Chapter 1
Entering Royal Service

Author's note:

This is a story of how Will, an English boy from landed gentry stock, becomes a page boy of the English king. In those days, a page such as Will served his king in many ways. Even sleeping with the king was not something that surprised him when he accepted the king's offer to join the royal service.

Historical background note:

Henry V (King Hal) ascended to the English throne on 20 March 1413. He was crowned on 9 April 1413. At the battle or Shrewsbury in 1403, the then-sixteen-year-old prince was almost killed by an arrow which became lodged in his face. The royal physician was able to, using honey to act as an antiseptic, craft a special tool to screw into the broken arrow shaft and thus extract the arrow without doing further damage. The operation was successful, but it left Henry with permanent scars which would serve as evidence of his experience in battle. (Source: Wikipedia).

Part One-

Anno Domini 1413 – Entering Royal Service

Somewhere in County Kent, England, Fall 1413

King Hal and his small hunting party had stayed out too long to make their way back to Leeds Castle while it was still light. While the castle was only five miles [8 km] southeast of the town of Maidstone, they had gone further to the south away from both the castle and the town while hunting. Now, they needed to find a place at which to spend the night. The king halted his small party under some large trees that bordered the crude trail that passed for a road in the forested area where they had been hunting without escort.

Peter, the king's page, quickly dismounted from his own horse and hurried to position himself beside his master's horse. The king easily dismounted and handed the reins to the boy. King Hal smiled at the red-haired boy.

"Me thinks I saw a spring over beyond that large oak. See if thou canst water the horses there," he instructed his page. "Oh, and be sure that the dogs get some too," he added.

The king liked his page. Peter was what was called a 'ginger boy' from the fact that he had red, almost orange, hair. At 13, he stood about 5' 4" [1.60 m] tall and weighed about 9 and a half stone [133 lbs or 60 kg]. The boy's body was firm and muscular. His well-formed arms and legs were accentuated by the tight fit of his page's clothing, something that always reminded the king of what lay beneath.

Henry himself was considered almost a giant in his time. In an era when the average man was around 5' 6" [1.70 m], King Hal stood 6' 3" [1.90 m]. He literally towered over most of his subjects. He was slim of build with a ruddy complexion. His face was lean and clean shaven with a prominent and pointed nose. An arrow in the face at the Battle of Shrewsbury eight years earlier had almost cost him his life and had left him with scars that bore witness to his experience in battle. Even if he had not worn the crown these six months past, a man would think twice before crossing him.

As the king considered the desirability of having his page sleep at his feet (or perhaps closer), there was a rustling sound down the trail that indicated the approach of another rider. The king's hand, as well as those of the two men at arms who were serving as his guards, instinctively went to the pommels of their swords. One never knew what one might find on the road; even if he were the king, one could not be too careful.

Swords eased their way back into their scabbards as it become apparent that it was Sir Sean O'Faolein, a young Irish knight in the king's service, who approached. He was returning from scouting ahead to look for a place for the king's party to spend the night somewhere along the trail.

The young knight rode up to where the king stood and quickly dismounted.

"My king, good news. There is a small priory of Black Friars but a mile [1½ km] down this road. It appears to be a well-constructed stone structure that predates their order's use of the site. The prior offers us shelter for the night, if it pleases your majesty," reported Sir Sean.

"Thou wouldst recommend this priory then?" asked the king.

"Yes, my king. I doubt that we can find better in this area and the light is already fading," said the knight. "Though they be 'Domini canes' they seem like good men and true. As you ordered, I only told them that we are a hunting party from Leeds Castle with two knights and three retainers."

"Good work. I am tired and would prefer not to have the whole place straining to see me this night. Refer to me only as Sir Henry while we are there. Since we are only wearing plain hunting tunics and not our surcoats with our crests displayed, they need not know our true identities," instructed the king.

Note: In England and other countries, the Dominicans are referred to as Black Friars because of the black cloak that they wear over their white habits. Their identification as Dominicans gave rise to the pun that they were the 'Domini canes,' or Hounds of the Lord.

"If thou be satisfied, then let's be to it," replied the tired king. While he liked hunting, as did many men of his era, it could be exhausting work, particularly when one had been at it for the whole day with little success.

Turning in the direction of the horses, he shouted, "Peter, finish watering the animals. We need to be on the road."

Soon they were back on the trail that passed for a road through the forest. It was not long before the trees thinned, and soon they could see a stone structure in the distance set among well-tilled fields. Just before they reached the priory, they crossed a small but swift stream that ran to one side of the monastic complex. The bridge over the flow was truly ancient for its stones were blackened with age.

As they drew closer it was also apparent that the original one-story building was also very old. The weathered cut stone of its walls contrasted with the chapel at its side which was constructed of white fieldstone. On the other side was what could only be a two-story refectory and dormitory. It, too, was made of the same white fieldstone as the chapel. Some sheds and a barn completed this small monastic circle of buildings.

The five riders and their two dogs reached the small courtyard of the priory and halted before the two friars in their white habits and black cloaks who awaited their coming. One was old with a scraggly grey beard. He was stooped with age and carried a staff with which to steady himself. His tonsure was all but invisible as what hair he had was white and thin. The king could not guess his age, but knew that he must be the prior.

By way of contrast, the other friar was in his early middle age. He was tall with a ruddy complexion. Hal guessed that he would easily make 13 stone [182 lbs or 81 kg]. Even his habit could not conceal his muscular frame. A scar down one side of his face indicated to the king that this friar had once seen battle before finding the church.

"Dominus vobiscum. Welcome to the Priory of Aqua Vitae my good knights. You honour us with your presence," said the prior to the hunting party.

"Pax vobiscum," replied the king. "It is we who are honoured. I am Sir Henry and this is Sir Sean. The others are Mark and Liam, our retainers, and Peter, my page. We are only a small hunting party from Leeds Castle who have overstayed ourselves in the forest. It is good of you to share your hospitality for the night."

"I am Brother Luke, the prior here. This is Brother Timothy, the senior brother at Aqua Vitae. We are only a small priory, but we do have two empty cells that we can offer you for the night. Your men can stable your horses in our barn as we have empty stalls there. Food will be sent to them there. If you will follow Brother Timothy, he will show you where you will lodge."

"I would have my page accompany me, Prior Luke. However, I am sure that the barn will do well for my other retainers."

"As you wish, Sir Henry," replied the prior.

It was only a short walk to the cells where the king, Sir Sean, and Peter would spend the night. Both were small stone rooms about 8 ft [2½ m] wide by 10 feet [3 m] long. The weary men dropped their packs to the floor and eyed the large, clean pile of straw at one side of the room realizing that this was the bed.

"Good knights, we do have a special feature here at our humble priory that you will surely enjoy. This was once a Roman country house. The spring here is what gives the place its name of 'Aqua Vitae' meaning 'Living Water.' The brothers of our order who founded this priory two centuries ago found that the hypocaust still functions. Thus, we have a room where there is a small indoor pool of fresh water that can be heated well enough for bathing, even in cold weather. Prior Luke thought that thee might like to soak awhile before joining us for supper since thou must be weary from thy day in the field. That is why he went to see that the fire was lit while instructing me to see to thy needs. If thee wilt but follow me, I think that thee will be pleased well beyond what thee might otherwise have expected of our humble priory.

The king and Sir Sean looked at each other with surprise. While they both had learned a little of Roman ideas of civilization in their education and knew that the Romans had built large public baths, neither had ever seen a heated pool of water inside a building. Eagerly, they followed Brother Timothy to the priory's version of a Roman tepidarium or warm bath.

The candle lit, heated room that they entered was about 20 feet long by 10 feet wide [6 x 3 m]. The pool itself was probably 14 feet by 7 feet [4½ x 2 m] and no more than 3 feet [90 cm] deep. The dark beams of the ceiling supported what must have been a tile roof. All of this was a marvel to the king and his party in an age when indoor plumbing for all practical purposes did not exist. Indeed, at the time, this was most likely the only example of indoor plumbing in all of England.

Two ancient stone benches were on the pool deck which was largest at the end of the room where they had entered. A couple of pillows on the benches, wicker baskets in the corners of the room, and two candle stands completed the sparse furnishings. However, it was the warm tepid air which was both welcome and at the same time strange to the men.

"This room was being used as a place in which to store hay when the brothers of my order purchased this place two centuries ago. From hollow sounds beneath a then wooden floor, they decided to investigate what was under there. They were pleasantly surprised to discover this pool beneath the flooring," said the Dominican. "The water comes from the stream that thou passed outside. The water enters at one end of the pool and out at the other end when we so desire."

"Sir Knight, thou canst leave thy clothes on the benches while thou takest the waters. Thou wilt find small pieces of soap made here at the priory and cloths with which to dry thyselves in the wicker baskets when thou art done."

"This is indeed a rare privilege for which I must extend our thanks to thy prior. Wilt thou not join us?" The king asked Brother Timothy.

"While nothing would please me more, I must see to my brothers. We have a small school for some of the local boys located here in the priory. I will send one of them to assist thee," replied the big friar.

King Hal walked over the nearest bench. As he breathed in the warm, moist air, he pulled his tunic over his head and let it drop. Peter rushed around to assist his master; his eyes still wide with the strange sight around him. The king then pulled his shirt over his head and handed it to the boy who gathered it up along with his tunic and carefully deposited them on the bench. The king sat down on the other end of the bench while Peter got down on the floor on his knees to help with removing the king's boots. Suddenly, the boy's eyes widened.

"What's the matter, boy?" asked the king with concern in his voice.

"Master, the stone of the floor, it is warm to the touch," replied Peter with an amazed look on his young face.

"Yes, I would expect it so," said the king. "A hypocaust is like a chimney flue only it runs under a floor and heats what it passes through, or so my tutor taught me when I studied history," explained the king.

"Help me with my boots. I can get my hose. Then, strip off thy own clothes. Let us enjoy this luxury while we may."

Then, he turned to Sir Sean only to find that the Irish knight was ahead of him and already naked and waiting for the king to be the first to try the waters.

Sir Sean was a good-looking young man. He stood about 5 feet 8 inches [1.70 m] tall and weighed about 11 stone [155 lbs or 70 kg]. He was muscular in build and in good shape from all of his military training. His hair was dark brown and cut short. Though clean shaven, his chest was somewhat hairy with hair that continued in a trail down his stomach and into his pubic hair.

The king dropped his hose and stood there equally naked. He looked at Sean and remembered his body from the days when he was his page before he became a squire and then a knight. The strength of their relationship and the loyalty that it inspired had kept him at Hal's side even when he might have returned to his native Ireland.

The king turned his head to see Peter stripping off the last of his clothes. At thirteen years of age, by any standard, Peter was a good-looking boy. At 5' 4" [1.70 m], in his era, he was considered of average height for his age. He weighed about 8 and a half stone [120 lbs or 55 kg]. His time in the king's service had tightened and toned his naturally muscular young body. His arms, chest, and legs were particularly well defined. His flaccid three inch [7½ cm] penis and hanging ball-sac were topped by a patch of pubic hair that was almost orange in color and matched the hair on his head. Like a lot of truly redheaded people, his skin was almost alabaster white with only traces of freckles for pigmentation.

Peter walked naked to the nearest basket and took out a small piece of homemade soap and turned back toward the pool. As always, the king thought to himself how much the boy reminded him of a statue from some ancient era.

Then, the two naked men and the boy slowly walked down the steps at the end of the pool and into the warm water. They could hardly believe the luxury that they were enjoying at this otherwise humble priory in the English countryside.

"Peter, perhaps thou couldst help wash Sir Sean as thou doest when we have occasion to bathe at the castle?" suggested the king. "I think that I will enjoy soaking for a bit and just watching the two of thee."

"Here," said Sir Sean as he rested himself on the underwater stone bench at one side of the pool, "thou canst help me find those places that I canst not reach."

The knight reached up and took the boy by the arm, carefully guiding him closer to him as he took the soap from his hand. Then he slowly turned the boy around in the water so that the boy had his back to the seated knight. Peter did not realize that Sir Sean was now becoming erect behind him until he felt the knight's two hands press on his abdomen with the wet soap resulting in the boy being pulled closer to the young knight. Almost casually, the man's hard penis caressed his naked rear causing him to tense his body. The man's hands continued to move slowly over the boy's bare flesh with the soap. Sean watched knowingly as the boy let out a sigh. He could see the youth's penis growing among its orange nest of pubic hair. There was a muffled moan from the boy as Sir Sean's fingers strayed up his body to his left nipple. The knight tweaked the nipple gently causing both of them to instantly harden. Then he circled them in turn with a wet finger brushing the tips gently. Peter was now breathing hard in response to the knight's caresses and could feel his own erect penis throbbing in anticipation of what might come next.

"Sir Knight," stammered the page, "this water makes me hard."

Both the king and the knight smiled and looked down at the boy's now rock-hard four and a half inch [11 cm] erection that lay just below the surface of the warm pool of water. "So it would seem," responded the knight softly.

A moment of silence passed as the king and the knight looked at each other knowingly. Then Sean added, "Relax, my lad. Thou knowest that no one here minds."

Suddenly, there was a rattling sound at the door to the tepidarium and it slowly opened to reveal a young boy of about eleven years of age. The lad entered the room and closed the door behind him and then carefully slipped a crossbar into place effectively locking the door from the inside.

Both of the men and Peter had moved around quickly in the water to conceal what they were doing. When they saw that it was only a boy and that he had carefully locked the door, they began to relax.

"Sir Knights, I am Will of Huntsmoor, a student here at the priory school. Brother Timothy said that the two of you might need assistance here in the bath. May I be of service?" explained the boy.

"Pull off thy tunic and join us," replied the king. "We can indeed use a second boy to help us in this wonderful bath."

Will walked over to the nearest bench and pulled his tunic off over his head. He then turned and stood there naked facing the equally naked two men and their page already in the pool of warm water.

At eleven years of age, Will stood about 5' 3" [1.60 m] and weighed 8 stone [112 lbs or 50 kg]. His body was naturally muscular. For one so young, he looked more masculine than boyish. Yet at that age he was still completely hairless below the chestnut colored locks that crowned his head. When he moved, the muscles of his arms, chest, and legs rippled below a smooth, lightly tanned surface. His flaccid three inch [7½ cm] penis was large for his age but it was his perfectly rounded butt that caught the attention of the two men in the water. Their erections had not subsided from their dalliance with Peter and the sight of another naked young boy with a good body was keeping them that way.

"Come closer, boy," said the king. "I would have thee aid me with my bath."

Without hesitation Will walked over to where the king sat in the water and came down the stone steps to join him.

"Sir knights, may I speak freely?" asked the boy.

"Surely," said the king.

"You must indeed be honoured guests since I have never before heard of any of the boys assisting other guests of the prior in the bath. We boys regularly help the brothers of the priory with their baths so I have seen other men in their natural state. However, I see that thou hast hair around thy privy parts. None of the brothers has any hair down there. They take care to shave it off saying that it serves to remind them that they are all to live a pure life and not give in to the calls of the flesh."

"Really," said the king, "and what thinkest thou of this rule, Master Will of Huntsmoor?"

"Sir Knight, I am too young to have an opinion and must take direction from those older and wiser than me like thyself," responded the boy diplomatically.

"Well said, Master Will," replied the slightly amused king. "Now assist me with my bath and we can discuss it further."

The boy moved over closer to the king and, taking a small piece of soap, started to rub the man's chest and shoulders as he stood in front of him. As he did so, the boy's penis brushed the thigh of the king and remained there as he worked to clean the man's body.

It was now the king's turn to sigh as he felt the boy's young manhood rub against him. His own penis slowly enlarged until it was fully erect. Looking down, the boy's eyes were wide. Distracted, he suddenly dropped the soap in the water. "Forgive me Sir Knight; I have not seen a man like this before, only some of the older boys in our sleeping quarters when the candles have been put out for the night."

"Reach down and see if thou canst find the soap," instructed the king.

The boy looked around and saw the piece of soap on the bottom of the pool. He knelt down on his knees in the water and tried to retrieve it. As he did so, his mouth was only inches from the king's now fully erect penis from which his eyes did not stray as his hand fumbled for the soap.

"Hast thou also serviced the brothers of this priory with thy mouth?" asked the king.

Will blushed as he responded, "Now and then, when only one of the brothers and I have been here and he has asked me to do so, Sir Knight."

"Then perhaps Peter, my page, and thee would like to get to know one another better since the two of you must be in need of release."

