Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 19:30:05 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden 66

Arden
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


66:  Princes' Personal Assistant


1320, 2nd month, 16th day:

I have no real understanding of being alone.  When a young boy in Koalhurst
I did spend time alone, separated from others, sometimes for as long as
half a day.  Since coming to the castle I am almost never so.  A few hours
here and there in my office or reading in some corner of our apartment.
Having Pyrros and Volos always at my side has become so much a part of who
I am, at times I do not even notice them.  Yet deep inside I know, one or
both are ever present.  I am never fearful, ever.

The only time I can remove myself from the world is when I am running.  I
move from the world of reality and social interaction into my own privet
state.  It is then I can reason and think, as one might if they are truly
isolated from others.  I hope you can understand what I have been trying to
say.

"Yes, I think I understand Arden.  I am sure I will learn how to live in
such a state of turmoil," Hy said.

I am sure you will too.  It is important to remember that without turmoil
in our lives they would soon become dull and repetitive.  It is the
challenges of each new day that makes us desire to rise, that and the usual
hunger.

"Hyginos," Volos said, "Many would think our profession, that of personal
bodyguards, would be dull.  The need for application of our skills is
thankfully uncommon.  The reality is much different.  Our lives are filled
with new and exciting things.  We have traveled Parga and much of the
world.  We know people in many lands and every corner of the state.  We
ride, sail, do sports, have great parties, learn new thing and are privy to
all the power of government without the responsibility.  In another year we
will adopt Akakios, so even though we are men who love men we will have a
family, a son who will give us grandchildren."

"What Volos is trying to say, is we have all traded our privacy for the
rewards of serving the people of Parga.  Not every public servant works all
day, every day, as we do; not every public servant has the rewards of
directly serving her crown either.  When Odo came to us he was embarrassed
to even speak.  Now listen to him, you would not know.  You will learn the
price you pay for your love of a prince is a pittance.  One day, not far
off you will think back on this moment and say how foolish of me to doubt
my ability," Pyrros added.

Hy, you are never wrong to examine your motives and desires.  Once you have
identified those desires, you have a duty to yourself.  That is to fulfill
them as best your ability and circumstance allows.  It is my responsibility
to provide those opportunities.  If you feel the need to be alone then I
must facilitate that.  You must not try to become me.  You must try and be
like me.  I have never had a personal aid before.  This is new to both of
us.

"That offers a great opportunity.  Arden is fond of giving others
opportunities, just to see what they will make of them.  Pyrros will agree
with me, he has been highly successful in that.  Look, we gave the Spirit
of Parga to him at the Soloists," Volos added.

"Is that not you Arden?"

Yes, it is me.  They thought it would inspire the students here.

"Did you found this school?"

Yes, I did but not by myself.  The first groups of students were called
Arden's boys by the King and that name has stuck but many are now women.

"They will make this their official insignia you know," Pyros added.

We will visit here in a few days, today I need spend some time at the
university.  We four senior princes will graduate in two months time.

We met up with the others and while we four attended to our business, the
guardians took our newly appointed aid apparents on a tour.  Except for Hy
the other seven will be sorted out over the next week.  So far I am
impressed with the quality of these boys.  They do all seem bright and have
learned their lessons well.  Even the one reported to be dull is anything
but.  He is just not interested in anything other than animals.

All of our aids will attend either the Civil Service Akadimeia or the
University when 15.  Kastor has decided our aids must be well educated and
well trained.  Eight boys will be chosen.  Four will work as Pages and the
other four with us until the fall, then they will change positions.  All
will attend morning classes.  The younger ones are still with the castle
touters.  This will be a very difficult and demanding regimen.  While they
will not be expected to become knights they will need basic military
training and sports.  It is not different from what we all had to do and
what the younger princes must also do.  We all began at 12 most of them are
older so need work harder at the non academic skills.

