Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 00:50:02 -0500
From: Sidney Gittler <SidG@compuserve.com>
Subject: The Prince's Boy  2 of 3

This is the second of three parts of The Prince's Boy.  It contains sex
between a 16 and a 10 year old boy.  There is also violence, but not of a
sexual nature.  If any of this is illegal or offends your delicate natures
please depart for fairer grounds.  All comments welcome at
sidg@compuserve.com.

The Prince's Boy:  The Fairs
by Sid Gittler (c) 1999

     For the next week spent Ed spent his mornings with Wizard Longhorn
continuing his lessons.  Afternoons he accompanied Prince William as the
heir to the throne of Exeter fulfilled his duties.  After the day's duties
they spent the evening in the prince's bed.  However, Ed slept in his own
bed.  It would not be proper for two naked boys to be caught in bed
together, especially of such disparate ranks.
     Ed didn't mind, he had his own bed.  For the first time in his life he
had a room and a bed to call his own.  His own room with doors he could
shut and be alone.  The room was only five feet wide but ran along the
entire length of the prince's quarters.  Ed loved his privacy but kept at
least one connecting door open so he could hear his my prince's summons.
The servant boy knew, and accepted, his role.  Ed was happy, and feeling
something beyond duty and loyalty.

     Having Ed leave his bed bothered William.  He'd been sleeping alone in
the bed since before Ed was born, and while he longer imagined being adrift
in the middle of the ocean it remained a large and lonely place.  What he
didn't understand were the strange feelings while with the boy.  Ed wasn't
the first sex partner he'd had, male or female, but there was something
special about him.  Granted he was more than a mere servant or a quick
fuck, or a quick fuck of a mere servant for that matter.  Maybe it was the
fact he'd saved the boy's life and the lives of his family.

     "Trying out some of your new clothes for the trip?"  William said that
Saturday.
     Ed blushed, "do you like?"
     "Very much, you chose well.  These clothes are comfortable enough for
a long ride and show your gorgeous body to its best advantage."
     A smile lit the boy's face.  "You really think I'm gorgeous?"
     The prince stroked Ed's cheek.  "Oh yes, you are most pleasing to look
at and be with."
     "As you are my prince."  Ed could see William's swollen prick
stretching the fabric.  "I'd better take care of that before you have an
accident."
     As Ed unbuttoned William's pants the prince moaned.  "Hurry Ed,
hurry."
     Ed did, and quickly had William's prick in his mouth.  He quietly held
it there, letting it subside a little bit before he started running his
tongue around it and over the slit.
     "Now," William whispered.
     Ed started slowly, no need to rush.  He felt the cock in his mouth
respond to his gentle ministrations, becoming longer, harder, more alive.
Gentle hands ran through his hair.  This simple show of affection
transformed the blowjob from part of his duties to making love to someone
he cared about, and for.  Ed started slowly taking the cock deeper and
deeper into his throat.  He heard William's breathing become erratic as the
royal cock jumped around in his mouth.  He slowed his movements until he
stopped altogether with his face buried in William's groin.  He extended
his tongue and started bathing William's balls.  Ed licked slowly and
gently.  Finally William lost all control, holding the boy's head to his
groin he shot his load down the boy's throat.  Ed swallowed as fast as he
could, a matter of pride and hunger that he never spilled a drop of his
prince's seed, of William's seed.  Once the prince stopped shooting he
licked the cock clean, withdrew, gently dried and replaced it.

     "Let's go," William said.
     "Yes my prince, do I need to bring anything?"  Ed said, though the
words felt wrong somehow.
     "Go to the kitchen, Mrs. Baker will have a basket for you.  Then meet
me by the stables."
     "Yes my prince."
     William watched the boy turn towards the servants' stairs and sighed.
That damn phrase, that fucking phrase.  Whenever Ed called him "my prince,"
it hit him.  He knew Ed had to call him that in public, and mostly did call
him William in private, but it still seemed wrong.  With a shrug and a sigh
the prince left his rooms and headed to the stable.

     "Ah, there you are Prince William," Wizard Longhorn said.
     "Good morning, I didn't expect to see you here."
     "A wonderful morning for a stroll around the castle grounds."
     "To, and I quote, 'what must be the smelliest dung heap in the known
and unknown world.'"
     "I've get to see if there's a spell that prevents my words from coming
back at me," Longhorn grumbled which elicited a chuckle from the prince.
"But the right spell and my nose thinks I'm in the middle of a garden."
     "So what brings you here?"
     "You of course, you and your boy."
     "Yes?"
     "You leave in three days to go to two fairs and then a diplomatic
mission.  The signs are mixed," the wizard said.
     "How?"  William said.  His eyes darted around.
     "Between success and tragedy, some of both."
     "You're afraid for my health, or Ed's?"
     "His, I fear his impetuousness at a time of danger.  More I cannot
see."
     "I can't leave him behind, but I have more faith in your teachings
than you do.  As you instructed me to have on numerous occasions.  Will you
be joining us?"
     "I will be around Crondell when you get there.  I will find you."
     "Or Ed will find you, if I know you well enough."
     Longhorn smiled, waved his arm and vanished in a puff of smoke.
Immediately followed by a large thump and a string of curses from inside
the stable.
     "You all right Roberts?"  William said to the guard readying the
horses.
     "Yes Your Majesty, he just startles me every time he does that.  Why
can't he just walk away like a normal man?"
     "Because he's not, and he knows how much you hate it."
     "Aye, I'm just glad you're leaving him behind this trip.  The horses
will be ready in a couple of minutes sir."


