The sun was low in the sky when the two boys woke from their nap.  Tine ached, but this was a different ache than before, it didn’t stop at his thighs but continued deep inside, where he felt strangely empty.

“You know you just ruined your chances at becoming a Templar,” Bra-Neche said softly, “So long as you didn’t remember you would have been eligible.”

“I wanted to remember,” Tine said softly as he nuzzled against Bra-Neche. 

“How does your head feel?”  Bra-Neche touched the two new puncture marks on Tine’s throat.  “I shouldn’t have done that so soon after last night.”

“I’m fine.  I wanted it.”

Bra-Neche smiled, “I want to give you something.” He fished around his clothing for a moment and pulled out a blue bead tied to a fine strip of leather.  “You can wear this many ways, around your wrist or neck, or here,” he separated a lock of Tine’s hair near his temple and twisted the leather in a series of knots around the hair until he bead hung just below the level of Tine’s eye.  “I think it looks best there.”

“Show me how.”

Bra-Neche smiled and pulled out another strip of leather.  “It will be easier to practice on the horses.” 

Tine learned to make the knots very quickly, then the two of them dressed, packed up the blanket and headed back to the school.  Tine’s fingers returned to the adornment, then he asked, “What do I tell anyone who asks?”

Bra-Neche shrugged his shoulders, “Tell them what you will, those who know what it means will not ask.”

Tine looked over at him with curiosity.

“It means that you have a lover.”

Tine flushed, and then held on tightly as the horses moved to a faster gait.