Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 14:01:29 EDT
From: Bwstories8@aol.com
Subject: The Sword of Kings - chapter 2

Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts.
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.

Don't read this story if:
**You're not 18 or over,
**If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live,
**Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex.

The author retains copyright to this story.  Placing this story on a
website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's
permission is a violation of that copyright.  Legal action will be taken
against violators.

I wish to extend my thank you to Ed for his editorial assistance with this
chapter.

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://www.teenboyauthors.org/thewolf, in the 'Other Stories' section.

E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other 'constructive'
comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.

		*    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

The Sword of Kings - by BW  (Fantasy/Sci. Fi.).
Copyright 2000 by bwstories44
Chapter 2 - The adventure begins.                                 June 2000

The contingent left Aurelia as the first rays of sunlight filtered through
the dew-laden boughs of the faerie kingdom.  King Dylan led the procession
and directed them through the Woods of Wildoness.  They were moving toward
the grasslands that bordered the western edge of the forest.  Dylan was
absorbed in a very serious conversation with the elf riding next to him,
the general-in-charge of his army.  They were busy discussing what
precautions should be taken to safeguard the young prince, and the others,
on this journey.

The sight of these two elves riding juxtaposed offered an extreme contrast
in outward appearance.  There was the kingly countenance of Dylan, mounted
on his regal looking white stallion, compared to the battle scarred
general, who sat astride his sturdy beast.  General Daveel's horse was not
nearly as handsome as the King's, but it was far more suited for the rigors
of battle.  The general was quite large for an elf, not merely in height
but also in his broad muscular build.  He was a mighty warrior, much proven
in battle, and he was an excellent strategist, possibly the best in all of
Tarolia.  He had long been the trusted military advisor to the King and,
once more, Dylan sought his advice.

Following Dylan and Daveel was Beraut, riding on a large chestnut mare.  It
was larger than any of the mounts ridden by the others in the company, but
the horse's size was necessary to accommodate Beraut.  He looked weary and
troubled.  His mind seemed all-consumed with some deep, dark mystery that
he was not divulging to any of the others.  His timeworn face reflected his
emotions, so that no one could be mistaken about the depth of his troubles
or the enormity of his concerns.  He was facing questions that only he
could answer and he was attempting to solve problems that he could share
with no one else, regardless of how much he might have liked to.

Next in the procession rode the three youthful companions, making inane
chatter and exchanging juvenile jokes.  They were seemingly without a care
in the world and they appeared to be merely enjoying the journey within the
confines and protection of their homeland's forest.  To their rear rode the
remainder of the host, a dozen of the elf's most experienced and tenacious
warriors.  The party was small enough as not to attract a great deal of
attention, yet large enough to defend itself if attacked along the way.

It seemed to the boys that the journey had just begun when they paused to
partake of the noon meal.  It consisted of a special little concoction that
had been prepared by the head cook of the royal kitchen.  It was a splendid
traveling meal consisting of some very tasty sandwiches.  They were unlike
anything Kieren had ever eaten before.  They were small, yet extremely
filling, and they seemed to drain the weariness from the body as they were
digested.  A flask of a cool, clear liquid was then passed around.  As
Kieren took his first swallow, a warm relaxing sensation swept through his
body and he found himself in the most tranquil state he had ever known.  He
was enjoying this wonderful feeling when word was passed that it was time
to continue the journey.

The now refreshed travelers remounted their steeds and they fell into
formation, ready to proceed on their way.  This time the boys rode on
either side of Beraut, who began to give Kieren much more information about
Madumda.  He told Kieren about the early years of the council and then he
explained about the years during which Madumda had conducted his
independent research.  The wizard explained how Madumda expanded his
knowledge and how the once decent magician became more and more corrupt as
he searched deeper and deeper into those dusty old tomes.  Madumda was
slowly losing the feelings of decency, concern for others, and honesty.
Those virtues were being replaced by the lust for power, greed, and a total
lack of remorse.

The boys began to sense the evilness that engulfed the wizard and changed
his personality.  They could see how it became progressively worse as he
delved further and further into those musty volumes of forgotten magic.
Those books were kept to serve as a record to keep the dark branch of
sorcery in check, but now they were being used to advance it.  The trio
could see how the knowledge he gained, from those pages of long forgotten
chants, had so completely corrupted him that none of the good of his former
self still remained.  He went through a complete metamorphosis and now he
was only a vile, disgusting, power- hungry murderer.

Many questions were asked as to why none of the other sorcerers had
foreseen this change or why they hadn't been able to predict what would
happen as a result of those discoveries.  Beraut explained that the rest of
the members of Council of Wizards were completely unaware of Madumda's
activities.  He added that even if some of them had accidentally discovered
their brother's research, they probably had forgotten what was contained in
those journals.  Otherwise, they had surely underestimated the importance
of the material that was contained within.  There was also a chance that
they were completely ignorant of the potential that was revealed within
those pages of dark sorcery that Madumda had become infatuated with.  Never
would they have concluded, nor would they have believed, the uncontrollable
effect this material would have upon their wayward colleague.

Beraut was also using this remorseful situation to teach the boys two
important lessons, the first one being that hindsight is much easier and
more accurate than foresight.  The other lesson that he tried to impress
upon them was that second-guessing ourselves could only serve to magnify
our guilt about what has already happened and can no longer be changed.  As
the wizard finished making his points, the elfin leaders of the party
signaled their decision to halt for the evening, as they had located a
suitable campsite.  Some of the soldiers went off to gather wood that they
would use to build a fire and cook the evening's fare.  The remaining elf
warriors then set about scouring the surrounding woodland in search of
game.  It was obvious that whatever they were able to hunt would become the
upcoming entree.

Within a couple of hours an assortment of rabbit, quail, and deer had been
cleaned, prepared, and browned over the open fire.  Ravenously, the meal
was consumed and washed down by several containers of wine, which had been
carried in one of the packs.  Now everyone searched for a flat, smooth
surface on which to throw their bedroll and rest for the night.

Kieren, Garreth, and Romaric positioned themselves close to the fire, yet
obscure from most of the other travelers.  They didn't need the warmth of
the fire, for the temperature of the evening's air was very comfortable,
but they did it for the security that it offered them.  Even though they
knew the elfin woods were generally safe, even in times of the greatest
danger in the rest of Tarolia, the stories that Beraut had told them had
them unsettled.  Their reaction was similar to that of young children who
had been told about the boogeyman or about ghosts, but this evil had been
real and they knew that it really did exist.  That was the reason for their
choice of location.  The fire offered enough light to keep their
imaginations from running wild, and their being together afforded them the
comfort of numbers, plus more.

