Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 09:49:41 -0800 (PST)
From: adm2780 <adm2780@yahoo.com>
Subject: New Horizons  Chapter Seventy-Three

All rights reserved.  Other than downloading one copy for personal
enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted by any
means, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author.
As in real life, the sexual themes unfold gradually and are kept to a
realistic level.  Comments on the story are appreciated and may be
addressed to the author, Dwight Wilson, at adm2780@yahoo.com

This story contains descriptions of consensual sexual contact between
males, adult and minor.  As such it is homoerotic, designed for the
entertainment of mature adults.  If you are not of legal age to read such
material, or if the subject matter would create irresolvable personal moral
dilemmas, please exit now.

Note: I would like to thank Colin, John and Matthew for their continued
support and patience while I try to write this story.  Their support and
efforts at editing and correcting my errors contributes significantly to a
more enjoyable story.  It is the emails and comments I receive from you,
the readers, that encourage me to continue.


Chapter Seventy-Three: New Horizons

"Mark, did you hear all that stuff Nigel was sayin' to me this afternoon
about that group he's in, The Daredevils?"

Kevin and Mark lay in Mark's bed.  Since Daniel allowed the older boys to
have a private room, or at least a room they shared with only one other
boy, the two young men were able to enjoy one another's close company on a
regular basis.  Mark lay on his back with Kevin partially draped over his
left side.  Kevin used Mark's left pectoral as a pillow as they talked.

"Yeah, I heard.  I've given it a lot of thought this afternoon."

"You gonna say anythin' to Mr. Dan'l?"

"Not yet.  Colin has already explained a lot of it to Daniel, so he's
aware.  The part I've been thinking about is more around trying to do some
research and find out more about the group.  My instincts tell me there's a
lot more to it than Nigel knows.  Besides, the kid hasn't done anything
wrong, yet.  It would be kind of hard for us to do anything other than keep
an eye on him and see what develops."

"If it'll help, I can do some of the research for you tomorrow.  You know I
have the password for getting into the big internet site."  Kevin used his
left thumb to tease Mark's nipple.

"That would help.  Also, let the other guys know to keep an eye on Nigel.
We don't need him talking his crap to the younger boys."

"You know, if I was on the streets, I could get some information.  I knew a
couple of kids from over there.  One was from England and I think the other
one came from Germany and they used to talk about clubs doin' things like
Nigel talks about.  They said some of the clubs got into some pretty heavy
shit."

"What do you mean by heavy?"  Mark rolled onto his left side to face his
lover and wrapped an arm over Kevin's side and back.  While Kevin talked,
Mark gently rubbed the younger boy's back.

"When they first started tellin' about stuff that went on over there, we
thought they were just bull-shittin' us.  After a while we'd hear some of
the same stories from other guys or what other guys claim they heard from
others.  If I heard somethin' from somebody else I'd ask the two guys that
I knew.  Sometimes they'd laugh and say what I was tellin' 'em was nothin'
compared to the heavy stuff.

"Most of the kids involved were street kids, you know, orphans or run-aways
or abandoned kids, like us.  Some were kids that had decent families, but
they were ignored.  To them the club was just a way to find somebody that
cared about them.  They were just lookin' for somebody to give them
attention and praise them once in a while.  If letting themselves be tied
to a pole and get whipped was what it took, they did it.

"The English kid said the groups where he was from would take a young kid,
some seven or eight years old, and start training them.  At first, the man
training the kid was called his mentor.  Somewhere in the training the
mentor became their master.  He said the boys learned to serve their
masters by enduring pain and worked like sex toys.  A big deal was when the
master thought the boy proved himself and the master rented the boy out.
In other words, the master became his pimp."

"That sounds like the boy lived with the mentor or master," Mark
interrupted.

"They said some of the boys did, but boys with parents and a home, stayed
with their family until they were of age.  The way everything was set up it
was kind of like a boys club and the parents weren't any the wiser.  When
the boy passed all the tests, he was marked or branded.  They didn't tell
me how, just that the boy was and was registered.  They were then regarded
as their master's property.  They could be pimped, sold, abused, punished,
all the crap that went with slavery.  He said a lot of 'em had to get jobs
and supported the master."

