Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2023 22:48:20 +0100 (BST)
From: blackscar01 <blackscar01@btinternet.com>
Subject: Operation Pied Piper - Part 147a

IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL READERS

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, organisations, and
incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used
fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locales,
organisations, or events is entirely coincidental.

The author claims all copyrights to this story and no duplication or
publication of this story is allowed, except by the websites to which it
has been posted, without the consent of the author.

*******

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Finally, thank you again to my editor, Jim.

*******

Draco was now sitting smiling behind Andrew. Forts, then sat Aaran behind
him. The three boys, our boys, were all grinning like the Cheshire cat from
Lewis Carroll's, The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland.

Forts was smiling, his focus totally on the three boys. "All of you, hold
on tight." Forts took hold of the bridle and Pegasus tentatively began
walking forward. The initial flash of panic on the boys' faces vanished and
was replaced with one of sheer joy.

Forts winked at me. "Do you want a go?"

I laughed, "No, I will have my ride later."

Forts guffawed. He flashed me one of his smiles, "Oh, you know you will."
He winked, "I will see if Pegasus is free...".

                       **********************

Operation Pied Piper – Part 147a –

Part 147a minor characters making an appearance or receiving a mention:

Ms Mary Gregor – (Mary/Ms Gregor) Sister of Duncan. Amazing seamstress.

Calvin – (Cal/Calvin) 16yr old, new clumsy footman.

Marcus Trevelyan – (Marcus/Mr Trevelyan) The Chamberlain and House
keeper at Pittodrie House.

Daniel Brookmeyer – (Brookmeyer/Daniel) Started off as pupil at the
school. Since Gary left now in charge of the walled gardens at Castle
Fraser.

Kenneth Jones – (Kenneth/Jones) 14yr old Orphan now staying at Downe House.

**

Marcus takes up the story

I need to talk to someone, but who? Was I just being silly? Maybe I
was. Forts and Davy were busy with the Boys' Home. I really didn't want to
worry them, if it was nothing. But what if it wasn't? I looked down at the
notes I had scribbled.

Ronald, the footman who had asked to speak to me, didn't really want to
cause a fuss, but what he had told me required some action. Or was he
reporting just a naïve boy's rambling? Why was it Calvin's name that had
come up again? I had to make a decision soon. Forts had asked me to send
Calvin over to Hill Croft House, now I didn't think I should. It would be
better to keep him here with me, where I could keep an eye on him.

Calvin had been one of the last people Denis had employed as a footman to
work at Pittodrie House before he left. Calvin struck me as a nice enough
chap, friendly and keen to please, if not very bright and somewhat
clumsy. I read my notes again. It was no good. I would have to do
something. I decided to speak to him myself and see if he would say
anything else.

*

"Come in," I called as I heard the gentle knock on the door.

The door opened, and Calvin looked nervously into the room. "You asked to
see me, Mr Trevelyan, sir."

"Yes. Calvin, please come in and take a seat."

"Have I done something wrong, Mr Trevelyan, sir?" He looked really worried.

"Calvin, please just sit down."

"Has someone complained about me? I am trying not to disappoint you, Mr
Trevelyan, sir, honest."

"Calvin, shush, no one has complained about you."

He smiled, "That's good, phew."

I took a deep breath. "Calvin, I overheard you speaking to one of the other
footmen."

He looked at me. I was sure he knew what I was going to say next. "Oh,
that. I was joking."

"Joking?"

He nodded. "I don't really think that."

I glanced at my sheet of paper. "You don't think what? That His Imperial
Highness is a parasite, draining the blood of the workers?"

Calvin just looked at me.

"Why did you say that? Is that what you believe? Our boss is a parasite?"
Looking at this gormless, no that's cruel, naïve boy in front of me, I
had a thought, "Calvin, what is a parasite?"

He grinned, "I don't know." I actually believed him.

"Has someone told you to say that about Forts and Davy?"

"He didn't tell me to say it." Calvin looked really pleased with himself,
as if he was having me over. "I just repeated it."

I really wasn't sure I wanted to know. "So, who was saying it?"

"Oh, I am not supposed to say. I was told not to."

"Well, you can tell me. I won't tell anyone... I think the same."

Calvin grinned, "Do you?"

I nodded.

"Well, Mark, the guard said all the Romanovs were murderers and thieves..."

I tried to keep my face from showing my shock. "Yes, he is right." God, I
hated doing this, how does that saying go, 'give him enough rope and he
will hang himself'? "Did he say anything else?"

Calvin leant forward conspiratorially, "He said, soon there would be two
less polluting the world and told me not to say anything."