Quickly the boys discussed amongst themselves whether they dared do the
things that they usually did when they were together.  They looked around,
checking the location and focus of the others, and then they concluded they
could try it, as long as they kept the noise down and were discreet.  That
was all it took.  They stripped down completely, to prepare for sleep, and
they slipped under their blanket.  Soon Garreth's hand was under Kieren's
cover, while Kieren's hand was searching for Romaric's prize.  Garreth was
the one who was successful first, and he began to run his hand all over and
around Kieren's boyhood.  He began by massaging Kieren's scrotal sac and
fingering the nuggets that were hidden within.  Garreth liked the feel of
Kieren's hairless sac and he would fondle his family jewels for a couple of
minutes before he would move on to his next target.

Kieren loved the feel of Garreth's smooth hand as it played around his
testicles.  He loved the tingling sensations that this manipulation gave
him and it would cause a warm feeling to radiate throughout his body.  He
was already so aroused that his penis was standing very erect and waiting
its turn for some action.  He didn't have to wait for long, as Garreth's
hand wormed its way up and his fingers started to explore the shaft and
then squeeze and play with the foreskin.  He would slide it back and forth,
slide a finger through the opening and play with the sensitive head, and
then he wrapped his fingers around Kieren's granite pole.  Slowly at first,
his hand slid up and down the slender tube and he could feel Kieren start
to swoon and hear him release his barely audible groans of pleasure.  He
loved it that he could make his friend feel so good and this only
encouraged him to try even harder to bring him more pleasure.  He increased
the pace of his stroking slightly, making Kieren's body start to writhe in
pleasure.  Kieren's hips were starting to bounce up and down now, a
reflexive instinct supplied by nature and meant to provide him with the
relief his body sought.

Kieren knew that he was getting close and it wouldn't be long before he
would spew his seed all over himself.  He told Garreth to pull the blanket
down just before his body tensed, his back arched, and the white, creamy
spunk spurted from his dickhead.  After several blasts of his warm boy
custard covered his chest, his body relaxed while Garreth continued to milk
the remaining drops from his tool.  Once that was completed, Garreth bent
forward and licked the semen up and swallowed it, thus cleaning off
Kieren's chest.

During this same period, Kieren had been performing a similar ritual on
Romaric.  Though his dick was not quite as long as Kieren's, it was a bit
thicker.  Kieren began by repeating the process that Garreth was using on
him.  He rolled Romaric's ball bag around in his hand, stimulating the
nerve endings that lie just underneath the surface.  These synapses could
send sparks flying around the body when activated, and that is just what
was happening.  Romaric was enjoying this feeling immensely, but he knew
that the best part was yet to come.  Eventually Kieren ceased to handle his
gonads and his hand slid upward, until it rested against the top of his
rod.  Kieren pinched and squeezed the excess skin that still overhung the
tip, and he peeled it back and forth, exposing the shiny glans before
covering it once again.  Romaric was enjoying this attention immensely and
his body was squirming from side to side.

Kieren now wrapped his palm and fingers against and around his miniature
stump, and then he began to jerk it slowly up and down.  This wasn't the
first time that Kieren had held and stroked Romaric's stalk.  He enjoyed
playing with his friend and he knew that Romaric liked it as well.  This
was a mutually beneficial experience and one that they repeated whenever
they could.  Kieren quickened his pace on his friend, as he felt his own
orgasm building, and he wanted Romaric to climax at the same time that he
did.  Romaric was moaning too, and Kieren only hoped that the others
wouldn't hear their mutual groans of pleasure.  Romaric's cock swelled a
little more just before he loosed his load, and prior to Kieren's own
eruption.  As Romaric's prick sent its strings of sperm spraying across his
upper body, Kieren could feel his own bubbling juices begin their ascent up
his pole.  Kieren was teasing the final drops of cum out of Romaric's
softening sausage just as he reached nirvana.  Spurt after spurt of that
pearly-colored liquid shot out of his phallus and coated his developing
chest, until there was nothing left to escape the small, gasping mouth of
his helmet.  Now the two boys lay side by side, enjoying the warm glow of
their post-orgasmic bliss.

After Romaric came down from his sexual high, he knew that it was his turn
to take care of Garreth.  Slowly he moved around to the other side of his
friend and he slid his eager hand under Garreth's blanket.  Garreth was
already smiling in anticipation of what was to come.  He felt Romaric's
hand slide down his abdomen, past his groin, and down his thigh.  Then he
felt Romaric's fingers slip around his scrotum and begin to manipulate his
miniature eggs.  It was wonderful, as the warm, tingly feelings began to
spread throughout his body.  This was causing him to breathe harder, his
heart to race, and his mind to float in the clouds.  It was as if he were
now disembodied, as these wonderful feelings were blotting out all of the
sights and sounds around him.  He could only hear his own breathing and the
sound of the blood pumping through the vessels in his ears.  He could see
nothing, as his brain was blocking all interfering impulses.  Garreth was
feeling great and he was on his way to heaven.

When Romaric had finished his ministrations to Garreth's nut sac, he let
his palm glide upward, slowly stroking the length of Garreth's rigid tool.
When his hand reached the top of the shaft, Romaric pulled the hood back
and forth, gently stroking the sensitive head when it was exposed.  Garreth
was cooing now, as the shockwaves continued to radiate from his waist.  It
was absolutely wonderful as Romaric's slender fingers wrapped themselves
around his piece of lumber and he began his gentle stroking.  Garreth's
head was now flopping from side to side, as the rest of his torso writhed
from the ultimate stimulation.  He could sense those familiar feelings
beginning down in his toes and working their way up his legs.  He pushed
his blanket down quickly in preparation.  By the time those feelings
reached his mid-section, his body tensed, his hip lunged skyward, and
several strings of his thick, alabaster cream spewed across his neck and
chest.  When the last of his jism had been drained from his now wilting
prick, Romaric bent forward and slurped it off of his trunk.  Romaric
quickly slipped back to the other side of Kieren and the three of them laid
back to get their needed rest.

Garreth and Romaric dozed off fairly quickly, but Kieren lay awake for some
time yet.  He listened to the sounds of the forest, the occasional screech
of an owl, or the shrill, blood curdling howl of a wolf.  He knew these
creatures inhabited the woods, but he also realized that they would not
venture near the fire or close to such a large gathering of people.
Anyway, he knew that guards had been posted around the perimeter of the
camp and they were being changed every hour to help keep them alert.
Eventually, Kieren gave in to his weariness and fell into an uneasy
slumber, again dreaming of the possible dangers that awaited him and the
others.

The young prince languished through a series of terrifying nightmares,
beginning with one where he was attacked by a pack of wolves.  They had
singled him out, away from the others, and they were preparing to make him
their dinner.  He tossed violently, trying to free himself from their
biting hold.  Finally, he shook himself loose from the grasp of the
alpha-wolf and then the vision faded into another equally horrible
scenario.

