Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 05:07:01 -0500 From: David Presents Subject: The Plight of Strolin -Chapter 1, by DW Do Not Read If: *You are not legally old enough for the laws where you live *You have objections to gay/bi sex, and at one point incest between two generations *You are just looking for an email address for hate mail *Or if you know you shouldn't be reading it for any other reason *Legal Notice: This work is total fiction, and other then being from the author's imagination, has no basis in reality. And reference to anyone living, or dead, is pure coincidence, and unintended. The author holds all rights and privileges to this work, and any that may follow. Any redistributing, and other uses of this work with the author's consent are strictly prohibited. Any violations of the author's rights for this work will be challenged legally. *************************************************************************** The Plight of Strolin Chapter 1 "Master Krylous, are you sure that this is what must be done?" Turning to look at his two students, Krylous considered what Piffin had asked him. Both Piffin and his younger twin Griffin were staring at him, hoping that their master would answer no. "Yes my two apprentices, the time has come. I am sorry that you two had to be dragged into this, but there is no other way." Krylous looked at the brothers, and was rewarded with the same vision he had seen for the past 10 years. He saw two young men, 16 years of age. They were both almost 6 feet tall, but lacked a quarter of an inch. The duo was both well developed and muscled, and both handsome youths. They both had lightly tanned skin, and hair down to their shoulders in back. The most striking difference was where Piffin had blond hair that was almost white, Griffin's hair was so black, and it appeared to be blue. Krylous looked into two sets of eyes, which were clear blue, and appeared to have an inner light to them. "My boys, where as I was a student of both white and black magic, I was a master of neither. Each magic has its own strengths and its weaknesses, but they are equal in power. You two have each mastered the art you have chosen, but where you Piffin are a master of the white, you Griffin are a master of the black. For the task at hand, our world needs both of you, working together, if there is to be a hope for Strolin to survive the outcome of this battle." "Since I found you two, at the age of six, I have watched both of you as though you were my own children. What lies ahead is full of peril, with dangers at every turn, but with the two of you working together, no force can overcome you. I have trained you with all you will need, and now you must trust in yourselves. Your first goal is to find those who you need for the quest. I have given you as much information as I can, and now you must journey forth. I will meet you again once you have gathered your party, and are preparing to leave the city of Dugron. Fair thee well, and may the gods preserve you." Piffin glanced at his brother, and seeing a slight nod, spoke for both of them, "Master, we will do our best, and if we can, our world Strolin will be saved. Thank you for your years of help, and for your blessing." As was their custom, the brothers turned, gathered their supplies, and left without saying goodbye. The two were quite a pair to be seen, for they each wore a robe, boots, and belt of their magic, white for Piffin, and black for Griffin. Upon their belts, they had an enameled buckle, with two serpents forming a circle. One serpent was white, the other black. They decided that it would be better for them to save their energy, and travel in a more mundane fashion, so they mounted their horses, a tall white stallion for Piffin, and a tall black stallion for Griffin. Turning their backs to the setting sun, they started east for Dugron, but first they had to travel through the Bewitched Forest, before reaching Dugron. The forest had been named the Enchanted Forest, but after it was rumored a witch curses the forest, it was named the Bewitched Forest. The woods now were a dark and forbidding place. Few dared to enter, for fear of the goblins and ghouls that were rumored to reside in the forest. At a steady pace, the brothers headed straight for the forest, for it was the quickest way, and they had little to fear. ************************************************************************* Unaware that the brothers were even alive let alone destined to find him, a boy, almost a man, goes about his business like every other day in Dugron. The boy was quietly running along the rooftops, moving so swiftly and quietly that it didn't seem possible for a human. When the boy reached his destination, he came to a quick stop, and crawled towards the edge of the roof. The building the boy was on top of was the house of a wealthy businessman, who had taken a short vacation, and left the house unattended. The