I felt the bile rising in my throat. Oh God no, that meant little Draco
wasn't safe either. "Did he say when that was going to happen?"

Calvin shook his head. I needed to act now! Forts and Draco were obviously
in danger, probably Davy too, and this poor naïve boy was being set up
by the sound of it to take the blame.

I stood, "Okay Calvin, now this conversation has to be our little secret. I
can see you are good at keeping secrets. You can be my little spy, a double
agent." I knew he really didn't understand what I was saying; maybe that
was for the best. "If Mark says anything else, you have to tell me straight
away, understand?"

Calvin nodded, repeating, "I am a spy, a real double agent." He chuckled.

"Calvin, you have to promise me you won't tell anyone, even Mark, that you
spoke to me, and told me what he said."

Calvin nodded. "Yes, sir... It's exciting, isn't it?"


**

Tobias takes up the story

Marcus had stopped me in the corridor. He was very concerned and obviously
on edge. Thank goodness he knew Davy trusted me. He bundled me into the
meeting room and told me what he had found out. I assured him to leave it
to me, and not to say anything to anyone, and importantly, he was to act
normally, but to let me know if he was told anything else. I hurried him
out of the room and picked up the telephone and spoke to the exchange.

*

"But General, I thought you should know immediately. It sounds like their
plan is coming to fruition, whatever it is... There is going to be
something in the news which you believe will set things in motion? But
General... Sorry no sir... I will wait until I hear from you... No sir, of
course I won't say anything to them... Sir... once this is all over, I will
be resigning... I can't do this anymore. I hate lying to my friends... No,
my mind is made up. Yes, goodbye, sir."

I replaced the telephone receiver.

"Who were you talking to?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin. Prince Dima was standing behind me. I
hadn't heard him come in, so had no idea how much he had heard.

He stood, hands on his hips, the way he always stood, waiting for me to
respond. "Well? Did you say you were going to be resigning from Forts and
Davys' service? Do they know?"

I stood, my mind racing. At least it didn't appear as if he had heard the
start of my conversation, that was a relief. "Prince, I haven't definitely
made up my mind yet. I would ask that you say nothing until I am certain."

Dima paused and then nodded. "If it helps, Tobias, I know we have had our
differences. But I also know they both think a lot of you and would be very
sad if you were to leave."

Now my own inner demons clawed at me. I hated lying to them both; I loved
them too. I wondered if they would understand if I explained?

"Thank you Prince, I had better be getting on."

Dima smiled and nodded as I quickly left.


**

James continues the story

Chris and I met up with Forts, Davy and the three boys at Downe House. As
we arrived, it looked like they had acquired another son. Little Jimmy was
now standing holding Forts' hand and wearing his flat cap. Not to be left
out, Andrew was standing next to Davy holding his hand and wearing his.

"Hi Chaps." Forts was grinning, he greeted us, obviously happy.

Chris picked up Draco. "Davy, can I show you where I was thinking of
putting the kitchen garden? Then I will get Brookmeyer over to help me lay
it all out, then I can get the boys digging and planting."

Davy nodded, "I am glad you are getting Brookmeyer to help, he has done a
great job over at the Castle since he took over running of the walled
kitchen garden from Gary."

Forts glanced up, "Did someone mention Gary? Have you heard from him?"

Chris froze, luckily Davy answered, "No, but Brookmeyer took over from him
running the walled garden. He is going to help and give us some advice over
here, too."

Forts nodded, "Oh, okay." As Davy and Chris walked off, Darius followed
them. I remained with Forts, Duke and Andrei close by. Forts smiled,
"James, can come with me, I want to speak to the boys... Make sure
everything is okay and tell them about the other boys who will be joining
them from the main school for the holidays."

I nodded and followed as Forts with Jimmy, still wearing his hat and
gripping his hand, walked into the building. While Forts spoke with
Duncan's sister, Mary, I loitered near some of the boys. I smiled and
nodded at a nearby group of the older boys. They seemed to be discussing my
kilt and uniform.

I moved closer, one of them mumbled to the other boy next to him. "Do you
think he is one too, then?"

His friend hissed back, "I don't know, but Mr Morrison said that the
Russian one was a nancy boy, in fact, there was a whole nest of them up
here."

I walked over. The boys shuffled uneasily as I approached. I addressed the
one who appeared to be the ringleader. "Sorry, what did you just say?"

"Nothing... I was talking to him, not you."

"Duke, can you come over here, please?"

Duke's impressive six foot plus frame blocked out the sun. I pointed to the
boy, "This young man thinks we are all nancy boys."

The colour drained from the boy's face. "I didn't say that, Mr Morrison
did."

