Date: Sun, 6 Jun 1999 22:40:49 -0700
From: The Storyteller <mail@boytales.com>
Subject: "Zhentilar Boys Ch 5" (M/t/b/b) (Ped) (Fantasy)

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WARNING!
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The following is a BoyLove fantasy (Wizards, Magic and BOYS) story, and as
such it contains ADULT subject matter that may be objectionable to some
readers.  If you are offended by Man/Boy love, DO NOT READ THIS STORY.  If
you are under 18 years of age DO NOT READ THIS STORY.  The author DOES NOT
encourage or suggest illegal behavior of any kind.

This story is pure fiction; any resemblance to persons or events in real
life is purely coincidental.  This story is intended as ADULT entertainment
ONLY.

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Please direct comments to:

E-mail: mail@boytales.com

Web Site: http://www.boytales.com/

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The Zhentarim

Copyright 1999 by The Storyteller

Zhentilar Boys

Book 1

Chapter 5

As the wagons neared the small forest of Lonelywood Var grew increasingly
agitated and fidgety.  He sensed magic.  Not the familiar crisp sparkle of
a spell - transient and fleeting - the directed force of a spell caster.
No, this was more like an ancient 'presence,' a presence that had always
been here and always would be here; untouched by time or the workings of
men.  Magic born of the land itself.

Var had heard much of the great mage when he was in Thay, most of which was
tainted by the fact that the old sage is the archenemy of the Red Wizards.
There are several Red Wizards who, individually, are more than a match for
even the most powerful of mages.  Combined, their power is unimaginable,
and yet many of them FEAR Larzon.  It is said that he can travel the planes
of existence at will and hold concert with the Gods themselves.  In Thay it
is death to even utter his name.  And here he was only moments away from
coming face to face with the legendary sage.

When the wagons came to a stop Var peered out the small opening in the side
of the wagon and watched as Draza approached the stout door that pierced
the side of the tower.  The tower itself radiated power like a beacon in
the fog.

When there was no answer Draza raised the iron ring and knocked a second
time.  The boom could be heard echoing on the other side of the door.
After a short pause the sound of a heavy iron bar sliding in its bracket
erupted through the wood and the door squeaked open about a foot to reveal
a young man in his early twenties blocking the entrance.

"What do you want?"  The young man barked.

"I am Lord Draza, I am here to see Larzon.  He will be expecting me."

"Lord Draza, oh yes of course!  Please...Do come in out of the cold.  The
master is most anxious to see you," he gushed as he swung the door wide and
waved his hand with a flourish motioning him to enter.

"Just a moment, I have friends waiting in the wagons," he said as he strode
back to his companions.

When Draza returned with Tarin, Karsten, Var, and Brynja in tow the young
man focused on Tarin and Karsten and his face registered surprise at the
site of the young boys.  Judging from the description he had been given by
his master in regards to the great General the last thing he expected to
see in the man's presence was a pair of tender young boys.  Tarin smiled
mischievously when he noticed the effect he was having on the young man.

Draza, being as observant as a cat on the prowl, noticed the man's surprise
as well and shot a knowing glance at Tarin.  "What is your name young man?"
Draza asked breaking the silence.

"Uh...Patris milord," he replied with a half bow snapping out of his
contemplation.  "If you and your friends will follow me I will show you
where you may wait in comfort while I inform the master that you have
arrived."

They entered into a twenty by twenty-five-foot room lavishly decorated with
statues and artifacts from all corners of the realms.  An ornate set of
double doors stood directly opposite the door through which they had just
entered.  The floor was covered with a large expensive-looking rug upon
which stood a wooden table with a candle in the center.  To the left burned
a warm fire in a big stone hearth.  Patris led them through a single door
to the right opposite the hearth.

"Please make yourselves at home, the master will be with you shortly."

Var gazed around the room as if he were a child in a toy store.  The room
was the same size as the entryway, it contained an even larger stone
fireplace and a low table with four chairs around it.  The fireplace was
flanked on both sides by tall gilded statues.

The wizard walked around the room examining the tapestries while Draza, the
two boys, and Brynja settled into the chairs and let the warm fire chase
off the bitter cold.

				   ****

Patris faced a dilemma.  The presence of the boys had visibly shaken him,
but not entirely for the same reasons Draza suspected.  "Why did I have to
be the one to answer the door," Patris thought to himself as he tried to
figure out how to handle the situation.  It was a well known fact that
Larzon could not stand to be in the presence of children, though no one
knew exactly WHY.  After thinking about it for a while he decided that the
best thing to do would be to march right up to the old man and tell him
straight out.  He steeled himself and headed for the top floor of the tower
as if on a mission.

				   ****

Larzon sat up straight in his chair and arched his back.  His old muscles
always grew painfully stiff after sitting so long in his wooden chair.  All
of his friends kept hounding him to get a more comfortable chair to sit in,
claiming that it would make him less grouchy.  He smiled and chuckled to
himself as he thought about it.  It had taken him hundreds of years to
cultivate his reputation as a cantankerous old eccentric.  Oh he had a few
friends who were close enough to him to know the truth, but he had done
such a good job of convincing the masses of his sour and unpredictable
disposition that nobody listened when told otherwise.  And it wasn't all a
facade; he DID have a rather fiery temper when provoked.

As he leaned back in his chair to rest his eyes and back a subtle feeling
crept through him that he wasn't sure he liked.  It was a trace of tainted
magic that he hadn't felt in ages.  He thought about it some more and it
finally occurred to him where he had sensed that taint before - Thay.  "Now
what in the abyss is someone from Thay doing here?  It just doesn't make
any sense; Thay is thousands of leagues across the continent," he thought
to himself.

"Perhaps I'm mistaken, after all it HAS been many years since I have been
to that accursed land," he concluded.  Then he noticed that there was
another even subtler feeling that had been hidden just below the taint.
That is probably the reason why he didn't notice it at first.  This second
vibration in the weave was very ancient magic - energy...and...YOUTH, that
was it. What bothered him though was the fact that BOTH sensations had
arrived together.

The great mage rose to his feet and stretched out his arm.  A long ornately
carved and decorated staff quivered and then suddenly snapped into his
opened palm.  The instant it contacted his hand a huge blue sapphire
enshrined in gold at the top of the staff began to glow with an eerie blue
light.

Just as he was about to reach for the door latch someone knocked.  Normally
he would have been warned of someone's approach by one of the various
enchantments that had been woven onto the stones, but he was not paying
attention to the currents and so he was startled by the sudden knock.

He took a single step back away from the door and sent out a tiny pulse of
energy, it was only his student Patris.  "What is it Patris?" he called
through the door, "Come in come in, don't dawdle out there all day."

The young apprentice took a deep breath and opened the door.  He was
surprised to find Larzon standing so close to the door holding his staff.

Well then, what is it?"  Larzon barked impatiently.

"Lord Draza has arrived, he is waiting in the parlor.  Uh...he...Um, he has
a couple of boys with him."  There, he said it.  He cringed as he waited
for the explosion that would likely bring down the entire tower.  Nothing
happened, Larzon just stood there lost in thought with his eyes blazing and
his brow furled.

The old mage crooked a finger motioning for Patris to follow him as he
walked to the nearest chair and sat down.

"Draza has BOYS with him you say?"  He drew the word 'boys' out not in
distaste but in interest.

"Yes - indeed he does master.  Two young boys, and he is also accompanied
my a mage and a woman."

"The woman doesn't surprise me, but a mage you say?"  Larzon's face lit up
again.

"I think so, he carries the equipment and pouches of a spellcaster and I
can sense it in him."

"You are most observant Patris, well done.  I do not like to be caught off
guard."

'That accounts for the Thayan magic I felt, but it still leaves a lot of
unanswered questions,' he mused silently.  "Inform our guests that I will
be with them shortly.  Meanwhile I will change into something a little more
'impressive'," he winked to his apprentice.

After Patris was gone, he walked over and stood peering out the window into
the night.  "Something is definitely afoot and I don't think I am going to
like it very much.  Ah, well so much for peace and quiet," he
half-whispered half-spoke to no one in particular, his breath fogging up on
the cold glass.  After a few moments he turned and headed to his chambers
to change his robes.  His demeanor was dark.

				   ****

Var suddenly turned his attention to the door and raised his hand in a
hasty call for silence.  "He's close," he said in a low matter-of-fact
tone.  Everyone froze, even Draza who knew the wizard well enough to know
that there was nothing to fear, and focused on the door.

Larzon swept THROUGH the heavy door without opening it and stood shimmering
for a moment, then his form solidified.  He was indeed an awe-inspiring
sight.  He wore a magnificent indigo purple robe of velvet lavishly
decorated with arcane symbols made of spun gold and silver needlepoint.
The symbols sparkled and glowed as he moved.  His thick shoulder length
hair was silvery-white and surprisingly healthy looking and he sported a
long beard the same color as his hair.  Power and intelligence radiated
from him as if his physical body had a hard time containing the enormity of
his life force; and yet there was not a trace of arrogance or haughtiness
about him.  His staff caught Var's attention like a moth to the flame.  His
gray-blue eyes casually studied each member of the little group and then he
approached Draza.

"Ahh Lord Draza you have finally arrived, did you encounter any trouble on
the way?"  Larzon rumbled as he eyed the two boys with obvious distaste.

"Everything was fine until I reached Hundlestone where I met up with my
companions here and then things got a little strange.  We have a great deal
to discuss," Draza replied arching his eyebrows.

"Indeed we have by the looks of things," Larzon breathed indicating the two
boys and Var.  He turned to Var and continued, "It is always a pleasure to
have a fellow sorcerer under my roof."

Var quickly moved closer the mage.  "I am honored to meet you Master
Larzon.  My name is Var," he said bowing formally.

"Ahh I have heard of you, although very little.  Call me Larzon, only my
students call me master, although there are those from say...Thay that have
called me other less courteous names," Larzon said looking for a reaction -
there was none.

"As you wish Larzon."  Var didn't quite know what to make of the figure
before him, but he knew he would learn more about the living legend soon
enough.

"Allow me to introduce my partner, Priestess Brynja."  Brynja stepped
forward graceful as ever.

"Welcome Priestess, the healing energy runs strong in you.  Which of our
illustrious gods do you serve?"  His eyes softened a little at the site of
the beautiful woman.

"Sune (SUE-nee), Ancient One."

