Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:59:01 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden 81

Arden
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


81: Quitting Sicily, On to London

Once I was felled by an arrow when we were ambushed by a superior force.
Iason and Arden stood and defended me, Arden taking a wound in the process.
As you can see the princes have assembled a formidable family, only part of
which is here."  Damyo went on for some time relating many Prince of Parga
stories and adventures.

"How is it possible to be loyal to both the king and the Crown Prince?
Would not one supersede the other?"

No, these men are in our service but we are all in the service of the king.
We princes must never ask anyone to do that which is forbidden by or
against the king.  We must never do that ourselves.  We have two kinds of
loyalty here.  One is personal, that of lovers and brothers by choice.
That personal loyalty is always short of the political and must never be
used in that way.  Our guardians are devoted to us, we are their leaders.
A good leader never calls on his followers to do other than the correct and
achievable.  The other is loyalty to the crown and our system of
governance.  Leadership here is set by example.  The Crown Prince must
display complete loyalty to the King, he will expect the same from his son
when he is king.  A wise king knows this and spends much capital training
his successor, rewarding that loyalty in the process.  From my observations
not all kings are wise.  Your father strikes me as one of the wise ones.

Sicily is not Parga, the principals are the same but the details will be
much different.  It is obvious your father depends on all of you, as does
ours on us.  If given the chance, others would try to drive divisions
between you, if they have not yet done so, they soon will.  This lessens
your collective power and enhances their own.  It is obvious your father
loves you all; this you must always remember.

Iason and I have some ceremonial functions the others do not.  Among
ourselves and within our family we are equal of status.  When ever possible
we include the younger ones even Lysandros.  This teaches much.  Much is
also taught through observation.  Make sure the younger ones can observe
the process as well as the result.

Volos told him how we received the "Hero of Parga" meddles.

"You mean Arden just got up from the table, at a formal dinner with the
king and guests in attendance and left the room?"

"Why yes, and we were right behind him, it is our duty.  Arden believes his
duty is to the people of Parga.  Iason made apologies on his behalf.  It is
actions like that which have endeared my princes to all of Parga."

"And yourselves."

"Yes, tis true.  Pyrros and I protested we were only along for the ride but
Arden and King Iason would have none of it.  Arden made the same argument
but the mother's of the injured would have none of that.  The truth is
Arden acted swiftly, knowing their lives hung in the balance.  He accepted
full responsibility for his actions.  Pyrros and I willingly shared his
burden.  He willingly shares any glory or honor.  The wounded asked for a
prince, believing that only a prince could save them.  Arden knew better
then that but he also knew the power of belief can be greater then any
other force.  He simply commanded them to keep themselves alive until he
returned with the healing waters.  He knew that by going for them himself
he demonstrated his faith in them.  They could do nothing else but
reciprocate.  He also knew that we would not rest until the task had been
done, that is example of his dedication to duty," Volos explained.

Our travel back to the harbor was uneventful.  We did make a brief stop in
Titan's village.  Here Peter and his brothers talked to Titan's father and
secured his blessing.

Upon our return we soon became aware the local nobleman had learned of our
visit and of the intended kidnapping.  He managed to arrest those intent on
this action.  Kastor and I had a brief council with the Sicilian Princes.
Peter was not quite sure what if anything he should do.  I suggested he ask
the nobleman to bring the accused before him.  He was puzzled.  I pointed
out that they did nothing wrong.  They may have intended to kidnap him but
they did not even attempt to do so.  Find out why they had even considered
such a drastic action.  If they have any kind of reasonable explanation
then point out they broke no law and ask for their release.  Further if
their reason has any hope of you resolving it, offer to try and do so.
Treat them as aggrieved citizens, not criminals.  Seek to demonstrate true
understanding and if possible sympathy for their obvious desperate
situation.  Do not judge the rightness or wrongness of their actions or
situation.  Focus your attention on the problem, what ever it is and try to
find or suggest some kind of solution.

Kastor told them, that many criminals sentenced in my court are now among
my most loyal followers.

"Arden is fair, respectful and honest.  It could be that these men believed
kidnapping you was the only way they had to gain attention, for a situation
which could easily be resolved if known about.  Ordinary people in Sicily
have no power, it is in the hands of the nobles, church and the crown.  You
need to show them that the crown understands this and is prepared to listen
and take action on their behalf, as well as the nobles and rich.  The Crown
is their ultimate protector.  This local nobel is probably not doing his
job but you should not say that to him.  Best to let him come to that
conclusion himself."

