Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2001 12:46:34 -0700 (PDT) From: Zane Green Subject: Tessellations-Chapter 18 TESSELLATIONS, Chapter 18 BY ZANE HUNTER-GREEN For those who are starting to read this story. I tried to stay accurate to the facts of the Byzantine era until this time, when I may depart from facts for the sake of the story. My main character, Saffron (Ron) has a form of Klinefelter's syndrome whereas the male has an extra X chromosome. The form that my character has is called Mosaicism, which translates into having only a few XXY cell-lines, instead of all cells. Therefore his only symptom is a feminine appearance, and infertility, making him a natural eunuch in a sense. During the Byzantine era the eunuch was a pivotal part of the church and Government. One of the Empress's husbands, Michael was the brother of two eunuchs, one of which originally made the introduction. To become a eunuch was to command an important role in the Governing body of the time and place of this story. I selected the title of Tessellation's for the two-fold meaning of mosaics, and the form of decorations used by the Byzantine church. I also wrote about a boy with Klinefelter's in regard to Ganymede's story Family Affair where he writes in detail about Klinefelter's addressing it as a problem in a contemporary child. This story is dedicated to him. During the time of this story a boy with a genetic disorder was explained away as a changeling, or a curse from a witch. We have grown so much that I wonder where we will be in a thousand years. One of the best ways is to study the past. I am also writing about the theme of genetics and cell re-generation in my Sci-fi story Scarecrows from Jupiter. If you enjoy reading these stories please help support Nifty. The copyright of this story belongs to the author, and all characters and actions are from my imagination. I can be reached for constructive criticism at ZaneG7@excite.com The ship sat just beyond the lagoon for the rest of the night; it's position kept it from drifting into the shallows. In the morning it was to reverse direction, and backtrack to keep its destination secret from the eyes of the Byzantine ships, and any private concern that wanted to know it's business. The salt stung the air. Ron woke up, unpleasant cramping in his bowls, the result from the passionate night with Dominic. He was tempted to run his fingers through the wiry curls of Dominic's chest hairs, as he hoped the cramps would abate His fingers curled in anticipation. "Ohhh," he moaned as a new pain punched his lower abdomen. He knew that he should wake Dominic but as he looked at his peaceful face, he didn't have the heart to. Maybe if he lay still, and concentrated on something else. It wasn't any good; he had to relieve himself. Quietly so not to wake him from his slumber, Ron glazed his hand against Dom's semi-flacid member. It felt soft yet powerful. It was a toy and an instrument of passion; Ron sighed as he remembered how much he enjoyed it as it slipped inside of his anus. Dominic was always gentle with foreplay loosening him with tender strokes, one than two digits penetrating to find that magic place that excited him for contact with the harden cock of his man. Dominic would press his lips against him, enclosing him possessively letting him know that he was the light in the soldier's life. He unconsciously licked his lip as he already hungered for more; he tried to ignore the persistent cringe of his lower bowel. He almost woke up Dom, as he realized that he would be upset if he knew that he would venture above deck unescorted. Ron felt a twinge of guilt; Dominic had so little sleep in the last two days. Surely he was old enough that he didn't need to be escorted up above deck to relieve himself. In the dark cabin he tried to search but couldn't find a chamber pot. His bowls felt very loose now, he knew that he could easily hold on to the side of the ship and find his comfort in private. It would only take a few minutes. He was hardly a baby, and he spent many a night wandering the woods by himself. What would be the harm of a few moments alone on the deck? He quickly slipped his tunic on, forgoing the leggings and shoes. Nature was calling him desperately now and he was too proud to have an accident. He tore up the ladder, and ran to the starboard side of the ship. In the moonlit darkness the ship slumbered. He was just aware of a few shadows off in the distance of men keeping watch on the portside. Like a young gymnast he mounted the side and pulled over far enough so he wouldn't target the ship. He closed his eyes in relief, and was startled into opening them. Large hands pried his slender fingers from the side, and his legs were roughly pulled from their grip. Before he could cry out he was flung helplessly into the night, and the shock of the cold salt water. Thrashing about he thought that he was going to drown. He forced himself not to panic. He knew how to swim although it had been months since he used his skills, the sea was dark, and his eyes stung worse than his lungs. He knew that he had too clear his vision and look for a piece of driftwood. He wasn't far from the shore so if he was calm he should be all right. As he tried to get his baring to find the shoreline a small boat was already beside him. They had heard something splashing awkwardly in the waters, and thought it might be a large fish. Saffron felt a net swoop over him, and he was pulled through the water, lifted up towards the side of a fishing vessel there he was grabbed by the hair and lifted up like a marlin on a harpoon. He shivered as hands pulled off his soaking tunic. He did not quite understand the language spoken around him but he knew he was in a vulnerable position among so many whom towered over him. In the dim light he could see that they were as blond as he was, and well built men. He shivered which prompted a man who looked like a small giant to him to envelop him in muscular arms. Now he could barely breathe. Others laughed as the stranger held him up like he was a wet doll. He tried to kick but he was no