Mark listened to Kevin and knew from Kevin's voice he was reliving some old
memories.  They were memories that most likely should have stayed buried,
but were now out.  Kevin had his face buried in Mark's shoulder.  When Mark
lifted the boy's head, he saw the tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Shhhhh.  That's enough of that," Mark said quietly.  "Somehow, I think
there's a lot more there than you've told me.  Right now, though, you need
to focus somewhere else."

Mark gently moved Kevin's head off his shoulder.  Looking his lover in the
eye, he moved his lips to lightly touch Kevin's and slowly moved his lips
back and forth until Kevin's lips parted.  The sensuous touch, together
with Mark's warm breath entering his mouth, caused the younger boy to focus
his mind and his body on more rewarding and more pleasant things.  Kevin
placed a hand on either side of Mark's face to stop him moving and the two
engaged in a deep, passionate kiss.

Young tongues fought for supremacy.  Each pushed into the other and sucked
to pull the other into a warm and waiting mouth that craved attention.  The
tongues wrapped around each other and explored the crevice of each tooth.
Saliva freely ran from one opening to the other.  Each young man enjoyed
the taste of the other.  Each young man began to whimper and moan his
pleasure.  Kevin broke the kiss to convey a special message.

"I fasted today.  All day I've thought of nothing but lying here with you
and what we could do."

"Are you telling me you're horny?"

"Yeah.  I need for you to ride me.  But, more than that, I need you.  I'm
that boy that needs to know someone cares. I need for you to tell me you
love me; show me how much you love me."

"Care?  I don't just care for you, I need you as much as you need me.  I'd
be lost without you near me.  Most of all, I love you more than you will
ever know.  You are a part of me that I can't explain."  Tears ran down
Kevin's cheeks as he again moved in to kiss his lover.

"I didn't just fast today.  Earlier, I took a shower. . . . a good
shower. . . . a very thorough shower."  Kevin smiled as he teased Mark.

"Ooohhhh, you horny stud.  Is that an offer?"  Mark teased back as he
pulled Kevin closer and felt his hard maleness poke his stomach.  Mark
reached down and pushed both of their poles down to point at their feet.
He knew the tension and movement would arouse them and push them to a
higher plateau of sexual frenzy.  Kevin gasped and whimpered when he felt
Mark drag his fingernails up the younger boy's side.

Mark pushed Kevin onto his back and then straddled the boy.  Mark pressed
into the side of the young neck.  Tonight, his lover would be branded.
Neither boy cared that the other boys would know who did it and what
happened that night.  Mark enjoyed tonguing Kevin's ears and feeling the
boy writhe in lustful agony beneath him.  As he probed as deeply as
possible into an ear, his hands teased, twisted and pulled his sensitive
nipples.  Kevin drew sharp breaths through clenched teeth and fought to not
scream out his pleasures.  He didn't scream, but he did moan and declare
his love for Mark as he begged for more.

After a few minutes, Kevin bucked his hips to toss Mark off him. Mark
willingly allowed himself to be thrown.  It was now Kevin's turn to mount
his lover and return the pleasures he adored.  Kevin loved to bury his nose
in Mark's neck and inhale deeply, savoring the aroma of a young man in
heat.  Mark, too, would be branded for all to see the next day.  While
Kevin branded him, Mark whimpered and used his hands to knead each of
Kevin's cheeks.  This was one of Kevin's favorite things; he loved for
someone to play with his butt.  On the street, Kevin was the leader and had
to show all the strengths expected of him.  Now, he could be whatever he
enjoyed, he could let go and let someone else take charge and be strong.

Kevin whimpered while pleasing his lover.  Mark ran his fingertips lightly
through the valley between Kevin's globes.  When Mark reached the precious
and sensitive opening, his fingernails moved quickly, but lightly, over the
sensitive flesh.  Kevin hollered out as he inhaled and sat straight up.  He
pushed down, wanting Mark to enter him.  Mark backed up, teasing the boy.
Mark then reached up and pulled Kevin down to suckle a nipple while he
rolled the boy's twins in his hand.  Kevin was now constantly moaning
unintelligible jibberish.

