Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2023 12:59:39 +0000 (GMT) From: blackscar01 Subject: Operation Pied Piper - Part 151b 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. ******* If you enjoy my story or any others on the Nifty site, please show your appreciation and donate what you can afford. ******* Finally, thank you once again to my editor, Jim. ******* Athol glanced at me, then back at Davy. "Forts is fine, Davy. We are not here to speak to you about him. But we do have some sad news." Momentarily Davy looked relieved, and then that relief vanished again. "What is it? What's happened?" Athol steeled himself, "Davy, it's about Gary." Davy looked confused. The door behind him clicked open. "Good morning Athol, what about me?" ** Operation Pied Piper – Part 151b – Part 151b minor characters making an appearance or receiving a mention: Mr Gary Morris – (Gary) 26yrs old. Half Brother to Athol. Father of Aaran. Gethin Evans – (Mr G/Gethin) RAF Rank Air Marshall – One of Davy and Forts closest and most trusted friends. Professor Harding – (Harding/Cornelius/Con) resident Doctor for Castle Fraser Boys School. Oliver Van Cusen – (Olly) Doctor, burns specialist – Partner to Harding. Captain James Brandt – (James/Brandt/Captain Brandt) Officer in the 4th Battalion of the Black Watch.5'10 'The Viscount Tilney'. Forts Equerry. Richard Forbes – (Mr Forbes/Richard/Rich) 30year old New History Master at Fraser Castle School. Robert Milner – (Robert/Rob) Resident photographer and artist at Castle Fraser. ** Davy takes up the story Athol stood open mouthed, he glanced at Archie, "Gary is it really you? You are supposed to be dead!" Athol glanced down at the telegram he was holding and then back at Gary. "They just told us you had been killed." "was that what the military vehicle was doing at the Castle when I left yesterday?" Athol turned to me, "Davy, yes. I thought it would be better to come over and tell you in person." I nodded. Athol turned back to Gary. "But, how? ..." Gary smiled, "Well if you give me a hug big brother, you will see I am still very much alive." A tear rolled down Athol's face. He moved with a speed, which his large frame would suggest wasn't possible to hug Gary. "God, I thought we had lost you forever." The two of them embraced, slapping and rubbing each other on the backs for several seconds, before they broke apart. Archie moved over and hugged Gary too. "Hello, Gary." "Archie." Athol was still standing, shaking his head in disbelief. "I had better give you these back then." He handed Gary the three blood-stained photographs and the letter from Forts. "This is such great news. Have you let the army know?" Gary glanced round at me and then back at Athol. "No, as far as they are aware, I am Arthur Wiggins, and that is the way I want it to remain." "But, you can't what about his family?" Athol glanced at me. I had already been over this with Gary. I avoided Athol's eyes. Gary turned and sat down. "Brother, you had better join me. We need to talk." Athol shook his head, but joined Gary on the couch. Gary continued, "Firstly, Arthur was an orphan. He has no living family. So no one needs to know it was him who was killed and not me. Secondly, and most importantly for me anyway, this is the new start I need." "Gary, but what about Aaran?" Athol looked really concerned. Gary glanced at me and smiled. I bit my lip as he turned back to Athol. "Aaran has been adopted by Davy and Forts, they will make much better parents that I ever could... It will give him a new start too. I will take up a new life as Arthur Wiggins, one without all the baggage I had before." "But?" Athol gasped again. Gary took his hand, "Brother, please, this is my decision. I ask you to respect it." "But... Forts, you must let him know." Gary shook his head. "Forts has enough on his plate without having to deal with my miraculous return, from what Dima tells me... Speaking of Dima, I promised to meet him, he is going to show me Ladon, Pegasus and Daphnes' son." Gary stood. Athol jumped up too and took hold of Gary's arm. "But where are you going? How long are you going to stay?" Gary smiled, "I don't know the answer to those questions, if I am honest." He smiled, "But it sounds like a couple of people need a visit." I felt myself sigh, bloody Dima and his big mouth. "Gary, no. Forts and I will be okay." Gary winked, "Oh, I can promise you that." Athol gripped him tighter, "Gary, please don't go without speaking to Forts, it will break his heart if he knows you came here and didn't see him... Think of what you are asking Davy to do! To lie to his partner." I swallowed and looked at the floor. Athol was right, I had no idea how I was going to be able to keep this from Forts, nor did I want to. Gary looked at each of us in turn. "Alright, let me think about that. But I don't want any of you telling him before I make my decision." Why did we all nod? Gary smiled and left, "Right, where is Dima?" ** James continues the story Stuart and I stood quietly at the back of the room. The King was about to receive a war briefing, it could be about anything. Forts was sitting on the King's