Will needed no further urging from either man. Slowly he shifted his gaze from the king to his page. Then he reached out his hand and touched Peter on the chest. Slowly, he ran his wet hand down the older boy's belly toward the orange pubic hair that was both strange and yet fascinating to the younger boy.

Peter still had his back to Sir Sean whose hard penis was now rubbing against his young back as his hands continued to fondle the boy's nipples. Now with the hand of another youth exploring his body, Peter was close to orgasm. His rock-hard penis was just below Will's hand inviting his attention. Then, slowly, Will's hand circled the older boy's organ and began a slow sliding motion up and down the shaft. Peter's eyes were glazed as he stood there enjoying the ministrations of both the man and the boy. Only a soft moan from him broke the silence of the room. Then his moans grew louder and closer together. His body became rigid as he reached orgasm. Even for a boy of his age, it was impressive to see his organ shoot cum a foot [30 cm] or more across the surface of the pool.

Unbeknownst to Will, Peter had climaxed in front of both the king and the knight many times before. Although they enjoyed sex with their page boys, in reality they were more voyeurs than anything else.

Looking at the still fascinated Will, the king said, "Perhaps Peter can return the favor by pleasuring thee."

Peter slowly regained his composure. He shook his head and then reached out and circled Will's wet, naked upper body with his left arm. He turned Will so that the two of them faced the king with himself behind the younger boy. The way that he positioned himself, his body was up against the younger boy's back and his own penis was between Will's legs rubbing his young firm butt.

Now it was Will's turn to become aroused. With his free right arm, Peter lowered his hand and began to stroke Will's fully erect 4 inch [10 cm] penis. The younger boy gasped as Peter's skilled hand did its magic. The muscles of his chest and abdomen visibly tightened and his nipples became like little hard knobs. He began to moan softly with half-closed eyes as his body reacted to Peter's attention to his young manhood. The older boy slowly stroked Will's penis with a practiced hand as the two men watched. Then the younger boy's body tensed and his breathing became laboured. He started to pant as he approached orgasm. Then, suddenly, Will arched his back and shuddered as he had what was for him his first true orgasm. The boy shook and twitched in an ecstasy he had never known before. Even if it was a dry orgasm, what he felt was something wonderful and left him wanting more.

"Both of you boys perform well," said the king. "Master Will, come thee to me and show me what thou doest in private for the brothers of this priory."

Hesitantly, Will moved through the warm water of the small pool until he was at the side of the king's bare thigh. Showing no concern for the fact that another boy and a man were watching, the naked boy pressed his now half-erect penis against the man and reached out and took the king's fully erect member in his hand. He then began a slow, circular motion up and down its shaft. In short order, the king was moaning softly. At that point, Will bent over and took the man's throbbing penis in his young mouth and sucked it in a way that revealed his obvious experience at pleasuring a man with his mouth.

Not to be outdone, Peter turned his own attentions toward Sir Sean's rigid penis. His hand circled the knight's organ and began to slide up and down its wet slick surface. There was a low moaning sound from deep within the man's throat as the boy continued to massage his manhood. When Peter saw Will start to suck the king's penis, he too began to suck Sean's throbbing member.

The king became rigid in the warm water of the pool. His breathing was laboured and sweat shown on his face and chest. Then, he too reached orgasm. Will continued to suck on the pulsating organ and swallowed as much of the king's cum as he could manage. When he finally released the spent source of the king's manhood, the boy looked the king in the face and smiled slyly as cum dripped down his chin. Obviously, he had done this before.

The king looked over at Peter and Sir Sean just as the knight climaxed. He caught Peter's gaze looking at him and they exchanged sly smiles.

Then turning back to Will who was still licking his penis, he said, "Thou art indeed skilled at thy craft, young Will. Thou wert well taught. Whenst did thou learn thy skill with a man?" inquired the king.

"My mother died in childbirth with my younger brother. My father needed release but did not want to remarry. In time my brother and I, as well as an older son of one of the crofters, learned how to pleasure our father," answered the boy.

Changing the subject, Will asked, "Sir Knight, art thou hungry? The priory cook was making a barley stew whenst last I passed his kitchen. As guests, it does not matter that thou wert not present at the start of the supper hour in the refectory."

"Yes, I am hungry, boy. Let us dry ourselves and see if we can get some of that barley stew," said the king.

The two naked men and the boys slowly walked up the steps from the pool of warm water, reluctant to leave the only real hot bath that they had ever known. The boys scampered around them and quickly took the folded cloths from the wicker baskets. Still naked and dripping themselves, they nevertheless began to dry the two men. As soon as they were dry, they dried themselves and then helped them to dress before dressing themselves.

Both the king and Sir Sean looked at the two muscular, naked boys drying first them, and then themselves, and silently wished that there was some way that they could justify keeping page boys naked while they served at court.

When they opened the door to the tepidarium, they were the perfect model of decorum. Two knights and two boys, one a page and the other a student of the priory school, walked across the yard to the refectory where Brother Timothy greeted them warmly before offering them steaming bowls of the barley stew. No one could have guessed that only moments before, the pleasures of the flesh had been their pursuit.

County Kent, England, the next morning, Fall 1413

The king slept soundly that night. The straw pallet in his small room was surprisingly comfortable and after their session in the tepidarium, sleep had come easily. When he awakened the next morning, he was naked but wrapped in the warm blanket that he carried in his saddle bags. He found Peter equally naked across from him on a blanket on his own pallet of straw. The king reached over and shook the boy. When he looked up to see the king looking him in the face, the startled boy jumped up from his pallet stammering, "Master, have I overslept? I beg thy forgiveness."

Looking down, the king saw that his just-awakened, naked page's penis was rock hard. For a moment, the king thought about having a morning pleasure session with him, but realizing that they needed to be on the road back to Leeds Castle, he turned his attentions to the business of the day.

"No, that is not it. I did, however, hear the cock crow. I will dress myself. I want thee to go and find the Prior, Brother Luke. Do not reveal my true rank, but only say that I would like to speak with him privately. Ask him where I might meet him so that we can do so. Go and do as I command," spoke the king, for the first time since arriving at the priory using his royal prerogative.

The command was not lost on the young page who responded, "Yes, your majesty," as he hurried to dress himself and go find the Prior.

In what seemed like only moments, the boy was gone to carry out his errand. The king then went out in the hallway and found the room where Sir Sean had spent the night. The Irish knight was already dressing as he entered his chamber.

"Sir Sean," said the king, "I would that thou wouldst join me in meeting with the Prior. I would like to see if young Will might be available to join us as a page."

"At once, your majesty," said the knight as he finished pulling on his boots. "From what we saw last evening, young Will would indeed make a good page. Let us hope that he is available for thy service."

"Bring thy surcoat, but turn it so that thy crest is hidden and I will do the same. I would like to see what the Prior thinks of Will joining my service before I reveal my true identity," instructed the king.

As they finished speaking Peter returned from his meeting with the Prior.

"Sire, the Prior asks that you join him in his study. I will lead you there, if you are ready to meet with him," reported the page.

"Then let us be off to see the Prior," said the king.

The two men then followed the boy across the courtyard and into the adjacent building. Turning down the hall, they reached a large oaken door marked with a cross. Out of habit, Peter knocked on the heavy door.

"Enter, my sons," came the voice from within.

When they entered the prior's study, they found him sitting behind a trestle table. On its surface was a large candle lighting an open parchment scroll. It was apparent that he had been reading, most likely from one of the Gospels.

"Ah, our visitors are up and about. I hope that thou hast had a pleasant stay with us here at our humble monastery."

"Yes, good prior, indeed we have," said the king with sincerity in his voice. Then taking a few silver pieces from the bag at his waist, he laid them on the table and added, "Allow us to contribute these coins to thy treasury as thanks for our accommodations. It is the least that we can do for the monastery."

"It is good of you to do so, my son," replied the prior.

"Before we leave, there is a matter that I would like to discuss with you good prior. The boy who attended us last night, Will of Huntsmoor was his name, would it be possible for me to offer him a place in my service as a page?" asked the king.

"That is very kind of you, sir knight," said the prior with a quizzical look on his face. "Why is it that thou wouldst make such a gracious offer since thou hast just known the boy for only one day?"

"I understand from Brother Timothy that Will is an orphan now that his father and brother have died. He seems to be a bright lad who knows how to serve someone like me. In an act of charity, I would like to help him see what he can make of himself," replied the king.

"I am not sure. This seems to have occurred rather hastily," said the reluctant prior.

"I assure you that my offer is genuine, good prior. However, I respect you for being cautious. Let me make myself properly known to you and I am sure that you will see that my offer has merit," said the king.

As he said this, the king undid the ties that held his blank surcoat on the sides. Once free, he slowly slipped it over his head and turned away from the prior. Holding the surcoat in his hands, he reversed the garment, put it back on, and retied the sides. Then, turning back to the prior, he stood there with the three golden lions on a red field quartered with the three golden lilies of France on blue covering his chest. The prior gasped and went to his knees. There was not a man in all of England that did not know the crest of the king.

"Your majesty, thou hast indeed honoured us with thy presence at our humble monastery. I meant no disrespect in questioning thee about taking young Will of Huntsmoor as a page. Of course, I am sure that he would be happy to enter thy service. Let me fetch him for thee," stammered the visibly shaken prior.

"I will only take him if he himself wants to be my page. I force no one into my service," said the king forcefully.

"Yes, your majesty," sputtered the prior. Then he rang a small bell that was resting on his desk. In a moment, there was a knock at the door of the prior's study.

"Enter," commanded the prior.

The door opened to reveal Brother Timothy. He, too, was startled to see the man that he thought was but a knight standing there wearing the crest of the King of England on his surcoat.

"Brother Timothy, go and fetch Master Will. The King would speak with him."

It seemed like only a moment before Brother Timothy returned with a befuddled Will. The boy was somewhat dishevelled and a couple of straws were still stuck in his hair from where he had been working in the stables. Seeing the prior and what he only knew as two guest knights standing there in the prior's study, his first thoughts were that he had done something wrong. In his youthful ignorance, he did not recognize the crest on the king's surcoat.

The prior was the first to speak, "Will, do you recognize the crest on our guest's surcoat?"

"No, brother prior, I do not," stammered the boy.

"I will take things from here, good prior," commanded the king.

Turning back to the boy, he said kindly, "Will, I would like to offer you a place in my service as a page. Peter, the boy that thou met last evening is soon to become a squire and I will need a new page. Thou wouldst continue to study reading, writing, and mathematics. However, thy main duties would include running messages, serving me, cleaning my quarters, and, above all, learning the basics of combat. I in turn promise that I, as thy lord, will treat thee fairly but thou wilt go through intensive training that may, one day, lead to thee becoming a knight. Wouldst thee find my offer something in which thou hast interest?"

With tears forming in his eyes, Will struggled not to cry. "Yes, sir knight, I would happily follow and serve thee. I cannot see myself as a monk and the only alternative for me would be the road since my father lost our home due to his debts. I swear to serve thee faithfully as long as you find me worthy of thy service."

The boy hurried forward and knelt and kissed the hand of his new master.

Sir Sean then stepped forward, "Know thee, then, thy master's true rank. You are addressing the king. Thou hast sworn to serve Henry V, King of England."

Will was wide-eyed in both fear and amazement. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever thought to have such an honour. Then the tears began to fall from his eyes as sobs racked his young frame.

Off to a New Life

Within the hour, the king and his party bid the prior and the assembled monks goodbye and started down the dirt road that led in the direction of Leeds Castle and a return to royal court life.

Will rode behind the king on his horse followed by the rest of the small party. A new life beckoned. He as yet did not know what it might include, but privately he knew that last night's adventures in the pool had only been a taste of things to come. Various ways in which he could pleasure and please the king crossed his mind as they rode north towards the castle. It was indeed a beautiful morning.

The End of the Beginning

Historical Note:

In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire. A young boy served as a page for about seven years, running messages, serving, cleaning, and even learning the basics of combat, and the lord he was working for would usually treat him fairly but they went through intensive training. The lord sometimes gave the page private combat training from the age of seven until he was fourteen. At age fourteen, he could graduate to become a squire, and by age 21, perhaps a knight himself. Similar pages served in castles and great houses, fetching things and running messages for aristocrats and royalty. These boys were often the scions of other great families who were sent to learn the ways of the manorial system by observation. Their residence in the house served as a goodwill gesture between the two families involved and helped them gain political contacts for their adult lives. A reference to this kind of page is found in the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslaus: "Hither, page, and stand by me, if thou know'st it, telling…" Source: Wikipedia.

Chapter 2
Life as a Page

Will, an English boy from landed gentry stock, has now become a page boy of the English king. Serving his king as a page can mean many things. A case of honour finds a nude wrestling match between pages to be a way to settle the score for those unable to act in their own right.

Continuing characters include: Will, the king's page (12yo); King Hal / Henry V of England (28yo); Peter, the king's senior page (14yo); Sir Sean O'Faolein, an Irish knight (24yo); and introducing Ulrich, Graf von Ruppen, the Emperor's ambassador in England (about 50yo); Gerhard, his page (15yo), and various other members and retainers of the court.

Historical background note:

Henry V (King Hal) ascended to the English throne on 20 March 1413. He was crowned on 9 April 1413. However, he remained unmarried until 1420.

Anno Domini 1414 – Life as a Page

A Stormy Night, the Palace of Westminster, London, England, Fall 1414

Will woke with a start as lightning struck close to the palace followed by an unusually loud clap of thunder. The storm seemed to be stronger than most and showed no signs of letting up any time soon. The rain continued to beat against the glass of the small windows in the king's chamber as the boy struggled to find a comfortable position on his pallet. Will pulled his blanket close around his shoulders. This was one time that he wished that King Hal was not so fond of sleeping naked and having his page boys also sleep naked in his chamber.

Across from him on the other pallet on the stone floor, Peter, the king's other page, "of the chamber" as it was called, slept soundly. Will had come to learn that Peter was a sound sleeper who often had to be shaken when the king called for one of them to attend to his needs. Will and Peter had quickly become fast friends in the king's service.

Peter's hair was almost orange in color. It had not changed from that day a year ago when Will first met him in the tepidarium of the Priory of Aqua Vitae down in Kent. Among the men and women of King Hal's court, it was what was commonly called, "ginger" colored. Now 14, Peter stood about 5' 8" [1.70 m] tall and weighed about 11 stone [155 lbs / 70 kg]. From all of the martial training that the pages received, Peter's body was firm and muscular. For a boy of his age, his well-formed arms and legs were particularly impressive and were the first thing that one noticed about the boy.

However, to Will, Peter was just a friend. He was someone with whom Will could share confidences as well as enjoy the pleasures of the flesh when the opportunity presented itself, as it often did in the service of King Hal.

At twelve years of age, Will now stood about 5' 5" [1.60 m] and weighed 9 and a half stone [135 lbs or 60 kg]. Like Peter, his body was naturally muscular. Although he looked more masculine than boyish, he had only recently begun to experience puberty as evidenced by the fringe of dark hair that now grew above his penis. Secretly, he knew that his flaccid three and a half inch [9 cm] penis was as large as that of Peter who was almost two years older than him. Nevertheless, due to the tight-fitting hose that the boys wore, it was his perfectly rounded butt that caught the attention of men and women alike

Peter stirred on his pallet and pulled his blanket closer to his chin. Just then, another bolt of lightning hit somewhere near the palace followed by an equally loud clap of thunder. Instantly, Peter's eyes went wide trying to remember where he was and what was happening. Will quickly put one hand over his friend's mouth and put the index finger of his other hand to his lips. Then he whispered, "Quiet, or thou wilt wake the king."

Peter looked up and realized that he was in the king's chamber and that it was just a storm that raged outside the palace windows and not an ambush in a camp in the field. He nodded to his friend and Will slowly removed his hand from Peter's mouth.

"How long has it been storming?" Peter asked in a whispered voice.

"I would guess for at least an hour. I have been awake almost that long," responded Will in an equally muted voice.

"Hast thou stirred the fire?" questioned Peter.

"Not yet. I was just getting ready to do that when thou wert awakened by the storm," answered Will.

