Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:19:00 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden's Saga 1

Arden's Saga
by: dnrock (dnrock@rock.com)

This is a narrative.  It is a work of historical fiction.  The operative
word in that sentence is fiction.  It is a modest revision and error
correction of my earlier story Arden.  Little did I know when I started
writing Arden how long it would turn our to be.  Therefore I have retitled
it with the more appropriate name saga.

Sex between males, males and females, between females, of both
contemporaries and intergenerational is common.  I am sure, not common
enough for some and to common for others.  Some of the descriptions are
graphic, others not, still others are only statements of happening or just
illusions to occurrences.  The main characters are male and most of the sex
is between or with them.  Most of these characters are bisexual (although
that term is modern and the Greeks of 1300 made no true distinction.) or
think of themselves as such, but not quite in the sense modern readers
might understand.  For them sex between males and females or between males
or between females was just that sex and all very natural.  They did
identify sex for procreation as being different. i.e. in purpose mandated
by nature then sex for pleasure and sharing love between same sex partners.
You will find most are homosexual in our terms, in the language of the day
it is men who love men.  The term homosexual may have Greek language roots
but it is a modern invention.  If that offends or is illegal for the reader
then it is up to the reader to self censor.  You have been alerted, that is
as far toward censorship as this author is prepared to go.

The reader is reminded that historical fiction, when set in some past time
and space, adopts the conditions, sensibilities, morality and other
trappings of civilization that existed at that time and place.  This story
is fiction informed by historical scholarship.  The operative word here is
informed.  The author makes no claim to be a historian or a language
scholar for that matter.

If the sexual nature is offensive or you are disqualified due to age or
location, don't read it.  You have been reminded.  I hope you like what you
read and find the characters and their exploits/adventures interesting.
Feel free to correspond with comments and if you spot errors please point
them out.

I would also remind everyone that your financial support to Nifty is
appreciated and is needed to keep the stories flowing. Please help if you
can.


1.  Prologue and Introduction

Translated from the original Greek, Italian and Latin.  Your translator has
also taken the liberty to modernize the language, but retained many Greek
spellings as that was how they were written.  He attempted to be consistent
in this but that was not always successful.  The Greek, as written, is high
Attic-Ionic.  In his writing, Arden sparingly used the vernacular, pet
names, diminutive or the informal, which he must have used in every day
life.  The translator has also added notes from time to time, marked (TN:).

The dates given are in the Julian Calendar; however, on inspecting them
they do not seem to suffer from the problems that caused it to be replaced
by the Gregorian Calendar in 1582 and are good numbers.  The way Arden
recorded the dates suggests a pre-Gergorian Calendar prototype.  Arden does
not use months or days by name although the Greeks of his day had them.  It
appears that calendar adjustments were made on an annual or semiannual
basis in Parga.  Arden tells us this but not for a good number of chapters.
Those adjustments are related to the solstices.  He is quite clear in
telling us of their importance to the culture of Parga.  Arden and the
names of his biological father and brother are not Greek, they are Welsh.
How they got to the Greek City State is explained but not for a number of
chapters.

The following has been abstracted from journals kept by a boy and later
man, named Arden.  The journals were found, often in parts and came from
numerous volumes and times.  We are sure it is not complete, since long
gaps occur or he tells us it is not.

It is the year 1312, 7th month, 1st day:

I am Arden, Arden son of Abrith.  I have learned to read and write, as all
citizens are expected.  I can record what is happening and what my thoughts
on that are, for myself.  My father is both a farmer and a minor state
official.  I am the youngest child with two older sisters and one older
brother.  I was born in 1300.  My mother has taught me my book lessons and
music.  My father the skills for agriculture.  Mother gave me this journal
on my birthday, a week ago.  My sisters will soon marry, my older brother
Abernath, is father's apprentice.

For them life is simple and well laid out.  They have duties to the family
and to the community.  I have no illusions about my future, nor do I have
any fixed ideas about it.  Being a second son, I must either leave home or
become a farm hand under my brothers protection.  I think leaving home
would be best, since I do not like taking directions from Abernath.  He is
not mean or difficult, just my older brother.  It is much easier to take
directions from strangers.  When possible I play games and swim with the
other boys in the village.  I have several friends, some are first born but
most are like me, second, third or forth.