Duke stood even closer to the boy. "Do you have a problem with nancy boys
then?"

"No, sir,"

Duke put his finger under the boy's chin. "Are you sure? Because I am one,
a nancy. Do you want to make something out of it?"

I had to stop myself laughing as the boy forced himself hard to swallow,
with his head facing straight upwards at Duke's.

Duke continued, "In fact, I don't think I even sound like a nancy though,
do you? You don't think I sound effeminate, do you?"

"No, sir."

"So I can't be a nancy boy then. Do you think Captain Brandt here sounds or
looks effeminate?"

The boy tried to swallow again, "No, sir."

Duke rotated the boy's head. "How about his Imperial Highness over there,
the Grand Duke, Drageon Drageonivanov Romanov, Prince of the Blood
Imperial, Colonel in Chief of the Imperial Regiment of the Life Guards
Sankt-Peterburgsky?"

The boy's voice broke as he squeaked. "No, sir." It was obvious that the
boy was still on his journey through puberty to manhood.

Duke smiled, "In fact, young man, the only person with a squeaky effeminate
voice here appears to be you."

The boy's friends sniggered. Duke kept the boy's chin facing skyward as he
spoke down at him.

"Maybe you're not happy here? Shall I ask His Imperial Highness over so you
can ask him to send you back to London... That's if you are unhappy here
and don't think you will fit in?"

"I am happy, sir, sorry, sir. Please don't ask him to send me back, sir."

Duke continued to hold the boy's cheek, mainly for dramatic effect. "What's
your name, boy?"

"Kenneth, Sir, Kenneth Jones."

Duke released the boy's chin. "Okay, Kenneth, no more bad-mouthing the
people who pay to look after you and who will care for you better than
anyone ever has... You and I will speak again, Kenneth. Now all of you run
along."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."

Duke grinned at me and winked. "Ooooh, I don't like the colour of his
shirt, did you?"

With a swish he walked back over to Forts.


**

Darius takes up the story

It promised to be a good film. I didn't know how Robert, Forts, and Davy's
secretary did it, but once more he had arranged for a film to be shown in
the hall at Downe House for the boys. Gregor had apparently helped him pick
from the films available. We were all going to watch the wartime
action-adventure film from 1942, 'Stand By for Action,' starring Robert
Taylor and Charles Laughton. It was about a Great War destroyer pressed
into service in WWII in the South Pacific conflict against the forces of
the Empire of Japan. It sounded great.

A couple of technicians had been busy working all day to set up the
projector, screen, and sound system. Chris McPhee had organised the boys
into teams and they had put out sufficient chairs for everyone who would be
attending.

*

Forts and Davy had said goodnight to their sons, leaving David and Andrei
with them at Pittodrie House. Laughing and joking and wearing their Green
tunics and baggy blue trousers, this time with black shoes, they walked
over to Downe House, enjoying the fresh warm evening air. Davy and Forts
were walking hand in hand, laughing. James and Chris walked with Dima and
Robert just behind them. The security team for the night consisted of Duke,
Tobias, Mark, and me.

Forts and Davy had spent several minutes talking to the boys and staff when
we arrived. They all seemed pleased to see them both, including the older
boys from earlier Duke had told me about.

Little Jimmy had as expected, rushed to take hold of Forts' hand. Forts
once again picked him up and then plonked his flat cap on the smiling boy's
head. "Are you ready to see the film?"

Jimmy nodded, grinning. Forts put him down, "Well, get to your seat and we
will get the film to start." Jimmy wriggled to get down, he obviously was
looking forward to the film and wanted to get to his seat quickly.

Forts and Davy laughed as Jimmy ran off and then turned and ran back,
handing Forts back his flat cap, then ran off again.

With everyone seated, the lights dimmed and went off to a great cheer from
the boys.

The hall went quiet as the projector started up. We all knew the film
wouldn't start right away. First there was, since the war had begun, always
a news update of some kind. The screen flickered on to 'British Pathe News'
clip. The screen flashed to a film of the Kremlin in Moscow, and then to
the flag of the Soviet Union flying from the great dome. Then the plummy
voice of the presenter started. "There was great excitement today for one
of our own war heroes. RAF Air Marshall Gethin Evans who helped mastermind
our Soviet Allies' devastating air campaign against the forces of Nazi
Germany has been rewarded with one of the top military honours of our great
allies, the Soviet Union. Comrade Stalin himself presented Air Marshall
Evans with the 'Order of Suvorov 1st Class'."