I think self doubt is normal and all is new, even his lust.  This is to be
expected.  I suspect the most important learning will take place in the
family or with the Palace Boys.  That is where self confidence, pride in
accomplishment, dedication to duty and such will be learned.  It is hoped,
each will model himself after one of us.  It matters not who is chosen, all
are fine men and fine examples.  I was a bit concerned that so many were
recruited from a single place; Polydeukus and Iason reminded me, the core
of the Arden's Boys all came from Koalhurst.  All having a common origin
and all knowing each other simplifies and eases the transition from the
known into the unknown.  For Hyginos it is simpler as he is my young lover.
For the others, those not the lovers of a senior prince, the comfort of
familiar faces and persons will be helpful.


1320, 2nd month, 17th day:

I took Hy with me today to sail on the Prince Arden.  Fortunately the seas
were not rough; they can be this time of the year.  Sotoris is now a second
cook.  He and his marine lover took care of Hyginos for most of the voyage.
Once we were secured to the quay the entire company began singing the ships
anthem while the third officer lowered my ensign.  After it was folded, he
kissed the flag and placed it in its storage box.  Hyginos' eyes were wide
with wonder at all of this.  I know he was trying to make sense of the
ceremony.  Volos pulled him to one side and began explaining, as Pyrros and
I greeted the crew members, who were now poring onto the quarterdeck.  Now
that my ensign was down and we no longer sailed, formality could be
dispensed with.

It was dark as we descended the ramp to the quay.  Hilarus and a very
junior page were waiting for us.  "Prince, the King requests your
attendance to him as soon as is practical."

Thank you Hilarus, do you happen to know the nature of this?

"No, the King did not say.  I do know we have official visitors from
Bejaia."

Then I think we had best attend the King quickly, come walk with us.  The
plaza was lit brightly and it was filled with citizens.  I would have gone
to meet them had we not been summoned.  Instead we kept to the shadows and
hurried up the hill.

Ikaros had our finest cloths laid our for us.  These are the parade tunics
and capes that Iason had designed.  When we arrived in the Knights dining
room the meal was already in progress.  The guards announced us: "Prince
Arden, Sir Volos, Sir Pyrros, Hyginos Prince Arden's Personal Aid."  Hy
turned bright red as no one had ever announced his entrance to a room
before.  I looked around.  One place was at the King's table between Umar
and Prince Nikias.  Next to Umar was Akakios and Helladios next to him.
Pyrros steered Hyginos to a place at the pages table and they sat with some
other knights.

As I approached the table the King stood along with the old man from
Bejaia.  I greeted them and before I could express my regret for being late
Uncle said, "We know, when we heard your crew singing, I sent the pages to
fetch you."

While we ate the conversation ranged over many topics.  The envoy was most
taken by our koallime lights, both in the dining room and throughout the
castle, also lighting up the plaza and the statue.  As we enjoyed a cup of
wine the Envoy told me why he had come.  The old Sultan was near death and
the new Crown Prince, Ala Al-Din has request I bring Umar to Bejaia so his
father could apologize to him before he died.  I did not know what to say.
I looked at Umar.  He smiled, "Ala Al-Din is the best of the lot, from what
I remember.  I think he is much like you dad."

Ikraam, the old envoy smiled.  "Umar is quite correct, although I never
said that," I nodded in recognition of that request. "Ala Al-Din is much
like you, being highly principled and very astute.  He is also a
respectful, kind and caring person.  Yes, much like Prince Arden.  Crown
Prince Ala Al-Din has great respect for you and truly longs to meet you.
He credits your, um, your exchange of ensigns, with clearing his path to
the crown."

And you Envoy?  "Again, not something you heard from me, but yes it did
just that."

I nodded and turned to Umar.  "Only if Akakios can come with me."

Envoy do young boys in Bejaia bargain with their fathers?

"Does the sun shine differently from one place to the next."  With that
everyone was laughing even Umar.