We know that in the near future our fait will be decided, mostly by our
families.  Some will go off to be soldiers.  Some perhaps apprentice in a
trade, like smith or potter.  I am not interested in that.  I would like to
be further educated but have no calling to the religious side.  My script
is clean and clear and I know my sums and can figure reasonably well.  We
have very few books in the community and I think I have read all that
exist.  I read and write Greek and Latin.  I am not, in any way, sure what
I want in the future; I do know I am of an independent mind and will.  I am
comfortable being me, Arden.

I do not like clothing if it can be avoided.  I swim and play games well,
although I am not large for my age, I guess about the same as the others.
I am a very strong, some say a gifted runner and archer.  Mostly I thirst
for knowledge and I think, adventure.

All the women in the village say I am beautiful and so do some of the men.
I have long light brown hair on my head but almost none on my body.  I keep
my hair tied back with a leather strip.  My boyhood is developing a little
faster then some of the others my age, I can not yet ejaculate.  I see the
older boys masturbating and ejaculating, I know my time will soon come.

Our house is small and I must share a bed with Abernath.  He would very
much like to have sex with me and is always kissing me and playing with my
penis or my ass, when the household is quiet or we are alone.  I like his
touch and his tenderness but find it is I must do the work.  While he
treats me tenderly and lovingly, it is him that desires sexual fulfillment;
I use my hands and sometimes my mouth but only if he has been swimming.  He
tells me how beautiful I am more often than anyone and with much more
feeling.  Abernath will marry in the next year and I will need to find a
new sleeping place.  I know my father is trying to arrange with a farmer
just down the road, for him.  Abernath is not that fond of the girl but she
is not homely.  We kiss often, him and I.  I find it pleasant but so far
have not allowed him to put his erection into my anus.  I know it will
hurt, the older boys all say so but they all say they like it.  This is a
paradox I must look into.


1312, month 8, day 4:

Little has happened worthy of recording before today.  I noticed when
Abernath was kissing me last night my penis grew hard and stiff like his
always seems to be.  This drew his attention and he fondled it greatly but
with no result.

Today one of the merchants that travels through our village asked my father
about my taking an apprenticeship with him.  My father was not keen on the
idea and put him off.  Later, father told me the merchant had offered only
some of his goods for my services while praising my beauty and gentle
manner.  Father said, with my ability to letters and numbers as well as
music I was a treasure, adding that with my beauty I should find more
worthy employment.

I think, had the merchant offered several gold coins, father's attitude
would have been different.  I know he loves me and cares for me as much as
my brother and sisters.  If the merchant is unable or unwilling to give a
fair offer for my service, he feels I will not properly prosper as his
apprentice.


1312, month 8, day 20:

Much has happened.  On the 6th day one of the King's officials called on my
father.  I did not see him, I was working in the vineyard behind our olive
grove.  Flavia, my oldest sister told me.  Abernath also told me,
complaining he had to do all his own work in addition to father's, in the
olive grove.  Now this is not unusual, the King's people make frequent
stops here, they don't usually spend more than a short time with father.
In retrospect this meeting was of great importance to me.  Something I
would not know for several more days.  I was unable to write any of this
down until now, everything was happening to quickly.

Father sent me to the stable of the public house, to tend the official's
horse.  Horses are not common in this part of the country.  Vineyards and
olive groves don't need large beasts of burden and father arranges with
another farmer to use his oxen to plough his wheat and barley fields.
Donkeys are more common here and we have several, along with a few goats,
sheep and foul.

The horse was the only one in the small stable, I went right to work.  This
was a fine animal with a fine saddle and other tack.  He had the brand of
the King, that is not unusual since he was the animal of a King's official.
I brushed and polished until his coat was shinny black.  The animal was
huge and I had to find a short stool to stand on to reach his back.  I
quickly grew very hot and pulled off my shirt.  The animal's hair tickled
my skin.  I liked the feeling.  The horses seemed to like my attention.  I
don't know that much about horses and am not a skilled rider.  None of the
boys in this village are.  We just don't have that many of these animals
around.  My sisters milk our sheep and goats and brother tends the donkeys,
I don't have that much interaction with animals.