"The Princess of Passion - Lady of Love, a most fitting choice.  You are a
very beautiful woman Lady Brynja."  Larzon turned his attention to Draza
once again.

"Patris here will show you to your rooms, in the meantime allow me to have
a meal prepared.  After we have dined we will discuss our business.  I am
most anxious to hear about your journey and how you came to travel with
these youngsters," he grumbled as he once again glared at the two
astonished boys who cowered next to Draza.

"Just a moment old Wizard - Tarin bring in the rest of the group, I am sure
Larzon will be thrilled to met everyone."  Draza shot a devilish grin at
his host who scowled back.

Tarin approached Larzon timidly but not without his characteristic
conviction; he had overcome much of his trepidation in the time spent with
Draza.  "You aren't really as mean as they say are you Master Larzon?"  His
boyish gaze was filled with awe and sincerity.

The power of the boy's innocent beauty and the sincerity in his sparkling
eyes struck Larzon with a wave of emotion and intensity so powerful it
caused him to hesitate.  He was instantly reminded of the reason why he
disliked children, or at least avoided their company; they possessed
innocence and beauty that was distracting and often caused one to act
impulsively.  They also tend to get what they want no matter how much one
try to resist their boyish charms.  Larzon narrowed his slate-gray eyes and
thought for a moment as he held the boy's attention.  Before he dispelled
the boy's fear of him he had to find out more about the young man.

"You are a most impetuous young man.  I must talk to Lord Draza in private,
you will all stay here until we return.  We won't be but a moment - if you
will follow me Lord Draza."

Draza and Larzon went through the ornate double doors at the north end of
the foyer and then took the first door to the left putting them in the
guest library.  The stone walls were lined from floor to ceiling with
bookshelves that were filled with manuscripts and scrolls.  A large round
wooden table with chairs sat on a thick area rug in the middle of the space
and an unlit fireplace stood in the west wall opposite the door. As soon as
they entered two wall sconces flared to life on either side of the cold
fireplace.  Despite the absence of a fire, the room was comfortable if not
warm.

"Draza I'm sure you have a reason for bringing your rather unusual
companions with you, and there will be ample time after the evening meal to
discuss it, but I must know if the boy Tarin is trustworthy.  Is he with
you or the wizard?"

"He is with me, and I can assure you that he is as loyal as anyone can be.
I had doubts when I met him but I have put him through some rather cruel
tests which he passed without hesitation, even to the point of firmly
believing he was killing himself in the process.  I don't fully understand
it yet, but he has given his life to me.  I had hoped you could shed some
light on recent events," Draza said with a sigh.

"At the moment I am almost as confused as you are, whether it is the work
of the Gods or some less noble power I cannot say at this point.  Perhaps
things will become clearer as time progresses.  Let us hope that we find
out what we need to know before it is too late.

"The mage has used Red magic from Thay that much I know, what else can you
tell me about him?"

"He says he learned his craft in Thay but claims he left after a
disagreement.  I tend to believe him since he's been helpful and honest so
far."  Draza filled him in on some of the details of their having to leave
the Keep and Var being forced to relocate.  Larzon seemed to be satisfied
so the two of them returned to the parlor.

"In answer to your question young man, I have never bit anyone...YET!  Now,
you had better go and bring the rest of your company into the tower like
your master told you to do or they will soon freeze."  Larzon sneered icily
but Tarin somehow knew he was only teasing.

"Yes of course master Larzon."  He said and headed for the door.

"Patris!  Will you call the stable master and have the wagons unloaded and
put away.  Oh! Yes I almost forgot, first have a meal prepared; enough to
feed a large party of hungry travelers."

"Right away milord," Patris said and also hurried off.

"Shall we wait for them in the foyer Lord Draza?"

"Fine with me," Draza answered and everyone moved back into the foyer.
While they waited for the others to come in out of the cold Var stood by
the table and leaned on his staff as he asked Larzon a barrage of
questions.  Larzon would reply, sometimes cryptically, and then ask his own
questions.  They both seemed to be relaxing as they talked.

A little while later Draza was beginning to wonder what was taking so long
for the others to come in when Tarin came through the door on a gust of icy
wind.  His long dark hair was blown every which way and speckled with
melting snowflakes.

"Master, the stable master came and said that he was told to unload and
stable the wagons but the others insisted on helping him unload so they
went with him to the stables.  I TOLD them you were the one that sent me.
The ones with us were gonna do what I said but the ones with Var said they
had to unload their wagon themselves.  They all said they would be in as
soon as the wagons were unloaded," Tarin huffed.  He looked at Larzon as if
he expected to be reprimanded.

The old mage studied him for a moment and then looked at Var as he cracked
a sarcastic grin.  "Is it so hard to understand why I dislike children?" he
said to the group.  "Calm yourself Tarin, you did all that you could do
under the circumstances did you not?"

"Yes master Larzon...I guess so," he said relieved.

"I see what you mean, he is most eager to please," Larzon said to Draza.
He looked at Karsten.  When their eyes met Larzon saw a smoldering of
ancient magic in that innocent gaze.  "And where did you find this one?"

"His name is Karsten, I ran across him at the Inn in Hundlestone...but I
thought you would know that!"

"Why do you say that Lord Draza?"

"Take off your coat and show Larzon your tummy Karsten," Draza urged.

Karsten looked stunned and embarrassed as it occurred to him what Draza was
referring to.  "Do I have to?" he whined.

"Yes you have to, Larzon might be able to tell you more about it and what
it means," Draza explained gently.

Karsten shook off his fur coat and pulled up his tunic with one hand
exposing his soft firm tummy then he pulled his soft leather breeches down
to just below the reddish-pink mark.  His hipbone was visible right next to
the mark.  Larzon was momentarily stunned, but he did not want the child to
be ashamed about the mark and he didn't want to frighten him so he steeled
himself and knelt down to get a closer look.  He stood back up and stared
at the angelic little boy for a few moments then he asked in a calm voice,
"Have you always had that mark Karsten?"

"No...It appeared a couple moons ago I think," he replied sheepishly.

Seeing it with his own eyes was all Larzon needed to convince himself that
Karsten was indeed who he thought he was.  "You are a very special little
boy Karsten.  Now cover yourself back up and DO NOT show that to anyone
except those of us in this room, and never tell anyone else about it
either.  You must understand that there is absolutely nothing wrong with
you because you have that mark and it is nothing to be frightened about,
but there are a few people who would stop at nothing to get their hands on
whoever, or whatever bears that mark.  Has anyone in this room told anyone
else about this?" he said as he swung his attention around to the others in
the room.

"I have told no one," Var answered with conviction.

"Nor have I," Brynja seconded.

"Having read your letter, I knew it was something important so I have not
so much as mentioned it to anyone.  Tarin, have you told anyone, anyone at
all?"  Draza pressed.

"No master, I haven't even seen it until now.  At the keep you talked about
the moon once but I didn't know that Karsten had one on him and I didn't
really know what you were talking about anyway," Tarin explained.

"Excellent, I think we can be fairly certain that we are the only ones who
know about this so far.  Karsten you are not to go ANYWHERE unless Var,
Brynja, Draza or myself is with you.  Not even for a minute and not even in
this tower, do you understand?"

"Yeah I understand, I won't go nowhere I promise," the little boy chirped
pursing his lips with intensity.  He suddenly felt very important but he
had no idea why yet.  He clutched Draza's leg tightly.

Just as they finished their inspection of Karsten the door opened again and
Corann, Nikki, Athan, Altin, Coulter, Illian, Kelly, Cailin, and Schuyler,
led by Trent crowded in through the door followed by the stable master.

"BY THE GODS what in the name of Bane is THIS!"  Larzon boomed.  His voice
grew in intensity until the very foundation itself trembled.  The boys
froze in terror as the air around the Great Mage crackled with power.
Everyone went completely silent for several seconds until Var started
cackling with sinister laughter.

"I am glad you find this so humorous wizard, I myself find it terrifying.
I thought you would have MEN - SOLDIERS with you, and what do I see?  I see
BOYS, little BOYS.  Are you out of your mind Draza?"  Larzon continued his
tirade for a little while longer and then he calmed down enough to get a
look at these 'little boys'.  They were certainly stunning to say the least
and there seemed to be something about a few of them that told him they
might not be as helpless as they appeared.  For one thing, several of them
radiated power.  "I don't have time for children, what do you suggest we do
with them?"

Var pointed at each of his boys as he introduced them, "Half of them are
mine Larzon and they will be no trouble to you.  This is Trent, Nikki,
Athan, Coulter, Illian, and Schuyler."

Nikki caught Larzon's attention and the mage's eyes lingered on the boy for
some time after the others broke off and relaxed a bit.  Nikki stood
staring at the Ancient One like a statue.  Larzon's long silver beard,
sharp features and leathery skin spoke of an ageless wisdom and power that
captivated the intensely beautiful young man.  They snapped back to reality
when Draza spoke.

"And this is Corann, Altin, Kelly, and Cailin.  They are with me," Draza
said.  All of the boys greeted the wizard one by one and then both groups
(all except Nikki who had moved nearer to Larzon) gathered together and
looked at their host over the table in the center of the room.

Larzon could 'feel' Nikki's eyes on him. They looked at each other again
and Nikki smiled as if in a trance.  Larzon could see the all too familiar
admiration of power that so many youngsters displayed in his presence.  He
couldn't help but notice the bright pure blue eyes the boy possessed.

"Hopefully we will get a clearer picture of what all of this means when we
have had time to talk," Larzon muttered as he looked over the group of boys
gawking at him like a fox at the hen.

"Sune has been giving me signs that something is about to take place,
although I have no idea what that may be," Brynja purred.

"I suggest we take this conversation into the dining hall where we may sit
and wait for our meal in comfort," Larzon said as he headed toward the
dining room.

They went through the double doors in the north wall of the foyer that
opened into a ten-foot wide hallway.  Then they passed through another set
of double doors on their right just opposite the door to the library and
they were in the Grand Dining Room.  The opulence of the foyer and parlor
continued on an even grander scale in this huge room.  The room was
forty-five feet long and thirty feet wide as seen from the entrance.  It
had a massive ancient knurlwood table of Dwarven craftsmanship and a huge
thick woven rug with finely carved chairs all around the table that were if
unimaginable value.

Nikki managed, after some quick maneuvering, to sit next to Larzon while
Tarin and Karsten sat on either side of Draza, and Trent and Illian sat
with Var.  Brynja ended up on the other side of Larzon and the rest of the
boys took whatever chair was closest to them.