"Then we had better do it before the king awakens," Peter answered. With that he stretched extending his muscular arms over his head. He shook his head to clear away any remaining traces of sleep and then stood up. The muscular boy then slowly walked naked to the fireplace where the embers were still glowing from when they had left the fire burning when they went to sleep the night before. Will could not help but notice how much Peter looked like one of the Greek and Roman statues pictured in the book that Brother Luke used to teach world history to the pages. The glow from the fire threw shadows on the boy's naked body emphasizing his well-defined musculature. As he watched his friend at work stoking the fire, Will felt his penis harden. The fact that Peter was obviously half-hard also contributed to his feelings that sex with his friend would be a nice way to ride out the storm.

Peter finished stoking the fire. Then, he tiptoed over to the massive oak tester bed where King Hal continued to sleep soundly. Seeing that the king was sound asleep, he hurried back to the pallets on the stone floor where Will still sat now uncovered by the blanket. Seeing that Will's penis was hard, Peter sat down on the pallet beside him and reached over, encircling his friend's firm shaft with his hand.

"Perhaps thou wouldst take things in hand?" questioned the red-haired page.

"Perhaps thou wouldst take things in thy mouth?" responded Will now smiling at his friend and fellow page.

Peter moved closer to his friend and circled his shoulders with his other arm pulling Will close to him. The two boys turned to each other and their lips met in a warm kiss. Will's left hand strayed to his friend's right nipple and slowly circled it with his thumb and forefinger as it hardened under his gentle touch.

Both boys were now fully aroused. Their penises were rock hard as they continued to stroke each other. Their kiss had expanded to include exploring each other's mouth with their tongues.

Just as they were about to give serious attention to each other's boyhood, there was a moan from the king's bed. Then there was the sound of a man stretching.

"What are you two doing down there, as if I don't know?" asked the king mockingly. "The both of you come here and get into bed with me," he commanded.

Sheepishly, the two pages stood up with their hard penises giving mute testimony to the fact that they had been engaged in sex play. For a moment they stood there in the firelight at the foot of the king's bed with the shadows from the fire playing off their nude muscular bodies. The king looked from one to another admiring the boy flesh at his disposal. Then, they both laughed and jumped onto the king's bed. For a page, serving the king involved many things.

An Affair of Honour

By morning, the storm had beaten itself out leaving everything wet and glistening in the sun as it broke through the remaining clouds. It was going to be one of those lovely Fall days that are so rare in England.

Peter hurried along the corridor of the palace to the quarters assigned to the king's aide-de-camp, Sir Sean O'Faolein. Fortunately, it was not far from the king's chambers. Knocking at the door, the page heard the knight's voice say, "Enter."

Opening the door carefully, the boy saw the young knight still naked sitting on the edge of his bed. Sir Sean was a good-looking young man. He stood about 5 feet 8 inches [1.70 m] tall and weighed about 11 stone [155 lbs / 70 kg]. He was muscular in build and in good shape from all of his military training. His wavy dark brown hair was cut short and complemented his clear complexion. His muscular upper body was covered in a light coat of dark chest hair while there was a pronounced trail from his navel to his dark brown pubic bush in which his four inch [10 cm] flaccid penis rested.

The fact that he was nude did not bother him at all in the presence of the king's page. Looking up at Peter, the knight said, "What canst I do for thee this fine morning, my lad?"

"Sir knight, the king asks that thou join him in his chambers," said the boy.

The naked knight stood up facing the boy and said, "Help me to dress and I will attend the king."

In short order, Sir Sean had dressed in his surcoat, hose, and boots. Peter and he quickly left the knight's quarters and headed for the king's chambers.

Then it happened.

Ulrich, Graf von Ruppen was the ambassador of the Holy Roman Emperor, Sigismund of Hungary, at the court of King Hal. The 'Graf', or count as he was called in English, was a man of about 50. While only 5 foot 6 [1.70 m], he liked both beer and eating well and often. He weighed a good 14 stone or more [200 lbs or 90 kg]. His face was ruddy, both from much time spent outdoors as well as from the amount of beer that he consumed. His hair had at one time been reddish brown but what remained of it was now mainly that yellow-white that so often results as red-haired people age. He had a large drooping moustache that made him always appear to be frowning no matter what was happening around him. While no one at court would say it within his hearing, he had a noticeable pot belly that had gotten bigger during his stay in England.

It was rumoured that the count treated Gerhard, his page, badly and was known to beat the boy from time to time. Both Count Ruppen and Gerhard were Swabians from the Schwarzwald or 'Black Forest' region of Germany. Gerhard was somehow distantly related to Count Ruppen, or so the story went.

Gerhard was fifteen and stood about 5 foot 9 [1.80 m]. He was one of those stocky but muscular boys that are typical among the Germans. When Peter and Will had first met him at court, they were impressed by his size guessing that he must have weighed 12 stone [168 lbs or 76 kg]. Gerhard's hair was dusty blond and somewhat curly. The English pages had once seen him naked in the stables washing himself after he fell in a pile of horse manure on which he had slipped. His arms and chest were well-formed but it was his large penis which, at a flaccid six inches [15 cm], was most impressive to the English boys.

That particular morning, as Count Ruppen, with Gerhard at his side, hurried down the hall in the direction of the king's chambers, Sir Sean and Will were hurrying down the cross hall that led from the knight's quarters. As fate would have it, the four of them collided where the two halls met. If either group had not been in a hurry, nothing would have happened. As it was, the collision sent the fat count sprawling on the stone floor. Sir Sean was thrown off balance and before he could right himself, he fell on top of the ambassador who was on his back floundering on the floor. The result was that Sir Sean knocked the breath out of the count when he fell on him. No one was really hurt but other courtiers passing in the hall had stopped to see what was happening. Seeing that no one was hurt, they started snickering at the scene before them. After all, it was not every day that the ambassador of a major power lay in a dishevelled heap on the floor with his chain of office twisted around his throat and smudges of dirt and dust on his brocaded fur edged coat with another man sprawled on top of him.

Gerhard rushed to help his master to his feet as Peter helped Sir Sean to his own feet. Seeing who it was, Sean took the initiative saying, "Count Ruppen, my apologies, I was hurrying to the king's chambers as he had sent for me and did not realize that thou wert coming from the other direction."

The count stood there, brushing dust from his fur trimmed coat. It was obvious that he was fuming but trying to control himself for the sake of appearances. After all, a good diplomat never lost his patience at the court of another ruler and the count was good at what he did. However, realizing that he had only collided with a knight and not an equal in rank, he wanted satisfaction for what he perceived as an insult to his dignity.

Dummkopf! [Idiot!] he muttered to himself and then said in heavily accented English, "Thou ought to have given some thought to what was happening in the hall when thou hurried to your king's side."

It was obvious to Sir Sean and Peter that there was acid in the ambassador's voice.

"Again, all I can say is that I apologize for my actions," responded the knight with a slight bow to the count.

The count replied, "I feel that I am due satisfaction but we are not of equal station and more so I would not wish to do anything that would damage relations between our two sovereigns. Let me think on this and I will send word to you later in the day. For now, thou ought continue to your king's side, although with less speed, for the safety of all in the palace I would think."

The Challenge

Later that morning the count sent Gerhard with a written message for Sir Sean. The count's page found the knight in the anteroom of the king's chambers with Peter and Will discussing a chore that the king had in mind for the English boys.

The knight took the letter from the page, broke the waxen seal and read it. Then with a worried look on his face, he said to the German boy, "Doest thou knowest what thy master proposes to settle his perceived debt of honour?"

"Yes, sir knight. He told me how he would have this mattered settled," responded the page in German-accented English.

In the note that he had sent to the knight, the ambassador suggested an unusual way to settle the debt of honour. Since there was no way that the two of them could personally do anything to settle the affair themselves, the count proposed an alternative. Let the two-pages represent their masters and fight it out with the winner determining who was in the right.

"Tell me truly my lad. We are alone here. What thinkest thou of this?"

"Sir knight, I am bound to do my master's bidding. I bear no grudge against Peter, your page. However, if I must fight, then I must do my best for my own honour," said Gerhard, looking sheepishly at the floor as he spoke.

"Thy master does not realize that Peter is the king's page and not mine. I cannot order him to fight thee. Furthermore, even if he volunteered to fight, he could not explain his cuts and bruises to the king's satisfaction," answered the knight with an exasperated look on his young face.

Both Peter and Will stood there wide-eyed listening to the conversation between the knight and the German boy. Like Sir Sean, they had trouble believing that the count would carry an accident in which no one was actually injured to this extent.

Sean was indeed amazed that the count would not let their accident of that morning pass without 'satisfaction'. He looked from Gerhard to Peter and shook his head not sure of how to proceed. Turning to Peter he said, "The count wants Gerhard and thee to fight to settle his perceived feeling of being wronged when we collided in the hall. How doest thou feel about fighting Gerhard? After all, thou art not actually my page but the king's."

"As thou sayest, Sir Sean, I would gladly fight Gerhard as thy champion, but the king would know that I had done so," volunteered Peter.

Then Will had an idea. "Sir Sean, perhaps the solution is to have a wrestling match instead of a fight. Neither Peter nor Gerhard will come away with marks on their faces and this could still be settled. Of course, the count would have to agree to this change in things."

The knight and all three of the pages realized that this was the best solution. Gerhard was instructed to go back to the count with an acceptance of the use of substitutes for themselves provided it was a wrestling match and not a fight.

Within the hour, Gerhard reported back that the count had accepted the substitution of a wrestling match for a fight. This would take place in the stables of the palace that evening.

The Match

The match had been scheduled for early evening. In the palace stables, at the request of Sir Sean, the king's stable hands had swept the dirt floor as clean as possible and scattered fresh straw on the ground so that it was prepared for wrestling. Brother Luke, the pages' tutor, had been recruited to be the referee for the coming match. Although he had been a churchman for 40 years, in his youth he had been a good wrestler in his own right. Then too, Count Ruppen could hardly accuse the lean wiry churchman of being biased without creating a scene which was the very thing that he was trying to avoid.

Sir Sean and the page boys arrived first in the stables. Brother Luke looked from one to the other of the teenaged boys and then announced, "God be with the both of you. Do your best, but do nothing to injure the other. No biting, no gouging, and no kicking in thy privee parts, those are the rules."

The two boys faced each other and began to take off their clothes until they faced each other in nothing but their tight-fitting hose. The two began limbering up while trying to intimidate each other with the looks on their faces that were designed to project toughness. The upper bodies of both Peter and Gerhard were muscular and toned from their military training. Both had well-developed biceps and pectoral muscles. Their abs were also well defined. Whichever one of them won the match, it would not be an easy victory. However, while Gerhard was only an inch taller than Peter, he outweighed the English boy by a full stone [14 lbs / 6 kg].

Sir Sean heard the stable door open and saw Count Ruppen enter accompanied by two other ambassadors from the royal court. Under his breath the knight swore softly to himself saying Le bâtard a apporté des témoins de cet événement. [The bastard has brought witnesses to this event.]

Nevertheless, he walked over to the count, bowed politely, and then said, "Is there nothing that I can do or say that will dissuade thee from having this contest?"

Looking disdainfully at the Irish knight, the count replied, "I only ask for satisfaction. This seems to be the best way to obtain it without offending thy sovereign."

Suddenly a strong level voice rang out saying, "We believe that we are the best judge of what offends us."

All in the stable turned in the direction of the voice and were stunned to see the king standing there in his formal surcoat with the gold lions of England on a red field quartered with the gold lilies of France on a blue field. The English men and boys went to one knee and bowed their heads while the ambassadors bowed low to the king.

"Arise and hear me," said the king. "As I understand it, this is an affair of honour for which these pages each represent their masters. We are all civilized men here this evening. I think that this should be a contest like those of ancient Rome. So that neither side can claim an undue advantage, I propose that the boys wrestle naked covered with oil as they once did in the days of Rome. What say you two to that?"

Count Ruppen had not expected this matter ever to reach the ears of the king. He stammered for a moment before replying, "If it pleases your majesty, then so be it. However, I must admit that I have never witnessed such a contest before."

"Then my good count, we are happy to contribute to thy education," laughed the king with a look in his eyes that only hinted at his true feelings.

Then turning to Sir Sean, he said, "Are you in agreement with Count Ruppen?"

"Sire, it is Count Ruppen who insists upon satisfaction. If it pleases your majesty, then I am happy to agree to your conditions for the contest."

With that, the king gestured to the two already half naked teenaged boys. "Strip thy hose." Then motioning to the two nearby stable hands he added, "Bring a couple of jugs of the oil that you use to wipe down the horses and oil down these two so that they are both well covered with oil."

Then turning back to the count and Sir Sean, he added, "I think that one fall should settle this. Do you gentlemen agree?" Both of the men bowed to the king indicating their acceptance of his conditions for the match.

Neither Gerhard nor Peter had expected to be wrestling naked before anyone much less the king. Both were embarrassed and red faced. They had no problem being naked in their quarters or around their masters. However, the idea of wrestling naked was not something that they expected to do before the king and these members of his court.

Peter did not know what kind of services Gerhard provided the count in his chambers, but he had never done anything quite like this for the king before. Slowly, they dropped their hose and stepped out of them. Each of the teens blushed as they did so, a fact that went unnoticed in the half-light of the stable. Then, they each shivered for a moment as they stood there now completely naked in the cool air of the stable.

Gerhard's larger size and especially large penis first caught the eye of the king and the other men. Then they looked at Peter with his orange-red pubic hair. Neither boy could do anything as they were minutely examined in their mutual nakedness by the eyes of the men in the stable. At that moment, if there had been a way to disappear into the ground, both boys would have willingly done so.

While the pages were stripping, Tom and Giles, the two young stable hands, had quickly run over to a supply cabinet on one wall and produced two earthen pottery jugs of oil. Then they motioned the two boys over to them where they proceeded to oil their naked bodies. This would make it much more difficult for each of them to hold the other in the coming match. Unfortunately, the oiling also caused the two boys to become aroused. Both Gerhard and Peter's penises started to get hard as the young stable hands rubbed their bodies down with the oil. By the time that they were finished, both of the teenagers were rock-hard.

The two boys took their positions at opposite corners of the cleared area in the middle of the stable and stood there glaring at each other. The half-light of the stable was provided only by lanterns hanging from the uprights that held up the roof of the stable. This dim light cast their naked bodies into shadows which emphasized their now oil-covered muscles. Only their breathing and the fact that they had pubic hair differentiated them from classical statues.

All of the men looked at the naked boys and felt a stirring in their groins. None had ever witnessed a sight like this before. Indeed, there would be something to talk about in the palace on the morrow.

Gerhard and Peter each assumed a crouching stance. Then Brother Luke raised his arm as a signal and dropped it as he said, "Begin" in a loud voice. The two naked oiled page boys slowly circled each other, sizing one another up. Both of the teens glared at each other as though they could somehow will the other into submission. Then, suddenly, Gerhard acted! With his left arm raised and his right lowered like he was going to grab Peter by the balls, Gerhard rushed at the English boy trying to throw him off balance and take him down. Peter stumbled trying to avoid being grabbed by the big German boy and was just a second too slow to sidestep the attack. Still off balance, Gerhard managed to get Peter in an arm lock and quickly used one leg to throw Peter to the ground. The resulting takedown found both of the naked, slippery boys on the dirt floor with Gerhard on top of Peter.

Brother Luke, acting as the referee, called out, "Takedown, Gerhard."

Although this left Gerhard in the better position, the oil on their bodies made it difficult for him to exploit his advantage. However, rolling around on the dirt floor of the stable caused the dirt to stick to the oil on their naked bodies thus limiting the slickness that the oil provided. This gave each boy more opportunity to hold onto the other. Somehow, Peter's struggling threw Gerhard off-balance just enough to roll him over and onto his side. In a flash the tables were turned and Peter was on top of Gerhard.

It was now that the German boy's greater weight came into play. Gerhard struggled against Peter and slowly but surely pushed him back using both of his muscular arms. Then, using strength that none of the men present knew that he had, Gerhard turned the tables and rolled Peter over. In only seconds, Gerhard was straddling Peter on the dirt floor.

The dirt and sweat and oil that covered both of the naked and struggling boys added to the erotic effect that the match was having on each of them. Pinned to the dirt floor of the stable, Gerhard's penis was pressed into Peter's belly while the English boy's penis was brushing against the German's butt crack. If a decision were not soon in coming, one or both of the boys would climax right there in front of the king and the ambassadors. However, once Gerhard had the English teen's well-oiled upper body spread-eagled on the floor, it was obvious that the more that he struggled, the more it was that his struggle was futile.

