Chapter 1
At the Villa of the Lady Domitia

A light rain was falling as Magnus walked towards the villa, careful to lift the hems of his seagreen cloak so that it did not trail in the mud. Although it was early November, the rain and the breeze were pleasantly cool; frost was a rarity this far south. A heavy ox cart rumbled by in the opposite direction, filled with ore from the mine whose outworkings were visible a short distance away.

Magnus was on his way to buy a slave from the villa up ahead, although he would have liked to have bought one of the slaves who he knew toiled miserably in the mine. Their lot was the hardest of any slaves in the Empire, and it would have pleased him to have liberated one from the terrible conditions they endured to have him as his body slave, but this was not an option, for all the mines were the property of the Emperor, and mine slaves were not for sale. Except perhaps for those so broken through over work and bad treatment that they were of no further use – they were sometimes sold off cheaply. But he had no use for those broken in body and spirit.

At the door of the villa the elderly major domo greeted him deferentially and led him through the portico where he was brought into the presence of the Notary Vergilio, who was seated at a table consulting a sheaf of parchments with his clerk. Vergilio was a tall man robed in black, like all lawyers, and was also bald, saturnine, and dyspeptic. The affairs of the late widow whose villa this was were in some disarray, and he was feeling disagreeable because he reflected that had he realised this he would have pushed for a higher fee.

"Good afternoon, Mage. I received your message. Allow me to show you the item for sale." He rose and led the way to one of the inner rooms. It was obvious that the villa was now in new hands: many items of furniture had already been removed, and most of those remaining had sale dockets attached; a large tapestry which had lately been removed from the wall was in the process of being rolled up by a young slave. "The new owner has different tastes from his late kinsman," remarked Vergilio, "and has left instructions for all the fixtures and fittings to be sold off. Including the body slave of the late Lady Domitia. Here boy!" He said to the slave.

The slave straightened up and approached them, head modestly down, and hands held loosely behind his back. Like all young male slaves, he was naked; he wore only a simple collar of brown leather which still bore the sigil of his late mistress. His nudity, his collar, and his circumcised status all made him instantly recognisable as a slave. Magnus admired the clean limbs and strong musculature, though the lad was not full grown. His hair was dark brown and covered his ears; his white skin showed that he was a household slave, not used to working out of doors.

Magnus lifted the boy's chin and looked at him carefully. "Your name?"

"Callixtus, master."

The boy's eyes, which were pleasingly blue, met Magnus's own grey ones. For the first time in his life, Callixtus came face to face with a mage. He saw a man of middle height clad in a blue-green cloak and white tunic, with muddied sandals and a sturdy ashen staff. Magnus was trim and powerfully built, with broad shoulders, and his grey hair was cropped short. He wore a carefully trimmed grey beard. His gaze was steady and penetrating.

Magnus beheld a pretty youth of about thirteen or thirteen or fourteen, whose head was level with the mage's chest. He opened the boy's mouth with his finger and examined his teeth – they were white and in good condition. He slid his hand over the boy's shoulders, gently squeezing the firm muscles, then – in a move which startled the boy slightly – he stooped his head and pressed his ear against Callixtus's chest. He listened to the regular sound of the boy's breathing, then slid his hand down to his genitals, which seemed to be of a slightly above average size – though of course a connoisseur like Magnus knew there could be a world of difference between the male member in its flacid and excited state. He bent down to make a careful examination of the penis, holding it between thumb and forefinger, and gently squeezed the large ball sac. The boy stood very still, scarcely breathing, and gave no reaction except for a sharp intake of breath.

Magnus motioned him to turn around with a twirl of his finger, and slid his arm over the good broad shoulders, and down the small of the back, gently caressing the perfectly globular buttocks. A fine specimen indeed.

"May I?" said Magnus, glancing at Vergilio as he produced a small silk handkerchief from inside his tunic.

"Of course," shrugged the lawyer.

The boy glanced over his shoulder, somewhat nervously, and Magnus said "Touch your ankles please."

He did so, and Magnus parted his bum cheeks to examine his very sweet and totally hairless cherry; then he licked his index finger and inserted it. Callixtus juddered at the unexpected intrusion but remained bent over as Magnus gave him a brief exploration as far as the first joint on his finger before withdrawing it and wiping it fastidiously on the silk – although the boy was clean and smelt fresh, he was pleased to note. Fresh and virginal. Yes, he thought, he will do very nicely.

Less than ten minutes later, after a quantity of gold and silver coins had been counted out and the Sale Parchment handed over, Callixtus had his brown leather collar removed and replaced by a smaller and lighter black leather twist from which hung a silver medal engraved with the lightning flash sigil of Magnus's ownership and also a wolf's tooth charm on a separate thin strip of leather. Simple though these items were, and still clearly indicating he was a slave, they nevertheless marked Callixtus's new status as the property of a Mage, and no longer a mere household slave to a decrepit old lady.

So Callixtus left the Villa of the Lady Domitia for the last time – a place he had known so long that he could scarcely remember anything of his former life, for he was only five or six years old when he had first been brought here. He had arrived with nothing, and he left with nothing – not a single possession, and not a stitch of clothing – Vergilio was not going to diminish the value of the property due to his client by allowing him to take anything with him. As he followed the Mage along the road away from the villa, muddying his bare feet on the wet road surface, he felt the rain and the breeze on his bare skin and shivered slightly, though with apprehension as much as cold. Life in the villa had been tedious and boring but at least safe and predictable. What did his new life hold in store? What was expected of him? He had no idea, and was too shy and in awe of his new master to ask any questions. Besides, it was not the place of a slave to ask too many questions.

The Mage and his new slave walked in silence for about half an hour, during which time they arrived at an inn whose sign bore a painted likeness of General Gracchus. This was an Imperial commander, now deceased, who had distinguished himself in the wars along the south west border of the Empire some sixty years ago. The inn had been purchased by a senior non-commissioned officer who had served in the General's campaigns and enriched himself in the process. On retiring from the service he passed his remaining years as the Landlord of the inn, which had now passed to his grandson.

All of this was known to Magnus, for the Landlord Salticus was an old acquaintance. Magnus had healed his servant boy of a badly broken leg when the lad was kicked by a recalcitrant horse he was tending in the stables. Magnus was committed to alleviating suffering where he could, and the boy had the added attraction of being very easy on the eye. The mage was able to use his magical powers to cause a complete healing of the badly broken leg so that no mark or scar was visible. The boy, who had been in agony, was completely healed in the space of twenty minutes, to the general awe of all who saw it. Magnus was indeed rather proud of this achievement – only rarely did healing magic produce such dramatic results. Of course, it was to a large extent dependent on the intensity of emotion the healer was able to call up. Had it been Salticus's fat and unattractive daughter – who also waited at table in the inn – Magnus doubted if he could have performed so impressively.

Callixtus had been shivering in the rain, unprotected from the elements as he was, so it was something of a relief to step inside the crowded inn. His senses were immediately assailed: the hubbub of noise from the large company talking together, almost masking the sound of a lute being inexpertly twanged somewhere nearby; the warmth of the large fire, with its assemblage of cauldrons and spits, and the delicious smells of beef stew which came from the cauldron. There were other smells too – wet dog, and the smell of generally unwashed people clad in linen or leather, some of whom were steaming dry after a recent rainsoaking.

"Greetings Sir Mage!" said the Landlord, a small wiry man who in no way resembled his now deceased and militarily imposing sergeant major grandfather, except perhaps in his tendency to affix unnecessary titles to people's names. Magnus was not entitled to the prefix of a knight; to address him simply as 'Mage' would have been formal and correct enough.

"It's been too long since your last visit, worthy sir! Ho there wife – wine and vittles for our guest! Lepidus! Where is that boy? Tell Lepidus that the Mage who healed him is here – tell him to come quickly and pay his respects! Sir Mage, you will find this stew of the very finest – made from cattle fattened on the lush pastures down by the Great River – with garlic and herbs from my own garden according to a special recipe of my mother's… Ah there you are at last Lepidus!"

Lepidus was a short and slim youth of about fifteen clad in the typical clothing of a young man of his station – a short tunic of unbleached linen which came down a little above the elbows, and a little above the knees, secured with a simple leather belt; and leather sandals. The soft folds of the garment hung pleasingly about his well knit frame. This was Samnite country, the heart of the Empire, and the youth was a typical example of that race, being brown eyed and brown haired, with a light olive complexion and fine smooth legs. His hair followed Imperial fashion in being cropped short, leaving the ears free. He grinned happily when he saw Magnus.

"And how is your leg, dear boy?"

"Never even a twinge, thank you Master Mage."

The landlord's fat wife added, in a voice choked with emotion, "The blessings of the ancestors be on you, Mage Magnus, for the wonderful skill and care you took of this poor lad. Such a good lad he is too, I don't know how we could manage without him!"

Lepidus continued to grin.

Magnus took a seat on a bench at a small wooden table while the landlord's wife served him with a plate of steaming stew. Lepidus poured him a goblet of red wine.

"That's my best vintage for you, Sir Mage!" the landlord said. "And on the house!"

Magnus adopted a genial expression and raised his goblet. "Your very good health, Salticus, and to your lady wife. May you have prosperity and length of years!"

Callixtus stood nearby, uncertain if he was supposed to do anything. He was feeling uncomfortable in the presence of so many people – this was a far cry from the subdued quiet of his late mistress's villa – he had never even been inside an inn before. Although he was accustomed to perpetual nudity, for the first time he felt self conscious to be standing there without a stitch on in a room crowded with two score people, all of them fully clothed. However, apart from Lepidus – who shot him a brief sidelong glance – he might have been invisible as far as everyone else was concerned.

Magnus beckoned Lepidus closer as the landlord and his wife moved away to deal with other customers.

"I trust you have been keeping well? Not getting any maidens into trouble? And keeping in with our estimable landlord?"

"Why yes, master. I like it well enough here, even though the pay is almost non-existent. But with a warm bed and plenty to eat and drink, and the occasional tip, I am content enough."

Magnus gave him a long, appraising look. Callixtus was aware of a sudden silence between the mage and the servant boy.

"Coin is hard enough to come by, but luckily I am well provided for. I have a mind to give you a tip later, and a very generous one, if you will make yourself available later this evening for some… special service of a personal kind."

Still keeping his cool grey eyes fixed on the youth, he pulled out a pouch from his tunic and slowly counted out twenty silver crowns. Then he looked again at Lepidus, and raised an eyebrow.

"Do we have an understanding?"

The youth flushed, then gave an embarrassed grin. "Yes master, we do!"

"Very well" said Magnus, "I look forward to seeing you in my room when your duties here are complete. I will be retiring there shortly; please see to it that my slave is fed and washed."

"Of course, master."

So it was that Callixtus found himself squatting on a rush-strewn floor in a back room reserved for slaves and servants, where he was in fact the only occupant, hungrily devouring a bowl of stew and a hunk of bread. When he had finished, Lepidus reappeared and conducted him to the outbuildings where he showed him the privy and the shower. The water was held in a perforated wooden tank: when a plate was removed it trickled out from a dozen small holes. A pipe brought it from the inn where it was heated by the fire, although the system was inefficient and the water was barely lukewarm. Lepidus handed Callixtus a bar of soap and watched as he soaped himself clean, paying particular attention to his muddy feet, which were somewhat bruised and battered from the unaccustomed outside walking he had done that day.

