Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2018 19:43:25 +0000 From: Nicholas Nicholby Subject: Boys Guild Chapter 12, Gay, SciFi/Fantasy, Adult Youth, Prolific Authors Chapter Twelve This story is a work of fiction. It never happened, it never will. The characters and locations are all make believe and any resemblance to any place or person, living or dead, is simply in the mind of the reader and totally unintentional. Situations and sexual activities of the characters are fantasy, don't try dragon riding at home. The story is also the first in a series of stories about Kind Draviad's Realm. Please let me know if you enjoy by email to nicholas6996 (at) hot mail dot com Copyright 2018 by Nicholas Nicholby, all rights reserved. Not to be distributed or duplicated without express written permission of the author. The author hereby grants the Nifty Archive a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, and non-cancellable license to use, modify or alter and edit copy for clarity or style, reproduce, display, make compilations of and distribute the work. The Boys Guild The pennants were flapping in the fair breeze across the afterdeck of the two masted schooner moored at the bouys in the harbor. As counterpoint to the higher pitched snapping the tarp stretched as a sun shade gave an almost rumble. The schooner's owner and several others in his party were enjoying the fresh air, the view in the harbor and several bottles of fine Madeira wine that he had purchased along the southern coast. "That freak lightening storm certainly played havoc on that barque's mizzenmast," one of the men observed. "Aye, it was worrisome when the strikes marched out from the quay. I was afraid we would be in the general line, glad it stopped after the four," the owner replied. "Nothing we could do about it, but still, on a clear day with high clouds it was downright strange." The Archivist looked up from where he was making some notes, "Many strange things seem to be happening around that ship. Did you notice that with the wind change she stayed oriented the same? Taking a few bumps from slightly broadside waves now, but doesn't seem to be rolling." He thanked the steward that was refilling his glass. It was nice to be able to meet patrons as they passed through the Kingdom. Another guest speculated that the visible anchor chains fore and aft hadn't been moved and that seemed to be what was holding the ship although both lines certainly looked too lax and the ship should have been straining them both with the slightly abeam wind. "Well, how about a friendly little wager?" the schooner's owner said. "How about a 50/50 with one prize to our beloved Archive regardless of the outcome and the other prize to the winner of the closest time these Navy ships make their move?" "Navy ships?" the Archivist walked to the rail. "Yes, noticed them earlier, but surprised at the number of them now. Ever since the lightening strikes there have been a few skiffs added each watch. Right now I think there are some thirty skiffs and three frigates that have moved into the bay. They usually stay pretty far off. I think something's definitely up. See?" He was pointing to skiffs more or less hidden behind other vessels yet clearly all around yet several hundred spans from the barque. "Hmmm, and the lightening was yesterday you say? I'll wager a thousand gold that something happens near dawn tomorrow," one man said. "I'll wager a thousand they don't wait that long. Those Marines in the skiffs have been there one to two watches already. I choose just before dusk." "Well gentlemen, I wish my purse was as flush as yours, but since the Archive will win either way I'll wager 50 gold on the end of this watch. I do believe the Marines would have grounds to mutiny if they had to ride another watch or two in those skiffs." The schooner's owner laughed, "Well the cause is good. Blasted long voyages would be bloody murder without the cabinboy stories you seem to find for the Archive. Wish I could find a like minded boy! So I'll bet a thousand that like any good governmental action, they'll all just go back home doing nothing. Say, does that King's Post address work well?" The Archivist perked up, "Yes indeed, we love to hear our readers praise the authors that they enjoy. That young Nicholas is running right up there in popularity. You fellows know you can send a donation by choosing the DONATE button up top of most of the stories, correct?" http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html "Yes, I use it about every other month you know. Blasted great stories, wonderful that you keep them coming." They all were startled by the report of a single cannon from the castle walls. "Oh look boys, looks like a double win for the Archive. Seems the boarding nets are being limbered and the skiffs rowed at speed toward that crippled barque." Chapter 12 - The Low Side and the Wrong Side The Armorers were done below deck on the forward hold but the boys had their pallets arranged protectively around the Wizard and there was no moving them off the upper deck. The Marine Commander wasn't really worried, it looked to be a fair night, possibly a little chilly, but after the stifling heat and stench of the hold the open air and breeze was probably good medicine. He made sure the Quartermaster distributed more blankets and new pillows. He didn't anticipate, but also didn't quash the spontaneous pillow fight that broke out. Excess energy quickly disappeared and soon the boys were talking quietly to each other and snuggling together. The Commander did notice that the boys did not maintain the separation of the two cells. They were mixing freely together as one group. He did hear some whispered conversations along the lines of what happens to us now, but again, the older boys were soothing the younger boys and Abhi's calm manner and Gopan's steadfastness seemed very strong stabilizing