Kastor went to the mayor and arranged for it.  The nobleman marched fifteen
young men on to the quay.  Peter and his brothers listened to the nobleman.
He then addressed the men.

"I am told you men had planned to kidnap me and my brother Prince Manferd."
He pointed to one of the men.

"Yes sire, we had planned to do this."

"What happened to that plan?"

"We were unable to cary it out as only half of our members presented and
you did not appear.  We gave up and went home."

"Since no crime was committed why have you arrested these men," he said to
the nobleman?

The look on the faces of the men was priceless.  I do not know if Iason had
coached him or if this was just his natural talent but he was doing it
right.

The nobleman tried to explain his actions but did admit no crime had been
committed.

"Please release them as a favor to me and my brothers.  I am sure they will
promise not to try and kidnap anyone else in the future."

That was willingly accepted by the men.  The nobleman was a little
reluctant, but with all of these foreign visitors looking on, he had little
choice.

"Now can anyone tell me why you thought kidnapping me would be a reasonable
thing to do?"

One of the men volunteered, "we have suffered greatly and seek some
temporary relief from the oppressive taxes of this nobel," pointing at the
nobleman.

Peter looked to him.  "I have had no problem collecting taxes and rents
from most of my lands.  It is only from their district that complaints
arise."

Alfonso took over.  "Is there some reason or situation in that district
that is different from the others?"

One of the men answered, "Yes sir, the mountain has spread much ash in our
area last year.  We were unable to grow enough food to feed our children
last season.  The olive orchards and flocks have also suffered greatly."

He looked at the nobleman.  "I was not aware the situation was that
desperate.  My representatives never suggested anything like that."

"Then you were aware of their complaint but did not make a personal
inspection to ascertain the nature of the problem?"

"Well I, um, no, I did not make a personal inspection, I trusted my
officials."

"And those officials are paid by commission on the revenue they bring in,"
Peter said.

"We believed if we kidnapped the Crown Prince that the King would learn of
our situation and force some kind of relief for us.  Our children are
starving, Prince."

"Do I need to bring this situation to my father's attention or can we find
some kind of solution to all three problems, here and now," Peter asked?

"I will see that food is sent to that district immediately.  Historically,
when the mountain has destroyed crops and groves, rent and taxes are
suspended for at least two seasons," the nobleman responded.

"And the third problem?"

The nobel looked puzzled.  "I believe you need to establish some kind of
reporting process so these types of problems are know to you.  Perhaps
these men will be willing to sit with you and figure out what that process
is to be. Prince Iason, how would you do this in Parga?"

"I would call on someone, such as the mayor here, to moderate such a
meeting.  He has experience in such matters.  I think he should also report
to you, Prince Peter, what was agreed."

That was quickly settled.  Peter thanked everyone on his father's behalf
for resolving this in such a civilized way.  Each of the men came forward
and pledged to keep the laws of the land, kissing Peter's hand.

We talked this over while sailing back to Plamro.  Peter wisely praised his
brothers for the sound advice and support.  As we rounded cape Messina the
winds dropped off to almost nothing and our progress was greatly slowed.
This gave us much time for games, sports and socialization.  Soon Darkon
and Silias were teaching Titan some of the arts he will need as a personal
body guard.  I was amazed at how quickly he picked up the use of sword and
dagger.  The ship's captain found some weapons, captured from the pirates
and made him gifts of them.  The blades and scabbards were as fine as any
made in Parga.  He would need many hours to approach the skills of Peter or
the others.  It was with the fighting stick that he shown, quickly
establishing himself as equal to any of the Elite Marines.

Corrodo made him a gift of his personal stick, one made of English Oak he
acquired on our last visit there.  Titan was overwhelmed by this.  Harren
advised him, cary it at all times, at least until he gained his skills with
the other weapons.  Titan told us that a fighting stick is nothing more
than a straight shepherd's crook.

King Fredrick was most hospitable to us.  He received Titan warmly,
publicly instructing his guardian core to treat Titan with the same respect
and confidence the Crown Prince had for him.  He then ended the official
audience sending his officials and those of us younger than Nikias or not
princes, away.  He spoke to our ambassador in privet and after sending him
away, address us much as our Father's would have.