It did not take long for me to find out that everyone anticipated my
reaction and agreement.  My brothers had drawn lots and Kastor was to
accompany us.  Nikias and the twins were less than happy about this, but
their father only offered the draw to the senior princes.  The Prince Arden
was being made ready and the Elite Marines had been summoned.  The envoy
had other business to attend, in Alexandria he said, but he had brought his
youngest son, who would sail with us and be our guide.  That young man, in
his early 20's, is also a poet and speaks several languages.  He and Odo
were off some place assisting each other to translate the others poetry.

I took Umar and Akakios to their mother.  I felt it best to tell her of
this myself.  Her reaction was most predictable.  At first opposed.  I
assured her both boys would always be at my side.  That partly mollified
her but not completely.  Women need to worry about something.  This was a
great something.  Sailing in late winter, being on a ship with all those
rough sailors and marines, visiting a place that has been hostile in the
past, what if they insist on keeping Umar.  I am sure if Euthalia had
nothing to worry about she would invent it.


1320, 2nd month, 17th day:

In the morning Umar and Akakios came to our apartments with their clothing,
Umar's instruments and a letter for his birth mother.  The letter was quite
long.  In it Euthalia praised Umar, assuring her that the boy was a good
and dutiful son, a good brother to Akakios and the twin babies, also
helpful in the home and a good student.  He was a happy child, with many
friends among the palace children, who is liked by all he encounters.  He
shows great talent in music and even more so as an artist.  His father and
grandfathers are overly indulgent of him and so on.

Our party consists of: Kastor, Silas, Volos, Pyrros, Panther, Odo, Olympos,
Agapios, Raffaele, Hyginos, Umar, Akakios and Ikraam the younger.  I judged
Ikraam to be much like Odo, a man who loves men.  From the interactions
between the two I judged them as interested in each other as in each others
poetry.

Twenty five Elite Marines arrived and immediately reported to the Prince
Arden.  I know Lyuben wanted to attend us but Iason has other needs of him.
Just as we were about to leave, Helladios and Nikolas came running up to me
with a message.  Kastor and I sent everyone else along and we reported to
the council.  They asked us to stop in Malta, which is under the crown of
Aragon, for about 50 years now, and pay a courtesy call on the local
nobles.  One Guglielmo de Moncada is running things as far as we know.  We
were give letters of introduction and the name of our council there.

No sooner had we climbed onto the deck, the Prince Arden pushed off and
headed for open waters.  Once clear of the salt islands Hermogenes ordered
all the sail that was possible.  We had a good breeze from the north and
east so our progress was very rapid.

Panther was welcomed as a long lost brother as every member of the crew
made his way to the quarter deck to personally welcome us. This has become
a tradition on the Prince Class ships when the honorary captain is on
board.  From what I know and have observed first hand, not done in any
other states.  About one quarter of them were new to us.  Panther took
charge of the boys including Hy, keeping them busy learning the ship and
how to sail it.  We got to know our guest and he us.  Ikraam's command of
Greek was solid and communication was easy.

Odo praised the quality of his poetry and Ikraam praised Odo's.  When Odo
read some of Ikraam's work translated for us, it was good.  He told us his
efforts are appreciated by the court and a few of the people but most were
not interested.  Most could not read and if they did it was mostly the
Quoran.  He was most surprised when Odo told him almost everyone in Parga
can read, man or woman and his works, when translated, would be greatly
appreciated.

When Akakios and Umar returned Odo had them begin practicing one of his and
Ikraam's Greek to Arabic translations.  It was my song.

As night fell on our first day the winds began to shift more easterly, the
skies were mostly clear.  Several of us came on deck to view the stars.  I
am still amazed when looking at the night sky filled with such a array of
sparkling lights.  When we returned Umar and Akakios were both fast asleep.
At first I thought it the motion of the ship.  When I looked at Hy he held
up his longest finger and crooked it back and forth to indicate he had
given the boys pleasure.  Young boys following sexual climax seem to need
sleep.  I understand the desire of the boys to receive this pleasure even
if they can not yet ejaculate.  It is built in all of us.  I think we
become addicted to it, I know not how that should be.  Sex of any kind,
that is satisfying, seems to be so.

