Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:33:21 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden's Saga 12

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

This is a narrative.  It is a work of historical fiction.  The operative
word in that sentence is fiction.  A list of characters is provided
(Separate File) as some come and go and the time span may be lengthy
between appearances, in the serialized presentation, I thought it might
prove useful.  Sex between males, males and females, between females, of
both contemporaries and intergenerational is common.  I am sure, not common
enough for some and to common for others.  Some of the descriptions are
graphic, others not, still others are only statements of happening or just
illusions to occurrences.  The main characters are male and most of the sex
is between them.  Most of these characters are bisexual.

If the sexual nature is offensive or you are disqualified due to age or
location, don't read it.  You have been warned.  I hope you like what you
read and find the characters and their exploits/adventures interesting.

Nifty and I hold the copyright so posting it or making money from it
without permission or sharing, is unethical.  That said, if you wish to
quote reasonable length passages please be kind enough to sight them.  You
will find a few quotations or only slightly edited passages in some
chapters.  References are provided in the text.  Don't forget Nifty need
financial help.  Please make a donation if you can.


12: The Art of Being A Prince

1312, the 10th month, 26th day:

This was a day of sex, boy sex.  Uncle Iason spent his privet time with the
Princess and the younger children.  In the morning Iason and I, along with
our guardians, took Nikias, Joulous and Justus riding.  Kleitos had trained
three ponies for them, this was the first time they would be riding with us
big brothers.  This was probably the first time they were allowed outside
the castle without their nurses or ladies in waiting hovering over them.  I
remember how it was at eight, with two older sisters never letting you do
anything.  I can't imagine what it would be like to have a bevy of women
controlling your every move.  Boys need to run free, play hard and
physically.  That is what boys are about.  That is what Iason and I are
about.

We rode along the athletic fields where the Palace Boys and Argoanuts were
playing sports and fencing.  Most of our sports are done in the traditional
Greek way, naked.  The sight of all this boy flesh was almost to much for
me and I am sure Iason and our four guardians.  The three younger ones just
wanted to shed their kilts and tunics to join in, but we would not let
them.  Instead we slowly moved along the edge of the playing fields
greeting the boys who ran up to us.

When we had rode for some distance, close to half a stadia, we stopped and
let our horses rest and our charges run wild in the grass along the lake.
Iason showed us a sandy place and soon all of us were naked and swimming.
Nikias swam quite well but Joulous and Justus poorly; Iason and I assisted
them and gave some instruction, much as Abernath has done for me at a
younger age than 8.  It was while drying in the sun on the sand, that we
learned just how much and how little the twins knew of the world.

In short order they were taking out erections deep into their mouths and
showing Nikias just how it is done.  At first I wanted to send them away.
Since sex with boys this young is just not done here, even if you are still
a boy yourself.  I guess if you are a boy under 12 it is acceptable, but
once 12 and like us mature enough to fuck and ejaculate, well it is just
not done.  Joulous and Justus were not about to let that stop them, and it
didn't.  These two are masters at this art and I think Iason and I learned
a few tricks from them that morning.

What was even more amazing was how quickly Nikias caught on and how much he
seemed to enjoy the catching.  The twins alone were masterful, taking our
boy sized penises in to the root and using their throats to milk them like
the tit of a goat.  Nikias did not take us completely in but about half.
He would kiss, nibble and lick just like the twins.  We took it they had
instructed him, probably through demonstration.  Iason emptied his load
quicker them myself and no sooner had Justus accomplished that then Nikias
had his mouth on the now soft penis encouraging him back to full power.
Justus then moved over to assist Joulous with me and between the two I
ejaculated a small fountain, which they quickly consumed.  I was most
excited by their mouths, one on each side working from the base to the head
and back kissing and nibbling in unison.