It didn't seem long to groom him.  The sun was setting when I came our of
the stable, it must have been a while and I was very hungry.  On leaving, I
told the landlord how much I had fed the horse, all he did was nod and
smile.  I thought nothing more of it, but did wonder where its owner was
and if I was ever to meet him.  When I got home I took off my work tunic
and my leather kilt, sitting in the kitchen naked.  I like being naked and
don't mind at all if people look at my body.  I think it is a nice body.
As nice as any other boy my age.  I am very strong and my legs and upper
body are beginning to show real muscles.  Running and pulling the long bow
are responsible.

The next day I was asked to tend the horse again.  Father didn't ask as
much as suggested I go and do it.  My father is not one to demand.  He just
suggests and you know from experience what is required.  My butt has
suffered in the past for not.  My dad is not a mean or difficult person, he
is strict, I know he loves me and my sisters.  He just has a rather gruff
way of showing it.  My mother, on the other hand, is quite openly
affectionate to all of us.

I was so tired that I fell asleep as soon as I crawled into bed.  I think
Abernath was disappointed but he is capable of servicing himself, he has 16
years.  The next morning I returned to the vineyard finishing my work close
to mid day.  I was quite taken aback when my father suggested I go to the
boys swimming place in the little river and wash my body.  He jokingly told
me, I smelled.  I though it odd, since my body oder has never bothered him
before and he is not one to make jokes of this nature.  My mother smiled
and kissing my forehead, patted my leather covered butt to indicate I
should do as suggested.

I like swimming and like to be clean.  I do not like to smell offensively;
I guess if you live with it all the time you don't know.  I took a chunk of
soap and departed.  I ran to the river, which is about half a league.  (TN:
A land league used to be defined as an hour's walk.  It's now defined as
exactly 3 miles (4828.032Â m.))  I like to run, in fact I can run all day
long.  I took my tunic off and continued at a strong pace.  My sweet was so
profuse it made my vision blurred, dripping into my eyes.  I only stopped
to pull off my boots and kilt before jumping into the river.  After
swimming around and cooling off I emerged to retrieve the soap when I saw
him.

Sitting on the bank, under the shade of a tree was a very handsome, naked
man.  I guessed about mid 20's he had a very well trimmed beard, strong
wide shoulders and what appeared to be a narrow torso.  He smiled as I
jumped, slightly startled.

"Fear not Arden, I too have come here to bath.  Perhaps we can assist each
other, I have no soap."

He spoke in a very cultured and educated accent, like some of the
government officials I had met in the past.  I wondered if perhaps he is
the man who's horse I have been caring for.  On further inspection of the
scene, I saw that very horse grazing a short distance away.

"By all means Sir, but you have my advantage, I know your name not."

He rose and upon doing so I saw the handsomest man I have ever laid eyes
on.  He was tall and lean, muscular, yet smooth.  He moved toward me with
grace and ease, yet full of purpose; neither fast nor slow, but steady.  He
extended his hand.

"My name is Karyakos."

I was dumb struck and momentarily unable to move.  He took my hand and gave
it a hardy grasp pulling me into his massive body.  I did react to that and
wrapped my arms around him as he did me.

"Yes, Arden the same Karyakos they sing and tell stories about.  As you can
see, I'm just a man not a god or legend.  Just a man who needs a bath."

We released each other.

"You have given my horse the best of care and for that I thank you."

Hearing us talk the horse wandered closer and studied us from the river's
edge.

"I think he wants to thank you as well."  I was unable to speak but began
to blush, despite my deep tan I know I turned bright red.  "Let us do our
business and then we can have a little fun, you boys use the tree over
their as a jumping station I would imagine."

I stuttered, "Yes, yes sir."

"No, Arden, bathing together, naked in the afternoon sun, my titles are set
aside, it is Karyakos."

