Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:12:49 -0700
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden 49

Arden
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


49: Much To Do About A Boy


1319, 8th month, day 5:

Three advances in the manufacture of gun powder have been achieved.  First,
by making different ratios of the three ingredients, we have developed
powder to get the best results from large Kannons, small Kannons, rocket
propellent and rocket and projectile explosives.  Unlike Greek Fire, the
ingredients of this material are already known to others.  Our powder is
superior to others, as the component ratios are strictly controlled for
design use.  Maximum power or impitus for the application is achieved by
making it into little granules, each granule has the same ratio as the
whole.

Second, the charge size is standardized and made into cakes, so the same
size and purity is in every charge.  Loading is very fast in the Kannons.
Rockets can be made up quickly.  By coating the rockets in wax, moisture is
kept out.  Important at sea.  The cakes for the Kannons at sea are also
coated with wax.  For the Kannons, instead of loose powder in the touch
hole; a thin wax and powder cylinder is used.  It is called a fuse.  For
the rockets the fuse is made of cloth, wax and gunpowder.

By variation of one ingredient and controlling the purity, the mixture can
be made more moisture resistant.  Important again for marine needs.  The
size of the projectile, the angel of the tube and the size of the charge,
are all related to the distance of throw.  Not unlike a catapult.  These
are all known, measured and can be calculated by the distance finding
devices and calculating machines.

The ingegneres had already developed special iron chambers, that are placed
into the mold where the bronze is cast around them.  Our Bronze Kannons can
take charges three times more powerful than ordinary Bronze Kannons. The
iron pots are made here, the Kannons are cast in Venice.

This is special iron, made by placing the ordinary iron from the smelter,
into a chamber with special Koal and much air from mechanical bellows.  It
is brought to molten state and then cast into shapes or worked from long
rods by the smiths.  (TN: He is talking about steel here, not cast iron.)
This iron is pure and strong, not brittle, like the ordinary smelted iron.
Since no large furnace is available to us, several small ones were built
next to the smelters.  The alchemists are experimenting with combinations
of different metals, iron plus things like copper or tin or both and
others.  They call them alloys.  Just small amounts of them and different
amounts of the Koal mixed with the iron and melted together, make much
difference in what the smiths can make.


1319, 8th month, day 8:

Odo has been hard at work with the palace musicians, making new wedding
songs and marches.  I am sure that this will be a party, to end all
parties.  If the Princes' Ballizien is thought to be the finest, this I am
sure, will shine above all.  Iason has been planning and with his love the
theater, the wedding party will certainly not go unnoticed.  I am not sure
how all of this is to play out.  I am sure he will be so busy that we will
need cover his duties.  That should not cause us any hardship.

Iason and I, along with our guardians are being sent to the Western Hunting
lodge for two weeks.  We are to do no work, socialize with the PAEM group
and staff, mostly we are to spend our time with each other.  Father told me
to walk in the woods, do things completely alone, allowing the guardians to
spend time alone with their mates and not guarding us. I am forbidden to
take my journal and we are not to receive or send any massages.


1319, 8th month, 24th day:

We returned today.  I must say it was a most wonderful time.  Iason and I
spent almost every moment together.  We did socialize with the marines and
staff but only a few time.  Our guardians did the same.  Sometimes we did
not see each other for several days at a time.  I think they enjoyed the
time together and alone, as much as we.  It was so delightful to walk along
a stream or through the forest stopping to pick berries.  We did not spend
every moment fucking and kissing either.  We spent much doing that, but we
also spent time just sitting and holding each other or walking hand in hand
in the afternoon sun.

When we returned it was also very strange.  Obviously things went on just
as if we had been present.  No one even mentioned our absence.  The only
clue was our boys and Umar.  The boys were beside themselves with
anticipation and Umar clung to me like Alfred did to Iason.


1319, 8th month, day 25:

I can not make up my mind on how the dates of these entries should be
written.  This indecision is must disturbing since I am not indecisive
about anything else.

I looked in on the progress from the different technical research projects.
The wind speed device is being tested, as is the timing clock.  The glass
tempering project has begun.  The first blanks were fired and cooled with
not much success.  The cooling was not adequate, so changes are being made
to the bellows arrangements.  In addition, the furnace took to long to
heat, so additional air is being added to the koal bed.  The alchemists
have found that quick sliver can be used in the temperature measuring
device.  Which is a glass tube with a small reservoir at the bottom filled
with quick sliver.  The tube is hollow but quite thin and the quick silver
rises as the heat is applied.