A servant brought wine, ale, and bread and then left them alone until the
rest of the meal was ready.  Var, Brynja, and Draza took turns filling
Larzon in on what had taken place in Hundlestone, finishing off with the
stranger and the death of Darra.  The meal was then served and the adults
ate in silence while the boys chatted merrily amongst themselves.  Larzon
couldn't stop looking at Nikki.  The boy's natural beauty captivated the
old wizard for some reason, making him somewhat uneasy.

As he ate, Larzon studied his guests closely.  He noticed that the boys
were extremely well behaved, never eating with their hands and not playing
with the food.  They didn't interrupt each other or anyone else and they
were uncommonly polite to the servants.  The adult guests were for the most
part occupied with their own thoughts; they appeared as concerned with
recent events as he was.

When the food had been removed from the table, Larzon took Draza, Brynja,
and Var with him to show them their rooms.  Four of the guestrooms were
located in the northwest corner on the ground floor accessed via a corridor
next to the spiral staircase that leads to the Great Hall on the second
floor.  There is also one oversized guestroom on the other side of the
stairs next to the hot pool.  This room has oversized furnishings and is
where Draza would sleep.  He was familiar with the room having stayed there
on previous visits.  Two of the four rooms each have a smaller room
attached to them where personal servants can sleep so as to tend to their
master.

As for the boys, it was decided that Tarin would sleep with Draza in his
huge bed, Karsten would bunk in the servant's room attached to Var's room.
Var's boys would sleep in one of the empty apprentice barracks, both of
which were located on the top floor of the tower with Larzon's private
chambers, and the rest of Draza's clan would take the other apprentice
barracks.  Neither room had been used since Larzon closed his magic school
many years ago.

The adults had planned on meeting for a talk after the boys were in bed,
but by the time everyone was shown to their rooms and they had retrieved
what clothing was needed for the night it was decided that everything could
wait for morning.

				   ****

Karsten lay under the thick blankets and started to cry.  He felt so alone
and he was just sure that all of this trouble everyone was talking about
was his fault.  If it wasn't for the stupid scar none of this would have
happened.  And he wondered why they made him sleep in this dark room all
alone; he hated it.  The walls seemed to be watching him, listening to
every heartbeat, every sniffle, every breath, every tear.  After a while he
finally decided that he couldn't sleep in this room all night so he slipped
quietly out of bed and tiptoed past Var's sleeping form and then out into
the dark hallway.

He peered across the main hallway and could dimly make out the door to
Draza's room about twenty-five feet away.  The main hallway ran from the
entrance foyer all the way to the staircase at the north end of the tower.
Just before it reached the stairs, the main hallway branched off to the
left/west and this was the corridor that led to the four guest rooms; two
on the north side and two on the south side of the hall.  On the east side
of the main hallway there were two doors set at an angle near the stairs,
one led to the hot pool and the other to Draza's room.

The frightened little boy padded on bare feet across to Draza's door.  It
was unlocked.  He eased the door open and stepped inside.  A single candle
on a table by the door lit the room.  Draza and Tarin appeared to be
asleep.  As the frightened little boy approached the huge bed Draza stirred
and Karsten froze.  He didn't really care if his master woke up, but this
had become a game to him and he wanted to surprise the big general.

He carefully lifted the blankets and slipped in under the covers.  He was
completely naked and Draza's warm strong body, also naked, felt good
against his skin.  He snuggled up to the big man, curled into a fetal
position, and quickly fell asleep.  Draza smiled and slipped his arm gently
over the sleeping boy shielding him with his massive frame, and then fell
asleep himself.

				   ****

"Trent!  Are you awake?" Coulter whispered.  When the boys chose their bed,
he made sure he got one next to Trent.  He liked Trent, in fact, he liked
him a LOT, but not knowing how the other boy would react he had always been
afraid to let it show.  Now for the first time he had a bed right next to
him so he decided to take the chance.

"Yeah, I'm awake - who is that?" Trent whispered.

"It's me - Coulter" Coulter replied quietly, almost timidly.

"Oh! I didn't recognize your voice - that's all," Trent whispered stunned.

Coulter rarely ever spoke to anyone except Var, and when he did speak to
one of the other boys it was only when he had a good reason.  All of the
other boys thought he was so cute with his blond hair and cute smile.  They
said he had the cutest butt and his eyes and skin was irresistible, even
his strange accent sounded sexy.  Everyone said that his accent came from
Thay, and it DID resemble Var's accent, so everyone just assumed that he
had come from Thay with the wizard.  He was considered to be Var's
favorite.  Because of this and the fact that his true origin was unknown,
no one DARED to cross him fearing that he might use some weird Thayan evil
magic on them.  This was also the reason why no one would question or
harass him when he routinely refused their advances of friendship or
intimacy.  And so it was that he had never associated with any of them,
although he WAS known to look at a boy longingly on occasion.  This did not
mean, however, that any one of them would turn down his offer of either
friendship or a more serious relationship.  In fact most of them, Trent in
particular, would willingly give just about anything to have him as a
friend or lover.

'Oh my GOD it really IS Coulter, Oh shit I can't believe it!' he thought to
himself frantically.  This was too awesome, Coulter was actually talking to
him, and he did it all on his own without any prompting.  He was so happy
and yet he didn't want to ruin his one chance to make friends with the
cutest boy in the world.  He would soar with eagles every time Coulter even
so much as glanced at him.

'Oh he sounds so sweet,' Coulter thought. He had to think of the right
thing to say so he wouldn't scare Trent or make him think he was weird, he
couldn't ruin this ONE chance, not after he finally got up the nerve to
talk to the cute sexy boy god.  "I'm sorry if I woke you up Trent, I didn't
mean to.  You can go back to sleep if you want!" Coulter purred in his cute
accent.

That accent and silky boy-voice was driving Trent nuts with desire.  He
could just see those soft red lips saying those words - see his eyes
sparkle with life. "Oh no you didn't wake me, I was just lying here
thinking.  I'm not really that tired...are you?"  He HAD to keep him
talking.

"Me neither...I mean - no I'm not very tired either."  'Now what?' he asked
himself.  He couldn't believe how great it felt just talking to Trent.  "Do
you ever get lonely...I mean do you ever wish you had someone to be with?"

"Yeah, but I've gotten pretty used to it," Trent said sadly.

"Why do you say that?  Don't you like talking to me?"

"I like being with you a lot!  That's what I mean...You're the ONLY one I
want to be with," Trent replied candidly before he realized what he was
saying.  Then suddenly his face tightened into a concerned frown.  He
looked at Coulter hoping he hadn't said the wrong thing; his eyes were
pleading.

"You do?  Really?  I mean...you like me?"  Coulter's eyes were wide and he
had propped himself up on his elbow.  He felt so good and so lucky that
Trent seemed to like him too.  "Hey why don't ya get in my bed so we can
talk without anyone hearing us...if you want to!"

"You sure you don't mind?  I'm not wearing anything."  Trent was in heaven.

"Neither am I, I don't mind if you don't."

"OK" Trent said and slid naked out of his bed.  The air was cold on his
tender young skin and he shivered as he hurried over to Coulter's bed.

"Hurry up get in, it's warm in here," Coulter said as he pulled the
blankets up so Trent could slide under them.  Trent's nude body was so
beautiful as he padded across the few feet that separated the two beds
holding himself against the chill night air.  Trent sat on the bed and
pulled his legs up to his chest then he twisted around and slid his feet
under the blankets.  Coulter could smell his sweet boy smell as he got
under the blankets.

When Trent slid under the covers he immediately felt the warmth where
Coulter had moved over so he could get in beside him.  He shivered a few
times to warm up a little and then he turned over so that he was facing his
friend.

They had two of the three beds that were in the middle of the large room,
the third one was unoccupied.  The other four boys had the beds against the
north wall.  At the foot of their beds lay the big area rug in front of the
huge fireplace.  The fireplace had been cleaned out many years ago and
hadn't been lit since.

"WOW your bed's so warm how do you get it this warm?"  Trent asked.

"I just use a real weak heat spell and it does that but then when I fall
asleep the spell finally fades.  I bet Larzon's spells NEVER fade."

"Yeah prolly not, so your magic is making the bed warm?"

"Yep, of course, don't you ever use magic for stuff like that?"  Coulter
inquired.  He concentrated and heated the bed a little more then moved so
he was just touching Trent.

Trent could feel the bed get warmer and then he felt Coulter's body touch
his.  He almost didn't say anything but he decided to be honest so he said,
"I can't do magic Coulter, I tried whenever Var would teach us something
but it was just too hard to understand and I couldn't get it to work.  Not
even the easy stuff."  He felt so ashamed but he had to trust someone
eventually so it might as well be the boy he liked the most.

"Oh I didn't know...didn't you tell Var?  He would help you.  Just because
it's hard doesn't mean you can't do it, it just takes more time to learn
for some that's all."

"I didn't want Var to think I was stupid, please don't tell him.  I
couldn't stand it if you told him, he would hate me."

"If you really don't want me to I won't tell him but he wouldn't hate you
just because you don't know magic."

				  ******

Larzon was propped up on one elbow gazing into a pyramid shaped crystal
when he reached for the glass of mead that stood on his nightstand.  He
lifted the glass to his lips and took a long drought of the sweet wine.  He
had activated the crystal just to check on the boys to make sure they were
all right when he saw one of them get up and scamper to another bed.
Startled by the sudden movement, he zoomed in on the area for a closer
examination and discovered that there were not one, but two boys in the
bed.  He listened to the conversation for a few minutes and soon learned
that one of the boys was distraught over the fact that he couldn't seem to
weave magic.  'How many times have I heard that one?' he asked himself.
Deciding he had done enough eavesdropping for one night, he motioned with
his free hand and the image in the pyramid faded and disappeared.  The old
man drained his glass and settled down to sleep.  He would figure out how
to teach the beautiful youth without embarrassing him or revealing his
spying.

				  ******

"Maybe not, but PLEEEASE don't tell him, OK?"  Trent pleaded.

Coulter looked into those clear dark eyes and was captivated by their
boyish allure.  "I won't, I promise."  Coulter felt such an intense desire
to reach out and hold Trent, to touch his smooth cheek, to run his finger
caressingly over his eyelashes.  But his fear of rejection was so intense
that he just lay there on his side frozen by the unseen force of
apprehension.  Coulter was an extremely sensitive and loving boy but he had
never been loved.  Everyone he had ever shown affection toward had mocked
him, laughed at him, or had outright hated him.  Coulter was far from shy
but he was afraid and lonely.