     Two minutes later Ed arrived, half-carrying, half-dragging a basket
along.  "Sorry my prince, but Mrs. Baker packed enough for a dozen people."
     "She wants to make sure there's something I like, though she knows
exactly what I like to eat when I go riding."
     "Where are we going?"
     "Would you like to see your family?"
     Ed's eyes went wide, then quickly looked both ways.  Seeing no one
around he stretched, "thank you William."
     "Your welcome Ed," the prince said as Roberts led out three horses.
     An hour later they came to the clearing where they'd met.  In the
distance a much larger building stood in the field.  Six people worked in
the fields.
     "Ready when you are Ed," William said.
     "I can't believe I'm nervous.  Will they like me the way I am now?"
     "Of course, you may be dressed differently and know more than you did
five weeks ago, but you're still Ed."
     Ed patted his horse and led the way through the patch of woods and
into the fields.  They were almost there before his older brother picked
his head up and saw them.  Instead of running towards them he fled
screaming.
     "Let's go," William said and kicked his horse into a trot with Ed
right behind him.  When they got closer Ed pulled ahead and cried out.
     "Mommy, daddy, it's me, Ed."  He repeated it twice more before he
reached the shack.
     His father stopped, slowly turned.  "It really is me dad," Ed said
reigning his horse in.  Robert James walked over, looked and shook his
head.  "It's really you, I can't believe it."
     Ed slid off the horse and everybody hugged.  It took a few minutes
before the youngest daughter and child noticed William.
     "Prince William, you brought my Eddie back?" she said.
     "Your Highness, forgive me.  A thousand pardons.  Please let me help
you off your horse," Robert James said.
     William was impressed with the easy but firm touch Ed's father showed
with his horse.  The beast was normally skittish around new handlers but a
quick hand motion settled him right down.  "Ed get the basket, it's time
for lunch.  I think we have enough for everybody."
     "Your Highness, I couldn't take food out of your mouth," Ed's father
said.
     Before William could respond Ed blurted, "Father, Prince William has
more food in his basket than we ate during our whole trip.  Lucas can you
help me with the basket?  Brian, Mary, can you get the table ready for me?"
His older brother and sister ran to the house.  William shook his head at
Ed's departing back, he wouldn't scold him in front of his family but he
would have to remind him of proper etiquette on their return.
     After lunch Robert James led Prince William on a tour of his fields.
     "Sir, I know you've seen a thousand fields and said all the right
words every time."
     William laughed, "and meant them every time," he paused, "Ed told me
what happened in Saundersville, I'm sorry."
     Robert shrugged.  "My son, is he happy with you?"
     They walked a little more before William spoke.  "I see you take his
ability for granted, and you should.  For someone with so little training
he's doing remarkably well.  And yes, I believe he is happy.  He's
learning, experiencing new things all the time.  I feel the joy he feels at
all his new experiences.  In the evenings we talk and I see things anew
through his eyes.  As a prince and a man I swear to you that I will take
good care of your son, and try and keep him safe and happy."
     "Thank you Your Highness."

     Tuesday morning William and Ed left for Lord Alex's fair with a party
of twenty-four.  The two rode side-by-side most of the day, the prince
showing his servant different points of interest along the way.  Both were
oblivious to the looks and whispers around them.
     At sunset they reached an ancient manor house.  A young man, hardly
older than William himself, was at the front door.  Ed thought his hair a
peculiar mix of blond and black, almost like he'd tried to hide one of
them.  If it was the blond he could understand why.  It did not have the
same glow as his prince's.
     "Greetings Your Royal Highness Prince William of Exeter, my family is
honored by your presence."
     "Greetings Sir St. James of the Duchy of N'Orleans, it is we who are
honored by spending the night with you and your family."

     When Ed was dismissed for the evening he went to the servants'
quarters for the night.  It was the first time he hadn't been sleeping in
the prince's suite since he'd joined him.  At the door, he took a deep
breath.  "It'll be OK, they're William's servants too, no problems," he
said to himself.  Slowly he pushed the door open and entered.  He spotted
an empty cot near a window and headed toward it.
     "Well, well, here's the prince's boy come to sleep with us poor
wretches for the night," said a voice from another cot as he passed it.
     "Now hush George, it's probably the first night his bung hole won't
get worn out since he moved into His Highness' bed."
     "Oh, I don't know about that, maybe we should do our prince a favor
and keep it well used," George said.
     "Oh pipe down," said a third voice, "leave the boy alone."
     Ed was scared but kept moving.  "I don't know what you're talking
about.  Now I'm tired and going to sleep."
     "Bed maybe, but not to sleep.  I want a bit of what that snotty brat
gets," George said.  Ed sensed George come up from behind, whirled and
raised his left hand.  The stable hand froze, staring at the light shining
from the boy's hand.
     Ed gaped, the wizard's spells worked!
     "I am in your command sir," George said.
     "Make him blow you," said the second man.
     "Fuck him," said the third.
     "As you wish," said George.
     Keeping his hand extended Ed slowly turned until the light had struck
all the men in the room.  "Listen and obey, I am the Crown Prince's servant
and I serve him alone.  You will forget all these lies you have heard."
     "We understand and obey," they all said.
     "Now to bed and sleep."
     "We understand and obey."