In the next dream, Kieren was one of King Orthilue's children, on the day
they were slaughtered at Leander.  Once again he flailed about in his
sleep, as he tried to ward off the blows delivered by the cowards that
threatened him and his family.  He tried desperately to rescue his siblings
and his parents, as they were each led off to their horrible end.  Kieren
was fighting tenaciously on their behalf, but he was not accomplishing his
goals.  He was still fighting heroically when the dream suddenly ended,
only to give way to yet another terrible vision.

In this nightmare, Kieren found himself back home in Aurelia, in the home
of his parents.  He had begun to feel the tranquility of the elfin woodland
and the wonderful joy of being home.  He was feeling wonderful when a
messenger arrived at his home, informed him that Madumda had learned about
their identity and he was heading to Wildoness to destroy them.  Hastily,
Kieren and his parents fled, leaving behind everything that they held dear.
For days without end, he and his family were relentlessly hounded by the
forces of the Dark Lord as they fled the faerie homeland.  They were
pursued throughout the entire Kingdom of Tarolia until they were finally
captured and slaughtered.  This dream terrified the young man to his core
and he was just shaking off the effects of this last disquieting vision
when the evening mercifully came to an end.

The smell of the morning's breakfast wafted into his nostrils as splotches
of sunlight danced over his closed eyelids.  As the rays slowly filtered
through the thin skin covering, it gradually brought him out of his
slumber.  He could feel both of his friends still cuddled up tightly
against him, their arms draped across his chest.  As his eyes began to
focus, he surveyed the area to learn the status of the others.  He could
see that everyone else was already up and busy, so he woke his comrades and
they quietly dressed.  The others must have been up for at least an hour,
seeing how much of the preparations they had already completed.  Realizing
his immense hunger, Kieren wandered over toward the fire, followed by his
friends.  Doggedly they attacked the food that was presented to them, not
stopping until the rumblings in their stomachs had been quieted.  Once
there was no need to indulge themselves further, they returned to pack
their gear and prepare for another day's journey.

Again the three teenagers rode at Beraut's side, hoping that the
necromancer would offer another intriguing rendition of one of his
fascinating stories.  They were not disappointed, for soon the wizard began
a monologue about the history of the royal line in Tarolia.  He began with
King Ethelbert and continued with each of his successors.  He filled the
lads in on many of the facts and folklore surrounding these rulers.  Kieren
was especially impressed with Ethelbert's feats, foresights, and his wisdom
as he ruled the land.  The young man instantly idolized this ancient ruler.
This hero worship of his grandsire probably added to his great
disappointment as he heard tales about the lesser kings who followed him to
the throne.  Kieren began to realize that their accomplishments, or lack
thereof, seemed to undo much of the greatness that the mighty Ethelbert had
worked so hard to attain.

Once more the morning passed by quickly and the company paused for their
midday meal.  Kieren made Beraut promise that he would resume his account
of the Tarolian Kings as soon as they renewed their journey.  Having
secured his vow, Kieren went off with his friends to eat.  The boys gobbled
down their food, which was similar to the noon meal of the previous day,
and then they hurried back to the side of their mounts.  Impatiently they
paced back and forth, in an unconscious attempt to encourage the others
into a greater haste.  It had no effect and they became more anxious with
each passing second.  Finally, after what they considered lengthy and
unnecessary precautions, they were once more underway.  The sorcerer
resumed his account, picking up where he had left off.  This time he began
by informing the youths about the reign of the three kings who had preceded
King Orthilue.  These kings seemed to regain some of the momentum that
Tarolia had lost under some of its earlier monarchs.  Kieren was enormously
impressed by King Orthilue and the promise he had shown during his brief
reign.  It was because Orthilue was unable to fully realize his potential,
Kieren found himself profoundly saddened by the King's early demise.  That
act of butchery prevented Orthilue from restoring Tarolia's ruling family
to the exalted level from which it had originated.

All of the boys were inquisitive and questioned Beraut exceedingly
throughout the discussion, but none could surpass the depth and breadth of
the queries that Kieren posed to the knowledgeable magician.  It appeared
that Kieren was not only questioning what had already transpired, but he
seemed to be formulating various corrective measures in the back of his
mind.  These were solutions that he could use later to rectify any and all
of the deficiencies that had been enumerated in the previous discussions.
Possibly, if he ever got the chance, he might be the one to help Tarolia
regain the strength and glory that had long been lost to her.  Once more,
his homeland would glow as the brightest of the stars that shone in the
heavens.

The youths had been so engrossed by the wizard's tales and the ensuing
discussions that they had nearly failed to notice that they were leaving
the Woods of Wildoness.  Kieren was the first to recognize this fact, and
after pointing this change out to his companions, he became completely
engrossed with the sights that now engulfed him.  Here, stretching
endlessly before him in all directions but to his rear, lay a multitude of
wonders that he had never beheld before.  During the fifteen years since
his birth, Kieren had never seen anything beyond the borders of the forest.
Having spent his entire life in the confines of the woodlands, with its own
green heaven and sparsely scattered patches of blue sky, he was not ready
to look up into the likes of the vast openness that lay before him.  For
here was a vast blue ocean of sky, dotted artistically with billowy, white
clouds, shooting up from across the never-ending horizon.

Slowly he lowered his gaze, only to discover that the ground around him had
set him adrift in a flaxen and emerald sea of grains and grasses.  The
sun's brilliant light danced off the shimmering reeds and painted a golden
vision of pastoral beauty.  This was all tenderly caressed and cradled by
that azure-hued firmament.  The loveliness of this moment dazzled Kieren
into a pseudo-hypnotic trance, and he couldn't think about anything other
than the beauty that surrounded him.  As they rode through the expansive
grasslands, Kieren's senses were overwhelmed by the colors and fragrances
of the foliage.  This consumed Kieren's every thought, until it began to
grow dark and the party stopped to prepare camp.

The campsite was much different from the one of the previous evening, for
they were now far away from the protection of Wildoness.  They were also
open to observation and discovery from anyone lurking in the grasslands
around them.  No fire was lit this evening, in an effort to prevent them
from divulging their presence to any less than desirable wanderers who
might be out and about.  They ate a very simple meal, dining only on fruits
and dried meats.  This meal was not nearly as satisfying as any of their
previous meals and Kieren went to his bedding disillusioned by the prospect
of future meals of the same sort.  The young prince unrolled his sleeping
gear and laid down, eventually forgetting about his great disappointment.
The boys were told to stay fully clothed this evening, in case they had to
move quickly or defend themselves, but the boys thought up another option.
There was nothing to prevent them from lowering their breeches and letting
one of the others suck them off beneath the blanket.  The third person
could keep watch, in case any of the adults came over to check on them.
They soon agreed to this plan and moved into action.

