Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:46:17 -0700
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden's Saga 28

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


If the sexual nature of this story 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.

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28: Eastern Travel

1318, 2nd month, 1st day:

We departed on the afternoon tide.  So far, I find writing on shipboard is
not to difficult.  I am accustomed now to the rhythm of the waves.  The
Prince Arden is a fine vessel and I am very much impressed with its crew
and its marines.

We were dressed in our parade uniforms as we walked from the castle to the
dock.  All gathered around the Ganymede of Parga and sang Odo's ode.  King
Iason and Prince Karyakos were with us and sang along, as if themselves
boys again.  I know Uncle is envious of us.  He told me the other day.  Our
grandfathers sent them on a fine ship but it was smaller than the Prince
Arden.  They had chosen a very mature and seasoned crew and captain for
them and assigned an old scholar, as their guide.  They were the youngest
men on board.

Flying from the tallest mast were our ensigns: Parga, Crown Prince, Crown
Prince Consort, Prince Advisors, Argoanuts.  We embraced our fathers and
kissed them each in turn.  I could see a tear in Karyakos' eye, as his sons
and beloved marched up the ramp.  As we moved up the ramp trumpets sounded
and a great cheer went up from the ships company, who were all assembled on
the deck.  We saluted Captain Hermogenes and he us.

Our boys waved and called to us from the quay, we slipped our bonds and
slid across the smooth water of the inner harbour.  Once underway we were
mobbed by the Argoanuts and marines.  We personally knew every Argonaut but
few of the marines and even fewer of the sailors.  Once we had moved into
open water all the sailors and marines formed a long line, to greet their
princes.  Our guardians knew many of the marines and sailors.  The last in
the line was Panther.  His broad smile and warm hand shakes gave us a good
feeling.

I know we will get to know every one of these fine men.  The long days and
nights at sea will provide good opportunity.  We four have sailed before,
we had some idea of it, this time things were slightly different.  It took
me a while to realize what that was.  Hermogenes gave a few brief
instructions and the ship seemed to sail itself.

He turned over the bridge to his lieutenant and took us into our cabin.  I
was somewhat surprised to find Panther in this place.  Hermogenes told us
Panther was assigned as his cabin boy and would help Ikaros getting us
settled.  Under normal conditions, this cabin would be for the senior
officers.  They were moved to the forecastle along with the marine and
Argoanuts officers.  Being a military vessel, even the ships boys are young
men, at a minimum age of 16.

Hermogenes instructed us to put our parade uniforms away and dress for
work, our lessons in navigation started as soon as we came to the bridge.
No sooner had Hermogenes closed the hatch, Panther was on his knees kissing
our hands and thanking us for sending Mitos to his aid.

He took my hands and rubbed them against his face saying, "Prince, you
spared my life when I deserved to die, I am forever in your debt.  You must
take me into your personal service."

I was somewhat taken aback by him.  This was not the same young man I had
encountered before.  His attitude and his deportment was different.
Panther, I can not do that until these voyages are completed, I told him.

"I understand, the Captain treats me very well and I am learning everything
one needs to know in becoming a good seaman."

I am sure of that Panther and I am sure you will make a valuable addition
to our family.  These are my brothers and friends, as well as lovers all;
any one who serves me, serves them.  Is that acceptable?  His smile was
ever so wide as he rose to standing.

"Agapios told me you would say something like that.  I am ready.  He made
me promise to attend the Captain's bed often and well, especially if any
other red haired boys should come on board."

Did he tell you how important sex is in our little family?  "Oh yes, as did
Dios."  He lifted his kilt so we could see his prodigious manhood and most
exquisite buttocks.  "As you see princes I am prepared to serve in any
capacity you desire."

Several hands appeared and began a closer inspection.  His penis was fully
erect and he was prodigious indeed.  I judged him to be a foot long and
round enough to make a goodly hand full.  His testicles hung well below and
were also very large.  The smile on Ikaros' face told all to us.  He loves
being fucked and the bigger the cock the better.

Since Solon became his erogenous, he has changed his attitude about fucking
men.  He now willingly participates in our little orgies and does so with
great pleasure.  As Panther is even more prodigious than he is, I am sure
our two cabin boys will find bonding a most pleasurable task.