They became boys possessed and immediately took care of the four guardians.
While Iason and I further instructed Nikias.  The twins were soon begging
us older boys to enter their anuses but we refused, explaining several
times why we could not do this until they were at least 12.  Now it was
apparent why two so young were among the invaders.  They had been trained
as pleasure boys from the age of about 3.  Joulous and Justus were treated
to a little pleasure from the four guardians they used their mouths and
fingers to bring them twice to organism.  While Iason and I made sure
Nikias was rewarded for his efforts.  He was delighted since his new
brothers' fingers were to small to get into his pleasure place.
Fortunately Iason's and mine are just long enough.

When we returned Kleitos met us in the stables with a small gang of
assistants to groom the ponies and horses.  He has the most marvellous way
with animals I have ever seen.

When we reached our apartments it was already filled with naked boys.  The
remainder of the afternoon was one orgy that migrated from our bedchamber
to the baths and gymnasium.  By the time I am writing this, I am praying
that few messages would be delivered, at lest for the next day as my butt
is to tender for much movement and my anus does not seem to close.


1312 the 10th month, 26th day:

The Argoanuts are now a fully functioning unit with leadership, programs,
members and dress uniforms.  Over the past week I have noticed Iason often
was troubled by something but he refused to talk about it.  I knew it was
nothing I had done or said; I just let him think things over.  While he and
I were sitting on the benches with the other pages he finally confided in
me.

"Arden, I think we need to raise a memorial to all the boys we could not
save.  Who will morn them, who will remember them if not us?  I want to
make a project for the Argoanuts to raise just such a thing."

Why don't we ask that young sculpture to cast a bronze for us.  We can put
it in our gymnasium dining hall.  Do you think the master will allow an
apprentice to take a commission from us?

"If Prince Arden offers to be the model how can he refuse."

(TN: The next few pages are to damaged to get much of the thread but I
learned and in some places added from my own knowledge: The master is named
Lorenz Maitani he was an Italian.  A name I recognized.  He is famous for
his sculpture and as an architect.  By this time he is quite an old man who
mostly supervises.  How he came to Parga is not recorded.  The student
Arden wrote, is Goro, just a boy, perhaps 15 himself but of a talent that
amazed all who saw it.  Apparently he is only allowed to work in clay.  So
Lorenzo's supervision of the bronze casting will be required and the
finishing will be done by others.  Goro did not stay in Parga that is clear
from his biography.)


1312, the 10th month, 28th day:

Goro came to our evening meal/meeting today and presented his ideas for the
memorial.  He proposed a life sized boy, naked of course, standing and
looking outward with his arms outstretched, his palms turned upward.  He
also proposed we place the statue in the little plaza, just back from the
harbour.  That it be looking out to sea.  His idea was to place it on a
stone pedestal.  He had a large drawing to show what it would look like.

Each house took a short time to discuss the proposal.  The house Eparchoses
(Captains) reported after taking a quick vote.  All 4 houses voted to
approve.  From the look on most faces I take it our methods of demokratia
is a bit foreign to them, still.  I can understand that, few places in the
world work this way.  Most families don't and being servants no master
would.  Our brotherhood is semi military and militaries are not.  In fact,
most citizens and all children are accustomed to having others tell us what
to do, when and how.  No religion I know of is much open to questions and
never to votes on its dogma or procedures.  This place is a kingdom and
kings are not known to seek approval of anyone, except maybe other kings.

In our society, as the scholars point out regularly, the citizens need to
take an active part in governance.  Why then do we do this.  That question
is simple enough but the answer is highly complex and has many parts.
Mostly it has two major purposes: to give the members a true feeling of
belonging and bind their support.  When a group is in agreement with
something the collective power is far greater than just there number.  As I
write this I realize just how much I have learned since being adopted.  I
am also gaining an understanding of why Iason and I are being taught the
lessons we are.

Goro thanked everyone for their vote of confidence in his ability.  He then
pointed out, he himself was still a boy and this whole project has great
power, it is boy's doing things for and in memory of boys.  The adults here
have only two roles, assist or serve boys and pay the bill.