Callixtus knew better than to engage Lepidus in conversation. Lepidus may have been a servant but he was still free, and slaves did not initiate conversation with the free. Lepidus only addressed a few general remarks to Callixtus, and was careful not to get into a discussion; his demeanour was friendly but reserved – sometimes he even seemed a touch embarrassed. Callixtus picked up on the slight embarrassment felt by Lepidus but could not divine its cause.

"All finished?" said Lepidus. "Hand me the towel, and I will take you to your master's room."

Callixtus handed over the towel, and noted that Lepidus paused for a moment while his glance flickered over the slave's exposed genitals before turning and bidding him follow. Lepidus knocked at the door of an upstairs room and showed Callixtus in, then bowed to the mage.

"See you later then, master," he said to the mage.

Magnus replied, "I look forward to that very much."

Lepidus flushed and grinned. Was it his imagination, though Callixtus, or was there something wolfish about the grinning look the mage gave to the servant?

"I have some work to do, Callixtus. Please light the candles on my desk with that taper on the mantelpiece, and pour me a goblet of wine. Then you may sit quietly on that rug by the fire in case I need you for anything. You will sleep on that rug tonight. Be sure to put the fireguard up before you sleep – I would hate you to be injured by a spark from the fire."

Callixtus did as he was bid. He was a strange one, this mage, he thought to himself. But he spoke pleasantly and politely. No-one had ever said 'please' to him before, or been so solicitous of his welfare. As the mage's quill scratched away at the parchment on his desk, Callixtus sat cross legged on the sheepskin rug, enjoying the warmth from the fire on his clean naked skin, feeling pleasantly full, and fell into a contented reverie. In his previous life he had been kept busy with a myriad of household tasks for eighteen hours a day. He was unused to doing nothing. All in all, he thought, things haven't turned out too badly so far.

Chapter 2
At the General Gracchus Inn

A couple of hours passed as the mage's quill scratched away and the candle burned lower. The sounds of music and laughter, dimly audible from downstairs, gradually diminished till master and slave were left in silence. Then there came a gentle knock at the door.

"Come in," said the mage.

The door opened to reveal the grinning face of Lepidus the servant boy.

"Ah there you are dear boy! I trust your duties are all finished, and that you will not be missed for half an hour or so?"

"That's right, master Mage!"

Lepidus entered the room, glancing across at Callixtus still sitting cross legged on the rug by the fire. How charming Lepidus looked, thought Magnus. Was that a flush of embarrassment on his cheeks, or just the reflection from the glow of the fire in the grate?

The mage rose and approached Lepidus. Callixtus was uncertain what if anything he was supposed to do but he knew that if his master rose to his feet then he must too. The mage reached towards Lepidus's waist, and gently drew off his leather belt. Then he eased the tunic from his shoulders. It fell to the ground, revealing Lepidus's undergarments, which as was usual in the Empire consisted of a small white linen breechcloth. Without a word, Lepidus stepped out of his tunic and stooped down to unlatch and remove his sandals. Then he stood up again, avoiding looking at the mage.

Callixtus, who still had no idea what was about to happen but was gradually becoming aware of what this might presage, stared in fascination as the mage slipped off his own tunic – which was snowy white, in contrast to the seagreen of his travel cloak, which hung on a peg by the door. Magnus removed his own sandals, then pulled the drawstring of his breechcloth, which fell to his feet revealing his rigidly tumescent member. It was of moderate girth and slightly above average size, projecting out from his smooth shaved groin and jutting upwards at a curvaceous angle. Lepidus untugged the string of his own breechcloth to reveal his own member, which was long and thin but as yet flaccid. The servant boy, like the mage, had no pubic hair but was entirely smooth. However, the mage had some hair on his legs and his chest, whereas Lepidus's body was entirely shaved and hairless. They looked at each other and grinned, and Magnus gestured towards the bed.

The naked servant boy climbed up on the bed and took up a position kneeling on all fours. Magnus climbed up behind him as Lepidus, blushing furiously with a mixture of excitement and embarrassment, looked over his shoulder at him. Lepidus was no virgin – he had tumbled with a number of local wenches, and had also on occasion supplemented his meagre wages with inn customers who were prepared to pay for sex with him. But he had never performed in front of an audience before, and even though Callixtus was only a slave, nevertheless he found the other boy's presence uncomfortable.

Magnus, on the other hand, derived a great deal of satisfaction from the prospect of having an audience.

"Callixtus, would you please look in my travel bag on the desk and bring me the small bue flask you will find there." He said this without looking at the slave, but fondled his rampantly erect member as he fixed his eyes fixed intently on Lepidus and his totally glabrous and glorious nudity, gleaming in the glow of candles and firelight.

Callixtus obediently found the vial and brought it uncertainly to his master.

"Remove the stopper, and spread some of the contents on your fingers… good… now apply it here, if you please."

Callixtus had greased his fingers with a colourless and odourless viscous liquid he had found in the vial, and now – blushing furiously – applied it gingerly to the tip of Magnus's cock.

"Don't be shy, boy – spread it all along the shaft."

Callixtus complied. The mage's tumescent member felt gratifyingly large and warm. Soon, Callixtus had it well slicked, although to add to his embarrassment his own member had started to twitch into life.

"Thank you Callixtus. Now please place that cushion under Lepidus's belly, and stand back a little from the bed. But pay attention, for I may need you."

Callixtus did as he was bid, then moved back and continued to watch. His breath was coming in short shallow bursts, and his own member was now as fully erect as Magnus's, although he was glad to note that neither the mage nor the servant looked in his direction; naked as he was, there was no hiding his excitement.

Magnus shifted himself closer to Lepidus's proffered arse and gently slapped his turgid cock on the boy's back, then drew it across his globular bum cheeks and rubbed it gently against the boy's crack. Lepidus, whose own member was now rapidly swelling, exhaled loudly. Now Magnus started rubbing his glans against the boy's cherry, till it was slick with gel, and very gently started to slip it inside. Lepidus let out a loud groan. When the glans was inside, Magnus waited for a while so the boy could get used to it, then slowly slid the shaft in deeper. Lepidus, face down on the bed, gave a muffled cry of pain as the mage's cock slid deeper inside him, until the mage had penetrated him to his full length. Then he gently and slowly pulled it partially out, and in again, proceeding with an ever faster rhythm to fuck the boy, who groaned in pain and pleasure.

Callixtus watched entranced, his own cock twitching, as the mage now started to fuck Lepidus vigorously. After several minutes the mage suddenly gave a loud groan and thrust his whole body forward, leaning down on the boy's back and nuzzling the nape of his neck.

This sight was too much for Callixtus, who grabbed his own cock and gave it a few tugs – it only needed two or three and then suddenly the slave ejaculated all over his belly, trying to suppress his own groans in case the other two noticed. But they were engrossed in each other. Slowly, Magnus withdrew his reddened and engorged cock from Lepidus's hole, and wiped it casually on the cheeks of the boy's buttocks. Then he straightened up and stood off the bed.

"Thank you, dear boy," he said, "that was most pleasurable."

Magnus moved over to his desk, took a small leather pouch and handed it to Lepidus, who was flushed with exertion, although his own erection had rapidly disappeared as soon as the mage had started pumping him.

"You may keep the pouch as well as the contents. I hope that next time I am passing you will be equally accomodating."

"Thank you, Master Mage!" said Lepidus, grinning at the clink of coin in spite of his raw arse. He quickly got dressed and left. Just before he left the room, Magnus caught him in his arms, embraced him, and planted a kiss on his forehead. Lepidus, smiling happily, bade him a cheery goodnight.

"Well Callixtus," said the mage, turning to his slave, "I see you enjoyed yourself as well."

Callixtus blushed furiously. His own member was rapidly deflating, but still swung heavily down, and the splatter of sperm over his belly and the string descending from the tip of his knob spoke all to clearly of his inability to control himself. But as his master seemed amused rather than annoyed, he cleaned himself as best he could with his hands. Soon, the mage was fast asleep in his comfortable bed. Callixtus reflected that the bed was easily big enough to accomodate both of them, but it was not his place as a slave to share his master's bed. Besides, the rug was comfortable and the fire, though low, still gave off a comfortable heat. The room was heavy with the scent of wine and candles and sex. The slave boy curled up on the rug, his mind a confused mix of strange feelings, and surrendered himself to sleep.

Chapter 3
The Great River

The Inn of the General Gracchus was on the outskirts of a town which stood along the lower reaches of the Great River. This originated in the hills of the far north of the Empire, and after proceeding southwards for several hundred miles, then angled eastwards, eventually to flow into the Inner Sea. This is where Magnus was bound, for it was his intention that he and his slave would seek a sea going vessel in the port of Avenna, which stood at the mouth of the river, for a voyage to a destination he did not reveal.

This he explained to Callixtus in the first proper conversation they had so far had, as the mage sat in the small guest cabin of a large and ungainly river barge filled with grain which was drifting slowly east along the River, helped by the current but somewhat impeded by a cold north wind. The cabin was ordinarily the captain's but he had easily been persuaded to give it up in exchange for an additional payment. The journey was expected to take three days.

Although the weather had turned uncomfortably cold outside, especially for Callixtus in his state of total nudity, the cabin was fairly snug and had a small wood-burning stove. Magnus invited Callixtus to sit on the bed while he occupied the captain's battered wicker armchair. Callixtus was pleased and somewhat awed to be spoken to in this manner. Never before had a social superior talked to him in such an open, friendly and solicitous manner. Indeed, so engaging was the mage's polite manner, so interesting his conversation, and so melodious the pleasing tones of his voice, that Callixtus almost forgot that this was a master talking to his slave.

As for his part, Magnus enjoyed having a ready listener, especially one as comely as the slave boy, who was sitting cross legged on the bed and leaning forward slightly with a look of close attention on his face. Magnus enjoyed the sight of his eager face and blue eyes, and the silver sigil and wolf tooth charm which dangled from the thin necklace around his neck and betokened his ownership by the mage. These items were of course the only items of decoration the boy wore – and yes, Magnus enjoyed too the sight of the boy's smooth pale skin, and the large flaccid member nestling in the crook of his legs as he held his hands on the tops of his knees.

They spent many hours talking together as the barge slid slowly eastwards. Sometimes the mage spoke about the Empire and its customs, explaining all about the history of the places they were passing on the river bank, enlivened with anecdotage, some of which was of a humorous or scabrous nature. Callixtus was entranced; his world vision had been very narrowly circumscribed prior to this, although even now much of what Magnus said passed over his head.

The mage also quizzed the boy about his own origins, but discovered he could remember very little about his early life prior to being purchased by the Lady Domitia, only confused recollections of mounds of naked female flesh, and being petted and comforted by lots of different women, presumably his mother amongst them – although he could not separate them clearly in his memory.

After asking him some searching questions, Magnus said, "You were probably born in a brothel, or perhaps in the harem of some wealthy merchant. It is the custom of those in that situation to be kept until the age of five or six till they can be sold, usually into domestic service. As to your ethnic origins, it is hard to say… your blue eyes suggest you are not of Samnite stock, but perhaps from one of the northern tribes subject to the empire. You are not blond enough to be one of the barbarians from the islands in the northern seas, but you could perhaps be an Ugrian from the eastern marches… I suppose we will never know. Circumcision is a painful and memorable process, and yet you have no memory of it. This suggests you were circumcised before the age of two, and that you were therefore almost certainly born into slavery."

The crew of the barge were Rivermen, a distinct ethnic type found the length and breadth of the Great River, but rarely very far from it. They were of middling height , and somewhat hairier and swarthier than the generality of races within the Empire. They wore rough woollen tunics and sheepskins and sported red Phyrgian caps, which were the distinctive mark of the Rivermen. Apart from the captain, all were barefoot, and most were bearded. Hard working and taciturn, they mostly ignored their passengers, though one or two gave sidelong ogling glances to the pert buttocked naked slave boy.

