Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:07:38 -0700
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden's Saga 23 revised

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.  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 them.  Most of these characters are
bisexual.

If the sexual nature is offensive or you are disqualified due to age or
location, don't read it.  You have been warned.  I hope you like what you
read and find the characters and their exploits/adventures interesting.

Nifty and I hold the copyright so posting it or making money from it
without permission or sharing, is unethical.  That said, if you wish to
quote reasonable length passages please be kind enough to sight them.  You
will find a few quotations or only slightly edited passages in some
chapters.  References are provided in the text.

Don't forget Nifty needs financial help.  Please make a donation if you
can.


23: Preparations

1317, 11th month, 10th day (continued):

I signalled the King for permission to speak.  "Prince Arden you have
something to say."

"Yes Sire I do.  Will the scribes please make a record of my comments for
the Envoy to take with him.  Envoy, the senior princes of Parga are less
than amused by the actions of your Load's leadership.  It is obvious to us
that you do not represent Epirus or Thomas but someone else.  We believe it
must be Count Nikholas Orsini of Kephalonia, Thomas' nephew.  We have no
desire to be drawn into Epirus' internal politics and resent his attempts
to cause this.

We princes are greatly offended that Nik would send assassins against us.
We take even greater offence that he sent men who were less competent
swordsman than ourselves.  If Count Nik wishes to challenge us on a field
of honour, that would be at least acceptable, if still puzzling.  To send
assassins against unarmed students is simply dishonourable.

To send armed men against Parga for no reason, is little more than foolish.
To use the fishers of either state, all clansman I might add, in an attempt
to salvage some political face is unforgivable.  It shows his weakness of
character and impotence.  We are greatly offended that you would be sent on
such a fools errand as you have been.  We feel your embarrassment at being
unwittingly placed in an untenable situation.  It is not our way to take
offence against the messenger for the foolishness or distastefulness of the
message.  All this suggests Nik is either sick of mind or thinks us
incompetent.  The former is understandable, the latter offensive to the
people of Parga.  The right to use our seals of office is earned in Parga,
not granted by chance of birth alone.

We are most aggrieved that Nik, obviously a self appointed demigod, is
unwilling to demonstrate leadership of action or even publish his name in
connection with these adventures.  No misadventures and he misleads you to
believe he is doing Thomas' bidding.  We four princes of Parga stand here
and take full credit for planning and exciting our little adventure, which
should be a source of embarrassment to him, us being just boys of 16.

We find it puzzling that Nik feels our lives and the lives of his solders
and our citizens are expendable, when it comes to his personal self
aggrandizement.  This demonstrates a rather unchristian way of acting.  One
might even say it was barbaric.  Perhaps murder and assassination is
acceptable in Kephalonia and other places?

This calls to mind Aristotle and his study of permiology, I believe the
ancient paremi goes, "he who lives by the swoard dies by the swoard."

The lessons for Nikholas Orsini are simple.  He underestimated the
leadership of King Iason 7th and Prince Consort Karyakos; that has resulted
in costly, embarrassing and foolish adventures.  He underestimates the
Princes of Parga at his peril.  If however, he desires true humiliation or
a trip to hates, we are prepared to accommodate him.  I sat down.

"This Envoy is not just the bravado of youth, although Prince Arden's
choice of words are heavy with it.  The Princes of Parga and Parga's kings
have stood and delivered since the time of Homer.  We have always
represented a free people.  We have never interfered with our neighbours
and have always been a source of aid to them in times of need.  That aid
has always been freely given and willingly accepted.  We have asked little
from our neighbours but have received much friendship and mutual respect.
Parga asks only to be treated with the same civility and respect we have
always given others.

We are greatly disappointed that our neighbour has chosen to sponsor these
recent actions against us.  Most graves is the attempted harm of Crown
Prince Iason and his Consort, Prince Arden.  These acts are less than
neighbourly or honourable.  This kind of thing goes on in other states, we
know that.  Perhaps it is acceptable in Kephalonia or Epirus but it is not
acceptable in Parga.  Even if acceptable in Kephalonia or Epirus, it is not
acceptable for Epirus or anyone acting unofficially, to export it to Parga.
It is apparent that Thomas 1st had no knowledge to this.  He has acted in a
most honourable way.  That can not be said for those who planned and
executed these deeds.