Trent, on the other hand, was very shy and timid.  He could never make the
first move.  He wanted - needed - to be told what to do, he wanted to be
possessed.  He could literally FEEL Coulter's gaze burn into him.  He
thought he saw tenderness and desire in that look but he was powerless to
respond.  He imagined how Coulter's soft golden nose and red lips would
feel on his tummy.  Those little dimples when he smiled would always make
Trent's penis flutter and grow.

The silence between them grew awkward.  Trent rolled onto his back and
stared at the ceiling.  He didn't want to give Coulter the idea that he
didn't want to be here in bed with him but he didn't know what to say.
Coulter could tell by the way that Trent had looked at him that the boy
probably wouldn't object to being touched.  He also knew that the silence
was getting uncomfortable and if he didn't say something, Trent might go
back to his own bed.

"You can sleep here all night if you want, it might be warmer with two of
us under the blankets," Coulter offered.

"Yeah I get cold all the time at night and I hate it."

Spontaneously Coulter moved closer to Trent until his tummy was pressed up
against Trent's arm and he put his arm over the other boy's chest.  The
soft skin and firm tummy muscles that met his touch immediately made him
get hard.

"You won't get cold, I'll hold you all night," Coulter breathed quietly in
Trent's ear.  He couldn't believe he had just done what he did, all of a
sudden a cold wave of fear washed over him as he waited for the inevitable
reaction of disgust that he was sure would follow his brash advance.  His
heart was pounding with a mix of desire and anxiety.

Coulter's sweet boy breath and soft accented voice in Trent's ear was too
much for Trent to resist, he turned on his side under Coulter's embrace
with his back toward the other boy and eased his entire body against
Coulter's.  He felt the other boy's erection and snuggled his butt up
against it.  Coulter cooed incoherently and Trent breathed, "Ohhh
Coulter...I love you."  He said the last three words so quietly that he was
sure Coulter hadn't heard them.  But Coulter did hear those magic words; a
stream of tears ran over his cheeks as he slowly drifted into deep
contented slumber.

The next morning just before dawn, Var woke Draza up during his frantic
search for Karsten and then headed for the library.  When he thought about
it, he should have known better than to put Karsten in that bleak little
room.

Draza took Karsten and Tarin to the hot pool next to his room where Karsten
did his best to cheer Tarin up by hugging and wrestling with the older boy.
Tarin couldn't resist Karsten's playful advances so he slowly loosened up
and began to tease the boy back.  After a while Tarin sat in the pool next
to Draza to relax and Karsten came over and sat on his lap in the water.
Tarin impulsively reached out and stroked the boy's hair and back.  Karsten
cooed and leaned into him.  The feel of each other's bodies was so nice for
both of them that they continued to sit there like that until Draza became
waterlogged and got out of the pool ordering the two boys to follow him.
When Tarin rose out of the hot water his cock was at full mast.  Karsten
giggled and took the raging phallus in his soft little hand.

"WOW!  It's big and you're still a boy, will mine get that big?"  He asked
as his eyes grew big.

"It's not that big KaAR...Ohhh...KARSTEN!" He snapped, "STOP IT!  You're
too little for that!" he gasped and sucked in a quick breath.

"Am NOT! And besides you like it or it wouldn't be so hard!" Karsten
declared refusing to stop kneading Tarin's throbbing organ.  Tarin's cheeks
were pink with embarrassment as he reached down and slapped Karsten's hand
away.

Draza had been watching this little scene of puppy love as he wrapped a
huge towel around his giant frame.  He chuckled to himself and barked,
"Come with me you two."

"Yes master," Tarin answered with relief.

Karsten said nothing, he just bounced around giggling with energy.  He
didn't know why for sure, but it made him feel good touching Tarin's thing
like that.

				  ******

Having stayed up longer than everyone else, Coulter and Trent were still
asleep when the others woke up.  Illian was the first to poke his head out
of the blankets.  The chill air hit him in the face as he looked around.
It was never this cold in the morning on the south side of the mountains,
he had heard that it was colder up here but he never imagined just how
cold.  Larzon's tower walls were at least twice as thick as the ones at the
keep and yet it was still freezing in here.  He even noticed a slight fog
on his warm breath.  He looked around for something to put on and grabbed
his fur overcoat then jumped out of the warm bed and flung the coat around
him.

Looking around again he spotted the massive hearth on the other side of the
large room.  'I gotta start a fire,' he thought to himself as he headed for
the hearth.  He bent down to grab some wood when all of a sudden the wall
sconces and the fireplace burst into fiery life.  Illian whirled around and
jumped when he saw Larzon looming directly behind him looking like some
god-like spectre in his rich blue robes and long white beard.  Illian,
intimidated by such an august presence, prostrated himself before the sage.

"Forgive me master, I didn't see you come in," the boy choked.

"Rise child," Larzon commanded.

Illian got to his feet and looked up into Larzon's steel-blue all-knowing
eyes.  The mage stared back at him as if to look into his soul; for a few
moments he seemed to contemplate something.

"What were you doing there when I came in?"  The mage asked.

"I was gonna build a fire," the boy answered.

"Magic flows strong in you, I can feel it even now.  Why did you not simply
use your power to light the flame?"

"I...I...I can't, I'm not old enough and I don't have enough power."

"NONSENSE!" Larzon boomed gruffly.  "You were born with the power and age
has nothing to do with that other than the amount of time it takes to learn
how to use it.  Some must call the power to them and then it grows as they
learn and practice it, but those such as yourself whom the gods have gifted
with the ability, always have it.  You merely have to learn to use what is
already there, but first you must BELIEVE in your ability, NOT doubt it."
Larzon heaved a deep sigh and eased himself into one of the three chairs in
front of the hearth.

The other boys were startled awake as soon as the torches came to life and
now they were all propped up in their elbows looking intently at the
wizard.

"What is your name boy?"

"Illian, master"

"Illian come here and I will show you something."  Illian came to him
hesitantly.  "Now then, you won't be needing that heavy coat."  Larzon
motioned with his hands and the coat pulled off of him and landed on the
floor around his feet.  Illian now stood clad only in a thin cotton
undergarment but the fire was warm on his soft skin.  "Turn towards the
fire and come closer to me."  Illian complied and Larzon reached out and
picked the boy up and set him on his lap using magic to make it easier on
his old bones.  When the wizard touched him, Illian felt like he was
floating.

"Look into the fire Illian and I will give you a vision of how to weave the
element of fire.  Open your thoughts to the flow of energy that makes up
the flames and search for that same weave, that same essence, in
yourself. Now don't resist and I will show you, are you ready?"

Illian nodded his head.  Larzon placed one hand on the boy's silky back at
the base of the neck and then he extended his other arm out and raised his
fingers up so his palm was toward the fire.  The air shimmered in a beam
the size of the wizards palm from his hand to the flames and the fire
suddenly bellowed to life and roared up the immense chimney surging out
into the room about four feet, then it died down.

Illian looked like a five-year-old who's just seen his first birthday cake.
His eyes were wide and his mouth was half-open.  "I see I see, I know how
to do it now!" he exclaimed excitedly as his soft butt bounced on Larzon's
lap.  Then he remembered himself and felt stupid for acting half his age.

Athan, Schuyler, Nikki, Trent, and Coulter were now standing around the
fireplace watching the spectacle as Illian, unable to resist the
temptation, raised his arm and pointed his palm at the now tame fire.  The
air again shimmered like a watery heat wave off of a hot surface, but this
time, instead of a concentrated beam, the wave went out in a cone that
flared out toward the fire.  The fire didn't just flare up, it exploded out
into the room.  Suddenly Illian felt like he had been harshly cut off from
his own life force.  He fell back onto Larzon's chest completely exhausted.

"I cut you off from the power Illian or it could have killed you.  This
taught you a valuable lesson, you must learn the nature of the magic you
are using before you can control it, and you must be able to control it
before you attempt to use it.  The magic I have shown you here is much
different than the common magic that most wizards teach their students.
Dabblers in the Arts must discover this kind of magic on their own, and
when they do, IF they do, they usually guard their secret discovery very
closely."  Larzon nudged Illian off of his lap and stood up.  "I must have
a few words with your masters and mistress and you boys are to dress
yourselves and make ready for the day."  He looked at each of their faces
sternly, waiting for an answer.

"Yes master," they all chorused.

Larzon went out into the hall and summoned his servant.  He told him to
have Draza, Var, and Brynja meet him in his private library after they had
broken their fast and then he told the servant to tell his cook he was
ready to eat.

Var's boys insisted on personally serving their master, and seeing this,
Corann ordered Altin, Kelly, and Cailin to help him do the same for Draza.
The boys minded reasonably well and it seemed to do them good to see
something in their lives become somewhat regimented again.

Brynja was the first to arrive at Larzon's library while Var gave Illian
instructions about unloading what was left in their wagon and Draza tickled
Tarin and horsed around with the twins.

The private library was another huge room lined with rows of bookshelves
that stretched from floor to ceiling.  It was lavishly furnished with thick
priceless carpets, expensive handcrafted wooden chairs, and an ancient
wooden table that stood in front of the fireplace.  The room had more
windows than any other room in the tower and thus was well lit, even though
the weather was gray and stormy.  Larzon sat at the West end of the table
looking over some piece of parchment when Brynja came over to the table.
"Ah my dear priestess!  Thank you for joining me," Larzon said, rising from
his chair.

"I am most curious about what you have to say about all of this.  I ASSUME
you will be able to clear up a few things?"

"Perhaps - although I must confess a certain amount of confusion myself."

"What I want to know is why did you involve Var in your plans."

"I can assure you that I had nothing to do with Draza meeting the wizard.
Until yesterday I had never met Var.  Furthermore, this is one instance
where I do NOT have any grand plans, or more to your point - PLOT."

"Then we must assume that there is some other reason for their meeting.
The noble who told Draza about the auction at the keep claimed at the time
that he didn't know Draza, and that may be the case since he IS in fact a
slaver, but it is all just a little too convenient for me.  On the other
hand, IF the noble did want to cause trouble for Var then why did he
arrange a meeting with someone who might help Var?"