Peter struggled for another minute or so before succumbing to the inevitable. Finally, doing everything that he could think of to avoid it, he was forced to say, "Brother Luke, I yield." The whole match had only taken a few minutes.

The two naked, oily, and very dirty teenagers got up from the stable floor and bowed in the direction of King Hal. Then Gerhard looked up smiling slightly while Peter continued to look down at the ground seemingly ashamed of his loss.

"Well done, my lads. Here is a shilling for each of you that you might enjoy the rest of the evening once you have cleaned yourselves up. I know that you have earned it," said the king. He motioned to Will who stood at his side. The young English page then quickly ran over to where the two naked boys stood still panting from their exertions and handed each of them a coin from the king's purse.

The king turned to Count Ruppen and said, "I trust that thou wilt agree that thy honour has been satisfied. Thy page has beaten the page of Sir Sean in fair combat. Wilt thou not agree?"

The count bowed to the king and said, "Yes, your majesty. I do indeed agree."

"Then I would have thee and your colleagues come with me to my chambers. I have a good Madeira waiting that I would have thee try with me," said the king as he ushered the ambassadors in the direction of the stable door.

Once the king and the ambassadors had left, Sir Sean and the pages burst out laughing. They had pulled it off. Sir Sean had had no choice but to inform the king of Count Ruppen's demands for satisfaction. The king, the knight, and the three boys had then contrived to limit the match to one fall and let nature take its course knowing that nature favoured the big German boy. Thus it was that the king had arrived unexpectedly at the stable just in time to set the conditions for the wrestling match so as to limit both its duration and any injuries that might result to either boy. However, the king had not let either boy know about the naked part of the conditions lest they let the cat out of the bag beforehand.

Privately, to Sir Sean, the king had remarked that Count Ruppen was a 'Schweinhund' but perhaps we ought not translate that.

Tom and Giles had a large half-barrel of hot water waiting in the back of the stable for the two filthy boys. Gerhard and Peter got in slowly obviously enjoying the hot water. The barrel made it a little snug for the two teens but then again neither one minded having the other's penis brush against his own. It took no more than a minute or two for the two boys to have their hand around the other's hard penis. The stroking that followed did not take long. They climaxed together laughingly and then proceeded to wash themselves in the warm water. Such was the life of a page at the court of the king.

After all, diplomacy can indeed take many forms.

Chapter 3
A Delicate Matter

Will, an English boy from landed gentry stock, along with his new friend, Peter, serve the English king as pages. Serving the king as a page can mean many things. How you can help a friend when his master is abusing him without creating an international incident is only one challenge that they must face?

Returning with this chapter, we have: Will, the king's page (12yo); King Hal / Henry V of England (28yo); Peter, the king's senior page (14yo); Sir Sean O'Faolein, an Irish knight (24yo), Ulrich, Graf von Ruppen, the Emperor's ambassador in England (about 50yo); Gerhard, his page (15yo); and introduce Karl, the count's groom (about 32yo); and various other members and retainers of the court.

Historical background note:

Henry V (King Hal) ascended to the English throne on 20 March 1413. He was crowned on 9 April 1413. However, he remained unmarried until 1420.

Anno Domini 1414 – More Life as a Page

Early One Morning at the Palace of Westminster, London, England, Late in 1414

Will woke from a deep sleep. Peter's orange-red locks still rested on his shoulder. The dark-haired boy shook his head to clear away the last of the cobwebs in his brain. Memories of the fun that the two of them had shared the night before in this very bed flooded back into his head. At his side, his friend's heavy breathing indicated that he was still asleep. Will grinned as he remembered how soundly his friend (and sometime lover) slept. Slowly, being careful not to wake Peter, Will untangled himself from the other boy's embrace. Then, he sat up on the edge of the bed that they shared in their small room adjacent to the king's chamber. Only when King Hal was busy with affairs of state and they were not needed were they able to share this bed rather than sleep on a pallet at the foot of the king's bed.

Will stood up and again stretched his naked body. At twelve years of age, Will now stood about 5' 5" [1.60 m] and weighed 9 and a half stone [133 lbs or 60 kg]. His naturally muscular young body had been hardened by the hard work on his family's farm in Kent before joining the king's service. Since then, the daily exercise and work that were part of his daily routine as a royal page had contributed to further development. Although he looked more masculine than boyish, he had only recently begun to experience puberty as evidenced by the fringe of dark hair that now grew above his penis. From sleeping nude with his friend and their mutual sexual explorations, he knew that his flaccid three and a half inch [9 cm] penis was as large as that of his friend and fellow page, Peter, who was almost two years older than him. The pleasure of those sexual adventures crossed his mind as his friend stirred in his sleep pushing back the blanket on their bed so that much of his teenaged body was exposed to Will's view. Will found himself thinking of how Peter's body looked even more attractive in the full light of morning than it had the night before. His own penis stirred and slowly became erect as he remembered their evening of pleasure only hours earlier.

Peter stirred on the bed. Will thought that he must be having a dream about their night's adventures because the red-haired boy's penis was already becoming erect while he twitched slightly on the bed. Now 14, Peter stood about 5' 8" [1.70 m] tall and weighed 11 stone [154 lbs / 69 kg]. Like Will, Peter's body was firm and hard from all of the martial training that the pages received. Will looked at his still sleeping friend for what seemed like an eternity taking in his well-formed arms and legs and the slow rise and fall of his body with its impressive and well-defined abs.

Then Peter slowly opened his eyes and smiled at his naked friend, who was looking at him with scarcely disguised lust. Will smiled back and slowly walked back over to the bed. He reached out his hand and hesitantly ran it over Peter's bare leg and up his side until he reached his nipple. Then he took it between his thumb and forefinger and slowly circled it. Peter sighed and stretched slowly until his hand found Will's penis. Equally slowly, he circled the hard shaft and began a slow up and down motion with his hand.

The two boys moved closer in to one another and their lips met and slowly, playfully, brushed one another. Peter's strong arms pulled the younger Will to him. Then they kissed in a passionate way that found them exploring every part of their open mouths.

Then it happened. There came a slight, almost-scratching knock on the door of their room that opened to the hall. At first the boys thought that it was just their imagination as they both continued to fondle each other. Then they heard it again. This time it was more distinct. Peter was the first to break free and started to pull on his hose. Will sat up on the bed scratching his arm and looking somewhat lost. Again, they heard the faint scratching knock.

Peter, clad in only his hose, reached the door and looked back at Will who was rapidly covering his naked body with the blanket. Turning to the door, Peter said, "Who's there?"

There was a muffled sound on the other side of the door. Then faintly they made out, "It's Gerhard. Please let me in."

Abused and Beaten

Peter quickly unlocked the door and opened it for their friend, the page of Ulrich, Graf von Ruppen, ambassador of the Holy Roman Emperor at the court of the English king. What they saw shocked both of the English boys.

Gerhard was lying naked on the stone floor of the hallway. His back was bleeding from numerous cuts from a whip that had been used freely on the boy. As he lay there, it was plain that both blood and cum were oozing from his anus. Peter stooped to help his friend noticing the bruises on his wrists from where he had evidently been bound in some fashion. Looking Gerhard in the face, Peter could see that the German boy had numerous small cuts and bruises about the face and upper body. A trickle of blood extended from one corner of his mouth down to his chin where he had evidently been struck in the mouth. The boy's dusty blond hair was matted and there were places where the blood had dried from blows that he had received to his head. It was evident that he had been severely beaten and abused.

Gerhard was fifteen and stood about 5 foot 9 [1.80 m]. He was one of those stocky but muscular boys that are typical among the Germans. He weighed about 12 stone [170 lbs or 75 kg]. His arms and chest were well formed but it was his large penis which at a flaccid six inches [15 cm] was the most impressive part of his young body.

Over time, both Will and Peter had become friends with the big German boy. While it was rumoured that the 'Graf' or count (as he was known in English) treated Gerhard badly, this was the first time that they had actually seen anything that would indicate how far this treatment had gone.

Will had found his hose and leaped from the bed scrambling to get into them. Then he quickly ran to the door to help Peter half carry, half drag Gerhard into their room. Then he quickly but quietly closed and barred the door.

Wide eyed, they looked at their friend sprawled naked and bleeding on the floor and were not sure what to do. Peter swallowed hard and asked the half-conscious Gerhard, "Who did this to thee? Should I call the captain of the guard?"

Gerhard struggled to speak but managed to say, "It was the count. Please don't call the guard. It will result in nothing but more trouble."

Swallowing hard, Peter looked at Will and then back to Gerhard before responding. "This cannot go unreported. Such treatment is abuse. The king will not stand for it at his court. I will not call the guard, but I will call Sir Sean, the king's aide. He will know how best to handle this."

Gerhard struggled to rise, but couldn't. The last of his energy had gotten him to the door of his friends and shelter in their room. He looked up at Peter and Will and then his eyes clouded. Mercifully, unconsciousness claimed him.

Peter pulled on the rest of his clothes. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to their room and looked out calmly turning first to the left and then to the right. Seeing no one, he then stepped through the door and closed it carefully behind him. He hurried along the corridor of the palace to the quarters assigned to the king's aide-de-camp, Sir Sean O'Faolein. Fortunately, it was not far from the room occupied by the two page-boys. Knocking at the door, the page heard the knight's voice say, "Enter."

Opening the door carefully, the boy saw the young knight still half-dressed sitting on the edge of his bed. Sir Sean stood about 5 feet 8 inches [1.70 m] tall and weighed about 11 stone [155 lbs / 70 kg]. Like the page boys (of which he had once been one himself), he was muscular in build and in good shape from all of his military training. He had a clear complexion with wavy dark brown hair that was cut short. As Peter entered the room, Sir Sean was pulling on his surcoat over his muscular upper body that was covered with a light coat of dark chest hair.

Looking up at Peter, the knight saw the tightness in his face and the set of his jaw. Then he said, "What is wrong my lad? Has something happened? What canst I do for thee this morning?"

"Sir knight, Will and I have Gerhard, the page of Count Ruppen in our room. He has been badly beaten and abused. We need thee to see him and tell us what to do. We do not wish to cause an international incident, but we also know that the king will not permit someone being abused at his court."

"Do you know who has done this deed?" demanded the knight as he frowned with disbelief apparent on his face. Assaulting someone in the palace, even a page boy, was an unheard-of crime.

"Gerhard was only half conscious when we found him naked and bleeding at the door of our room. He lost consciousness just as I left to come to thee, but before he did, he said it was the work of his master, the count," responded Peter.

Sir Sean looked at the boy with hard, cold eyes. Peter had seen that firm unflinching set of the knight's jaw before when he prepared to fight an enemy in battle. "Take me to Gerhard for I must see this for myself," responded the knight.

The knight and the page hurried back down the hallway to the boys' room. Both looked in each direction before opening the door to the room.

Far too big for Will to move on his own, Gerhard still lay on the floor unconscious. However, the younger boy had placed a pillow under his head and thrown a blanket over him. Sir Sean lifted the blanket assessing the young German's injuries. Sir Sean then bent down and rolled the big German boy over on his side to see the injuries to his back and upper body. However, he was taken aback by the fact that Gerhard had almost no pubic hair. Red marks in his pubic area seemed to indicate that the hair might have been pulled out rather than cut or shaved off.

Turning to the English boys he said, "Will, go and fetch the court physician from his quarters. Tell him that we have an injured man for him to tend. Do not tell him who it is. Just bring him here and be quick about it."

It was not long before Will returned with the court's resident physician. Brother Mark had tended many a wounded man on the field of battle and had proved well adapted to tending to the needs of the court other than the king and others of royal rank who had their own physician. He was also known for the fact that he never revealed anything about his patients to anyone.

"Good doctor, we are in need of thy services. This young man has been beaten and abused. Tend to him, but keep silent about him and his injuries. I must speak with the king and receive his instructions on how he wants to proceed in this matter," ordered Sir Sean.

The doctor responded, "I understand," and bent over the inert form of the German boy. Then, he began to assess his injuries.

Turning to the English boys, the knight asked, "Does Gerhard have any family of which thou knowest or is Count Ruppen his only kin? I understand that they are related in some way."

Will was the first to answer saying, "Gerhard is Count Ruppen's nephew, the son of the count's cousin. However, he has told us that his parents are dead and that he has no brothers or sisters."

"I think that we will have to hear Gerhard's side of things before any action can be taken. If he says that the count is responsible for his injuries, we need to know the how and why of it. Nevertheless, the king does not permit this sort of thing here in the palace. Even prisoners in the dungeon are not treated this way," responded the knight.

"I expect to see his majesty this morning. I will report Gerhard's situation to him and determine his wishes on how to proceed. Once the doctor has finished with him, he is not to leave this chamber. I want one of thee to remain with him at all times. Is that understood?"

Both of the English boys swallowed hard and then nodded their heads saying, "Yes, sire. We understand."

The Pages' Chamber, Late Afternoon

In the late afternoon, Sir Sean returned to the pages' chamber to hear Gerhard's side of the story. Needless to say, the king had been livid when Sean had informed him of the beating and abuse of the German boy. Both men knew how delicate the situation was. While Count Ruppen was the ambassador of a foreign power, he was nevertheless not supposed to break English law while representing his sovereign at court. Determining what had happened and why were thus vital to determining how to proceed.

When Sir Sean entered the room, Will was feeding Gerhard chicken broth from the royal kitchen. Gerhard was half lying, half sitting on the bed with a bandage around the top of his head. A little blood had seeped through from the most serious blow to his head just above one eye. The places on his face and upper body had dried while a blanket covered the rest of his still naked body. Sean was right when he assumed that the doctor had applied healing ointments to the rest of his wounds on his back. Gerhard still looked bad, but it was evident that he was already responding to treatment.

"Gerhard, it is good to see that thou art better than when we saw thee this morning. However, I come to thee now as the representative of the king. We must know just exactly what happened to thee. The king will not abide anyone, not even an ambassador, beating and abusing anyone, particularly someone as young as thee. I must therefore, hear from thine own lips what happened to thee," said the knight with a solemn face.

"Sir knight, I am but a lowly page. If my master beats me, is that not his right?" responded the German boy with a downcast face.

"Beating thee to do thy work better or for forgetting something is one thing. What I saw this morning far exceeded that. Boys who are disciplined by their masters do not use the last of their strength to drag themselves naked to the door of a friend. Thou had been badly beaten and assaulted sexually when I examined thee. I must know the truth of it. Speak now that justice may be served. The king commands it," ordered Sir Sean, who was struggling to contain his anger at the one who had done these things to the boy.

Gerhard swallowed hard and looked from the knight to the English pages and back again before struggling to say, "I do not wish to say anything that will result in further punishment from the count, my master. If I tell thee everything, how do I know that thee will not just turn me over to him where I may not survive his further attentions?"

Sir Sean looked the German boy in the face with unwavering eyes and a fixed jaw. Only one who knew him well would have noticed the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth that only happened when he was really, really upset. (One did not take that look lightly.) He exhaled slowly and then said, "Thou hast my word as a knight that thou wilt not be turned over to anyone so long as thou speakest the truth."

Gerhard stared at the small window that lit the pages' chamber and slowly spoke in a low monotone without looking at the knight or the English boys. "It all started last evening at supper. Count Ruppen took his evening meal in his quarters. It was apparent that he had been drinking before he got there. When he went to sit down, he stumbled and fell against me knocking over a mug of fine wine that I had on a tray waiting to serve him. He said that I was clumsy and a 'dummkopf'. I made the mistake of saying that it was not my fault that the wine was spilt. He said that I was being insolent and that he would teach me to respect my betters. He sent for Karl, his groom, who came in with a small whip in his hand. The count ordered me to take off my shirt. Then he had Karl tie my hands together and suspend me from a hook in the ceiling of his chamber. The count has often beaten me, but in his drunken state he must have been mad about something else because I had never seen him this mad before. He had Karl suspend me so that my feet barely touched the floor. Then he gagged me as well. When those things were done, the count proceeded to whip my back hard with the whip. When he tired, he ordered Karl to continue beating me. However, he first had Karl pull off my hose so that I was hanging there naked from the hook in the ceiling."

The German boy gulped a couple of times before resuming his story. Tears were plain on his face as he continued. "When he finally had Karl stop beating me, the count came over and ran his hand over my butt and said that I was not worthy of being called a man. He made Karl blindfold me so that I couldn't see what they were going to do to me. Then the count had him pull out my body hair one by one with a small pair of pincers. It hurt both physically and spiritually. I had done nothing to merit such treatment. If they had not also gagged me, I would have screamed and brought the guard down on them. As it was, I could do nothing but endure the pain and humiliation. I can still hear the count laughing as I screamed in pain."