In the reflection from the screen, I saw Forts whispered something to Davy,
who shook his head. Forts looked furious. The two of them seemed to be
having a heated discussion. The film continued and showed Gethin bowing his
head before Stalin as the award sash was placed over his head and then the
medal was pinned to his chest. You could have heard a pin drop as the
Soviet Anthem began and Gethin stood steadfastly to attention. Before the
clip was even over, Forts was up out of his seat. He rounded on James, who
was hurriedly standing. James had been sitting on his other side from
Davy. "Did you know about this?" Forts barked at him. Tobias, Duke, Mark
and I all stood.

James looked shocked. "Forts, I didn't know. I assure you."

Forts looked like he was going to explode. "Stop the film. Stop it now," he
barked at no one in particular. The screen went blank, but the soundtrack
continued playing the Soviet Anthem. The lights came on in the hall. I
looked round. There was a sea of frightened open mouths staring at Forts.

Dima and Robert were now standing next to Forts and Davy. While Davy tried
in vain to calm Forts down, Dima remonstrated with James, "How could Gethin
betray Forts like this?" I stood gobsmacked as I watched the climax to
Tchaikovsky's 1812, complete with cannons, play out in front of me.

I glanced along at Duke. He looked shocked. He mouthed, "What should we
do?" I had no idea. Forts had lost it big time. I actually felt sorry for
James as he received a very public tongue lashing. I glanced at Mark. He
was smiling, he seemed to be enjoying the unfolding spectacle. At least
that gave me an outlet for my frustration and anger, "What are you grinning
at? Tobias, get that bloody Soviet Anthem stopped." Tobias hesitated, he
seemed to suspect something. I was sure he touched his gun, he then glanced
at Mark. Mere seconds dragged, Tobias looked at Mark, "Can you do that? I
will stay with Forts and Davy." Mark glanced at me, I nodded, "You go,"
Mark sneered and headed to the rear of the hall to where the technicians
were.

Duke had obviously seen the look Tobias had given Mark. He hissed as he
moved forward, "I don't like this one bit! This is just the sort of
distraction..." Duke moved forward to stand next to Forts and Davy, he
clearly had his hand on his gun inside his jacket. I joined him, barking at
Tobias to do the same. What else was I to do? The anthem soundtrack
stopped. Mark practically ran back down to us, he seemed to edge Tobias
away from Forts and Davy.

The sudden look of concern on Davy's face showed he had become aware that
Forts and he were now surrounded by the security team. He glanced round at
us and then around the room apprehensively as his senses heightened.

He took hold of Forts' arm, more forcibly now. "Forts, enough now." He
hissed at him. "You are frightening the boys. If you want to leave, we will
leave." As if on cue, little Jimmy pushed past me towards Forts. He was
crying and holding his arms up to him. "Are we not going to see the film?"
He sobbed. Jimmy continued, "Why are you shouting? You're frightening me."
Forts leant down and picked him up.

It appeared to be just what Forts needed as his sanity returned. He forced
himself to smile and cuddled Jimmy. "I'm sorry. You go and sit back down
and I will get them to start the film again." Jimmy's smile returned and
Forts put him back down. Forts turned to Davy. "We are leaving! James, you
stay here with Dima and Robert. I don't want to see you again tonight."

Davy shook his head, and he turned to follow Forts, who was already
striding out of the hall, with Duke in front and Mark behind him. James
made one last plea, "Davy, I promise I didn't know. I am as shocked as you
are. Please tell him." Davy nodded and hurried out after Forts. As he got
to Mark by the door, all the lights went out, plunging the hall into pitch
darkness.

Tobias and I got caught up in the chaos as Chris, Dima, James, and Robert
tried to keep the boys calm. By the time we got through them and reached
the door, Forts, Davy, Duke, and Mark were nowhere to be seen. Tobias
turned to me, "Oh God, we have to find them... That news story must have
been the signal."

"What fucking signal?"


**

Davy continues the story

I caught up with the three of them at the door just as the lights went off
in the hall. Duke was right next to Forts, Mark seemed to be waiting for
me. He grabbed hold of me, "Good, you are here too." The lights went out. I
heard myself speaking, "Mark, did you just turn the lights out?" He grabbed
me and ushered me forward to Forts and Duke, hissing, "Don't be stupid."

"In here." Duke grabbed both Forts and me and pushed us through the first
door we came to. The door banged shut, and I heard it lock. There was a
scuffle and a grunt. What? "Who was that?"

Forts shouted, "Davy, are you alright?"

The lights coming on temporarily blinded Forts and me. We found ourselves
staring at Mark who had his back to the door. His pistol was pointed at us
both. He had Duke's gun stuffed into the waistband of his trousers. Duke
was on the floor, dazed, blood trickling from an open gash on the back of
his head. I went to help him. Mark stabbed the gun towards me, "Just stay
where you are." I don't know why, but I felt strangely calm.