Mark continued until he knew that Kevin was lost in his own lustful fog.
He then reached down between the young boy's legs and flipped him.  The two
young men began, in earnest, to suckle the others maleness.  Both young men
needed to be pushed to the edge, to find release.  Swallowing to the base,
they allowed their throat muscles to give pleasure and bring them to a
quick climax.  Both knew this was only the beginning of the evening for
them.  They always enjoyed a quickie for relief, and then settled into a
more passionate and caring pattern for a deeper gratification.

Neither swallowed all the youthful nectar they were offered.  Their habit
was to withdraw near the end and hold a taste of their partner.  Again,
lying face to face, they entered a passionate kiss, sharing their
offerings.  The edge was now gone and both could fully enjoy the attentions
relished on their young, sensitive bodies.  Breaking the kiss, Mark again
moved to Kevin's neck, branding him.  Mark inhaled deeply and then slowly
exhaled his warm breath into Kevin's ear, causing Kevin to whimper and
squirm; Mark smiled to himself.

Kevin had already let Mark know that he wanted to be the bottom tonight; he
was prepared.  By unspoken agreement, the boys knew the bottom would be
subservient and allow the dominant boy to do whatever he wanted.  Kevin
relished the attentions Mark lavished on him.  Mark looked at the boy
before him and wondered how anyone could even consider harming such a
beautiful creation.  As Mark licked and kissed every square inch of his
body, Kevin floated in a fog of sexual bliss, secure with the knowledge his
lover would never do anything to harm him.  The outside world no longer
existed; their world now had a population of two.  All inhibitions
disappeared as the young men satisfied their desires.

Mark took his time.  He enjoyed watching Kevin get excited and enjoyed even
more making Kevin climax a second time before he penetrated Kevin's sweet
tunnel of love.  Kevin arched his back, inhaling sharply through clenched
teeth.  Kevin's world was now just the sensations coursing through his
body, his communication the sounds of passion and lust.  Mark massaged the
twin orbs and lightly ran a fingernail over the small opening; Kevin
shrieked and gasped for air.  Keeping a finger in place to tease the boy,
Mark reached for the lubricant.

"Ooohhh. . .ooohhh. . .yyeeessss. . .take
me. .yeeaahhh. . .uummppphhh. . .mmmppphhh.  . .uuunnnngghhh."

Kevin was so worked up that he reacted to the slightest touch.  Mark had
only inserted the end of the tube and squeezed some lube into the love
channel, followed by his middle finger.  He worked the finger in circles
and moved it in and out slowly.  Mark knew what Kevin wanted, but he wanted
to be sure the boy was well lubricated.  Soon a second finger joined the
first to stretch Kevin.

"aaaahhhhh. . aaahhhh . .AAAAGGGHHHH!. .oh fuck! YES!"

Mark moved his fingers in a scissors motion to stretch the tissues.  With
his fingers open as wide as he could get them, he then twisted them in a
circle; Kevin's back arched as the boy inhaled, sharply.  Kevin's head
bounced from side to side.  Growing desires and a basic need had pushed the
boy out of this world.  The sexual heat of his seventeen year old body now
controlled every emotion and every thought.  Mark sat on his knees between
the boy's legs, removed his fingers and placed Kevin's legs on his
shoulders.  Mark's own raging tool teased the tight opening; Kevin
responded.

.". .FUCK ME!. .OOHHH GAAHHDD!. .YES!. .YES!. .AAAHHH!. .AAAHHH!.
.GAAAHHHDD!. .OOHHH FILL ME!. .YEEAAHH!. .OOOOHHHH. . . MARK. .
.GGAAAHHHDD!!"

Kevin screamed out as he felt himself being filled just the way he liked
it, needed it.  Mark had pushed just enough to let only the head enter the
treasured sanctum.  He knew what the boy wanted and when he had a firm grip
on Kevin's legs and had aligned himself properly, he pushed forward hard,
plunging all the way into Kevin's love canal.  Mark rested a moment while
they both adjusted to the feelings and to bring their needs under control.