"We now have only one last task, we need a name for our statue and a model.
I know everyone of you is a willing volunteer.  It is the choosing that
causes me difficulty.  For the name I propose Ganymede of Parga." (TN: The
name of a mountain chain in the present Greek province of Epirus and the
name of this city state.)

The boys were vociferous in agreeing with that name.  "As to the model, I
think you should nominate a local boy.  Like the ideal of Ganymede he
should show great beauty in appearance, spirit, loyalty and character.
Since he will represent both the ideal of boyhood and all boys, you the
Argoanuts must choose."

The advisor general asked each squad to settle on a candidate and the
demisquad leaders to meet with the Dathapatishs and settle on one and the
Dathapatishs to meet with the Eparchoses and the Eparchoses to meet
together, each settling on one candidate.  While all this was going on Goro
wandered among them to answer questions.

I could see he was being kept quite busy.  After a bit I saw him talking to
a very small boy, at the farthest end of the East House table.  I knew that
boy, he was the one that rode with me from the battle.  I knew him to be
shy and reticent to speak.  It took work for me to even get his name, which
is Odovacar, he calls himself Odo.  I believe it is an old Germanic name.
I could see Odo's face was bright red and he wanted to hide in Goro's
tunic. (TN: Writing in Greek Arden spelled Odovacar with a k as Odovakar.
As he spelled coal with a k as koal and so on.  For names like Odovakar and
many other things I use the Latin spelling.)

Goro made his way to the front and spoke to the four Eparchoses briefly,
they all agreed it appeared and he returned to his seat.  The East house
Eparchoses raised his hands and got everyone's attention.

"The model has been chosen.  Goro told us a model usually has a chance to
say no to the job, unless the work was commissioned on his or her behalf.
This is not but we also feel that since the choice is the will of the
assembly that boy can not say no.  It was a hard choice.  Two houses for
Prince Iason and two for Prince Arden.  The four took the advice of our
youngest member Odovacar, to brake the deadlock.  Our choice is Prince
Arden."

Odo was bright red but so excited he didn't think to try and hid his face.
I wondered what he said to the Eparchoses.  My face was now flushed bright
red too and I was feeling suddenly very shy.

Iason rose with a huge smile on his face.

"I think we have made a wise choice here tonight.  Had I been chosen you
would have gotten only the second or third best.  My betrothed is many
things, at almost all of them he is the best and I am only a poor second.
He is not the most humble or shy person, Odo is best at that, Arden is only
number two and for me so far back in the pack as not to be noticed.  Arden
is the most beautiful boy in the Kingdom, he is the smartest, the fastest
in a foot race at any distance, the most clever, the most affectionate and
loving, the hardest working and most dedicated to office of any prince in
the land.

For me I am just his number two.  It is a nice face," he pointed to
himself, "but not Arden.  It is a nice body."  he pointed to himself again,
"not as nice as my lover's.  I am first in line for the crown but did not
earn that, it is an accident of birth order.  Arden is second, he earned it
and his selection was no accident.  I know we both have your respect and
affection.  I hope I have earned my part but I know he has earned his.  If
the truth be told, and I do enjoy telling it, there is no better choice in
the world than Prince Arden-Crown Prince Consort, our brother, to represent
us, he is the living Ganymede of Parga.  See how red he gets."

With that he kissed me on the lips as I reached under his kilt for a feel
of him for all to see.  This action brought the boys to their feet and they
all began singing one of our marching songs.  As we were about to go I sent
Pyrros to bring Odo to our bedchamber.

Once we got in our rooms Odo's shyness seemed to settle down.  Now that the
four guardians know how shy this young boy can be, they were right into
making him feel comfortable.  Ikaros managed to fuss over him and I'm not
sure he viewed him as brother or sister.  Knowing enough Greek to express
himself probably gave him a little comfort as well.  He told us he was from
Florence and had been raised in a brothel.  Last year his mother sent him
to travel with the General that surrendered his sword to me.  "It was go
with him or go to work as a prostitute".

