his way up Misahuen s neck, tasting
Misahuen s skin, kissing the line of his jaw and then his
cheek and finally his mouth.
Misahuen kissed him back enthusiastically, desperately,
his tongue sliding erotically over Gallienus s own, and
Gallienus moaned raggedly into the kiss, his free hand
finding Misahuen s in the dark. Fingers twining, Gallienus
pressed Misahuen s hand to the bed as he rolled his hips
and thrust hard and deep. The small, low groans that pulled
from Misahuen s throat as Gallienus thrust into that hot,
willing body served to increase his desire, and Gallienus
knew that he would not last long.
Gallienus wanted to drag this out, to make this last, to
make it special, but lust was taking over, and soon he was
thrusting hard and fast into Misahuen. Misahuen squeezed
Gallienus s fingers tightly as he rocked into Gallienus s hand
encircling his cock. With a low, keening moan into the
artless, lustful kiss, Misahuen arched into Gallienus s body
and came, hot and thick, over Gallienus s hand.
The feeling of Misahuen s orgasm, the knowledge that it
was he, Gallienus, who had done this, who had made
Misahuen come apart in passion and desire, added fuel to
the fire of Gallienus s own need. It was only a few more
thrusts later and he, too, was coming, biting his own lip
hard enough to draw blood so as not to cry out with his
release.
They lay together, panting, sated, touching each other
and kissing each other gently, softly, as the darkness
enveloped them in its protective embrace. Gallienus could
not remember ever feeling so content, so at peace. His hip
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 23
ached a little, but not so much as to be more than a minor
nuisance, although he did not complain as Misahuen rolled
them so that Gallienus lay on his back on the bed. As
Misahuen slowly pulled off Gallienus s cock and lay
comfortably on top of him, Gallienus smiled and wrapped his
arms around Misahuen and held him close.
 I suppose I should leave before dawn, Misahuen said
quietly, finally breaking the comfortable silence.
Gallienus sighed regretfully and nodded.  Yes, he
agreed sadly.  The law& . He trailed off, unable to finish.
 Your laws are strange to me, Misahuen confessed.
 However, I have a question. May I ask it of you?
 You can ask me anything you want. Gallienus pressed
a gentle kiss to Misahuen s forehead.
 You are very kind. Misahuen s voice was fond.  My
question, then, is this: may we do this again?
Gallienus s arms tightened a little around Misahuen s
body.  I d like that a lot, he said, his voice thick with
emotion.  I really do love you, Misahuen, and he realized
that was the first time he had actually said it aloud.  I do not
want this to be& a short-lived thing between us.
Misahuen kissed Gallienus s collarbone once and
nodded.  I am honored, he said.  And I love you as well,
Gallienus. I do not wish this to be as you say, a short-lived
thing between us, either.
 We ll have to be careful, though, Gallienus said
quietly.
 I know. Misahuen hummed.  There is& there is
another option, apart from hiding in the dark here in
Constantinople?
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 24
 What s that? Gallienus couldn t contain his curiosity.
 We could leave, Misahuen said simply.  We could ride
out together in the night and go east. My homeland is in
turmoil now, but not all the lands between here and there
are in the same way. And not all the lands between here and
there share the laws that the Byzantine Empire holds dear
regarding& regarding loving relationships such as ours.
Gallienus frowned slightly, mulling it over. The darkness
was, he thought, the best place for this conversation. He
wasn t sure that Misahuen should see his expression, and he
was quite sure that he could not look Misahuen in the eye
right at that moment, either. Finally he said,  Can I take
some time to think about this?
Misahuen kissed him gently.  You may take as long as
you need, saja.
 Thank you, Mishka.
Misahuen kissed Gallienus then, soft and slow, and
Gallienus kissed him back, wondering how on Earth he had
ever lived without this man in his life.
IT WAS just over a week later that Gallienus was able to get a
moment to himself. The word had come down from the
palace that the Emperor would be going off to war again, and
soon, and so the troops stationed on the walls of
Constantinople had been doubled and their duties increased.
Gallienus had been exhausted by trying to get new soldiers
to do as they were ordered, frustrated by the cocky bravado
of young men who had never seen battle, let alone war. His
usual companions, whom he patrolled the wall and guarded
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 25
the gates with, veterans of various wars and battles
themselves, found these newcomers just as annoying.
Finally, after a brief conference, the sergeant at arms
commander of the troops stationed on the wall set the new
recruits stationed there to the dogwatch, that hour of the
night that was a few hours after midnight and a few hours
before dawn.
The city itself was in turmoil as troops gathered, soldiers
buying supplies and trading for various items that would be
needed while on campaign. Some of those items were legal;
some of them were not. Gallienus, kept busy with inspecting
cargo as the traders continued to arrive and depart
Constantinople, had his hands full with some merchants
trying to smuggle contraband into the city. It wasn t long
before the city jails were full of smugglers from all countries
involved in trade along the Silk Road.
