Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:08:46 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden's Saga 11

Arden's Saga
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)

If the sexual nature is offensive or you are disqualified due to age or
location, don't read it.  You have been reminded.  I hope you like what you
read and find the characters and their exploits/adventures interesting.
Feel free to correspond with comments and if you spot errors please point
them out.

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11: Prince Iason's Argoanuts

1312, the 10th month, 20th day:

In total 111 boys and young men of 15 years or less and as young as 8 years
were rescued from the Florentine invasion force.  The exact number of
attackers or boys will never be known, since so many were lost at sea.

We were told the Florentines believed that we would either just surrender
or our small army would put up minimal resistance.  They were prepared for
a long siege on the castle but thought the country side and city would just
capitulate.  Until they sent their probe attacks against our fishing
villages they had no idea the sea coast was so mountainous and though it
was like our neighbours rather flat.  Had they bothered to ask any of the
merchant sea captains that had visited our port, they would have at least
know how difficult it would be to enter.  It appears that Father was right
when he said "fools chose what fiction to believe."

They believed we were the worst kind of barbarians that would torture and
kill prisoners or enslave them.  Some believed we practiced human sacrifice
to demonic gods.  They had been told the bishop had requested military
assistance because the Christians were being slaughtered and killed.  Some
believed their was great treasure here and plunder would make them rich.

We learned much of this from the boys who realized in an instant these were
lies and falsehoods of the first order.  Many were incredulous when we told
them sex with adults or others was not a requirement and they would never
be forced, however, opportunities were abundant.

The remaining boys arrived in the courtyard and Iason and I personally
greeted each and every one of them.  Kleitos and Alexandros the Younger
were at our sides along with our guardians.  Alexandros told and retold his
story and Kleitos recorded the name and age of every guest.  The Palace
boys would come and go collecting the new ones and assigning them a guide.
Most of these boys would have two or three guests under their care.  Any
with wounds were sent to the physicians.  About half had no clothing or
what they had was so damaged as to be useless.  We discovered few of them
could read or write.  Several appeared to be sick and were also sent to the
physicians.

The first few days would be orientation and organization but after that
some kind of useful work and study would be required to keep all these new
boys occupied.  Adonis and Drakon have been assigned to help us get things
organized as Iason and I have page duties to perform.

Prince Tertius and five other Knight Generals reported to the King and
Council.  None reported any real problems or incidents above the very
trivial.  All the non marine prisoners were being housed in tent camps two
the north and two to the south.  The dead from both sides have been
cremated as is our custom.  The captured enemy ships are now in our harbour
and undergoing repairs.  The captured crews are carrying out those repairs.
Those crews are living in a tent camp near the harbour.

Much discussion commenced and it was decided that the captured and
surrendered combatants would be employed in either ship repair or road
building.  They would be paid 1 silver coin/day of work and provided with
food and shelter.  They would be released pending the opening of our port
in 25 days time, the completion of the repairs on the remaining vessels and
their provision of additional vessels to carry away the solders.  The 7
captured vessels can only carry 2/3 of the prisoners.  We are also
demanding 5000 gold Florins as reparations.  I wondered how we would get
this message to them, since Florence is at least a week's sail with
favourable winds and no pirates.

Karyakos answered that before I could ask the question.  "We expect one of
their naval ships off our shores in the next day or two."

Prince Tertius spoke next. "I have one more matter to bring before you.
Parga's Princes have recently exercised their historical right and granted
asylum and protection to 111 boys brought to our shores by the invaders.
You will remember my grandfather Iason the 5th, when the Crown Prince,
established a boy's order to perform public services through out the land.
We princes of today propose to create a modern band of Argoanuts.  Since
they come to us by sea it is fitting.  The Argoanuts will be semi military
in organization.  They will be stationed at the Royal estates spending 1/4
of the year at each.  Being divided into four groups, each group will
rotate at each season change."  That announcement answered many questions
we had.

