Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 18:48:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: Zane Green <ZaneG7@excite.com>
Subject: Tessellations-Chapter 21

 CHAPTER 21-Tessellatins
This story is in honor of  Ganymede's stories especially Puberty Blues.
  .
  If you enjoy reading these stories please help support Nifty. The
copyright of this story belongs to the author, and all characters and
actions are from my imagination. I can be reached for constructive criticism
at ZaneG7@excite.com



 Dominic came into the olive grove just as dawn was breaking. He saw a pale
body with hair like the wheat fields before the chaff was cut. When he knew
for sure that the sleeping boy was his boy he grew teary eyed He had prayed
that he would find Saffron, and gave thanks that the boy was still safe. The
angels must have held his hand to led him here of all places.

He looked at the boy and he melted. It always occurred, from sight of him.
He wanted to reach for him and cover him with his warm body, protecting him
forever, he wanted to slip inside the boy, and rather have him inside to be
his armor. He examined what he could see of Saffron as he stood over him. He
was fine, messy but in good shape.

 Ron was streaked with the dark juice of the ripen olive fruit. The olive
juice left marks like a hundred love bites, upon closer inspection Dominic
realized that the boy's leather blanket and blond hair was mashed with the
olive fruit. Quietly, so as not to wake the boy, he knelt down where he
could smell the angelic lemon scent intermingled with the soft pungent smell
of ripe olives. He leaned over far enough so a silken fine lock of hair
brushed against his lips. He wanted to bury his face in that hair, he wanted
to run his hands through it as it channeled down to his shoulders. He
thought of how long Ron's hair used to be. Someday he hoped to see the
tapestry that the rare gold was woven into.

    Not far from the olive grove was a pond. The shrill singing of the
waking birds disturbed Ron, and he moved restlessly out of the blanket
turning facedown in the fruit. His pretty rump was facing Dominic now that
he had kicked the blanket away. The discomfort of having his face mashed in
olive pits started to wake him up. Dominic could not resist him a moment
longer; he leaned his sword against the tree trunk, reached down, gathered
Ron in his arms and proceeded to carry him to the pond. Saffron looked up at
him in sleepy bliss.

"Oh Dom, you found me." He mumbled, then he started to shriek as he was
dumped into the cold water.

"What did you do that for!" He yelled as Dom jumped in beside him. "Why are
you still wearing your clothes?"

"If you haven't noticed you were covered with olives, and a few are on me
now as well as all over you. Besides I really should do more than plunk you
into cold water for what you made me go through when you dived off the boat.
What ever were you thinking?"

The boy splashed merrily, getting used to the water. "Well you filled me
with olive oil often enough. By the way I was pushed off the boat."

"Well if you haven't noticed these olives are along way from the press, and
I hardly think you want to journey covered with them. Did you see who pushed
you? By the way it is rather important to identify one who would murder you.
I am far from jesting now."

" No, is throwing me in the water your new idea of a joke?  Did you miss
me?"

"Saffron I died when I woke up and you were gone."

" I'm sorry but it was kind of funny when I got scoped up in a fishing net."

"You are lucky to be alive, and I swear if something happened to you I don't
know how I would go on living. I would have died even before your father
skinned me alive. I love you Saffron, as you know, I am tempted to tell you
that your adventures are over young Sir. I should take you back to your
Father and advise him to lock you up in a Monastery until you are of age,
which in your case would be a hundred!"

"You can't, Dominic I beg you. I am fine, see. I knew you'd find me" Ron
sputtered his oppositions as Dominic started to wash the remaining olives
from his hair and shoulders, then downward lingering in the places that made
Ron sigh with contentment.

"Well, then it is your luck that I can't take you back to Constantinople.
You have a nest of vipers at home. Perhaps there is one thing to be gained.
Your enemy on the ship might believe you to be dead. Ron we are going to
travel on another ship now."

"What ship?"

"The one you just ran away from. We'll go with the Vikings. They know Russia
better than I do."

"Oh no, I can't, I don't want to be a cabin boy."

"There are times we have to be things we might not wish to get a job done,
but you won't have to go as a servant. Aronson send a gold necklace for you
to wear. Only a Prince would be offered such a gift. I will go with you as
well, so in some ways this may be fortunate for both of us."

"Oh Dominic, see it all worked out."

"Ron, my delightful optimist, we have along way to go yet, as I said I
should take you back to your father."

"Oh no you won't. I want to go with you, what is the worse thing that can
happen?"

"That you might be killed or be enslaved."

"I am not afraid, and as you said the same could happen in Constantinople,
and I wouldn't be with you if you went to Russia without me, so my spirit
would have to search forever looking for you so we can be together in our
next life."