I can see it now, my boys begging me to fuck them before their time.  Not
that this has not happened before.  It is possible.  I guess I will just
need hold until that happens.  It may not for some time, it may never
before they are 12.

Hy was upon me moments later, fiercely pulling at my tunic.  He was so
prepared by what he had been doing any protest I might have made would have
been for naught.


1320, 2nd month, 20th day:

We arrived in the morning.  By the time our little boat took us to shore an
honor guard was assembled.  Ikraam spoke to the captain who upon hearing
our names brought his men to attention.  Several older men came forward.
Ikraam introduced them as the Harbormaster and the Mayor of the city.

I think they had never received such a high level delegation before.  Two
Princes, a Rear Admiral, five Level Three Knights, and what I must say is
the best looking group of young men possible.  They did not recognize Umar
nor he them.  I held out my hand and Hy placed our letter of invitation
into it.  The look on their faces was priceless.  Odo translated what they
were saying to the military escort.  Which was: the old Sultan and Crown
Prince have invited these dignitaries to Bejaia and they are honored
guests.  Ikraam then told them as honored guests they must give Rear
Admiral Hermogenes' sailors and marines the freedom of the city; just as my
father and I were given in Parga.  He pointed to the Castle which now few
Parga's ensign the same as the Prince Arden.

The mayor made that deceleration and told us he and the Harbormaster would
see to it.  Corrado selected 5 Marines to accompany us and we were lead to
the castle.  Just before we reached the gates they opened revealing a court
yard with a number of finely dressed men.  Ikraam told us the short one in
the middle was the Crown Prince.

We bowed before each other.  I said, I am Prince Arden of Parga.  In the
best Arabic I could muster.  He smiled widely, "I am Crown Prince Ala
Al-Din.  Welcome to Bejaia."

These are my foster sons Umar and Akakios, my brother Prince Kastor....He
introduced the Vizier, and several of his brother princes.  We went into
the castle for refreshments and conversation.

They had several translators at the ready, between them, Ikraam and Odo all
went smoothly.  Umar and Akakios sat next to me.  Prince, I trust we have
come in time?

"Yes Prince, my father sleeps.  His staff will signal when he wakes.  This
is more family than state, perhaps we can dispense with all this formality,
please address me as Ala."

"I most agree, I am Arden, Ala."  I thrust out my hand which he took, with
a powerful grip.

"My father has little time left, Umar's coming here will mean much to him.
You favor him greatly Umar."

"I do?"

"Yes you do.  I favor my mother.  You may not realize this but our father
remembered the name of every child.  In his later years when you were
younger he did not always put the right face to those names but he did
truly care for every one of us."

"I made daddy bring my older brother Akakios, as we have a gift for him and
for my mother."

"You made Arden bring Akakios?"

"Yes he sings like a bird and I play."  Ala nodded but was still puzzled.

Umar said he would only come if Akakios came as well.  I asked Ikraam the
Elder if boys in Bejaia bargain with the fathers.  He thought the sun
shines the same in all places.  Ala smiled widely and nodded.

"Akakios, does the Greek bird sing in Arabic"

"Yes, Ikraam and Odo have translated one of daddy's songs and taught me the
words.  Get your flute brother."

Umar ran over to Hy and returned with his flute.  I was about to ask if it
was appropriate but Ala waved his hand.  Umar began to play and Akakios
sang as beautiful as I have ever heard him.  The room fell silent.  Arabic
is a very musical language and the poets were able to make my words, when
translated, match the melody.

After the song we shared more tea.  Umar ran back to Hy and returned with
his pipes and mine.

"Daddy gave these to me, they were his as a boy and he taught me how to
play them."