     It wasn't until he was helping William dress for supper at Lord Alex's
manor house the next evening that Ed could report.
     "You handled it well.  It's important to always remember all Longhorn
taught you."
     "I will, but I don't understand William.  Aren't your guards enough
protection?"
     "Most of the time, and against most attacks."  William turned, put his
fingertips together, pointed at Ed, and then the ceiling.  Ed felt
something happening and realized he was looking directly into William's
eyes.  "You are not the only one the wizard taught some tricks."  William
pulled Ed closer to him and they kissed.
     "You do know how to get me down?" Ed said when they broke a couple
minutes later.
     "Yes, but I like you here right now.  Back to your question, the
guards aren't always with me and you aren't always with me.  If the men
last night realized we are more than prince and servant then so might
others."
     "And may try and use it against you."
     "You are as bright as you are sexy."
     "Thank you William."
     William looked at the face floating in front of him.  It was
different.
     "Did I say something wrong?"
     Ed looked down and shook his head.
     William raised it back up.  "You are bright, you are sexy and you are
more than just a servant, or even a sex-partner.  You're my friend; you
mean a lot to me.  I don't want to, can't lose you.  I mean it."
     Ed's eyes searched William's and saw he meant it.  He reached out and
pulled himself tight against William's body.  "I feel the same way, have
since before you took me to see my family.  I couldn't say it, but I feel
it."
     They embraced and kissed until a knock and a voice interrupted them.
     "Yes," Ed said.
     "Inform His Highness that the reception will begin as soon as he
arrives."
     "Thank you."

     The next day Ed accompanied William as they toured the fairgrounds.
     "This is not the kind of fair I'm used to," Ed said.
     "I know, I've been to Saunders' fairs.  Lord Alex runs a small and
dignified fair.  These fairs started ages ago as tributes to God, thanking
him for his bounty.  Lord Alex keeps the agricultural and cultural intent
of those early fairs."
     "It's nice really, especially since this fair doesn't have areas kids
can't go to."
     "True young man, my son was older than you before he could accompany
me to some of the others," Lord Alex said.  "Prince William, may I have a
word."
     "Certainly, here Ed take a couple of coins and try out some of the
games."
     "Thank you my prince," Ed said and ran off.
     "You don't treat the boy like an ordinary servant Your Highness."
     "He isn't Lord Alex, he's helped me in many ways."
     "How so, he looks like a peasant boy."
     "Because he is, he sees things differently, fresher than those boys
who grew up in the castle.  Most important, he is completely faithful to
me."
     "That is most gratifying to hear, but he is not why I pulled you
aside."
     "I thought not, what is on your mind my friend?"
     "Trouble over the border with Crondell.  Bandits roaming the roads,
disrupting the markets."
     "Have they crossed over?"
     "Not yet, though one rumor says they are from Exeter and hideout on
this side of the border."
     "Not on your land surely?"  Prince William said.
     "No, some say Lord Charles but most say Lord Saunders'."
     "Interesting, do you give these stories any credence?"
     Lord Alex extended his hand and an aide handed him a scroll that he
passed to William.  "At your leisure Your Highness."

     Late that night William finished reading the document for the third
time, closed his eyes and waved Ed over.  "Read this, tell me if it makes
any sense.  If you don't understand a word let me know."
     Ed read it, there were several words that were strange but when he
asked William he found he had figured them out correctly.  "It does
William, it reminds me of things dad told mom at supper a couple of times
the last few weeks before we were kicked out."
     "Tell me, it may be important."
     "OK, seems that for the last few months there were lots of night rides
by a group of new guards his lordship had hired.  Dad said they were good
enough riders but had no concern for their horses."
     "Did you see them doing guard duty during the day?"
     "No."
     "Did they bring things back with them?"
     "Large bags and boxes that went straight into the Lord's private
storehouse.  The week before we were kicked out dad went and talked to Lord
Saunders twice about it, because of the horses' condition.  First time he
was told it was not his concern and just do his job.  The second time, just
two days before," Ed paused and took a deep breath, "dad said Lord Saunders
yelled at him to keep his eyes and mouth shut, and just do his job if he
knew what was good for him."
     "And two days later you were gone?"
     "Yes," Ed paused.  "Do you think there's a connection?"
     "Definitely, Lord Saunders and his son set you up.  They wanted to
send your father away disgraced so if he told that story people would think
he was trying to get even."
     "You're saying Lord Saunders is responsible for the problems in
Crondell?"
     William nodded.
     "What I told you my father said before we were kicked out, and has not
said to anyone since."
     "I believe you, and your father.  Now bring Sir Croughten here at
once."
     "Yes my prince."
     "Ed."
     "Yes my prince."
     "We are still alone."
     "Yes William."
     "Much better."
     They both smiled.