Quick silver occurs in the rocks near Apollo's Temple.  It is very strange,
as in the rock it is bright red and in small pockets, when crushed and
heated gently, vapors result.  The quick silver forms and collects at the
bottom of the collecting or condensing tube.  (TN: This is the mineral
Cinnabar, mercury sulfide (HgS), the Greeks did have a name for it,
Kinnabari, named by Theophrastus but Arden did not use it. Being
Aristotle's successor, I am sure he must have read his works.)  Once in the
bulb at the bottom of the tube, the glass above it heated and drawn longer
and very thin, leaving the smallest of passage way and the tip sealed.  The
alchemists then calibrate it by applying different amounts of heat to the
bulb and watching how high the quick silver rises, marking the point and so
on.

There is a debate as to the difference between heat and cold.  Some feel
cold is only the absence of heat.  Others feel cold is a thing, like heat
is a thing.  We need not solve this, what we need to do is make sure we
know how much or how little heat or cold is available for different
processes.  That way processes can more easily be duplicated.


1319, 8th month, day 27:

Yesterday I had the strangest visit I think I have ever had.  It was from a
young man of 17 years.  He is a farmer from the most eastern part of Parga,
just before the mountains.  He arrived in the palace court yard with his
mother, a very elderly woman and three very small babies.  The babies had
not eaten for some hours and the boy was close to panic, not knowing what
to do.  Captain Eutukos took the family into his guard house office and
sent for me.  The messenger, one of his young solders, told me, "Captain
Eutukos begs you come to his office with all speed."  I did so with Volos
and another guard following behind us.

When I got to the office I was greeted by the young farmer, a most handsome
boy, his elderly mother and three tiny babies, making a mighty sound.  I
knew this sound, it was the infant's cry for food.  The babies were very
small, the smallest I had ever seen.  Not that I am an expert.

Philon, the young man's name, was beside himself with panic for his
children.  Eutukos was sitting behind his desk trying to not get overly
involved in this, what ever it was.  I am Prince Arden, and you are?  I am
Philon and this is my mother and my three infant sons.  Prince, my wife
died in child birth and I am just a simple farmer..."  He started to cry.
I took one of the babies from his arms and Volos and the guard the other
two from the old woman.  "They are hungry Sir and I can not feed them."  He
sobbed.  I looked at Eutukos.  "I sent for three wet nurses, they should be
here any time know."

How far have you come, Philon?

"Three days walk Sir.  People along the way have been most kind in
providing milk for the babies and food for my mother.  The midwife did not
think the babies would survive even this long.  I promised, my wife Elpis,
I would not let them die.  Prince you must help me.  I do not know how or
what to do?"

I will do that and more Philon.  Page, I called and two of the female pages
appeared.  Go and fetch the palace physician and hurry up those wet nurses,
I told them.  They both ran off.  When the wet nurses arrived they each
took a child and began feeding.  The three babies, all boys, triplets,
quickly took all the milk the wet nurses could provide.  I asked them to
take the old woman and the babies to the female quarters and see to them.
The palace physician arrived just as they were leaving and he accompanied
them.

Volos took Philon to refresh himself and get some food.  After they all
left I spoke to Eutukos.  He filled me in on the happenings before I
arrived.  I praised his quick actions and thanked him for sending the
messenger to me.  "Somehow I knew you would want to deal with this
situation yourself Prince Arden and not just leave it to our normal
procedures.  That young man was in a most terrible state when he arrived.
I think he feared loosing not only a wife but his three new sons as well."
You did the correct thing Eutukos, not that my brothers would have done
less than myself."

Later we four sat with Philon to discuss his situation.  He was poor and
without any family to help him, except for an older sister who already had
4 little ones of her own.  He was trying to look after his elderly mother
and run a small farm by himself.  The four twins went to inspect the three
babies.  When they came back I could see the excitement in their faces.
They judged them, triplets, identical.  This is very rare.  Even more rare
than just triplets.  I could see Justice and Joulous were not about to let
these babies out of their sight if they could manage it.  I could see them
whispering with Nikias over in the corner.