"He had a young orderly named Vitale so he never fucked me, just him, but
the orderly did and often.  They were both good to me and I was always
treated well, not as a slave.  I know that when the General realized you
would protect the boys, me included, that is why he gave you his sword and
not to King Iason.

They taught me to read and write a little and you know, how to be an
orderly, but Vitale did all the real work.  I was mostly to keep the
General company in bed."  Odo climbed up and sat on my lap pressing his
head against my shoulder.  "I was so scared and so lonely that day I
couldn't even talk.  You were so brave and when you made that knight place
me on your horse, I was just thrilled.  I know I am shy but I wanted to
thank you, but I couldn't speak.  When you wrapped your cloak around me and
held me tight it was like I had always been your little brother.  Prince
Arden you won't let them send me ways back to Florence with the General
will you?"

"Never Odo, not unless you ask to go."

"No, never, I want to stay with you and Prince Iason.  Can I sleep here
with you, please."

Iason and I told him he could.  We asked him lots of questions and talked a
while longer.  When I asked him if he wanted to go and see the General he
surprised me by saying yes, as long as I was with him and Damao, Heron,
Pyrros and Volos.  He said the General always treated him well and he would
like to ask him to look up his mother, to tell her he was safe and being
very well cared for.  I was about to suggest he write a letter to his
mother while I transcribe these notes but the boy was asleep before I
could.  Just as I sat at my table and Iason made him ready for bed, Volos
came close and said, "Prince Arden," he only does that when it is serious
or business, "you must let that boy live here with you, see how he sleeps
just knowing you and Iason are in the room with him.  Unless I am
completely mistaken Damao and Heron will be asking to adopt him soon. "

"And you?"

"Pyrros and I are still to much enamoured with each other to have a family.
It will come."


1312, the 10th month 30th day:

General Zokitos reported that the snows are now so deep on the border that
travel is almost impossible.  Our people have withdrawn below the snow line
and only a small contingent remained in that camp.  Prince Tertius reported
the coastal army's report no other activity then the road building
operations.  In addition, the Argoanuts have begun construction on their
monument in the city plaza.

Later this afternoon Iason and I were enjoying a lustful time with Odo when
our fathers interrupted us.  They did hold until we had, all three of us,
satisfied our desires.  Odo is a master at this.  I admit I thought Iason
and I were about as skilled as any but we have found our better in Odo.  He
knelt on a short bench presenting his buttocks to me and is mouth to Iason.
His skin is so smooth and supple I just can't seem to stop touching it.
Somehow he managed to control his muscles to keep my penis in almost
constant contact with his pleasure place and the tip of Iason's penis deep
in this oral recesses.  I know we were all making sounds of pleasure since
it was so pleasurable.

When Father spoke, "that was quite a performance," I just about fainted,
Iason turned bright red and Odo hid behind us.  Uncle Iason called Odo out
to come and sit on his lap.  Odo went quickly and with a bright smile
climbed into the king's lap.  Our fathers began gently interrogating Odo
and then us.  It became clear they were not pleased that we were having sex
with a 10 year old when the rule was 12.  Odo looked panic stricken and
began protesting it was all his fault and to punish him not the princes.

Iason began pleading, "daddy you shouldn't punish him, it is us, we are
older."  Immediately Odo protested, "No, no, it is I, this was my idea, I
begged them."

Karyakos interjected, "what is the talk of punishment?  Have any of you
done something we are not aware of that requires punishment?"  We all
assured him we had not.  Karyakos went on to explain they did not like the
idea of boy under 12 having sex with boys over 12 and never with men.  The
reason for their dislike and the rule was simple.  Boys under 12 are not
thought to be mature enough to from true love relationship with a man and
not powerful enough to deal with older boys.  That is why they asked all
the questions to be sure that Odo had not been forced or seduced into sex
with us.  Uncle Iason added, "It is a father's responsibility to protect
his children as much as it is to nurture them.  Karyakos and I would be
delinquent not to investigate.  Since you are all in agreement that this
was willing behaviour with only nobel intentions we are satisfied.  That is
your fathers talking.