     A half-hour later they were again alone in William's room.
     "Come here Ed."
     The boy walked over and William gently tilted his face up and brought
his mouth to the shorter boy's.  As they kissed William unbuttoned Ed's
shirt then fondled the boy's tiny nipples and breasts.  The boy tried to
return the action but his hands were tapped away.  Slowly William stripped
his servant, friend, lover.
     When the boy was naked William removed his own cloths before kneeling
before Ed.  Gently he took the boy's prick in his hand, it was half the
length and circumference of his own, but quite healthy for a ten-year-old
who had not reached puberty.  As he stroked it the cock grew rigid and
William sensed Ed's legs shaking.  He picked the boy up in his arms and
carried him over to his bed.
     When he was on the bed Ed started to raise his legs.
     "No, not yet.  First I want to pleasure you," William said.  Ed
lowered his legs and William lowered his mouth, engulfing Ed's manhood
quickly.
     "Oh, shit, that feels so good," Ed moaned.  He tried reaching
William's head as his lover always did, but couldn't quite reach.  "Yes
suck me," he said leaning back, giving himself up to the feelings spreading
from his groin.
     William slowly worked on the young meat in his mouth.  While he'd
serviced several of his friends this was different, better.  Ed was someone
he wanted to make feel good.  As he bobbed his head his tongue caressed the
fresh prick in his mouth, slipped out to lick Ed's hairless balls.  William
extended his long arms and caressed the boy's firm nipples and torso.
     Under his prince, friend, lover's attention Ed writhed on the bed,
moving between ecstasy and bliss.  Slowly he felt himself climb towards
orgasm.  His balls tightened, his cock reacting to every touch.  His cock
never felt this way.
     Suddenly William ran his tongue across Ed's slit and sent the boy into
a giant, convulsing orgasm.  Ed arched his back and opened his mouth to
scream but nothing came out as his body reacted to the power of an orgasm
created by the one you love.
     William kept sucking on Ed's cock until the boy finally began to
settle down.  Gently letting the limp member drop from his mouth he moved
up alongside him and drew his lover to him.
     "Happy?"  William said.
     Ed turned, nodded and leaned up to kiss the older boy.  "Fuck me," he
said.
     "Only if," William's words were cut short off by an invading tongue
that also answered his question.  There was no question in William's mind
that he wanted this, but he realized that if he wanted Ed as his lover and
not a servant letting his prince use his body then the youngster had the
right to choose.
     But that would be a discussion for another time.
     Right now William turned Ed onto his front and spread his cheeks,
stared at the rosebud and dove at it.  He started licking through the
baby-smooth crack, then down towards the opening to bliss.  Reaching it he
spread Ed's ass wider and inserted his tongue inside and began tongue
fucking the boy.
     "Oh yeah honey," Ed sighed, "rim my ass."
     "A beautiful ass it is," William said and dove back in.  After another
five minutes William got up, flipped the boy onto his back and blew him a
kiss.
     "Fuck me, please fuck me William."
     "Call me honey again."
     Ed smiled, "fuck me honey."
     William placed his rock hard, precum dripping eight inches at Ed's
entryway and slowly pushed in.  By the time he was halfway in Ed was
gasping and grasping at the sheets.  William continued to inch his way in
until his pubic hair brushed against Ed's white cheeks.
     "That feels so good," Ed said.
     "You are so tight tonight."
     Ed squeezed his ass muscles tighter around the giant tool filling his
rear.  "You are so big tonight, fuck me William, do it please."
     William started stroking slowly, and struggled to keep it that way,
but couldn't.  The heat of the moment drove him higher and higher.  Soon he
was pounding his lover's insides with animal intensity.  And the sounds
coming from deep inside their throats came from the same primeval urge.
     "Oh shit," William cried and filled Ed's ass with gallons of sperm.
Shot after large shot pulsed into the boy's rear until it started spilling
out.  As the second shot hit his prostate along with the ramming cock Ed
went into his second intense orgasm of the night.
      Slowly they subsided and separated, falling asleep in each other's
arms.
     Ed woke around four in the morning and looked at the sleeping prince
next to him.  "I do this for your sake, though neither of us wants it."
     Ed gently left the prince's bed and walked to the small servant's bed
in the front corner of the guest suite.
     Back in the master bed William lifted his head and saw Ed cover
himself.  He lay back down and cried himself back to sleep.