I moved to get the soap and he moved to deeper water.  I washed his hair
and his body, being very gentle with his manhood, the soap is harsh.  He
rinsed himself off by swimming a short distance.  Karyakos began washing
me.  Once in a while we boys would assist each other to bath but I was not
accustomed to having someone so carefully cover every part of my body with
soapy hands.  Well not since I was a small boy and my mother would bath me.

"Arden, you are truly the most beautiful boy I have ever laid eyes on."

He tossed the soap chip into the grass and began rinsing my body off.  All
the time he praised my looks, grace, strength and skills.  We swam and
chased each other, jumped from the tree branch into the water and laughed
like small children.  I had never seen a grown man play and laugh like a
boy before.

I had not had so much fun for a long time.  Karyakos' laughter was as great
if not greater the my own.  His presence seemed to bring feelings within me
I had never recognized before.  I could not quite explain it and still can
not, but I felt so comfortable with him, like we had been friends for years
instead of moments.  His touch, which was frequent, was gentle, yet his
body signalled little else but raw power.

He bid me come and lay in the long grass to dry in warm sun.  Placing his
powerful right arm around my shoulders he guided me to his chosen spot and
we lay.  I felt so good and so excited to feel that touch.  He asked me
many questions.  I realized early, ones that he already knew most of the
answers to.  Was this some kind of test perhaps?

He encouraged me to ask questions of him too.  Mostly we got to know each
other.  It was some kind of examination but I had not yet realized its
intent or purpose.  His hand kept finding my crotch and he seemed pleased
with what he found but he said nothing.  I was in absolute awe of this man
and not because he was the Kings Consort, the second most powerful person
in the state but for his humility and genuine effort he was making to
become my friend.

After we had dried and talk and even kissed a few times he meekly and
quietly asked it I would share sex with him.  I was surprised.  Given his
status he could command anything he wanted of me, he did not.  His request
was even more humble and solicitous than my brother.  Like my father's,
requests from the powerful, are in fact nothing more than polite commands.
Karyakos' request was different in tone and repeated in the most humble
terms, as a child asks for a sweet.

I knew the old stories of the gymnasiums of ancients and the relationship
between man and boys in them.  I know too that in our modern state this was
no longer practiced in the same way.  Public baths and sports centres are
common but boys do not live in them any more.  Masters would often share
sex with apprentices but not always.  Boys and men often shared sex with
each other and some even shunned women in favour of males.

He did not demand, he did not beg, he quietly kissed my ear, nibbling on it
lobe and whispered how beautiful I was, how much he admired me and asked if
I would share my charms with him.  "Yes, yes Karyakos, you have my body and
my mind on fire, yes."  It wasn't until later that I realized he said
share.  He did not say give, take, yield, but share.  Now writing this in
retrospect I understand he is in love with me.  I now understand this whole
adventure had been contrived by him to test both his love and my
willingness to be loved.

By this time we had been sitting next to each other facing.  He gently
pushed me to my left, his right and at the same time leaned to his left, my
right and as he lay, he adjusted his hips so our crotches were opposite
each other mouths.  He whispered, "Just follow my lead, do unto me what I
do unto you."  Why he whispered I have no idea for we were quite alone,
except for his horse, who came closer to us but still kept about 2 orgyia
(TN: 1 orgyia =1.854 m) distance.

His mouth engulfed my penis which was hard and throbbing, it was almost
hurting and his hand ever so gently played over my buttocks and with my
scrotum.  I knew what to do and took much of his huge penis into my mouth,
letting my tongue play around the head and along the underside.  His smell
was overwhelming.  Not in a bad way, we were both quite clean, but in a
good way.  It was like the fragrance of wild flowers to my nose.  His penis
is long and fat.  He has a bush of light brown pubic hair at its base and
my nose was treated to his sweet scent, as it approached with each in and
out movement.