"Because if the noble knew by his appearance that Draza was a slaver then
it would also stand to reason that he also knew Draza was a member of the
Zhentarim.  Under most circumstances the Zhentarim would NOT take kindly to
someone conducting what they would consider to be THEIR business without
their approval.  What bothers me is what does this unknown stranger have to
do with all of this?  Since we can be fairly sure that he has at least some
connection with Thay it is doubtful that he has any connection with the
noble, but as you say, the coincidence is suspicious."

"You don't miss much do you?  Perhaps I was wrong about you.  I assumed
this was another one of those games wizards play; manipulating the affairs
of men for some 'greater purpose,'" Brynja remarked thoughtfully.

"Who is this noble we are talking about?  Is he local?"

"Indeed he is.  His name is Elondil Tithrang, he just recently became Lord
of one of the two ruling houses of Hundlestone with the death of his
father.  What I don't understand is why he would betray Var and jeopardize
his supply of slaves."

At this point Var and Draza arrived and came over to the table.

Larzon looked up when he saw them.  "There you are, we were just discussing
Lord Tithrang.  You arrived just in time," Larzon said.

"What about him?" Var asked.

Brynja filled him in on their conversation so far and Larzon added a few
words, then they continued with the discussion.

"I have enough on him to send him to the gallows or worse, I can't believe
he would risk betraying me, and he seemed perfectly satisfied with his
'purchases' but you never know when dealing with politicians," Var mussed.

"We can worry about his motives for telling me about the auction later,
right now I want to know about the crescent moon on Karsten's body and why
I was called here in the first place," Draza interrupted, looking at Larzon
expectantly.

"I asked you to come here because of some news I recently received about
some dealings in Waterdeep.  While in Waterdeep at the Midnight Sun tavern,
one of the scrimshaw merchants overheard a conversation between a Red
Wizard and a couple of cutthroats.  The merchant said that the wizard
seemed to be 'negotiating' some kind of trade agreement with the thugs.
Also, the wizard kept making vague references to a powerful ancient magic
that had recently been discovered in Thay.  I don't know exactly what all
of this means but I smell trouble."

"Yes this IS most interesting.  In the past, Thayan ambitions and plots
have been little more than a nuisance thanks to their governmental council
which makes it difficult at best to unite all of the various factions
enough for them to concentrate their efforts on any one project or
campaign.  But it would seem that with all of the activity going on
something has changed," Draza added.

Larzon seemed to be thinking about something and then he changed the
subject.  "Var, have you ever sold one of your 'special' slaves to anyone
from Waterdeep?"

"Yes of course, several actually, over the last five years or so - why?"
Var answered, suddenly interested.

"Remember what you told me about the stranger you encountered in
Hundlestone?"

"Yes - what about him?"

"Well, putting that together with what seems to be going on in Waterdeep my
guess is that somehow the Red Wizards learned about your operation from one
of your customers from Waterdeep and sent one of their henchmen to sabotage
it thinking that it belonged to the Zhentarim.  From what you have told me,
it sounds like they wanted you to leave rather than to destroy the whole
operation.  If they simply wanted to put you out of business they would not
have sent just one agent.  Perhaps this stranger thinks he can take over
your business in your absence.  And as for him trying to eliminate Draza, I
am fairly certain that he saw the chance to rid Thay of another enemy
rather than pointedly trying to kill Draza personally.  It was too good a
chance to pass up but it wasn't part of the original mission.  If the
stranger had been aware of exactly who Draza is he certainly would not have
given up so easily."

Draza spoke up.  "I agree.  I don't doubt that he knew I was an officer
because of my sword, but I'm sure he had no idea what my actual rank was.
If he had, either he would be dead or I would be dead."

"I've heard plenty of rumors about you Lord Draza, but I have never heard
exactly who you are.  Would you mind telling me?" Var asked.

Draza inhaled deeply.  "I suppose it makes little difference at this point,
you will learn eventually anyway.  My official title is Zhentilar Battle
Lord, or more to the point, I am the supreme commander of all of the forces
of Zhentil Keep.  I am sure this is part of the reason why Larzon asked me
to make this journey alone.  Who would ever think that someone of my rank
would travel without an entire battalion as an escort, much less alone?"

"Oh but you aren't alone - you have a contingent of twelve year old boys
guarding you.  That should be more than sufficient to protect you against
the entire country of Thay!"  Larzon sneered sarcastically.

"Listen Old One!"  Draza put particular emphasis on the last two words.
"It was YOUR crackbrain idea to find Karsten and bring him to you.  By the
way, just what ARE you going to do with him now that you have him - are you
going to cook him and eat him?"  He raised his eyebrows and grinned at his
friend.

"Ooooo, can I have some too!" Var rasped.  Brynja shot a stare at him that
should have frozen his blood.

"You two are quite the comedy troupe, unfortunately I am not the one he
belongs to, YOU are," Larzon countered.

"You sent me after him to bring him to YOU and now you say he is MINE!
Have you got bats in your lookout tower again Larzon?  He's only eight
years old, what am I going to do with an eight year old boy?"  Draza
exploded.

"You will provide for him and you will love him.  You are all he has.  He
is very special and you must protect him above all else.  I don't know
exactly WHY he is so important, all I know at this point is that he is.
Besides, I have seen the way you dote over him, you have already fallen in
love with him as if he were you son, and he is just as attached to you,"
Larzon explained.

Draza wanted to say something but he realized that the old wizard was right
about one thing, he had become very attached to Karsten.  Not in the same
way that he was attached to Tarin but in the way a father loves a son, just
as Larzon had said.

"I too knew that he was special the first time I saw him.  I do not think I
have ever seen a child so beautiful, so perfect in every way.  He has a
great destiny and you are part of it Lord Draza," Brynja added.

"You obviously know what you are doing with Karsten, and I suspect you know
more than you are telling, but you have not said anything about what Brynja
and I have to do with any of this.  Did you somehow set us up in this as
well?"  Var asked pointedly.

"That I had nothing to do with.  While I was not responsible for bringing
you all together, I have no doubt that your meeting has a definite purpose.
I don't know what that purpose is yet, but I am sure we will know soon
enough.  While we are on the subject, since they are part of this it would
be a good idea to teach the other boys a few tricks.  I'm afraid we don't
have much time so we will have to teach them some things that are effective
and yet easy to learn.  Where will you go from here Draza?"

"The only way to find out what is going on is to go to Waterdeep and look
into the activities of this Red Wizard.  There is a garrison of Zhentilar
soldiers stationed there so I should encounter little opposition from
anyone.  But as you said we don't have a lot of time.  Who knows how long
it will be before they learn that we've been tipped off.  Hopefully we will
be able to surprise them if we act quick enough."

"When we pass through Hundlestone if we run across that stranger again we
will have to dispose of him for sure this time or he will undoubtedly alert
his cohorts, whoever they may be," Var suggested and Draza nodded his head
in agreement.

"How long will this training take?"  Draza asked.

"That depends on how far along they are, but I will not spend more than a
couple of weeks.  We don't have any more time I'm afraid.  I will teach
them a few nasty tricks.  I can't go into theory and mind training as that
takes time."

Var's eyes narrowed and his sharp features drew back.  "I have taught them
much, especially the group we have with us.  They are my
personal...Uhh...students for lack of a better word.  I have had years to
train them."

"You must have started when they were very young."  Larzon said.

"Not exactly.  You might say I cheated, they are much older than they
look," Var replied conspiratorially.  He leaned back in his chair.

"And what exactly does that mean?"

"I halted their growth.  They will remain as they are for at least another
five years."

"I see.  But you did nothing to Karsten."  This was not a question; Larzon
stated it as fact.

"Yes, but how can you be so sure?"

"The boy is eight years old and somehow I suspect it would be much more
difficult to alter Karsten's nature."

Despite their best efforts, they could not get the old mage to reveal any
more than this about Karsten.

They all talked for a while longer and then Patris knocked on the door and
told them the noon meal had been prepared.  Corann, Nikki, and Coulter
served the meal in the library.  The boys were impeccable waiters catering
to their master's every need in their exotic clothing.  Nikki watched
Larzon constantly and did not wait on the others, devoting all of his time
to the legendary figure.  The other two boys took turns with Var, Draza,
and Brynja and where noticeably irritated by Nikki's possessiveness but
Larzon appeared to be quite pleased with the dark skinned boy's attentions
so no one objected openly.

Later that evening when it was time to retire, Coulter quickly shed his
clothes and crawled under the covers.  A few minutes later Trent came back
from the baths and started to undress as well.  He noticed Coulter watching
him so he took his time getting undressed.  He slowly pulled his tunic up
over his head and stretched his arms out arching his back, causing his ribs
to stick out and his tummy to pull tight.  His body was golden in the
torchlight and perfectly smooth.  As he stretched he cast a quick glance at
Coulter and then turned around with his back facing the other boy.  The
soft suede leather shorts he wore were snug enough to accentuate the shape
and curve of his round butt as he clenched the muscles.  Coulter took one
look at that soft round boy ass and immediately grew so hard it hurt.  He
ached to touch that cute butt, to fondle and caress it.  He had a burning
desire to completely possess the dark haired beauty.

Trent took another quick peek at his idol; the look on Coulter's face was
filled with passion and intensity causing a wave of emotion to sweep
through Trent's eager body.  He bent over and took hold of his trousers
sticking his ass out as he pulled them down.  Then he turned around and
presented himself, completely naked, to his god for approval.  He cracked
an uncertain smile and became lost in Coulter's intense blue eyes.  The
entire scene was like a dream, Coulter was propped up in one elbow focused
blissfully on Trent's young body while the large fire in the massive hearth
crackled and cast dancing orange light around the room.

Coulter extricated his free arm from beneath the blankets and slowly,
enticingly, peeled the covers back in front of him.  Trent came slowly to
the side of Coulter's bed and stood there for a second before he sat down
and pushed his feet under the covers.

"You're hard," Trent declared looking down at Coulter's boyhood, which
stood fully erect.

Coulter responded by pulling the blanket over Trent's body and placing his
hand behind Trent's neck.  He pulled lightly toward himself and Trent
rolled over to face him.  Coulter reached up and inserted his splayed
fingers in Trent's silky dark hair just above his ear and pulled him
closer.  Coulter was still propped up in one elbow and he looked down at
the boy who lay next to him.  He bent forward and touching his lips to
Trent's ear he whispered, "I want you."

"Ohhhh Coulter, I want you too, more than anything.  I've waited so long to
hear you say that," Trent cooed in response.