     Shortly after daybreak the door creaked open.  Ed slowly opened his
eyes and looked.  This was not the way, nor the amount of light told him,
the time they'd been woken their first morning.  When the door was a
quarter of the way open a man slipped through with a knife at the ready.
Ed waited until the assassin was past his bed before he slipped out,
grabbed William's sword and moved up from behind.
     As he struggled to lift the sword with both hands he remembered
another of the wizard's incantations, silently repeated it and the sword
felt light as a feather.  Ed poked the point through the man's shirt.
     "Drop the knife."
     The man looked over his shoulder and saw the young boy, smiled and
began to turn.  Ed saw the knife slash toward him and thrust the sword into
the man's back as the blade cut his cheek.
     "Drop the knife," Ed said as the man screamed in pain.  The knife
clattered to the floor as William sat up in his bed.  Seeing what was
happening he reached and pulled a bell cord furiously.
     "Who sent you?"  Ed said.  "Speak and my prince may show you mercy,
remain silent and he will not have a chance."  Ed pushed the sword in a
little more.
     "It doesn't matter, with my failure my son dies."  The failed assassin
stepped back and finished impaling himself on the sword.  When Ed saw the
blade exit the man's stomach he dropped the sword letting the man fall.
     "Ed, you're hurt," William said running over from the bed.
     "It's nothing, are you all right?"  Ed said as he touched the bleeding
wound with his fingers.
     "You saved my life," William said softly.
     "You are my," Ed stopped as his knees started to buckle.  Finally
guards and others responded to William's summons.
     "Get Ed onto my bed," William said grabbing his robe.  Somebody get
the doctor or wizard now.
     "Now," Lord Alex said from the door and four men started moving.  Two
gently lifted the boy and carried him to the bed.
     "I'm OK, just never killed a man before.  Are you sure you're fine my
prince?"
     "He never got close Ed," William turned to Lord Alex.  "Do you
recognize that man?"
     Lord Alex yanked the sword out of the corpse's back and kicked the
body onto its back.  "May have seen him at the fairground today, but
otherwise no.  Did you get any information from him?"
     William shook his head and told his host the man's last words.
     Lord Alex turned and motioned the captain of his guard forward.  "Tie
it up at the entrance to the fair.  Parade my staff in front of him; see if
anybody recognizes him.  All who attend the fair must look as well.
There's a reward for any information that helps us.  Death is the reward
for anyone who remains silent."
     "Yes My Lord."
     "And go see where the doctor is."
     "I'm here your grace."
     "Check the boy on the bed, his cheek's been sliced and he just killed
his first man so he may be a little distraught," Lord Alex said.
     The older noble turned to William and put an arm on his shoulder.
"The boy will be fine, you probably cut yourself worse the first time you
shaved."
     William's right hand went to his left cheek as he raised his eyes and
gave a small grin.  "But at least I did that to myself."
     "No guilt, the boy doesn't need that, he needs your praise, and the
affection you obviously feel for him."
     "No guilt?  He's only ten.  I took him from his family less than two
months ago and he's already gone through this.  To kill."
     "A lot of men will kill, and die, for you by the time your reign is
done.  Some you will know, others will be nameless subjects.  Then there
will be ones like the boy who you truly care about, who you will want to
hold back, and can't.  Hopefully, they will serve you as well as he did and
return to your side."
     "Prince William, can you come here?"  The doctor said.
     "Thank you my friend," William said to Lord Alex and forced himself to
walk up to the bed.
     "How is he doctor?"
     "Fine, there will be a small scar he'll be able to point out to his
girlfriends and brag about.  He is shaken though, needs a friend more than
anything."
     William nodded, "We are scheduled to leave later today.  Should we
wait another day?"
     "It would be advisable."
     William nodded and turned.  "Lord Alex we will need your hospitality
for another night.  Also two pairs of riders, one to Lord Charles to
notify, but not explain, our delay.  The other to the King."
     "We are at your service Your Highness," Lord Alex said.
     "Thank you, now if the doctor is done my boy needs his rest."
     Silently everyone left the room leaving William and Ed alone.  William
sat next to Ed and took his hand.
     "I'm fine my prince, we can leave today," Ed said.
     "We're alone my friend and one of the advantages of being me is that I
usually can change my schedule to my needs, and yours.
     "I'm proud of you, and grateful and so happy you're going to be fine."
     "But I killed him.  I didn't want to, really I didn't."
     "Hush, you gave him a chance to live and he rejected it."
     "I know, but."
     "I know Ed, I know."  William stretched out on the bed and drew Ed
into his arms.  "Now sleep my dear, sleep."
     "Call me that again."
     "Sleep my dear, sleep," William said and planted a kiss on Ed's
forehead.  Within seconds the youngster was asleep.
     Once he was convinced Ed was fine and sleeping peacefully William
turned his attentions to the attack itself. Who had sent the assassin and
why?  Who was cold blooded enough to promise to kill the man's son if he
failed?  That bothered him even more than the question of how he had gotten
that close.

     By the entrance to the fair the failed assassin was tied on a post.
Every visitor was forced to look at him, but no one identified him.  On a
nearby hill overlooking the entrance knelt a man who could.  Barely five
feet tall he was broad shouldered and every ounce was muscle.  Eduardo
Biaggi spat as he stood.  Somebody had done his work for him.  Hopefully
the idiot found his son waiting for him at the gates of hell, along with
the rest of his family.
     Biaggi headed down the hill and stopped to look at the corpse.  "So we
meet again," he said and spit.
     "You know this man?" the Sargent spoke.
     Biaggi ran a finger over an old scar.  "He did this to me while we
shared a cell across the border.  I was in for being drunk and fighting.
The nurse who patched me up said he would never be getting out, except in a
box.  Must have cut some kind of deal."
     "So he is from Crondell?"
     "That's where I left him."
     "The crown thanks you for your help.  Here's a bag of coins in
thanks."
     Biaggi pocketed the bag and bowed.  "Anything for the crown.  Grateful
the bastard failed."
     After Biaggi left one of the guards went to cut the assassin down.
     "Leave him," the Sargent said.
     "Why?  We have our information."
     "Story doesn't sound right.  Did you ever hear of King Gerald
overruling a death sentence?  I haven't since he took the throne twenty
years ago."
     "True, and he likes hanging everybody convicted of a violent crime."
     "Including drunken fighting," the Sargent said.  "I'll report the
conversation to the Captain, but let's see if anybody else comes forward."
     Biaggi was slightly surprised when he saw his dead subordinate still
hanging there.  Then decided they were just sending a message to the
peasants.