"YEESS!!. .AAAHHH!. .YEAH!. .FUCK ME!.  .uunnngghh!. .uunngghh!. .iiieee!.
.ooohhh. .ooohhh. .ohhhh sweeet baby!. . .give it to
me. . .HARDER!. . .give it to me. .  uunngghh. . .uunnghh. . .OHHH
FUUUCKIN" SWEET BABY!. . .FUCK ME HARD! "

Mark varied his rhythm; something he knew would drive Kevin crazy.  Kevin
pushed up with his hips to meet his lover and get more of Mark into him.
Kevin's eyes were glazed over with pure lust.  Both boys plunged and
pushed.  Kevin grasped for Mark and pulled him down for a passionate kiss.
Mark broke the kiss and twisted Kevin's nipples, causing Kevin to again
scream out his pleasure.  Mark could feel himself tightening up and saw
Kevin's balls drawing close to his body.  With each plunge Mark stroked the
younger boy's magic spot.  Sweat poured off both of them.

"OOHHH GAAHHDD. . .oohhh. .ooohhh. . ooohhh," Kevin whined like a puppy in
heat.  "Ooohhhh gaaahhhdd yyeesss!. .again!. . again!. . .I
can't. . uunngghh. .I can't hold it. .  .AAAAHHHH!!. .AAAAHHH!!. .Gaahhhdd,
help me, pleeeaase!. .ooohh. .ooohhh."

Kevin's climax was so strong that the first volley of boy juice shot over
his head.  The second volley streaked down the boy's face and chest,
quickly followed by a third.  The sight of Kevin's strong orgasm and the
natural clenching and then flexing of the sphincter was too much for Mark
as he too lost control and shot his cream into Kevin.  Sweating, gasping
for air, floating in a post-orgasmic stupor, both young men collapsed.
They held one another and did not move until morning.

                                       * * * *

Nigel heard the sounds of passionate love making, just as most of the other
boys had.  He knew from the sounds that someone was getting buggered, and
buggered good.  He watched as some of the boys got into bed with each
other.  Some of the boys got out of their beds and headed to the latrine,
all sporting wood.  The only boys that didn't seem to be disturbed were the
younger boys who slept a deep, deep sleep.  Nothing could wake the younger
boys, short of an atomic bomb or the smell of food in the mornings.  Nigel
tried to stay in his bed, not knowing if he would be welcome or accepted,
but it was too much.

Nigel followed the other boys into the latrine.  He didn't worry about
hiding his erection, no one else did.  As he walked through the dorm he saw
several beds with two boys in them.  In most, the boys were under the sheet
and faced each other; it was obvious they were humping.  In a couple of
beds it looked like one boy was upside down under the sheets.  Nigel
guessed the obvious.

When he entered the latrine, Nigel froze at the site that greeted him.  One
boy leaned his shoulders against the shower wall and had his legs wrapped
around another boy.  Nigel recognized the boy leaning against the wall as
Evan, who was being buggered by the other boy.  The other boy had his hands
around Evan and the two kissed.  Nigel thought the two boys were trying to
stick their whole mouth inside the other.  The boys that afternoon had told
him that if you walked into a shower and saw two boys engaged in sex, you
were expected to turn your back.  That was not possible.  Everywhere you
turned in the shower, boys were either being buggered, blown or wanking.
While he stood there, he suddenly felt someone pinch his bottom.

"Join the fun?" the boy asked, smiling.  Nigel thought the boy was
beautiful.  He learned later that it was twelve year old Alex and his
brother, Timmy.

Nigel, nervous to the point of having trouble staying erect, stepped
forward.  Alex held his hand and pulled him into the showers.  Nigel had
never done this before and wasn't sure what was expected of him.

"It's okay, this is my first time, too," Alex whispered to him.

Alex and Nigel watched Timmy walk up to two other boys engaged in some
heavy kissing and say something to them.  The two boys looked over Timmy's
shoulder and smiled.  Nigel's nervousness was now joined with the
excitement of anticipation.  Alex, likewise was excited and his boyhood was
the evidence.  Alex leaned over to Nigel.