Titan had taken up a position with our guardians off to one side of the
room.  The King now begged our indulgence as he was setting his title aside
and wished to be in the position of father.  After many questions and
impressions were shared he summoned Titan to join us.

"Titan, my son's have informed me that they have promised your parents,
your position of personal body guard to the Crown Prince was more than a
job.  They promised that the King would treat you as his own son.  This
father keeps his promises, even the ones he does not remember making."

The frown on his face was directed directly at Peter.

"One of my sons is perhaps a little too fond of taking my generous nature
as license to speak on my behalf.  Something you Titan would never attempt,
I am confident in that.  Since you are to be Crown Prince Peter's constant
and closest companion, your new father thinks you should be given a title
commensurate with that status.  I shall confer the title of Knight of the
Guarder upon you in three days time."

Titan was beside himself.

"Sire," the King shook his head, "Father, I should earn such a title
through demonstration of skills and dedication."  The King thought for a
few moments.  "Peter did not earn his title, it was granted by custom.  The
Crown Prince of 16 is a king in training.  Why not his Knight of the
Guarder be other than a Knight in training."

He turned to us and thanked us for all that was done.  "How much of the
situation was my sons and how much the Princes of Parga?"

Kastor assured him mostly his sons and all we did was give them some advice
and the military power to properly impress.  He then asked a privet word
with me.  The ambassador had told him that all of us were graduates or
attending the university.  He wanted to know my opinion of having this type
of education for a prince.  I told him I thought it very important in
general and most desirable for those who would be advisors.  I further
suggested he send as many as possible to Parga for that purpose.  We would
stop on our return and take any candidates with us.

"You know of my problems with the Pope?"

Yes.

"You are not afraid of his power and influence?"

No, his power in Parga is nil and his influence minimal.  He may try and
isolate Sicily but that will only come to haunt him.  Stay your course and
be prepared to give him a face saving gesture to resolve the situation.

"You approved of Peter's actions, I am sure of that, is there not a danger
in being so liberal with those would be kidnappers?"

Not at all.  Peter recognized no crime was committed.  In seeking their
release and taking the time to understand their motivation, he secured many
strong supporters for the crown.  Your people, as you well know, expect the
crown to be fair and just.  Most people, nobel or commoner, want to do the
right thing.  They do not always recognize what that is.  The political
skills Peter and the others displayed are a result of your example.  By
treating those men with respect they will return it to the crown ten times
greater.

"Speaking of examples does this not set a poor one?"

No indeed, it sets the correct one.  Problems are best dealt with in a
civilized and legal way.  It is up to the powerful to make sure that way is
available and workable.  The common people know they have little.  They are
greatly offended by being reminded of it.  You expect your nobles to be
fair, honest and reasonable with the people under their protection.  More
often than not it is not the power of the crown that needs to be applied,
as the guidance and encouragement for all to do the right thing.  Peter
came away with the respect of all sides.

I coach athletics and I know the pride of seeing my students preform well.
You are their political and power coach, take pride in how well they have
learned your lessons.

"When the Ambassador told me the people of Parga love its princes even more
then the king, I thought that only trouble for Iason and Karyakos.  When he
told me the King himself often states that fact with the pride of a father,
I began to understand.  Now I realize that every time one of them succeeds
at adding to their personal power, my power and authority is also
enhanced."

As we sailed from Palermo I was satisfied and pleased.  We had some good
adventures and saw some wondrous things.  Each did well and his best.  All
can be proud and satisfied.  Nikias and Dios showed Iason and I that our
mentorship is successful.  We made new, fast friends.  We enjoyed some good
sex too.

Young Titan proved to be everything I thought he might.  He and Peter and
the others will enjoy each other in all the ways men can.  I was most
impressed at how responsive he was to my touch and that of the others.  A
gentle hand on his buttocks was all needed to set in into a sexual state.
A kiss on the lips and and a hand on his genitals brought him in to our
beds as easily as drinking a mug of water.  Some would say we taught these
young men a perversion.  We taught them nothing.  Not one was
inexperienced.  What we taught them was the joy and power of letting
themselves express their maleness with us and each other.

I can not say I was the least bit upset that our progress had been so slow
on the return from Etna.  That gave all many more chances to fuck.  Nothing
I can think of is more pleasurable that sinking my erection between willing
and supple buttocks.  Titan was tested by the other Royal Guardians before
we departed.  I had been concerned he would be the butt of jokes, being the
only guardian to cary a fighting stick.  His demonstrated skills put that
aside.