Coulter ran his hand down the soft boy skin of Trent's chest and tummy,
tickling him and causing him to giggle.  Then he deftly rolled over and
suspended himself with his arms and legs above Trent looking down into the
boy's eyes.  Coulter lowered his head and met Trent's lips with his own,
kissing the boy softly but firmly, tasting his sweetness.  Still straddling
his lover, Coulter lowered himself onto the boy and pressed his whole body
into his.  The touch was electrifying for both of them.  They crooned in
ecstasy, their penises pressing together, their tummies rubbing, and their
mouths locked in pure passion.

Coulter pulled himself off of Trent and pushed down the covers then he laid
down on his back.  Trent knew instinctively what Coulter wanted.  He slid
down and positioned himself between the younger boy's spread legs and took
Coulter's penis in his mouth, gently sucking and caressing with his tongue,
tickling the tiny opening at the tip, and then moving down to engulf the
entire length of Coulter's beautiful cock.  He caressed Coulter's thighs
and balls with his soft hands and slid his fingers into Coulter's clenching
butt to the soft delicate pucker, tickling the opening with his finger.
This drove Coulter absolutely wild causing him to buck and writhe under
Trent.  It wasn't long before his whole body tensed in exquisite climax.

"AAAAAHHHNNNggggg Oh Trent OOOOhhhhh baby...ah ah ooohhhh my baby," Coulter
moaned while he grasped handfuls of Trent's hair and pushed the boy further
down on his spasming cock.  Meanwhile Trent curled his finger and pressed
the tip into Coulter's prostate.  Coulter arched his back pushing himself
into Trent's face.  His orgasm was the most intense feeling he had ever
experienced, made so much the better by the fact that it was caused by the
boy he had fallen in love with.

Trent raised his head up off of Coulter's cock and looked into his eyes.
He reached down and pulled the blankets over the two of them and laid down
snuggling up next to his young lover.  Coulter wrapped himself around Trent
as tightly as possible.

Trent desperately wanted to tell his new lover about his 'secret desire',
but he didn't know how Coulter would react.  After all, Coulter was the
younger of the two not the other way around.  With Tarin it WAS the other
way around even though Tarin liked the same thing he did, but at least
Tarin had been older.  Of course there was the fact that both of them were
at least four years older in reality than they were physically, thanks to
Var's tampering.  Now that Trent thought about it, Coulter could in fact be
much older than he was.  He promised himself he would tell Coulter his
secret AND find out how old he was in the morning.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" Coulter asked, kissing him on the end of the nose.

"Huh!...Oh nothin' really."  It wasn't long before they were both asleep.

				  ******

Var sat down heavily on his bed and sighed, "Well I suppose it was bound to
happen eventually," he said to the fire as he stared into the dancing
flames.  He picked up the crystal decanter on the bedside table and filled
his glass.

He had gone up to check on his boys as he usually did shortly after they
went to bed, and he noticed Trent standing naked next to Coulter's bed.  He
knew he should have left right then, he felt like a dirty voyeur, but he
just couldn't help it; he had to see what would happen.  Even though he had
never had any physical contact with any of the boys, witnessing that union
made him feel as though he had lost a part of himself.  Coulter had been
with him the longest and he had grown very attached to him.  He tried to
remind himself that this didn't mean that his relationship with the boy had
to change, maybe everything would be just as it always had been.

He drained his glass and poured another as he grew more melancholy with
each passing moment.

				  ******

The following day shortly after the evening meal, Coulter grasped Trent's
wrist and hauled him down to the storage room in the cellar by the
servant's quarters.

"OK, we're along and no one can hear us.  NOW will you tell me what's been
bothering you so much all day" Coulter pleaded.  His neck muscles stretched
tight from the anxiety, he was dying to find out why Trent wouldn't talk
about what was bothering him.

"It's just...Ohh I want to tell you but I know you'll think I'm weird.
It's something I've fantasized about since I was about eleven or so.  And
now that we've had sex...well sorta anyway, I can't stop thinking about
it," Trent said meekly, looking around the dimly lit storage room as if
someone might be spying on them.

"Oh come ON just tell me.  I promise I won't think you're weird, you're
driving me crazy.  Please tell me!" Coulter pleaded, putting on his best
puppy dog look.  His eyes sparkled and his whole face took on a helpless
little boy pout.

It worked.  "I don't know how to tell you but...ohh...it's really weird
but..."  There was a long pause as Trent seemed to be fighting with
himself.  Finally he began again.  "Well...could you order me around...you
know, kinda like Var does?"

"Huh...whadya mean?" Coulter's brow furled into a look of consternation.

"YOU know!!!  Be real strict and get mad when I do something wrong?" Trent
said exasperated.  He was losing his nerve and becoming embarrassed.

"Be real strict and get ma...OOHHHHH NOW I get it, you wanna be a slave?"
Realization dawned on Coulter's face and he smiled.

"Well yeah maybe...but not just that.  I might do something bad that would
make you mad at me and th..."

Coulter interrupted.  "Then I might just have to spank you."

"Yeah...maybe, or somethin like that - would you mind?" Trent said in a low
voice not really wanting to say it out loud.

"You really wanna be mine, like a slave?  I can't believe it.  That's
exactly what I want; I want you to be all mine and do whatever I tell you
to do."  Coulter was tingling all over with excitement.  This was what he
had wanted the relationship to be but he never dared to imagine that he
could be this lucky.

For his part, Trent was just as pleased and excited although he didn't
bubble over with joy like Coulter was doing.  Trent had always been rather
quiet, keeping his feelings to himself.  It was a habit he acquired to
avoid ridicule.

Coulter couldn't help it, he reached out and took Trent by the wrist and
pulled him close.  "I think it's time for that spanking right now for
keeping me in suspense and sulking all day."

"Yes master," Trent said lowering his head.

Coulter led his 'slave' over to a crate that stood about knee high to him
and sat down.  "I'm gonna like this!" he thought silently to himself.
Being in total control of a cute boy like Trent was Coulter's all time
greatest fantasy.  Pulling Trent close again, Coulter reached out with both
hands and took hold of the top of his snug cotton shorts and unbuttoned
them.  As he did so his deft fingers pushed into the soft flesh of Trent's
tummy.  Trent wasn't wearing any smallclothes so his cock became visible
when Coulter unbuttoned his pants.  Coulter gently took hold of Trent's
cock and worked it free of its confines, then he lightly squeezed and
massaged it.  Trent's penis quickly began to stiffen.

"Oohhhh illumine me but that feels sooo good," Trent whispered through
clenched teeth as he tipped his head back in ecstasy.

Coulter stopped and bent Trent over his knees pushing the boy's cock down
so that when he was laying over Coulter's lap his penis was pushed
downward.  This prevented Trent from rubbing himself to a climax as he was
receiving his punishment.  When Trent was positioned correctly, it was a
bit awkward since Trent was slightly larger than his master, Coulter looked
down at the perfectly rounded boy-butt poking up at him and eased Trent's
shorts down over that cute butt to his thighs.  He caressed the smooth
cheeks and soft thighs as Trent cooed and wiggled on his lap.  The position
of his penis caused an enticing feeling of discomfort and a sense of being
dominated while it kept him from enjoying his treatment too much.  The
whole scene was ideal.

Coulter brought his hand up and slapped Trent's exposed butt with a sharp
WHAP that sent a stinging fire through Trent's bottom to his genitals.

				  ******

WHAP!  Schuyler's nerves snapped to attention when the sharp sound intruded
on his consciousness as he was quietly sneaking down the stairs to
investigate the cellar.  His nerves were already on edge from the little
adventure he was playing by himself.  He had been pretending that he was on
a great adventure to investigate the monster infested 'caverns' deep below
the great mage's lair.

Because of his age, Schuyler had more time on his hands since he was not
required to partake in most of the chores to the intense lessons the older
boys were attending.  Being the eight year old little boy that he was, all
of this free time quickly led to boredom and consequently to mischief on
occasion.

'Uh oh there really IS someone down there!' he thought to himself.  He
quietly hurried the last couple of steps to the bottom of the stairwell and
then he heard it again - WHACK.  The sound was coming from directly in
front of him as he stood at the bottom of the stairs facing the storage
room.  He crept silently forward on little stocking clad feet and entered
the vast chamber.  As his eyes swept the dimly lit room taking in crates,
boxes, and barrels, he saw them, or one of them, sitting on one of the
crates about twenty-five feet away.  Quickly falling into a crouch so as
not to be discovered, the little blond scuttled carefully toward the two
lovers.  When he arrived about ten feet away hiding behind a crate, he
discovered that there were two boys.  Coulter's back was partially facing
him with Trent's butt facing his general direction.  He couldn't believe
his eyes.  Why would Coulter be spanking Trent?  It just didn't make sense
to his innocent eyes.  He had no idea that this was taking place with
Trent's consent.  He went around the crate to get a better view and now he
was more to Coulter's side with a much more direct line of site - he could
see everything.  His eyes widened as Coulter rubbed Trent's butt gently
before bringing his hand down sharply with a SMACK!  Schuyler jumped.

The second stroke landed on the other cheek and stung more than the first
one causing Trent to jerk lightly.  On the fourth spank Coulter embraced
the power and let loose a small electric-like charge into Trent's behind at
the exact moment of impact.  The mild jolt entered Trent's prostate and
genitals causing the most exquisitely divine sensation.  He moaned and
cooed and BEGGED for more.  Coulter's hand sparked and crackled as he
continued.  By the seventh or eighth smack Trent's tender bottom was
growing red and warm.  The euphoric feelings continued to intensify, he had
never imagined that anything could feel so good.

Coulter was in heaven, Trent was HIS!  As Trent wriggled on his lap he
rubbed against Coulter's cock which was by now hard as granite, and Coulter
put his hand on Trent's back and rubbed gently while he paddled with his
other hand.  When Trent's butt was bright red and hot to the touch Coulter
spread Trent's butt cheeks with one hand and then after sucking on the
index finger of his other hand he probed teasingly around Trent's rosebud
with his saliva soaked finger.  After a minute or so of this he slowly
inserted his finger in the tight little hole.  Trent went absolutely wild.

"OOHHhhhh COOOUULTER Oohh Coulter take me please," he shreiked.