I proclaim the 8th day of the 10th month as Wedding Day.  A day when Parga
will celebrate the exploits of its Princes by holding weddings through out
the land.  Let no deserving couple be kept apart.  On this day the ancient
custom of the groom and his brothers, kidnapping the Bride from her family,
can be ceremonially enacted by escorting the Bride from her home to the
place of ceremony.  For this Wedding Day enactment only, the wedding
attendees may adopt the symbols and standard of Prince Iason's Argoanuts."
Uncle Iason turned to the pages, "Odovacar please compose, with the aid of
the other palace musicians, a processional song for this event."  He turned
back to the Envoy.

"From this day foreword until rescinded by the King of Parga our borders
with Epirus are closed.  No traffic shall flow overland between.  Any
person being caught crossing that border in either direction will be
treated as spy or criminal.  Citizens, residents, employees and so on of
Epirus that seek entry to Parga, must do so through this and only this sea
port.  The singular exception to this shall be: Clansman and their
Epirusian relatives and personal friends, may enter and reside at any
fishing village with the written invitation of the mayor of that village.
Likewise Citizens of Parga may travel to fishing villages in Epirus
directly after receiving written permission of his village mayor.  Anyone
not following these instructions will be considered a smuggler and treated
accordingly.

This leaves the fait of mercenaries, would be assassins, spies and the
like, now in our dungeon or prisoner of war camp, the list you already
have, in the hands of Count Nikholas Orsini of Kephalonia or who ever it is
you represent.  They will be released unto a ship of your choice once a
suitable donation, in place of reparations, is made to the King Iason the
7th Free University and Akadimeia.  A precedent was set for this by the
Florentines several years ago.

Shall we adjourn today's meeting and seek some refreshments in privet
Envoy?"

"As you wish Sire?

Lieutenant Eutukos approached Volos and began talking to him.  They joined
us at the sports field.  Today, as almost every day, we had archery
practice, fencing, swimming and other sports.  Dios and I also trained on
the running track.  I think it is our archery that give us young men our
massive shoulders.  When boys we used the standard Greek bow.  As soon as
we were able to pull and accurately shoot it, we were given Long Bows.
These came to us from the Welsh Koal miners, my ancestors, that came to
Koalhurst many generations ago.  My name is of that origin.  The longbow
requires years of practice and training to be accurate and great strength
to pull it.  From an early age we were taught to pull our bows with either
hand.  While right handiness is the most common, skill with the left may
prove life saving as well as convenient.  The long bow requires so much
strength that if only one side of the body is used the shoulders and
favoured arm would develop lopsided.  This muscle development and the
attendant strength is very useful in other military and sports skills as
well as in attracting both male and female admirers.

All of us are well known for the beauty of our physical developments.  Wide
and muscular shoulders, strong arms and wide chest, narrow midsection and
hips, sold well formed buttocks, well formed muscular thighs and solid well
defined calf muscles.  We all strive to the ancient ideals of beauty and we
all are as well.  Even Ikaros whose body looks more female than male is
extremely strong and fit.  He is able to move quickly and with a grace I
could only long to have.  He is not girlie in having large breasts or wide
hips.  He is girl like in having smooth, hairless skin, no hair grows on
his face, smooth not bulging muscles and graceful movements.  He giggles
and feigns shyness like they, as well.

I found Eutukos to be cleaver and skilled.  I am sure he would be a worthy
advisory on the sporting field and one I hope never to need meet, in non
sporting combat.

The Dioskourol are fine all around athletes.  They do not excel at any one
sport but are competent at all.  On any day either one can best the other
they are so evenly matched.  It is often a draw between them.  This year at
our castle sports meetings we will have special competitions combining many
events, to choose the finest all around athletes as well as us specialists.
I know they will do very well at this.  In a way we still cary out the
traditions of the Olympiad.  Being a secular state we do not specifically
honour any god but each athlete is free to honour what ever one or ones he
chooses.  We have Boxing, Pentathlon, Double Pentathlon, Running several
distances, Wresting, Archery, Fencing, Swimming several distances.  Like
the ancients we do almost all of them naked, not archery or fencing.
Unlike them we allow women to attend and watch, since here the games are
not dedicated to a male god, taking place on sacred ground.  Like them, we
honour the human form and athletic skills.  Unlike them, we do not require
a oath stating the athlete is a free born citizen, that has done nothing to
offend the gods.  Here we are considered to be free born.  If you are from
some place else you are reborn when you become a citizen.

Our women also have athletic games and sports.  They have their own
competitions but do not perform naked, just almost so.  They run, throw the
javelin, have archery and wrestling.  While none are strong enough to pull
a longbow, many are excellent Greek Bow archers.