"Have you written more songs Arden."

Yes several, but none others with words just the melody.

"Please."

Umar and I played two melodies I had written while still a lad of 11 or 12.
His soprano and my baritone pipes combined to make the most lovely sound
which echoed in the cavernous room.  Just after we finished a page
whispered something to Ala.

"Umar our father is awake, this page will take you and Akakios to him.  Do
you remember enough of our language?"  Umar answered him in Arabic and the
boys followed the page out of the room.

"Ikraam the elder told us you are a man of many talents Arden, and I can
see he was not overstating your case.  I need to thank you for waking the
old man from his mental sleep, by placing your flag on our customs house.
I don't even want to know how you did that, but I would like to know why?"

"I was very angry that so many brave men and so much treasure had been
wasted.  When those kidnappers came to Parga, with counterfeit money, I
knew this could not be the work of an honorable man.  I also knew you
father had a reputation for being honorable.  At first I was thinking, and
had even planned, to send our fleet here and destroy every vessel in the
harbor.

It was the scholar Raffaele, I pointed to him, he reminded me that action
was the last, not the first, that should be taken.  We talked it over, my
brothers and I.  Perhaps if we can gain the Sultan's attention, without
doing any harm, our message would not only be understood but listened to."

"When my father found out what had happened and how it happened, he was
livid.  But he did not act.  When your ensign appeared on the customs house
and those other massages on the palace gates he realized two things.  One,
that Parga could and would bring this matter to his doorstep.  Two, his
reputation and authority had been misused by those he trusted."

Never embarrass you leader, I said.  His smile got even bigger.

"We do think much alike.  Father demoted my three older brothers and
banished the two oldest of his second wife.  That made me Crown Prince.  He
and I reformed our council and appointed a new vizier.  When Ikraam the
elder returned and told me how you and Crown Prince Iason managed with
almost as many princes as I have, I instituted many changes.  Is it true in
Parga, even the King must live by the civil laws?"

That is true but you need remember, in Parga the crown is not sovereign.
It is the people who are sovereign and we only represent it.  The crown is
the chief administrator, it is the council that makes the laws.  The only
inherited titles in Parga are Citizen and Crown Prince.

We have no slaves or bound servants.  Ranks such as Knight are little more
than professional designations like potter, physician or clock maker.
Parga is a state based on merit and the Crown Prince is not guaranteed
kingship until the council votes.  As for us other princes, we are given
our titles in provision; they are confirmed at 12 and we can use our seal
of office at 16, again on confirmation.  The shared kingship is also unique
to us, as is mine and my fathers positions of consort.  The King or Crown
Prince will tell you that they are first among equals.  For our fathers
that is true, for Iason and the others of us, also true.  In addition, the
King may only have one wife at a time and the consort may not marry a
woman, he must adopt his son from a list of approved candidates.

This idea of first among equals may work for your Crown Prince and the
other princes.  It may not reduce the squabbling, but should help keep the
competition under control.  He asked many more questions.

Yes, that is why Umar and Akakios are my foster sons.  My two personal body
guards will adopt Akakios at age 12.  That is what they and Akakios want.
As for Umar.  He is to young to make that choice.  Many fatherless boys in
Parga choose not to be adopted.  They still prosper in our system, anyone
classed as an orphan, boy or girl, are automatically wards of the King.
The King and Consort are very diligent in seeing all their children can
rise, as far as their talent and ability will take them; Prince Kastor and
his twin brother Polydeukus are examples of it.

That is true, it is a very complex society.  Not any more so than most
others, just different.  Yes, Euthalia my concubine, Umar and Akakios'
foster mother, has two children, a boy and a girl by me, twins.  I have six
others among the palace women.  These are called Palace Boys and Palace
Girls.  All are educated, and trained as their talent dictate.  Several of
those Knights were Palace boys, most of our stewards and many civil
servants and scholars as well.

