Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 10:26:39 -0500 From: carl_mason@comcast.net Subject: INDOMITABLE SPIRIT - 8 INDOMITABLE SPIRIT - 8 Copyright 2007 by Carl Mason All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for strictly personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. However based on real events and places, "Indomitable Spirit" is strictly fictional. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. As in real life, however, the sexual themes unfold gradually. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author at carl_mason@comcast.net If you would like to read additional stories by this author, please turn to the "Authors/Prolific Authors" link at the beginning of the Nifty Archive. This story contains descriptions of sexual contact between males, both adults and teenagers. As such, it is homoerotic fiction designed for the personal enjoyment of legal, hopefully mature, adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, if those in power and/or those whom you trust treat it as illegal, or if it would create unresolvable moral dilemmas in your life, please leave. Finally, remember that maturity generally demands safe sex. CHAPTER 8 (Revisiting Chapter 7) During the last spring as it passed into summer, the Count developed pancreatic cancer and died within a few short months. Inasmuch as he had never formally adopted the boys - indeed, the only record available said that he owned them - the Courts threw out his will and assigned everything to his family. (During this confused and tragic period, it also came out that the Count was wanted in most countries of Europe - other than the Balkans and Russia, of course - for a long list of crimes, including money laundering, racketeering, fraud, and the manipulation of foreign currencies.) The Count's brother decided that Mike and Larry should be resold and made arrangements in Amsterdam. (Continuing our Story - An Expatriate on the Persian Gulf) "Yes, indeed, sir, I'm grateful for your phone call. Still, I don't quite understand why the director of 'The Personnel Mart,' the largest slave dealer in the Sheikhdom, is calling me. (Pause.) "The Sheikh himself requested that you do so?" (Pause.) "In that case, I am doubly grateful that you have called and honored that the Sheikh would mention my name. How can I be of assistance, sir?" (Pause.) "I am still somewhat confused, sir. I own no slaves and have no intention of purchasing one. Indeed, I probably couldn't afford one if I wished to do so! Why would anyone think me interested?" (Pause.) "Ah, I see. You have come into possession of two youths of Western origin, and the Sheikh believes that I should take a look at them. Yes, of course, I shall honor the Sheikh's wishes." (Pause.) "Yes, eleven o'clock in the morning will be quite satisfactory." Closing with Arabic words of courtesy and respect, Dr. Eli Reynolds replaced the phone on its stand and stared intently at the view of the Gulf outside his window. For nearly fifteen years, Eli Reynolds, a relatively young American expatriate, had lived happily in the small sheikhdom on the Persian Gulf. With the discovery of oil, the country had become fabulously rich and set firmly on the path of development. Today, it was one of the glories of the Gulf, demonstrably concerned with the well-being of its citizens, using its economic and moral influence in the service of peace and humanity. (This is not to say, of course, that the Sheikhdom's record was without blemish. It had its history - and remnants of old social arrangements and even older attitudes were still observable. Slavery, for instance, had not been wiped out, although the conditions in which slaves lived out their sorry lives had improved.) Reynolds had been hired as Director of the College of Medicine in the Sheikh's university. His work there - as well as among the general populace - had been so productive that he had been one of only three foreigners awarded citizenship in the Sheikhdom's history. Two diseases, for instance, generally fatal, had been wiped out on the Gulf Coast. Understood to be divorced among the good sized, multinational community, he lived alone, quietly and respectably. It was commonly said that he had the ear of the Sheikh, as well as the love of his people. A few minutes before eleven - Reynolds had never been able to break the American habit of appearing on time - the University limousine pulled up at the main entrance of a great complex of sheds and larger buildings in the dock area of the Old City. Before he could tell the driver to wait for him, exit the long black Mercedes, and walk over to the guard cage, however, a Jeep manned by two guards screeched to a halt. In accord with their instructions, the driver