agents. "We will be fine, we must get stronger and be healthy first," was Abhi's telling refrain. As the sun was setting the Cook sent around a hot drink of some sweet liquid. It was for the boys and the Marines and everyone working on the recovery. The Commander thought it was delicious but a little too sweet. The boys thought it was nectar of the cosmos. The Cook was asked for seconds. Taking broth and bread below to the cell that still contained the First Officer and those few others from the ship's crew the Commander brought the Cabin Boy out first. Needless to say the boy was terrified and when he caught sight of the rest of the crew chained to the rail he collapsed at the Commander's feet begging to be put back in the cell. The Commander got him calmed somewhat with another cup of broth and a cup of the hot drink and between heaving sobs, sniffles and sips the boy told some or all of his story. The Commander wouldn't determine the total veracity, but it was a beginning. The Cabin Boy had been on the ship for several years, he thought he was 7 or 8 birthmoons, but wasn't sure. He had been 4 when the Captain bought him in a port very far to the north where the ground was so cold it was like a rock and covered with hard and frigid water. He remembered he had lived in a building near the ships where there were many women who entertained the sailors. He and several other children called any of the women mother and were cared for as long as they helped in the kitchen and kept the fire warm and lots of other small jobs. One of the mothers had gotten sick with cold sweats and shakes and needed special nose medicine all the time. When she didn't have enough money for the medicine she had traded the boy to the Captain for a bottle that was going to last a long time. Back on the ship the Captain had laughed at the stupid woman who would surely use the medicine up all in a few days and probably kill herself. The boy had been beaten and tossed into a cupboard under the Captain's tall bed and he had lived there ever since doing what ever the Captain demanded and being used and beaten regularly. He didn't know why he had done it, but when the cells were built he knew they would be used for people and he had gone into one and refused to come out. He was a prisoner anyway, but he would not do anything to make another person's life horrible. The Captain had him beaten more, but he wouldn't come out and fought like a devil if they tried to take him out. Eventually they had left him alone, the Cook's Boys had been sneaking him a little bit of food. He didn't know what happened, but when the first people were shoved down the hold and into the cells there was a big fight and lots of noise and yelling. The next morning his cell had the Cook and his boys and the First Officer in it too. Now he begged the Marine Commander to let him go back and be with them, he didn't want to be part of keeping people in cells. Or let him jump over the side and maybe a fish would eat him and it would all be over. He was just so tired. The Commander gave him another piece of bread and gently walked him back to the cell. The boy ran to one corner and collapsed, the Cook's boys were quickly around him protectively. "You can see, we are dismantling the cells. It will take some time, that is why these people are still in the cells on this side. Everyone is sick and needs food and medicines, but these people will be free soon. Answer us truthfully and fully when questioned. You will be treated fairly according to the law," the Commander told the others. He directed one of the Physicians and a nurse to see to their needs and went to get an Armorer to remove their chains. He could see the glimmer of hope in the boys eyes as the shackles were knocked off and food and bread was provided again. He locked the cell as he left them, it was not yet decided about their fate. At the King's conference the pompous functionary was fairly sputtering as he waited to report to the King. When he was called he made a deep bow and started to speak. The King raised a hand and the man shut his mouth, he knew how to read this King, it would take a few moments more then he would have his satisfaction on that Marine and those vile urchins, as well as the charlatan of a Wizard who caused this problem by sleeping. "What of the progress, be brief, we have much else to cover," the King barely looked up. "Sire! I was prevented from bringing the Wizard to report to you by a wild band of vile urchins! They accosted me and kept me from even rousting the Wizard from his ill timed nap! Then a Marine stabbed me with his sword and threatened my life! The life of a King's Advisor! Me Your Majesty! He cut me!" the man bubbled it all out in almost one breath. The King did look up, "Stabbed with his sword you say? My you have made a miraculous recovery or my Marines are very much more sloppy with their technique than I expect? Where exactly were you stabbed?" "Why on the deck Your Majesty! Right in front of all those repugnant filthy beggar boys. Right in my ear Your Majesty," the man's hand went to his ear which was wrapped hideously in far too much bandaging. "Your ear you say? Well we can't have that, that might interfere with your ability to hear what I have asked you to do. Physician! Unwrap this man's ear and let us see if it can yet be saved, or must needs be amputated," the King had turned to the Chief Palace Physician who sat at the conference table. "Of course Your Majesty. Boy, bring us a bowl of water and fresh bandages," the Physician said to a Page Boy standing near the doorway who promptly disappeared. "Now, let us peel this wrapping," the Physician reached for the man's ear. "No, No, Your Majesty," the man flinched away. "It is far more important that you punish the Marine and rid that ship of that detestable urchin scum before remonstrating the Wizard for his sleeping while being called before you." "Interesting, I