Magnus had of course checked out all of the crew as well, but none of them caught his interest. His preference was for smooth youthful beauty, not hairy bearded men. (And like all mages, he had no sexual interest in women, being forbidden from marriage by the rules of his order). The only beardless youngster amongst the crew had a big beak of a nose and a cast in one eye, so there was nothing here to set the mage's heart racing. Certainly not compared to the constant presence of his lovely naked slave.

Magnus occasionally spoke with the captain but generally avoided the rest of the crew as they avoided him. The sailors were careful to avoid speaking to Callixtus – it wouldn't do to attempt intimacy with someone else's property, especially with the property of a mage – but some of the more morose sailors muttered at him for getting underfoot while he was scrubbing Magnus's linen on deck.

Doing the laundry was just about the only domestic task he had to perform. This happened on their second day on the river. Magnus explained that he wished his white linen to be laundered once a week, and his linen breechcloths to be washed every other day. Fuller's soap and a scrubbing brush were borrowed from the crew and Callixtus drew up river water to scrub the clothes on deck. Magnus sat below naked while this happened; indeed he spent the whole of the second day on board in this state, for it took a long time for his freshly laundered tunic to dry out, pegged about by the stove in the small cabin.

Callixtus was slightly unnerved at the sight of Magnus sitting in the nude in the wicker chair and watching him as he moved about the rather restricted space trying to hang up the washing. He was used to his own nudity of course but to have his master naked so close by reminded him uncomfortably of the night before last, and watching his master plough the arse of Lepidus the innkeeper's servant.

Callixtus, it should be said, was entirely virginal. This was rather unusual for a slave, especially a slave as pretty as he was. This was because his former mistress, the elderly and frail Lady Domitia, had long since gone past the age when her heart beat more quickly at the sight of a handsome naked youth – if indeed it ever had. She had in any case been far too snobbish to ever contemplate a slave as a sexual partner – it was unthinkable for a high born woman to have relations with a slave (for high born men it was another matter – but Lady Domitia's husband had died before Callixtus was bought). There were a number of free born maidservants in Domitia's household, but all far too old and respectable to look at Callixtus. The same was true of the withered up old major domo. As for the other staff who came into contact with the estate, none of them had any interest in Callixtus, nor he in them.

There had been one brief exception – a young slave boy with red hair and freckles who was owned by the baker and often made deliveries to the villa. Although he was younger than Callixtus he was far bolder and let it be known, on the occasions when they encountered each other, exactly what he would like to do to Callixtus, and what he would like Callixtus to do him – with many associated ribald remarks even including grabbing his erect member and tugging it – till the major domo sent him away with a clip round the ear – for like all young male slaves, the baker's boy was perpetually nude except for his slave collar. Callixtus had been confused and shocked but also excited and intrigued, and had more or less made up his mind that he would like to take things further the next time the young red head called round – but alas he never saw him again, for the baker, tiring of his impudence and his readiness in presenting his rump to be shagged by pretty much anyone who fancied it – finally lost patience and sold him to the mines.

"Well, Callixtus, I fear my clothes will be a long time drying, but you seem to have done a very thorough job – I thank you."

Callixtus blushed. He was still unused to being thanked for his services – nobody usually thanked a slave for anything.

"I think now you have washed my clothes you should wash yourself – thoroughly – but use this soap, not the rough fuller's soap you used for the laundry" – Magnus handed him a yellow cake smelling of lemons, quite unlike anything Callixtus had seen before – "and be sure to drink this. It will take about ten minutes to have an effect, and then you will need to use the slop bucket. Make sure you clean yourself thoroughly afterwards, mind." So saying, the mage handed the boy a small green flask.

Twenty minutes lighter, Callixtus returned to the cabin and stood squeaky clean and empty and shivering from the north wind and the cold river water, but gradually feeling warmth return to his limbs from the cabin stove. Magnus had stoked the stove up to dry out his recently washed clothes, which steamed gently. Callixtus noticed straight away that Magnus's cock was rigid, and with one hand he was applying some of the same gel he had used on Lepidus. Here it comes, thought the slave boy, I was wondering when we would get to this….

Without a word, Magnus gestured to the bed. Callixtus, the scene with the handsome innkeeper's boy two nights ago still firmly printed on his mind, climbed on the bed and carefully presented his rump. He found he was trembling slightly with fear but also with excitement at the new experience he knew he was about to undergo. Magnus climbed up behind him and placed a pillow under his belly. He reached underneath the boy to grab and fondle his cock, which he noted with satisfaction was already rock hard and drooling pre-cum.

Magnus was well practised in the sexual arts and gently coaxed and instructed Callixtus throughout; as a lover, he was gentle and considerate, but nevertheless Callixtus jerked his head up with a shout of pain as the slicked head of the mage's cock entered his virgin boy cherry. Magnus left it there for nearly two minutes to acclimatise the boy, then gradually pushed in deeper till Callixtus could feel the pulsating of the mage's turgid cock in his back passage. He felt a momentary pleased satisfaction as he said to himself, who would have thought I could get that monster inside me! In truth Magnus was no monster, being six and a half inches [17 cm] in length, but he was a respectable girth and Callixtus was of course a virgin, now being ploughed for the first time.

As Magnus started thrusting, slowly at first but gathering pace, his balls slapped against the boy's bum cheeks and the pain for Callixtus became so intense that he cried out aloud. Magnus could have stopped and performed a simple act of magic to take away the pain, but despite being a kind and compassionate man he was only human and this was no time to stop. He gave a loud cry himself and suddenly Callixtus felt the mage's seed flooding deep inside him. With a judder, Magnus fell full length across the boy and gently rolled him on his side. They both lay panting for a while, and then Magnus drew out his cock, slippery with gel and cum.

"I notice, dear boy, that just as I have flooded your delicious little arse with my seed, so you too have soaked my bed with your own gushing love juice. You naughty little thing."

It was true. Callixtus was flushed with exertion and shame.

"Don't worry, sweet thing. I like nothing better than bathing in boy juice."

And Magnus turned the boy's head towards his own, kissing him full on the lips, and inserting his tongue into the mouth of the startled slave. Fucked and French kissed – two new experiences. And as they lay in each other's arms, Magnus nibbled his ear through his shaggy brown locks and whispered endearments to the boy, complimenting him on his peformance.

"From now on," said Magnus, "no more sleeping on the floor for you. I want you to share my bed."

The pain in Callixtus's arse was replaced by a dull throb, a not unpleasant reminder of the shafting he had received. Proud and happy that he had made his master happy, and nearly as shocked by the offer to share his master's bed as he was by the thorough rogering he had just received, Callixtus fell into a deep and contented sleep.

Chapter 4
Avenna

It was on the evening of the second day aboard the barge that Callixtus had lost his virginity to his master. When they woke up on the morning of the third day, they renewed their congress. Indeed, Magnus did not leave the cabin for the whole of the day, but fucked his slave boy three more times before the barge reached its destination that evening.

The mage, despite being in his forties, was very fit and naturally potent. His magical training and abilities fortified his libido. Callixtus was of course as randy as any normal teenage boy, and each time he was fucked he also ejaculated as well. He was delighted with the new found pleasures of their lovemaking and pleased and proud of his hitherto unsuspected abilities, and the way his master showered him with praise as well as kisses. In truth, the boy had a lot to learn, thought Magnus, who deliberately exaggerated his praise to build up the lad's confidence – but really, the slave was far too passive, just lying there and taking it. But over time, he would be trained to increase his master's pleasure.

Magnus fucked him doggy style on the bed once more but tried different positions for the other two occasions, fucking him as he lay on his side, lifting the boy's outer leg, and again while he lay on his back and pushed his legs apart while he held his knees. This last fuck gave Callixtus quite a lot of pain and he shouted out loudly. Afterwards, the mage muttered a simple healing incantation and moved his hand in a circular motion over the boy's belly – Callixtus felt the pain disappear almost immediately, to be replaced by a pleasing warm tingle.

At one point Callixtus emerged from the cabin to rinse the sweat and sperm off himself and relieve himself over the side, and noticed quizzical looks from the sailors.

"Get a good fuck, did you, bum boy? You must have been enjoying it – you were making enough noise about it!" Loud laughter followed from the other sailors.

With a sense of shocked embarrassment Callixtus realised that the noise from their energetic lovemaking had been heard by everyone on the barge. He was the only one to be shocked – everyone knew masters liked to fuck their slaves of either sex, if they were young and attractive, and everyone knew that mages had a particular liking for pretty boys like Callixtus. They enjoyed his embarrassment, but were not in the slightest bit shocked or surprised at what had been happening. Many of them would have jumped him themselves, if they had the chance.

As the barge drew in to the quayside at Avenna, night had already fallen and the harbour was illuminated with flaming torches set high in bracketed lamps. The shouts of the sailors mingled with the weird laughter of herring gulls roosting on the roofs of the dock buildings – a curious sound for Callixtus, who had never heard it before. Another new sensation was the tang of salt blowing in from the sea, mingling with the smells of tar and sewage and fish guts.

Master and slave crossed to the dockside, a few of the sailors following the sight of Callixtus's pert and well-used buttocks with a few ribald parting remarks.

"We will stay in one of the dockside inns tonight, Callixtus. I must see if I can find a ship to take us on the morning tide, across the Inner Sea. See those Sassid trading skiffs – notice their fine sleek lines. We may be able to get passage on one of those. Those dark skinned men in full length loose white robes are the Sassid sailors. And further over there I see a couple of Imperial merchant vessels, and a Cheskan ship too. Any of those might also suit our purpose."

The dockside was full of life. Female prostitutes, painted and garishly dressed, lifted provocative hems to entice passing sailors. A drunk stumbled out of a wineshop, vomiting into the gutter. Sounds of music, laughter, and loud voices spilled out of the taverns and wine shops along the harbour front.

Magnus enquired at three inns before finding one with a spare bed. Early November was a busy time as the last merchant ships of the season plied the trade routes, their holds groaning with an abundant harvest, before the winter storms reduced shipping activity in the Inner Sea.

Magnus sighed with disappointment at the inn they were forced to put up in, for it was considerably less salubrious than the better establishments, which were all full. Avenna was full of military activity: a recent naval action had seen several pirate ships taken or sunk by the Imperial navy, and Imperial sailors and marines were everywhere to be seen, noisily celebrating their victory.

The inn they found was crowded, noisy, and dirty. Callixtus again felt the twinge of embarrassment about walking in naked to a room crowded with people who were all fully clothed, but although some of the sailors leered lustfully at him, they soon backed away when they realised he was not only someone else's property, but the property of a mage as well. Everyone knew mages were not to be trifled with. Tempting as it might be to slap Callixtus's pretty arse or grab that nice pendulous cock, such liberties could get you turned instantly turned into a frog by the boy's enraged owner. Or so it was believed.

The only place they could find a seat was at a small side table in a corner of a back room which was occupied by a dozen noisy marines in their distinctive dark blue tunics and leather accoutrements, all drunk and loud, and engaged in a game of cards. Magnus eventually got the attention of a harassed wench who brought them fish stew and sour white wine, though the bread that came with it was fresh and good. Magnus ate hurriedly while Callixtus squatted on the floor at his feet, his back against the wall.

While Magnus ate, Callixtus said, "Master, is that a slave over there? I haven't seen any others so far."

"I have seen other slaves, my boy, though you probably didn't notice them as they were old and ugly and so kept wrapped up. There were two squatting outside waiting for their masters. I recognised them by their slave collars."