Your King and Prince Consort have other concerns.  We must be sure that the
rules of this place are being evenly and fairly applied.  Princes or not,
you two are bound to them as is everyone else."  He looked right at Odo.
"When the princes in this kingdom engage in mischief we often must look the
other way.  Sometimes we must act as parents to correct a child's
misbehaviour.  We never punish their associates only the princes.  Even if
some inappropriate behaviour was your idea little one, those two, not you,
would cary the blame.  Being a prince has a price.  You must yield some
space to them since they are new to the job."  Odo is a quick one and he
understood completely what the King was saying.  He smiled widely.

"No offence, no punishment.  Now we must figure some reason why Odo should
be treated differently than the others, including your little brothers.
Odo your touters tell us that you mastered Greek in a few weeks and that
you speak several Italian variants, Spanish and French is that correct?"

"Oh yes.  I learn languages as easily as some people walk."

"It is settled than, Odo must live with us to insure his talent for
languages is properly fostered." Iason said.

"I can do more than that.  I am quite a good poet too."

Karyakos looked at him just a bit skeptically.  Perhaps thinking this was
just a child's bravado.  It was not.  Iason and I know he had a way with
words.  He had been composing a letter to his mother and while our Italian
skills are not great it was obviously well beyond his years.

"Ode to The Ganymede of Parga

I stand here arms out stretched toward the sun setting.  I stand here to
remember all of the unnamed that gave their lives in service.  I am the
Ganymede of Parga, the everlasting symbol of boyhood.  I am loyal to a
fault, I love completely, I can be nothing but true.  I have no name but
boy.  Few remember me, though I have served faithfully since the beginning
of time.

I stand here arms out stretched toward the sun setting.  Look at me I am
the soul of every boy.  Look at me I am every boy who ever served.  Look at
me my name is forgotten or never known.  Look at me and remember.  Look at
me I live again, a mortal made immortal because you remember.  " (TN:
Translating poetry is not as easy as it may sound.  I am not sure I have
done it justice.  Odo's meter was trochaic but I was forced to blank verse.
My apologies Odovacar.)

I think we were all dumb struck (TN: gobsmacked is another good word choice
but he wrote made speechless).  I know I was and I am not often at a loss
for words.  He made this up on the spot while sitting on his new father's
lap, in a language new to him.  I could see the look in his eyes as we all
praised his skills and his ode.  What I saw was a twinkle that rivalled
Iason's.  He would seduce his new fathers as he has his new brothers.  I am
sure of it.


1312, the 11th month, 1st day:

Today after our morning lessons we rode out to visit the south road
building camp.  The purpose was to let Odo visit with the General and
Vitale.  We rode with Prince Tertius, Adonis and another couple of his
squires, our guardians and a group of solders.  Odo rode one of the young
princes' ponies, Alexandros and Kleitos also came along.  I must say we
made a handsome looking gaggle.  Our tunics in bright colours and horses
all decked out with dress tack.  We were allowed to ware our swords.

As we approached the camp and work gangs the solders on guard pulled to
attention.  Prince Tertius ask of the General's location and we rode off
further to locate him.  He was standing outside a small tent with several
of his officers and several of our ingegneres.  I could tell that because
they were dressed in our uniforms and had the ingegneres' insignia on their
tunics.  When he saw Odo was riding with us his face beamed.  I could see
he cared much for the boy.

The boy jumped to the ground and ran into the General's arms leaving
Kleitos to secure his pony.  We all hung back giving Odo and the General a
few privet minutes.  After making our greetings the General set Odo back on
the ground.  Then he dropped to his knees and began thanking Iason and me.
"Your Fathers and uncle have kept me informed."  He kissed our hands over
and over. "You have given all these boys something I never could have, self
respect and a meaningful opportunity.  If the others are half Odo you will
not be disappointed."