His action on me were more stimulating than I had ever imagined anything
could be.  I suddenly understood why Abernath liked this so much.  I
suddenly realized I was building to some kind of emotion I had never yet
experienced.  I was writhing with excitement, so much so Karyakos had to
hold me down.  My hips were beginning to thrust, involuntarily into his
mouth and soon his were into mine.  I could not take his full length but he
could me.  I reached that magic moment in a boy's life when he becomes a
man.  I experienced my first ejaculation.  Right into my lover's mouth.  He
followed into mine a few moments later.  I could feel his penis swell up
slightly and then my mouth and throat were flooded with a warm, slightly
salty, slightly bitter substance that has the texture of egg whites.  I
knew this stuff, I grew up on a farm and I had extracted it from my
brother.  This was not the first time I ever tasted it.  Not something like
honey or fine olive oil but not offensive either.

Shortly we were embraced and he was kissing my mouth, pressing his tongue
into it.  I had never experienced this before either.  Kissing my brother
was never like this.  Good and meaningful but not like this.  This I liked
more than anything.  It made me tingle all over.  I kissed him back.  I had
seen lovers kissing before, that is what they do.  I wondered if this makes
us lovers.

Karyakos declared his love for me and I for him but again on reflection it
was lust.  He told me he had only ever experienced such passion with
another person, like he with me, once before.  I took that to mean our
king.  Since he is the King's consort and in this culture his male lover,
partner, friend, closest advisor and so on.  The king will also have a
wife.  That union is expected to produce children, male children are hoped
if not required.  I knew the King had several sons, his first born is just
about my age, a few weeks older.  The Crown Prince at 12 would now be part
of his Court.

After a short refractory of kissing and folding Karyakos, rose and
extending his hand assisted me to stand.

"We must go now Arden, our duties await us.  First we must dress.  I fear
between to two of us, the combined beauty would devastate our loyal
subjects."

He raised his eyebrows several times and I just turned red again.  I went
to the river's edge to collect my soap chip, kilt and tunic.  Karyakos and
the horse followed me and before I could wrap my kilt he spoke.

"I think you need to dress appropriately to your station."

I turned to see him holding a bright, blue, kilt of fine cloth and a blue
and red tunic with the Royal Coat of Arms on the front.

"But I..." he cut my words off with another kiss.  I dropped my clothing
and he assisted me in fixing my new kilt and tunic.  He knelt down and
assisted me with my boots.  I couldn't believe this was happening but it
was.  I assisted him as he had me.  His boots were of the softest leather,
I hoped to someday to have ones like them.

His kilt and tunic were the same colours but his was clearly marked to
indicated this was a Knight of the highest rank and a part of the Royal
house not a vassal of it, it also held the Royal Consort's crest.  I was
dumb struck again.  Why had he given me royal colours?

"Collect your things and let us mount up."

I was not sure what he was talking about I had no horse.  I collected my
old kilt and tunic wrapping them around the soap chip and he placed them in
a saddle bag.  Karyakos swung into the saddle and taking my hand lifted me
in one smooth motion up and seated me in front of him.  Placing his arms
around me he pressed my chest back so my back pressed against his chest and
head against his shoulder.  The horse moved at a slow walk, I'm sure not
accustomed to the extra weight.  Plodded along the road his left hand
slowly moved along my leg, under my kilt and came to rest on my boyhood.
Oh was this nice, oh was this good, oh was this what I was to look forward
too?

While we made our way to my father's house, Karyakos started to tell me of
my future.  "Are you happy Arden?"

Oh yes very, but I am also confused.  Confused about my feelings and
confused about, about everything.

"You Arden are now my son, I have adopted you and you will go with me this
day to my home."

All the time he was kissing my neck and cheeks and ears and head and
fondling my boyhood and I was on fire with desire.  I desired this man, his
touch, his kisses, his smell, his everything.  How could this be, how could
I have scrummed to anyone's influence to quickly?

I don't understand, you mean I am not your employee or servant but your
son?

"Yes, my one and only non bastard son.  That does not mean you do not have
obligations and responsibilities and duties, they are now much different
then you ever imagined.  You are Prince Arden, son of Karyakos, Consort to
the Crown Prince and 6th Page in the Court of King Iason the 7th.  I will
explain all of this in detail over the next fortnight.