right-hand side, this was one of several briefings he had been allowed to attend. There was a gentle tap on the ornate door. The door opened and another of the King's equerries came in. He bowed, "Your Majesties, Air Marshall Gethin Evans to brief you both." Forts' mouth dropped open. He glanced at a smiling King George VI. "Of course, you know Air Marshall Evans, don't you, Drageon?" Forts nodded as they both stood as Gethin, in full uniform, came into the room. He paused as he saw Forts, a brief smile broke across his face. He smartly came to attention and bowed. "Your Majesties." "Air Marshall, please come in. I hope you have no objections, but His Imperial Highness, Drageon Drageonivanov Romanov, will be sitting in on your briefing." "It is my pleasure Sir, Drageon." Gethin gave a head bowed to Forts, who was beaming back at him. Forts and the King resumed their seats. The King smiled again, "Perhaps before you leave Air Marshall, you could spare some time to have a conversation with Drageon here. I know he would appreciate it." "Certainly, sir. I would like that very much." * Gethin began his briefing, it concerned a massive air raid on the Nazi ball bearing works in Schweinfurt. "As you are aware your Majesty, following my work with the Russians, I was assigned by Air Chief Marshall Harris to assist and liaise with the command of the US Eighth Army Air Force regarding the planning of the raid. Sir, the raid took place yesterday, the 14th of October." Gethin paused, he paled, his shoulders slumped as he broke eye contact with the King. Something was wrong, very wrong. Gethin exhaled and continued, "Sir, you will recall that the August raid on the same production facilities, although it was spuriously claimed by American intelligence to have reduced ball bearing production by thirty-four per cent, it cost many lives, with many bombers lost. However, the decision was taken to re-bomb the target. It has taken nearly two months to rebuild the bomber force and train the necessary crews. This time also gave the Germans time to upgrade their defences, which I warned about. Sir, I strongly advised against the raid taking place. I would like that recorded. The Nazi air defences were going to be just too strong." Gethin paused again. The King nodded, "Understood, Air Marshall, go on." Gethin brought himself to attention, "The raid took place yesterday, sir, the American High Command having decided to go ahead. Sir, a force of two hundred and ninety-one B17 heavy bombers were launched to attack the targets." Gethin swallowed again, Forts was now looking concerned for his friend. "Sir, I am sorry to report of that total attacking force, sixty bombers were lost. A further seventeen so badly damaged as to have to be scrapped, and a further one hundred and twenty-one suffered damage of some form or other as to make them unserviceable until the necessary repairs are made." I was sure a tear rolled down from Gethin's good eye. "Sir, Six Hundred and fifty young men lost their lives. The losses are equivalent to twenty-six per cent of the attacking force and twenty-two per cent of the involved flight crews. The operation was a complete failure. I estimate that the Germans will have production back at pre-raid levels in at the most six weeks." Gethin stood in silence, we all did, while what he was saying sunk in. The King stood, Forts quickly followed. The King reached for a cigarette. Gethin brought himself to attention again. "Sir, I accept full responsibility for my failure to get our allies to postpone the raid. Sir, you will have my resignation letter on your desk later today." The King moved forward, "I won't accept it Air Marshall. As you have made clear, you advised against this follow up raid, the blame does not lie at your door." The King turned away, "Thank you, Air Marshall." Gethin saluted and turned for the door and was let out. The King stopped next to Forts. "Drageon, go to your friend. I get the feeling he is in a very bad, lonely place." Forts nodded and bowed, then headed out through the door, I followed. ** Jeremy continues the story I jumped up as Prince Dima and, my God, it was Gary, came into Ladon and Daphnes' stall. "Gary, is that you?" He smiled and reached out his hand, "Jeremy." "I don't believe it." I was flabbergasted. "Prince Dima said I had to meet Ladon." I smiled, "Well, here he is." Ladon was peering out from behind his mum. "Hello Daphne," Gary clapped her neck. "Hello, little fella!" Gary stepped towards him. There was a mighty clump against the wooden partition, it made us all jump. Gary broke in a broad smile, "I would recognise those hooves anywhere. Hello, Big fella." Pegasus' head nudged into Gary. Gary blew gently into his nose. "Have you been looking after everyone?" Gary whispered in his ear. I stood amazed, watching the interaction between Gary and Pegasus. I had honestly thought only Forts had that closeness with the great black beast. Gary clapped his neck, "You and I will chat later, but now I would like to meet your son Ladon." Now call me a liar, but that horses' eyes flashed red. He gave a little whinny, and Ladon came out from behind his