Kieren suggested that he would do Garreth first.  This was fine with the
other two, so Kieren slipped his head and shoulders beneath Garreth's
blanket.  He unlaced Garreth's pants and slid them down.  Garreth lifted
his hips to allow him to pull them free.  Because of the awkwardness of
having the others around and the fact that they needed their sleep, it was
agreed that they would just get each other off as quickly as they could.
Kieren started to lick and nibble on Garreth's soft flesh, especially
taking time to chew on his foreskin, and then he pulled the prepuce back so
he could lick the head and the hard ridge that defined it.  Immediately
Garreth's pole rose to full mast and Kieren soon swallowed it, taking him
down to his pubes.  Then the prince began to let his head bob up and down
on the young elf's wand, dragging his lips and tongue along the surface and
sucking at the same time.  The friction of the moist lips and tongue along
the surface of his cock was electrifying, and Garreth began to groan from
the pleasure.  It was a wonderful feeling as the soft tissue glided along
his boner.  After a couple of minutes of this stimulation, Garreth began to
buck his hips up and down, trying to increase his pleasure.  Kieren had
been expecting this, knowing what Garreth was like from previous
encounters, and he held on and tried to hasten his friend's release.
Sucking harder than it would take to draw the contents of an egg from a
small hole pecked into the tip of the shell, Kieren tried to siphon the
juices from Garreth's love glands.  His one hand had been playing with
Garreth's testicles and Kieren knew that his friend was about to erupt,
when he felt his nuts pull up toward his body and his dick began to swell
in his mouth.  Soon Kieren was receiving the hot blasts of his seed and he
was swallowing frantically, so he wouldn't choke or lose even a drop.  He
continued to work on his friend's crotch until his penis wilted and became
tender to the touch.  Slowly he pulled his head out from under the blanket
and gazed upon the satisfied look on Garreth's face.  He knew it would take
him some time before he recovered from his ejaculation, so he left him in
peace.

Romaric suggested that Kieren lie back and he would do him next.  Kieren
obliged, slipped under his blanket, undid his trousers, and fell backward
onto his pack.  Romaric wasted no time in sliding underneath the thin
covering to lick and stroke Kieren's rod.  Romaric's tongue was a flurry of
movement as it licked up and down, and then swirled around, Kieren's
slender tool.  Romaric eased back the excess skin and his tongue roamed
around the sensitive surface.  When he had teased Kieren to full arousal
and beyond, Romaric let his mouth surround the lengthy toy and he eased his
head downward, until he felt the tip of his nose being tickled by Kieren's
pubic hairs.  He used his mouth to pump up and down on Kieren's love organ
and he sucked like a hungry babe at its mother's breast.  The combination
of stimuli soon had the young recipient moaning and wiggling from the
enjoyment.  Romaric was also using his hand to stimulate Kieren's orbs and
the base of his shaft on each upward movement.  Romaric had great skill at
pleasing his friends orally and he could feel Kieren's ecstasy building.
Wetting one of his fingers as he dropped downward on Kieren's cock, he
slipped that finger down to Kieren's crack and eased it up against the
opening.  Kieren's body offered no resistance, as this was a common
practice in their activities, and it slipped easily past the guardian of
his gate.  Romaric stretched that digit forward, until he found his joy
button.  He began to rub it, using little circular motions, and this was
all it took to take Kieren to the brink and over it.  Soon the prince's
body arched upward, thrusting his erection down Romaric's throat, and he
unleashed several volleys of his hot boy jism into Romaric's experienced
gullet.  Romaric continued to suck and tease out all of the fluid that had
just been produced, and he wouldn't stop until he was convinced that the
well was dry.

Romaric sat up and watched Kieren's trance-like movements, as the
dark-haired boy was still awash in the afterglow of his orgasm.  Romaric
noted the beads of sweat that dotted Kieren's forehead and cheeks,
realizing that Kieren had enjoyed a suitable workout.  He looked over at
Garreth, who was already crawling around beside him.  Garreth was ready to
take his turn pleasing one of his mates.  Garreth was already untying the
strings that fastened his friend's knickers and Romaric quickly grabbed his
own blanket and threw it over them.  Garreth nudged Romaric to lift his
hips off the ground, and he slid the boy's britches down as soon as there
was a gap between his body and the ground.  Romaric knew the routine and he
lay back to enjoy Garreth's attention.

Romaric loved the feeling as Garreth's tongue roamed the surface of his
most private areas.  Garreth's oral muscle was hot and wet, and he licked
it so gently that it felt like a damp satin glove slowly gliding around his
genitals.  It was also like the feel of the dew-laden branches of velvety
bushes tenderly passing over the exposed skin, as you crawled through the
underbrush in the early part of the day.  It was moist, invigorating, and
it tickled slightly as it teased the follicles on the skin.  That was how
Garreth was now stimulating Romaric's pecker, teasing and probing it now in
earnest.  Finally, Romaric felt the warm, moist lining of Garreth's mouth
envelop the entire length of his pecker and he surrendered himself to the
awesome pleasure that this gave him.  Slowly, Garreth's head rocked up and
down, and his tongue bathed Romaric's boyhood in saliva.  He sucked as if
he wanted to pull all of Romaric's internal organs out of the small eye at
the top of his helmet, and Romaric swooned from the all-consuming
sensations.  With each nod of his head, Garreth brought Romaric that much
closer to his release.  After a few more minutes of this intense action,
Romaric groaned, thrust his hips upward, and he buried his love muscle deep
into Garreth's throat.  As the creamy concoction flowed from Romaric's wand
and into Garreth's talented mouth, he collapsed from the intense release
that was overtaking him.  When the last of his fluids had flowed from his
slit, Garreth released his meat and left Romaric to enjoy his time in the
heavens.  As Garreth moved back into his own place, he noticed that Kieren
was already asleep, and soon he and Romaric joined him.

Kieren had not fallen asleep immediately, however, but he had become
absorbed with the beauty of the night sky above him, as his two friends
were taking care of the last of their business.  The first thing that he
noticed was the size of the moon as it hovered over the landscape on this
nearly cloudless night.  He had seen the moon from his home in Aurelia, but
never had he seen it in its entirety.  He only caught a glimpse of it as it
shone through the trees, but he never imagined that it was that large.
Although it was only a quarter-moon, it still covered the ground in a soft,
white light.  Hopefully it wasn't enough luminance to reveal their
presence, but it was sufficient to allow them to move about freely and see
the things closest to them.

Kieren's focus now drifted to the sky beyond the moon and he found himself
fascinated with the many smaller lights in the heavens, twinkling brightly
in the clear night sky.  He realized now that he had never fully
appreciated or understood the magnificence of the heavens in the evening.
In the woods he had only been able to glimpse a few stars at a time, but
now the firmament was awash in glowing balls of light, some producing the
light themselves while others merely reflected that of brighter objects.
He was trying to comprehend the vast numbers of these objects, when he
noticed the patterns that some of them seemed to form.  Soon he was seeing
the outline of pictures drawn against the dark hue of space.  He continued
to try to distinguish these patterns until his weary body gave out and he
lost consciousness.