Coulter responded by lowering his leg, the one that was trapping Trent's
cock, and shifting the boy forward on his lap freeing his straining member.
Then he grasped Trent's boywand firmly and began to massage and stroke it,
tickling the opening at the tip of the head.  As Trent quickly neared
climax, Coulter gently curled the finger he had inserted inside Trent's
boy-butt and massaged his prostate gland.  When he felt Trent tense up a
little he sent a charge of wizards power into his boy-hole.  The spark was
just right.  It was all Trent could do to keep from screaming at the top of
his lungs in uncontrollable ecstasy.  Trent ejaculated with such intensity
it was almost painful.  Six times he spasmed shooting creamy virgin
boy-fluid onto Coulter's thigh.  Coulter felt the priceless 'elixir of the
gods' on his hand and upper legs.  But he did not climax, that would take a
little more attention to his cock from his new-found 'slave.'

"AANNNNNMMMMGGGGGaaa OOOHHHHHH OOHHH Oh Oh ohGOD OHHh ohhh I LOVE YOU...I
love you Coulter, soooo much.  AAHHhh Ahhhh Ah Ah ah ah, how did you learn
all of that?  I could feel your magic...it was so powerful and so gentle,"
Trent said gasping and breathing in short bursts barely able to talk.

Coulter removed his finger from Trent's ass and then he helped the boy to
his feet.  Coulter stood up and both boys turned around.  Little more than
five feet in front of them stood Schuyler, mouth open and gaping with blue
eyes as wide as saucers.  Trent's shorts were halfway down his legs and
Coulter's one hand was covered with boy-juice as was his thigh.  His other
hand...well...he didn't even want to think about what Schuyler thought
about that.

				  ******

That same evening Draza was lounging in the hot pool when Altin came
sauntering in.  Draza was a little surprised to see the elf since he
usually kept to himself whenever possible.  Human boys can be very cute
indeed but elves in general possess a natural grace and beauty that to most
humans is unachievable among the human race.  Not all elves are attractive,
some can be considered strange looking and odd.  Their exceptional beauty
can perhaps in part be attributed to the fact that they are unique, exotic
- something 'different.'  Altin was definitely a 'cute' Elf, and he was
YOUNG which made him irresistible to nearly every other humanoid race.

"Master may I join you?" Altin sang in his high lilting voice.

"Yes Altin, you may join me," Draza rumbled in response.

Altin slid his thumbs into the waistband of his trousers and pulled them
off.  Draza watched him with growing interest and appraised Altin's boyish
form with approval.  His master's attentions were not lost on the elf who
smiled at him coyly as he slid into the hot mineral water.  Standing fully
erect, the water came up to mid-chest as he moved over to stand close next
to the big man.

He put his hand on Draza's huge upper arm and squeezed with his fingers.

"You are very strong...the biggest human I've ever seen."  His green almond
eyes were wide in amazement.

"Come to think of it I don't think I have ever had to look up at anyone
before.  Yes Altin I am very strong."  Draza stood up and the water only
came up to the top if his legs.  He stretched and twisted to loosen his
muscles and then eased back down into the water.  Altin nearly fell back
looking up at him.

When Draza was back down to where he could reach his shoulders, Altin
jumped up and sat on the edge of the pool and began massaging his neck and
shoulder muscles.  Draza groaned and moved to position his back so the elf
could reach better and would be more comfortable.  They remained in this
position for a little while and then Altin said something that with its
bluntness shocked the jaded slaver.

"Master, do you think Tarin finds me attractive?"

Before Draza could answer, raucous laughter erupted behind them.  They both
twisted around.

"Oh my gorgeous little Elf, I don't think there is a human alive that
wouldn't lust after you," Var said, graciously swinging his hands wide, the
long sleeves of his silk robes flowing on the air as he moved.  The moment
he said it he knew he had made a mistake.  Var always had been a little
compulsive.

Altin started and moved behind his master as tears came to his eyes from
being laughed at and having his very personal conversation treated so
lightly.  Draza, noticing Altin's distress, reached back and dipped his arm
in the water then swung it forward with such force that the resulting wave
drenched the wizard from head to toe.  He looked like a wet rat with all of
that now ruined silk clinging to his body.  Altin started to laugh and so
did Draza.  For once Var was speechless for a few seconds, the look on his
face was priceless.

"Var you are insufferable, what in the hell were you doing listening in on
our conversation?  Haven't you ever heard of announcing your presence
instead of sneaking up on people like that?"  Draza tried to look stern and
failed.

"Yes I suppose that was a little thoughtless of me.  Well young man then we
are even, since your brutish master here decided to empty the pool on me."

Brynja soon came into the pool area and even she found the site of the
soaked wizard humorous.  "What's this all about?"  She asked.

"It seems as though our cute little elf here has a crush on Tarin," Var
said delicately and quietly.

"I see," Brynja replied arching her eyebrows.  "I'll get you a new robe."

"That won't be necessary, I will go and change myself.  Draza and Altin
have something to talk about in private anyway." Var winked at Draza and he
and Brynja left the room.

"What did he mean by 'lust after me?'" Altin asked.

"He meant that yes Tarin is definitely attracted to you.  He even pleaded
with me to bring you along.  He said you were 'cute.'  I agree with him,"
Draza declared and thought to himself, 'Maybe if Tarin falls for Altin it
will distract him from his obsession with me for a while.'

"But he's yours, I see the way he looks at you and follows you around all
of the time.  He worships you.  What would he possibly want with me if he
likes someone like you?  I mean...you're a man and you're big and strong
and I'm small and only a boy."

"That doesn't mean that someone has to look like me for him to like them.
Just because he likes me doesn't mean he WON'T like you.  You have a lot to
learn about growing up young man, how old are you anyway Altin?" Draza
asked.

"A hundred and two."

"Which makes you about twelve or thirteen, closer to thirteen or so
actually.  Yes you are still very young.  You obviously haven't been around
us humans very long have you?"

"A little over three years but I have tried to stay hidden."

"You didn't do a very good job of that did you?"

"About a year ago a band of Ogres attacked Hundlestone and I killed a
couple of them who came into the inn with my bow.  Ever since then Darra
let me stay with them and I helped out.  It was better than being a total
slave and I had nowhere else to go."  Altin said this with the detached air
of a typical Elf.  The race lives so long that they have learned to take
things in stride and rarely let things bother them the way humans do.  They
have a hard time understanding the violent and compulsive nature of humans
so they tend to consider it barbaric and uncivilized.  Often times they
aren't far wrong.

At that moment Tarin walked in.  He had on a pair of cloth smallclothes and
nothing else.  His smooth tight legs looked like gold in the torchlight and
his firm tummy rose and fell with his quickened breathing and youthful
movements, every adolescent muscle was visible as he walked.  He too was
startled by Altin's presence.

"Greetings Tarin...did you come to use the pool?" Altin asked.

"Uhhh...yeah I did.  What are you doing here?...I mean...well uh I didn't
expect to see you here. I didn't mean it like that - like you shouldn't be
here, it's just that...you surprised me that's all," Tarin babbled,
embarrassed by his loss of composure.

"I came to see YOU!  Do you think I'm...what is it you say - 'cute'?" He
sang, his expression completely serious.  Altin was nothing if not blunt.

The look on Tarin's face was pure SHOCK.  His mouth hung open and he turned
red as a cardinal.  He glared at Draza with a look that could melt iron.
Draza chuckled and grabbed Altin's butt under the water.  Altin squealed
and swam to the edge of the pool in front of Tarin.  He looked up at the
other boy waiting for an answer.  Draza winked at him keeping a serious
look on his face that belied the mirth in his eyes.

Tarin, however, could not bring himself to utter a sound.  Altin had caught
Tarin's attention the first time he laid eyes on him, but Altin always
seemed so withdrawn and quiet that Tarin had given up on him.  And now here
he was asking him if he thought Altin was CUTE!  Finally all Tarin could do
was nod his head sheepishly.  How many times had he made outward advances
toward someone only to have them turn him down?  And now someone was coming
on to him and all he could do is stand there like an idiot.

"Did I say something wrong?" Altin asked.

"No Altin, I just don't know what to say," Tarin whispered.

"You don't have to say anything I can see the answer in your eyes.  Just
get in the pool and relax," Altin said in his melodious Elfin accent.

Tarin squatted down and felt the water, it was hot.  He sat on the edge of
the pool and put his feet in then slid in.  Draza waded over to his boy and
picked him up cradling the young teen in his massive arms then he lowered
the both of them into the water until they were completely submerged.  He
hugged and kissed Tarin under water and then rose to the surface.  Leaning
his head forward and bringing Tarin's ear up to his mouth, the slaver
whispered to him, "Let yourself be happy for once Tarin and don't worry
about me.  I will always love you...and don't you ever tell anyone I said
that," he admonished as he pulled the boy to him and kissed him again full
on the soft wet lips.  Tarin cried he was so happy at that moment.  Draza
set Tarin back into the water, got out of the pool, retrieved his towel,
and left quietly.  The room grew silent save for the mystical lapping sound
of the water against the sides of the pool.  The torches flickered and
stuttered peacefully as if aware of the scene being played out around them.

Both boys stood in the middle of the pool and looked at each other for what
seemed to them like an eternity when Altin finally moved close to Tarin and
took the other boy's hand in his own.

"I feel so awkward...it's just that I've never known anyone like you Altin.
I don't know what to say or do," Tarin confessed, the uneasiness evident in
his voice.

"You mean you've never been around an Elf before.  We're not that different
from you.  Just act like you feel like acting and do what you feel like
doing.  You never answered my question; Do you think I am...cute?"

"Yeah, you're the cutest boy I've ever seen."  Tarin reached up and touched
Altin's cheek as he looked into those magical green eyes; they were so wide
and entrancing.

The two boys embraced and kissed but their affections went no further, both
of them were completely content with their new relationship.  They talked
quietly and horsed around until late into the night.

				  ******

Earlier that day Var, Brynja, Draza, and Larzon gathered everyone including
his own staff and Patris together after they broke their fast and informed
them of their plans for everyone.  Being the General and organizer that he
was, Draza insisted that they set up some kind of a loose schedule for
training in magic and combat techniques.  Brynja, after talking with Var
and Draza, took a show of hands and declared that she would instruct those
who were interested in the healing and priestly arts.  Var and Larzon, of
course, would handle the magic although Larzon would shoulder most of these
duties since he was 'so far superior in knowledge' as Var put it.  He
wanted plenty of time to peruse the extensive libraries.