followed them through the gate and over to one of the larger buildings. There he was greeted by the Director and his chief assistant as he exited the limousine. In truth, it was a rare show of respect that no foreigner - other than one who was also a highly respected citizen of the Sheikhdom...and, perhaps, a confidant of the Sheikh - could ever have expected to receive. Graciously led to a small, richly decorated and appointed reception room, he resigned himself to at least a half hour of polite conversation and cool fruit drinks before anyone would conceivably get down to brass tacks! The story offered Eli was rather straightforward. Two American teens - handsome, intelligent, and reputedly virginal - had been on vacation in Europe. Slavers had killed their families before their eyes when they resisted their abduction outside Prague. Realizing that they had captured rare jewels, they had been offered directly to the Sheikh. (This, of course, was incorrect. It appears to have been a "cover story" concocted in Amsterdam to avoid trouble with the American "Institute's" high-end business. We, of course, already know these youths as Mike Curtis and Larry Allison.) On arriving in the Sheikhdom, they was receiving basic instruction in Arabic courtesies and instant obedience at the central slave facility. Accidentally receiving heavy blows to the head when they had violently resisted conditioning, the younger youth had died while the older slipped into a coma from which he had not yet recovered. The Sheikh had personally suggested that Dr. Reynolds be contacted and given opportunity to inspect the living slave. (The Smell of Death) Joining his hosts, the young physician moved to the small hospital within the walls of the slave facility. First, he quickly examined the body of the dead boy. The moment he entered the ward and observed the second youth, Dr. Reynolds realized that a major cover-up was taking place. In all probability, he thought, someone didn't want the Sheikh to realize how severely his expensive new acquisitions had been damaged. (The doctor's mind jerked in irritation. How easy it was to fall into language that treated the slave as nonhuman!) Though unconscious, the naked lad did not appear to be in a coma. Muscles in his chest and neck were quivering; his lips appeared to be forming unspoken words; the expression on his face was one of horror and fear; his entire body, tightly restrained and marked by heavy bruises, dripped with sweat. Yes, the boy had been cleaned up, but Reynolds had been in enough slave pens to recognize that the lad had spent some time lying in his own body waste. Overall, the scene reeked of death, and someone would pay a heavy price. Giving his expensive suit no heed, the doctor sat down on the edge of the bunk. Slowly, gently, he examined the boy, ending his probing by running his fingers softly through the lad's sweaty blond hair. For just a moment, the boy relaxed, solitary tears appearing at the corners of his closed eyes. "Hold on there, Scout," the man murmured as he stood up. Looking down at the teen, his mind added, "The one truth told me was that you were one gorgeous human being. That you surely are." Softly touching the boy's sunken, feverish cheek, Reynolds turned back towards the Director and his assistant. "Is there any problem with my sending one of the University Hospital's ambulances over to pick up this lad?" the physician inquired. "No, sir," the Director responded - with an almost audible sigh of relief. "The Sheikh's office said that your instructions were to be followed." "Very well, I'll see to it immediately," Reynolds said as he turned towards the exit. Here's the death certificate for the brown-haired boy. With the bare minimum of courtesies demanded by the situation, he quickly left the complex. (Return from the Brink) For five days, it was touch and go. Twenty-four-hour intensive care finally helped the lad turn the corner. When Intensive Care reported that the boy was out of danger... physically, Reynolds had him moved to a private room with its own bath, TV, and the like. About ten that morning, he stopped by the room personally, only to interrupt the youth's watching a Winter Olympics snow boarding event from the Transylvanian Alps. Before he could say a word, the naked boy stiffly climbed down from his bed. Easing himself down onto the floor, he assumed the position of full obeisance...on his knees, his forehead buried in the thick rug and ritually intoned the "morning greeting": "Hail, oh Prince of Light, your slave greets his Master." Taken aback - actually, caught between bursting out in laughter in a situation that struck him as absolutely ridiculous and cursing the efficiency of modern conditioning methods - Reynolds paused