The following morning, Kieren rose with the first rays of sunlight that
danced off of his eyelids.  He awoke the two young elves that were sleeping
beside him and, after a hasty breakfast, they began investigating.
Together, they combed the surrounding area to see what they could uncover.
Being young and rambunctious, they made enough noise to scare away all of
the wildlife that might be in the area.  This minor indiscretion caused
them to miss out enjoying the various forms of animal life that they might
have discovered with stealth.  Nonetheless, they were still sorely
disappointed when it was announced that it was time to move on.

The company had been riding for a little over an hour before Kieren spied
another electrifying sight.  Up until this moment, Kieren and his
companions had been so absorbed in their own conversations that they had
become totally oblivious to everything else.  They had not heard any of the
conversations conducted by the others around them and they had become bored
with the repetitiveness of the scenery around them.  That was until Kieren
caught a glimpse of the mighty river in the distance, as it cut through the
plains over which they were riding.  It was not as if he had never seen a
river before.  His home in Aurelia was very near the banks of the Sparkling
River, but it was located so near its source that it was not nearly as
broad or as swift as the one before him.  Kieren sought out Beraut so he
could find out the name of this magnificent torrent of water.  The wizard
informed him that this was the Shadow River and it flowed past Leander,
just before it emptied into the Great Western Sea.

The party continued to move toward this impressive waterway until they came
to a point where the river turned slightly to the northwest, causing the
current to slow slightly.  The band would ferry across the river at this
juncture, and then they would continue their journey to the capital.
Before they crossed the river, however, they would first dismount and take
a quick bite to eat.  The meal was not elaborate, just some elfin bread and
cheese, chased down with a draught of the ale that they carried in their
pouches.  As they were finishing their meal, the ferry crossed over to the
shore on which they waited.  They gulped down the rest of their lunch
quickly, so they could get on the ferry as soon as it touched the
shoreline.  It took about five minutes to load and another twenty minutes
for them to cross the river.  Kieren spent the entire time observing how
the ferry operators cranked in the rope that guided them back to the
opposite shore.  The prince was enthralled with the procedure and the
powerfully built men who operated the machinery with amazing ease.  General
Daveel brought Kieren out of his trance-like fascination with the crew, and
they mounted their steeds as the ferry was anchored against the shore.  Now
they set out on the final leg of their journey.

Shortly after they crossed the river, Kieren could see a gray mound looming
up in the distance.  Beraut informed him that it was the home of his
ancestors, the Castle of Leander.  His eyes became fixed upon the fortress
and he formulated what it might look like.  His gaze remained fixed for the
rest of his journey and he couldn't help but become more impressed the
closer they came to this formidable structure.  They rode on and on, until
they neared the walls and the walls began to tower over them.  Having only
seen the tree dwellings of the elves, he marveled not only at the size of
this mighty citadel, but also at the size of the materials with which it
had been built.  The individual stones used in its construction were
massive and any one of them could easily have crushed either him or his
companions.

By mid-afternoon, they arrived at the gates of the castle.  Kieren was now
even more impressed than before, and he couldn't fathom how such a
structure could have ever been breached.  As they passed through the Great
Gate and came into the Outer Courtyard, Kieren sat frozen in fascination at
the sight of this massive building, which was supported by equally immense
buttresses along its length.  These bulky supports, which helped to keep
the heavy walls upright, looked like the ribs from the carcass of some
gigantic animal.  There was no doubt in Kieren's mind that this building
was the center of all of the political and social functions held at the
castle.

Eventually, Kieren's gaze wandered from the main building to its neighbor.
Here, standing in the same regal splendor as its counterpart, stood the
Cathedral with its two tubular spires extending heavenward on either side
of its huge central door.  There were grandiose statues placed
strategically across the face of the building and there was an enormous
circular window adorning the front wall.  This window was made of many
panes of multicolored glass and it was placed strategically between the two
spires and over the main entrance.  In this place, all of the religious
pomp and circumstance of the nobility and upper class transpired.  From
within the sanctity of these very walls, all of the religious edicts issued
in Tarolia had their origins.

Kieren's mind was lost in the vastness of such a stronghold that could
house two such colossal structures, but there much more.  Kieren reeled
with astonishment at the unending distractions of sights, sounds, and
smells that assaulted him from every direction.  First, there were numerous
smaller buildings lining the castle's inner walls.  Off to their right was
the enlisted men's barracks, with soldiers constantly meandering in and out
of its entranceway.  Just beyond the barracks were the stables, with their
variety of noises and odors.  This made Kieren thankful that the wind was
blowing from his rear and toward the stables.  This kept the stench from
his nostrils, and this journey had already supplied him with more than
enough chances to smell the horses and their excrement.

Looking to his left, Kieren spied the guardhouse.  It stood next to the
officers' barracks, which Kieren quickly noted was not as busy as the
enlisted man's barracks.  It was more ornate and the rooms were probably
larger and better furnished, but it served only a few.  It was obviously
true, the rank did have its privileges.

The lad now turned to see the rest of the party slowly ambling on their
steeds in the direction of the stables.  He urged his mount to follow the
others and soon he caught up with them just as they began to dismount and
stretch.  Kieren leapt from his horse and bolted to where Beraut stood,
hastily asking the wizard's permission to go with his friends and explore
the rest of the castle.  Beraut hesitantly acceded to his young ward's
request, but he advised him to stay on the main thoroughfare until they
became more familiar with their surroundings.  He also instructed Kieren
that they were to meet him in front of the Great Hall before the sun set.

The boys darted away from the stables and raced parallel to the rear wall
of Kieren's ancestral home.  They couldn't wait to see what curiosities
they might find.  The first place they reached was the shop of the
blacksmith, which rang out with the echoes of the craftsman at work.  The
short, barrel-chested artisan pounded his hammer against the metal on which
he worked, slowly shaping it as he desired.  Dum-da-dum, dum-da-dum came
the repeated clanging of his hammer against the anvil, sort of a melodic
lullaby to his skill.  The boys watched intently as he painstakingly
hammered out a new pair of horseshoes.  They knew that these were meant for
one of the mounts housed at the stables.  After a brief stay, the trio soon
tired of the repetition and they moved on down the street.

As the boys continued to travel down the back passageway, their course
guided them to the tailor's workshop.  The youths eagerly peered through
the window of the shop, to see the interior and what fascinating things
might be contained within.  They discovered that the room was filled with
an accumulation of bolts of cloth, of various colors and woven in a
multitude of patterns.  The tailor was engaged in tracing a pattern on a
swatch of fabric that he would soon cut out and stitch together.  The
material that he was working on was a coarse looking material that had been
dyed a deep, earth-tone brown.  It looked as though he was going to make it
into some sort of work clothes.  Having watch this type of activity many
times in their homeland, the trio passed on to the next cubicle.