"The babies are sleeping with the wet nurses and your mother is resting,"
Kastor reported.  "Have they been named yet," Poly inquired?

"No prince, not yet.  I did not want to do so until I was sure they would
live.  Elpis bleed so the mid wives could not stop it and with her last
breath made me promise to see her sons grow to fine men.  I could do not
but assure her of this.  Even though I had no idea how I was to accomplish
it.  All the nursing mothers in the village helped to feed them for the
first couple of days.  immediately after the funeral I came here.  It was a
hard trip for my mother but she insisted on coming.  I am glad she did, for
I know nothing about caring for babies myself."

"You did the right thing in coming to the castle.  Those babies will grow
to be fine young men because of it.  The palace physician told me they are
all healthy.  Small for babies but healthy."

"What is your plan now," Iason asked?  He looked over at me and me at him.
I knew we were all of one mind.

"I have no plan beyond this."

Well then let us suggest one to you.  Why not move here to the castle and
work here in our gardens and fields.  Your boys can be cared for in the
place nursery, until they are old enough to join you.  If you wish, another
wife can be found but I think you should let some time laps before
deciding.  If you like, your mother can also live here with you, to keep
your home and assist with the children.  She will find the community in the
castle a warm and welcoming one.  He started crying.  This was a bit
embarrassing for him.  I suggested we get Squire Miltiades to help him get
settled.

Several merchants are docked in our harbor.  I am not sure why but I gave
them all a very through look, using the "far see".  On one of the ships,
from Valencia, I noticed several additional crew members.  They did not
seem to be engaged in normal unloading activities.  I summoned several of
my customs inspectors and a couple of the older pirate ship boys, now
serving with the Argoanuts.  One of the boys was interested in working with
me, as he recognized some possible adventure.  One of the customs
inspectors agreed to take the Argonaut on his inspection, as an apprentice
inspector.


1319, 8th month, day 28:

Hadi and the inspector reported to me this afternoon.  The inspector found
only the usual goods, mostly textiles and metal oars.  The taxes were paid
and he found nothing out of the ordinary.  Hadi told me he found the
inspector's job interesting but he learned little.  He agreed the crew
seemed larger than normal but all seemed to be sailors.  The crew all spoke
Spanish and several were Moors.  Perhaps I am just being overly concerned.
Hesiodos has made sure the prostitutes are all on the lookout.

Wedding guests will start arriving in the next week or two.  Kastor has
taken over the management of such things as housing.  Many of the Pargaian
guests will stay with relatives in the city.  Others like my family will
stay at the castle.  Our foreign guests will stay at the castle or in
several of the inns.  Some at the university and other schools.

Polydeukus has been concentrating on making the remainder of the government
function and Kastor the military.  We are finding the government structures
already in place are able to function without our constant attention to
detail.

The Prince Arden and Prince Nikias are both in port for several weeks.
Nikias and I will be spending some time on our ships, mostly socializing
with the officers and crew.  I am told Panther has established himself as
third officer now and is highly thought of.  Apparently his performance
during the Nikias' first battle earned him much respect.  The marines have
built themselves a new living and training facility just east of the
university.  They have easy access to the sports fields behind the castle.

The sailors also use it for dry land training.  They have been given a
second Timer prototype, for testing.  I am told that many skills, such as
loading, aiming and firing of Kannons, catapults and so on are time based.
The crews are finding them as useful as the runners.  All along the castle
walls are kannons and rocket launchers.  The kannons are stationed only
where things are in range, the rockets which have a greater range are all
around.  We still do not have a kannon that can hit ships on the seaward
side of the castle.  The water is to far away, the salt marsh is so soft
that not even a man can stand on it.

Hello stayed the night with us again.  He is just the most loving and
gentle person imaginable.  He insisted I fuck him while Nikias fucked me
and Kyros, our chamber boy, provided his penis to my mouth.  The bodies of
these boys are just so soft and perfectly formed; I can hardly imagine
anything more delightful except for my brothers, guardians and fathers.
Hello has grown quite a bit of late, he is now large enough to comfortable
fit under me.  He has the most amazing flexibility as well, allowing him to
spread his legs wide.  His running has built up his muscles too so his legs
and shoulders are now in proportion.  Kyros is becoming a first class
chamber boy and I am sure will prosper in our family.  His penis for a boy
of 14 is exceedingly large and long.  He seems to have gained all the
techniques to cement his relationship with those he serves.  He seems to
laugh and smile almost continuously and is learning to anticipate our needs
with great skill.  We will probably loose him in the next few months.  This
one I will dearly miss.  All of the boys in this position are quality and
appreciated, Kyros has taken a piece of our hearts as well.