Iason put it best, "It is us who thanks you General for bringing Odo to us,
we promise to love him as much as you obviously do."

We talked for a while until Odo asked for Vitale.  I could see the General
was shaken by the thought of his orderly.  "I had to send him away, Odo."

"Why, why would you send him away you loved him, I know you did and he
loved you, he told me a thousand times."  A tear was beginning to form in
Odo's eye.

Prince Tertius spoke up, "The General felt he had no choice Odo, but to
make him go.  If he didn't force him to go, Vitale could not stay here in
Parga."

"You know," the general exclaimed?

"Yes, of course, it is a game.  The priest offers sanctuary in his church
and after you leave he comes to us and announces he has these young men,
who exercised the ancient right of sanctuary, which he could not refuse.
Now the King must either refuse to let them leave the church or accept them
into our society.

The young priest thinks we do not know of these men.  Let them think that
General.  What none of them realize is the right of sanctuary is far older
than the Christian church and in this land is extended to all religious
shrines and temples, as it has since our beginning, not just since
Constantine the First, who had no sway here anyway.  He is probably the
only one with enough room to hold all of them."  Tertius leaned back and
stretched.  "I am keeping a close eye on the situation and if they run
short of food or have other needs we will see some anonymous donations are
made.  The priest thinks he is so clever in helping them to
Ã"Çÿescape'."

The General smiled very broadly.  "Prince Tertius I have never, in my long
history, been so greatly and often pleasantly surprised as since landing on
the shores of Parga.  I know I will miss it very much.  I also realize you
can not allow substantial numbers of us to remain here.  Do you know yet
what will become of them."

"No, I do know, my brothers will be fair and generous with opportunity.  I
suspect they will need to see what skills and talents are present before
making a plan."

"I do not know them all personally but the ones I do know are good men.
Vitale specifically is very talented and I will miss him, both as a
military aid and companion.  I will retire from this business when I
return, I can not offer him a secure future.  I can no longer trust my
government, it is lead by fools and greedy dolts and that Envoy is one of
the better ones.  Enough of this, tell me Odovacar what has happened to you
since that fateful day of our surrender."

Odo told him all that had happened even quoting the first part of his ode.
The General was most impressed and said so.  He told the General that all
this was in his letter but reminded him his mother probably could not read.
Shortly after we took our leave and returned to the castle with more
problems of state.

On the way home Odo kept talking about his friend Vitale.  He was all but
insisting we stop at the church to check and see if he was well.  Prince
Tertius was not keen on this since he did not want to let the priest and
the Envoy know we knew.  Kleitos and Alexandros suggested they take Odo
into the church while the remainder of us continue to the Castle.  They
could use the excuse, that Odo need to make his confession, being baptized
in the faith.  Upon returning to the castle they confided in me the
following: Once in the confessional Odo asked the priest for information,
having just talked to the General.  He was told Vitale and the others were
all quite ill and the priest feared for them, but the Envoy was pressuring
him not to announce the sanctuary to the crown.

He took Odo to see his friend.  When they returned to Alexandros and
Kleitos, Odo told them they were very ill and would die if something was
not done.  Alexandros insisted the priest go with them to the Castle and
confide the problem to the King.  They had been privy to the Generals' and
Prince Tertius' comments but did not tell that to the priest.  He was
reluctant but the situation demanded he act on behalf of the men; after
all, once sanctuary was granted by the church, he became responsible for
them not the Envoy.

We were not long back when a page came to our door summoning us to a
meeting.  When we arrived the King, Consort, Prince Tertius, Odo,
Alexandros, Kleitos were already in the room with the priest.  As soon as
we arrived the priest explained his situation knowing if he didn't
Alexandros would.  Uncle Iason just smiled.