1318, 2nd month, 4th day:

Hermogenes holds several readiness drills each day.  Everyone is expected
to perform some specific duty in the event of military action, coming or
going from ports, storms, launching and retrieval of the small boats and so
on.  From when an alarm is raised, until readiness, he times the
activities.  We too must learn what is expected of us.  In the case of
storms we are to go to our cabin.  On leaving or arriving in port we are to
keep out of the way.  In the event of military action, he also wanted us to
go to our cabin.  Iason flat out told him, the seven of us were not only
knights and archers but also excellent swordsman and only Odo would go
below with Panther.  Having some little experience with these things Odo
reluctantly agreed but only after he assisted us with our armour and
weapons.

The four cannons are covered and Hermogenes told us they will be taken down
before we enter a port.  The light catapults and large cross bows are also
covered.  Few if any ships have these cannons installed on them.  Not
something we wish to advertise.  These training times also practice the
raising, lowering and resetting of the sails.  The sailors are very fast at
this.  He also has the marines and Argoanuts ready and prepared to assist,
if necessary.

The Prince Arden has been slightly refitted, taking away the centre fin.
This was done to give us more speed and greater room in the main hold.  We
have lots of room as our crew was small, in comparison to other ships and
we did not cary much cargo or have galley slaves to row for us.  Since we
did not have our own oars to dock and leave the quay, we used three or four
of our long boats, filled with sailors rowing and stout ropes attached to
the Prince Arden.

The sides of the Prince Arden are relatively high compared to most military
galleys.  It is also three times longer than most but about the same width.
Having three masts, all be it one relatively short, is a radical design
difference from anything we see in our port, as is not having any oars.
Much like many merchants, our hull is light.  The Prince Arden does not sit
low in the water since it does not cary great loads.  On this voyage we
have added ballast to replace the stability of the fin.  Like the
merchants, the PA's sides are high above the water making it more difficult
for others to board us.

The Ingegneres tell me that the northerners, mostly the Danes, build
smaller flat bottomed ships much wider in the beam, called a Cog.  These
Cogs have only one mast and one main sail.  Our Ingegneres have designed
the PA to exceed the speed of any rowed vessel by half, given any kind of
reasonable wind.  Given our great length the PA is less maneuverable in
tight quarters, then rowed ships.  On the other hand, the wheel driven
rudder, is far more effective a steering device then steering oars.

Hermogenes told me, when we are in foreign ports, with tight quarters that
need our small boats to tow us, we are being laughed at.  We will just need
to smile and say, being a poor country Parga can not afford to pay hundreds
of oarsman.  Say nothing about our performance on the water.

Apparently we are the only shipbuilders that construct from the frame
out. (TN: The Chinese also constructed frame out but Arden apparently did
not know this.)  This allows us to achieve the long lengths of our vessels.
I know Archimedes has designed these full sail vessels to accommodate a
large number of the new cannons, which are larger and more powerful then
the four swivel guns we now have, when they become available of course.  At
this time we have several large cross bows fixed to each side that can send
projectiles against other ships.  These arrows are designed to stave in the
sides of opponents and deliver incendiary devices as well.

Our guides and advisors have a cabin just below ours.  The first official
stop will be Athens.  Our scholars told us Athens is still a great city but
has lost much of its power since the famous schools were closed.  Political
and military power and much economic activity is with the emperor at
Constantinople/Byzantium and has been for many hundreds of years.  This is
also the most important trading city and one of the richest in this part of
the world.

We four are too keep a separate journal of our activities, people we meet
and official things we do and visit.  Each of us will make entries, I will
keep track of my personal impressions and those adventures we wish to keep
separated from official duties.  The Captain keeps two records, one noting
conditions and activities the other is his navigational calculations.


1318, 2nd month, 5th day:

We have been now 4 days at sea and will arrive in Athens in the morning.
Panther is taking navigation lessons with us.  His pert ass and prodigious
penis are quite distracting to me.  I know he does not intend to be so but
he is.  Since coming on board he has been climbing the rigging, often going
up the long ropes using only his hands.  Now I know why these sailors all
seem to have such wonderfully full shoulders and upper arms, even nicer
then us archers.  Ikaros has started teaching him the finer points of
swordsmanship.  Along with the finer points of being a chamber boy.  I want
to teach him the finer points of being a bed boy but I suspect the captain
has already done that.