Later Iason and I had a meeting with Tertius and Karyakos.  I was
surprised, we were brought to a small room with a table and several scribes
and two scholars.  The scholars laid out a proposed set to rules for the
organization; its purpose, membership, rules for admission and so on.  The
princes all, form a governing council.  The Crown Prince and Consort are
the official head but since they must attain the age of 16 to use the seal
of office, the Kings younger brother will act for the Prince's Committee of
a whole until that time.  They had lots of other legal stuff too but that
is the heart of it.  We decided to use the symbol of the Argo as our symbol
and the colours of the Crown Prince as our colours.  We appointed a number
of mentors and officials, mostly retired military commanders and so on to
over see everything.

One of the scholars gave us a copy of King Iason the 5 th marching song.
One he composed for his band of boys.  His rules of conduct and so on which
will get us started.  It was also decided to keep the whole group here at
the castle until the Festival of Light at the winter solutes is finished,
before sending the groups out.  Karyakos asked the scholars to prepare a
proclamation for the King to sign.

I was just a bit concerned that we had promised any boy who did not wish to
remain here to be allowed to leave.  The scholar pointed out that
membership in the Argoanuts is voluntary and could resign at 18, once
committed at 12 they were in it for the next 6 years.  He suggested we
amend that rule to allow members to transfer to the military at 16 and to
apprentice in some specific trade at 14 by permission.  We decided that if
a boy wished to leave and had some place to go we would not stop him and
should give assistance.

Tertius asked if we agreed and if he should sign on our behalf.  The
scribes were busy writing so we had a little time.  We looked at each other
but neither of us spoke.  This was suddenly the reality of the massive
responsibility we or I had taken on.

"Why do you hesitate now Arden, you showed no reluctance in besieging the
King to award their protection to the princes of this kingdom?"

Iason and I looked at the table we could not look him in the eye.  "Talk
between yourselves nephews, there is no shame in not knowing what the other
thinks."  We both wanted to do it.  We were both concerned that some
mistake was possible and we were taking responsibility for 109 boys.  Iason
thought a moment, "they would not let us make a serious error and minor
ones can be corrected."  We looked up and said as one, yes we agree, sign
the document.

On reflection I do not know why we hesitated or why we were concerned in
the least.  They too are princes, as is my little brother.  The King is
automatically a member of our little committee and Karyakos has all the
power needed to make the proclamation himself.  This must be another of
their educational experiences and given the smiles on everyone's face,
scribes and scholars included, I guess we did well.  I am sure of it as I
overheard Tertius telling Karyakos, "I think my nephews have better mentors
than my brothers had."

"I can not judge that but me thinks better students perhaps," was his reply
and they both patted each other's backs and laughed kissing more
passionately then I would have thought.  That of course got the attention
of my boyhood.  It also got me thinking about Iason's and my relationship
to our younger brother and now brothers.

We joined our new tribe, the Argoanuts, in what is usually the solders'
dining room.  It was quite a group too.  Not only 109 boys but all 35
palace boys and some former palace boys as well.  I was impressed too.
Everyone had been bathed and was reasonably dressed.  Adonis and Drakon
seemed to have everything under control.  We no sooner had taken our seats
when Damao flung open the great door and announced Princess Elpis.  He was
about to announce the three young princes but they did that for him
shouting: Arden, Iason, brother, as they raced past the Princess and
bounded the length of the room to us.  Our mother was being escorted by
Heron and Volos.  I noticed she stopped to talk with several of the new
boys, especially ones that had bandages.

Before she sat down she raised her hands a signal for quiet.  "I am not
here as Princess but as the mother of my sons.  Every boy needs a mother,
even those over the age of 12."  She looked at us when she said that.  "My
husband and brothers-in-law will say you are now part of this family.  A
family is headed by a mother and a father not a King and Princess.  I
welcome you to your new family.  No mother could be more proud of her sons
than I am tonight, even the ones that don't quite always behave.  All of my
male children are princes in my eyes."

The room went wild, not that this many boys in one place is ever quiet.  It
took just a few seconds for the translations but that was all.  I knew our
fathers had arrived when the eight year olds took off on a dead run.  When
the two most important men in the kingdom became visible a hush fell.  It
did not last as Karyakos carried the twins one in each arm clinging to his
neck and kissing his cheeks and Uncle Iason his young prince proudly
telling everyone "this is my daddy, he is your daddy too.".