boy's face formed a small grin, as he thought how easy this would be. He lowered himself off the roof going headfirst, until he came to a second story window. Pulling a device he had made out of iron twine and a fishing hook, the boy quickly unlocked the window. Slipping into the room, the boy took a quick look around, and found his target. He had watched the man's house for days ahead of time, learning where every valuable was hidden. Within five minutes the boy had gathered the man's entire savings together, and was out of the window as if he had never been. He quickly locked the window, and headed for the Den of Thieves, as their headquarters were known. He had just slipped through one of the underground trapdoors, when a large man stopped him. The man was Mentas, the head of the guild of thieves. Mentas looked at the bag the boy carried, and then at the boy himself. With a mocking tone, and a small grin, he said, "Well, if it isn't Scott the Phantom. I was beginning to think you had quit the guild. It's been over a week since anyone has seen you." At that he smiled, and continued, "Of course, you aren't seen when you don't want to be, but that's why you were always my favorite. So, how did the boost go?" Scott, the boy, gave Mentas his best-wicked grin. "Worked like a charm. That man deserved what he got" and after a quick laugh, "or should I say what I got?" Mentas gave him a slap on the shoulder, laughed, and said to put the guild's share in his office, and that he needed to talk to him afterward. Scott walked into the guild's treasury, and put in the sixty percent the guild charged its members. Although he wasn't to happy that he didn't get to keep all of his earnings, he knew that this money helped to buy distracted peacekeepers, and to help the members get out of trouble. When he had split the money, he walked into Mentas's office, and took the offered stool. "Scott, we need to talk. we have some problems that need to be addressed." Mentas gave him a hard look, and said, "And I don't mean for you to just disappear when I turn my back like the last time I needed to talk to you in private." "Scott, you are one of the best the guild has, and I know that you haven't even come close to being caught, but this business of sneaking around during broad daylight is to much. I want you to do your work at night, like the others, so you are in less danger. There is a difference between ability, and ego." "That last boost was worth a month of most of our guild's thieves, so I'm not going to punish you. But understand this, you have got to be more cautious in the future. I like you, because you remind me of my own boyhood, but I will not let you put the entire guild in danger just for a job or two. Do you understand what I'm asking?" "Yes Mentas, I understand, and I'll try to be more cautious for the sake of the guild. Thank you for your mercy, and I will get out of your sight now if that appeases you." Mentas gave him a disdainful look, but motioned for him to leave, and soon Mentas was alone with his thoughts. What Scott didn't know, was the only reason he hadn't received the normal fine, and flogging was because he was needed for a big boost that Mentas had planed. Mentas was personally handling another case, and even though this was even bigger, he felt Scott was the man, or boy for the job. ****************************************************************** Three weeks had gone by, and Scott was prepared for his job. When Mentas had told him it was big, Mentas wasn't kidding. Scott's job was to steal from the Price of the Kingdom. The Prince was actually away at the time, and that was the sole reason this job was possible, because the guards were much more relaxed without the Prince there. Little did Scott know that this one job would forever change his life. He was suited for the occasion, and in his finest garb, well, for stealing that is. He wore his thick black boots, black leggings, black tunic, and a black cape that was pulled around the entire outfit, giving him the appearance of not having a human shape. At his belt were his usual tools, his prized rapier, and a small bracer of throwing knives. In his right boot, he also had a dirk hidden but easy to get to incase of emergencies. With Scott's black hair, and dark tan, the only thing that didn't match, were his hazel eyes. Scott had gotten to the outer gates at midnight, and had walked past the guards as if they weren't there. Once inside, Scott went directly to his target. He was told by Mentas, that the most prized possession of the Prince was in the room on the west side of the castle, on the top floor. Scott went to the west building face, and after the guard had passed by on his patrol, he quickly climbed the wall, and once on the correct floor, he used his homemade window tool, to gain entrance. After Scott's eyes had adjusted to the dim room, which the only light was that of the moon, he began to search for