Poly took the captain aside and just out and asked if we could have Panther
to our beds for the evening.  We would send one of us in his place.  The
captain choose Odo.

Panther entered our quarters announcing, "seaman third class Panther,
reporting for pleasure sirs."  We all greeted him warmly with many touches
and gentle, not passionate kisses.

"I am told you wish to join our family Panther.  I think it only fair to
tell you in advance that to do so will require a number of sacrifices, not
that there are no rewards but for some men they are insufficient and they
decline.  It is not our intention to spurn your willingness to exchange
pleasure with us.  That we shall do," Iason said.

"What Prince Iason is trying to say, we all look forward to pleasure with
you.  That pleasure can take one of two forms, pure lust or divine love.
All the members of our family are deeply devoted to each other and love
each other, in all the way one man can love another: as family,
i.e. brothers, as companions and coworkers, as friends and comrades and so
on.  Our love for each other is divine, it is a gift from the gods not a
compulsion of nature.  Both types of love often begins in lust and just as
often ends in that deep emotional bond.  Sex between us is that which binds
us together, making us strong.  Sex for the sake of lust and physical
satisfaction is good too and we are not adverse to it." Kastor added.

Panther still looked mildly perplexed.  I added, you ask to serve us and I
put you off until our voyages are completed and your service to the Navy of
Parga is more established.  That is not to say you can not or should not
prepare for that service.  Sex is a powerful thing Panther and it can be
used for ill as for good.  It is our intention to see only good results.
We know that once all of us have shared your passion and you ours, a bond
will be formed among us.  Just as you have formed a bond with our captain,
that goes beyond your service as a seaman.

Ikaros handed each of us a mug of wine starting, with Panther, "let us
drink and talk and get to know each other better."  We all agreed and bid
Panther sit with us.  Polydeukus, picked up our thoughts. "Panther, to be a
member of this family, some would call it a household or perhaps a court,
requires a life long commitment.  Like Ikaros and our guardians, you will
probably not have any other family than us.  Wives and children are very
difficult for us.  In fact most of us are men who love men or men above
women.  You will be expected to give up thought of a home with a wife and
children in it."

Pyrros, Volos, Damao, Heron, Drakon and Silas were all sitting quietly.
Damao finally spoke, "We, Heron and I have been lovers and were joined by
the king many years ago, as are Pyrros and Volos, Drakon and Silas.  Some
of us are by nature men who love men.  Some others are men who prefer men
to women as life partners.  What you give up is the ease to seek a wife and
raise your children.  What you gain is a powerful family of commands,
economic and social status, political and military power, adventure, the
love and friendship of each other and a dedication to duty that is
unmatched.

We all have had many chances to lay with women, those of us who choose it.
We have sons and nephews, daughters too.  It is just a little different,
our first duty is to Iason and Arden, second our brothers, third our
eromenoses, forth children and concubines.  What everyone here is trying to
say is you need to know, before you go to far in this affair, what your
expectations and options are.  You need not decide now but one day you will
need.  If you have not understood and thought it through, that decision
will be a very difficult one."

Silas was next. "You are under no obligation to have sex with any of us.
As attractive a man as you, your presence fires our passion but you must be
a willing partner in this."

"I am willing and most desires.  It is my intention to submit to any tasks
or duties you desire.  What ever test to demonstrate my worthiness is
acceptable."

The only test friend is your performance for Captain Hermogenes.

"As we were alluding to before, over the next while we will all share
passion and pleasure with you.  This is not a test so much as a
foreshadowing.  We are many and each different.  Even the twins are not
truly identical in temperament.  It is critical that all of us share common
purpose.  That purpose is not so much pleasing any one but doing our best
to administer the sovereignty of Parga.

That is why in public we are formal and use our titles, in privet however
we are all equal.  The titles are discarded with our clothing.  Some of us
are leaders, it is our nature, others followers, it is also our nature.
What is your nature Panther," Iason asked.