for just a moment before striding over to the prostrate teen. Helping him to stand, he threw his arms around the boy, muttering, "Don't want you to catch a cold down there." (Recalling that scene ever after, he would writhe in embarrassment. "Just the kind of thing you'd expect to hear from a nerd!" his mind would sneer.) Stiffening for just a second, the boy quickly relaxed into Reynolds' embrace. "Thank you, Master," he whispered. As the good doctor helped him to climb back in bed and rearranged his bed clothes, the lad looked at him inquiringly. "Might your slave have permission to ask a question, sir?" Again suppressing his laughter, Reynolds said that he might. "Did you come to visit me several times in Intensive Care, sir...and, maybe, even before I arrived at the hospital?" "Many people have helped to make you feel better, my young friend, but, yes," the physician responded. "I have visited you several times during your recovery." A cloud seemed to pass over the teen's eyes, momentarily obscuring their brightness. "Thank you for thinking of me...and thank you for calling me your 'young friend'," he whispered. "What should I call you?" Reynolds asked. "You can give me any name you please, Master," the boy said, returning to his formal voice. "At the 'earlier place', they called me 'Shithead'." "No," the doctor replied, "that won't do. Haven't you been called other names?" The boy paused for a minute or so, obviously wracking his brain for the answer. "No, sir, I remember no other names," he finally muttered regretfully. "In fact, I have no firm memory of anything before Intensive Care. "How about my calling you 'Tommy'?" the doctor asked. "Yes, sir," the boy said positively. "That's a good name! Did you ever call anyone else 'Tommy'?" he asked. "Only in my imagination," Dr. Reynolds responded sadly. "Only in my imagination... Well now, Tommy. I've got to get back to work. May I stop by again and see how you are doing?" "Oh, yeah! That would be great...Master," the youth answered, his tongue caught in two worlds. (The Origin of a Gift) Tommy's stay in the hospital was nearing its end when he heard from the Sheikh's personal secretary. The Sheikh wished to see him. Would 11:00 am on the morrow at the Palace be satisfactory? Naturally, this was not a request, nor did Dr. Reynolds take it as such. On arrival, the doctor was promptly shown into the ruler's office. Prostrating himself before the throne, he intoned the traditional morning greeting. He was immediately told to get up off his knees and come forward to where he could rest on a large pillow at the Sheikh's feet. "Ah, Eli," the absolute ruler murmured. "We have been friends too long to bother ourselves with these outworn customs. All is well?" "Yes, Sire, all is well," the doctor replied with a soft smile. "Within a year, for instance, we shall have added five years to the life span of the typical woman; three, to that of the male. . ." "And what of the youths whom you so kindly took under your wing?" the Sheikh interrupted impatiently. "The blond lad is much improved, Sire, although I believe gross mismanagement in the slave facility caused the death of the other youngster." With a catch in his voice that even this experienced professional couldn't control, he added, "Within the week, I think we shall be able to send him back to the...facility." "No!" the Sheikh interrupted emphatically. That is not what We desire. Although We are embarrassed, We must confess something to you. May We have your forgiveness in advance?" "It's yours, Kalil, my friend and Prince," the doctor responded sincerely, slipping into informal address for the first time during the conversation. "What is troubling you?" "I have done something that was none of my business," the Ruler responded, also slipping into informal address. "Unfortunately, I have interfered in your life. Let me explain. For several years, I have felt that your solitary life was good neither for you nor my people. Hence, though I had reservations about the manner in which they were enslaved, I purchased the rare golden-haired youth and his companion as gifts for you. The blond is beautiful, yes? Seventeen or eighteen, I am told..." Eli nodded in agreement as the Sheikh continued, "The sex of the slave is not a prime factor, you know. The body parts are usually interchangeable. Though a piece of fine art is always pleasant to look at, it is having someone around who deeply CARES for you that's really important. Will you please me, my friend, and accept my gift? Take this young slave into your household and, Allah willing, into your heart." Reynolds looked at his sovereign with amazement. In total shock, he murmured, "But, Kalil, you know that I do not support slavery. (He purposefully didn't