"I heard about orgies and stuff, but this is the first one I seen.  When I
told Timmy I wanted to come, he told me I couldn't, but I told him I was
comin' with or without him.  He finally gave in and said I could come but I
had ta promise not to let anybody take my cherry; blow jobs, feelin up and
kissin' only.  Man, I'm 'bout to blow a load just thinkin' 'bout it.  I
just hope I can stop shakin'."

Neither boy had to wait long.  The two boys Timmy had spoken to approached
them, smiling.  The smiles were friendly and let the two young boys know
they were not being threatened.  The two older, more experienced boys
didn't say anything.  They each made a choice of the boy they would please,
stepped up to him and stood so close that their painfully stiff boyhoods
were pressed against silky smooth teen boy skin over hard muscle.  Placing
a hand around their novice, the boys pulled them in tight, placed their
other hand on the younger boy's neck, proceeded to kiss and suckle the
young novice necks, and introduced them to the pleasure of boy-boy play.

Timmy watched and laughed to himself as he watched his younger brother get
his first feeling of sex.  Alex's eyes shut tight as the boy threw his head
back and gave himself over to the new sensation.  Nigel did likewise as he
also experienced someone pleasing him for the first time.  As a Devilray,
he was always expected to be the one giving; this was a new experience,
this time he was treated as the master.

                                       * * * *


Daniel walked into the mess hall for breakfast.  He had enjoyed a solid
night's sleep and was really hungry for some reason that morning.  He could
hear the boys chattering away and making their normal noises as soon as he
stepped outside his trailer.  When he walked in, the boys were laughing and
smiling, maybe a little more than normal.  Daniel decided he shouldn't
worry about a good thing.  Colin sat at the staff table talking with Rick
and Jeff.  Everyone was there except Paul, who Daniel knew was in the
office collecting any messages, and Mark.  Daniel assumed Mark would be
along soon, it was rare for him to miss a meal.

When Daniel took his place, he was pleased to see a cup had already been
set on the table for him and there was a carafe of hot coffee on the table.
Before he could finish pouring his first cup of coffee, one of the KP boys
brought him a tray with his breakfast.  Daniel knew it was Tanner and that
he looked particularly happy that morning; boys on KP didn't always look
that happy.  Tanner, after setting the tray down, even unfolded the napkin
with the silverware and asked Daniel if there was anything else he could
get for him.  At that point, Daniel knew something was amiss; Tanner was
too happy.  But why?

The men continued to talk, occasionally looking up to check on the boys
eating and those still being served.  Colin was particularly pleased when
he saw Nigel come in.  His son seemed to be joking around with a couple of
the other boys.  Colin knew that Nigel didn't always make friends this
quickly and was happy his son was fitting in.  When Nigel, and the boys he
was with, reached the serving area, he started talking with one of the KP
boys; Colin recognized the boy as Tanner.  The adults could not hear what
the two boys said to one another, but the mutual smiles suggested they had
somehow become friends.  As Nigel reached the end of the serving line, he
moved to join the other boys, pausing for only a moment to wave to his dad.

Mark entered through the staff entrance.  Kevin entered through the serving
entrance the other boys used.  As the two young men entered the hall, the
cat calls began.  A large number of the boys stood and applauded or
whistled.  The staff members watched the boys and looked at one another,
puzzled.  The only staff member that didn't look puzzled was Mark, who
looked embarrassed and blushed.  Daniel looked a little closer and noticed
the brands and teeth marks on Mark's neck.  Daniel remained in his seat and
waited for the boys to settle down.  As Kevin walked through the service
line, Daniel noted the boy carried interesting marks on his neck.  Daniel
motioned for Tanner to come to the table.

Tanner approached the table, hesitantly, no longer wearing the happy smile
from earlier.  Tanner looked at Daniel, then to Mark and Colin, and back to
Daniel.

"Yes, sir?" Tanner said sheepishly; Daniel was puzzled.

"Tanner, is something wrong, son?"  Tanner was now puzzled.  He thought
Daniel and the other men knew what he had done the previous night and he
might be in some kind of trouble.

"Uh, no, sir?"  Tanner didn't sound convincing.

"Tanner, is there something you would like to tell me?"