don't remember calling the Wizard before me," the King looked around the table at the other advisors who were shaking their heads no. "I do remember asking you to go aboard the ship and to find out how our actions were progressing. Perhaps your ear's demise was preceded by loss of hearing? Physician, continue." As the man continued to flinch away the King stood, "Stand still, it is my pleasure to see this grave affront you have complained about to the Privy Council." The Physician began to unwrap the bandage but it was so awkwardly done that it simply came off all of a piece in his hand. There was a small mark of blood on the bottom of the dressing and a small mark on the ear much less than a barber might leave when shaving. Just then the page boy brought the bowl and more bandages to the Physician. "Thank you boy, set that down and run and find the Captain of the Guard please. Tell him to bring two strong men," the King looked coldly at the man. "You have exceeded your authority for the last time. Tonight you will find yourself back aboard that ship accommodated as closely as possible to the same manner in which those urchins, I believe you called them, have been living. I think it would be best for you to remain aboard the ship then, you will be treated as a long lost member of the crew. On Kingsday next you may leave the ship and present me with your report on our actions progress if you feel so disposed, or you may choose to find a good horse and ride like the wind away from our realm. Think carefully while enjoying the ship's company." Turning to the scribe, "Write that order and the page boy will accompany the guard. Boy," he turned to the page who had returned with the Guard, "Give my compliments to the Marine Commander and ask if his sword is contaminated or if there is anything else he needs and bring his answer back to me whatever the time or whatever I am doing." "Guard, this man will be taken aboard to stay the night with the ship's First Mate and the Cook in their habitation. Tomorrow he will be presented to and stay with the Captain at the Rail. On Kingsday next row him ashore and he will decide his own course of action," the King ordered. The guards grabbed the man none to gently and dragged him from the room sputtering and pleading that it was the Wizard's fault for sleeping. The Miller looked in at the boys strewn about the bed in the aerie. The beauty of four sets of long slender legs, regardless of color, was only enhanced by shocks of multi colored hair and sprawling arms. Gently rising chests and occasional twitches of over active muscles proved that boys could hardly be still even when in the arms of Morpheus. As he was turning to go back down the stairs Kalpak's small head peaked out of the crook of Mig's arm and gave him a happy smile. Joy in a glance. Stopping at his own windows looking out upon the surrounding forest he watched for a while as the stars wheeled overhead. He hoped the idea for the boys would be a success. Heavens knew they deserved it and the forest had been asleep for a long long time. The Page had found the Marine Commander right away and seen the perplexed look as he delivered the message. Pointing across to where the guards were hauling the functionary below the Commander understood. Glancing again at the guards the Commander walked with the boy toward the bowsprit, "Tell me, what was the King's mood as he sent you here?" "Well, he could have fried that one with his eyes he was so mad, but concerning you his eyes were aglint with laughter. He does want to know how things are progressing here. That man could tell him nothing other than that the Wizard was sleeping. It seemed the King thought that was perhaps a bad thing, he glanced quickly to his advisors. He did not ask me for a report, but he said I was to tell him what you said as soon as I returned, whatever he was doing and wherever he might be. I hope he is not with the Queen," the boy actually blushed at the idea. "Alright then, let's get you back before lateness makes that more likely, eh? Tell the King my blade is fine, as are the boys. The Wizard is sorely tired and that is some worrisome, but some of the boys are able somehow to lend him strength and have taken the Wizard among themselves for his protection. Look you and see, he sleeps in the middle of those pallets, all arranged so none can get to him without a general cry of alarm being raised. They are remarkable boys, I will take you below and show you how they were living. Come, but be strong." He led the page to the aft passageway and they descended the ladder. The stink was much reduced, but the boy didn't know that and the Commander could see him struggling to hold his stomach. They walked quickly down the starboard row of cells and the boy could see the pitiful state of all the captives, the functionary was a peacock among the dun colored partridges and the boy thought he would do well to survive until Kingsday next. As they ascended the ladder the Commander told the boy that none of the pallets or blankets had been in the cells and that everyone had been chained together at the ankles. No one knew when they had last eaten actual food. The boys had been treated the same in cells that were now destroyed and decontaminated. "You may also tell the King that while the boys are amazingly strong the other captives are extremely weak. We know not how many may yet perish. We are waiting on an emissary of the Sea-beings, we will continue with the plan as the King outlined it. Things are well, but will progress slowly now. Is that too much for you to remember all?" the Commander asked. "No sir, I will tell it true. Is there anything the Pages can do? I am not sure what it could be, perhaps we all should just see below decks," the boy said thoughtfully. "That might be a great plan, mention to the King that you are strongly affected and that seeing it might be good for others," the