As they approached the next doorway, the boys' nostrils were filled with a
sickening odor.  They soon identified this smell with the treatment of the
various hides in the tanner's stall.  The tanner was busily working on a
pelt, though they couldn't quite make out what type of animal it was from.
As they observed the craftsman engaged at his trade, their eyes were
beginning to water from the fumes that emanated from the acids and other
liquids that the tanner was applying to the skins.  These were used to
loosen the hair so it could be removed or to eat the remaining meat from
the underside of the pelt.  They looked at each other and decided to move
along and distance themselves from this foul smelling place, as the
sickening stench in the air was beginning to turn their stomachs.

Next, they encountered the shop of the wheelwright, who was busy preparing
a strip of wood.  It was apparent that he had been soaking the length of
lumber for some time in a vat.  He was getting it ready for his next
project.  Carefully, he molded the damp piece of lumber into a circular
shape.  Once the wood was ready, it would be fitted around a hub, with the
wooden spokes sticking outward.  At this point, the outer edge of the
spokes would be fitted into the holes that had been drilled on the inside
of the circular frame.  Over this would be attached a metal hoop, which
would hold the entire thing together and give it the durability needed to
be used on the carts or carriages that travel the local roads.

Kieren now took the time to study the wheelwright, who was at least three
hands taller than the blacksmith.  This new craftsman had the same powerful
build as the man at the forge and his well toned muscles rippled across his
upper torso.  His giant biceps tensed with each movement as he plied his
trade, taking great pains to ensure that he got the proper results.  This
giant of a man worked with both wood and metal, so his shop was filled with
a variety of tools for both purposes and the floor was littered with scraps
of each kind.

The boys soon wearied of watching the wheelwright and they moved down the
street, where they found the carpenter's stall.  The slender carpenter was
busy starting a project and his plans were laid out on the table beside
him.  He was making long, effortless strokes with a very sharp blade over a
piece of wood that it was trying to smooth, obviously to be used in his
next creation.  Kieren casually moved toward the table in an effort to
sneak a peek at the plans, and he soon discovered that the carpenter was
beginning to assemble a fine cabinet.  This richly designed piece of
furniture was most likely ordered by one of the wealthier inhabitants of
the castle and it would used as a symbol of their material worth.

Garreth and Romaric were rapidly becoming bored with their tour, as
signified by their body language.  They repeatedly swayed uneasily from one
leg to the next, clearing their throats and eyeing Kieren impatiently,
hoping he would catch their drift.  After several minutes of these antics,
their young leader moved toward the door and the two elves announced their
intentions.

"Look, Kieren, across the street there's a bakery," Romaric stated.  "Let's
go over and see what they've got good to eat.  You do have money with you,
don't you?"

Kieren reached into his pocket, digging deep for what might be there, and
then he pulled out what he found.  Graciously, he held out his hand toward
Romaric and offered him what he had.  "I have only a few coins, but you two
are welcome to them.  I do not want anything from the shop and I wish to
continue looking around.  I'll meet you at one of the other shops further
down.  Okay?"

"You mean that you don't want to get something sweet to eat?" Garreth
asked.  "Those meals we've had to eat the last few days were all right, but
I want something better.  Are you sure that you don't want to join us?"

"I'm sure.  I'm really not hungry, but you two go ahead.  I'll find you
later, that is, if you don't find me first."

The elves agreed to this plan, so Kieren turned away from his two friends
and he moved down the street in the same direction they had been heading.
As he strolled along this back street, his attention was drawn toward the
merchandise that he glimpsed as he came nearer to the fletcher's open door.
Purposefully, he strode over to the shop and he stood in the doorway,
surveying the interior.  It didn't take him long to realize that this small
specialty store housed the treasure trove of an artisan.

The walls of the shop were adorned with numerous arrangements of arrows,
which had been delicately designed by this fine craftsman.  The wares had
been artistically hung to display the quality of his work to his
prospective buyers.  The feathers that lined the various shafts had been
procured from a variety of fowl that were indigenous to Tarolia.  The tips
were a selection of hewn stone and forged metal.  They had either been
sculpted by the stone mason or molded by the blacksmith before they were
sent here for their intended use.  The price of these arrows depended upon
the type of tip, the type of wood, and the type of feathers used.  The more
crudely made types were affordable to even the lowest class of the castle's
inhabitants, but the best of his wares could only be purchased by his
wealthiest clients.

As Kieren surveyed the room, he noticed an assortment of crossbow quarrels.
These showed as much diversity in their manufacture, both in materials and
craftsmanship, as the arrows for the long bows.  Impressed with the degree
of expertise shown in the higher quality stock, Kieren decided to pose a
few questions to their maker.

"Sir, I wonder if I might ask you a question. "

The fletcher looked over and sized Kieren up before he responded.
"Certainly, my boy.  What is it that you would like to know?"

"I was wondering, what are the most important things to know to make an
arrow as fine as these?"

"Many things, my young friend, most of which come with years of experience
and practice."

"It is easy to see from your work that you must be one of the finest, if
not the finest, fletcher in the land."

"I thank you, young sir, for that fine compliment, but I must admit that
there are several master fletchers who are far superior to myself.  If you
have the time, though, I would be happy to teach you a little of what I
know."

Kieren nodded his willingness vigorously, hardly able to contain his
delight at the fletcher's proposal.  This was far more than he had hoped
for, and he prepared to absorb every detail that the newly found mentor was
able to impart.

"The first trick to producing a quality arrow is to select a shaft that is
hard and straight, one whose flight will be true.  Then you must locate the
perfect balance point, so that the tip will not force the arrow downward
sooner than absolutely necessary.  The final step is to find feathers that
are full and of sufficient length for the type of arrow that you are
making.  The rest is merely mechanical: assembling the parts, smoothing,
notching, gluing, and binding it all together."

"Would you mind showing me how you do it?" the eager lad asked his tutor.

"I would be glad to.  I was just about to begin a special order for a
friend who is in somewhat of a hurry.  Come over here and I will
demonstrate what you wish to know."

Kieren went over and listened to his instructor's step-by-step analysis of
the job he was doing.  He was extremely attentive, his mind serving as a
sponge and absorbing every minute detail that this expert was relinquishing
to him.  After a while, the fletcher gave Kieren a chance to make an arrow
for himself, which sent a wave of elation throughout the young prince's
body.  The boy worked painstakingly over the missile, making sure that he
met even the most rigid specifications that his teacher set for him.  When
he finally completed his first creation, he was given permission to take it
with him.  Kieren was overjoyed and he wanted to show his friends what he
had done after they parted ways.

After thanking the fletcher more than a sufficient number of times, Kieren
wandered back into the street to look for his friends.  He was clutching
his prize tightly in his hand.  He hadn't traveled far before his attention
was riveted on another fine attraction.  Now, he stood gawking through the
unshuttered window of the armorer's workplace.  He edged his way toward the
door, when he was brusquely pushed aside by a group of soldiers.  They were
seemingly in a hurry to enter the shop.