his prize. The room seemed to be as any other bedroom, except for the size and quality of everything in it. He had quietly searched all of the drawers, and had checked the walls and floors for hidden compartments. So far he had found nothing that was of any extraordinary value, but there was one place left to look. Scott couldn't imagine why anyone would hide something under or around the bed, but that was the only place he hadn't looked. When he got close to the bed, he saw that there was a large mound in the middle of the bed. As he approached, he saw the mound was round in shape, and he assumed the Prince must have tried to hide his valuables in the bed to throw of thieves. When he finally crept up to the bed, and pulled up the covers slowly in case of traps, he was surprised at what he found. The round object in the middle of the bed was a boy, and from what he could tell, almost his own age. Finding the covers lacking, the boy started to stir, and Scott began to look for a quick hiding place. Finding none, Scott stood as still as possible, and hoped that with the limited light, the boy wouldn't be able to see a figure that didn't move. As the boy came fully awake, and was aware of his missing covers, he peered out into the darkness, and with a very frightened voice said, "Whhhoo iss theerre?? Pllease don't hurt me, I won't tell anyone someone was here, just give me my covers and leave, please?" Towards the end he was almost pleading, and Scott had a strange feeling of compassion for the boy, and he decided to do something totally unlike himself. Scott slowly moved into the moonlight, so the young boy could see him. "I'm not here to hurt you little man, don't worry. I promise, I will give you your covers back, if you'll answer me two questions." The boy looked at him with large round eyes, and finding that he would be fine, risked a small smile. "What do you want to know?" "One question, is who are you? And the other is what is the most valuable thing in this room to the Price?" The boy looked at Scott, and smiled. "Please, light the lantern, and sit down so we can have a more pleasant conversation. I don't often have guests, let alone at this hour." Scott used an ember from the fire that was still blazing in the fireplace to light the lantern, and after putting another log on the fire, came to sit on the bed close to the boy. There appeared to be a sudden change in the boy, who was no longer frightened, and now quite happy. "The answers to both your questions are one in the same." When seeing the question written on Scott's face, the boy continued. "My name is Wil, and my father, is the Prince." Wil then started laughing at Scott's expression. "I thought everyone knew who I was, I can't even go out to play with the other boys because of my parentage, and I finally meet someone who doesn't even know the Prince has a son!" At this both boys started to howl with laughter, until there came a thud on the outer door. Scott began to run for the window, but Wil grabbed his arm, and told him to stay put. "Who disturbs me at such an ungodly hour as this?" A large servant stuck his head in, and after taking a quick look around, focused his eyes on the ground. "Sorry to disturb you highness, I heard the noise on my way past, and thinking you to be asleep, became worried for your safety. Please forgive my interruption." Wil turned to Scott, and gave him a wink. "I'll forgive the interruption, since you only wished for my safety, and since you're here, please meet my friend." Wil realized that he didn't even know his friend's name, so he signaled for his compatriot to make his own introduction. Scott stood up, and shook the servant's hand. "My name is Scott, I just met his highness recently, and I'm sorry for causing the disturbance. His highness had a particularly clever remark, and I couldn't contain my laughter." The servant saw his opening for a compliment and took it. "It is a pleasure to meet any friend of the Prince. He is known for his clever remarks, so I can understand. I must now go about my duties, and trouble you no more, thank you for your understanding of my interruption." The servant bowed one last time, and left shutting the door behind him. Wil turned and looked at Scott, "Well, now we're finally alone, and can get to know each other better. Please, will you tell me some about yourself? I didn't even know your name until you told my servant." After a few minutes, where Scott seemed troubled, he decided to tell Wil the truth, and then see what to do next. "You know my name, and the rest of my story you will soon know, but I ask you this: listen until I have finished before you judge me, please." Wil looked into his eyes, and say that this was no jest, he quickly agreed, and Scott continued. "I was born in this city, 16 years ago. My mother was a local whore, and I never found out who my father was. I lived with my mother until I was 6, when she died. My mother was