"I am a follower.  Captain Hermogenes told me to study well himself, to
learn how to lead and identify when it is necessary to do so; for the best
followers are those who are the most dependable, at delivering results
requested or required."

Enough philosophy for now.  Ikaros more wine for our guest please.  You,
Panther know much about us but we know little about you.  Your life before
the navy is a closed book and we would not ask you to open it.  We know you
have only been on board the Prince Arden and in the navy for a few weeks
but you seem to have secured a plumb position and earned the Captain's
trust if little else.  Tell us about how this came about, as we love a good
story almost as much as good sex.

"After receiving your blessing Prince Arden."  Just Arden, the princes have
retired for the night.  "After receiving your blessing Arden, my cousin
Mitos brought me to see the Captain, who had visited me a couple of times,
while I worked in the stables.  I came on board and signed on the ships
company and into the navy.  It is a three year term of service.  Captain
Hermogenes introduced me to my crew mates and the officers.  He told them
and me, since I was new and untrained, I would need learn my duties and
responsibilities over time.  He appointed me his cabin boy until I had
opportunity to do so.

I was much appreciative of this, since I had only the vaguest idea of what
a sailor does and none about how a ship works.  I know I had an attitude
problem and that combined with being a natural follower, got me into
trouble before.  The Captain assigned me to the First Mate and the other
officers for a few days.  They had me swabbing the decks, hauling garbage
and doing just about anything that no one else liked to do.  In the evening
they would strap me into a leather swing and use my body.  They tied my
testicles with a leather strap so I could not ejaculate, it was painful as
they not only fucked me over and over but made me take them in my mouth.
They would tease my penis, making it so stiff it hurt but refused to give
me relief.  My hands and feet were tied on the swing."  He pointed to four
hooks in the upper bulkhead of our cabin, which had been the officer's
cabin.

"Each night, just as I was about give up and resign, the Captain would come
in, order my release and personally cary me to his cabin and his bed.  On
the first night he lay me down and released the strap, using his mouth and
hands gave me the greatest pleasure I had ever experienced.  He told me the
most important role of a cabin boy was the comfort and rest of his captain.
Then he pulled up a light blanket and we slept.  After several days of this
I had learned how to address officers and other seamen.  I had learned most
of the language of the navy and the names of the ship's parts.  I also
learned how to gain much pleasure from the swing and to give pleasure to my
tormenters, which made the torment tolerable.

On the second night, I took the Captain in my mouth as he took me and on
the third night he entered my anus for the first time.  I was astounded at
how wonderful it was.  On the fourth night he let me fuck him.  I had never
fucked a man before and it was wonderful.  On the fifth morning, when the
First Mate came for me, he refused to let me leave saying, `Panther has
earned his sea legs and will be my cabin boy from now on.  He is to be
treated as any other member of this crew.'  That means no one, not even
him, could force me to have sex with them.  He began showing me what my
duties as cabin boy were and when I was not performing them, he made sure I
was being shown everything I would need to know to be a good sailor.  I
still have much to learn about both jobs.

One night while we lay in bed after our sex, he wrapped his arms around me
and began kissing my neck and ears.  He told me he missed his eromenos
Agapios and his late wife terribly.  Then he said the strangest thing.
`Panther, do not let yourself become romantically in love with me.  We must
love each other and respect each other but as sailors, as professionals.'
I told him about your advice and begged him for his.  `You are not a
natural leader, you are a natural follower.  Parga needs both if it is to
survive.  One is not more important that the other but as a team great
things are possible.  The natural leader must choose his followers wisely.
The natural follower, must choose his leader with just as much wisdom.  Any
leader or any man in the role of leadership, must learn how to give orders
and directions.  Those in the role of follower, must learn how to receive
those orders and carry out the instructions.  The best leaders are also
good followers, the best followers can learn to be good leaders.'"

Now if Odo were here he could make a poem of this.  I turned to Pyrros,
where is Odo, why is he not here?  I knew but wanted to see what answer
would be provided.  Panther answered, "I took the liberty of asking him to
keep the captain company tonight, as I was sure I would not be available.
I hope no one minds this liberty?"

"It is not a liberty to place duty ahead of ones self.  See you are one of
us already," Damao interjected.