After leaving Sicily we spent many days at sail.  Our weather was mostly
favorable.  Our last few days, as we approached London, were cool and wet.
Forced inside we did what any group of board young men would do: fuck, suck
and make love.

We had exchanged boys several days back, Justus and Joulous came to us and
Nikias and Dios went to the twins.  Iason and I found ourselves being
ministered to by the young ones.  Justus and Joulous took me to my bad and
pilling me between them Justus gave me oral pleasure while I took Joulous
in my mouth.  Soon they changed positions giving me a taste of both.

We then moved on to fucking, placing one in the middle until each had a
turn and all were spent.  All of us are wondrous to look at, being fit and
well proportioned.  Now that Justus and Joulous are older I am even more
attracted to them than before.  They have grown as has Nikias and can give
equal to any other man in our group.  I do not know what it is about sex in
general and sex with my boys and men specifically.  I can not get enough
nor do they ever seemed satisfied.  Even when spent we continue to express
our love and affection for each other.  As soon as anyone enters ready to
perform we, any one of us, is equally ready to receive that performance.

It matters little who it is; the need for a stiff penis filling one's
cavities or yours filling one of theirs is paramount.  Yet true pleasure
can often be gained by the simple touch or kiss of another.  I know I have
not slept alone for so long I can not imagine what it is like to do so.
Now that we are in cooler climates we will not be as naked as we may like.
I so dearly love to see naked male bodies.  We have taken to wearing long
capes and pressing our nakedness against each other, warping ourselves in
them.

The older man among us assure me our lust will fade with age, not the
pleasure or desire, just the necessity we feel almost constantly.  I know
they are probably correct but can not imagine how the quality could improve
over what it is today.  If it is only the quantity what will suffer; even
the youngest among us is so highly skilled and practiced, I do not
understand why the desire will flag.  Most of the younger ones begin to
experience pleasure before they are fully men, receiving is more important
to them for many years after.

I am still young, just starting my 20th year.  I am still most stimulated
by a well shaped butt, a large, stiff penis, powerful shoulders and of
course a wide smile.  I am compelled to admit if only to myself that
noting, not even power, is better then my cock sliding in and out of
another person.  This is most powerful when shared.  I enjoy receiving and
kissing and touching.  Sharing sex with another person is like running for
me.  It is pure pleasure.  I can not imagine living in a world with no sex
or living in a society where I could not engage in sex with whomever I
chose and whomever chose me.  I have attempted to rank but that becomes
impossible.  My Iason and Euthelia of course, Father and Uncle, guardians,
beloved boys, brothers, palace girls, pages....  It is not possible.  To
see a fine well shaped ass compels me to touch it.

My greatest non fucking pleasure is to move behind a fine well shaped butt,
place my arms around that person letting my erection slide between the
cleft and placing my lips on his or her neck.  My second greatest non
fucking pleasure is to feel a stiff penis in my butt cleft.  Rapture is:
being filled with the majestic presence of phallus sliding into your anus,
as the phallus you bear throbs and enters into the orgasmic glory that is
ejaculation.

How is it possible that sex between two willing partners can be wrong or
somehow offensive to the creator that gave such emotions and feelings to
us?  Lowering your buttocks over an erect phallus is to be seated upon the
throne of glory.

I submit it is not.  These rules or customs are used in keeping a society
in some kind of order, they are power related.  It is these same societies
that look upon women as submitting to men, not sharing.  They then view men
who would receive a male lover as also submitting.  In some way our
ancestors thought the same, boys submitted to men, all be it they were
loved by them.  Acts of public sexual submission and therefore humiliation,
were sometimes demanded of defeated armies.  At the same time agreement
between lovers to remain faithful to each other may be important in
solidifying and maintain the love and affection that is the foundation of
family and society.  The situation between man and women is somewhat
different as children and the immediate family are concerns.