"Sir, we didn't mean any harm; we was just kinda playin', and, well,
he. . .you know. .he wanted to play, too.  I knew he had'n done anythin'
like that before and I tried to make sure he had a good time.  Him and Alex
seemed ta really want it, real bad."  Daniel was really puzzled now, but
noticed that Tanner kept looking at Mark and Colin.

"Tanner, do you think you could be a bit more clear about what you're
talking about?  Who is 'he'?"

"Sir?" Tanner responded.  "Aren't you mad at me about last night and Nige
and Alex?"  The answer got Colin's undivided attention.

"What about my son?" Colin asked.

"Uh-oh.  I guess you didn't know, huh?"  Tanner then looked very
uncomfortable.  He looked to Daniel and spoke barely above a whisper.  "I
thought I was in trouble for what I did with him, but you didn't know, did
ya?"

"Suppose you clear the confusion for us so we all know," Daniel told him.
Tanner looked to Mark for help.

"Daniel?" Mark interrupted, "Maybe I can help here."

"Please do.  I think Tanner would appreciate a little help," Daniel
responded, now having figured most of it out; but he wasn't letting anyone
off the hook.  This explanation had to be good.

"I heard this morning that some of the guys got together and kind of had a
little party, if you know what I mean, in the shower late last night."
Mark hesitated, and then added, "In both dorms."

"Mark, are you telling me the boys had an orgy going on last night?"
Daniel knew the answer, but decided to have some fun with this one.  Mark's
souvenirs told him who was most likely responsible.  "Any idea what started
all this partying?"

"Well, sir," Tanner interjected, "we don't know exactly who; I mean, we
didn't exactly see 'em, if you know what I mean.  But, it's like, a couple
of guys in a private room seemed to have a really good time goin' for it,
at least that's what it sounded like. . .uhh. .  I mean it sounded like it
was really hot, and you know how it is for guys our age.  I mean, we got a
good description of what was happening and all and well. . ."

"Yes, Tanner, I think I know."  Daniel decided to take the boy off the
hook, a little.  "Any idea who was having such a good time?"

"Like I said, Mr. Dan'l, we did'n see 'em; we just heard 'em."  Daniel gave
Mark a look that let Mark know Daniel already knew who had a good time in
the private room.  Daniel leaned over to Mark and touched the brand on his
neck.

"I think I know at least one of the parties that had a good time, and I can
guess who the other one was.  Maybe they need to exercise a little more
self control in the vocal department?" Daniel said as he looked at Mark.
Daniel then turned back to Tanner.

"Tanner, you mentioned Nigel and Alex.  Why would I be mad at you about
them?"

"Well, they joined the party, Mr. Dan'l, and . . .well . . .I kinda fooled
around with Nige," Tanner admitted, sheepishly, but quickly added, "but, I
didn't force him to do nothin', I swear, Mr. Dan'l."  Tanner then looked
anxiously at Colin who had to bite his lip.

"Tanner," Colin tried to sound calm as he spoke to the boy, "are you saying
my son, Nigel, participated in this orgy last night?"

"Yes, sir."

"Did he seem to enjoy himself?"

"Uhhh, yes sir; he had a real good time."

"Oh? How's that?  Could you elaborate, please?"  Tanner detected the edge
in Colin's voice and realized he may have said too much; he looked to
Daniel.  Daniel motioned for him to continue.  The staff knew that Daniel
had most likely figured out the whole scenario, but had decided to have a
little fun at Tanner's expense.  Colin continued to watch Tanner, who had
already admitted who fooling around with the man's virgin son.

"Well, he didn't do anything that he didn't want ta do.  No boy can be made
to do something he doesn't want to, that's against the rules and we'd be in
a lotta trouble with Mr. Dan'l if we did that.  We just. . .you know,
well. . .we just kinda fooled around some.  . .and," Tanner lowered his
voice to almost a whisper and blushed, "I kinda gave him a blow job and
showed him how ta do it." Tanner cringed as he revealed the last bit of
information to Daniel.

"Tanner," Colin fought to maintain control. "Let me make sure I understand
you.  You're telling us that my son was in an orgy and you gave him a blow
job.  Not only that, but you taught him how to give a blow job; correct?"