mum. He stood, legs firmly planted in the straw. Gary got down to speak to him. "Hello, I'm Gary, Daddy's good friend." He leant to the foals ear, "Have you joined the gang now then? That's great news," he whispered. That bloody foal nodded, I swear to God. While Gary was kneeling down in the straw whispering, Dima turned to me. "I will be speaking to Forts later, is everything okay? Any problems?" "No sir, everything is fine." Dima nodded, "Good, I will let him know." Pegasus gave a deep rumble and looked towards the stall door. Gary stood saying, "Is he?" I glanced at Dima, he shook his head as confused as I was. I moved to the half open stable door and looked out. Davy had just walked into the stable yard with Edik and the boys, each of the boys wearing a little rucksack on their backs. I slipped the bolt and went outside to meet them. "Davy... Edik... Hello boys." Andrew grinned, pushing himself forward, "We going riding." "And me!" gabbled both Draco and Aaran. I turned back to Gary, I was just about to say, "Aaran is here," when Davy stopped me. What was that all about? Davy smiled, "Jeremy, can you saddle up some of the Shetlands for the boys? I was intending to take them all for a little trek and a picnic in the woods. But as you are here, would you be able to take them with Edik for me? Gary, perhaps you would like to go with the boys?" Gary and Dima had moved to the stall door. Gary gave Davy a knowing smile, "Yes, I could do that." Dima appeared to be about to say he would help, when Davy turned to him. "Prince Dima, I would like a word with you, please." "Certainly, Davy." Gary joined Edik and me with the boys and the six of us headed off to get the ponies ready. ** Athol takes up the story Archie and I drove back to Castle Fraser in silence. Seeing Gary alive and relatively well had been a shock to us both. Then, hearing him say he intended to remain 'dead' to the world, well, what could we say. Archie broke the silence, "Do you think he will wait until Forts gets back before leaving?" I sighed, "I certainly hope so. Forts will never forgive any of us for not keeping him here if he vanishes again." "Did you hear him mention Dima had spoken to him?" "Yes, I don't even want to think about that." Archie turned the car in through the castle gates. "Who's that?" I pointed towards two figures disappearing into the forest. Archie's eyes followed mine. "Ah, looks like Richard and Robert." "Richard Forbes?" Archie nodded, "Yes, they seem to be getting on very well. I heard Robert gave Richard a picture of him teaching." "Really?" I gave a little chuckle. "There must be something in the bloody water here at the Castle." Archie grinned, "You're telling me." ** Forts continues the story As James and I hurried towards the Buckingham Palace garden, a footman opened the taped, glazed French door. I could see Gethin walking on the small lawn near the trees, with his head down, his officer's cap in his hands. "James, can I have a minute alone with him, please?" "Certainly Forts, I will be here if you need me." I hurried out and along one of the many paths between the rows of vegetables, the majority of the lawns even at Buckingham Palace having been turned over to vegetable growing. "Gethin!" I called out. He turned to face me. It was only as I got closer I could see he had been crying. "Forts!" We both hugged each other. Gethin's face was wet with tears, "Forts, I can't do this anymore. I can't send anymore young men to die." He began to sob. ** Chris takes up the story I hadn't really seen Davy for a few of days, not since the kilt fitting. Well, not to really talk to. In passing, he had said how excited he was about his upcoming trip on Friday down to see Forts. Forts had now been away now for two weeks. Having said that, most days, his smiling face was looking back at us from an assortment of newspaper front pages. I kicked myself now, but with the approach of winter, and Forts away, there was a lot to sort out, both on the estate and at Downe House, so I hadn't really spoken to Davy. * "Dima, give me a minute alone, will you?" Dima nodded. "I will be by the door." It was late now. I didn't even knock, I just burst through the door into the meeting room door and looked in. Davy was sat at the main table. He didn't even look up. An un-stoppered crystal decanter of whiskey sat a foot away from him and a filled tumbler near his hand. Poor Dima had been beside himself when he found me. We had run down from Downe House straight away by torch light. This was so unlike Davy, he never drank like this. Dima had told me that Davy had been drinking for nearly two days now, all day, and refusing to speak to see or speak to anyone, including the boys. He had even been 'unavailable' when Forts had tried to ring him, all since Robert had passed on the messages from Squadron Leader Burgess, the King's equerry. The messages were two telegrams, the first had basically said that Davy was not to come to Sandringham and that his Imperial Highness would be in touch. The next that Prince Draco was to be brought down to Sandringham, by Edik, with no mention of Davy. I hadn't even spoken to James for a few days now, so I had no idea what was going on. * "Davy, is it okay if I come in?" Davy didn't answer, he just continued to cut out something from the newspaper. I walked over to the table. He was surrounded by front pages and even some inner pages; each had photographs of Forts' smiling face and eyes, looking out from them, many with that incredible smile of his, all of them with a different woman on his arms. The headlines were all in a similar vein. 