Different societies approach this differently.  Iason and I are expected to
be lovers, we are expected to: father children, mentor boys, bond with and
love our brothers, guardians and others.  In other societies we would be
expected not to.  Iason and I are glad we are, as we are.  Like any person
anywhere, we achieve the expectations our society places on us, as best we
can.  There are many ways to love and in Parga we practice them all.  We
all worship at Phallus' temple and most of us at Aphrodite's.  Not all men
in Parga practice male sex.  For those of us who do it is accepted, for
those who do not, it too is accepted.  Those who do are not always
promiscuous, as is our family.  From my observations, men, in man to man
relationships, tend to be less so, then men with man to women
relationships.

It is the double standard of most societies.  Men who have sex with many
women are thought well of.  Women who have sex with many men are not.
Strangely, it is the women who are faithful that scorn those women not.
The men seem to think well of either gender that is sexually active.


1320, 7th month 25th day:

Our course was due north to the latitude of London.  Having good winds we
held the sea, well off shore.  Just as we were preparing to turn west and
begin tacking, we could see several ships running hard toward us.  They
were moving from the northeast.  The lead ship was a medium sized merchant
the other two appeared to be larger merchants.  The medium merchant flew
English colors the other two appeared to be French but flew no colors.
Hermogenous was on the Prince Karyakos.  He signaled us to proceed into
London. The Prince Karyakos and Princess Elips would hold back.  Iason and
I assumed he suspected the French ships to be Corsairs, known to often
harass English shipping.

I did not like the idea of getting involved in a dispute between two powers
friendly to us.  On the other hand we have had our own difficulties with
French Corsairs in the Mediterranean.  They have not ventured east of
Sicily but are becoming bolder.  Parga has always been opposed to any and
all forms of privateers, no matter who they sailed for.  The North Sea and
Channel based Corsairs are not fully under the control of the French Crown.
We are quite sure our merchants would not be safe from them.  We are also
quite sure they would not challenge our large war ships.

Our two ships tacked east.  I know they would soon continue north to
intersect the on coming ships.  We continued west but kept a close eye on
the evolving situation.  The Princess Elips was in the lead being faster.
Since the merchant and the French were tacking against the wind and our
ships tacking with it they should close the gap quickly.  We were all on
the stern of the King Iason straining our eyes with the far see.

The Princess Elips hove to behind the merchant, on the same course, placing
itself between it and the on coming French.  We could not see if our ships
had displayed any of their armaments or called the men to battle stations.
They had both reduced sail as to not pass the slower merchant.  Before long
the King Iason came along side but slightly behind the Princess Elips.  It
looked to me the French and our ships were now close enough to inspect each
other.  I wondered how long it would take them to decide to brake off the
chase.  It was about 15 minutes when they suddenly turned north.

Following the Admiral's orders we continued under full sail into London.
It was several hours later when the Prince Karyakos and Princess Elips
docked along side us.  The Captain of the merchant came in a carriage to
our gang plank soon after.  He remembered seeing the Prince Arden on our
last visit.  Odo translated for us.  I soon discovered that Edward
remembered much of his native language as well.  The captain was most
surprised when Odo introduce him to the fabled Prince Arden, the man for
whom the ship was named.  It did not take long for a messenger from the
Lord Mayor and the Harbor Master to arrive.  The admiral and ship's
captains were being invited to attend them and other dignitaries.  Our
entire ships' companies were being given the freedom of the city.

The young boys were all most impressed with the sight of London.  They have
never seen such a great city before.  While Edward remembered his language
he too was impressed, not remembering much about this or the other great
cities he had visited only a few years ago.

I was sure this would be one of our greatest adventures yet.  Umar,
Akakios, Dios, Edward, Hellidos and Lysandro were unusialy close to Iason
and myself.  I noticed Nikias, Justus and Joulous were never far from
Kastor and Poly.

A page from Edward' court arrived announcing we would be collected by
military escort to attend a privet dinner, the king and about 6 courtiers,
in our honor.  This was the same page we had met on our last visit.  Kastor
thanked him, providing a list of all who would attend.  Lysandros and
Hellidos were most interested to know if the Prince of Wales (TN: Edward 3)
would also be in attendance?  The page did not know but he assured them he
would mention it to the king.  (TN: The Prince of Wales would have been
about 8 in 1320) Kastor placed a note on the list indicating Lysandros',
Umar's, Akakios' and Hellidos' ages and identifying our Ambassador.

The page also told us a very formal dinner with many dignitaries would be
held in a few days after the Ambassador presented his credentials.  I was
impressed and told him so, not knowing our exact date of arrival, it was
obviously impossible to plan and organize.