match. The giant lowered him only to pet and caress him with his large hands. He could feel the hands travel down his small neck, his lean shoulders. The giant was clearly appraising him, and smiled encouragingly at him. He met the eyes straight on. Then he was offered a blanket, which seemed to tame his shivering. He was scared as he felt them rowing him away from his own ship. He had no idea where they were taking him. He would have tried to leap back overboard if it wasn't for the fact that the giant held him in his arms with an inhuman strength. He tried to explain that if they took him safely back to the ship, which was in the direction he hoped he was pointing at, they would be richly rewarded. The men laughed at him, and the one holding on to him kissed him on the lips to silence him. The yellow giant forced his lips apart, and the others applauded as the man wedged his tongue into Ron's mouth. Ron tried not to choke as he felt the large obstruction push back against his throat. The man pushed harder against his lips sucking them with his own. Finally the man slid his tongue out and let Ron catch his breath. He tried to shout out loud for Dominic to come and save him, which only seemed to amuse his capture's as the cries of the ocean drowned his voice. Ron knew that it was pointless, Dom was still asleep, and the threat of the big hands holding him tightly made him aware that he could be quickly silenced. Ron did the only thing that he tried so hard not to do. He started to shiver uncontrollably, and then he felt the bitter tears sting his check. The man seemed to take some pity, and he felt his tears wiped away. They were no longer laughing at him. This gave Ron some hope but it was short lived. The man wanted to help his crewmates row so he took some fishing cord and tied Ron's hands behind his back. He was then tied with his legs sprawled on the seat beside the giant. He knew that were afraid he would dive overboard if they left him loose. It had been his plan. Now he could only pray that the ship would not hit a rock, and break apart. He was at the mercy of the skill of the strangers to keep their boat afloat. And all the while he was being taken away from his lover. Finally hitting the shoreline he was picked up and carried up the bank to a rough encampment. He could make out a few burnt embers where there must have been a campfire earlier. In the distant he saw the silhouette of a much larger vessel. Men ran down to the dock speaking that strange language, which only in a sketchy way reminded him of his own native tongue. The blond giant pulled him closer, claiming ownership. Finally a older man walked over and addressed Ron in Greek. "Who, are you boy?, they are claiming you are a male siren or something, ocean born." "At last, someone I can talk to", Ron anwered relieved, " Tell them that I was pushed off my own ship, and my father will reward them well for returning me." "Who is your father?" "He is Romanus of Byzantine related by marriage to the Empress Zoë." "That may not be a good thing for you. We are not friends of the Empress." Ron sighed and tried to untangle his hands. Maybe it was pointless to say any more to these people. If they knew he was French as well, it might mean his doom. "Aronson however likes you very much, if you pretend to be a common lad he would keep you as a page me thinks." The man winked at Ron, and waited for him to agree. "There are some who know who I am." "But not where they are going my boy. They are traveling next to visit kin in Iceland. If you keep quiet you will have a good enough life at sea." "I would rather declare my name, and take my chances." " You act brave for such a comely lad. It is better for you to take your chances at sea with this crew I advise you to have me tell Aronson that you are a regular lad who was clumsy on his ship. If you are Romanus, bastard son as I believe there is a steep price on your head. There are more enemies here for you than friends. If you play the hand you have well, Aronson would make a good friend for you to have. At this juncture you won't have to woe him very far. If you are as clever as your father, you would take this Viking by the horn." "I am no one's bastard, and I am not my father. I have one lover, and he will be worried sick if I am not returned home." "So I have heard about this lover, I heard that you take your Father's spoils." Saffron choked back tears of frustration. Here was a man who was mortally insulting him, yet he was impotent to do anything as he was forced to listen." "I am not your enemy, young Saffron, I am a friend of your fathers as well. I happen to know that your father wants you away from Byzantine now to protect you, as well as his own house, which includes your Dominic. If you were smart you would realize that this opportunity to flee is from providence. Who would search for you on a Viking ship? Take it boy. It is far braver to save your friends. Later you can tell Aronson who you really are, if he hasn't guessed already. He is a very clever man. I think he wants you to pretend to be a common merboy." Saffron had a moment to analyze his choices. A voice was telling him to go to the sea on this unexpected ship, in which his voyage would take him to the same port, just in a different way than was planned. "Tell Aronson that I was a cabinboy." Ron instructed. The man quickly explained about Ron to the Viking. Aronson started to laugh, and slapped Ron lightly on his exposed thigh. "Why is he laughing at me?" Ron asked. "Because he thinks he's a Viking who is in love with a young colt without sealegs." Answered the Greek. Ron snorted in indignation. He would prove to them that he was man enough to last until he could find Dominic again. He could only shudder as the thought what would happen when Dom awoke, and he was no longer there. Well he had little choice. The sea never made promises to anyone who dared to travel upon her. He was lucky that he had survived to touch land again, although he could see from the activity on the strange ship, that he had but one night, and he would be back at sea for a long time."