Then you truly desire to become a member of our family, our brother and
dedicate your self to the service of Parga?

"Yes, I know no better leaders to emulate and follow, then the Princes of
Parga."

"It is settled then," Volos said, "Your induction begins now.  We are an
odd number and to many to welcome you all at once, as we are 10 but only
nine present.  In preparation we have all chosen numbers, one for each
couple.  You must choose a chip from his jar.  Each chip has a number on
it.  That way you can be bedded by one couple after another, on successive
nights."  He held out the jar and Panther choose.  "Number 4" That was
Kastor and Polydeukus.  They stepped forward and taking Panther by the hand
lead him to their bed.  Ikaros came with Iason and myself to ours and we
all retired.  It would be a long night for our brothers, those three would
get little sleep and Odo aside, the reaming 7 would need pull extra duty in
the morning.

The moon provided some illumination to the cabin but not sufficient to see
details.  It was obvious that the Dioskourol had him between and he shared
oral pleasures with one and was being fucked by the other.  From the sounds
all were in the throws of rapture, as were the other couples in the room.
We were making such a mighty noise I was sure the entire ship knew of our
great pleasure.  I have been with my twin brothers before and know how
skilled they are at this.  I know Iason and I learned much from them about
it.  We will judge success in the morning by how tender they are, for the
twins are not small and Panther is very large.

As for us, Ikaros still desires to be fucked more than to fuck.  Tonight he
lay on his stomach and Iason and I fucked him in turn, the spare providing
kisses and gentle touches to the others.


1318, 2nd month, 7th day:

I am writing in my personal journal early in the morning before the others
rise.  I am so pleased that this ship has my name.  It is a fine honour,
even if it is the smallest of its class.  Admiral Pantaleon has called all
of our new sail only ships, the Prince Class.  The newer vessels are even
larger but this, the Prince Arden was the first.  The Admiral's Flag Ship
is the King Iason the 7th.  It is the largest to date.  Each has a figure
head carved in its name sake's likeness.  I think the Prince Arden's is the
finest.  I am not objective, as I need be in public.

The next ship to be built will be called the Prince Nikias, since he and
the others are only boys I do not know how the figure heads will be made.

We will arrive in Athens in the afternoon.  In the morning we had a big
meeting with Admiral Pantaleon, Demokritos and Olympos.  They gave us some
historical background and told us who we would be meeting and what places
we would visit.  Dress for us is very important and we were given firm
directions on what we could and could not ware.

Since Athens was recently taken over by the Catalans (in 1311), a new set
of nobility was now in power.  Odo will need speak this Catalan dialect,
Greek of course and several Slavic languages and French, who took over from
the Empire in 1204.  Greek and French will probably be the two most widely
used.

I am hoping to do some sports with the local princes.  While we did our
fencing, archery, wrestling and some boxing on the ship, running is just
not practical.  I need badly to get out and stretch my legs over several
stadia.

Apparently the Catalans have adopted local dress which is a variation on
the tunic or long chiton.  Cloaks are also popular.  Our dress is semi
military.  The local solders ware tunics and leather skirts over the top.
We ware tunics and cloth kilts under the longer tunic.  Our non riding
boots are only slightly different from the sandals they ware.  Hats of
different kinds are popular they told me.  We will keep our head bands.
Being young we are not expected to conform as the older men with us are.
The Admiral will have his uniform of course and the scholars will ware long
robes not unlike the chiton.  We will all have our swords fixed with a
baldric (TN: fancy belt to hold the weapon) and a dark blue chlamys (TN:
semicircular cape that clasps at the right shoulder)

Our tunics are brightly coloured blue with yellow, embroidered symbols of
office across our chests, not unlike tablions of the nobility.  These are
parade or dress uniforms.  The Argoanuts are adorned like us and will form
a military escort for us.  All of them were part of our original membership
and their language skills and cultural knowledge will be of great use to us
later this summer.

I could see, as we approached, that many more ships were in the local
waters.  Athens must be a busy port, I thought.  About midday, I noticed a
large Catalan galley, some distance ahead of us and obviously on the same
course.  The Prince Arden was running a full rig and we had a reasonable
sea breeze pushing us landward.  The galley's 2 sails are large and
triangular like ours.  It was a Trimens and the oarsmen were pulling at an
easy and steady pace.