"When they tired of pulling out my body hair, Karl used a razor to shave off what was left without benefit of soap or water. Then the count said that I must be good for something. I still could not see, but then I felt his manhood rub against my butt. He wasted no time pushing himself into me."

Gerhard hesitated. Sobs racked his young body as he said, "He raped me."

Tears continued to run down the big German boy's face. He swallowed hard and then continued, "After that, I must have passed out. When I came to, I was lying on the floor. The count was snoring on his bed. Karl must have gone back to the stables. That was when I knew that I had to get away from the count. I could not take this happening again. Will and Peter were the only people that I knew who might give me shelter so I half walked, half crawled to their room. There was no one in the halls at that hour of the day and no one, not even the night watchman, saw me naked and bleeding."

Then the big German boy buried his head in a pillow and sobbed in humiliation and shame. As the boy's body continued to convulse, the knight sat on the edge of the bed and grasped him by the shoulders. He turned the boy toward him and held him in his arms as he comforted him.

When the sobbing finally subsided, Sir Sean said softly but firmly, "Gerhard, look at me. You have done nothing wrong. Count Ruppen has raped you and done it while a guest beneath the king's roof. You do not have to go back to him. If you want refuge here in England, it is yours for the asking. The king has said as much to me."

"You mean that I could stay here and not have to be beaten all the time. Could it be that there is a life for one such as me here in England?" pondered the boy.

"Yes, there is freedom here in England, if you want it," replied the knight. "Now, I must question Karl, the count's groom, and see what he has to say for himself."

The Stables, Later that Afternoon

Sir Sean immediately went to the royal stables after leaving the English boys to continue to care for Gerhard. There, it was not hard to find Tom and Giles, the two young stable hands who had witnessed the wrestling match between Gerhard and Peter only a few weeks before. The knight had considered taking the sergeant of the guard with him to the stables, but decided to see if he could get Karl to witness to what had happened to Gerhard at the hands of the count without doing so in the palace dungeon. With the two English stable hands help, they had no trouble locating Karl sleeping off some of his last night's revelry.

The Count's groom was English but of German descent. He was a man in his early thirties but a hard life and hard drink had aged him prematurely. If one did not know that he was in his early thirties, one would have guessed that he was at least ten years older. His unkempt brown hair fell over a face showing the unmistakable redness that comes from too much alcohol. The knight kicked him in the leg and the groom grunted. The third time that he was kicked he opened his bloodshot eyes, cursing. Seeing the king's aide standing over him sobered him as he scrambled to his feet and stumbled as he bowed clumsily to the knight.

"Sorry sire, I did know t'was thee. What can I do for thee?"

Sean backed away slightly to avoid the fowl, beer tinged breath of the groom. "Last eve, thou assisted Count Ruppen in beating his page. Is this not so? Answer me truly," ordered the knight.

"It is true, sir knight. I am in the pay of the count. Tis well known that he is a stern taskmaster. He ordered me to assist him in disciplining his page last evening. I secured the boy's wrists to a hook in the ceiling of the count's chambers while he beat him for being insolent, or so it seemed from what the count was saying."

"And did the count not have you beat him as well when he himself tired of the effort?" asked the knight in a flat, hard voice that sent cold chills down the backs of the English grooms.

"Aye, he did sire. However, most of the beating was at the count's hands."

"And did you not pull out the boy's body hair one by one, also on orders from the count?"

"Sir knight, what I do in the employ of the count is something that I believe thee should ask of him. I am but a humble servant," said Karl as he looked down at the dirt floor of the stable kicking nervously at a small clod on the floor.

Turning to Tom and Giles, Sir Sean said, "Bring him. I noticed a hook back there in the middle of the stable in one of the beams. Strip him of his shirt and suspend him from the hook just like he did Gerhard. Perhaps if I question him in the same manner, it might loosen his tongue."

Unlike Karl who was out of shape and overweight, the two teenaged grooms were both tall and well-muscled having only recently come from one of the king's estates to assist with the winter festivities of the court. When they took hold of Karl, his struggles did nothing to free him. Stripping off his shirt, they quickly took a piece of rope and tied the man's hands together. Then they suspended him from a hook in the ceiling that was normally used for rigging a hoist to use in unloading bales of hay for the king's horses.

Karl just hung there cursing under his breath. Sir Sean looked at him and turning to the king's grooms asked, "Hast one of thee a whetstone?"

Tom replied, "Sir knight, there be one in a nearby supply chest. Wouldst thou have me fetch it for thee?"

"Aye," replied the knight drawing his dirk from his belt. "Let me have it here."

In but a moment, Tom had found the stone and placed it in the knight's hand. Then Sir Sean took it and started to sharpen his dirk. Karl's eyes were on the dirk as panic began to fill his face.

"Sir knight, what art thou going to do? I beg thee, I am but a servant. I know nothing," croaked the older groom as he swayed there half-naked, suspended from the ceiling of the stables.

Concentrating on the task at hand, Sir Sean rubbed the stone slowly over the blade. Then he said in a low but steady voice, "Tell me what happened in the count's chambers of thine own free will or thou wilt find out what true pain is."

The hung-over groom was now in full panic. A small puddle of yellowish liquid began to form on the ground at his feet.

As Sean had expected the mere thought of torture was enough to loosen the groom's tongue.

"Aye, the count did abuse the boy. After he beat him about the face and shoulders, he said that the boy was not fit to be a man and ordered me to pull out his body hair one by one after first blindfolding and gagging him. I pulled out his hair until the count ordered me to stop and then I shaved what was left. Still, the count was not satisfied, he pulled down his hose revealing his hard manhood. Then he worked to plunge it into Gerhard's butt. I could tell that the boy's butt had never known anything like that before. Even the gag in his mouth did not completely stifle his screams of pain. It took the count a few minutes to get all the way into him. I even saw some blood running down the boy's leg so I know that he must have been a virgin and in pain. After the count had his way with Gerhard, he staggered over to the bed and collapsed in a drunken heap. His last words to me were to cut the boy down. I did so and left hurriedly lest he want me next," recounted Karl.

Turning to Tom and Giles, the knight said, "Thou art witness to his confession. Say nothing of this to anyone and no harm will come to you. I act at the king's bidding."

The two English boys nodded that they understood saying, "We understand, sir knight. You can count on us."

Sir Sean walked over to where the older groom hung from the ceiling. He grabbed the man by the hair and looked him in the face, "I suggest that thee find reason to leave the count's service. Thou hast the rest of today and tomorrow to take care of thy affairs and leave the palace. After that, I will not vouch for thy health." Then he used his dirk to cut the man down.

With that, the knight left Karl lying in a pool of his own urine. 'It is amazing what a coward will do with just the threat of pain,' thought Sean as he returned to the palace.

The King's Reception Chamber, On the Morrow

King Hal had sent for Count Ruppen. Sir Sean attended him as did Will and Peter. It was not long before there was a knock at the chamber door and the guard announced that Count Ruppen awaited the king's pleasure.

Henry himself was considered almost a giant in his time. In an era when the average man was around 5' 6" [1.70 m], King Hal stood 6' 3" [1.90 m]. He literally towered over most of his subjects. He was slim of build with a ruddy complexion. His face was lean and clean shaven with a prominent and pointed nose. An arrow in the face at the Battle of Shrewsbury eight years earlier had almost cost him his life and had left him with scars that bore witness to his experience in battle. Even if he had not worn the crown these six months past, a man would think twice before crossing him. However, this morning his face did not betray his true feelings. He appeared composed, even relaxed. From looking at him, one would never have known his true feelings.

Count Ruppen entered the chamber and bowed to the king. Then he said, "Thou wishes to see me your majesty?"

Ulrich, Graf von Ruppen was the ambassador of the Holy Roman Emperor at the court of King Hal. The 'Graf', or 'Count' as he was called in English, was a man of about 50. While only 5 foot 6 [1.70 m], a history of overeating and drinking had left him with a large, prominent belly. He weighed a good 14 stone or more [200+ lb or 90+ kg]. His face was ruddy, both from much time spent outdoors as well as from the amount of beer that he consumed. His hair had at one time been reddish brown but what remained of it was now mainly that yellow-white that so often results as red-haired people age. He had a large drooping moustache that made him always appear to be frowning no matter what was happening around him.

"Yes, Count Ruppen, I do," replied the king. "It has come to my attention that thou hast abused thy page while under my roof. I do not tolerate even ambassadors breaking my laws. What hast thou to say for thyself."

Surprised by the king's accusation, the count took a moment before responding slowly, "Your majesty is a good and noble ruler but I must beg your majesty's pardon. I believe that what I do with my servants would fall within my rights as an ambassador. Besides, who says that I have abused my page?"

"I have several witnesses as well as the boy himself. He is currently under my physician's care having been found naked and injured in the palace halls just this morning past," replied the king.

The mention of witnesses caused the count to pale noticeably.

"I was wondering where my page had gone. I have been looking for him. Still, he is a subject of my sovereign and not subject to thy laws. I ask leave to question him myself," replied the count with a slight quiver in his voice as he realized that more information than he would like had come to the king's attention.

"I have extended an offer of refuge to the boy and he has accepted. He will not be turned over to you to suffer further abuse at thy hands," replied the king coldly. "Count Ruppen, you have offended me and my subjects by your actions. I give you a week to leave my kingdom. I suggest that you make some excuse to your sovereign about your health and the need to give up your post as ambassador. You can also say that your page has elected to remain here in England. I am sending a letter to your sovereign with the true story of why you have left my kingdom. If you do not say that you have returned for health reasons, my ambassador will present it to your sovereign. Otherwise, he will hold it unopened on my orders. Do I make myself clear?"

The count was visibly shaken. There were splotches on his face and one arm twitched uncontrollably as he stammered and replied, "Yes, your majesty. I understand and will obey."

Then he was gone.

Epilogue

It took the big German boy a week to recover from the abuse and rape that he had received at the hands of Count Ruppen. When the doctor sent word that he was well enough to resume his duties as a page, Sir Sean called him to his quarters to discuss his future in England.

The soft knock on the door caused Sean to reply, "Enter."

Gerhard looked well. Only a small bandage still on his head hinted that he had recently been injured as he entered the knight's chamber somewhat sheepishly.

"Gerhard, this will confirm what thou may have already heard. Count Ruppen is going home to Germany and will not be returning to England. He has been advised that thou hast elected to remain here. Thus, thou wilt not suffer ever again at his hands. However, I must formally ask if thou wilt accept refuge here in England. Dost thou indeed wish to remain here and become a subject of the king?" asked the knight.

"Aye, sire, I do. And praise God that King Hal is such a gracious king," stammered the big German boy as tears welled up in his blue eyes.

"Then, come with me," said Sir Sean.

The knight and the boy then walked the short distance down the hall to the king's chambers. There was only a brief wait before they were ushered into the presence of King Hal.

The king was dressing for a court ceremony. His surcoat was of the finest silk with the lions and lilies worked with thread of gold. Peter and Will attended him and were securing the surcoat's final fastenings when they entered.

Gerhard went to his knees as Sir Sean bowed to the king.

Turning to Sir Sean and Gerhard, the king said, "Young man, I trust that thou hast elected to remain in England. Rise and look me in the eye."

The boy got to his feet and looked at the king who continued, "Wilt thou renounce all former allegiances and swear loyalty to me as thy king?"

"Aye, your majesty. I do so most willingly," said Gerhard.

"Good, then thou art now my subject. My first command is that thou become squire to Sir Sean. The second is that now that thou are English, thou shalt be known as Garrett so that no one will think thee not an Englishman.

The newly minted Garrett smiled for the first time in a long, long time and then responded, "As it pleases your majesty." Then he knelt on one knee and kissed the king's ring.

Just at that moment the sun broke through the clouds and a beam of bright sunlight shown through the window of the king's antechamber. Its rays bathed both the king and the boy in winter sunshine. At that moment, the promise of a good life could not have been brighter.

Chapter 4
Sailing Off to War

Part Two

Will, an English boy from landed gentry stock, along with his new friends, Garrett and Peter, serves the English king. Serving the king as a page or as a squire can mean many things. Crossing the Channel to fight in France becomes one of them.

Returning characters include: Will, the king's page (13yo); King Hal / Henry V of England (28yo); Peter, the king's senior page (15yo); Sir Sean O'Faolein, an Irish knight (25yo), Garrett (once Gerhard), Sir Sean's squire (16yo); and various other members and retainers of the court and the fleet.

Historical background note:

Henry V (King Hal) ascended the English throne on 20 March 1413. He was crowned on 9 April 1413. However, he remained unmarried until 1420.
The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 that pitted the rulers of England against the House of Valois for control of the French throne. This story deals with the third or Lancastrian War (1415-1453) and King Henry V of England.

Anno Domini 1415 – Sailing Off to War

Portsmouth, England, On board HMS Lion, Early Morning, 10 August 1415

It was clear and already warm that morning in early August 1415 as the sun peaked out from behind a few low clouds as it rose in the eastern sky. HMS Lion, flagship of the fleet that would take the king and the remaining English troops to France, rode at anchor in Portsmouth harbour. The siege of Harfleur awaited them on the far shore of the English Channel, or La Manche, as it is known among the French.

The sound of sailors 'holystoning' the ship's deck somewhere nearby woke Will from a deep sleep. He could hear them as they ran the stones across the section of the hard-wooden deck directly above him on the aft castle of the big warship. The boatswain of the watch was already making sure that the ship was ready for the king's arrival later in the day. It was evident that he had wanted an early start on making the ship look good for his monarch, as his men were already finding out.

It was still amazing to Will how easy it was for him to sleep in a bunk that was rocked by the gentle motion of the sea. In the half light from the open porthole in their tiny quarters, he could see the much larger form of Garrett, Sir Sean's squire, with whom he shared this space. There in the bunk across from him, the big sandy-blond German boy (once called Gerhard before swearing allegiance to King Hal) still snored softly. A thin blanket barely covered his large, naked, muscular body, a body that Will was learning to know well as they bunked in the same tight spaces.

The smaller dark-haired boy shook his head to clear away the last of the cobwebs in his brain. Memories of the fun that the two of them had shared the night before in this very cabin flooded back into his head. His friend's heavy breathing continued to indicate that he was still asleep. Will grinned as he remembered how soundly Garrett slept. Then, he sat up on the edge of his bunk and looked about for where he had left his clothes the night before. Even though the king was not due to board the ship until midday, he knew that there were things that needed to be done to make sure that the ship's great cabin was ready to receive his master. The ship itself was scheduled to sail on the high tide later that afternoon and he knew that they would not miss that deadline.

Will stood up and again stretched his naked body. Now thirteen years of age, he stood about 5 foot 7 inches tall [1.70 m] and weighed 10 stone [140 lbs / 63 kg]. His naturally muscular young body had been hardened by the difficult work of his family's farm, and at the priory where he had lived in Kent before joining the king's service. Since then, the daily exercise and work that were part of his military training under the king's direction had made sure that his body continued to develop to its maximum potential. Over the past year, puberty had made certain that he now looked more masculine than boyish. The fringe of dark hair that now grew above his penis only confirmed his place among the young men in the king's service.

From sleeping nude with his friends, and their mutual sexual explorations, he knew that his flaccid three and a half inch [9 cm] penis was as large as that of Peter, his friend and fellow page, who was almost two years older than him. The pleasure of sexual adventures with both Garrett and Peter crossed his mind as his big friend stirred in his sleep pushing back the blanket on his bed so that much of his teenaged body was exposed to view. Will found himself thinking of how Garrett's body looked even more attractive in the light of morning than it had the night before. His own penis stirred and slowly became erect as he remembered their evening of pleasure only hours earlier.

Garrett stirred in his bed. Will thought that he must be having a dream about their night's adventures because the blond-haired boy's penis was already becoming erect as he twitched slightly on his bunk. Garrett was now sixteen. At 5 foot 9 [1.80 m], he was considered tall in an era when the average man was only about 5 foot 6 [1.70 m]. He was one of those stocky but muscular boys that are typical among those of German stock. When Peter and Will had first met him at court, they had been impressed by his size and guessed correctly that he weighed some 12 stone [168 lbs / 76 kg].