I was glad to see Volos and Eutukos becoming friends.  Heron also seemed to
like this young officer as well.  He is the kind of officer I would be
happy to have serving in our military.  I hope his commanders recognize his
qualities.

In the evening Hermogenes sat with us and socialized.  Volos and Pyrros
were attempting to learn how he thought they should be raising Dios during
his absences.  He was quite blunt in saying if Dios' behaviour is
unacceptable then he is to have his butt spanked.  He inquired how his
behaviour had been in the past.  Volos and Pyrros assured him the boy had
been nearly perfect and those transgressions were truly minor.

Volos expressed his concern that Dios being younger than the pages would
pick up behaviours that were best left for a couple of years.  "If you mean
boy sex Volos, I think he already has.  He told me Prince Nikias had his
butt paddled by his brother for teaching him."

"It is true that Nikias had has bottom warmed but not for teaching Dios
things but for disobeying our instructions.  I was trying to impress upon
him that being a prince did not exempt one from the same rules that
everyone else was required to follow," Iason added.  Hermogenes nodded in
understanding and smiled knowing full well how young boys think.

Volos told him about the general guideline in castle about sex between
those over and under 12.  Odo came in at that point and added Uncle Iason
had made an exception for him and we should make one for Dios.  I replied
that only his father could do that, looking at Hermogenes for his views.
He thought a moment.  "I suppose that sex between the pages and yourselves
and between yourselves and the pages is common as it was in my day."  he
inquired.

"Yes it is common and willingly shared," Pyrros spoke.

"Then I think Dios must either be included or sent to live with the women
for two years.  I began serving my great uncle who was a captain of a
merchant ship when I was 11.  He was my mentor until I joined the navy at
17.  That great uncle was my lover and I don't think I suffered from it.
Which of you is to be his."

"I am," Iason said, "but he must come to my bed willingly and with the
permission of his parents, all three of you."

"You have it Prince, what say you Volos, Pyrros?"  They agreed.

"That is settled them.  I think you should not hold for him to come to you.
Go after him in a gentle and loving way, court his affection.  That will be
easy as you already have his complete adoration.  You and Arden are his
heroes.  Most boys want to be like their fathers but he wants to be like
his princes.  I think it wise that you mentor him, letting Volos and Pyrros
play the role of father.  I know it was hard for my mentor to be captain,
mentor and father, all at the same time.  The captain must command for the
good of the ship and entire crew, the father must from time to time
discipline for the good of the child and the mentor must love and guide the
child to adulthood.

I know what is in my lover's mind on this.  He is like his father much
taken with the younger ones.  I understand completely.  Boys of this age
are just so perfectly formed and proportioned and they love so completely.
For them it is all or nothing.


1317, 11th month, 11th day:

Today at our mid day meal Tertius announced he had arranged the perfect
young lady for Dario.  He wanted us to inform Dario and asked him and Lugo
to visit during the soloists celebrations.  That way he could organize a
meeting without making any kind of commitment.  Uncle Iason thought so too
and directed us to write him as soon as possible.  From his expression I
assume he has more in mind than just finding our friend and guardsman a
bride.

That was partly confirmed later that afternoon when Ikaros, Drakon and
Dysme had a meeting to organize a large celebration party called the
Ballizien of the Princes. (TN: Ballizien means to dance and in English,
this would be the Princes' Ball.  As you read on it is clear that this was
much more than a dance or bal `a dance (Middle French).  It seems Arden did
not favour the term Festival.  It is clear this was some kind of
celebration but not one in any specific honour.)

They suggested we invite Dario and Lugo and his betrothed to attend the
Princes' Ball.  Where he could meet the young lady and if they prove
acceptable to each other, the King would make arrangements; if not, nothing
more need be said about it.  I thought Lugo would be jealous for it
appeared he was not give much choice or he thought his choice was the best
of a poor lot.  If the king is to arrange the wedding of his ward I would
expect some kind of position or promotion would be attached.

All this talk of arranged marriages, almost all in this place are, moved
Iason to a state of apprehension.  What if he didn't like the girl, what if
she was ugly or a shrew?  We chided him that she could ask the same
questions about him.  He feigned great offence at being thought possibly
ugly or difficult, on second thought he would concede difficult.  He
pointed out, so far anyway, the girls he had been sleeping with were all
satisfied, as he was with them.