The First Officer told me at battle speed that galley would be as quick as
the Prince Arden, under our present conditions.  The only difference was we
could keep up this pace as long as the breeze remained fresh but a galley
pulling at battle speed could only maintain it for a few hours at best.
When we pulled closer I could see it was about half our length, its masts
were about the size of our second highest, its freeboard was less and it
was half again as wide.  He also pointed out, one of our design advantages.

"Notice that at every swell they must overcome it, once that has happened
they ride it for their entire length.  The longer the ship the longer it
can ride the wave or swell.  Given we are twice their length, we get twice
the ride.  Also they must push aside more water, given their greater beam
(width)."

I think Aristotle has perhaps left something out of his analysis of motion
but I am not sure what that is.  When we pulled along side them, we were
close enough that I could see the faces of the men on their deck.  I waved
and they waved back.  One of the officers held out his arms as the Ganymede
statue and I responded in like and pointed to myself and held out my arms
again.  With that he called and several officers and crew appeared and
began cheering and waving wildly.  Apparently they were some of the
Florentines who had been captured.

The First Officer found a large mug and gestured with it, as an invitation
for them to visit us in port.  "I see your reputation has preceded you
Prince.  One of us should tell the Captain and Admiral of our invitation."
I did that and much to my delight they were most agreeable.  Telling me we
have common cause with them against the pirates and old acquaintances to
renew.

We were several hours in advance, of them reaching port.  We anchored just
inside the main harbour, sending our small boats to register with the
Harbour Master and bring back fresh water and food.  For some reason never
explained to us, the Prince Arden did not dock at the quay but anchored off
to one side, well out of the way.  Since we hand no cargo to load or
unload, it did make some sense.  I was not on deck at the time but Odo was
and came to inform me, the Catalan vessel had enter the harbour and was
docking with their sister vessels, on the other side of the bay.

Once in port the marines posted guards on all points of our ship.  They
took four hour turns.  Presently they announced the arrival of a small
boat.  It was a page with a message from the Duchy of Athens.  The Page was
escorted by two solders.  His uniform was brightly coloured.  While he was
a young man, I would guess our age, his robes were long like those of old
men.  I though it must be very hot for him to sit in the open boat with the
afternoon sun and no shade.

Since he was a page, Odo placed his hat of office on his head and leaned
over the rail to welcome him aboard, after the captain had granted
permission for the visitors to do so.  All this protocol and rules in these
other societies, I thought?  Once on the deck Odo greeted him warmly, as
one page to another and escorted him to the Captain.

Captain Hermogenes read the message, after thanking the page for his swift
and efficient delivery.  This caused the young man to blush a bright red.
"I will ask the Admiral to prepare an answer but that will take a bit of
time.  Perhaps you and your crew would share some refreshments."  Several
sailors appeared with wine, olives and cheese and the oarsmen from the
skiff were summoned up to the deck.

Odo talked briefly with the page and taking his hand brought him to us,
that we might make his acquaintance.  He introduced himself as Stephen du
Frank.  All the while refusing to look us directly in the eye as he did
Odo.  His guardians stood a pace behind him as ours did us.

Kastor spoke up. "Please take you ease with us Stephen, we four are Princes
but like Odovacar, we have all served as pages in our fathers' court and
our guardians as well."

He placed his hand on the man's shoulder to guide him.  "Let us sit here in
the shade."

Drakon stepped from behind with two mugs of wine for his guardians and to
engage the military in their talk.  We learned much about the life of a
page and his prospects in this place.  It is much different than Parga.  He
was shocked to learn that all of us princes, guardians, translator, were
all required to have spent at least 1/2 a year as a page and that there
were five more younger princes still at home, three in the page's service
at this moment.

Admiral Pantaleon came forward with his reply, after we had consumed two
mugs of wine and Stephen departed.  We young men including the Argoanuts
and some of the sailors and marines took advantage of the warm sun and calm
sea, to swim.  I had great fun diving from the mid ship rail and swinging
out on a rope fixed to the main sail's yard, dropping into the water.


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