Will thought back to the first night that he had spent sharing a space with Garrett. At the time, the court had been at the palace of Westminster in London. Peter had been called by the king to spend the night at the foot of his bed. Sir Sean, Garrett's master, did not require his squire to share his bed chamber. That left Will and Garrett to share the small room that separated the king and Sir Sean, his aide. That first night when Garrett had stripped, Will recalled how his throat had tightened and how he had trouble swallowing as he looked at Garrett wiping his naked muscular body with a wet rag before getting into bed. His arms and chest were well formed and his muscles rippled as he wiped his body of sweat from the day's exertions. Will had felt his own penis harden at the sight, but it was Garrett's large organ which, at a flaccid six inches [15 cm], was most impressive to the English boy. In fact, it was the biggest one that he had ever seen in his young life.

As Garret had turned, he had happened to catch Will looking at the source of his manhood. Embarrassed, Will had tried to turn away but Garrett had stopped him with an understanding smile followed by a wink. It was then that he had known that the big teenager would do more than just sleep in the same room with him.

Will had stood there in nothing but his hose. The tight-fitting pants had done little to conceal his quickly developing erection. Slowly, Garrett had moved closer to him and reached out his hand to stroke the younger boy's hard penis through the fabric. Will remembered how he couldn't help himself. He had wanted the big German boy and his quickly rising erection.

Garrett had pulled him close, first hugged him, and then kissed him full on the lips in a slow deep passionate kiss. Will could feel the older boy's hard penis as it pressed up against his thigh. He remembered how his heart had beat fast and how he thought that he might faint; he had become lightheaded as passion gripped his young body. As they embraced, he had felt Garrett's heart beating as the older boy's muscular chest pressed against his own. Without thinking, he untied the cord that held up his hose and let them drop to his ankles. He had felt Garrett's free hand as it found his butt cheek and began to squeeze it softly. Meanwhile, his other hand had continued to stroke his rock-hard penis.

To be fair, Garrett did not force himself on Will. He had just done things to arouse the younger boy who at any time could have pulled away, but, most importantly, had not. After all, Garrett had been abused by his former master, Count Ruppen, before being rescued by the king, Sir Sean, and the pages that had included Will himself. From the beginning, Will had known that abuse was not something that he need fear from the older boy.

Will fondly recalled how Garrett and he had gotten little sleep that night at Westminster as their youthful passions had played out.

Of course, Garrett was not Will's first sexual experience, but it was the first where an older lover had had a penis the size of Garrett's seven inch [18 cm] erect organ. Will had been fascinated by one that was large enough for him to take in both hands and still have the tip to lick and suck. Before the night was over, he had brought Garrett to orgasm in what seemed like a fountain of cum. Garrett, in his own turn, had been able to swallow every bit of Will's own four and a quarter inch [10.8 cm] erection when sucking him off that same evening. The younger boy had literally thought that he had died and gone to Heaven. Now, there on the Lion, he fondly remembered what a wonderful experience that had been and how much fun the succeeding ones had also been. Garrett was a wonderful lover; there was no doubt about that!

Will finished dressing before walking over to the bunk and gently shaking his friend and lover. They might work for the king and his staff, but they were still expected to get their work done in a timely manner.

The big German boy grunted and slowly opened his pale blue eyes. He smiled at Will and then asked, "Tis time for me to be up, is it?"

"Aye," replied Will, "and I would hurry if it were me or Sir Sean may swat thee on thy fair backside for being tardy."

Garrett stretched letting the thin blanket fall away in the process. Then, he stood up his large naked frame, dominating the small space. Slowly, he scratched an imaginary itch in his groin. In response, his half erect penis seemed to twitch of its own volition. Will smiled and reached down running his hand up and down his friends hardening organ.

"If we stay here much longer, neither of us will get our work done and we will both be in trouble," said Will. "Thou need get dressed and see to thy master's wants and needs as I must see to the needs of the king's cabin before we sail."

With that he stopped stroking the older boy's penis, turned, and headed toward the door of their small space. As he went through the door, he turned one last time to see Garrett pulling on his clothes. At least his friend was not going back to bed!

Later that Day, 10 August 1415

Near midday, distant horns announced the approach of the king and his party. Cheering crowds lined the wharf as King Hal rode into view accompanied by Sir Sean and Peter, his page, along with other members of the royal court who would accompany them to France. The ship's longboat with eight stout seamen as rowers awaited with a brow* extended from the pier. In short order, the king and his party were embarked and underway toward where the Lion lay at anchor.
[* brow = gangplank]

On board the warship, Will and Garrett waited at the edge of the quarterdeck for their masters. King Hal, his six foot-three inch [1.90 m] frame, as always, making an impression on all present was the first up the ladder from the longboat. Eight seamen were drawn up as an honour guard with four on either side of the ladder. When the king reached the quarterdeck, the boatswain's whistle called 'attention' and the men touched their caps with their right hands in the forerunner of the salute. At the same time the royal standard was broken at the mainmast indicating that the king was now embarked.

The king's first act upon boarding was to turn to the ship's captain and say, "Let us be underway as soon as the tide is with us. I would that we make the coast of France while the light is also still with us."

"Aye-aye, your majesty," replied the captain with a deep bow. "We will be underway within the hour, now that thou art embarked and the tide is with us."

King Hal smiled and headed aft toward the great cabin that he knew would be prepared and waiting for him. Both Peter and Will followed closely behind while Garrett waited for Sir Sean who quickly followed the king up the ladder from the longboat.

***

Once in the great cabin in the aft castle at the stern of the ship, Peter and Will hurried to help the king with his surcoat and gloves. Once these were off, the king dropped his big frame into a chair and heaved a sigh of relief. Keeping up appearances for the people was tiring.

The king motioned to the two boys and said, "Bar the door. I wish to rest and wash before going back on deck." Then he added, "I dare say, Peter, that thou needst some washing too from our morning ride, doest thou not?"

Will hastened to bar the cabin door as Peter replied, "Aye, your majesty, the dust of the road is still in my gullet."

The king laughed softly and, turning to Will, asked, "Hast thou a bucket of fresh water nearby that we can use here in the cabin?"

"Aye, sir," answered Will. "I have one waiting there in the corner assuming that thou wouldst want just such a thing upon thine arrival."

"Good lad. Bring it near." Then turning to Peter, he said, "Come here, I would have thee wash first whilst I rest a moment and have a mug of ale before doing so myself."

"As you wish, your majesty," replied Peter, as he hurried over to where the wooden bucket filled with water rested on the deck of the cabin.

Peter didn't hesitate to take off his dusty sweat-stained clothes. He was, after all, used to the king seeing him nude in his bed chamber. First, he untied the cord that held his jerkin in place and then slipped the dusty garment over his head. Then he pulled off his boots and untied the other cord that held up his hose and dropped them to the deck. When he stood up, he stretched so that the king could appreciate his body.

The king liked his page. Peter was what was called a 'ginger boy' from the fact that he had red, indeed almost orange, hair. At 15, he stood about 5' 6" [1.60 m] tall and weighed about 10 and a half stone [150 lbs / 65 kg]. The boy's body was firm and muscular. He had one of those freckled complexions common to people with red hair. The king smiled as he looked at the nude boy. The teenager's pubic hair was actually orange, something that fascinated the king. Even the trail of hair that climbed up from his pubic bush to his navel was orange rather than auburn in color.

King Hal took a long draught of ale and then looking at Will said, "Will, me thinks that Peter is going to need some help bathing with just this bucket of water. Strip thee thyself and join him."

Will was only slightly startled by the king's command. His clothes followed those of Peter so that in short order, he too, was naked before the king there in the cabin.

Peter was one of those boys for whom the idea of getting naked always caused him to get an erection. It was something that always amused the king whenever the occasion arose for the boy to be naked in his presence, something that occurred more often than was actually necessary.

Will took a small rag of soft cloth in his hand and dipped it into the pail of water. Then he began to wipe down his friend's muscular body. The king could see both boys breathing heavily as they looked at each other with scarcely disguised desire apparent in their eyes.

Will looked Peter in the face. He smiled, and then slowly let his free hand circle the red-haired older boy's hard penis. The sudden sucking in of air by Peter was his only visible reaction, but it seemed like it only took seconds for him to rise up on the balls of his feet with his hands holding onto a protruding beam in the low overhead (i.e. the ceiling) of the cabin. He was straining as he continued to hold on to the beam for support as his friend massaged his hard penis. With his pale skin, the blue of its veins stood out noticeably as it throbbed in response to the other boy's attentions.

The king sipped his ale slowly as he watched, entranced, as his page's eyes glazed over. The boy was obviously lost in the all-consuming passion that only a horny teenager can muster.

Then it happened. The older boy erupted with a stream of cum that must have been a foot long followed by several shorter bursts. When Will released his hand from Peter's penis, there was cum all over the deck near the wet spot beside the water bucket.

The younger boy stroked his own cock with his soapy hand to ensure that it was completely hard, then he positioned himself directly behind his older friend. Slowly, he let his hands run up and down Peter's hard body slowing only long enough to play with the older boy's nipples. Next, Will focused on his firm, hard butt cheeks and began to move his hands over them in a circular motion rubbing them softly as he went. Peter's ragged breathing was all that indicated that he was responding to Will's touch even though he had climaxed only moments before.

At first Will only ran his own four and a quarter inch [11½ cm] erection up and down Peter's crack. Now, he slowly inserted its tip into the inviting opening. Peter winced at this invasion of his body. Will slowly eased his glans into the opening, but Peter's sphincter resisted. However, Will, in spite of his young age, was already experienced at what he was doing and pressed harder so that his rock-hard penis slipped past the resisting muscle.

King Hal could see Peter's face momentarily distort from the sudden pain, but then as Will's hard organ reached his prostate, there was that mix of pleasure and pain that comes when there is a cock completely up one's butt. Once at that point, Will began a slow in and out motion which increased in speed as he became more and more aroused. Will threw back his head panting as he approached the moment of his climax. A light coating of sweat covered both their hard bodies. Then it happened. Peter erupted with his cock still inside of his friend. Both boys continued their hard breathing as they came down from their sexual high.

Will pulled his hard cock from his friend's anus and then leaned forward and kissed Peter full on the lips. There was only a moment's hesitation and then both boys were deep kissing.

The king sat there with his right hand gripping his tankard so tightly that his fingers were white from lack of blood. He too, was panting from having watched the sexual tableau that had just unfolded right before his eyes. Finally, King Hal broke the spell and said, "You two need to finish washing so that you can get me ready to go on deck." The two boys looked at him, blushing slightly. Minutes later the two still-naked boys were washing the body of their king.

***

An hour later, the Lion weighed anchor and set sail from Portsmouth. Other ships of the fleet followed them as they left the harbour behind them and headed for the open sea. The king stood on the raised deck over the aft castle beside the captain and the helmsman looking seaward. Other members of his party clustered around him. The siege of Harfleur lay before them.

As they sailed, Peter and Will stood by the larboard rail looking out to sea hoping to be among the first to sight the coast of France. Neither had ever been outside of England before. The spirit of adventure that enveloped them was mixed with not a little fear and apprehension, but neither would have ever admitted that, even to themselves.

Historical Background note:

For six centuries Harfleur, at the mouth of the Seine, was the principal seaport of north-western France. The siege of Harfleur began 18 August 1415 and ended on 22 September when the town surrendered to the English. It lost its role as a major seaport when Le Havre was built about five kilometres (three miles) downstream in the sixteenth century in order to take advantage of parts of the river less prone to silting. Today, Harfleur is on the eastern edge of Le Havre's urban area.

Chapter 5
Glimpses of the French Campaign

Will, Garrett, and Peter serve the English king during the last phase of the Hundred Years War. The road from Harfleur to Calais lies through enemy territory, but they follow where the king leads, even in the privacy of his tent.

Continuing in this chapter we have: King Hal / Henry V of England (28yo); Peter, the king's senior page (15yo); Garrett (once Gerhard), a squire (16yo); and introducing Herald Redmond, called 'La Roche', an English scout (45yo); and various other members of the forces fighting in France.

Anno Domini 1415 – The French Countryside, Between Battles

The King's Tent, The Manoir of Bel Chase, Northern France, Evening, Monday, 23 September 1415

King Hal paced up and down behind the impromptu table that had been set up in his tent. Even though it was now late September, it was still hot and the tent had been designed to keep its occupant warm, not cool. The king was hot, sweating, and stripped to the waist in the closeness of his tent as he wrestled with what would be his next move in this war with France.

A large map of the northern French countryside was spread out upon the table with the town of Harfleur marked with a large square block of wood about three inches [7 cm] on each side. The current positions of his army were marked with smaller wooden pieces; each with a small paper flag protruding from them that designated which unit was which.

The king mulled the events of the last couple of months over and over in his head. In August, he had sailed from England with a force of about 10,000 men and laid siege to the port of Harfleur at the mouth of the Seine. Unexpectedly, the siege had lasted much longer than he and his generals had anticipated. This wasn't helped by an outbreak of dysentery which swept through his army attacking soldiers, knights, and nobles alike. While the siege was in progress, he had been forced to transport many of the sick back to England. Only the fact that the town's defences had been badly damaged had brought the French defenders to the point of surrender. Yesterday, Sunday, 22 September, had seen them strike their colours.

Now, here he was in enemy country with a French army somewhere in the distance. Many of Harfleur's main buildings had been damaged in the siege making an occupation no easy task. Still, he would have to leave a large garrison of English troops to make sure that he could retain control of the town. As he continued to pace, he wrestled with the fact that much of the campaign season was now over for the year. With a French army somewhere between him and Paris, he knew that he could not move in that direction as he had originally planned. Then he thought of Calais. He pondered in his mind thinking, The city is an English stronghold on the Channel coast. The army and I would be safe there at Calais. I can even resupply my army directly from England without going through enemy territory. Calais it will be.

Then, turning from the map, King Hal called out: "Boy, where art thou?"

It was Peter's turn to be on duty awaiting anything that the king required of him. He was tired and envied his friend Will's time in bed. Quickly he entered the tent to serve his master's needs.

The king looked at the boy and saw that he too was sweating in the sweltering heat of the late summer evening. Then, he smiled.

Peter stood there, sweat staining his clothes as they clung to his young firm body. His naturally muscular young body had been hardened with the daily exercise and hard work that were the everyday life of a page.

"Bring a bucket of water. I would refresh myself" ordered the King.

Anticipating that the king would want this, Peter had already drawn a wooden bucket of water from the well in the central court of the manoir and had it waiting outside of the tent. Moments later, he returned carrying the heavy bucket.

Henry had just finished stripping off his hose and stood there naked. In an era when the average man was around 5' 6" [1.70 m], King Hal was 6' 3" [1.90 m]. He literally towered over most of his subjects. He was slim of build with a ruddy complexion. His face was lean and clean shaven with a prominent and pointed nose. An arrow in the face at the Battle of Shrewsbury eight years earlier had almost cost him his life. That event had left him with scars that bore witness to his experience in battle even before the present campaign in France.

In the half light of the tent, he stood there with sweat covering his thin naked body and looked at his page. Then he motioned to the boy to bring the water bucket to where he stood in the middle of the curtained space.

Seeing his king naked was nothing new to Peter. He had grown used to tending to his personal and private needs during the time that he had been his page.

"Sire, doest thou wish to wash thyself or wouldst thou have me do it for thee?" inquired the boy as he looked in the direction of the naked man.

"I think that I will have thee attend me, young Peter. Strip thee of thy jerkin and hose so that thou canst better do so," commanded the king.

The king's command was no surprise to Peter. He was, after all, used to the king seeing him nude in the privacy of his chamber. Besides, it only made sense to avoid getting yourself wet, if you were going to aid the king bathing.

The boy untied the cord that held his jerkin in place and then slipped it over his head. Then he pulled off his boots and untied the other cord that held up his hose and dropped them to the floor of the tent. When he stood up, he hesitated for a moment so that the king would have the opportunity to appreciate his young, muscular body.

The king liked his page as well as the fact that he was comfortable seeing to all of his needs including those of an intimate nature. The man was fascinated with red hair and the fact that Peter was what was called a "ginger boy" endeared him even more to the man. Unconsciously, the boy ran his hand through his red, almost orange, hair. At 15, he stood about 5' 6" [1.6 m] tall and weighed about 10 and a half stone [150lbs / 65 kg]. His body was firm and muscular. He had one of those freckled complexions often found among people with red hair. His body was covered with a thin coating of sweat which, in the half light of the king's tent, made it to seem to glow. The effect was particularly erotic to the older man who found himself mesmerized by the nude boy.