     At supper Lord Charles relayed the Sargent's report to Prince William.
     "Do you agree with his analysis?"  William said.
     "I do, King Gerald believes in a strong fist and rare examples of
mercy, and those are usually impoverished children caught stealing food.
No, this is just an attempt to throw suspicion."
     "I never doubted that, it would be nice to have the informer in
custody."
     "Two men are following him, they picked him up when he left the fair.
First reports are he's travelling east."
     "Away from the border and right to Alexandra or Saundersville.  Did
you get the drawing of the assassin?"  William said.
     "And a pretty good sketch of the other."
     "Can I see them my prince?"  Ed said from behind William's chair.
     "Certainly, Lord Charles are they handy."
     "Richard, the drawings are on the table in my sitting room.  Fetch
them at once.
     "Son, I know our prince has told you, but do not feel any guilt about
the man's death.  You were protecting our Prince's life which all of us in
his service are sworn to do." Lord Charles said.
     "Thank you my Lord, I know, and understand.  Feeling is taking some
time."
     "As it should, every life is precious and taking one should never feel
good."
     Ed turned and wiped his eyes.  William reached back and took his hand.
Their eyes met and slowly Ed smiled, nodded and gave William's hand a
squeeze.  "Thank you William," he whispered.
     "The pictures are here," Lord Charles said a minute later.
     "Do you recognize either of them Ed?" William said.
     "No, not from home, I mean Saundersville.  But I saw the other man at
the fair yesterday while I was playing the games."
     "Curious, why did you notice him?"  Lord Charles said.
     "He was looking for someone, upset he or she wasn't there.  Kept
pacing, cursing his head off.  One of your guards asked him to curb his
tongue and I thought there would be a fight."
     "What stopped it?"  William said.
     "Another man in uniform came up, not a guard's uniform, one of Lord
Charles' household."
     "Did you get a look at him?"  Lord Charles said.
     Ed shook his head; "it was my turn to play the game so I stopped
watching.  Sorry."
     "Did you win?"
     A slight nod.
     "Very good my boy.  A victory well earned.  My guard should be able to
point out the traitor."
     "Thank you my Lord," Ed said.
     William pushed his chair back and instantly everybody at the table
rose.  "We know it is early Lord Charles but we were woken early this
morning and we want to get an early start tomorrow so we will bid you and
your guests a good evening."
     "It is always my pleasure to host Your Highness in my humble home.
May your sleep and the rest of your journey be peaceful."
     William bowed towards Lord Charles and then towards the other guests.

     Though four of Prince William's personal guard stood outside the door
Ed placed chairs in front of the door once they were safely inside.
     "Come here my dear."
     Ed turned and saw William standing by the bed, slowly untying the
laces on his shirt.  Ed went to him and started working on his pants.
     "What do you want to do tonight?"  William said once they were both
naked.
     "Spend the night in your arms, in your bed.  No sex, just hold me
tight, make me feel all right.  Can you do that for me William?"
     William picked the boy up in his arms and placed him in the center of
the bed, then climbed in next to him.  The prince pulled the covers in
place and drew Ed to him.  He kissed his love's neck.  "Sleep my darling
Ed, sleep the sleep of the child you are."
     Ed relaxed back into William's body, his body relaxed, breathing
slowed until he was asleep.  Only then did William permit his tears to
silently fall.  Sleep quickly, and gratefully, took him as well.

     They rode into Alexandra and up to Lord Alex's manor house an hour
past nightfall the next day.  Twice as large as Lord Charles' home it was
lit by huge bonfires on each side of the main entrance.  Suddenly nervous
William motioned Ed to his side and his guards to surround them and his top
aides.  A couple of loud cracks and pops and the guards drew their weapons.
     "Just the wood burning," the Captain said without lowering his sword.
"Advance."  As they passed between the bonfires the front door opened and
three men came out.  The Captain of the guard swung in front and gave a
quick look.  "Let Prince William pass."  William rode almost to the door
and quickly dismounted.  A quick glance showed his troops surrounding the
entranceway.
     "A thousand pardons for this display of force Lord Alex, an attempt
was made on my life yesterday morning," William said as he motioned four of
his guards into the building.  "Precautions must be taken."  His eyes never
left Alex's.
     While Lord Charles was older than William's father his new host was
barely six years older than William.  Alex had inherited the title when his
father had died ten years earlier in a riding accident.  An accident,
William's father had reminded him, some had questioned.
     The shock in the young Lord's eyes seemed genuine however and William
relaxed a little.  The Captain reappeared at the door and nodded.
     "Your Highness, I welcome you to Glory Manor.  Enter and be safe."
Lord Alex and the men with him bowed and William returned it.  Turning he
signaled for Ed and the rest of his party to dismount and follow him.  Ed
was at his side in an instant.
     "We gratefully accept your hospitality my friend, and again my
personal apologies for this affront."  They entered the great hall and
headed to the dining room.
     "Wow," Ed whispered and was surprised when the word echoed back.
"Sorry my prince, my Lord."
     "Lord Alex, this boy is my personal servant Ed, and he single-handedly
saved my life."
     "We are all in your debt Ed.  Now what brought on that 'wow?'" Alex
said.
     Ed turned to William who nodded.  "The paintings along that wall," Ed
said pointing to a row of paintings.  "I've never seen paintings with such
bright colors, they look like gardens on a beautiful summer day, and yet
not real."
     "Yes, that was the idea.  My sainted mother, Lady Gloria, commissioned
the series with those instructions.  They are my most prized possessions."
     "And what am I?"  A woman's voice said from the dining room door.  She
was holding a baby in one arm.
     "My dear, no man could ever possess you.  Your Highness, my wife Lady
Sylvia and my son and heir Daniel Justin, my dear His Royal Highness Prince
William."
     "My Lady, it is good to see you again.  William said as he took her
other arm.
     "My pleasure, to be honest I've missed the capital and your father's
court.  You have to tell me all the latest gossip."
     A nurse came and took the baby away.  Ed watched and wondered what his
mother would think about having a nurse always around to look after a baby.
Especially when there was only one.