One thing we do, that you can implement here, has to do with the pages.
Our page core is large, the training is highly valuable.  If anyone wishes
to rise and has the appropriate talent, in government or the castle, even
the military, he had best spend at least six months as a page.  The insight
in how government works is most valuable.  All of my contemporary
companions are or were pages with us.  That means we know each others as
equals.  We have worked together, done mischief together, even whored
together.  Yes, and that too.

In Parga men who love men are accepted, it has always been so.  Once the
page's hat is placed on your head, any other title you my have are
suspended.  Even the Crown Prince's station is temporally set aside. This
allows us to build our political power base.  They are loyal to the King's
office of course, but they have a personal loyalty to us, as men and
friends, that comes from choice, brotherhood and friendship.  We know their
strengths and weaknesses, they know ours as well.  When it is our turn to
take full leadership we will already know who can be depended on and for
what.  Kastor is now in charge to their training and education.  He keeps
them close to us and we socialize much with them even now that we are
older.  We four are older brothers to them as well, as the younger princes.
It is a brotherhood, a family, to which all are fiercely loyal.

I can remember many times sitting in the council chamber with the other
pages and being called to become a prince for this or that ceremony and
back to being a page in the same afternoon.

Yes, each of us have been given a specific role in government, I head the
treasury and law courts, Iason the military in conjunction with our uncle,
Kastor the pages, castle and postal service; Polydeukus the schools, roads
and civil works.  We report directly to the king and consort and through
them to the council.  We each have meaningful jobs, do sports, study and
have social lives.  We have been together as a four person team since 16
when we were give our seals of office.  Kastor and Polydeukus were pages
with Iason and I since we were 12. We know each other so well, that often
no words need be spoken between.  If the truth be told we are
interchangeable in the role of prince.  We live and work together with our
six body guards, steward and a few close associates like the
poet/translator Odo.  The next four princes are now pages and students.
Next year three will be 16.  They will give up being pages and be assigned
as junior officials in different government departments.  When 18 they will
be given jobs as meaningful as ours.  Nikias to the military, the others we
are not sure of as yet.

Our fathers live in the next apartment and we are in close contact with
them.  The junior princes will move into our quarters at 16.  Iason lives
part of his time with his wife and Kastor and Polydeukus will marry next
year and they will also.

They trust us to do our duty.  That trust has been earned by past
performance.  They have this wonderful way of presenting opportunities and
standing aside to see what we will do with them.

Yes, Hyginos is an example of just that.  I related the whole story.
"Arden we truly much alike.  I have more years but you have more
experience.  I think we can learn much from each other."

Umar returned and we went back to the Prince Arden with the promise to
return the next morning.  I know the Crown Prince wanted to host some kind
of banquet but he obviously needed some time to do so.  Umar said the old
Sultan was very happy to see him and was most taken with Akakios' singing
and with my song.

"When I told him you wrote the song and that I was very happy in Parga he
said the strangest thing about it being meant to be."  He did not think his
birth father had long to live.

"Am I being a dutiful son daddy?"

Yes, you are being a most dutiful son.  More important you are being
respectful of the old man, another person, not just because he had sex with
your mother but because by doing so, you allow him to feel at ease within
his soul.  You are doing the right thing, because it is the right thing to
do, not for some gain or personal benefit or obligation.  That son is what
separates us from ordinary men.

"Is that why mommy wrote that letter?"

Yes, I believe it is.  Euthalia is a mother too.  She knows what a mother
must feel when her child is taken from her.  She knows, that if one of you
were taken from her, she would never stop thinking about you.  If she can
ease the pain of another mother, she feels the need to do so.

"The letter is the right thing to do?"

Yes it is.

"Can I write my birth mother?"

Yes of course you can, I know she will appreciate it.  That is the way
mothers are.

"I don't think she can read?"

If you ask your older brother, he will see someone reads them to her, I am
sure he will do that for you.  He too knows what the right thing is and I
am confident he does them.