killed by one of her customers, and he almost killed me too. After she died, I lived on the street, and took food when I could, to survive. I learned that I had a talent for theft, and so I continued to use it as my main source of income, even until this day. I was sent here to steal from the Prince, and was told this room contained his most prized possession. I didn't know that his prize was you, his son. I intend to leave, and tell the head of the guild that I wasn't good enough to reach the prize. He probably won't believe me, but I don't do anything to hurt someone." Wil gave the thief a puzzled look. "If you don't like to hurt people, why did you become a thief? Stealing someone's life savings is hurting them a lot. How can you possible say you don't like to hurt people?!" By the time Wil had finished his question, he was giving Scott the coldest glare the thief had ever seen. Scott raised his hands as if to fend off an attack. "Please let me explain before you try and kill me yourself. I choose my boosts carefully, and I make sure the person I steal from deserves it. The last job I did was to rob a man who made his living by saving slaves when your father's patrols weren't looking. I'm not saying your father deserved to have me visit, but when a member of the thief's guild receives an order from the Guild Master, you don't question it. Please understand something, I don't like being a thief, but I am good at it, and it has kept me alive this long." When Scott saw Wil's bewildered look, he stood up, and headed for the window, as if to leave. "I know that you don't want me to be near you, because of my life style, and I understand, so here is where I will say my goodbye to you Wil." Right before Scott reached the window, he turned to see Wil starring at him. "I do have one quick question for you. I'm not a very educated person, other then simple reading and writing, but how can the son of a prince still be called a prince?" The question finally broke Wil out of his daze, and he gave Scott a wry grin. "My father holds the office of The Prince of the Kingdom of Rolenda, and this office is passed down within the family. I am called a prince, but so is any other boy or man whose only title is that of a possible heir. When I am older, I may take my father's place as the Prince of Rolenda, or for some strange reason, I may even end up as the King of Rolenda. Does that answer your question my friend?" Wil's last remark startled his friend. "You would call me friend, even after all I have told you? After what I was planning to do to your family? Are you playing some cruel trick on me?" Wil smiled. "No Scott, you are my friend. You are the only person my age that has come to see me in years, even if it was by chance. I'd like you to stay around, and become better acquainted with me. Would you mind that Scott?" With a large grin on his face, Scott walked back to the bed, and knelt in front of the prince. "If your highness wishes me to stay, I will be most honored." Seeing Scott's mocking look, Wil stood up, and slowly pulled Scott's rapier from its scabbard. Making a show of mockery, he knighted Scott. "With this, I knight thee loyal friend and companion to the Prince Wil. Rise Sir Scott." Hopping to his feet, he took back his rapier, sheathed it, and ruffled Wil's hair. Wil gave Scott his best pouting look. "This is not the way one should treat a prince of the Kingdom of Rolenda." Then Wil gave his friend an ear-to-ear smile. "From this day forward, you will address me simply as Wil, the only time you are aloud to refer to me as Highness, or My Prince, is when I am dead and cold, and you are saying goodbye." Then Wil sat about extracting his revenge for his ravaged hair. Wil jumped from his bed, and pushed Scott onto his bed, and sat on his stomach while holding both arms down. "I realize that you could have killed me, and could easily get out of this hold, but I want us to be like brothers." After stating his plan, Wil let Scott get up, and Scott moved over to a shelf near the window. On the shelf, Scott placed his sword belt, his knife bracer, and his cape. He kept his dirk in his boot, out of his normal habit. After he had disarmed himself, Scott went back to join his new friend. "You know what Wil? I always wanted a brother. And now that I have one, I'm not sure what to do." "Well Scott, I think we should start by getting to know each other better. I know how you came to be a thief, and I know how old you are, but I want to know more. I'd also like to tell you some about myself, so you will know as much about me as I wish to know about you." With that Wil motioned Scott to sit on the bed facing him, so they might be comfortable, and still talk. "I am 15, and was born in this very castle. My mother and father have always been very caring, but because of their positions, they have little time to spend with me. I have a younger brother, whose name is Trent, and I'm sure he'll snoop around and meet you later. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, archery, and fencing. Whenever I get free time from my studies that are supposed to turn me into a ruler some day, I sneak into the maze out in the garden for solitude. Now that I have told you my interests, would you mind telling me your hobbies and what you do in your spare time?" Wil looked at Scott, who had a quizzical manner, and finally began to speak. "I uhh. I've never really had hobbies. I don't really have spare time, because I have to work to survive. I'm rumored to be one of the finest thieves, and I have learned to use my weapons to survive, but I haven't really had much fun in my life. As Scott remembered some of his earlier thieving days, a smile crept across his face, and he began to chuckle. "I have done some things that I have enjoyed, but they were always related to my job. I enjoy stealing from those who do evil, or are evil, and have taken it upon myself to become an avenging force. Stealing slavers, abusive people, drunkards, murderers, assassins, and other such characters blind is my favorite part of my life as a thief. Because of the life style I live, I've never had many friends, because those who acted like my friends normally had malicious intent. After a few of those so-called 'friends', I decided that it was safer to remain alone. That is one thing we have in common, neither of us has had a good friend in our lives." Scott saw that Wil was pondering over what he had just heard, and the boy-thief took the opportunity for revenge that presented itself. Scott pounced on the younger boy, and rolled him around until he was trapped under Scott's weight. Although both boys were about the same height, measuring at 5'11" with Scott a fraction of an inch taller, both boys were almost identical in physical form. Wil was thin, and developing a muscled figure, while Scott was also thin from his work, and well muscled. Scott took this time to closely examine his new friend. Where Scott had a very dark tan, Wil was lightly tanned, and where Scott's hair was a dark black, Wil's was a blond that resembled gold. Then Scott noticed his friend's eyes. Wil had blue eyes that looked almost gray, and were beautiful to behold. Wil also took this time to examine his friend, and found Scott's hazel eyes that at this moment were green with a tint of brown very pretty eyes to go along with his black hair. After the boys looked each other over, each blushed when they realized that they had been thinking of the other boy as 'pretty' or handsome to behold. Scott, who was the quickest to recover, moved along with what he had planned to do from the beginning. He put one hand on each side of the younger boy, and started to lightly rub and caress the boy's sides with quick and nimble fingers. This produced the reaction Scott was looking for, and Wil was wreathing with his laughter as he tried to squirm free of Scott's grasp. Wil tried his hardest, but couldn't pull free, so he started to beg Scott to release him before he suffocated. "Please! Let me up, I give, really I do. Scott, I'm going to wet myself if you don't let me up soon! Scott, please let me up!" Scott loved the effect he was getting from his friend, but finally gave in to Wil's begging. While Wil was desperately trying to recover and catch his breath, Scott was laughing hysterically. When Wil recovered, he sought to extract his revenge, but when he tried to get Scott pinned down, Scott simple wrapped an arm, and a leg on the same side, arched his back, and rolled Wil over until Wil was pinned once more. "I'll have to teach you some ground fighting sometime, but not yet." Scott cackled, and even Wil started to giggle. "All right then Scott, if you aren't going to teach me how to get you off me, will you at least be so kind as to get off?" Scott reached as if to start the tickling once more, then right when Wil inhaled and braced for the attack, he rolled off. "I've had my fun tormenting you, at least for now." Scott reached over and ruffled Wil's hair. "It's been nice to meet you, but I should probably leave soon, since I wasn't supposed to be here anyway." Wil looked as if someone had died. "I was having so much fun, I wish you didn't have to go, can't you stay?" Scott had already equipped his weapons, and donned his cloak. "I'm sorry Wil, I was having fun too. I will probably be beaten for failing my mission, since it was such a large one, but I'll live. And if they don't throw me out of the guild, I will do just fine. Perhaps I can come and visit you some time, if you wouldn't mind that of course." Looking at Wil to gauge his reaction, he could see that his statement had troubled his friend. "Wil, if you don't want me to come back, I can understand. We come from far different lives, and we have little in common. I'm sorry to have crashed into your life, but I will leave as if I was never here. I am called the phantom for a reason." At