Uncle Iason rose and spoke a few words of welcome in fact he repeated
Karyakos, pointing out that is one of the privileges of his office.  While
he was speaking one of the pages came running into the hall and waited
behind him with a large scroll in his hand.

The page handed the scroll to the king who thanked him and pointed to us
indicating he should sit next to the princes.  He then started the
strangest set of motions.  He bent down and looked under the table, he
looked behind him, he pulled my tunic up, even looking briefly under his
own kilt.  Princess Elpis said in a loud voice, "Husband what is it that
you are looking for?"

"I seek my trappings of office so I can read this important proclamation,
good wife."

She got that motherly expression of mild exasperation on her face and said,
"Husband, you have left them at the door as was our agreement when we
married.  No business of the state during our family time together."

"Ah yes I did that promise make and true to my word I shall be."  He held
up the scroll.  "This wife is family business and business of state."  He
looked more and now the boys including us were beginning to laugh and
chuckle as this was comic theatre.  Uncle Iason threw up his hands and
handed the scroll to the page.  "You must read this as I am only a father
and nothing more in this room."  I did not know if this was completely
planned or not but the page jumped up and unfurled the scroll.

"By Proclamation of the most noble, King Iason the 7th."  He pointed to the
king.  "Let it be known that from this day forth, a new order of
brotherhood and service has been created.  That new order shall be know as
The Crown Prince Iason's Argoanuts.  Membership in this order is open to
all male wards of the crown age 10 and older."  He folded the paper back to
his chest so I knew this had been planned.  The page looked at the
audience.  "Membership comes with very handsome uniforms that your mother
has designed and are guaranteed to have all unmarried girls in the kingdom
most desirous of your attention."

Iason interjected, "the pay is good too."  Every one roared with laughter.

He held up the scroll again and continued to the end.  Uncle Iason took the
scroll back, kissed him on the top of the head and signalled for the food
to be brought in.  About half of the Palace Boys jumped to action.
Karyakos and Uncle Iason went to the table where the 10 and 11 year olds
were seated to assist in serving them.  My mentor has told me many times we
teach the way we were taught and that the best way to teach is through
example.  Iason and I did not need to be told to assist our little brothers
and mother.  The example was probably worth dozens of speeches.  Brothers
help brothers, we are all brothers.  Even more powerful, is the use of the
Crown Prince not the King, as the leader-benefactor-protector of these boys
and young men.

Our sleeping quarters, as are the quarters throughout the castle, are
filled to over flowing as we now had six guests plus Ikaros, Dysme and four
guardians.  For the first few nights Iason and I slept together, as is our
custom, but we slept alone.  By the fourth our bed managed to attract a
number of bodies for fun and pleasure before sleeping.

While I am writing this text new boys are being instructed in the
fundamentals of reading and writing in Greek.  I must end this now, the
amount and variety of naked boys is to great for me to concentrate.


1312, the 10th month, 21st day:

A signal from the headland observers came to indicate a Florentine ship was
at the harbour entrance.  One of the Knights went out in a fishing boat to
meet with them.  He refused entry but provided an inventory of captured
ships, numbers of men and names of the surviving officers, proposed release
date and the demand for 5,000 gold florins.  He also proposed that our
merchant fleet could be charted by the Florentines to transport the third
of their army if they wished.  The nearest Peruzzi bank was about two days
sail, that is a week round trip and since the ship had other ports of call
the envoy should come ashore and could be picked up on the 15 day of the 11
month.  He came and is now staying in the Bishop's residence.


1312 the 10th month, 25th day:

The Florentine envoy came to address our Council.  He is a rather
interesting person but I think needs to learn much about us.  I think Iason
and I need to learn much about commerce and the world outside.  Now that he
has seen first hand that we are not barbarians or demonic and has met with
all the captured solders and sailors his tone seemed moderated.  One of the
older pages told us that is just diplomatic talk and has nothing to do with
what the Florentines think.  I puzzled this over in my mind.  Iason and I
talked about it as well.  We noticed he was very careful to avoid some
topics but most willing to go on at great length about others.