"Where did you hear that?"

"From one of the Hindu slaves at my Uncle's Palace. He told me if I didn't
behave myself and listen to my "honorable" pervert Cousin I would come back
as a snail. I think he was just trying to save me from a beating. Actually,
you told me that you're looking for proof that he is traitor to Byzantine,
and that is how you suspect he got rich."

"He is well beyond rich, and yes, he is a chief suspect, as he has his own
ships yet he doesn't seem to trade in much more than slaves and goods that I
suspect are stolen.

"Perhaps I should go back to evil Leo and act as a spy, see what he's really
doing."

"Ron, you already gave the argument against that. You would be enslaved by
that bastard."

" Dominic, so we are going to the Russlands?"

" Yes, to Russia, to find out the source that's giving out information of
our military strategies and Greek fire.  With sworn documents we will go
back and present the information to the Empress, she will have to believe
it."

"But you already know my Uncle is the traitor"

"Yes, I know it, but I have no concrete proof. It is well known that I had
many reasons to hate Leo even before you were in the picture. The Empress
would think I tell a tale from vengeance. Your Father suspects Leo as well,
and has been afraid that in time your father and I will be blamed as the
traders. That is why there is such urgency."

"That is horrible Dom, but what if we get the proof, and never make it back
to Byzantine? Besides it will take us along time. What if the Empress dies
and my Uncle becomes Emperor in the meantime? I think the better plan is to
allow me to return to my Uncle's household."

"I won't let you return to your Uncle, you know that!"

"But you must. Then you need to stay safe so I can get information to you. I
really do have a great plan."

"Saffron!"

"Dominic, the only way we'll ever be a peace is to get rid of my Uncle. I
can beat him at his own games, I did once and I can again. This time we'll
be ready for him."

"NO!"

Saffron reached over and kissed Dominic, who was in an aroused state the
entire time he was in the cold water. As Dominic gave into the boy's
physical whelms he had a nagging feeling he would give in to his other idea
as well. They kissed, and fondled each other until they heard voices in the
distance. Getting out of the pond. Dominic took off his toga, his
magnificent body glimmering in the sunlight. A few drops of cum glistened,
that the water hadn't washed away. Saffron got down and licked the salt
drops from the man's defined thigh.

 Dominic wanted to do more to the sweet boy but there wasn't time. He wrung
his cloths, and dressed, then he patted Ron on his butt cheeks and helped
him re-wrap the leather hide

"This is a beautiful place isn't it Dominic!" Ron sighed, "Maybe someday we
can come back."

"Yes, it is pleasant, but what a waste, to allow a harvest of olives to drop
and rot. Look at these trees, they have not been pruned and cared for. It is
too much work for several old men!  Let's go to the field house. You must be
starving!  I'm sure they'll give us some breakfast."

"You think so?"

"And perhaps a horse or two if they can spare it."

"They would never do that unless we have the money to pay them."

"We shall see."

"I wonder whose land is this?"

"I am sickened to say that it's your uncle's now, but for many years it
belonged to my family."

" So this is your old estate!  I promise you Dominic, I'll find a way to get
it back from that demon!"

"Saffron, I would rather be with you for a day than own ten estates such as
this! I will listen to your idea, but I still plan to take you to Russia."

"Are we safe from my uncle here?"

"Yes, this place is worthless to him! His family lost all interest in it
once it was taken from me. There are just a couple old men who he retained
to work the land. Even his old estate, which is adjacent, means nothing to
him now. These are just poor holdings to him."

"How do you know all this?"

"I have come here a few times in the past years to help my family's old
servants who still remain. He sends them nothing."

At that an old man appeared in the grove.  "You have the boy you told us
about."

Dominic answered "This is Ron."

"There were men here yesterday inquiring about both of you." The man
replied. "I told them I haven't seen you in many years, and I had no idea
about this boy they spoke of."

"Thank you Jerdin, where did they go?"

"I fear they are still around these parts."

"Then we won't stay long, but we are both starving, and need a way to get
back to Constantinople."

"Come to the house, we will give you a meal, and food to take with you.
There is still the old cart, and a donkey we can spare. I'll get it ready
while you eat. I think I can find some clothes for the boy, we never threw
out your old tunics."

"That would be a kindness." Dominic said.

"It is nothing." Replied his ancient tutor as they followed him up to the
field house." "I will make sure that you travel from here safely.

Dominic took Saffron by the hand and led him to his old home. The older man
smiled to himself, neither the lad or his beloved Dominic could have chosen
better.