"Father you and I have known each other since we were boys running up and
down the back stair way, playing with wooden swords.  We can be completely
honest with each other, as our ultimate goals are the same.  The Envoy is
using you and the church for his political game.  If those men die while in
your care he will say it is because I refused care.  If they live and
remain here until after he leaves he will say I am holding them hostage.
That aside, you of all people should know that the Christian Church is a
late comer to the sanctuary business, it began in Egypt and has always been
honoured in any temple of any faith in Greece and in this state.  Those men
need to be sent immediately to the Temple of Apollo to receive treatment in
the sulphur pools.  They can ask for sanctuary and it will be granted at
that temple.

Your problem is getting them transported without braking the sanctuary
rules.  I have a solution for you but you must trust me, we have no time to
waste.  I happen to have a cart train leaving for Koalhurst in the morning.
They could leave from your church tonight.

Iason, put your Page's tunic and hat of office on.  Go to the cart master
and tell him he is to place a large Christian Cross on each of his carts
and to report to the church immediately.  He will receive instructions from
the priest and he is to carry them out with all dispatch."  Iason went.

"Now Father, you must bless each cart and make it a temporary place of
worship.  Send a letter to the priests at the temple requesting their
assistance in healing these men and granting them sanctuary.  Attach the
letter I will give you, which will request the same.  In the morning you
should tell the Envoy what has happened but not about our meeting.  Say
only you were able to see them transported and sanctuary transferred.  Then
insist he go with you to Apollo's temple to check on the men, bring enough
food for them to last several weeks and of course a generous gift to the
temple.  This from his purse not the churches.  When you get to the temple
have the crosses removed from the carts, declare them no longer places of
worship and send them on their way to Koalhurst."

"What if he refuses the food or the gift?"

"Then he is a greater fool than I thought him.  You know me well enough
Father.  Just send a message to me.  Now come old friend, let us get you
that letter."  The priest and Father and Uncle walked out arms around each
others shoulders giggling like boys at having created some mischief.  I
could hear Karyakos say, "It is a good thing you chose the role of priest
not warrior, as I recall you lost most of those mock battles."

Later on reflection, I began to see not only how our fathers seem to know
everything at goes on here but how strong the connections between all
citizens.  I also assumed that the priests at Apollo's Temple were boyhood
friends of both the Christian priest and our fathers.  This state truly
must be one large family.

We hurried off for our evening meal and Argoanut meeting.  At the meeting
Odo's ode was presented but not by him.  He is still just a bit to shy to
read it before the whole group.  One of the older boys in his house read it
for him.  That boy is about 15 and I think will make a fine actor or
player.  Odo's touter thought it was very well done and made only a few
suggestions.  He also suggested Odo work with some of the musicians and
develop it into a song.  We appear to have many fine players, singers and
actors as well as poets, painters and sculptures in the Argoanuts.

Reflecting further on the subject of family, I understand now why Iason and
I are being guided as we are.  Our mentors do not tell us what to do or how
to do it in detail but seem to provide examples of why it should be done.
Then some of the scholars and other older staff tell us our mentors were
still playing games at 12 and we are much advanced of them.

None of us know what the future brings for sure.  The scholars tell us, the
Pagan ideas of fait, stars, numbers or the Jews, Christian and Islamic
concept of "God's Will" is not right.  They claim no divinity directs the
affairs of men.  They maintain only men could possibly make such a mess of
things.  (TN: Arden did not actually write "a mess of things", literally
translated he wrote ...turn on your head...demolish good order.) People use
this as excuse for inaction, a simple minded explanation for that they are
to lazy to reason about, or to explain their own foolishness, greed and
lust for power or self-importance.

They logically demonstrate that if gods did involve themselves with the
affairs of men, it would be at the very least well ordered; what we
experience is inconsistent and not the hallmark of divinity, more that of
demigods.

(TN: Demigods is used here in a highly pejorative way.  It is one of those
terms that could be used in several tones of voice from highly pejorative
to ironic or satirical and I suspect humorous or chiding.  Many of the gods
were demigods, i.e. they had spacial duties in deference to major gods who
had broad responsibilities.  Aphrodite and her son Eros are examples.  It
is a word like fuck, one that has many, many uses.)