But how did you find me and why me of all the other boys in the kingdom,
why me?

"Ah that is long and complicated.  First of all I learned of your beauty,
skills as a worker, mastery of letters and numbers.  My people have been
watching you and about 15 others for over a year now."

He further told me that when he saw me working in the vineyard he was
instantly taken by my beauty.  He then approached my father; who drove a
hard bargain on my behalf.

"Your father loves you very much Arden and did not want to let you go.  In
the end he relented, knowing your future as my son would be 100 fold more
than Koalhurst could ever begin to offer."  He began kissing my neck again
sending little shivers down my spine.  "He made me give my word that above
all you would be loved, no less then if you remained in his household."

So far anyway it his been even more but then only for a few weeks.  The
work I had done taking care of his horse was, as I had thought, a test.
But not a test of my animal husbandry skills or knowledge, as I had
thought.  It was a test of wit, problem solving, pride of accomplishment
and discharge of duty.  I passed.

At the river, it came about, that both he and I were pleasantly surprised
at how quickly we made friends.  It took courage and judgment for me to
accept a stranger.  Once our lips met he was convinced I was the right
choice.  I was not sure how the role of lover and father would be played
out or the role of lover and son for that matter.

He told me, "when we stop at your now former home, for your belongings and
your good byes, you should not call me father but Prince Karyakos.  It will
be easier on Abrith and your mother if you are respectful of your first 12
years of life with them."

He did not say how much gold he had to give my family but I was sure father
extracted a good price for me, a valuable worker who had letters, music and
beauty.

I pressed my head against his chest and asked, "Father, may I know the
price you paid?"

"No my son, you may not know what, if anything, besides my word and
assurances for your welfare was given.  Think that what ever it was as a
dowry, a small token that binds two families together.  It is not that you
give up one father for another, it is you gain one.  All will be explained
in the fullness of time, little one.  My advice is to enjoy being a child
for the limited time that remains for you."

I was suddenly filled with sadness.  It is exciting to contemplate all the
wonders of the Court and having riches and attendants.  It was frightening
at the same time.  My first true adventure.  I think it more the unknown
than the known that upsets us mortals.  I knew I would not see my brother
and sisters mother and sire for long periods of time.  I would not see
Koalhurst and my friends either.  I was being pulled asunder by the comfort
of the known and excitement of the unknown and the touch of my new father.

When we arrived father lifted me down to the ground.  My sisters came
pouring out of the small house.  They had never seen anything like me or
Prince Karyakos.  My sisters lead me in leaving the Prince to fetch my old
cloths and find his own way.  My mother was horrified that they would do
that to such a distinguish guest.  Karyakos laughed, "children are limited
on ceremony and pretension, their simplicity is refreshing."

I was expecting the entire situation to be awkward, Karyakos made light of
it without offence.  He announced to all that, "Arden has graciously
accepted my offer of sponsorship and has been appointed as Prince and the
6th Royal Page.  I might add that it has taken these many hours of my most
earnest persuasion.  Arden's heart is heavy to leave such a good and loving
family."

My mother was beginning to cry.  I embraced her.  I knew she too was being
pulled in two ways.  I was her youngest child, the baby of the family was
being torn from her side; however, that same child was entering a future
that held grand and wondrous prospects she could not quiet imagine.

My brother took me aside and gave me a leather bag which held my personal
possessions, including this journal and my bow.  He held me tightly and
long.  I knew he would miss my presence in our bed.  I knew he would miss
his object to teasing.  Most of all we would both miss our friendship.  My
father was next.  While Karyakos reiterated his promises concerning my
welfare and well-being to mother, sisters and brother, my father and I
shared our parting.

Father was pretending that he was happy for me.  I could see he was
struggling not to cry himself.  He admonished that I should try and be as
good a son for Prince Karyakos as I had been to him.  I know my eyes were
filling with tears too.  And when father kissed me they broke and ran down
my cheeks.  Karyakos shook my father's hand and promised again to care for
me as he would and love me as he does.  Father replied, "no man can ask
more of another."