Now that he had a night to himself after telling the
gruff sergeant at arms that if he did not get one soon, he d
not be responsible for boxing the ears of one of the brash
newcomers who seemed to feel he was above everyone else
Gallienus had his brief reprieve. He did not look forward to
war, not this time. He did not want to be drafted into the
campaign as it dragged on, as the young, rash troops
seeking glory and honor were injured or killed and the older,
wiser soldiers, many retired or stationed in such outposts as
Gallienus s own atop Constantinople s walls, were recalled to
serve their Emperor on the battlefield.
Gallienus had something to live for now. Someone to
stay whole for.
It was with enormous relief that Gallienus saw
Misahuen sitting alone in The Grape Vine at a small table in
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 26
a corner. Buying himself a tankard of ale, Gallienus made
his way through the crowded taproom to join his lover.
 Gallienus? Misahuen looked up in surprise.  I did not
think I would see you for some time.
 I got the night off, Gallienus said. He could not stop
grinning.  I m so relieved to see you re still here.
 Where else would I be? Misahuen asked whimsically.
He sighed and shook his head.  No, forgive me, that was
uncalled for. It is simply that Yuen has left Constantinople,
taking his goods, his money, and his people with him, and I
fear I will be leaving myself on the morrow. I am nearly out of
money, he explained as Gallienus gazed at him with growing
apprehension.  I do not want to leave, saja, but your city is
expensive.
Gallienus nodded.  I know. But& . He took a deep
breath, lowering his voice as he continued.  If you still
want& you know. What you suggested. That we go.
Misahuen s face took on such an expression of grateful
surprise that Gallienus was hard-pressed not to kiss him
right then and there.  You are certain?
 Yes. Gallienus smiled.  I ve thought of nothing else
since that night. Well  he lowered his eyelashes coyly  I ve
thought of other things too, but that particularly.
 Gallienus, Misahuen laughed even as he blushed.  I
confess, I have thought of little else, either.
Gallienus s smile grew soft, fond.  So, he said quietly,
his voice barely a whisper, as he did not want them to be
overheard,  how do you feel about leaving tonight?
 You are certain? Misahuen asked again.
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 27
Gallienus nodded.  I ve never been more certain about
anything in my life.
Misahuen s smile was like the sun coming up.  Then I
could not wish for anything more, saja.
Draining his tankard, Gallienus forced himself to
remain calm. He was, in his own mind, deserting, although
he had penned a brief letter of resignation from his duties,
explaining that he wished to go south to where it was
warmer in order to find respite from the aches of his injury.
He knew his superior officer would understand, even though
the man would grumble, but it was within Gallienus s rights
to resign and to retire to a place where there was sun in
order to live with less pain.
 I will be a moment, Misahuen interrupted Gallienus s
thoughts.  I will need to collect my belongings. I do not have
much, he added,  but there are a few things that belonged
to my family that I do not wish to leave behind.
 Of course. Gallienus nodded.  I ll be here.
Together, Gallienus and Misahuen walked toward the
gates of the city of Constantinople. Gallienus had purchased
horses on the way, haggling down to the last penny, refusing
to be cheated in his own city. He felt a small pang of sadness
at leaving, but he was honest enough with himself to admit
that remaining when the call to war was loud throughout the
Empire would not be wise, not if he wished to remain with
Misahuen. There were no questions at the gate, and the
bored guard on duty wearily waved them through.
Beyond the city walls, Gallienus mounted his horse, and
Misahuen followed suit. They both had packs behind them
laden with their belongings: clothing, food, money, and in
Gallienus s case, his armor and weapons. With one final look
City of Gold | L.J. LaBarthe | 28
at Constantinople, Gallienus sighed and turned away from
the city he had always called home.
 Are you all right? Misahuen regarded Gallienus with
fond concern.
 Yes. Gallienus nodded.  I m fine. He smiled
reassuringly.  So, which way do we go, Mishka?
Misahuen smiled and turned his horse s head eastward.
 This way, he said and, setting his heels to the animal s
flanks, cantered down the road.
After a moment, Gallienus followed him and rode away
from Constantinople, the city of gold, toward a new life with
his beloved Misahuen.
Get the whole package at
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About the Author
L.J. LABARTHE is an Australian woman living with
disabilities and her cat. As a young child, she won a
competition for drawing a picture of Australian Humpty
Dumpty, complete with Aussie hat, corks hanging from
strings dangling from the brim to keep the flies away. The
drawing was accompanied by an adventure story with
Humpty Dumpty she wrote set in Australia. From that
moment on, she has not looked back.
She spends her free time watching television, reads
newspapers online for fun, and enjoys a good novel. She
loves to cook and enjoys a snifter of absinthe from time to
time.
L.J. would like to take a moment to let her university
professor in creative writing know that knowledge of iambic
pentameter isn t necessary in order to be able to enjoy the
craft of writing, no matter how much he may have screamed
to the contrary.
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Copyright
City of Gold ©Copyright L.J. LaBarthe, 2011
Published by
Dreamspinner Press
4760 Preston Road
Suite 244-149
Frisco, TX 75034
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the
authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,
business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover Art by Catt Ford
This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is
illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon
conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No
part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the Publisher. To
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Released in the United States of America
June 2011
eBook Edition
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61372-023-3