Commander clapped him on the shoulder. "Now, run and have the boatman return you before you are liable to displease the Queen." The boy gave a small bow and did run for the nets, as he scrambled down to the boat he thought of the horror of what he had seen. As morning broke in the harbor the guards pulled the functionary from the cell just before any food was delivered and chained him to the same rail stanchion as the Captain just after broth had been provided to the crew. He was beginning to understand the exact horror of his position. He had felt somewhat smug as the boat rowed out to the ship that at least he would be with the First Officer and then the Captain. To find the First Officer in cells was bad enough, but the Captain was chained and exposed. He could not believe the Wizard had caused him such an undoing. Why couldn't the man have been decent enough to be awake in the day time! The shackles on his ankles were already cutting into the flesh and he couldn't even wave the flies away his hands were bound so tight to the rail. As the boys began to rouse one of the smallest was standing in front of Gopan. The little one was clutching at his pants and dancing so that Gopan had no difficulty figuring the cause of the problem. "Gopan, how do we pee?" the tyke asked between steps. "Well, first you lift your new shirt. Then you take your lance in between your fingers and point it..." Gopan was slowly explaining. "No! No! I know how! I don't know where! We don't have a corner here like we did below. Please, I am about to explode!" the boy pleaded. "Okay, quick then. Run to the rail. Point at the water and let it flow! Fly now, the Wizard has enough other old messes to clean, he doesn't need a new one too." The boy flew to the rail and Gopan could hear the huge sigh of relief as he raised the water level in the harbor a foot, or at least it felt like that much to the tiny boy. Abhi laughed beside Gopan, "You know none of us have been able to pee that much in a very long time." The Physician had been close and heard the comments, "Yes, well now the bigger problem will be more than pee. You must urge all the boys to try and move their waste and tell us if they have great difficulty. It is a critical thing that we Physicians get to worry about. Blood or poop: the joy of doctoring. So be sure and show the boys the heads, ask one of the Marines if you need assistance." Gopan looked at Abhi and Abhi thought he was probably right. Abhi went in search of the Marine Commander. The Marine Commander was himself finishing with the Armorer about the cells iron and when he turned to head aft to see what might be needed by the cook he almost ran over the small boy standing at his side. Catching himself before bowling them both over the Marine was ready to bark something at the boy when he looked at him and saw the hollow cheeks and amazingly slender arms. "Sorry lad, I did not see you there. The Cook will be sending up breakfast for the boys soon I am sure. Do you know if the Wizard is awake yet?" "Yes sir, the Cook has sent word about breakfast. The Wizard is still resting, some of us are sleeping with him to send him energies. Can you tell me please what is the heads? The Physicians say we must use the heads but none of us know what that means," Abhi was talking so quietly the Commander had to strain to hear him. "Blast! What idiots we all are. No not you boys, us old idiots. Let me show you around this ship you have been living on, but never seen. First, here is the aft hold much like the one you boys were in except bigger. We are tearing out the cells there too, there were 90 people and 4 sea-beings captive there." "That is a lot of people, if you are too busy we can wait," Abhi said to the Commander. "No, my whole job is to see you safe and well. The heads will be vital to that, as you will get my drift. Come then." He led Abhi forward past the aft hold hatch and past the main mast. "This is the main mast, the one to the back is the mizzenmast, that one was hit by the lightening and broken, you probably heard the crashing of the wood onto the deck." Abhi nodded that they had heard the crashing, they had huddled together not knowing if the ship was damaged and maybe sinking. He had tried to lead them in a counting game to make the end seem far off if it was coming. Sniffles had turned to giggles and eventually to sleep as no waters rushed in to drown them. Walking past the group of pallets the boys were sleeping on the Commander led Abhi up the few steps. "This is the forecastle deck, and these stairs on the front lead down to the bows. That long wooden pole stretching forward is the bowsprit and you can see under it the rampant whale figurehead stretches forward too. Between here and the whale, see these railings and these boards? This area is the heads. At the head of the ship. You've lived where there are middens? Well, look again at the boards." Abhi immediately saw how the boards with the holes worked. It was like a middens, except instead of a dark black stinking pit there was nothing at all until the water. He thought it actually quite a good system to take away the waste and then he thought about it in a rain storm, late at night with high waves and wind. Maybe sometimes a stinking black pit had some advantages. But one advantage here was like in his old home, there was moving water to take the waste and the stink away. "Thank you Sir, I will tell the boys. Is it alright to pee over the side?" Abhi smiled up at the Commander. "Yes, of course, just mind the wind. When the ship is sailing the low side is best. Always stay forward too, the Captain, well not that Captain, but the Captain and the Officers stay aft and they like to pretend they are too important to pee and poop or know that others do it too," the man chuckled. Another thing to think about, a high side pee stream into the wind would be a surprise for some boy soon Abhi thought.