Dysme suggested it was the flush of lust and the early stages of romance.
"Love is blind and dumb when powered by lust and a desire to produce
children or at least the motions of doing so," he commented.

I reminded him that his betrothed would spend at least 6 months, to a year
living here with his mother, before the wedding.  If she proved unsuitable
or fickle our mother will send her away, have some faith brother, I told
him.  This produced much laughter from everyone as they pointed out I was
never to wed a female but our union was arranged and so far it has proven a
good and complementary match.  To which Iason and I passionately kissed
until our friends grew tired of us.  Pulling us apart they proceeded to
inform us of their plans.

1. Use the Argoanuts' dining hall; 2. by invitation; 3. fancy dress
required; 4. plays, poems, music, singing; 5. dancing of course mostly with
the ladies; 6. much food and drink; 7. our parents could invite some of
their friends; 8. Odo to compose new music and songs, perhaps even some
poems.  9. We should invite our university friends, Arden's boys and all
the Palace Boys and Girls over 14.  The young princes can have a party for
all under 14.  We suggested with the younger children having a party of
their own supervised by Princess Elpis' staff.  We would sneak in a few of
our favoured children to ours anyway.

Hesiodos thought the security problems were formidable but he would work
something out.

At our evening meal Iason had Dios sitting between himself and Nikias.
They were whispering to each other through most of the meal.  Dios' fathers
were seated at another table with our fathers.  I could see they were all
paying much attention to the young Palace Boys that were attempting to
serve the food and wine.  The one receiving the most attention from
Hermogenes is very shy, with red hair and many freckles on his upper body.
Dios could see this too.  I think he was just a bit jealous.  I did notice
that every time Hermogenes' hand wandered underneath the lad's kilt Iason's
hand disappeared below the table and Dios would smile.

After our meal Iason called Kleitos over to sit with us.  Nikias and Dios
moved closer to Iason and I, making room for him between.  Iason asked
Kleitos if he could find a pony for Dios as he would make a present of it
to him.  Dios looked from one to the next and when Kleitos smiled Dios
pressed his face to Iason tunic and the kissed his lips when he bent over.
Kleitos brushed his head with his hand and told Dios to report to the
stables immediately after the mid day meal tomorrow.  Dios was so excited
he was almost jumping up and down with anticipation.

Iason is anything but subtle in these matters.  In fact he is bold and
unabashed.  He has announced to everyone, in his fashion, that he would be
Dios' mentor and older lover.  Being a young lad also his protector.  We
would have Nikias and Dios in our bed tonight, I was sure of that.  It also
looked like Hermogenes would be sharing with the red haired boy.  Now that
his son was old enough to have a mentor he was being looked to as someone
who should be mentoring a boy.  To my knowledge this is not mentioned
unless in privet, the men just seem to know when it is the right time for
them.  I am sure he manages to enjoy the young sailors while at sea but
that is not the same as being a mentor.  I was surprised when Father told
us to begin mentoring our young pages as we are not yet established
ourselves.  I guess it is a perk of office, one I am most glad of, as I
truly love my little brother and I know the twins have completely bonded
between the four.  Iason, as I mentioned before, has an eye for the younger
ones.  When mine roves it is to my contemporaries for the most part.

I take it also that our fathers feel it important that we are as solid with
the young princes as is possible, given the range in our ages it will allow
us and them to manage their transition from young men to young princes and
knights.  In know they work very had to insure the court and palace
intrigues that happen in other states, do not happen here.  In other places
the families or clans and sometimes tribes often command far greater
loyalty than the leadership.  In Parga their is only one clan, the families
are all related to each other and us.  Loyalty is less divided, this does
not preclude division.  It does not preclude greed, jealousy or the desire
for power.

Fortunately we were able to avoid the introduction of those Roman laws and
methods that divide society.  Privilege here comes from accomplishment and
performance, not from birth.

As much as I would record to the end of my day this will not be possible.
Not only have the four terrors invaded our apartment but Volos, Heron,
Pyrros, Damao and now Hermogenes have brought their eromenos (TN: The term
used for the "beloved" youth.  I can think of no better one.  Arden has
told us many times adult males are expected to be Pederasty or boy lovers
it is their duty to mentor non related youth.  Parga has its own unique way
to doing things.  Here non related means, not the boy's biological father
since just about everybody is related to everyone else in some way.  Also
like in Krite the adult male seeks permission of the boy's father or
guardian and like heterosexual marriages, mentorships are often arranged.
None of this is to say things were always idealistic, without conflict or
that true and lasting love was always attained.  The old Kritian proverb "A
boy's best friend is his lover," springs to mind, however.)