1319, 8th month, day 30:

Hesiodos reported today, two the sailors from the Velencian ship were
asking questions of the prostitutes about me and Umar.  Apparently the
others were not.  He is watching these two more closely.  Also, several of
the Prince Nikias' sailors reported the Valencians were asking many
questions about the Prince Class ships.  This seemed more like curiosity
than anything else.  They were told only what we wanted them and others to
know.

The new prison will be ready for operation in the new year and so will the
safe depository.

Hello came running up to me on the sports filed.  I thought he wanted to
practice.  Instead of practice he wanted to talk to me.  "Arden, I am very
much concerned about my mother." I asked why?  "I know she is not feeling
well and I am sure she has some pain.  The physicians visit her often and
she spends much time alone in her bed chamber."

Have you told this to Uncle Iason?  "No, mother forbid any of us from
telling anyone.  That includes her staff and the guardians."  What of
Sophia and Eudoxia?  I don't think they know, well Eudoxia does not and if
Sophia knows she does not let on."  If mother is ill, Sophia knows but has
been forbidden to say.  If you were also forbidden why are you telling me?

"You must tell father, you have not been forbidden."  No, little one you
must tell father.  You are her son and it is a son's duty to follow his
mother's instructions but it is also a son's duty to his father.  "But if I
tell him, he will tell mother and she will not be happy with me."  Better
she is not pleased with you, then for you to say nothing and ultimately
suffer you father's displeasure, for having secrets being kept from him.
Remember he is her husband, your father and also the king.

If you want I will go with you.  I am sure he will not tell anyone how he
learned this.  Something he may already know or suspect.  I held out my
hand.  Let us go together.  When we are alone with your father and Uncle
Karyakos, just tell him you need speak with your daddy.  I will keep my
father occupied.

We did just that.  Hello climbed into daddy's lap and explained himself.
Karyakos and I move to the terrace to give them privacy.  Uncle Iason said
nothing to me or Father.  Nor did Hello, although the boy seemed much
relieved having done his duty, as best he could.  Sometimes we have these
little conflicts, I told him.  In these situations we must do what we
believe is right.  Even if the doing will temporarily displease one of ones
parents.  It must be done.  Our first duty is to ourselves, if we are not
diligent in it we can not be diligent toward others.


1319, 9th month, day 2:

Hadi came to see me this afternoon.  He was visibly up set when he came in.
"Prince, yesterday afternoon one of the sailors from the Velencian ship
came to see me in the customs office.  I was quite surprised as he spoke
both Greek and Arabic."  I can't see that upsetting you Hadi, what did he
want?

"Prince Arden, he wanted me to take money from him."

"He wanted to bribe you but to do what?  He wanted me to find a way to let
him and I assume others into the castle, at the next full moon."

Let me see that will be tomorrow evening.  We will have a high tide running
out later when the moon is high.  I take it his ship is scheduled to sail
then.  "Yes that is what he said."  Did he say why he wanted to sneak into
the castle and I assume out again?

"No, he did not offer that information."

How much did he offer you to do this?

"He offered 500 florins.  I would not take it, as you instructed me to do,
I refused but told him I would think it over and let him know this evening.
We will meet in a tavern just after nightfall."

That is a very tempting offer.  It is more money then I thought they would
offer.  I am sure you were tempted Hadi, if not you should have been.  Now
let me see what we will do here.  He asked you to find a way to let him
into the castle, so he must figure you will spend some of your 500 florins
on bribes for the guards or others.  If he offered 500 he will surly spend
600.  That is the first thing you must tell him. Your fee is 600 and
nothing more will be asked by you or others.

The only way into the castle is across the drawbridge and through the main
gate.  Once inside there are guards at all entrances, so you will need to
know exactly which ones to deal with.  There are to many to just get the
cooperation of all.  Did he ask any questions about the castle layout or
security once inside?