"Out of the way, you young toad," growled the leader of the group, as he
shoved Kieren aside.  "We have business here."  Kieren hugged the outer
wall of the shop until the ruffians were completely inside.  Then, he
peered around the doorframe to see what was so urgent.

"Have you repaired my mail coat," the soldier bellowed, "or do I have to go
on patrol naked?"

"Your mail is ready for you, sir.  It was badly mangled and I had to
replace several links that were damaged beyond repair."

"It got that way from a little quarrel I had in an inn between here and
Cassander.  It seems that a gentleman there didn't like the attention that
I was giving to one of the barmaids, and he offered to teach me some
manners.  It will be a difficult for him to that now, though, won't it,
mates?  Especially with all that sod they were placing over him as we were
leaving."  He and his associates howled with laughter at this last remark.
The armorer's nervousness was apparent, as he handed him his mail and
collected the required fee.  Once again, Kieren flattened himself against
the outer wall as the three thugs left the establishment.  After they were
well away from the building, Kieren entered the shop.

"Don't pay any attention to them, my son," reassured the burly old man.
"They are not soldiers from any of our troops, but mercenaries looking to
pick up a fast profit by doing someone else's dirty work.  What is it that
I may do for you?"

"I just arrived at the castle and I was merely looking around.  Do you mind
if I look at your merchandise?"

"No, not at all, son.  Feel free to browse the entire area.  Please, let me
know if you want to look at anything in particular."

"Thank you, sir.  I will."  With that, the old man went back to work
pounding the dent out of a metal breastplate that looked as though it had
seen considerable action.  As the shop's owner worked away, Kieren set
about to investigate the wares that hung about the walls.  He began by
studying the different protective devices that were made by the craftsman.
There were various types of mail and leather vests that were used to
protect the trunk of the wearer.  There were also small pieces that were
used to protect the arms, legs, or groin areas.  Any of these devices could
be penetrated by the right stroke, but they would protect their owner from
injury from many of the debilitating blows one might receive during a
battle.

The young prince lifted, turned, and felt each article, to discover all he
could about them.  He did not wish to miss even the smallest detail about
their construction.  The owner, seeing the boy's intense curiosity,
suggested that Kieren should try on some of these items.  That way, he
could get a different perspective about each piece, one that only those
clad in such devices could know.  The lad did not hesitate in taking
advantage of this offer, and he tried on both a chain mail and a leather
vest.  His enthusiasm was dampened, however, when the items proved to be
far too large for his frame.  It was because of this disappointment that
Kieren decided not to model any of the other itmes.

Kieren now moved over to the next area, which was devoted to a breathtaking
display of blades.  There were broadswords, sabers, falchions, daggers,
short swords, dirks, and stilettos.  Some of them were fine ceremonial
weapons or those worn to impress others, laced with gold and crested with
valuable, sparkling jewels.  Others were made of unadorned steel or iron,
intended for use by those of less noble rank or for everyday use.  There
were also lances, pikes, maces, and other weapons, weapons that Kieren
didn't even know the names for.  They lined the walls or were dangling from
the ceiling.  The prince was totally engrossed by the quality, diversity,
and the destructive potential of each type of weapon.  Intrigued as he was
with the display before him, Kieren realized that he must be moving along.
He knew that he still had to find his friends and hurry to meet Beraut at
the Great Hall before the sun went down.  With his best manners, he thanked
the shop's owner and left the establishment, not knowing where he might
find his chums.

                                                      * * * *

The two young elves dashed across the street after leaving Kieren, and they
headed straight to the baker's shop.  The aroma of the freshly baked breads
and pastries filled the air and caused their mouths to immediately water.
Their stomachs began to grumble in a request for satisfaction, as their
minds raced over the possibilities that awaited them.  There were rows of
breads, each type displayed in a separate wicker basket, and piles of
fruit-filled tarts beside a tray of hot cross buns that the baker had just
removed from his oven.  The owner eyed the boys suspiciously and he moved
toward them.

"May I assist you?" he queired.

"We would both like two hot cross buns," Garreth answered without
hesitation.

"Do you have any money?" the baker asked before parting with his goods.

"Romaric thrust out his hand, filled with coins, to prove his intent in
this matter.  The baker smiled at the youths and then he quickly selected
the buns for his waiting customers.  After exchanging the required fee, the
boys left the shop, slowly savoring their recently purchased fares.  As
they finished the first of their selections, the boys paused to peer
through the open window of the candle-maker, whose shelves were lined with
candles of various shapes and sizes.  In the artisan's exhibit were every
variation of length, thickness, color, and texture of candle imaginable.

The boys poked their heads further into the opening, straining to see what
else was hidden within.  As they peeked around the room, they finally
located the shop's owner.  He stood in the far corner of the booth, plying
his trade.  The boys gazed intently in his direction as he poured hot wax
into a series of molds.  The craftsman was very careful to ensure the wicks
were suspended to the bottom of each tube, leaving enough extended to be
ignited when put into use.  When this task had been completed, the
tradesman moved his new creations to a rack where they were allowed to
cool.  It wasn't long, however, before the duo decided to move along.

The two friends meandered down the street, looking through the windows and
doorways of the various shops.  Soon they were drawn to the sound of music
coming through yet another archway, this one belonging to the instrument
maker.  As they moved through the opening, their gaze fell immediately upon
a young man, probably in his mid-twenties, strumming joyfully on a lute.
It appeared that this musician was auditioning the instrument for possible
purchase from the master of this shop.  The young troubadour tested the
tonal quality of the musical devices by playing tunes on first one, and
then another.  He was searching for that elusive masterpiece that each
musician hopes to find.

The boys slipped inside and sat down quietly, enjoying this free, impromptu
concert.  They began to stretch out, as if they were planning on a lengthy
stay.  They had no desire to leave and search for other delights, so they
relaxed and savored every note and every chord, as if it were the first
they had ever heard.  The musician had taken notice of the boys, as he
moved from one instrument to another, and he spoke to his audience.

"Is there anything special that you might like to hear?"

Romaric looked at Garreth before he answered.  "No, sir.  We were just
enjoying the songs you were playing."

"But don't you have a special song that you'd like for me to play?"

"None that I can think of.  We're content to just sit here and listen to
whatever you play.  We've enjoyed every piece, so far."

"Well, I am glad to hear that, but you must have a favorite number that I
haven't played yet."  The two looked at each other and then back toward the
minstrel.  They nodded their heads from side to side.

"In that case," he responded, "I've decided that since you've been so
polite, I will play a special little tune for you."  The troubadour began a
lovely melody that he soon accompanied with a sweet vocalization.  It was a
song about a beautiful young maiden who wasn't allowed to marry the man of
her dreams.  It was a pitiful verse that ended joyously, when her lover
returned to take her away to another kingdom.  There they lived happily
ever after.  The young elves applauded heartily when the entertainer had
completed his song and they began a conversation with him.