All four of the adults also unanimously agreed that discipline and absolute
obedience were necessary if this mission were to succeed.  To this end they
named Draza the disciplinarian since he was used to handling young
Zhentarim soldiers under a number of various circumstances.  He said that
he didn't want to treat them like 'soldiers' and despite his rank and
reputation, he flatly refused to 'militarize' them.

"I will NOT treat them like killers.  I don't want them to grow up
brainwashed for violence.  But they must be taught to operate as a team and
they must be able to rely on each other," he lectured.

The others enthusiastically agreed, Larzon pointing out, and Draza
agreeing, that a sharp mind, the ability to take responsibility, and
respect for each other and their superiors make a far more effective team.

The next couple of days they began to implement their plans.  Draza started
the combat training, which focused on defense.  Larzon started his 'school'
giving a short (about an hour and a half) morning lecture in the Great Hall
and then teaching the boys on an individual basis for the rest of the day.
This lead in some cases to a lot of free time to spend with Draza, Brynja,
or amongst themselves, which they liked.  Brynja, it turned out, was not
only an excellent healer and powerful Priestess, she was also a superb
teacher.

Draza's meting out of justice and discipline was harsh, swift, and very
fair.  The punishment always fit the 'crime,' which in almost all cases was
trivial at best leading to nothing more than push-ups or loss of free time
or an extra chore or two.

				  ******

"Schuyler...what are you doing down here?" Coulter blurted trying to
distract the kid so he could clean himself off.

"Um I was just playin' explorer, uhh why were you spanking Trent?" Schuyler
chirped in his high voice narrowing his eyes in confusion.

Trent pulled his shorts up hastily and winced as the material rubbed his
flaming hot butt.  Coulter looked around quickly and found an old rag which
he used to clean his hands.

"Schuyler, you shouldn't be coming down here by yourself, you're too
young," Coulter shot back as he flung the rag into the pile of crates
beside him.

"Does master Var know you're down here by yourself?"  Trent demanded trying
to look threatening, which was difficult considering that he had just
received a spanking from another boy younger than himself.

Schuyler shook his head guiltily, suddenly realizing that he might get into
trouble for coming down here alone.

"You know it's not right to spy on people Schuyler.  How long have you been
down here anyway?" Coulter added.

"I don't know, but I saw you spanking Trent, what were you doing that for?
Boys don't spank other boys!"

"We were just playing a game Schuyler, a game that older kids play
sometimes if they like each other a lot.  You wouldn't understand and it's
none of your business.  You better not say anything to anyone or we'll tell
master Var that you came down here by yourself and spied on us.  Master
Draza will give you a real spanking if he finds out, Larzon doesn't want
little boys down here and who knows what HE would do if he finds out.  He
might turn you into a spider."  Coulter regretted that last remark as soon
as it came out if his mouth, but he was desperate to keep anyone from
finding out about their little 'session.'

Schuyler, now terrified, started to cry.  "I won't tell, I promise.  I was
just playing...I didn't know anyone was down here.  You won't tell will
you?" he sobbed.

"Don't cry Schuyler it's OK just don't tell anyone what you saw.  We'll
explain it later to you but you can't tell anyone OK?"  Coulter said
walking over to the little guy and petting his blond head.  Schuyler calmed
down almost immediately.

"You will...tell me what you were doing I mean," Schuyler beamed.  Now he
was going to been one of the group, Coulter's friend no less.

"Yeah we'll tell ya but you gotta keep out secret and maybe we'll let you
play too," Trent said.

Coulter's eyes went wide as he looked at his lover.  "Are you nuts?"
Coulter exclaimed.  "He's a little young don't you think!"

Trent winked at his partner and Coulter smiled.  "It might be fun," Trent
whispered to Coulter who just rolled his eyes.

"I think you need another lesson is what I think," Coulter admonished
glaring at Trent.

Trent blanched as he remembered who he was talking to and who was the boss
of this relationship.

				  ******

Four days later shortly after Larzon's morning lecture, the old wizard
looked up from a tome he was flipping through and noticed that Nikki was
staring straight at him, the boy seemed to be studying him.  Over the last
couple of days Larzon couldn't help but notice the boy's nearly obsessive
interest in magic.  Nikki was always following him around and asking
questions - complicated questions.

When Larzon looked up Nikki quickly averted his gaze and headed for the
stairs.

"Nikki my boy, stay a moment.  Come here and tell this weary old man what's
on your mind."

Nikki stopped short and slowly approached his teacher.  "Nothing master, I
didn't mean to be staring at you...I'm sorry."

"You did nothing to be sorry about, but everyone left some time ago and you
are still here.  There must be something you want to know, what is it?"

"It's the magic...I can't stop thinking about it and I want to be powerful
like you.  I can't help it, it's just so unbelievable that I'm actually
here learning from the greatest mage on Toril."

"Aahhh Ha ha ha there are many who would disagree with you about the
'greatest' part.  I am old and I have learned much in my long life, but I
am just a man.  I was a boy once just like you, albeit not nearly as
handsome."  Larzon reached out his hand and a glass of wine floated to him.
Nikki could see the energy all around the mage whenever he invoked the
power, most people couldn't, but Nikki could.

"All that crackling energy that is around you whenever you use your magic,
I see it and it's as though you're hardly even trying.  I want that power
too, but in a few more days we will leave and I will never see you again!"
Nikki stated flatly.

"Ahhh so that's why you are always trying to monopolize my time and won't
let me out of your sight.  You say you can actually SEE the energy when I
do something as simple as levitating this glass?"

"Of course, it's as plain as fire.  Why?"

"Nikki, VERY few people can actually SEE magic as subtle as that.  If what
you say is true, and I have no reason to think it isn't, then you are truly
gifted and very sensitive to the flow of magic.  None and I mean NONE of
the others, not even Var, could have seen that.  Sense it, perhaps,
especially Var, but not see it.  I can see powerful yet subtle currents in
you.  Are you really that interested in magic?"  Larzon asked.

"It's everything to me!  But what you're teaching doesn't feel right, it
feels to 'ordinary'...like anyone could do it.  It calls power that is
there for anyone not a PART of them.  I want to be able to let out what is
inside of me."

Larzon arched his eyebrows.  "You are indeed a very talented young man.
The most powerful practitioners of magic are those who find power within
themselves.  I also noticed that you are usually able to work a spell
perfectly on the second or third try - few can claim such natural talent.
But your greatest asset is your eagerness to learn and your devotion to the
power."

"Thank you master, but..."

Larzon raised his hand to interrupt the boy.  "I was not completely aware
of your potential, now that I am I will teach you as much as I can in what
little time there is," Larzon assured the eager boy.

Nikki's literally gleamed with excitement.  He had the brightest blue eyes
the old wizard had ever seen, he couldn't help but admire them.  He caught
himself staring and quickly averted his gaze.  "Follow me, I will take you
to my library and give you a manuscript that should be of some interest to
you.  When you have studied it come and see me."

If Nikki had not been composed and quiet by nature he would have been
dancing with excitement.  "Thank you master," he said.  The two of them
headed for Larzon's library.

After Larzon finished with Nikki, he went in search of Illian.  When he
found the boy he told him that he had not forgotten the little episode on
the day after their arrival and he began to teach him the necessity of
control.

Illian was one of the more outspoken members of the little entourage and
Larzon found his laughter and playful antics refreshing.  Larzon, being the
grandfatherly type that he was after dropping the 'I-Hate-Children'
charade, became very kind and gentle toward the young men.  They drank up
the kindness and attention like water in the desert.

One afternoon during one of his private sessions with Illian, the boy
walked up to him and wrapped his arms around the old man timidly.  That was
the first time in nearly two hundred years that he had been touched like
that.  Generally speaking, most people were either too afraid or too
respectful of him to get close to him let alone actually embrace him.  This
led to an extreme lonely but necessary existence.  It wouldn't do for
someone of his stature and reputation to let people become too familiar and
comfortable with him.  The young boys, however, were different somehow.  At
least that is what he kept telling himself, and besides he ENJOYED the
youth and vitality they brought to the tower.  So Larzon awkwardly patted
Illian on the back and ruffled his hair.

Another member of the group that Larzon spent extra time with was Trent.
Trent, it turned out, COULD work magic but he was not born to it nor did it
come easily for him.  And the more complex concepts were simply beyond his
grasp.  Coulter and Trent had naturally become inseparable since their
first intimate encounter on the day of their arrival at the tower,
consequently Coulter attended every session with Larzon and tried to help
as much as possible with his training.

On their fifth day at the Tower, Coulter and Trent were with Larzon when
Coulter blurted out a question that Larzon would never forget.

"Master Larzon...Where's the dungeon?"  Coulter slipped this into the
conversation so casually that it took a moment for Larzon to realize what
he was asking.

"The Dungeon did you say?  Why in the name of the Abyss do you want to know
where the dungeon is?"

"Oh just curious...I - I mean WE wanted to see what a REAL dungeon looks
like," he said looking at Trent who blushed.  Larzon didn't miss the
embarrassment on Trent's face.

"And how do you know I even HAVE a dungeon young man?"

"Cause all castles have a dungeon," Coulter said as if EVERYONE should know
that.

"This is not a castle Coulter, it is my tower and home.  Not ALL castles
have dungeons but you are right most do.  As for this tower, yes I have a
dungeon if what you mean by dungeon is someplace to lock people up.  I am
warning you though, it is a nasty place that hasn't been used in many
years."

"Wow that sounds fun, can you tell us where it is?  We won't hurt anything
we just want to play around!" Coulter declared.

"I bet you do!  I cannot show you where it is, I have to take you there
myself."  He hesitated then continued, "On very well, I will take you down
there after we are through with this lesson although I can't imagine why
you want to see a dungeon."  Larzon had some idea but he wasn't letting on.

Some time later they finished their studies and the three of them headed
toward the secret entrance on the ground floor of the old tower.  Patris
met them at the foot of the stairs.  He looked frantic and out of breath.

"Catch your breath Patris and calm down."  He waited for a few moments
until Patris was able to speak more clearly.  "Now then what is the
problem?"  Larzon asked.

"Master, a bird just arrived from Waterdeep.  Dire news I'm afraid," Patris
huffed as he handed over a tiny scroll to his mentor.

As Larzon read the cryptic writing his face drained of color.  "Patris
fetch Var and Draza immediately and have them meet me in my study, I'll be
there shortly," he said in a low voice.

"Right away master," Patris said and hurried off.

Larzon looked at the two boys standing on his heels and heaved a heavy
sigh.

***************************
The End of Chapter 5
***************************

To be continued...

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