pick up on the implicit homosexual note.) What I do, how I act in my everyday affairs, is my witness to life. Out of respect for you...out of love for the Sheikhdom, I do not speak out, but this..." Abruptly, the doctor asked, "Could I free him?" "No, good friend, that is not possible. Our tradition is 'once a slave, always a slave'. Still...you would not necessarily have to TREAT him like a slave. As long as you never told him, or anyone else, that he was free," the Prince added quickly. His face showing his shock and dismay, the doctor rose, bowed deeply, and said, "Your will is my will, Sire." Then he grinned and added, "Thanks for the gift, old friend. They must have cost you a small fortune!" The Prince, his face relaxing, beamed as he said (only half-jokingly), "They did!" Laughing, they walked arm in arm towards the office door. Back at the hospital, Eli looked in on Tommy. The rested teen - who looked ten times better than he had when he was admitted - delighted in his visits. Today, he was even more hyper when the good doctor invited him to don his robe and slippers and join him in the doctors' dining room for lunch. The handsome lad looked up from his plate which still contained a sizable pile of food. Realizing that he had a question on his mind, Dr. Reynolds grinned and said, "Spit it out, youngster!" Choosing his words very carefully, Tommy said, "My treatment here is almost finished, isn't it, sir? What is to become of me?" Speaking just as seriously, Reynolds replied, "Yes. A couple more days, but that's about it. How do you feel about returning to the facility where we met? I know that 'slave' is a dirty word, but that company prepares people for service in the homes and businesses of the Sheikhdom. I can promise you that you would be better treated this time." Trembling slightly and white-faced, Tommy kept an iron hand on his emotions and spoke up clearly and relatively calmly. "I would not find the word 'slave' half as dirty, sir, if I were able to serve a Master whom I respected...and even liked. Is there any chance that you would purchase me? I can promise you that this place will never have seen my equal. I work hard, and I learn fast. Everything you desired would be yours...with a smile and with every bit of energy that's in me." Staring down at his hands on the table, Doctor Reynolds sat silent and motionless for a minute or two. Then he reached out a hand and placed it on top of Tommy's. "Is that what you really want, young man?" His iron control fast cracking, the boy was only able to gasp, "Yes, Master." As the tears began to spill down his face, he managed to add something to the effect that the doctor would never regret it." "Then that's the way it's going to be," Eli said with infinite kindness. His shoulders shaking, the boy buried his head in his forearms and quietly wept. "Did he weep from relief or from sorrow?" the good doctor wondered. (Going Home) On the very next day, Dr. Reynolds again visited the slave center and spoke personally with the Director. He explained that by the grace of the Sheikh, the youth was now his. He would return him to the slave facility if he were assured that the boy would be treated firmly, but with kindness and understanding. After all, he hadn't grown up in the Middle East. The words gushing from his mouth, the Director assured the prominent citizen and personal friend of the Sheikh that he would be treated with every consideration. Further, he hoped he would be the first of many slaves that the Doctor would send to him for preparation. Sniffing slightly, Reynolds asked about his services and their cost. In addition to covering legal matters, the Director mentioned that his top trainers and instructors would attend to the youth's physical condition and provide thorough instruction in his duties as a personal-house slave. Further, there was a wide array of auxiliary services that he would perform, as desired by his honored guest. Reynolds listened without interruption before speaking. "I understand," he said finally, "that he must be marked with his unique slave number, but I do not want it tattooed on his body. Rather, place it on a microchip inserted under his skin, as allowed by law. As regards body markings, I do not wish an 'S' for slave tattooed on his back, nor any other tattoos for that matter. Nor will his right buttock be branded with my 'crest'. There will be no piercings, including your popular 'Prince Albert," Reynolds added with something of a smirk. "He will not be castrated nor will his penis or tongue be removed. The sinews on his legs will not be damaged, nor will decorations dangle from his pierced nipples. Cuffs with eye bolts, chains, or collars will not be fastened to his body. Let me see... Have I covered