     As supper ended William whispered into Ed's ear and the boy went off
with Lord Alex's servants while the noblemen retired to the sitting room
for brandies.  They met back in William's room later that night.
     After a long kiss they undressed and got into bed together.  Between
the guards and chairs they weren't worried about being interrupted.
     "How did it go with the serving class?"  William asked.
     "They treated me like royalty, between being your personal servant and
saving your life I was a step above them even if they were a lot older with
more experience."
     "Good, any interesting gossip?"
     "Seems like his Lordship found companionship with another while his
wife was pregnant, and hasn't dropped her yet."
     "Interesting, not unusual but maybe useful," William said and kissed
Ed's forehead.
     "I said we'd heard reports of raiders on Crondell's roads and that
they were coming from Exeter.  They got real nervous, started looking
around like they were afraid someone was listening.  Finally one whispered
that the reports were true, and that some of the thieves were here in
Alexandra," Ed said.
     "Some?"
     "That's what I said.  Another one said that others were in
Saundersville, and that Lord Saunders was behind it."
     "Does Lord Alex know about this?"
     "They say no, but they may just be protecting their Lord.  I'd lie for
you."
     "I know you would.  But in this instance they may be right, or
Saunders' is forcing him some how.  Lord Alex seemed genuinely distressed
about the attack on me and about the robbers.  They're hurting Alexandra's
trade with Crondell and that hurts his pocketbook.
     "Are we still touring the fair tomorrow?"  Ed said.
     "Yes, I cannot hide from my people, but security will be tighter.  But
right now there's something else I want to do."  With that William drew Ed
into his arms and they kissed.  Ed could feel William's cock rising against
his thigh.  He broke the kiss and pushed his lover flat on his back.
     Turning around he quickly swallowed all eight inches.  He felt
William's hand on his cock and wiggled his butt.
     "Oh yeah, shake that cute butt, you know what I want to do with it."
"Then you'd better get it ready while I work on this," Ed said and returned
to work.  Ed slowly sucked William's rod while the older boy started
rimming his ass.  The dual sensations had his little prick twitching
especially as William's tongue invaded his hole.  This was a new
experience, while William had rimmed him before he'd never tongue fucked
him.  The youngster started licking the cock in his mouth and suddenly
threw his head back and screamed as his orgasm shook his body.  William
grabbed his lover's cheeks and dug his face deeper into the boy's crack,
licking the inside until Ed stopped shaking.
     "Fuck me, fuck me now," Ed said still panting.
     William straightened up and gently rolled Ed onto his back, raised the
boy's legs to his shoulders and put the rigid royal rod right at the red,
moist opening.  He started to say something but stopped.  William knew what
he'd been on the verge of saying, and didn't know why he'd stopped.
     "Fuck me honey, I need you inside me," Ed said, disrupting William's
thoughts.
     "Oh yes my dear, I'm going to fill your hot ass with my cock right
now."  William slowly pushed his way into Ed.  The boy reflexively opening
his sphincter to allow the massive organ in.
     "Oh yes, it feels so good, I want all of it inside me," Ed moaned.
     With a series of soft grunts William quickly accomplished just that.
He bent over and their lips met in a long kiss.  Ed's fingers playing with
William's rock-hard nipples.  Slowly William started to slide his pulsating
cock in out as they continued to kiss.  He knew he wasn't going to last
long this time.  The sensations attacking his mouth, chest and cock were so
fantastic.  He pushed himself up and started to pick up the pace.
     He looked down at the smiling boy and whispered.  "I love you."
     "Really?"
     Ed's face glowed and William smiled and nodded.  "Really."
     "I love you too."  Ed pushed himself up putting William on his back,
the throbbing member still buried inside him.  Ed looked deep into
William's eyes and saw he was speaking the truth.  They both had spoken it.
     For Ed it was a moment of inner realization.  Crossing the line
between just having man-to-man sex to being gay.  As he looked at his true
love he understood the truth of their relationship.  He was a peasant boy
and William was the future King of Exeter and as such would marry and sire
future rulers.
     Now though, they were in love and bonded as all men in love have been
bonded.  Slowly he lifted himself up and let himself down.  He could feel
the precum leaking from William's slit as he felt the member grow larger
than it had ever been before.
     William reached up and gently caressed Ed's chest as he looked at the
boy's angelic face.  He noticed the healing cut on his face and touched it.
Like Ed he also knew the limited future they faced, but that was the
future.
     "You are so beautiful," William said softly.
     "And you are the handsomest man alive.  Now fill my insides with your
love."
     William started matching Ed's movements, as they moved in rhythm sweat
streamed down both their bodies.  William reached for the bobbing hairless
five-inch cock in front of him and started stroking it gently.  With
William's first stroke Ed started moving faster, and faster.
     "Oh, shit I'm cumming," they shouted together moments later and the
prince filled the servant boy's ass with his love, gallons and gallons of
it.