"Yes master, but what about that one over there?" Callixtus indicated a handsome youth of about fourteen who was standing at the bar deep in conversation with a strapping sailor. The boy had short dark hair, cut in an attractive fashion with a floppy fringe over his brow, and was naked except for a curious arrangement of black leather belts. He had cross straps over his shoulders joining on to a leather belt round his waist, and a couple of leather straps around his thighs and above his ankles and on his arms, but apart from that he was completely naked.

"No Callixtus, that is no slave. See he does not wear a collar, and even from this distance you can see that his rather impressive cock is uncircumcised. No, he is a rent boy dressed in the customary clothing of his kind – if you can call it clothing. It is derived from the dress of the ancient Phyrgians. Note how the straps are artfully arranged to call attention to the boy's more interesting parts."

Magnus, judging by the intent and wolfish gaze he now lent towards the rent boy, certainly found him interesting – he was well muscled and rather pretty, and his skin very pale and completely smooth, so that his large cock and balls hung out nicely from his smooth groin, which were completely glabrous – just how Magnus liked it. He glanced down at Callixtus, squatting on the floor, and made a mental note to have the boy's pubic thatch depilated as soon as possible. When he looked back at the rent boy, it was to see his pert buttocks receding out of the door with the sailor's arm around his shoulders. Clearly, he had found a customer.

Magnus finished eating and passed the still half full bowl of stew and bread down to Callixtus. "Stay here and eat. I must go and make enquiries about a ship. I will be as quick as I can."

Callixtus was glad of the dark corner and the noise around him; no-one paid him any attention and as he ate he watched the proceedings with interest. The noisy card-playing marines were very drunk and very loud. One of them, a heavily built man with a livid scar running down his cheek, was clearly losing heavily.

"Come on sergeant, put in more coin or you are out!" one of the others said.

"All right, lads, all right, so you bastards have almost cleaned me out – but I'm prepared to wager my prize from the pirate ship for you all to enjoy if I lose the next round."

Amidst hoots and thumps of goblets on the table, the sergeant turned to speak to one of the other marines who was not playing the game but standing watching. The marine went out of a side door and re-appeared with a small bound captive – clearly a slave, judging by his collar and his nudity, but obviously of recent capture for he was not yet circumcised. He was a youth of about sixteen, though rather small of stature and not looking at all like Callixtus's idea of a pirate. The young man looked terrified, and had his hands tied behind his back.

"See here lads," said the sergeant, grabbing the youth by his dark mop of hair, "this is a taste of the fun you can have if you accept my wager!"

With one hand still holding the captive by the hair, with the other he fumbled inside his leather tunic and took out his large, gnarled, and erect penis, with its large purple glans gleaming menacingly in the candlelight. Then he forced the youth down on to it, and with laughter and shouts of encouragement from the others proceeded to give him a savage face-fuck. Within a couple of minutes he ejaculated copiously into the captive's mouth, then roughly shoved him to the ground, where he lay sobbing, spitting out the cum which dribbled from his mouth.

As he lay there, the marines returned to their game, and once again the sergeant lost.

"OK boys, he's all yours – but don't damage him too much or I won't get a decent price for him!"

One of the other marines stood up with a harsh laugh, pulled up his tunic and untugged his breechcloth to reveal his engorged cock. Then he forced the captive down so that his back was on the wine- slicked floor and grabbed him by the ankles, bending his legs back and apart, and immediately and powerfully thrust himself inside him.

"By the ancestors, he's got a tight little hole!" he shouted, as he thrust away, the captive's tears forcing themselves from his tightly closed eyes as he lay on his back, sperm from the sergeant's cock still dribbling out of the corner of his mouth.

Callixtus was horrified. The other marines were egging on their comrade, and queueing up behind him, fingering their erect penises and telling him to get a move on while they waited their turn. The sergeant, who started singing a drunken shanty, keeled over onto the floor and vomited, then lay snoring while the first marine finished, and pulled out his dripping cock to make way for the second one.

Just at that moment Callixtus caught sight of his master, who had just returned. The mage's face was contorted with fury. Although he did not speak, he turned his gaze on Calllixtus, who felt a stab of fear as he had never seen the mage look so angry before – even though he knew his anger was directed at the marines and not at him. Although Magnus's lips did not move, nor did he speak, Callixtus suddenly heard his voice very clear inside his head – there was no doubting it – and with controlled fury and urgency the voice which only he could hear said Callixtus, you must close your eyes tight shut and do not open them till I tell to you.

Callixtus needed no second prompting – the sight of the poor pirate captive being brutally raped was one he was glad to shut out of his vision.

Exactly what happened next Callixtus was never really sure. He heard Magnus speak strange words in a commanding voice and in a language he did not understand, and then the room fell deathly silent, all except for the quiet sobbing of the captive.

"You may open your eyes now Callixtus."

As he did, he could see a barely perceptible shiver in the air, like the heat haze on hard baked earth, and he saw that all of the pirates were sprawled on the ground, with their eyes open (except for the drunken sergeant, who snored in stupor still), and their limbs rigid and contorted.

Callixtus scrambled to his feet. "What did you do, master?"

"I haven't harmed them. Not as much as they deserve. The spell will wear off soon enough. Come, we must get out of here."

Just then one of the serving wenches re-entered the room and gave a loud scream at the sight of all the unconscious marines sprawled around the room with wide and sightless eyes. Magnus stooped down and gathered up the weeping naked captive in his arms. The captive was small and of slight build, and Magnus was strong, so he lifted him onto his shoulder with ease, and carried him out, with Callixtus quickly following.

They were followed too by the shocked and fearful stares of the other customers, who from a stunned silence now began a low murmuring, directing keen and unfriendly glances at the mage as he strode from the inn, with the trembling bundle over his shoulder presenting his naked and leaking rump to the onlookers.

"I fear we may have upset His Imperial Majesty's navy. We had best make ourselves scarce," said Magnus, as they crossed outside into the dark street.

Chapter 5
Yocasta the Healer

Magnus hurried through the dark streets away from the docks, heading into a maze of narrow cobbled streets leading further into the city, followed closely by Callixtus, whose feet slithered on the damp and sharp cobblestones. Within a few minutes they arrived at a doorway set into a stone built terrace along a narrow alley. Magnus hammered the door with his staff, and it opened to reveal a homely looking middle aged woman swathed in a dark robe. Her eyes opened wide with astonishment as she beheld the trio, but she quickly beckoned them inside and bolted the door.

"Thank you Yocasta, I apologise for calling on you for assistance unannounced, and at such a late hour."

"You know I am always at the service of a fellow healer, Magnus. Come in by the fire, and let me see what you have brought."

In the interior of Yocasta's small and sparsely furnished inner room she took the injured boy from Magnus and laid him on a sheepskin rug before the fire.

"What happened?"

"Raped by a crowd of Imperial marines in an Inn by the docks. I struck the perpetrators temporarily blind and cataleptic in order to rescue him and make our escape. As you see from his collar, he is an Imperial slave, so no doubt he is a prize taken by the marines in their recent victory over the pirates."

Yocasta called out "Maeander!" and a thin and gawky girl appeared, clothed in a similar gown to her mistress. Now that they were inside, where there was more light, Callixtus noticed that their robes were of a rich dark green, and not black as he had originally supposed.

Yocasta rattled instructions and the girl left to fetch a bowl of warm water and a towel. Meanwhile, she muttered a healing incantation, and gently sponged the youth clean from the sweat and grime and sex of the brutal marines. She spoke gently to him, trying out a few words in a number of languages, till finally the boy he spoke to her in a thin, soft voice. She had a brief conversation with him in his own language, then hushed him quiet and wrapped him in the towel. She also moved her hand over his throat, muttered another incantation, and then pulled off the slave collar which suddenly came loose in her hand.

The girl approached and helped the boy to his feet. Yocasta's healing magic was working quickly, and he limped out of the room with the girl's arms around his trembling shoulders.

"He was no slave, Magnus," said Yocasta. "He is a Fennec – they are a small nation living on the northern shore of the Inner Sea, beyond the boundaries of the Empire. His people are fisherfolk; he was at sea when their fishing boat was taken in a raid by pirates from the Black Islands just over a week ago. When the pirates were destroyed by the Imperial Navy he was taken prisoner again. He should never have been enslaved by our people a second time."

"Don't call them our people," said Magnus bitterly.

Yocasta said, "Had he been a subject of the Empire, or even the slave of a subject, he would have been liberated or returned to his master. But as an alien, he has no rights here, and would technically have been considered part of the booty lawfully seized from the pirates and subject to distribution amongst the victors as part of the spoils of war. But even though the treatment he received was legal, it is still shameful."

"What will happen to him now?" said Magnus.

"We will keep him here as long as necessary, though he was not badly injured, all things considered. At least he would not have been badly used by the pirates: the Black Islanders would not risk damaging his sale value, and in any case they abhor sexual relations between persons of the same sex – one of the many ways in which their peculiar customs differ from those of more civilised peoples. Though in this case, for once I find some sympathy for the pirates. Once he has recovered, I will try and find a way of delivering him home to his people. Until then, he can stay here with me and assist us with household tasks. I will find some clothes for him, for I will not have him here as a slave. That would be unjust, and besides, Magnus, as you know I disapprove of slavery."

Here she shot Magnus a hard look, and he had the grace to look awkward.

Yocasta continued, " It will be good for Maeander to have some relief from menial duties while she concentrates on learning more of the healing art."

Then, seeing that Magnus still looked somewhat embarrassed, she spoke in a softer tone, "You did well to save him, Magnus. I know you are inclined to be selfish and somewhat frivolous, but I believe your heart to be in the right place. Thank you."

Magnus said, "You are the one to whom we owe our thanks, Yocasta. Perhaps you will permit me and my… ah… companion to stay with you for a few hours. We will leave before dawn, as I have secured passage on a Cheskan ship which leaves on the morning tide. We should be safe enough at that hour, although I will take the precaution of disguising ourselves in the hopes of avoiding detection. I am sure the city guard will be searching for us after tonight's adventure."

Yocasta's house was small and only had two bedrooms. The healer occupied the main room while her girl assistant and the rescued Fennec youth had the other. Magnus and Callixtus both lay down to sleep on the rug by the fire in the sitting room. Tired and dispirited from the night's events, Callixtus fell asleep almost instantly.

Callixtus felt that he had only been asleep for moments when he felt himself shaken awake. He was startled and disoriented to see a clean shaven face staring intently at him. It took him a while to comprehend that this was in fact Magnus, his beard gone, and his hair changed in colour from grey to dark brown. Only the mage's penetrating grey eyes remained the same. The mage's appearance was considerably altered – at least twenty years seemed to be taken from him.

"Don't be alarmed, Callixtus. It is still I. I have the power to shape change, though most of what you see is the result of natural practice in the arts of disguise, rather than magical power. But come, we must be on our way, for soon the sun will rise, and we must make our way to the harbour."

Magnus gave Callixtus a pair of sandals which were rather too small and pinched his feet – the boy had never worn footwear of any kind before. He also wrapped him in a voluminous dark green hooded cloak belonging to Yocasta. Underneath it Callixtus was still naked, but anyone who saw them would not realise this. The mage was dressed as before, but his sea green cloak seemed to take on the hues of the early morning light and blend and absorb them in a curious way.

Raising his hood, Magnus beckoned Callixtus to follow, and they left the healer's house. Outside, the sky above the narrow cobbled streets was just beginning to take on the tinge of a grey, cool dawn. It was dry, but the cobbles were still wet with last night's rain. A light mist rose around them as they threaded their way silently, through deserted streets, down towards the harbour.