He was insistent that Florence would not pay a ransom for the return of its
captured ships or army.  Karyakos pointed out that was his decision to make
but reparations are not a ransom.  Then added the Venation's or Dubrovnik's
would probably purchase them from us since we had no need for them and our
merchants could bring all the goods we required from either port.  "What of
the men," he asked?

"Most are not needed here, as we have no need for mercenaries or any other
employment, they will be free to go where ever the ships go.  Perhaps the
Venation's would employ them or perhaps, Genoa."

"Prince Karyakos, I thought slavery was against your laws?  Would you sell
these men into it?"

"Of course not, Envoy, I said we could sell the ships.  We are not Turks or
Sicilians we do not employ slaves or sell men into that status.  It is not
like any of them will be without coin, since they are being well paid by
Florentine standard for their work while here.  You have talked to them,
are any but some of the officers dissatisfied?"

"I met none, that is true, never the less my Duke feels you should pay
Florence 10,000 gold florins."

"Is that all he feels the privilege of defeating Florence is worth," King
Iason shot back?

"It is settled then Envoy," Karyakos said in a thoughtful tone of voice,
"Florence will see no future trade with us, your merchants are no longer
welcome here, goods made in Florence, carried on Florentine ships,
distributed by Florentine merchants are henceforth ban from our shores.
Florentine citizens are no longer welcome here and those few that live here
now will accompany you when you leave."

The envoy was prepared to have his number rejected but not prepared to have
the matter closed off so abruptly.  I could see he wanted to bargain with
Karyakos but thought better of it and took his leave.

"He will be back and we will have our money too, I will not bargain as a
woman in the market wanting a persimmon."  said Karyakos. "The last thing
they desire is for Venice to acquire seven newly refitted naval ships with
crews and marines.  The trade with us is so small as to not matter.  They
don't need it, but to deny it, no matter how small to Venice or Dubrovnik,
is also on his agenda.  Let him sit for 5 more days.  When he starts to
bargain again I will simply tell him, accept our terms or our price will
rise at 1,000 gold florins a day until he departs; at that moment the seven
ships are on the auction block."

One of the scholars spoke next.  "We have given this much thought.  As we
see the situation, the Florentines fear that by paying any reparations they
will loose face and that others will make like demands.  The Turks are fond
of holding on to ships and people for ransom or for demanding tribute from
smaller states that are in some difficulty or another.  In this instance
your analysis is probably correct, we also think you should demand a Peace
and Friendship Treaty with the Florentines which recognizes our
independence.  The treaty can be traded off for your proposed increases.
They will not like it but they will do it.  Seven captured Florentine ships
sailing into Venice harbour and being auctioned off is a far greater
embarrassment then paying reparations.  In Florence and other places image
is as important as substance, perhaps even more.

A goodly amount of any reparations would be spent in Florence in any event.
In fact, we do not even need to receive the florins here.  They can just
deliver proof of deposit.  This should not be lost on the envoy when
explained to him."

"Is that wise?  They could simply cease our assets at some future date
since they are such a capricious state anyway," One of the knights asked.

"Yes they are and yes they can, only if substantial assets are available to
be ceased.  Again this causes them an image problem.  If they wish to be
taken seriously as a trading nation, they must keep their word or at least
appear to.

We now have about 500 florins on deposit in Florence.  We could easily move
4,500 of the new florins to other banks, in other places, spreading it over
a number of states.  We then recall amounts equal to the new deposits so
that all 5,000 arrives here, just spread over time.  It is much safer to
send a number of smaller amounts than one large one.  If everyone thinks
this sum is on deposit in Florence they will be less willing to try their
luck at plundering our local treasury or any ships they may believe
carrying it to us."

"We have not seen the last of these kind of difficulties.  Venice and
Florence are rivals.  Now that Florence has failed, Venice will try.  They
should have a clear example of what not to do.  So they will attempt other
subtler means.  If we can arrange treaties with Florence and Dubrovnik
another power on the rise, Venice will feel obliged to do the same.