Nikias was explaining to Dios why his father was suddenly so interested in
this red haired boy and why he should not be jealous of him but happy for
the pair, as his father and friend are happy for him and Iason.  The closer
Nikias and I become the more respect I have for his abilities.  I would
like to think I have much to do with this, being his mentor.  True or not
it gives me comfort and pride.  I think the three terrors were encouraging
Dios to play a game of hard to get with Iason.  He just lacks all guile and
could not play, he was Iason's for the asking.  Iason to his credit
recognized this and made sure not to take advantage but ply the boy with
gifts, most small, but a pony is very large, and his affectionate
attention.  He even recruited Odo to help him.  Odo had invented a cleaver
little device designed to help stretch a boy's anus and increase his
desire.  After using his lubricated fingers and his mouth to bring Dios to
climax several times, Iason fitted a leather penis in his anus, which is
secured by a thin leather strap that runs from a tight belt down his butt
cleft through a small loop on the leather penis, splits on either side of
his boyhood and fastened to the belt around his waist.  I knew from my
experience how effective this device would be in developing a desire for
the real thing to reside in him.

I must end his as Nikias is fondling my manhood and kissing my body in
every place and I can not hold my quill steady.


1317, 11th month, 15th day:

The wedding party has gone but Polykarpos remains here at the castle.  His
parents had been in the wedding party and they, if no one else, realized
his position.  Since the mayor of Sarakiniko or his parents were not quite
ready to arrange a marriage it was agreed he should work for the castle
kitchens as a fisherman and when he has established himself and if the
daughter was still inclined, they would reconsider a marriage.  We were all
happy for him and for ourselves.  He is a very handsome and personable
fellow.  Hermogenes was very generous and arranged for Polykarpos to live
in and care for his home while he was at sea.  The red haired boy Agapios,
would live there as well but only when Hermogenes is in port and Dios would
live with the pages.  Volos and Pyrros would look after both boys as
guardians.

Yesterday Thanatos told us Alexandros was returning from his military
training, to the castle.  He was to be assigned to the castle security
staff and would be a guardian for Princess Elpis and the young children.
Then he winked at me and whispered, "your father wants him to marry
Princess Eudoxia and be the sheriff of his former village."  He said that
with the kind of pride only a father can have.  He sighed, "Ouranos and I
never dreamed of being parents, let alone grand parents.  Being men who
love men we always thought that just would not happen.  But you and Prince
Iason allowed it and we will always be in your debt."

"No Thanatos, you and Ouranos can never be in our debt and not for this
specifically.  We did not recognize his talent, you did.  You two asked to
adopt him and you two gave him the parental love every child is deserving
of.  It is us that are in your debt, if there is to be one at all.  It is
easy to do well at being a prince when all around you are advisors, models
and guides, such as our guardians.

Tell me friend have those four identified guardians for our future sons?"

"Aye they have Arden.  They have identified 6 candidates.  They are still
just boys to young to leave their mothers but we believe they are like us.
Men who love men are only about two in ten in the land but three in ten in
the castle.  The scholars tell us that this runs in families, mostly from
the mother, women who have several children before are most likely.  These
boys are being bread like Kleitos' horses.

We know from history that the personal body guards of the king and Consort
are best if they have no desire for women or a family life.  That way they
find their family among those close to their charges.  If they love each
other as Ouranos and I, all the better.  It means we understand the
relationship between you and Iason as we live one like it.  It means our
loyalty is never divided, it is to each other and our princes.  We love
each other in every way one man can love another and we love Iason and his
partner Karyakos as brothers and as Eros commands.  Just as your four love
you and Iason.  You are our family, our source of strength and we follow
you always to wherever it may lead.

Your sons must have the same, it is our duty to find and train them as it
is yours to find and train your son.  Volos and Pyrros will select the
guardians for the new Crown Prince, Damao and Heron will do the same for
the new Prince Consort.  Each of them will mentor and personally train one
of the candidates.  We will and do help them, as we were helped."

"I thought you said six not four?"

"Yes, each companion/advisor also has a body guard.  They too should be men
who love men.  Some of those pages you met when you first arrived are now
young knights and we will select from them.  Like your father Arden, you
must sire many strong boys with the ladies suggested to you, as should your
personal guardians.  It is their duty even if they are not romantically
interested in them."