Chapter 6
The Inner Sea

Magnus and Callixtus reached the Cheskan ship without incident, and were relieved to be away on the morning tide. They both kept to their cabin for the first day. For Callixtus, this was his first time on the open sea, and the rolling motion of the ship – sped along by a strong north wind – made him very seasick. Magnus eased his suffering with some simple incantations, and bound a green stone around his chest, which he said would alleviate the symptoms. So it seemed to, although for some days Callixtus had no appetite, and wanted to do nothing but lie on the bunk and sleep.

Fortunately, Magnus nursed him with care. He was diligent in this and rarely left the boy's side, smoothing his brow, helping him sip warming broth, and speaking to him soft and gentle words of reassurance. If anyone had observed them together they would not have guessed this was a master tending his slave. Magnus kept the boy covered with the cloak he had worn on their escape from the house of Yocasta the healer. They slept together in the bunk, but although they both slept naked, the mage held the boy in a chaste embrace, and they did not have sex. The mage's more youthful appearance persisted, and he kept himself clean shaven.

Now at last, a week later, Callixtus had his sea legs and was ready to explore his surroundings. The ship was a sleek wooden merchant, with a crew of about twenty, all of them Cheskan. She was carrying a cargo of grain with smaller quantities of rarer items such as fine glassware, gilt mirrors, silver candlesticks, enamelled storage chests and richly embroidered tapestries. The Empire had craftsmen of a skill unequalled elsewhere, and such items found a market in the less advanced but agriculturally prosperous country of the Cheskans.

As for the Cheskans themselves, Callixtus did not understand their somewhat guttural language, but he enjoyed watching them at work about the ship and even conversing with some of them in their strongly accented common tongue. They were a lithe and blond race, though some were brown haired, and were generally of middling height and fair of face and limb. Their golden suntanned bodies and their virtual nudity (though at times they wore yellow hooded cloaks when working the ship in the cold wind and rain) showed that they were dwellers in a warm and sunlit land, and uninhibited about their bodies.

Magnus explained that their country was large but not heavily populated, and stretched for hundreds of miles in a great peninsula stretching southwards. The ship was heading for its home port of Karlovar, a long way down the eastern side of the peninsula. Most Cheskans lived along the eastern coast, for the interior was mountainous and not so fertile. The mountains formed a rough T shape, with a near inaccessible frontier with the Empire to the north, and stretching down the western and central side of the peninsula, gradually diminishing in height to the south. This configuration of terrain meant that most contact between Cheskia and the Empire was by sea. The Cheskans acknowledged no king or emperor but were bound by a common cultural tradition and an unwritten legal code, enforced by village elders or urban councillors, elected by all adult males. Slavery was unknown. Women enjoyed property rights and equality in matters such as divorce but were by tradition excluded from political power.

Cheskans girls left home after the onset of their first period, and lived in lodges under the supervision of elder matrons, where they learned homemaking arts. They came of marriageable age at sixteen, and most were married off soon after. Marriages were generally arranged by families, but the wishes of the couple were also carefully consulted, and no-one was forced to marry against their will. All females wore linen shifts – white in the case of unmarried girls, sky blue for the married, dark blue for the separated or divorced, and black for the widows.

Males had a very different style of life. At the age of twelve or thirteen, provided they had begun puberty, they also moved into their own lodges, separate from the girls, and stayed there till the age of twenty. These lodges were run by the lads themselves. They worked on their family farms or were apprenticed to trades, but most also based themselves in their lodges, where they enjoyed a great deal of freedom. At the age of twenty they left the lodge and were permitted to marry, but not before.

In contrast to the long linen shifts of the women and girls, males wore far less. The traditional Cheskan custom for male dress, which was still adhered to in the countryside (though not so much in the towns) was complete nudity until the age of twenty, whereupon the breechcloth was adopted as a symbol of leaving the Youth Lodge and entering on the responsibilities of manhood. When a man married – which sometimes took place quite soon after leaving the lodge – he adopted an unadorned white knee-length cotton kilt as a mark of his new status.

At the age of thirty a man became eligible to be elected to positions of authority, and adopted sandals and a simple tunic of wool or linen. Those who had served at least two years as an elected official and who had reached the age of sixty were considered Elders and adopted a long white gown with a grey cloak, and were held in high honour. Black cloaks, or black trim to the tunic, were worn by those who were widowed.

Most of the sailors on the ship were unmarried young men in their twenties and therefore wore skimpy breechcloths, which were in any case more practical for clambering about the rigging than a kilt. The captain, however, a man in his forties, wore a full tunic. One of the crew went about naked all the time – this was the ship's cabin boy, a small but muscular lad of about thirteen.

Like all Cheskans, their bodies were completely smooth. They did not wear cosmetics or decorations of any kind, which were considered decadent and improper for both sexes . Cheskans naturally had very little body hair, and any which sprouted anywhere except on their heads was carefully depilated.

The freedom with which they spoke to one another and to Callixtus and even the mage was a source of wonder to the slave boy. With no slaves in their own land, and with nudity amongst the young males so common, the Cheskans saw nothing odd about Callixtus's nudity, and saw no reason to distance themselves from him on account of his slave status. They had little understanding of the social gulf between master and slave which had been drilled into Callixtus throughout his life in the Empire.

Callixtus found this very gratifying. They did, however, express a frank curiosity about his circumcised penis, as circumcision was virtually unknown amongst them. Most of them favoured him with a careful scrutiny, which at first he found embarrassing; and he also realised that homo-erotic relations were the norm. The younger sailors especially were quite uninhibited about caressing or kissing each other openly – when it did not interfere with their work – and although Callixtus did not see anyone actually performing any sexual acts, it was quite obvious that most of them enjoyed each others' bodies in the fullest sense. Magnus explained that this was regarded as normal and honourable, and it did not even cease when they were married, although – as in the Empire – it was considered improper for older men to play the passive role in intercourse.

Callixtus also felt his spirits rising with an increasing warmth in the air as the ship sped south. The wind changed quarter and now blew from the east – a gentler and warmer wind. The sun sparkled in the waves as the lithe suntanned bodies of the scantily clad sailors went about their duties on deck or hauled their clean young limbs up through the rigging.

After a pleasant time watching them and conversing with some of them, Callixtus came below, invigorated by the sea breeze on his naked skin, and feeling glad that the last traces of sea-sickness had now left him. He found Magnus writing on a parchment at his desk in the cabin.

"Now then my boy," said the mage, "as we will be making land in a few more days, I think you may as well adopt a change of style. I do not suggest you wear clothes – you no longer need that cloak of Yocasta's now that we are entering warmer climes – and nor do you need those horrid little sandals you wore on our escape from Avenna, for as you have seen Cheskan lads your age go bare foot and bare arsed. But you still have a tangle of pubic hair about your delicious member which to my mind looks unsightly, especially as the rest of your body is as perfectly glabrous as the lovely bodies of the Cheskan boys. I think it will therefore be appropriate if you adopt this custom of the natives so that you are as smooth down there as they are. Of course, I cannot do anything about your exposed glans; permanently removing the marks of circumcision is, alas, beyond my powers. But in other respects you will soon look like a proper Cheskan, albeit not as blond as most of them. I am going to see the captain, and I will ask him to send his cabin boy to shave you straight away." So saying, he put away his quill and parchment and rose to leave the cabin.

A few minutes the cabin door was flung open and the cabin boy entered. Callixtus thought it was rather rude of the boy not to knock. A couple of weeks ago he would never have expected such courtesy – but, well, he was the property of a powerful mage, and it seemed like a small discourtesy to Magnus as much as to himself.

Be that as it may, the boy stood there with an impudent grin on his pretty face and a towel over one arm, holding a razor, while he held a silver basin in the other hand.

"I'm Brenko, the cabin boy, and I'm here to shave you," he announced.

The boy was small, no more than five feet [1.50 m] tall, with short blond hair and golden tanned skin so characteristic of the Cheskans. As he was a youngster he was of course completely naked, and being a Cheskan completely unembarrassed about it – there was even a certain swagger about the way he planted his feet wide apart and thrust his body forward a little, his nicely proportioned cock hanging between his totally smooth V. Brenko approached and, falling to his knees, proceeded to lather up Callixtus's pubes with a silver mounted badger hair brush, grinning in a cheeky manner as he did so. He then applied the razor with great care and dexterity, until soon all trace of hair was gone, and Callixtus was completely smooth.

"There you are! Just like a Cheskan!" Brenko's command of the common tongue was better than most on board. He was in fact the captain's nephew, and had already made many voyages to Avenna and other Imperial ports, so was more familiar with the Empire and its ways than many of his compatriots.

Needless to say, the smooth application of the lather and the careful application of the razor induced pleasurable sensations in Callixtus. His cock began to twitch into life, and Brenko's did the same. The cabin boy finished up the shave and dried the slave's groin, then gave a laugh as he grabbed hold of Callixtus's now fully erect cock. With the most impudent of grins, he then popped the cock in his mouth, and proceeded to give the startled slave a most expert and energetic blow job – an entirely new and very pleasurable experience for Callixtus.

Just then the door opened and Callixtus was appalled to see a frowning Magnus standing in the doorway.

"I see you have somewhat exceeded your instructions, young man!" he said to the cabin boy, who got up in alarm.

"I'm sorry friend, he just sticked it in my mouth so what could a poor boy do?!" said the insouciant youth.

"Is that so?" said Magnus, in an icy tone.

Brenko was standing on his feet now, facing the mage, and placed his hands on his hips, which were thrust forward provocatively, displaying his rampant hard on. Quite impressive for such a young lad too, thought Magnus.

"I think, young Brenko, that you need to be taught a lesson. Should I tell your Uncle the Captain what I have just witnessed? I don't think he will be very impressed."

Brenko merely shrugged. "Tell him what you like. Where's the harm in sucking another boy's cock? I do it all the time!"

"Now that I can well believe" said Magnus drily. He was still feigning irritation, but finding it hard not to smile at the boy's impudence.

"So tell me, young Brenko" said the mage, "do your cabin boy duties include servicing all the members of the crew like this?"

"No! Well, not all of them. Certainly not my uncle! We Cheskans do have morals you know. But I think I've sucked off most of the others."

"Hmm," said Magnus, "well I suppose you may as well finish what you have started. Don't worry, Callixtus, I'm not angry with you, though I would prefer you to have kept your no doubt tasty boy juice to spend with me. But as young Brenko is helping himself to you, I think I may have to help myself to him."

The cabin boy simply grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "Be my guest!" he said, and as he did so he fell back to his knees, re-applied his mouth to Callixtus's cock, and protruded his arse back to Magnus in a most lascivious and inviting manner.

Magnus needed no further invitation and tugged out his already rigid member without bothering to remove his tunic, and then proceeded to lubricate it thoroughly with the gel from his blue flask.

Brenko turned over his shoulder and said, "What are you waiting for then mister? I've never had a mage's cock up my arse before. I don't suppose it's very different to any of the others!"

"You rascal!" laughed Magnus. Without further ado he mounted the cabin boy from behind as he continued to suck away at Callixtus. The boy's smooth bum cheeks, warm and tanned, easily parted and despite his small size the mage's cock slid in easily. Clearly, Magnus's cock was not the first to enter this particular hole.