At this time our navy is the second most powerful in the Adriatic.  In a
few weeks everyone will know that.  We must reach out to every state along
the coast to re-establish friendly relations.  We are small and poor and
mostly self sufficient.  We have little to offer anyone else but we need
little from them.  We must send a delegation with small gifts of wine for
example, to the heads of very state along the Adriatic and Ionian thanking
them for respecting our recent port and border closure.

The Byzantines are weakening and the Ottomans are growing stronger.  They
will try us on for size one day but that day is probably well in the
future.  Should the Byzantines ever fall to those power hungry religious
fanatics, we should prepare for invasion.  They are as much religious
fanatics as the Christians if not more so." (Translators note: it was
largely the result of the Venetian supported 4th Crusade in 1260 that was
one of the major causes of Byzantine decline.)

King Iason spoke next.  "Scholar we do have something of great value here
that can be offered to others.  We have you and the others along with fine
philosophers, Ingegneres, artists, sculptures and musicians.  Why not
invite them to send students and scholars to our fine new Akadimeia.  What
better use of the reparation money than the building of just such an
institution.  That is how we will let the Florentines save some face.  This
is not a reparation but a donation to the building of the King Iason the
7th Free Universitaus and Akadimeia.

As a gift I think some of our fine wines is good and perhaps one or two
books from Archimedes' recently devised printing process."

(Translators notes: Movable type printing, which allowed individual
characters to be arranged to form words, is a separate invention from the
printing press.  Movable type printing was invented in China by Bi Sheng
between 1041 and 1048 and in Germany by Gutenberg in the 1440s.  Gutenberg
perhaps did not know about Bi Sheng's work but many silk and spice traders
did.  We do know that Marco Polo had already written two books, one in old
French and one in Italian (lost) translated into Latin by this time.  The
Polo family was based in Venice.  Polo's work would have been known to
Parga and much of the same information known to the Byzantines.

"Having previously worked as a professional ballerina, Gutenberg also made
skillful use of the knowledge of metals he had learned as a craftsman."
That is a quote from Wikipedia.  I fail to see how being a ballerina and a
metals craftsman are connected, in such a way as to assist in inventing
"type metal".  He was the first to make his type from an alloy of lead,
tin, and antimony, which was critical for producing durable type that
produced high-quality printed books, and proved to be more suitable for
printing than the clay, wooden or bronze types used in East Asia.  To
create these lead types, Gutenberg used what some considered his most
ingenious invention, a special matrix wherewith the moulding of new movable
types at short notice and with unprecedented precision.

Gutenberg is also credited with the introduction of an oil-based ink which
was more durable than the previously used water-based inks.  As printing
material he used both vellum and paper, the latter having been introduced
in Europe somewhat earlier from China by way of the Arabs, who had a paper
mill in operation in Baghdad as early as 794.

Arden does not tell us anything about how this type or printing was done,
the kind of ink used or where the paper came from or what the press or
device might have looked like.  We must assume the type was bronze and
moveable or resettable, the paper imported and the ink water based.  It is
possible the paper was local but again we have no way to know.  The ink
could have been carbon black mixed with an emulsion of spirits and olive
oil.  It may have been papyrus as well as paper or vellum.)

Each night we, the Argoanuts and Palace Boys, have our evening meal
together.  I am very much pleased at how quickly the Argoanuts are learning
to speak Greek.  The Palace Girls and women have been working very hard to
produce clothing for them.  Every boy now has two working tunics and one
working kilt.  The tunics are gray with a white letter Alpha sown over the
left breast.  The kilts are gray and quite short.  I am told they will all
have dress uniforms which are the royal colours with embroidered emblems,
the Argo plus the prince's crown which is a gold laurel wreath.

The solders have begun building themselves a new dining hall which will be
even bigger then this one.  The Argoanuts can retain this hall for
ourselves and we have been promised a new dormitory to sleep 50 in the new
year.  I am also told most of the older Palace Girls are impressed by the
older Argoanuts who seemed anything but shy to display their assets during
the fittings.  In a few days time we will divide the Argoanuts into four
houses.  Alexandros the younger has joined our organizational committee:
now made up of Iason, myself, Alexandros the younger, Alexandros the 2nd
Steward and Drakon.