everything you mentioned?" Standing in front of the Doctor, wringing his hands behind his back as he saw several thousand dollars being lost to this...extremist, the Director paused, ostensibly in deep thought. "Your memory is exemplary, sir. I can think of only one service that you did not cover. You will remember that we offer permanent hair removal for household and personal slaves when appropriate. In your slave's case, I can only mention that the hair on his head is magnificent...pure gold. On the other hand, he is not only quite hairy for a young man of his age, but his body hair is both coarse and a very unattractive dirty blond. I recommend permanent removal of all hair below the eyes. If you wish, stubble (that will never grow) can be left in the arm pits and on the pubic mound. Today's process is nearly painless. Your pleasure, sir?" Already concentrating on the next topic, the new slave owner muttered offhandedly, "Yes, yes, as you will." His large profit assured, the Director smiled and mentioned that if the slave could be delivered tomorrow, he would endeavor to complete his work within one week. And so it happened. On the appointed day, Reynolds appeared at the slave facility, took the elevator to the Director's office, paid an immense bill and, over coffee, listened to brief reports by a trainer (the Head trainer) and two instructors (one of whom was the training Supervisor). After they had departed the room, the Director asked if the Doctor were ready to receive his slave. On his assent, the Director (rather ostentatiously) pushed a button on his desk, whereupon a secretary brought Tommy into the office. (The adolescent gave no sign whatsoever of embarrassment, even though she was a relatively young woman and he was as naked as a plucked chicken!) Despite himself, the Doctor gasped. The youngster's hair had been cut, washed, and groomed. His hairless, slightly tanned, and nicely muscled, 180 lbs., 5'11.5" body literally glowed as the light played on his lightly oiled skin. It also played on his prominent cock and the balls that hung large and low between his legs, sensually swaying to and fro as he moved. Dropping to his knees, he prostrated himself before his Master with an attitude that actually seemed to be... joyful. Proudly, he rose and stood before the shell-shocked physician. For a youngster not quite eighteen-years-old, Reynolds had to admit that his body was exciting. His shoulders were already quite wide; the muscles of his arms and upper torso were both heavy and defined. While not extreme, his abs were beautifully defined. As his torso, seemingly held upright (like the sepals of a flower) by a classic Apollo's belt, narrowed, it flowed into a muscled, drum-tight stomach and a penis of good length and marked thickness. "Move closer so that your Master can appreciate your fine body, the Director commanded. When the lad had happily complied, the slightly benumbed new slave owner did as he was evidently expected to do, i.e., stroked Tommy's rounded buttocks, cupped his substantial genitals, and slid his hand down smooth thighs that were long and tightly muscled. When Eli quietly complimented him on his appearance and demeanor, the lad's chest swelled and he literally beamed. Soon time to leave, the Director asked the boy to go below and wait by the auto. Before they went below, the Director explained the firm's one hundred percent work guarantee, policy on adding extra services, and the availability of supervised physical conditioning. He noted that Dr. Reynolds had not been charged for the boy's conditioning as a personal [i.e., sex] slave, for his previous training had been thorough. The boy still accepted the previously conditioned behavior as positive and resulting from his own will. Exiting into the open courtyard, Reynolds suddenly noticed that the boy was still naked! "Do you want a pair of shorts, Tommy?" he asked. Almost jumping around in his excitement, his genitals swelling slightly, the youth responded, "I want what you want, Master. If it be your wish, I will gladly remain naked as do the other slaves. It's warm. I'm comfortable and proud that I'm the slave of such a Master." Shaking his head, Eli surrendered to a force that couldn't be resisted and moved towards the driver's door. Noticing that the lad continued to stand at attention by the car trunk, he asked if anything were wrong. "No, Master," Tommy responded. "It's just that I was told that slaves generally travel in the trunks of cars when they are not being transported in vans. Do you wish me to travel somewhere else, Master?" Noticing that Eli was pointing directly at the front passenger door, the boy grinned, leapt excitedly into the automobile, and was soon headed towards his new life. To Be Continued