that Scott moved over, and reached to open the window. "Scott, wait. Don't go away for good. I wasn't upset about you coming to visit me; I think that would be perfect. I was upset about you being beaten for not bringing me back as a captive. I think I should come with you, as your captive so you won't get hurt. All that will happen is that I'll be ransomed back to my father in a day or two. I know that I shouldn't try to cause my father trouble, but if it will keep you safe, it is a good cause." Wil stood up, slipped into some pants and a tunic, since he had been in only his underclothes, and made as if to join Scott. "Wil, I thank you for your concern, but you must stay here. For one thing, if your father found out that I had been in your room, kid-napped you, and then became your friend, he would kill me. And another thing, they wouldn't just hold you, I imagine that they would do some pretty nasty things to you, and I don't want to know I caused that. You will stay here, and in a few days, maybe this week, if I can, I'll come by." Wil respected his friend's advice, but was still planning on going. "Scott, I doubt that they would dare to harm me, or they would feel my father's wrath. I will be coming with you, and that is not an option." Scott came to stand directly in front of the prince, and looked him straight in the eyes. "They may be afraid of your father, but since you are a young boy who has never had sex, they would take advantage of you, and use you like a common whore. I wasn't trying to make it sound worse then what would happen, you would be raped repeatedly, and probably be physically abused other then just being raped. I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone, except perhaps the ones that would do that to someone else. Your father would get you back, but the boy he got back would not be the one that was taken. You will stay, and I intend to make you if you resist, do you understand?" Wil had a shocked look on his face. "They would force themselves on me? What sort of cruel men would do such a thing? I shall have to summon the garrison, and have you lead us to them, then, when they have been imprisoned, we can be together as friends." Wil found his rapier, and his boots, and when he was dressed, stood beside Scott. Scott gave him a dirty look. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, but I can't have you trying to come with me, or follow me. Scott moved faster then most humans could have thought possible, and had both of Wil's hands behind his back and in a strong hold before the prince knew he was being attacked. Scott gentle, yet firmly, moved his captive over to the bed, and took Wil's rapier. "I'm sorry to do this, and I hope you will remember that it was for your own good." Scott had Wil pinned down, and he removed Wil's boots, tunic, and pants. "Now, you have three choices. The first choice is for you to stop trying to come with me, and just staying here. The second choice is for me to tie you up, and then by the time you have called for help, me being gone. The third, is incase there are to many servants near by, I may have to give you some reason not to call attention to this room until I am gone. Which will you choose?" Glaring as though to stab Scott with his eyes, Wil was furious with this treatment. "I will come with you, and if you try and tie me up, I will scream for the guards, and have you captured until you are ready to lead us to these men." Scott shook his head, and then got a slight grin on his face. "Well, I guess you've chosen choice number three. I wish I didn't have to do this to you, and I apologize in advance." Scott stuck a corner of one of the prince's pillows into Wil's mouth, and held it in place with his left hand. While Wil was trying to scream for the guards through the pillow, Scott's right hand had untied the cord holding Wil's underclothes on, and then when they were removed, Wil was completely naked. Scott continued to hold Wil in place, even though he had stopped struggling, and tied Wil's legs together using the underclothes. Then he used Wil's pants to tie his arms together, and then he tied the arms to the bedpost above Wil's head. Scott then took Wil's tunic, and after rolling it up, used it to secure the pillow that was being used as a gag. Scott took a moment to admire his handiwork, and the prince's body, and noted that the prince was well endowed. Scott estimated that Wil must have five to six inches when hard. "Well, I know that you will work your way out of that, but it will give me enough time to escape. If I were you, I would move up to the bedpost, and then once you loosen those notes, going for the arms, and then the legs, but that is just me. I am sorry I had to leave you like this, but you gave me no choice, good bye my friend." Scott ran towards the window, and once outside, used his twine and hook to relock the window. After he was done with the window, he did what he was