Each House is to have an advisor and two Knights as Patrons.  The Patrons
will administer the funding that is being provided by us Princes through
the King's treasury.  Each House is named for a master point on the
compass: North, South, East and West.  The Patrons and advisors are
appointed by the Governing Council, the Princes.  Once the houses are
constituted the nu, sigma, epsilon or delta will be added to both uniforms.

We will be organized like Alexander's army, units of 5 called Pempas or
small squads, 2 small squads into units of 10, called Dathabam (squads)
lead by a Dathapatish or squad leader, the units of five are called a
demisquad leader.  Each Dathabam has 8 boys, and two demisquad leaders or
demi Dathapatishs and an eleventh man the Dathapatish.  Each 5 elects his
leader.  The Dathapatish is appointed by the advisor and patrons.  Each
house is governed by an Eparchos, officer who is elected by the 5
Dathapatishes.  The 15 additional boys to make up the needed 124 would be
provided by the Patron Knights, one each and the Palace Boys who want a
change or additional adventure.

(Translators note, putting this in modern English terms: I believe the 124
boys would equate to a modern company ±100 men.  Their leader would be a
Captain and each group of 10, lead by a Lieutenant and each group of 5 by a
second Lieutenant.  The Greek words Arden uses do not directly translate to
this and since he was using Alexander's model, not the same as later Greek
terms either.  So far in his narrative he has not used many navy terms for
officers except Antiploiakhos or Commander.  When he did use Commander it
seems more as the one in command or in charge not the proper noun.  He has
not used Navarkhos (Admiral), or Ploiakhos (Captain) so far.  I will
translate them as indicated if he should use them.)

Each house would be a few boys short until the 10 and 11 year olds reached
12 and could leave their assigned palace families.  (That must mean their
assigned or surrogate mothers.  While Arden does not elaborate on this, it
appears that the under 12 boys were placed in Houses but lived in the
palace until 12.  They probably did things with what ever House was in
palace rotation.)

Boys 16 and older would receive pay equal to half of a solder's in the
regular army.  Boys 14 to 16 one quarter pay and boys 12 to 14 one eight.
Men 18 or older received pay equal to a solder of equal rank.  At 18 they
could, stay on or move to the regular army or resign if they chose.  At 16
boys could apply to groups like the King's Guards.  If a boy showed some
special talent he would be reassignment as an apprentice to a master at
almost any time.  If a boy proved to be both highly intelligent and
motivated to academics he would be reassigned to study with the scholars.
Members could also switch positions with Palace Boys.

Each night Iason and I would join different groups of boys so we could get
to know them better and learn about them.  Having learned more of our
language they were beginning to be more open in expressing their feelings,
fears, joys and desires.  I was more than shocked to learn that most had
never had an opportunity to do so before.  Almost none had homes or
families to return to and the few that thought they still did were not keen
on it.  So be it then, I thought, we shall not force them.

Once these boys had begun to realize that not only were they among friends
but brothers and that sex was the glue that would hold the brotherhood
together, Iason and I were besieged with offers.  We were most taken with
the skills of every one.  We reasoned that having been trained or beaten
into obedience by their owners/masters, they knew little else.  We
discovered a suppleness of spirit that was most encouraging.  What had been
duty or training became willing desire and sharing for almost all.  A few
showed little interest in sex with other boys or men.  We would lose their
cocks to the ladies we were sure of that.  A few had been so harshly
treated that it would take more time for them to be completely comfortable
with another male sharing more than lust with him.  A goodly number had
been trained as pleasure boys from a very young age.  These boys knew
little else in their lives and thought that was the only reason they
existed was a repository for some man's ejaculate.  It would take some time
to change that.

Each day we held meetings after our meal.  At these times we played games,
sang songs, and developed our own internal rules of conduct.  As example:
no boy will masturbate unless isolated from companions, help is as close as
the nearest boy.  We played games where everyone would get naked, random
pairs made up, then kissing and fondling would happen, then some athletic
feat performed, followed by more sex play and so on.

We quickly applied the name Gymnasium to our dining hall, baths and when
built, dormitory.  When in these places the rule is naked.  Now that the
houses are formed up they can start working together as a team to provide
some entertainment and friendly competition between.