The king smiled as he looked at his page. The young teenager's pubic hair was actually orange, something at which the king marvelled every time that he saw it. Then he looked down and saw his own erect penis pointing at his page. With his free hand, he motioned for the boy to come to him.

Peter closed the distance between himself and the king stopping only inches from his master. Then he reached out and took the man's erect organ in his hand. Slowly, he ran it up and down its surface feeling the pale smoothness mixed with the blue of the pulsating veins. The soft sound of the man inhaling as he responded to the experienced motions of his page was the only sound that broke the silence.

The boy increased the pace of his stroke and then, when he was sure that the king was truly hard, he lowered himself in front of the man and took the hard organ in his mouth. Hal thrust in and out with increasing speed as he took the boy's head in both hands and pulled him close so that his whole hard penis was deep inside of Peter's eager, sucking and very willing mouth. All of the trials and cares of the past days faded as sexual gratification became paramount in the man's mind. For a few brief minutes it was just a man and a boy engaged in sex. Then, moments later, the man came in the boy's mouth and their relationship once again became master and subject; king and page; and the natural order of things resumed.

Once he had spent himself, Hal pulled away from the boy and wiped his now spent organ on a piece of cloth. Then he said, "Come thee now and assist me to wash the sweat from my body as well as thine. We will need our rest if we are to move this army on the morrow."

Historical background note:

Historians are unsure of King Hal's intentions following the siege of Harfleur. He had crossed the Channel into France with an army large enough to do more than just besiege one town. However, when he left Harfleur he found the main road to Calais blocked by a large French army. This forced him inland looking for a place to ford the river Somme.

Morning, Near the Village of Béthencourt-sur-Somme, Friday, 18 October 1415

Garrett looked up at the sky as the half-light of dawn could be seen among the leaves of the trees above him. He stirred his aching muscles and slowly got up from where he had spent the night on the cold damp ground in the woods far enough from the high road not to be seen by any passing traveller. It was even too risky to have a small fire, what with the French enemy all around him. He had been sent with one of King Hal's best scouts ahead of the army to look for a place to ford the river Somme now that the main French army was blocking the most direct route to Calais.

Herald Redmond was called 'La Roche' by his mates. He was a stout yeoman who had served King Hal's father and spent most of his life in the army. His once dark auburn hair and beard were now turning grey but he was still able to swing a sword with the best of the younger men-at-arms. As a scout, there was none his equal. If he could not find a ford in this river, no one could. Sir Sean had sent his squire along with the older man so that he might experience first-hand what it took to scout an enemy in wartime.

Garrett looked up in time to see Redmond slip silently through the copse of small trees that sheltered them from the road. He put his index finger to his lips to signal silence. Then, Garrett heard the unmistakable sound of something coming down the road. His hand went quietly to the pommel of his sword in case they were discovered there among the trees and underbrush.

As the noise grew louder, it became obvious that it was a cow on the road, most likely with someone leading it into the nearby village.

Sure enough, the scout and the squire could just make out a boy of about thirteen or fourteen leading a large reddish-brown 'vache Limousine' down the road in the direction of the village. His ragged shirt and soiled brown rough-spun pants marked him as nothing more than a peasant farm boy. The boy was taking his time. Then he stopped short and pulled on the rope attached to the ring in the cow's nose to get her to stop as well. He was only a few feet from the trees and bushes that shielded the two Englishmen from view.

Both Garrett and Redmond had their swords half out of their scabbards in case they were spotted. Then there was the unmistakable sound of piss hitting the underbrush at their feet. The boy had only wanted to relieve himself.

When the farm boy and his cow had resumed their progress and were well on down the dirt road, La Roche turned to Garrett and said, "We must find a place from which to view the river at the village without being seen. Me thinks that this may be the place for which we have been searching. If there be a bridge across the river here, then by St. George, the king will have his way across the Somme." Garrett nodded his agreement and within only a minute or two both were headed in the direction of the nearby river.

Moving slowly and carefully, the two of them came to the riverbank some fifteen minutes later. It was clear that the river was not very deep at this point. The only real question was whether or not it was too deep for a soldier to wade across without going under. If someone got to the middle of the stream and could stand up that was good, if there was a bridge visible from the middle of the stream when you looked downstream in the direction of the village, so much the better.

Garrett looked at La Roche and said, "I learned to swim growing up in Swabia. I will wade across and see how deep it is. That will also enable me to look towards the village and see if there be a bridge there."

La Roche looked uncomfortable and then confessed, "I never learned to swim. Indeed, it will have to be thou that goeth into the river but the knowledge that thou gainst is what we need."

The blond boy nodded and started to take off his clothes. It only took a minute before he was standing naked on the riverbank there near the small French village of Béthencourt-sur-Somme.

Garrett was now sixteen. At 5 foot 9 [1.80 m], he was of above average height in an era when the average man was only about 5 foot 6 [1.70 m]. He was one of those stocky but muscular boys that are typical among those of German stock weighing some 12 stone [168 lbs or 76 kg]. However, it was the boy's large organ which at a flaccid six inches [15 cm] was most impressive to La Roche, the English scout, his companion on this mission. In fact, it was one of the biggest ones that the older man had ever seen. Garrett did not notice the man shuffling his hands to hide the fact that he had become erect just by looking at the big, naked German-born boy.

Garrett slowly waded into the cold water of the river, stumbling on the uneven bottom, as he headed for the centre of the stream. The water quickly covered him to his waist and then was up to his chest as he reached the middle of the stream. However, his feet were still touching bottom.

He turned in the direction of Béthencourt and scanned the barely visible village for evidence of a bridge. His efforts were rewarded by the sight of weathered grey stone piers and what was obviously a bridge across the Somme. The attention of the villagers that were up and about was directed toward a large hay wagon that was crossing the bridge. This would be what the king needed for it was obvious that there were no troops in the vicinity of the village. Besides, a bridge that was stout enough to support a wagon load of hay would also support the weight of an army's baggage train.

As he turned to wade back to the west bank of the river, he heard a boy's voice cry out, "Est-ce que l'eau froid?" [Is the water cold?] On the opposite bank stood the boy that they had seen on the road with the cow. He stood there naked most likely just wanting to clean up from the dirty farm work that was his daily life. After all, it was too late in the season for swimming and this was too early in the day to spend much time doing anything other than washing up from a dirty job.

Garrett's first thoughts were defensive. After all, Béthencourt was only a small village and any stranger, even one appearing to be passing through on the road, would be suspect, particularly with the country at war with the English.

Jean, as the farm boy was called, was good-looking with a lean well-muscled body no doubt from the hard work from the farm. He was about thirteen years of age and stood about 5 foot 7 inches tall [1.70 m] and weighed 10 stone [140 lbs or 63 kg]. His hair was dark, almost black. Garrett could see a three inch [7½ cm] penis nestled in a dark nest of pubic hair as he stood there unashamedly beside the river.

Fortunately, the squire had learned some French while in the service of the count so that he had understood what the boy had said.

"Oui, c'est froid. Un bain rapide est assez pour moi. J'etais en train de sortir." [Yes, it's cold. A quick bath is enough for me. I was just getting out.]

"C'est dommage!" [That's too bad!"] exclaimed the boy as he waded into the cold water and then swam in the direction of the big German boy.

Garrett reached the riverbank and scampered ashore. La Roche was nowhere in sight. Most likely he had hidden at the sound of the two of them talking.

The older boy turned back in the direction of the water only to see the farm boy continuing to swim in his direction. Thinking quickly, he decided that this was time for the cover story that they had made up if apprehended by the French: "Je suis l'aide d'un marchand en route vers Soissons avec des messages pour mon maître." [I'm a merchant's aide en route to Soissons with messages for my master.]

The boy climbed out of the water and stood there, his naked dripping and very inviting body only inches from Garrett. The equally naked older boy had not had sex for a week and could feel his penis stiffening at just the sight of the nude and apparently willing French boy.

The big German boy reached out his hand and ran it slowly and tentatively down the chest of the younger French boy. Jean looked him in the eye and did not flinch at the touch. Instead, he just smiled a sly smile and took Garrett's hand in his and guided it down toward his penis in its nest of dark, wet hair.

"Peut-être vous avez le temps pour s'amuser?" [Perhaps, you have time for some fun?] asked the French boy as he closed Garrett's fingers around his now-hard four inch [10 cm] organ.

The older boy stretched his other hand behind the younger boy's head and buried his fingers in the dark, wet locks. Then he slowly pulled him down toward the source of his manhood.

Jean went to his knees willingly. He had never seen anything as large as Garrett's almost eight inch [20 cm] rock hard penis. It throbbed almost with a life of its own as he took the glans in his mouth and eagerly sucked at it. Both boys thought that they were getting the better part of this encounter.

***

From where he was hidden in a copse of filberts, LaRoche could see the French boy go to his knees and begin to suck Garrett's large hard penis. The older man hesitated for a minute. Might as well let the lad have his fun thought the scout. Then he untied his own codpiece and ran his cupped fingers up and down his own erection. After all, it was not every day that he had the opportunity to watch a knight's squire having sex with a peasant boy.

It was not long before he climaxed leaving a copious pool of his own cum at the base of the filbert tree. Retying his codpiece, he picked up a small rock and moved slowly and quietly toward the two boys having sex on the riverbank.

***

Garrett was totally absorbed in having the French boy suck the source of his manhood. Clearly, this boy had experience from previous encounters. Then it happened, his body shook and he erupted with four big bursts of cum followed by several smaller ones. There was so much cum that Jean could not swallow it all and, gagging, pulled back in time for his face and chest to be covered in splotches of the warm grey-white liquid.

The French boy ran the back of his hand across his face wiping away the biggest of the cum deposits and, looking up, smiled at Garret. Still absorbed in the sex, he never saw LaRoche and the rock that hit him in the head as he knelt in front of the big German boy. Mercifully, he fell unconscious to the damp soil of the riverbank.

Garrett stood there naked with cum still dripping from his large organ. All at once, he was embarrassed. After all, he hardly knew LaRoche and certainly would never have had sex in front of him under ordinary circumstances.

It was the older man who put things to right by saying, "That was clever on thy part. Engaging the French lad in sex kept him from calling out to anyone in the village. Now if thou wouldst be dressing in some haste, we can leave the lad here where he lies and not have to kill him. That be the better of it for us since he can hardly go back home and say that he is late because he was having sex with another lad, now can he?"

Garrett sputtered and said, "No, he can't." Then ignoring what each of them knew was more than a tactical diversion, he added, "We have what we need here. There is indeed a bridge in the village. King Hal will find this a good place for the army to cross the river."

Once he had dressed, the two of them retrieved their horses from where they were tied deep in the woods and rode in the direction of the English army. Garrett felt good. They had accomplished their mission and he had had sex in the process. LaRoche also felt good about accomplishing their mission as well as having had sex while watching this young squire have sex with a boy. Neither of them would care to mention to anyone just how they left the village of Béthencourt-sur-Somme. After all, some things are best left unsaid.

***

Two days later, the main English army crossed the Somme at the villages of Béthencourt and Voyennes south of Péronne. While most of the inhabitants remained indoors afraid of the English soldiers in the streets and roads of their village, one young boy of about thirteen stood beside the main road through the town and smiled unafraid as he watched the troops march through.

Historical background note: With the main road to Calais blocked by a large French army, King Hal and his army were forced inland looking for a place to ford the river Somme. For a while, the French army held the English to the western bank of the river. The English did indeed finally find a crossing at Béthencourt and at Voyennes south of Péronne and resumed marching north, ultimately culminating in the famous battle at Agincourt.

Chapter 6
Captured!

Will, a messenger of the English king, is captured by three French soldiers just prior to the Battle of Agincourt (1415). In those days a prisoner, such as Will, normally could have expected to be tortured or killed. However, much to his surprise, his captors are more interested in having sex with him than in fighting.

Characters for this part: Will, a page to King Henry V (13yo); Étienne du Bois Gilbert, a French knight (23yo); Claude and Jean, French men-at-arms (both in their early 20s); and Luc, a peasant boy (14yo)

Historical background note:

The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory against a much larger French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday, 25 October 1415 (Saint Crispin's Day), near modern-day Azincourt, in northern France. This victory crippled France and marked the high point in English dominance in France in the Middle Ages. Enjoy!

Sincerely, Dēda

Northern France, Wednesday, 23 October 1415

This is an evil dream, thought Luc. The naked peasant boy swung there with his feet barely touching the stone floor of the cellar in the fortified tower that was the home of his lord, Étienne du Bois Gilbert. But, if this is a dream, why does it hurt so much? he thought to himself, as sweat trickled down his body in the warm humid room. The rope that bound his arms above his head was wrapped with rags around his wrists so that it would not cut into his flesh. However, he could still feel it binding him tightly as he swung there.

Luc was 14 and well-built for his age. He was lean with the beginnings of well-defined muscles. His upper body with his broad shoulders and narrow waist turned the heads of the girls in the village, particularly in the summer when he worked in the fields stripped to the waist. At five foot seven [1.70 m] and 10 stone, or 145 lbs [66 kg], he was already as big as most men in their village.

No matter how he turned his hands or strained against his bonds, Luc could not do anything but hang there and swing slowly. He did not understand who had bound him, nor why they had stripped him and left him hanging there naked.

The room was almost dark, with only one candle illuminating the rough-cut stone walls. He struggled to see into the shadows, but to no avail. Then, he heard footsteps behind him and suddenly a blindfold was thrown over his eyes.

The boy screamed "Pourquoi moi? Qu'est-ce que j'ai fait?" [Why me? What have I done?]

There was only silence all around him. All that he could hear was the sound of hard breathing by someone who was very close behind him in that stone room.

Then, Luc felt strange lips suck gently on first one nipple and then the other. There was a short pause and a tongue flicked the tip of his penis probing as it went as though looking for something. Hands gently ran over his scrotum, feeling each ball and brushing his thighs. He recognized attempts to take more and more of his now erect penis into a strange mouth and throat. He had never before felt anything like this. In spite of himself and knowing that it was against everything that he had ever been taught, it felt incredibly good. He had never known anyone who just wanted to give him pleasure. Luc felt himself giving in to the experience no matter how hard he tried to resist. Suddenly, he knew that he could no longer hold back. Cum shot up through his penis and into an unknown waiting mouth and throat. Then, there was nothing but silence.

***

Étienne du Bois Gilbert was a local knight. It was the cellar of his stone tower or what in English we would call his 'keep' in which young Luc now hung naked. The only thing was that, with the blindfold, Luc had no way of knowing who it was with whom he was having sex.

In his early twenties, the young knight would have been considered handsome by some. He stood 5' 9" [1.80 m] with a good, muscular build. His light brown hair was wavy and went well with his clear complexion. Lords of neighbouring manors looked at him and saw a prospective husband for their daughters. However, since his father's death two years earlier, his interests lay more in having secret sex with boys than in bedding a young heiress no matter how tempting her dowry might be. Now, with the English invasion, fighting for the King of France was something that had been forced on him.

Nevertheless, even as a noble, there were standards of behavior that had to be met or at least appear to be met. If Étienne had sex with a local boy, it had to be done in such a way that it would be his word against the word of a peasant boy. As a noble, he was safe from punishment, unless it could be proven to higher authority that he had done something against the laws of the king or the church. Thus, stripping a peasant boy and tying him up after first drugging him was something that he could get away with so long as the boy could not say who it was that had had sex with him.

***

Étienne had grown up on the manor with Claude and Jean. They were now both men-at-arms as well as farm workers as the need arose. However, secretly both enjoyed male sex as much as their young lord did. When it came to keeping things under wraps and even having sex with each other when a boy was not available, they were ideal.

After Étienne had finished with the now semi-conscious Luc, the two men came into the room. Careful to keep the blindfold on the boy, they took more of the drugged wine that had earlier rendered him unconscious and offered it to him. Parched from hanging there as well as from his sexual encounter with the knight, he drank eagerly from the flagon not realizing that the wine was drugged.

A few hours later, Luc woke up under a tree down by the creek that ran through the manor. His head hurt and he was still dazed from what had happened earlier. He was dressed, but his clothes were dishevelled. Had he really had sex with another man and just who was that man? were the thoughts that ran through his head. He remembered hanging from the ceiling of a stone room at what must have been the bottom of the keep there on the manor. Was that a dream or not? he wondered, but then the thought hit him, Nobody would believe him. He had no proof that anything had ever happened to him.