"Where did you learn all of those wonderful melodies?" asked Garreth.

"I just finished my apprenticeship, here at Leander, with Master B'journ.
I am now through with my studies and I came here to purchase an instrument
to begin my own career with.  When I find the right one, I will start
traveling from town to town to make a living.  I do have one more
obligation here, then I will be on my own."

"With your ability, you'll soon be rich and famous," Romaric told him.

The minstrel laughed.  "Famous, well, maybe someday, but musicians seldom
get rich.  We may live with and work for others who are wealthy, but I have
yet to learn of any such music man who became affluent himself."

"Then why did you pick this trade?" Romaric wondered.

"Because I love music.  What other reason could there be?  I love to play
and I love to sing.  I love to look at people's faces when I finish one of
their favorite tunes.  By choosing to be a musician, I can do what I really
enjoy and I can be happy for the rest of my life."

"I'd say that was a good enough reason," Garreth added.  "What is your
name?"

"Daimon.  And yours?"

"I am Garreth and this is my friend, Romaric."  They shook hands and
exchanged a few other comments when Daimon announced that he had to leave.

"I would love to stay and talk longer, but I must be on my way.  I have one
more duty to take care of as an apprentice, before I leave this wonderful
city and begin my career.  I am to play at a banquet this evening.  Please,
excuse me, but I must be on my way."

They bid each other farewell and said that they hoped to run into each
other again some day.  Daimon paid for the instrument he had selected,
strode out of the shop, and he moved quickly down the street.  The boys
remained for a short while longer, looking at the different items on
display.  The youths departed the shop when they discovered that the thrill
of the place had died when Daimon left.  The pair meandered down the dusty
little street until they chose their next stopping point.

This next booth was even more to their liking, as they had discovered the
location of the castle's confectioner.  Suddenly recognizing the bonanza
that awaited them, the boys bolted through the entrance and up to the
counter, which was lined with jars of various treats.  There was rock
candy, taffy, maple sugar cubes, and other goodies they didn't recognize.
Their eyes darted from one treat to the next, until they found that
something special they were looking for, caramel covered apples.  Romaric
inquired about the price of these treats, planning to buy three and take
one to Kieren.  He was soon discouraged, however, when he learned that they
were a little short of funds to make this purchase.  He was explaining the
situation to Garreth, trying to decide whether to exclude Kieren from the
purchase or to select another item.  The shopkeeper overheard their dilemma
and announced that he would sell them three caramel covered apples for the
price of two.

Overjoyed at their good fortune, the pair secured their treats and thanked
the confectioner for his generosity.  They headed for the exit, but before
they left, they turned once more to thank their benefactor again.  Now they
strode out into the street, licking their lips in anticipation.  They
quickly debated about where they should head to find their friend, when
Kieren suddenly appeared.  He was walking behind a small group of women,
who were discussing their recent purchases, when he spied his soul mates
and moved in their direction.  Upon seeing his friend, Romaric thrust the
treat toward Kieren, explaining their good fortune.  They all began eating
their sweet delicacies, as they waited for Kieren to decide where they
would go next.

"It's time for us to head back to meet the others," Kieren informed them.
"I do not wish to be late and evoke Beraut's ire."  The pair agreed with
their friend's sage advice and they started to make their way toward the
main entrance of the Great Hall.

It was Kieren who soon disregarded his own advice, as he stopped at the
cobbler's shop to look at the wares.  There was a large variety of footwear
in evidence, as the cobbler silently stitched up another pair of boots.
The taller youth's attention was drawn toward a very soft looking pair of
deerskin boots draped across the counter.  This item immediately caught the
prince's fancy and he found that he desired to own this pair of boots more
than anything else he had ever wanted.  Kieren walked up to the shoemaker,
who was adeptly working at his trade, and the lad asked the price of the
footwear.  Upon learning the cost and securing a pledge from the shop owner
not sell them before they returned, the young man took his friends in tow
and raced off to find the wizard.  The trio raced past the remaining shops
and the servants' quarters, small two or three room apartments where the
servants and their families were housed, and they sped onward.  They flew
past the larger, more richly decorated buildings, which housed the lesser
officials of the court.  Finally, the boys reached their destination and
discovered Beraut, Dylan, and Daveel standing in front of the huge
building.  They were talking to a plump, rather short, balding man dressed
in fine silks.  Kieren inferred that he must be one of the city officials,
as he rushed toward his guardian.

The official was very animated during his conversation, doing a lot of
bowing and making many gestures with his arms as he talked with his three
visitors.  Beraut spied the boys' arrival, summoned Kieren to him, and he
introduced the boy to Nathar, Steward of Leander.  Nathar, the youth was
informed, was another in the long line of Stewards who had ruled Leander
since the murder of King Orthilue and his family.  The Steward, and his
successors, would continue in this role as head of state until the day a
new king returned to the castle.  During this intervening time, though, the
Stewards would rule the land and mete out justice in the king's stead.

Politely, Kieren shook hands with this important individual, and then he
tried discreetly to get Beraut's attention.  The sorcerer was becoming
annoyed with the young man's gestures and signals, so he interrupted the
discussion to determine the purpose of Kieren's shenanigans.

"Did you sit on an ant hill or is there something you desire?" questioned
the old man.

"If I might speak with you for a moment, sir.  I have a request to make of
you."

"Speak up.  What is it that you wish?"

Kieren explained to the wizard about his fabulous find.  He described, in
detail, the fine merits of the boots that were so soft that he could walk
forever and never get a blister.  The magician scowled, as the boy relayed
his tale, and he cut him off before the young man had finished.

"We have much more important business to attend to this evening.  We do not
have the luxury of worrying about purchasing an item of negligible worth.
It is time that you realized that individual cravings will have to be
ignored, so as not to jeopardize what we need to do."

Crushed by this harsh admonition in front of the gathering, Kieren slunk
into the background as the elders continued their conversation.
Eventually, Nathar led the party to the western side of the main building.
He informed them that this was where the quarters of the high officials and
guest chambers were located.  They were each shown to a room and given an
hour to freshen up and rest before they would be escorted to the Great
Hall.  In that ancient meeting room, the guests would enjoy a fine meal and
then begin the deliberations of the war council.

Kieren halfheartedly followed his host, still sulking over Beraut's rebuke.
As always, Garreth and Romaric walked by his side, futilely trying to share
their soul mate's misery and ease his shame.  Being unsuccessful in their
attempt, the boys finally parted company, as they were shown to their
temporary quarters.  Quietly, they each slipped inside their rooms to
examine the new wonders that awaited them within.

		*    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://www.teenboyauthors.org/thewolf, in the 'Other Stories' section.
E-mails may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.