It didn't take long before Callixtus flooded the cute little cabin boy's mouth with his seed, to be followed a few moments later by the mage's orgasm. As both of them had been celibate since they had fucked on the river barge more than a week ago, the amounts of sperm produced were prodigious. The cabin boy pumped away at his own cock as well and added his smaller quantity to the party. Then he bounded to his feet, fingering his hole and wiping his mouth at the same time.

"Thanks mister!" he said. "Your cock is nice and big, and yours is really tasty Callixtus! Mind you, mister, I have had bigger!" And with that, the cheeky youngster flounced out of the cabin, spattered in rivulets of spunk.

Magnus collapsed on the bunk and burst out laughing. "Well, if that wasn't the most impudent young scamp I've ever had the pleasure of fucking!"

Callixtus laughed too. "So you're sure you're not angry with me, master?"

"No, my boy, how could I possibly be angry with such a sweet and delectable treasure as you. Mind you, I don't want to share you around with all and sundry. But as it will take us a few more days to make land, I suppose we might repeat today's performance with that young knave on a few more occasions before we reach port."

And so they did – as well as resuming their own former intimacies. The warm breezes and clean sea air had invigorated them both, so by the time the Cheskan port of Karlovar hove into view six days later, a great deal more seed had been spilled in the cabin, and quite a lot of it in the orifices of the cheeky cabin boy.

Chapter 7
Cheskia

It was winter in Cheskia, but the sun still shone, though without the strong heat of the summer months. It was a land of fertile red soil, blessed with an abundance of aromatic herbs and olive trees, and greened by rain from the prevailing easterly wind which blew in from across the Inner Sea. Many plants put forth flowers all year round, for frost was unknown save in the high mountains much further to the north.

Magnus and Callixtus had taken a fond farewell of the crew of the Cheskan ship which had brought them here, and the impudent cabin boy had even shouted out after Callixtus to tell him how much he would miss the taste of his cock.

Karlovar, though large by Cheskan standards, was only a middling town by the standards of the Empire. It had a large bustling market and pleasant whitewashed houses festooned with purple bougainvillea. It also had an abundance of beautiful blond youths, many of them clad only in skimpy loincloths and many of the younger boys in a state of perpetual and total nudity. But Magnus was sorry to notice that even this far from the Empire some had adopted Imperial customs, and a few youths from the wealthier and more fashion conscious merchant households often wore embroidered kilts or Imperial style tunics. It was mostly young men in their twenties who adopted this new style, but Magnus also noticed some younger lads clad like this, and as they were obviously under twenty they should have been entirely nude, had they followed Cheskan traditions more rigorously.

Magnus told Callixtus he was sad to see so many of the urban Cheskans forsaking their traditions and departing from the custom – and indeed technically the legal obligation – for all males to remain entirely nude until they reached their twentieth birthday. Callixtus privately thought that Magnus was mainly dismayed at the sight of pretty boys with their assets concealed when he would really have liked to have ogled them naked, but he said nothing. Of course, he was quite right in his supposition.

Whilst in Karlovar stayed in the home of its leading healer, a woman by the name of Voskina. Magnus explained to Voskina and Callixtus that he hoped to find a ship to take him to the Isle of Mages, a small island of the Veskan Archipelago which lay off the southern tip of the Cheskan peninsula.

Unfortunately, it proved more difficult than expected to find a ship to take them to the Isle of Mages; the main sailing season was almost at an end, and in any case there was far less traffic between Veska and Karlovar than between Karlovar and the Empire. Magnus did not want to delay his journey too long, so, at Voskina's suggestion, he decided to make an overland journey from Karlovar to the southern tip of the Cheskan peninsula, and find there a local fishing boat to take him across the channel to the Isle of Mages. He judged that he would probably get there just as quickly as if he waited in Karlovar for a direct passage.

Voskina suggested that Magnus might like to take with him as a guide her nephew Votya, a handsome blond of sixteen. She summoned him from the Lads' Lodge in town, and Magnus decided straight away that he would agree to Voskina's suggestion even if the boy was a dimwit with no sense of direction. Although not as pretty as Callixtus, he was in fact an intelligent youth, tall and slender, with fine athletic legs and very blond hair. Perhaps his muscles lacked definition and his chest was not very broad – he still had some adolescent gawkiness – but he also had a large member which dangled pleasingly between his legs for all to see, for Magnus was glad to note that Votya was not one of those to ape the traditions of the Imperials. The boy had never worn a stitch of clothing in his life.

As they left Karlovar and journeyed southwards along the red dirt road Magnus was pleased to note that away from the towns the traditional customs of the country still held. Outside the large urban districts no youth under twenty would be seen wearing clothing of any kind; and many who were technically allowed breechcloths spent most of the time naked by choice. Quite often even fully grown men could be seen pruning olive trees or labouring in the fields in a state of total nudity – though they would certainly have donned tunics on their visits to the town.

So they strode southwards, keeping a good pace and often covering fifteen or twenty miles [25-30 km] a day. Callixtus suffered with his feet at first, but whenever the day's journey was over Magnus made sure to pay them attention, bathing them and healing any bruises or abrasions. It would not take long for Callixtus's bare feet to become as tough as Votya's.

Votya, though a little shy at first, was a genial companion, and was a fund of knowledge about the natural history of the country and the customs of his people. Callixtus listened eagerly and carefully to all he had to say, though it made him aware of what a very sheltered life he had had, being completely without any kind of education except in the menial duties of a household slave. Votya's parents had a farm very close to the tip of the southern peninsula, which was one of the reasons his Aunt had suggested him as a companion. His parents would assist with the provision of a vessel across the channel.

As their guide, Votya led the way on their march, and Magnus liked Callixtus to walk with him, for he enjoyed walking behind the two attractive boys and watching their beautiful forms as they stepped out in front of him – Votya's long legs and flexing calf muscles and thin suntanned rump, and the even more globular and delicious arse of his slave Callixtus. Magnus liked to compare and contrast their naked forms: Callixtus definitely had the better arse, the Cheskan boy's rump being skinnier and less spherical. And although Callixtus was a head shorter than the Cheskan boy (who was the same height as Magnus) the slave boy's shoulders were slightly broader and his musculature more clearly defined. On the other hand, Votya definitely had the bigger cock (not that Callixtus was under endowed either – far from it), and when they put on the pace it bounced and jiggled in front of him so handsomely that it was sometimes even visible from the back, dangling down beyond the cleavage of his buttocks. Votya was also a better colour – the golden hue of a blond boy who had spent his life outside in warm sunshine – whereas Callixtus still looked like someone who had spent most of his life indoors (which indeed he had).

They usually slept in the open, perhaps in a grove of olives or in a grassy hollow. Magnus unspread his cloak and Callixtus slept on it with him while Votya simply curled up on the ground – this was very little hardship to an active Cheskan boy, and although the evenings were cool Votya was accustomed to this. If during the night Callixtus felt a chill he simply cuddled closer to his master. They generally slept in each other's arms, and every night Magnus fucked the boy as he lay on the cloak, illuminated by the beautiful starlit night sky. The only real discomfort came from the occasional night time rain shower – but if rain was likely they made a shelter from branches and twigs, spread over with grasses. The shelters they made were very rudimentary, but Magnus pronounced a waterproofing incantation which partly made up for any deficiencies in construction.

They slept in shelters only twice, and on these occasions Votya slept very close to the other two. But this did not inhibit Magnus from fucking Callixtus even with the naked Votya lying adjacent. Magnus explained to Callixtus that in Cheskan culture this was nothing to be ashamed about.

Although this was true it was not true that Votya was entirely ease with the situation. He was not invited to participate in the sexual activities of the other two, and was too shy to ask if he could. (He was a much gentler and more reserved character than the brash cabin boy Brenko). This was a source of frustration to him: not only did he find Callixtus very attractive, but he would have considered it a great tribute from the mage if he too was to be fucked by him. But it didn't happen, so he was forced to content himself with looking, and surreptitiously jacking himself off when the other two were completely engrossed in one another.

Eleven days after setting out from Karlovar they finally arrived at the farm of Votya's parents, and were greeted by a cacophony of joyfully barking dogs and Votya's ecstatic family. His father, Jirek, stood well over six feet [1.80 m] tall and was still a handsome man, though his very blond hair was thinning out. He wore sandals and a clean white linen tunic, as befitted his age and station.

"Welcome, my dear Mage, to our humble farm," said Jirek. We are so pleased that my sister Voskina persuaded you to allow our boy to act as your guide. We trust he has given satisfactory service?"

Magnus assured him that he had been a splendid guide, though privately he thought he could have managed well enough without him. All they had to do was walk south, after all. But observing the boy's delectable naked body marching in front of him on the road had certainly been a pleasure. Also, although Votya was a bit shy and reserved in front of the mage, he got on well with Callixtus. Magnus had been pleased to see the two boys chatting amiably together as they strode ahead together. Poor Callixtus had lacked friends his own age, and as Cheskans had no slavery and no rigid division between the classes as in the Empire, the Cheskan youth did not look down on the slave boy, but treated him as an equal.

Votya's father Jirek was a prosperous and well regarded farmer, and his spacious whitewashed farm with its rambling outbuildings was the scene of much activity as a feast was prepared for the visiting mage. Jirek and his wife, together with some of his neighbours, feasted Magnus in the farmhouse while they were waited on by Jirek's daughters.

"Well, Magnus" said Jirek, "I understand you wish to go to the Isle of the Mages, presumably to consult your brethren there – not that the business of the Mages is any business of mine, of course. I've arranged a fishing sloop to take you there, though I hope you'll stay here a while and partake of my hospitality, which I offer with a glad heart."

"You are too kind," replied Magnus, "but I hope you will forgive me if I leave for the Isle as soon as possible. My business is rather pressing."

"In that case" replied Jirek, " you can go tomorrow. I will send word to my cousin, who owns the sloop, to expect you. The fishing village is only five miles [7 km] from here – my boy Votya will show you the way."

Magnus expressed his thanks, and lifted his wine goblet to toast Jirek and the assembled company. The feast was grilled goat, roast partridge, peppers baked with cheese and nuts, a type of river fish baked with lemons, and sourdough bread with a variety of sauces and olive oil for dipping. All this was washed down with large quantities of heavy local red wine. The feast was long and raucous, and later was accompanied by music on a mandolin played by Jirek's eldest daughter.

Meanwhile, the younger males who could not be accomodated at the table had their own feast in a nearby outbuilding. Callixtus was included, and was glad to have the chance to relax in the company of his friend Votya. Much later that evening, with sounds of revelry still coming from the farm, most of the youngsters had gone home, just leaving Callixtus, Votya, and Votya's younger brother Danko.

Just a few weeks ago Danko had moved out of home into the local lads' lodge. This was the first time he had been back to the farm since. He was a small lad with a mop of unruly blond hair and a wiry body showing promise of good muscular development to come. He was leaning against the wall of the outbuilding with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked unlikely to grow as tall as his elder brother, although he looked as though he might develop a more impressive upper body strength than Votya. However, his manly parts were as yet distinctly un-manly, in profound contrast to his well-endowed elder brother. A small, smooth scrotum had resting on top of it a very small cock, its end tapered to a fine point. He hardly looked capable of ejaculation, although his breaking voice and wiry muscles showed that he had begun puberty (if he had not he would not have been permitted to leave home and enter the Lads' Lodge). Of course, he still had a lot of growing up to do, but at the moment he was feeling rather bold on account of his new status as a resident of the lodge. Also, he was back on his home turf. He addressed Callixtus:

"How long have you been with the mage? Are you training to be a mage as well?" (He spoke the common tongue with an atrocious guttural accent, but spoke it quite well nevertheless, considering they were so far from the Empire – the wealthier farmers like Jirek made sure their children were all bi-lingual on account of the importance of the Empire in the overall scheme of things).