It was at this point that Karyakos completely surprised me.  He knelt on
both knees pulling me down beside him.  "Sir, your blessing on our
journey."  Father smiled, placed his hands, one on my head the other on
Karyakos and spoke, in what I thought was Greek but in vocabulary I did not
completely understand.  Karyakos later told me it was Greek from a time
before Homer.  We thanked him, each of us kissed my mother and we departed.
On thinking about my father's words, I realize he was giving his blessing
not only to our journey from Koalhurst to Karyakos' residents but on our
passage into the future.

How did you know exactly what I was feeling, I asked?

"I knew because I felt exactly the same when my father adopted me.  He knew
how I felt because he too had been adopted in like circumstances.  As you
will know when it is your turn to adopt your son.  The King's Consort is
his lover, he is betrothed to him at 12 when he is still Crown Prince.  The
Consort has no wife or children of his own blood.  The Crown Prince, when
of age must wed and lay with a women selected by his parents, council and
advisors.  That union is to produce one or more Princes and Princesses.  If
the first union is unsuccessful in producing a Prince, the king will have
others until it is successful.  That is his duty to the people and the
state.

The Consort's duty is to be the true lover of the King, train the Crown
Prince in his duties and provide a son to be the Crown Princes' Consort.
It is the King's duty to train the Consort's son.  It is the Consort's and
his son's duty to the state and people to do this well and faithfully."

This all sounded well and good but I am not sure I understand it or its
implications.  What is this betrothed to the Crown Prince business?  I
understand arranged marriages between men and women, I never heard of them
between men.  I sure don't understand why the king teaches the Consort
Apparent and the Consort the Crown Prince.  I would think a father would
teach his son like my natural (TN: biological) father taught me and my
brother the arts of agriculture.

When we got to the little public house and inn we were met by four knights,
who were dressed not unlike us, with the markings of the Royal Guard.

Father whispered, "when you are introduced to these men or any others,
except the King himself, remember you are his social equal.  You should
willingly give respect and honour for a man's, age, skills or
accomplishments if they exceed or differ from your own but you should never
bow down to any man.  Nor should you expect any other to bow before you."

He lifted me down and dismounted, greeting each man as a long lost friend
suddenly returned.  They embraced each other and kissed several times.  I
was not quite sure about this and hung back just a step or two.  These were
big men with long swords and daggers.  Several had small scars, the obvious
result of battle.

"I wish to present my son Arden.  This is Ouranos and Thanatos first and
second captains of the Royal Guard and my personal body guards."

The two stepped forward and with a suddenness I had never experienced
before, acting as if one, swept me off my feet, crushed me between them.
Each man had me by a leg and I must say their hands were immediately up my
kilt and feeling my manhood and smooth boy skin.  It tickled and I giggled
realizing them meant me no harm.

"Oh Prince," Ouranos said to my father, "he will grow to be as fine a man
as you."

Father smiled that kind of what else would you expect, smile.

They set me down and Thanatos turning to the other two.  "Prince Arden
these two, Pyrros and Volos, are your personal guards."

Pyrros and Volos stepped forward, both knelt down before me as Karyakos and
I had done before my father.

Karyakos whispered, "you must say you accept their service and kiss each
one on each cheek."

I did that but managed to kiss them both on the lips as well.  This brought
wide smiles to their faces.  I was a bit taken aback by what happened next.
All the villagers had gathered not far away and when my guards rose they
sent up a mighty cheer to Prince Arden.  They all knew me, they knew who I
was.  Well they knew who I had been, but that didn't matter, the guards had
called me Prince and I was now their Prince too.  I know I turned red, I
could feel the heat on my cheeks.

Father told us that we must go and greet my friends.  Which we did.  All
the the local boys were surprised and everyone wanted a thousand questions
answered.  I did not notice at first but became aware that Volos and Pyrros
were never more than a pace behind me or at my side and they had a steady
hand on their sabre handles.

(TN: Body soap is very ancient, however the Greeks did not use it until
about 300 CE.  Prior to that they used olive oil and fine carbonate rock
dust, scraping the mixture off and of course water in baths or natural
lakes, ponds and streams.)