"Yes, sir."  Tanner began to fidget and looked down, not sure where all
this would lead.

Colin didn't say any more, he didn't know what to say.  Before coming to
New Horizons, Colin had been advised about the boys and the rules.  He was
well aware that Daniel did not forbid the boys to do what boys their ages
normally do.  The intent behind bringing Nigel had been to break any ties
he might have to The Devilrays and let him learn how boys normally
function.  Colin had reconciled all these things in his mind before leaving
home and was pleased that Nigel would be protected as well as learn through
experience and associating with the other boys.  Nigel had just gone
through his first major learning experience with the boys, doing what boys
do.  Now that it was real, Colin wasn't sure how he felt about the
situation.

"Tanner, come over here, son."  Daniel felt sorry for Tanner and decided to
let him off the hook.  Daniel put an arm around Tanner's waist, pulled him
in close and spoke softly so only he and Tanner understood what was being
said.  "Did you boys break any of the rules when you had your little party
last night?" Tanner shook his head.  "Then, if I were you, I don't think
I'd worry about being in any trouble.  If anyone should be in some kind of
trouble, I would think it should be the young men who were so vocal about
their escapades last night that instigated the whole thing."  Tanner and
Daniel looked around at Mark and smiled.  Tanner turned back to Daniel and
spoke very quietly.

"Mr. Dan'l, I don't think Mr. Colin is very happy with me right now."

"Mr. Colin might be having a little trouble accepting that his son is
growing up.  All parents know it's going to happen, but they usually aren't
prepared for it.  I'll talk with him; but you don't worry.  Okay?"

"Yes, sir."  Tanner relaxed, knowing that Daniel would protect him.

"Did Nige seem to enjoy himself?"  Tanner smiled and nodded.  "How did he
do?"

"Not bad for a newbie."  Tanner smiled.  "But, he said some weird stuff I
did'n understand.  I figured it was because he was foreign."  Daniel nodded
to acknowledge what Tanner said.  Daniel thought he knew where the 'weird
stuff' was coming from, but he wanted to be sure before saying any more.

"You and I can talk about that later," Daniel continued. "Suppose I let you
know why I actually called you over here." Tanner looked at Daniel,
surprised. "We'd like to get a little more coffee and Mr. Mark would
probably like his breakfast.  Tell Mr. Barry he can add a little crow to
Mr. Mark's tray."

"Yes, sir," Tanner responded with a big grin as he hurried off.

"Daniel, your staff told me you're not above having a little fun with the
boys on occasion; I see what they meant," Colin commented.  "He's really
not in any trouble is he?"

"Oh no, he's not in any trouble.  It was just the way he approached us, I
could tell he thought he might be, and since he had already volunteered
more than I really wanted to know, I decided to have a little fun with him.
I don't think he was really worried about me so much as the father of the
boy he was playing with."  Daniel smiled and all the men had a little
laugh.  Colin commented,

"I didn't mean for the boy to think I was upset with him.  I just wasn't
quite prepared to learn that my son had. . . well, you know."  Colin wasn't
sure what to think.  Knowing what boys did and learning his boy did it were
two different things.  Still, he had agreed that Nigel would live as one of
the boys.

"Colin, you were asking me about some interesting stories, I'd suggest you
talk to Mark here. He's pretty much an expert on cleaning fountains."  Mark
groaned as he blushed.

"Another interesting story might be with Patrick and Brad.  I was really at
my wits end with those two when Sean, Brad's younger brother, settled the
issues for us.  Actually, talk to Sean, you're more likely to get the real
story from him.  When he finished with the two older boys, they probably
felt the bruises for about a week.  I'll talk with the boys for you and see
if an interview can be arranged.  I think that after Tanner finishes
telling everyone what just happened, and that you didn't try to kill him
when you heard that he'd been playing with Nigel, you shouldn't have much
trouble getting the boys to open up."

All the men laughed and Colin knew there had to be some good stories
waiting for him to write and send back home.

End Ch Seventy-Three

To Be Continued

Comments welcome: contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com