Callixtus laughed. "Me, a mage? No, of course not. I have not been with Master Magnus very long. I am his property."

"You mean you are a slave? Is that why you have the end of your penis missing?"

Callixtus agreed that it was so. Danko approached to have a closer look at Callixtus's circumcised member. Never having seen one like it before, he studied it closely – a little more closely than politeness required, thought Callixtus, though he didn't actually touch it.

Danko said, "If you belong to the mage, does that mean he has sex with you?"

"Yes, of course" said Callixtus.

"What's it like?"

"Well, it's like sex with anyone else, I suppose."

As Callixtus had only lost his virginity a couple of weeks ago, he was not speaking with very much authority, but Danko was not to know that.

Danko said, "Is it true that mages shoot lightning out of their cocks when they come? How does that feel inside your arse?"

Callixtus laughed again. "No, it's nothing like that. His come is just… normal, I suppose."

Votya then intervened, "Well, Callixtus, excuse me but everyone knows that's not true. I mean, he may not shoot lightning up your arse, but his spunk isn't just the same as a normal person's, is it. I mean, everyone knows that mage spunk has special magical properties."

Callixtus was about to deny it, but then kept quiet. Could that be true? He realised he didn't really know. So he said, "How do you mean, magical?"

Votya said, "You know, if you get pumped with it you can gain strength and think more clearly and all that. So they say. And it's supposed to be sort of lucky, and protect you from injuries and accidents and things. And it improves your stamina so you can walk for hundreds of miles without ever getting tired" .

Now that Callixtus came to think of it, he did perceive that he felt stronger and more alive in the last few weeks than he had ever felt before – but he put that down simply to the much more interesting life he was now leading compared to service in the villa of the Lady Domitia.

As for greater stamina, he certainly felt tired after walking over a hundred miles from Karlovar in his bare feet, but did he really feel as tired as he should have felt? Considering he had hardly ever left Lady Domitia's villa before, and was totally unused to sustained exertion? It was worth thinking about.

"Well I think you're really lucky," said Danko. "The mage must think you're really special or he wouldn't have chosen you when he could have had anyone. I wish a mage would choose me. Or anyone, really. I've only done it with the other boys in the lodge, but I'd like to try it with a fully grown man as well." He looked across at Votya. "Have you done it with the mage, Votya?"

His brother blushed. "Shut up, Danko, this is no time to be talking like that."

"Oh, so you haven't. I suppose he doesn't like you."

Votya looked furious and blushed a deeper shade of red.

Callixtus said, "It isn't like that, Danko. It's just that, well, I suppose maybe Master Magnus thinks it wouldn't be right to do anything with Votya, because he's our guide, and it might be sort of disrespectful to your father."

Danko's eyes opened wide. "But how could it be disrespectful to be shagged by a mage? It's what every parent wants for their son!"

Votya had had enough. "Leave it out, Danko. It's time to go to bed anyway."

"OK, sorry. But wait – Callixtus, I was wondering, if you get fucked by the mage, and you fuck me, that would be like sort of getting a second hand shag from a mage, wouldn't it? That would be better than nothing. Will you do it please?"

Callixtus looked at the boy, who was tugging at his stubby little cock, which was rapidly growing, though still very unimpressive.

"I don't know. I don't think Master Magnus likes me doing it with anyone else. Besides, I'd better go now and get things ready for when he comes to bed."

Danko looked disappointed. "Well can you just put in a good word for me and my brother, then? You never know, the mage might like a change!"

Votya looked as if he was about to punch his annoying little brother, but Callixtus just laughed and said, "Yes, I'll have a word. But I don't think it will do any good. I'll ask if you can come with us to the fishing village tomorrow, though."

"Good, that's a deal!" said Danko, as Votya raised his eyes upwards with an exasperated sigh.

Callixtus bade the boys goodnight and left for the bedroom in the farm which he knew he would be sharing with his master.

Chapter 8
Votya and his brother

Callixtus woke up at Jirek's farm, in bed with his master. The mage's naked body was pressed against Callixtus, who found himself awkwardly crushed against Magnus's body and held by an arm around his shoulder, although the mage was fast asleep. This was awkward, for Callixtus needed to get up to relieve himself. It was impossible to disentangle himself from the bed without awakening Magnus.

"Sorry to disturb you, master."

"Ah, don't worry dear boy. I am sorry to have you pinioned like this, although I didn't know it. I am afraid Jirek's red wine is rather more potent than I had bargained for. I had better take something for it, and then we must be on our way."

Callixtus brought a bowl of hot water and Magnus made an infusion of dried leaves and muttered an incantation over the bowl. Then Callixtus said, "By the way master, I spoke with Votya and his brother last night. There is… something we discussed. The thing is, master, Votya would consider it a great honour if you were to… err…" but he couldn't find the right words to finish the sentence.

"Oh very well Callixtus, I think I can guess what you are talking about. Actually Jirek and his wife quizzed me on the same subject last night. I had to admit that so far I have failed to prong their boy, and they were rather upset, though too polite to say so outright. They would consider it beneath their dignity if I offered to pay the boy in coin for guiding us this far, but they are more than happy for me to roger him instead. Something about Cheskan family honour, privilege of being on intimate terms with a mage, rumours of magical benefits arising from said intimacy, blah di blah. Normally of course I'd be only too delighted to take a tumble with any pretty boy who offers himself, but somehow I haven't much felt like it lately. You are the reason, of course – it must be the honeymoon effect. And why would anyone want to poke that skinny beanpole Votya when he's got you instead?" – and Magnus gave Callixtus a playful slap on his buttocks, which were indeed smooth and globular and very appealing, in spite of the hangover from which the mage was suffering.

"But then again," continued Magnus thoughtfully, "I think I may be able to solve the problems of Cheskan customs of hospitality at one fell swoop if I just make another adjustment to this potion."

So saying, he pronounced a further incantation, then downed the hot liquid. "Ahh! I feel better already. One simple draught of herbal tea, with its molecular structure altered slightly by my incantations, and I am ready to deal with any quantity of Cheskan wine – and any quantity of Cheskan boys."

He rose from the bed and stretched – without making any attempt to conceal his impressive morning wood – and said, "Go and fetch Votya. I must say my farewells to this household, and then we must be off to the coast."

Callixtus said, "Votya's brother will want to come too."

"Yes I suppose he will. But no more. As much as I would like to shag half the Cheskan male population before we can board the fishing sloop for the Isle of Mages, sadly I don't have the time."

Half an hour later they were on their way to the coast. Callixtus and Voyta walked in front as usual, and young Danko was bursting with pride and pleasure at being able to walk beside the mage, and actually have a conversation with him. He carried with him a leather bag slung over his shoulder filled with provisions from the farm, but apart from that he was of course as entirely naked as the other two boys.

After they had gone about a mile, with the farm out of sight, Magnus stopped where a low stone wall enclosed a small vineyard. In one corner of the vineyard a shack had been built against the wall but was now in a semi-ruinous condition and overgrown with shrubs and ivy.

"Let's take a break over there," said Magnus, "on the far side of that wall by the shack. It looks like a pleasant place to stop for a short while."

Callixtus caught his eye; Magnus assumed an 'innocent face' which was so obviously not really innocent that Callixtus had to suppress a smile. After walking such a short distance, they were hardly in need of a break already. The brothers shrugged, but they followed the mage and his boy where he had suggested. Sitting down with his back to the stone wall, out of sight of the road, the three youngsters stood in a semi circle around the mage and looked expectantly at him.

"Votya my boy, I told your father last night how very pleased I have been with you as our guide for the past few days, and how sorry I am that our time together is coming to an end. I discussed with him if there was anything I could offer you. He agreed there was. So I have decided to offer you an object I have hidden in my tunic which is about six and a half inches [17 cm] long. Stop sniggering, Callixtus."

And with that, the mage reached inside his tunic and drew out – an object wrapped in linen, which he presented to Votya. Unwrapping it, Votya beheld a beautiful dagger with a slightly curved blade, the hilt done in silver with filigree gold work, and a black scabbard in which were set small precious stones of many different colours.

"It's somewhat garish for Cheskan tastes, I know. It's Sassid work – a fine blade. Yours to keep. And if you ever decide to go adventuring outside Cheskia, I trust you will not feel your nudity compromised by the addition of a leather belt to tie the scabbard onto. I think the naked form is set off rather well by the addition of a few items such as leather straps and bangles. Although I know such decoration is considered decadent by Cheskan purists. In any case, you are not in need of any additions – you are perfectly gorgeous just as you are." And with that, the mage pulled the startled Votya towards him and kissed him full on the lips – an embrace which soon turned into a long, lingering intertwining of tongues. Magnus had one arm around Votya's neck and the other fondled the boy's large floppy cock, which under this attention did not remain floppy for very long.

Magnus cast his cloak on the ground under the shade of an ilex tree which was growing by the stone wall, and sat Votya down on it. Then he eased the unresisting Cheskan boy on his back, lifted up his knees, and applied some gel from his blue flask onto his smooth cherry. He then stepped out of his tunic and proceeded to give Votya an energetic fuck. Votya was not as sexually experienced as most Cheskan boys – probably on account of his natural shyness – but he was certainly no virgin either. It was a rite of passage for all Cheskan boys to be initiated into anal intercourse by the seniors in the lads' lodges soon after they arrived. The mage's cock slid in easily, and he was soon ploughing away with firm, vigorous strokes. After just a dozen thrusts the mage emitted a loud cry and flooded Votya's innards with his seed.

Danko and Callixtus were watching this performance, and Danko grabbed Callixtus's cock with one hand and his own with the other. Callixtus made no attempt to stop him. They had hardly got going before Magnus was pulling his slicked cock out of Votya's arse. The startled boy had barely had time to get hard.

The mage turned to Votya's younger brother. "Your turn now" he said.

Danko could scarcely believe his luck. Needless to say he did not protest as Magnus turned him round, placed the boy's hands on top of the low stone wall, and proceeded to prepare his hole for a pumping. He took more care than with Votya, out of consideration for Danko's smaller size, but he had forgotten that Danko had just got back from his first three weeks in the lads' lodge in which he had been given a thorough going over by all the other inhabitants, some of whom were bigger than Magnus.

As Magnus prepared to enter the young Cheskan he glanced over at the boy's elder brother, who presented a lovely sight sitting there with his legs apart and his big cock at full mast, bearing a somewhat stunned expression, and leaking cum from his arse onto the mage's cloak.

"I see you have unmet needs, dear boy. Callixtus will be happy to meet them for you. Won't you Callixtus?"

The mage's slave obediently went down on all fours and presented his rump to the recently-fucked Votya, who was soon pumping him energetically in rhythm with the mage, who was simultaneously pumping the arse of the younger Cheskan boy.

Even though Danko had been well used by the other boys in the lodge in the last few weeks, his small size meant that his hole was a tight fit for the mage's wide girth, and he cried out in pain. Magnus muttered an incantation which had the effect of simultaneously easing the pain and relaxing the boy's muscles, but it was still hard work to achieve a full penetration. The little Cheskan grabbed the top of the stone wall tightly as he thrust his rump into the air, squirming and rocking from side to side and keeping his legs well apart to facilitate the mage's entry. Even so, it was perhaps just as well that after a mere twenty strokes Magnus ejaculated inside him: not quite the same gushing quantity as he had squirted into his brother moments before, but a decent enough load all the same.