No Prince, just that he wanted access and would pay for it.  Either this is
some kind of test or he and the others are fools.  I doubt that is true so
it is some kind of a test.  Since he came to your office he must have some
clue about the security, at least to that building.

Now this is what you must do.  First arm yourself and ware light armor
under your tunic.  Second do not drink or eat anything you are offered.
Instead make sure you stop and fill your mug with water, on your way into
the tavern.  Which one?  "The Sailors Haven."  Do you know this place?
Neither do I, so let us go and inspect it.

"But Prince Arden how can you trust me, I was greatly tempted to just agree
and say nothing to you?"

It is normal and that you should be tempted.  It is normal that you should
weigh you responsibilities and loyalties.  The fact that you are here now,
conspiring with me to gain the 600 florins for yourself and see they are
caught in the act, of what ever they intend to do, tells both of us where
your loyalty is, as well as its' strength.  Come let us go and make our
plan.

"I don't think any of us should go to this place except Hadi.  Any of us
will be recognized and in addition the spies may be watching both Hadi and
the tavern.  Send for a professional," Heron said.  I indicated he should
do that.

I sent Hadi back to his office promising to prepare him before his proposed
meeting.  Damao rounded up Vitale and several other former sanctuary men.
Vitale was again in disguise and I almost didn't recognize him.  After they
were briefed, we called Hadi back so our undercover men would recognize
him.  I explained he should keep the meeting and find out exactly what they
wanted him to do.  I assured him he would be protected but should not leave
the tavern with these men and he was to insist he leave before them.  I
also gave him the exact route he should take to and from the tavern.  We
would station guardians along it.  He was also to insist that these men
show good faith by giving him an advance of at least 1/4.

Vitale and the others departed immediately to inspect the tavern and see
what they could learn.  Volos placed our people along the chosen route on
roof tops, with night signaling lamps.  Pyrros and Heron would station
themselves and other palace guards along the route, at street level.

Father and Uncle Iason approved of our actions, making only a few
suggestions.  They wanted to be included in the late night meeting with
Hadi, when he returned.

Hadi and the others attended the meeting.  Vitale and his men had
positioned themselves to make sure no harm would come to Hadi and to
observe the spies handing over the bribe down payment.  Hadi only drank one
mug of water as he was instructed.  One of the spies followed him to the
castle.

Hadi had told them he need return to the Argonaut dorm.  The spies were not
happy about this but had little choice.  If Hadi did not follow the rules
he would not be able to do his jobs on the next day.

After the spy went back to his ship, Kastor signaled for all the others to
come in.  They did so as if small groups of friends out for some
entertainment.  Vitale was less than impressed with the tavern landlord.
He believed this a place that operates mostly outside the law.  We would
deal with that later.

Hadi told us the spies were not so much spies but kidnappers.  He was not
told who the target was and we offered no guess.  I think everyone
including Hadi knew.  They would come to Hadi's office with some goods on a
small cart to see the customs officer.  Hadi should tell the gate guards
that he was expecting them.  Hadi was to bribe the night guards not to ask
any questions of the cart or content when it departed.  They would come
late in the day.  Hadi was also to give them directions to find their
target, once they arrived in his office and revealed who that target was.

It was set, Hadi would do as requested.  He was to give them directions
that we provided to him.  Our people would be waiting in that place.  No
matter who was being asked for the directions would be the same.  We chose
a narrow passage way, with a room off the end that lay between the women's
residence and our own.  That passage is not guarded, as is the entrance to
the women's or our living quarters.  He was to tell them, once in the room,
at the end a door lay in the back corner which would lead them to a
stairway, which was the back entrance to the quarters of who ever they were
seeking.

Knowing where they were supposed to be going would help us but all would be
on alert just in the event we guessed wrong.  Hadi need also get the
remainder of his payment at that time.  He should leave it in his office.
He would need go ahead of them to bribe the guards they must pass.  They
will probably insist he accompany them.  Hadi was prepared for this, he
seemed to dismiss the danger.

This passage way was visible by two sets of guards.  Once he knew the
target he should pretend to puzzle over the route and the guards that would
need be bribed.

To make sure they suspected nothing, he should take them from his office
toward the solders dining room, as if they were to share a meal with him.
This would also show them how to exit the castle without encountering any
non bribed guards.