Luc got up and adjusted his clothes. Better to say nothing and go on like nothing has ever happened, he thought to himself. With that, he headed back toward the barn. After all, he had chores to do.

***

With the English siege of Harfleur now over, Étienne had received word to scout the road that passed near his manor as a possible route that the English army might take as it moved in the direction of Calais. Now well-armed, the young knight, accompanied by Claude and Jean, was making a circuit of the local area looking for any sign of English activity when they caught sight of what appeared to be a young man or boy. Whoever it might be was hurrying down the side of the road close to a heavily forested area that lay just ahead of them.

Spurring their horses on, they quickly ran the young man down. Unfortunately for him, it was Will, King Hal's page, returning from delivering a message to the Duke of Gloucester. Clad only in dark brown with no outward indications that he was anything but a young traveller, there seemed to be no way that he could be mistaken for being English. However, his one weakness was that Will did not speak French. As a result, he carried a note with him in French that claimed that he was deaf. In addition, there was a crude drawing with fingers pointing at his ears. If he were to be stopped by anyone other than English forces, he was to show the note and point at it. Given that relatively few people could read in that day, if the note and drawing didn't do the trick, he also had some hand gestures that would let the illiterate know that he was not able to hear.

The three men reined in their horses in front of the boy and gestured for him to stop saying: "Arrêtez-vous au nom du roi!" [Stop in the name of the king!]

Just looking at the three of them with the Bois Gilbert arms emblazoned on Jean and Claude's tunics and on Étienne's tabard, Will knew instantly that he had been stopped by members of the French military and that at least one of them was most likely a knight.

With that in mind, Will started gesturing toward his ear with one hand while he cautiously reached for the note identifying him as being deaf with the other. Both of the men-at-arms held their swords pointed at his gut. They were obviously intent on taking no chances that he might be armed.

Claude took the note from the boy, looked at it, and handed it to Étienne, his master, who could read.

"Le garçon prétend être sourd." [The boy claims to be deaf] said the knight out loud so that his men could know what the note said. "Chercher lui. Il peut ne pas être ce qu'il semble être." [Search him. He may not be what he seems to be.]

Claude gestured for Will to put his hands up. Then, he proceeded to pat the boy down. Finding a small dagger in his belt, the older man snatched it away from him and threw it to the ground. Looking closely at the boy, Claude realized that he had a small purse attached to the belt of his jerkin. With his free hand, he pulled it away from the boy and emptied the contents in his hand.

One quick look at the contents of Will's purse and the deception was over. Claude called out "Il est un espion! Il n'a que des pièces de monnaie anglaises dans sa bourse. " [He's a spy! He has only English coins in his purse.]

Responding in French to his men, Étienne said, "I doubt that he's deaf. Let's take him into the woods. There's a clearing in there that I remember from hunting in this area. We can question him there and no one need know what we are doing. Also, we can have some fun with him as well.

The three of them exchanged knowing glances and gestured for Will to walk in the direction of the thick grove of trees that were alongside the road.

What they were going to do to or with him was something that he was about to find out.

Chapter 7
In the Forest

Will, a messenger of the English king, is captured by three French soldiers just prior to the Battle of Agincourt (1415). In those days a prisoner, such as Will, normally could have expected to be tortured or killed. However, much to his surprise, his captors decide that having sex with him is much better than fighting. Selling him into slavery is also on their minds.

Characters for this part: Will, a page to King Henry V (13yo); Étienne du Bois Gilbert, a French knight (23yo); Claude and Jean, French men-at-arms (both in their early 20s); and Sir Sean O'Faolein, an Irish knight (25yo).

Northern France

Thursday, 24 October 1415

Once they had entered the forest, they were in a different world. The French knight and his two men-at-arms drove Will ahead of them with his hands tied behind his back. They were following a path into the deep woods. On foot, they could only travel slowly as they continued to press deeper into the forest.

Will had often hunted with his father and brother back home. He knew the woods around his family's place as well as any man, but this was not like the woods back home. Summoning up false courage, he told himself that this forest was much the same as the ones that he knew back in England. All the while, he knew that the feel of it was very different.

Perhaps it's just all in knowing this place, he silently thought to himself.

Fear of the unknown can do strange things to a person. Even though the storm that had earlier brought heavy rain to the land had ended, every shadow seemed darker, every sound more ominous. The trees pressed close and shut out the light of the sun, as low in the Western sky it broke through the remaining clouds. The path they followed was not much more than a foot or so wide [30 cm] and covered with what had been before the rain, dried leaves. After all, it was October, and when the wind set the leaves of the trees to rustling, it was like a cold hand on his shoulder. The stone cottage where they had turned off the high road was somewhere behind them and who knew what lay before them. The whereabouts of the English forces were a mystery and he was a prisoner of the French.

D**n King Hal and this war! Will silently cursed. If it were not for the king's wish to send a message to the Duke, he would not be in this fix. One of the king's favourite pages, he had been sent with a written, coded message to deliver personally to the Duke some miles from the king's tent. It had been his misfortune to be captured by this French patrol on the way back to the king's camp. With a battle between the English and the French brewing at any time, who knew what was now happening with the two armies.

They walked on in silence for what seemed like half an English mile [800 m] or so. When they finally reached their destination, the sun was already sinking below the trees. It was only a small clearing deep in the woods where a grove of plane trees grew in a rough circle. Their bone-white trunks with the distinctive brown patches were unmistakable. Will drew in his breath, and saw even the French soldiers staring. Will had never before experienced more than two or three of these big white and brown trees growing together like this. A grove was something that he had never seen before.

Then he saw the faces on the tree trunks. The faces of gnomes or elves, he couldn't be sure which, were carved into the tree trunks at eye level and faced inward toward the centre of the circle. Each had a long beard and pointed cap and the face of a wrinkled, old man. The expressions on the faces were those of men who had seen it all and tired of life. Still, it was the eyes of each face that caused cold chills to run up his back. The eye sockets seemed to follow him as they moved within the circle. Will felt like a mouse that was being watched by a cat just before it made its final lunge to finish off its prey. Then he saw that the eyes were painted into the carvings. The black pupils were particularly realistic in the pale twilight of early evening. This had to be a place used by local druids as part of their pagan worship.

The French knight raised his gloved hand and said to his men, "Arretez ici. C'est la place." [Stop here. This is the place.] It was obvious that he had been here before and knew these woods well.

"Dépouillez le prisonnier. Vous trouverez des enjeux dans le dégagement. Employez-les pour le fixer à la terre," he ordered his men. [Strip the prisoner. You will find stakes in the clearing. Use them to secure him to the ground.]

The French men-at-arms seized the boy between them and half dragged, half carried him to the centre of the circle of trees.

Turning to his young prisoner the knight spoke in good English. "If I want, I can soon make thee tell me anything that I want to know. My men and I are very good at getting prisoners to talk, even when there is no dungeon nearby."

Will was not sure what he had told his men. For all he knew, they were going to kill him then and there. One teenaged boy against three experienced French soldiers was not good odds and escape seemed impossible, given that the French had all of the weapons.

"Sir knight, I am but a humble messenger. I was only returning from carrying dispatches when thou captured me. Not even I know what was contained in them," replied Will.

Étienne du Bois Gilbert, his captor, laughed menacingly as he looked at the frightened boy standing before him.

The older of the two French soldiers holding him knocked Will to the ground with a hard blow to the stomach. The boy found himself on the wet ground doubled up in pain trying to regain his breath. The other French soldier immediately started pulling off his boots. The older one then straddled him with a dagger in his hand and an evil grin on his face.

With a practiced hand, he cut the rope binding Will's hands and then pointed the business end of the dagger at the boy's throat. With his free hand, the French soldier motioned to the boy to remove his tunic with its monogram of King Hal on the right breast. Slowly, Will did as he was commanded. Then the other soldier moved around and grabbed him by the shirt. Moments later it was added to the growing pile on the ground.

The cool, moist air of an October evening caused Will to shiver as he lay there on the wet leaves of the clearing in nothing but his hose. The younger of the two soldiers fumbled until he found the string that held these tight pants to his body and then pulled them down his lower body and legs until he was naked on the wet ground.

At thirteen years of age, Will was a fine specimen of English boyhood. At 5' 7" [1.70 m], for his time, he was considered above average height for his age. He weighed about 10 stone [140 lbs / 65 kg]. Participation in swimming and wrestling with other boys, along with his chores on the family's manor land, had tightened and toned his naturally muscular young body. His arms, chest, and legs were particularly well defined while his flaccid three and a half inch [9 cm] penis and hanging ball-sac were large and well-developed in their nest of dark pubic hair.

As they struggled to secure the boy, the older of the two men at arms turned to his comrade and spoke softly, "Celui-ci devrait apporter un bon prix avec les Infidèles qui commercent avec nous." [This one should bring a good price with the Infidels who trade with us.]

Like any boy from the English landed gentry of his time, Will had been taught to read and speak both English and Latin but in his case had not been taught French. He wondered what they were saying to each other.

The French soldiers rolled the boy over on his stomach and securely tied his ankles to two stakes in the wet ground of the circle. Next they forced him up onto his elbows so that his body was off the ground supported by his elbows. This had the effect of making his naked butt a waiting target. Having gotten him into the position that they wanted, they then used a wooden mallet to drive two stakes into the ground to secure him in this lewd and uncomfortable position.

The French knight walked over to the naked English boy. While never taking his eyes off his prisoner's inviting butt, he said to his men, "Bon travail!" [Good work!] Both of the men smiled at the knight and nodded their acknowledgment.

Hunting through the underbrush for wood and twigs, the two French soldiers then set to work building a small fire from damp materials. The knight pulled off his surcoat, carefully folded it, and laid it on top of Will's clothes. Then he undid his codpiece. His erect penis protruded from his coat of mail.

"I haven't had sex in more than a week while we have been chasing your d**ned king's army," the Frenchman said to the naked boy as he slowly ran his hand over Will's well-rounded fourteen-year-old naked butt. "You will just have to do," he added as he dropped to his knees and prepared to mount the boy.

Étienne du Bois Gilbert was a local knight. In his early twenties, he would have been considered handsome by some. He stood 5' 9" [1.80 m] with wavy brown hair and a clear complexion. Lords of neighbouring manors looked at him and saw a husband for their daughters. However, since his father's death two years earlier, his interests lay more in having sex with the boys of his manor than in bedding a young heiress or in fighting for the King of France for that matter. Let the two armies strut and posture, he thought to himself. A little pleasure for me and my men will do no harm. Besides, I will sell this beauty for a tidy profit and who's to know. A month from now he will grace the harem of some Infidel and never be seen again in either France or England, at least not with his balls still attached.

Claude and Jean, the knight's two men-at-arms, were from his manor and often helped him find boys that suited his as well as their own tastes. They were all lovers rather than fighters. It was just that the object of their love was frowned upon in their society so that they had to have their fun in secret. Now and then they would bed a local tavern wench, just to keep up appearances. However, there was no need to worry; who would believe a peasant boy over the young lord of the manor, particularly when two of his men supported his story of innocence?

Turning to Claude and Jean he said, "Après moi, vous pouvez l'avoir." [After me, you can both have him.] The two men just grinned. This was not the first time that they had shared a boy with their master.

Will struggled with his bonds, but he was securely tied to the stakes. In cold horror he realized that he was about to be raped by this man. He had heard stories of this sort of thing happening to prisoners on both sides and that there were even some men and boys who preferred the company of their own sex. However, at fourteen, he had never seen or experienced anything of this sort before this evening in the forest.

Having never had his anus probed before, Will didn't know what to expect. To his credit, his captor smeared some sort of salve on the boy's virgin butt hole and then slowly inserted his man-sized penis. At first, Will winced at this strange new sensation. However, once the man had passed the sphincter muscle, he wasted no time shoving his fully erect member all the way into Will's virgin butt. Will tried not to scream, but the pain was too intense and finally he couldn't help himself.

There was more than the rustling in the trees and bushes as birds and small animals were frightened by the sound of the boy's loud scream as he was raped by the Frenchman.

"Poussez quelque chose dans sa bouche!" [Shove something into his mouth!] Étienne ordered his men who were, by now, fondling their own erections.

The French knight resumed his slow pumping of the boy's rear. Étienne's pubic hair caressed the boy's butt as his hard penis stimulated the boy's prostate.

Claude, the older of the men-at-arms, took a rag and stuffed it in the boy's mouth to stifle his screams. His wicked grin betrayed his lust for the boy.

Will bit down hard on the rag in his mouth as his feelings alternated between pain and pleasure. He looked up, momentarily hoping for some miracle that would deliver him from this ordeal. Only the elfin carvings on the tree trunks looked back at him. The expressions on their faces now seemed to be silently enjoying the spectacle unfolding before them.

Tears were running down Will's face as the French soldier ran his hand down the boy's heaving sweaty chest. When he found his left nipple, he rolled it between his thumb and forefinger enjoying the feel of it in anticipation of his own turn at raping the boy.

Suddenly, the sound of an arrow shot from a crossbow was heard. Will looked up to see the arrow protruding from the French soldier's chest as he fell beside the boy with a red stain spreading over his tunic. Claude would never get to know the pleasure of raping Will.

Jean dove for his weapons as another arrow cut him down only inches from the spot where they lay. He too would not know the pleasure that the English boy's body would have given him.

Meanwhile, an equally surprised Étienne struggled to pull out of Will's anus and scramble to defend himself. "Que l'Enfer?" [What the Hell?] he muttered, half to himself.

With half-glazed eyes, Will saw the crest emblazoned on the surcoat of his rescuer. The boy recognized it. Those arms belonged to the King's Irish knight and aide de camp, Sir Sean O'Faolein!

The French knight, his codpiece dangling below his still stiff penis, reached his sword and started to unsheathe it. However, before he could get it more than half way out of the scabbard, another of Sir Sean's arrows caught him in the neck. As he looked down, Étienne wondered what was the source of the red fountain that seemed to be coming from his throat. The arrow had severed the jugular vein on the left side of his neck. Slowly, he sank to his knees and died in a pool of his own blood.

Seeing that there were no more Frenchmen for him to kill, Sir Sean turned to Will and broke out his dirk and began to cut the naked boy's bonds.

"Well, my lad, thou just cannot seem to stay out of trouble can thee? The King has been missing his favourite page. Since he sent two of you lads separately, Peter, your fellow page, was able to report that the message that the two of you were delivering got through to the duke. When thou turned up missing, he sent me to see what had happened to thee. If it hadn't been for that scream, I probably would not have found thee."

Will sat there on the wet ground with tear stains still on his face. His naked body was covered with sweat and dirt and mud from the wet ground. He trembled slightly from a combination of the cool evening air as well as what he had just experienced. In the light of the small fire, he looked like a wounded woodland creature.

"Sir Sean, thou hast indeed saved my life. Only God knows what these Frenchies would have done with me. Thanks be to thee," said Will to his rescuer.

"Hast thou thy clothes around here some place?" asked the knight.

"They be just here beside me on the ground," said Will, as he fumbled for his things. His fingers first found the French knight's surcoat. He looked at it and then used it to wipe his soiled butt.

Then, walking over to the body, he looked into the dead man's lifeless eyes and spit contemptuously in his face before dropping the now soiled surcoat on the corpse. Then he found his own clothes and started to dress himself.

"Sir Sean, I beg thee not to tell how thou found me. I could not live with all of the camp and the king himself knowing that a Frenchman was pleasuring himself with me when thou found me," begged Will.

"Honi soit qui mal y pense," [Evil be to him who evil thinks] replied Sir Sean using the Order of the Garter motto which Will knew was the King's own.

"Fear not, my young friend. No one need know but that I freed thee from three French captors and that be the truth of it," said the Irish knight. "Besides, it is not thy backside that the king favours, as I recall from my own days as his favourite page. Thy mouth is much more to his liking."

Northern France

Friday, 25 October 1415 (St. Crispin's Day)

On the following morning near the small village of Agincourt, King Hal, known to history as King Henry V of England, decisively defeated a significantly larger French army. Among the French dead were the Constable of France, Charles d'Albret, who commanded the French forces as well as three French dukes, at least eight counts, a viscount, and an archbishop. Henry's victory crippled France and was the high-water mark in the English dominance of French affairs in the Middle Ages.

Sir Sean O'Faolein and the King's page, Will, were among the victorious Englishmen who celebrated that St. Crispin's Day. In addition, they served their king in ways only known to them.

The End