Forts reached for my arm and shook his head, "Davy, do as he says. If he
only wanted to kill me, he would have done it by now." Forts' hand fumbled
for mine, squeezing it tightly.

Mark chuckled, "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that, Your Imperial Bloody
Highness."

I shook my head, practically laughing to myself. "So many signs, and yet we
were still prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. Just tell me why
you dragged Calvin into it?"

"Oh, it is thanks to him, it was all brought forward. I had wanted to get
the two of you together with Prince Draco. Get rid of all three of you
parasites at once."

I wasn't sure what he was saying. "So Calvin is involved in it too."

Mark smirked and sneered, "That stupid kid... No, he is not involved, he
was just a useful idiot. I really thought you were on to me about the
squirrels..." Mark shook his head, "You are both as stupid as he is."

Duke gave a groan and tried to sit up. "What the fuck?" Mark leant forward
and dug his fingers into Duke's wound. "Just stay where you are." Mark
crouched down by the injured Duke. "You don't know how pleased I am you're
here, too. I have always hated you, even at school and University."

Duke again tried to get up.

This time Mark shoved the muzzle of his pistol into the bloody patch on
Duke's head. He leant to Duke's ear, "I was going to let you watch while I
ended the Romanov dynasty in the United Kingdom. But, due to your incessant
interfering, you get to die first!"

Mark cocked his pistol, slowly pulling back on the snap, before pointing it
at Duke's temple. "Any last words you want to share with me or these
parasites?"

Poor Duke just winced, his voice breaking, "Forts, Davy, I am so sorry. I
failed you."

Mark laughed, "You were right about the once a Communist, always a
Communist, though." He laughed again, "Pity they wouldn't listen to you."

Duke groaned, spitting at Mark. "You won't get away with this."

Mark pushed the barrel harder against Duke's temple, "Oh, but I will, How
does this sound ... I tried to stop him... but Duke overpowered me. He shot
them both before I could stop him... Sound convincing?" Mark laughed and
pressed the end of the pistol harder into the side of Duke's
temple. Taunting him, "Are you sure you have nothing better to say?
... Nothing...  really? No last insult for me to add to the catalogue of
them you have used over the years?"

Forts took a step forward. "Look Mark, it's me you want. Please don't hurt
Duke anymore. Just get it over with and shoot me!" Forts pulled his fingers
from my hand and pushed out his chest.

I tried to keep hold of him. "Forts no!"

Forts turned to me, his eyes watering, he mouthed, "I love you." He let out
a sob, "Please just shoot me, but please don't hurt Davy or our son Draco."

"Oh dear, I can't promise not to finish off Draco or Davy, Your Imperial
Highness..." Mark lifted his head as he turned to sneer at Forts. Instead,
he found himself staring straight into the barrel of my pistol, his
momentary look of surprise and shock vanishing in a spray of blood and
brains as I pulled the trigger. The ringing in my ears, mixing with the
promise I had made myself, 'I wasn't ever going to be caught defenceless
again'.

Forts looked stunned, "Davy! my God."

There was shouting outside in the corridor, then hammering on the door. It
burst open in a shower of wood splinters. I still had my gun out. I was
face to face with Darius and Tobias, both with their guns drawn.

I don't know how I sounded so calm, but I really was. "We are both okay,
but can one of you check Duke?" My voice sounded distant to me. Forts was
still standing, a look of total shock on his face.

Seeing that both of us were safe, Tobias crumpled to the floor,
sobbing. His lips barely moving as he repeated, "I'm so sorry, I'm so
sorry."


                        **********************

Folks, there is nothing more rewarding than hearing from you that you are
enjoying the story. Please take the time to email me to let me
know. Blackscar.

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'NightCam Fun'                      – Gay/Encounters
'Exploring my brother'              – Gay/Incest
'Josh's Adventures series'          - Gay/Adult Youth
'An Army life for me'               - Gay/Adult Youth/Military
'Grandmas Bedroom'                  – Bisexual/Incest
'Dominic Online'                    – Gay/Adult Youth
'Vampyre'                           – Gay/Adult Youth
'Operation Pied Piper'              – Gay/Adult Youth
'Scream if you want to go faster'   - Bisexual/Adult Youth
'Red and Nick'                      – Bisexual/Military
'The Extraordinary Christmas Party' – Bisexual/Incest
'A Brother Used'                    - Gay/Incest
'A very English Trailer Park'       - Gay/Adult Youth
'Special lube Oil'                  - Gay/Adult Youth