'Happiness At Last For Britain's Most Eligible Batchelor?' 'Will He Finally Find Happiness?' 'Another Day, Another Beauty' 'Will She Become The Next Empress Of All the Russias?' 'Playboy Prince Living It Up In London' 'A Meeting of European Royals' 'Princesses Galore for His Imperial Highness'. Davy ignored me. I stood watching as he finished cutting out the picture. It was of Forts and some woman. Davy opened a large scrapbook and, using some glue, pasted the newspaper cutting on to one of the pages. He glanced up at me, his eyes were glazed and red. "They are all right, you know... Look how happy he looks. ... Every paper, every day, a different princess or countess, much more like what he should have than me." His voice, slightly slurred, faltered, "A real mum for Draco, someone he can be proud of, rather than me." Davy lightly let his fingers dance across Forts' smiling face in the picture. He stared at it for a few moments and then picked up another paper and began cutting out the headline and picture, yet another photograph of Forts and some debutante. I wanted to knock the scissors out of his hands and give him a shake. "Davy, no, you are wrong! You know what is happening. This is all about squashing any rumours spread by Uvarov and Formoye. You agreed to it, remember? Forts doesn't care about these people, he loves you." He picked up his tumbler and emptied it, then clumsily lifted the decanter and filled it once more. "Do you want one?" I went to reach for his glass, "Davy, please. I think you have had enough." "You heard he has cancelled me going to meet him at Sandringham, did you? ... Doesn't sound like he wants me around." Davy downed the tumbler contents in one. "Davy, you know that's not true!" "Really?" He slurred and shoved two crumpled telegrams towards me. "Read them for yourself." Dima had told me that the telegrams from Squadron Leader Burgess were both strange and seemed somehow incomplete. Basically, the first message was that Davy was not to come down anymore and Forts would see him when he eventually got back. The second stated that Prince Draco was to be brought down to Sandringham as soon as possible, but it made no mention of Davy, only Edik. That final message and the constant drip, drip of pictures and newspaper stories seemed to have pushed Davy over the edge, causing him to suspect the worst and doubt himself and worse, Forts. I read and reread the two telegrams. "Davy, there is something not right about these, something is missing. Did you ask Forts about them when he phoned?" "I haven't spoken to him." He went back to cutting. "What's the point?" "But he has phoned, surely?" I knew Forts had tried, Dima had told me that, adding that Davy was refusing to take the calls. Forts had made several now, each one becoming more frantic, apparently. Neither Dima nor Robert had been around, only Marcus when Forts had made them, and poor Marcus wasn't sure what he could or couldn't say in response to Forts' questioning. I shook my head, "There is something not right about these telegrams. I am phoning Forts right now!" Davy shook his head, pasting another picture into the scrapbook. "I wouldn't waste your breath... He is probably busy, being royal... anyway!" "Davy, stop this! Stop it right now! Give me that glass, you are not drinking anymore!" I picked up the tumbler and decanter. "No, leave them here." Davy glared at me drunkenly, "Chris, do me a favour, just go away." Davy began unsteadily, struggling to take back hold of the glass and decanter. "Dima, I could do with a hand!" The door flew open and Dima, Robert, Professor Harding, and Van Cusen came running into the room. Dima looked distraught, he glanced at me, "Chris, sorry, but I asked for Professor Harding and Doctor Van Cusen to come too." The two doctors got hold of a now raging Davy. I turned to Dima, "I don't care what time it is I am phoning Forts, right now!" Dima nodded. "I'll come with you." "Robert, Professor, Olly, can you all stay with Davy, until we get back, please?" * Dima and I moved down to the meeting room. Dima looked pensive, "Chris, do you mind making the call?" I nodded, "Okay." I picked up the handset of the phone and contacted the local telephone exchange. "Operator, I wish to make a long-distance call to London, please." The call seemed to take ages to be connected down to London and then even longer to be connected to Buckingham Palace. I really didn't need the sceptical operator who answered the phone at the Palace. Finally, I lost my temper. "Now look. Think! You are making a career decision here. I am the Baronet Kingholm, now put me through to the suite of His Imperial Highness, The Grand Duke, Drageonivanov