best at, and disappeared into the night. "Scott, I see that you have failed me. Did you even found the prize? Don't bother to answer, even if you did find the prize, you didn't get it for me. I am very disappointed, and you will be punished. Now get out of my sight. I will deal with you latter." Mentas slumped in his chair. What he had feared had finally happened. Scott never knew that Mentas was his father. Mentas had learned of his bastard son when Scott had been about 1 year old. He had hoped that Scott's mother would take care of the boy until he was old enough to get out on his own. Mentas had learned that Scott's mother had been killed when Scott was 7, and had taken a watchful eye on the boy. Much to his surprise, Scott had turned out to be one of the best thieves alive. He had privately rejoiced that his only son would follow in his footsteps, but had also feared that one day, his son might make a mistake that he was forced to take drastic action on. He feared having to choose if to follow the normal punishment, or try and go easy on Scott, because he was the son of the Guild Master. Mentas let out a disgusted sigh. He didn't know what to do, for the first time in his life. The normal punishment for blotching and assignment wasn't to bad, but because the Guild Master had personally selected the thief, and helped with the assignment, it was much worse. The person who was to be punished would be given a choice, he could either leave the guild, or he would be beaten and battered, and then the Guild Master was given a personal choice of extra punishment. Mentas knew that he must treat his son as any other, and knew the choice belonged to his son. Mentas had his second in command summon Scott to his chamber, and there, he told Scott what choice he had. "I like you personally, and didn't want to have to do this, but you knew the punishment, and now you must face it. What is your choice?" Scott looked down towards the floor, and after a moment, clinched his fist, and stared the Guild Master directly in the face. "I will stay in the guild, and I accept my punishment." Mentas gave him a nod, and then a soft pat on the back. "I knew you would accept punishment, I just needed you to choose it, now come along, and let's get this over with." Mentas signaled for Scott to follow, and after going through a series of hallways, they entered a large meeting hall. He had Scott stand before a podium, and then took his place at the top. "All of you know what Scott the phantom is being charged with. When given the choice, as is custom, Scott has opted to remain in the guild, and take his punishment. As the Guild Master, it is my job to administer his final punishment, but the first part of it will happen here and now. You all have your duties, and I'm sorry to see this happen to one of our members. Let us get this going, the sooner it has begun, the sooner it will end." Scott put a determined look on his face, and dutifully strolled to the middle of the large chamber. Scott pulled off his cloak, belt, boots, tunic, and leggings, leaving him with only a loincloth to cover himself. Three large, broad men walked forward. Two of them carried long, leather whips; each ending in five points each. The two that were carrying nothing, came forward, and each went to one side of Scott. The first two men each grabbed one of Scott's arms, and walked apart until Scott was held tightly between the two men. The two with whips stepped forward, one went to stand in front of Scott, and the other went to stand behind him. Each of the men with whips had trained for years so they would hit only what they wanted to hit. The two men began to strike Scott, and while one would start at his waist and move upward, the other would start at his shoulders and move downward. The man behind Scott was allowed to hit anywhere he wanted. The man in front had some restrictions, those being he couldn't strike Scott in the groin, or in the face, but anywhere else was game. The whipping continued for many minutes, until Scott was covered in red welts that went from his head downward, with a small area around the groin intact. Towards the end Scott was almost able to pass out, but one of the two men holding him up would slap him in the face if he started to drift into the unconscious. When Scott was finally finished with the whipping, he was laid down, and was given ten minutes rest. After Scott's short reprieve was up, the two holders picked him up yet again, and slapped his face until he regained his senses. The two men who had whipped him came back, but now they carried canes instead of whips. Scott's beating continued as the first one had, and Scott was never aloud to loose any idea about what he was feeling. When this faze of the beating was finished, the two cane men handed their canes to their apprentices, and they grabbed one of Scott's legs each. The four men carried Scott into the Guild Master's personal chambers, where