I must say I was impressed with the professionalism shown by all involved.
I expect it from the professionals but Hadi is an amateur at this game and
only a recent addition to the Argoanuts.  I must say his character,
dedication and loyalty to us as well as to the task is refreshing.  Poly
wanted him to join us for the evening but he declined and returned to the
Argonaut dorm, I think he has a steady lover.

Hadi showed us the florins he had been given.  They seemed real but we
would have them tested by our money changers in the morning.


1319, 9th month, day 4:

We spent yesterday morning and early afternoon at the university and in the
Council.  Father cut the meeting short so we could disperse to our stations
and prepare.  Hadi would try and send a message via the guards.  We were
prepared for that message never arriving.  Uncle Iason and Father would
spend the evening with the pages.  Vitale was convinced that the ships'
captain was involved in the plan as well.  Kastor ordered the local sheriff
to place the ship and the captain under arrest, after the kidnapping team
entered the castle.

Volos, several of Princes Elpis' female guardians and I, were sitting in
Euthalia's apartment with Umar.  Umar, Volos and I were in the bedroom and
the three female guardians were sitting in the common room, dresses as
ordinary women.  Euthalia and the babies were visiting the Princess.  These
kidnappers would be given a shock.  Everyone else was well prepared.  It
would be important for these people to get the job done and get out as
quickly as possible.  They need take care not the alert any guardians.  How
they thought they could just take a boy from his mother without some kind
of alarm being raised, is a mystery to me.  Perhaps they thought Hadi would
assist them but to do that he would need reveal himself, something any self
respecting, easily bribed official, would just not do.

We knew we would not have long to wait, they wisely planned to move during
our evening meal when most of the castle was engaged in that activity.

Hadi had pointed them to door and departed.  They burt into the apartment
and demanded Umar.  The three women sat quietly and one spoke while rising,
"My son is not here, but who do you think you are barging into my apartment
and making demands."  The leader made an attempt to grab her as the other
two moved to look in the other rooms.  That was their mistake.  We could
hear but not see.  From the sounds, the one that made the grab got more
than he bargained for, as she proceeded to make short work of the him.
Since the other two men were moving toward the bedroom.  Volos and I drew
our swards but that was not necessary, the other guardians, by this time,
were on their feet and giving them fencing lessons.

When we heard the steel on steel we moved into the doorway.  Umar was
peaking around from behind me to watch.  The one that had demanded Umar was
now on his back begging to be spared, his attacker seemed determined to
make him into a eunuch.  The other two were soon disarmed.

Umar was allowed past me.  "Did someone ask for me?"  No reply.  "Perhaps
if you cut off his balls daddy, he will desire to talk."

I don't think that will be necessary Umar.  I am sure we will learn all we
need to from them before the Royal Guards are finished with them.  Right
now I think they better get them to the dungeon before more blood gets on
the floor and your mother makes you and I clean it up.  Volos was laughing
as I put my sward away and he helped the guards remove the bad boys.

Later that night Iason and I made the most passionate love.  Alfred and
Umar slept on a small bed next to ours.  I am not sure if we woke them or
not, for the noise was mighty as we grunted and groaned in the passion of
lovers desperate to make two bodies into one, if only for a few moments.  I
hoped they saw, for then they will know not only how much we love each
other but how that love can be expressed.

My beloved has the most delightful fragrance and stiffest cock of any.  He
stands almost a head shorter them myself but his body is every bit as
powerful and masculine.  I still thrill to his touch and his kisses, as I
did all those years ago when we first met.  The fun was in the doing,
something we continue and will always.  Iason made me kneel on he bed and
pushed my upper body back forcing my erection to stick out and up.  He then
teased it with his tongue rolling the fore skin back to expose the head and
kissing every part.  He licked its length and pressed the tip of his tongue
into the urethra.  His mouth is most talented and he takes my entire length
into it, while his hand plays with my anus and scrotum.  Having made me
ready and much excited he bent me the other way so I knelt on the bed
exposing my anus to his erection, which invaded producing immense pleasure
in both of us.  That is when the grunting and moans of pleasure grew loud.

I sometimes wonder what our boys think of us?  They have told me, when he
and I are together, they can feel the love and passion between.  It is
almost contagious, for no matter what has transpired between them, when
with us they are inspired to share in our love and share love between
themselves.