Romanov, immediately!" There was a pause and the phone line went dead for a moment, then rang again. "His Imperial Highness' suite, The Viscount Tilney speaking." "James, it's me Chris, Dima is listening in too, what the hell is going on down there?" "Chris, it's you." James' voice became muffles like he was shielding his mouth, "I could ask the same thing. Forts is beside himself, he has been trying to speak to Davy for a couple of days, but keeps being told he is unavailable." "James, Davy is in no fit state to speak to anyone currently." "Oh no, what's happened to him?" "Well, at the moment, he is totally pissed." "Pissed? God, why?" "James, what are all those telegrams about we have been receiving? Davy is having a meltdown." James seemed to hesitate. "What? that we are coming back early?" "Back early? ... James, we have received a few now, one said Davy wasn't to go to Sandringham to meet Forts and that Forts would be back sometime." "What?" "The next that Prince Draco was to be brought down by Edik, but Davy was not to go. Then with all those daily newspaper headlines..." "Oh, God no. They have new staff in the office here at Buckingham Palace, Stuart said there had already been some mix ups." "Well, Davy is now convinced that Forts doesn't love him anymore and that Forts would be better off with one of those women who have been hanging from his arms like Christmas baubles in all the photographs." "Oh God, no. Forts has been really worried that Davy wouldn't speak to him. Why didn't anyone contact me?" "JAMES! Do you realise how difficult it is to get through that palace operator? And none of us realised the effect of everything on Davy, well, not until now." "Chris, hang on." I could hear a muffled conversation taking place at the other end of the phone. "Chris, Forts wants to speak to you!" James gasped as the phone was snatched from his hand. It was Forts. "Chris, it is me. What the hell's going on? Get Davy to the phone!" ** Richard Forbes takes up the story All my marking finally completed, I had just made myself a cup of Ovaltine. I was actually quite pleased with myself. It seemed that the boys had been listening, and more importantly absorbing what I had been saying. That photograph of Castle Fraser Robert had given me had been a tremendous help and had really driven home my lesson. When faced with something in black and white, it can be hard to deny it. I picked up the mug of Ovaltine, the wartime ditty, "We are the Ovaltineys, little girls and boys..." came flooding into my head. I began to hum the tune. 'Knock, Knock' Knock' I jumped and turned towards the door, "Who is it?" "Richard, sorry, I know it's a bit late, it is me, Robert Milner." My stomach fluttered. I glanced at my watch. "I won't be long... Or would you rather I come back tomorrow?" "No, one minute." I checked myself in my mirror and straightened my collar, then unlocked the door. "Robert, good evening, please come in." I melted at Robert's smile. He was carrying a small box and a cardboard tube. "Hello, Rich, sorry it's a bit late, but I wanted to see you, and give you these. You haven't been out at the studio for a couple of days." I blushed, he had noticed. "Come in." I closed the door behind him. We stood awkwardly facing each other for the briefest of moments; it felt longer. I took the two packages he held out for me. "What are these?" Now it was his turn to blush. "Nothing much... I hope you don't mind, I took a picture of you teaching the other day, you said you didn't have any of you doing that." "I don't," I began to remove the brown paper from the picture frame. "I hope you don't mind." He blushed a deeper pink, "I am not a crazy..." I chuckled as I looked at the picture. I was in full flow, "You have made me look really intelligent, thank you. This is great." He beamed at my comments. "You're very handsome... I just pointed the camera." My stomach fluttered again. Did he just say 'handsome?' I picked up the other box, "So what's this?" His eyes avoided mine, they seemed to focus on the floor. "Just a little gift... I hope you don't mind... I just wanted to get you something." I opened the package, inside was a small box of chocolates; an unheard-of luxury during the war. "My God, chocolates." He nodded, "Dexy, managed to get them for me. I thought you might like them." I felt lightheaded, "I do, but you shouldn't have. How kind." Robert was still standing opposite me. He glanced at the picture of Martin on my bedside cabinet and suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Well, I had better let you get on. I hope you don't mind me..." He turned for the door. "Robert, please, no, stay. I haven't even offered you a seat, how rude of me... I have just made some Ovaltine, would you like some?" He stopped and his smile returned, he grinned, "We are the Ovaltineys." I joined him singing, "Little girls and boys..." We both laughed. I took his arm, "Please have a seat, and Robert, thank you for the picture and the chocolates." ********************** 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. Other Nifty stories by Blackscar. '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