the final faze took place. Normally the Guild Master would have been waiting in his chamber, and would have started the last part as soon as his victim was present, but because Scott was his son, the Guild Master found some urgent business to keep him away. After Scott had been laid down, he had gone to sleep, because of the great pain he was in. The Guild Master's absence gave Scott five hours to sleep and recover. But finally the Mentas could stay away no longer, and was forced to do what he had feared for so long. Scott was awake, although in great pain, and Mentas was kneeling close to him, so he might speak easier. "Scott, do you know what is meant by a 'personal choice' for the Guild Master really means?" Scott tried to raise his head to speak, but was force to speak towards the floor instead of Mentas. "It means you have the choice of where to take me, in my ass, or in my mouth." Mentas nodded once, and realized it was a wasted gesture since Scott wasn't looking at him. "I have never wanted to do this to you, and I regret that I must. For you, I would choose to rape your mouth, but because I have always chosen to take the ass, I must follow that precedent, or the other thieves may hurt you, thinking I favor you. I'm sorry, and I truly regret having to do this." Scott began a bitter laugh, which soon ended when it hurt him too much. "Mentas, when I made my choice to remain in the guild, I knew that I would be beaten and then raped. And I don't believe that you won't get pleasure out of this. Maybe you don't like doing it to me, but because of the act, you will get enjoyment out of it. You might as well get it over with, so I can suffer in peace." Mentas gave no sign of acknowledgment, except for removing all of his clothing. Mentas had always been known to have a larger then average cock, and it wasn't just a rumor. His cock was at least 9 inches, and over 6 inches wide. Being taken by him was no small issue. Mentas sat aside his wanting to protect his son, because as the Guild Master, it was his responsibility, and it came first no matter what. He got down on his hands and knees, and lifted Scott's butt into the air. He gave no sign of compassion as he went about his task, for him it was pure lust. Mentas spread Scott's two red, welted cheeks apart, and with no warning plunged into Scott's formally virgin hole. Scott cried out in agony, but Mentas continued with no thought about being gentle. Mentas plunged into Scott's rear orifice hard, and fast, until he finally came to the edge. When Mentas climaxed, he made an extremely deep thrust, and held as deep as he could until he was completely spent. Mentas pulled his blood-covered cock from Scott's ravaged hole. Mentas called out, and the four men entered the room, and carried Scott's limp form to his personal quarters. When they reached his quarters, they dropped him roughly onto his sleeping mat, and then left him. Because of the pain, Scott quickly lapsed into unconsciousness, which was his only escape from the pain. While he slept to escape the pain, and to heal his body, Scott had many troubling dreams. Most of the dreams he had were about his beating/rape, and the pain that came with each. There was one dream that he had that was different from the ones reflecting his torture. This dream was about a certain prince, and his newfound friendship. One soon interrupted that almost pleasant dream, was far worse. In this new agonizing dream, Scott saw a gigantic serpent, and as the serpent neared him, the serpent split into two equally large serpents, one white, while the other black. When the serpents reached him, they changed into humans, both almost 6 feet tall. One human had white hair, and the other had black, but they both had strange blue eyes. Both humans approached Scott, and he couldn't seem to get away. The black haired one put his hand on Scott's right shoulder, and the white haired one put his hand on Scott's left shoulder. When both humans were touching him, they pointed to an area straight in front of Scott. Scott felt like he was flying, and saw scenes of an enormous battle below him. Then, in a flash the battle was over, and the only forces standing looked like shadows. Then in another flash, he saw a once mighty castle laying in ruins, and bodies strewn everywhere. The surrounding village had been burned, and then he saw that the town that he witnessed used to be Dugron. And in a wink of the eye, everything was gone, and Scott woke up screaming, half from the pain, and half from the terror of his vision. If you liked chapter 1 of The Plight of Strolin, feel free to contact me at dwpresents@hotmail.com, and please only comments that are 'constructive'. I will begin work on chapter 2 as soon as possible, and I will submit at least one more chapter before decided if I want to finish this series or not. After the next chapter, I will use reader support, and effort required as the deciding factors. Thanks, DW