     Prince William and Lord Alex left Glory Manor late the next morning
with their guards and retinues flanking and trailing them.  Like every
other comparison with Lord Charles' estate Lord Alex's fair was twice as
large as well.  A good part of the extra space was taken up by the kind of
adult entertainment that Lord Charles disliked.  Ed was both disappointed
and proud that his prince, and lover, avoided that area completely.
     After all, Ed thought, he might be Crown Prince, a great sex partner,
but at sixteen he was too young to go into those kinds of places.
     As they approached the horse show area William turned and waved Ed to
his side.
     "Yes my prince?"  Ed said.
     "You have the pictures of the two men?
     "In my satchel my prince."
     "Good.  " William looked up and pointed at one of his guards.
"Accompany Ed to the second set of stables, Ed will recognize who he's
looking for."
     "Yes Your Highness," the guard said.
     Ed looked up but William just nodded.
     William watched Ed and the guard walk off and turned in the opposite
direction.  After admiring the horses they turned the corner to a commotion
coming towards them.  Immediately the two sets of guards moved to surround
the royalty.  Through the guards they saw Lord Saunders approaching.
     "I can't believe he still came," Lord Alex said.
     "It's what I would have done," William said and turned to another
guard.  "Go find them, have them wait where they are."
     The guard saluted and left.
     "What do we do?"  Lord Alex said.
     "Why welcome your guest of course.  Say nothing about the attack or
the robbers."

     Lord Saunders bowed.  "Your Highness, Lord Alex, what a pleasure to
see you here.  Isn't it a glorious day for a fair?"
     "I am glad you were able to accept my invitation.  Have you enjoyed
yourself?"  Lord Alex said.
     "Posh, when was the last time I missed one of your fairs?"  Lord
Saunders turned toward William.  "Your Highness, you look well.  I was
relieved to hear the attempt on your life failed and the assassin killed."
     "Fortunately it was not a credible threat, and we are on the trail of
his accomplices, and whoever hired them."  William thought he saw fear
flicker in Lord Saunders' eyes.
     "That is most welcome news sire.  Surely though they came from
Crondell, probably the thieves disrupting traffic and trust between the two
kingdoms."
     "Interesting idea, Lord Alex and I would be interested on hearing your
ideas about the problem," Prince William said and motioned them to resume
walking away from the stables.

     Ed and the guard walked down the first row of stables then turned the
corner and entered the center aisle of the second stable.  Ed breathed in
the scents and remembered helping his father tend the horses.
     Suddenly a large figure stepped out from one of the stalls.  Ed
stepped back and the guard started to pull his sword.  "Son," the figure
said.
     "Dad?  Is it really you?"  Ed said.
     As the figure moved into the light the guard drew his sword but Ed
took off down the aisle and jumped into his father's arms.
     Robert James turned his son's head and examined his cheek; gently
tracing the healing wound.
     "I'm fine dad, it's just a slight cut," Ed said.
     "I know, but I'm so proud of you, and hope you never have to do it
again."  They silently hugged each other for a couple of minutes until
another guard appeared.
     "Ed, His Highness requests that we remain here until summoned."
     "Then I'd guess Dad you'd better put me down and take a look at the
two pictures," Ed said.  They pulled a table under the opening in the
ceiling and Ed unrolled the two drawings.  "Do you recognize them dad?"
     "Yes, they were both part of his Lordship's new guards," he pointed to
one of the pictures.  "Is the man you killed?"
     "No, the other one."
     "A shame, this one is their captain, his name is Biaggi and he is a
very dangerous man with a cunning mind and short temper."
     "And he's working for Lord Saunders, this confirms His Highnesses'
suspicions," Ed said.
     "Lord Saunders?" said the second guard, "that's who was approaching
when Prince Williams sent me here."
     "Go back and find him, whisper in his ear that I said yes, hurry," Ed
said.
     The guard, a veteran in his forties looked at the little peasant boy
and frowned.  Who was he to give him orders?  Then, as if the boy had read
his mind, Ed touched the scar.  The guard nodded and left.

     The prince and the two lords were viewing the sheep judging contest
when the guard approached.
     "Prince William, a second please."
     "I thought I told you to wait with my servant."
     "Ed sent me Your Highness, he said to tell you he said yes," the guard
said.  "Return and the four of you return to Glory Manor at once."
     "A problem?"  Lord Saunders said.
     "One of my servants took ill, probably too much food and fun at the
fair.  I instructed that she be taken back to the Manor.  But isn't that a
fine ewe, looks like she'll produce plenty of lambs."
     "Yes sire," everybody said and William laughed to himself.  When the
contest was over, and that ewe won, they headed to Glory Manor for tea and
rest before dinner.
     "Lord Saunders, I want to thank you for sending me one of our best new
farmers.  I believe he used to be second in command of your stables, Robert
James."
     "I hope he is more loyal," Lord Saunders started.
     "I know why you dismissed and exiled him and his family.  They have
been quite honest with us and we understand."
     "Yes Your Highness."
     "Prince William, would the boy who saved your life be this man's son?"
     William stopped and faced Lord Saunders.  "Yes it is, and he is
forever in our debt.  But I am tired, let us return.  You will be staying
at Glory Manor tonight Lord Saunders?"
     "Yes please stay old friend, there's plenty of room," Lord Alex said.
     "I humbly accept your invitation my Lord."
     "Good, we are off to Crondell in the morning to meet with King Gerald
to discuss stopping these bandits who are disrupting trade and relations
between our two nations.  I could use both of your advice on this matter,"
William said, plotting to get Ed and his father a chance to renew old
acquaintances with Lord Saunders' men.

To be concluded in The Prince's Boy: Crondell & Home.