It took Votya much longer to fuck Callixtus. The slave boy liked Votya but as a lover he did not match the mage. His cock was bigger than Magnus's which caused Callixtus quite a bit of discomfort, and he showed his inexperience by giving lots of quick short shuddery thrusts, as if in a tremendous hurry. Quite a few times he got the angle wrong and slipped out. Also, Callixtus did not experience the same internal warm throbbing and pulsing sensation that he did when his master fucked him. The mage's greater experience was enhanced by his magico-sexual training to ensure that his fucks gave as much pleasure as possible to the recipient. Being fucked by Votya's gratifyingly large cock was still a pleasure, but it also gave him a new perspective on how fortunate he was to be regularly serviced by Magnus instead.

"Well boys," sighed the mage, "that's play time over. For now at any rate. On to the coast!" And the three youths set off with their leader, not heeding the sperm which trickled down the legs and inner thighs of all three of them, gradually drying to a crust in the wind and sunshine.

Chapter 9
The Isle of the Mages

By the time the mage and his three beautiful naked companions reached the fishing village, the journey had taken a great deal longer than a five mile [7 km] walk should have done. They had stopped for further 'breaks' on three more occasions, and each time Magnus spilt his seed – once more in Votya's arse, once in Danko's mouth, and on the final occasion – the boys being exhausted by now, and Votya walking with a noticeable limp – the two brothers took it in turns to wank off the potent mage, until he came for the fifth and final time that day.

The Cheskan boys, though buzzing with normal teenage testosterone, had never encountered such a fountain of spunk as the mage, who in the frequency and volume of his ejaculate was beyond anything they had ever experienced. Danko especially loved to put his hand inside Magnus's tunic and caress the mage's member, even as they walked along the road, and was awed by its gratifying size and texture. The mage was only a little bigger than average, but he was a fully grown male, and Danko's little pecker was rather small – though almost perpetually at attention throughout their journey. It confirmed everything the Cheskan brothers had suspected about the magical potency of the order of mages.

In reality Magnus's performance had been chemically enhanced by the herbal remedy he had taken that morning, which had also removed his hangover. This potion worked on the mage's natural virility, and was amplified still further by his many years indulgence in the sexual art, and of course by his frequent meditation on the inner forces of the universe, working themselves out in channels of magical and psycho-sexual energy. But today's performance was certainly one would he would not be able to undertake regularly in normal circumstances.

Magnus and Callixtus climbed aboard the fishing sloop as it untied from the little wooden jetty of the fishing village and set off for the Isle of Mages on the evening breeze. Votya and Danko waved them off, and as the sloop drew away the brothers ran off the jetty and out onto a spit of sand which curved round on their right and formed a breakwater for the small harbour. They stood on the extreme point of the sandspit and waved furiously after Magnus and Callixtus until they dwindled into the distance as the boat pulled further away. Magnus watched entranced as the sun, setting behind the Cheskan boys, seemed to paint their glorious golden bodies with red flames as it sank into the sea.

Callixtus's thoughts ran on more prosaic lines: he had noticed that the mage's seagreen cloak was still liberally streaked and spattered with spunk, and he knew it would be his task to clean it off.

The next morning, in a sunlit sky filled with the cry of gulls and urged on by a cool breeze from the north east, they arrived at the Isle of Mages. This was a green and hilly island of some thirty square miles which was a part of a collection of two dozen similar such islands which formed the Veskan Archipelago. It looked to Callixtus's eyes very much like the land of Cheska which they had left behind the previous evening.

"Master, the island seems bigger than I expected. And that town we are approaching looks quite large. Are they all mages who live here?"

Magnus laughed. "No, my boy, they are mostly people very like the Cheskans. They are their close kin, and call themselves Veskans. Probably the word is from the same root, and simply a variant pronunciation of their word for 'the people.' Their speech is very similar to the Cheskan tongue and they look almost identical, though a higher proportion of Veskans are brown haired rather than blond. They consider themselves to be a distinct race, despite sharing many similar customs. You will find them a bit more insular and conservative than the Cheskans."

One of their conservative customs, noted Callixtus once they had were walking around the harbour town, was the universal nudity of male youth. No fashionable youngsters sported embroidered kilts in the manner of some young urban Cheskans. All male Veskans without exception went completely nude up to the age of twenty. Unmarried males over twenty wore breechcloths but kilts were the exclusive garment of married men and tunics reserved exclusively for the over thirties. Even so, clothing was often discarded when working in the fields, and men of all ages could be seen working naked in their farms or vineyards.

As in Cheskia, there was a general prejudice against any form of male decoration, so much so that it was considered strictly taboo in Veskan society. An exception was made for the carrying of weapons or tools, which were strapped to the back with a simple leather belt when not in use. Calllixtus discovered that apart from the usual stares at his circumcised organ he got some disapproving looks from older Veskans at his necklace. This was only two simple twists of black leather, one bearing the mage's lightning sigil on a silver disk, and the other a wolf-tooth charm; but as far as the Veskans were concerned this was little better than the arrangement of leather straps worn around the bodies of Imperial rent boys with a view to revealing what they had on offer. But then if they associated Callixtus with a boy who had been purchased for sex, they were at least partly correct.

As for the mages, they were also not what Callixtus expected.

A few miles inland from the port there grew an ancient oakwood, and at its heart a cool spring bubbled up from a mossy bed, filling a large pool fringed with moisture loving plants and flowers. Nearby, on the grass, was a long, low building which appeared to be made of intertwined trunks of living trees, gnarled and whorled in fantastic shapes and patterns. There were no straight lines anywhere to be seen.

"Behold the Great Lodge, our Headquarters. As twisted as the minds of the mages, some say" remarked Magnus to Callixtus.

A number of subsidiary buildings lay about the central structure which functioned as lodgings for the mages. One of them was permanently reserved for Magnus, though his visits to it were few and far between. It was comfortably furnished, although the strange convoluted loops and whorls of the irregularly shaped furniture looked very strange to Callixtus's eyes. Even the bed seemed asymmetrically designed, but Callixtus soon found it was comfortable enough.

The first mage they encountered was a thickset bald man wearing russet silk robes with impossibly long sleeves. His robes rustled when he walked like autumn leaves rippled by the wind. He gave Magnus a curt nod and Callixtus a brief glance of distaste.

"Here you are at last Magnus," he said. "Lord Shalmaneser awaits us in the Great Lodge."

"Nice to see you too, Joab. Is Gravillax still with you?"

"Gravillax has been with me for more than twenty years, as you well know. Unlike you, I value constancy in relationships." And the surly baldy swept ahead of them into the Great Lodge.

Magnus said to Callixtus, "I'm afraid you are not allowed in, dear boy. Amuse yourself out here for a while. Why not go for a dip in the pool."

A meeting of mages was being held in the strange central structure they called the Great Lodge, and they began to arrive in ones and twos. A very small old man clad entirely in green and wearing a cap with a long feather appeared with a similarly clad young man with long blond hair.

"Goodness me what a lovely sight!" trilled the old man, looking at Callixtus with unconcealed delight. His companion, who looked to be in his mid twenties and was exceedingly handsome, turned and smiled at Callixtus, who then noticed with a start that he had the pointed ears of an elf sticking from his long blond hair – the first time he had seen a member of this fabled race. The elf walked over to him and shook his hand.

"My name is Chereskar, an elf mage from the north. Welcome to the Isle of Mages."

Callixtus looked up at the elf's almond-shaped and intensely blue eyes with the yellow hair flopping over his brow and felt a flutter in the pit of his stomach as his cock started to twitch immediately into life.

That was the annoying thing for poor Callixtus – like most teenage boys, his cock would spring erections at all kinds of inconvenient moments, but unlike most other teenage boys, he generally had no way of concealing it from all curious eyes when it happened.

Chereskar the elf noticed Callixtus's erection – which he could hardly avoid, as it was almost pronging the front of his green tunic – but he simply gave a musical laugh and made a quick circular motion with his right hand in the air in front of Callixtus's groin. Callixtus, to his relief, felt the blood drain from his organ as it immediately flopped back into its flaccid state. As the elf and his companion disappeared into the Lodge, Chereskar turned over his shoulder and called out – "I hope we meet again, Callixtus!"

It was only when the elf had gone inside that Callixtus realised he hadn't actually told him his name or indeed managed to speak at all, so tongue-tied had he been at the elf's presence.

He didn't dwell on the mystery of that as more mages now appeared. Although each one was differently attired, Callixtus knew they must all be mages because all of them entered the Great Lodge, which was strictly reserved to members of the Order of Mages.

One was a small barrel-chested dwarf with a fierce expression and a fiery red beard; his red hair stood out from his head in an exuberant arrangement of spikes. Another was a dark skinned man, very tall and handsome, clad in the long white robe of the Sassids, like the sailors of that nation that Callixtus had seen in Avenna.

Others of all shapes and sizes and colours and clothing appeared as if suddenly materialising from the trees and hurried into the open door of the Great Lodge. Then the door closed and Callixtus was left alone.

He wandered around the glade and admired the bright butterflies and profusion of scented flowers, but after an hour or so with still no sign that the meeting was at an end, he slipped into the pool and enjoyed its cool waters. After a while he became aware of someone watching him, and with a start he suddenly noticed a pair of yellow eyes staring at him from the undergrowth just a few feet away. A strange creature with dark green skin, a pot belly and pointed ears was gazing intently at him from the undergrowth. It was so still and well concealed that it was difficult to tell where the plants ended and the creature began. It was no more than three feet tall, and seemed to be clothed in leaves. It grimaced at him in a rather menacing way, revealing a mouth full of sharp yellow teeth.

Just then the door of the Great Lodge opened and the creature disappeared into the shadows. The mages began to spill out of the Lodge, including Magnus, who made his way towards the pool where Callixtus sat up to his neck in water. But the companion he was talking with took the boy's breath away – for it was a creature far stranger than the one he had just seen.

Magnus was talking to a unicorn.

Now unicorns are bipeds and not just a special kind of four legged horse, as some legends say. In fact, most of the unicorn's physical characteristics were entirely human: he stood on two feet (not hooves) and had human hands and human anatomy – save for his head, which was clearly the noble head of an equine, with a long golden mane which fell down his back. From his temple grew a horn spiralled in white and gold, and from the base of his rump a luxuriant golden tail which curled and twitched as far down as the back of his knees. He was very nearly seven feet [2.10 m] tall (not including his horn).

The creature's skin was a milky white and the blue veins could be faintly discerned beneath the rippling muscles. The chest was twice the size of a normal human, and the huge biceps and enormous strapping thighs all spoke of power and strength. The unicorn wore no clothing of any kind, and between his legs hung a massive member – looking exactly like a human member, not an equine one – but of a size no human ever possessed, with a great girth in proportion to its huge length.

Callixtus thought to himself, That would never fit in my mouth, let alone my arse, but then immediately blushed that he had been having such thoughts about one of the rarest and most awe-inspiring creatures on the planet.

"Ah Callixtus, there you are. I hope the woodsprites didn't bother you – they can be disconcerting, though they are mostly harmless. Hop out, now, and meet my dear friend and colleague Lord Shalmaneser, who summoned the meeting we have just attended."

The unicorn bowed politely and in a rumbling voice lower than any human's said "Your master speaks highly of you. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with you myself."

Magnus noted the look of panic which struck the boy at those words, and said, "Don't worry, my boy, you should always take a unicorn's words at face value. And besides, as you can see, some forms of intimate acquaintance between humans and unicorns are physically impossible."

Phew, thought Callixtus, thank the ancestors for that.

Magnus continued , "Callixtus, we have a mission to undertake. There is trouble brewing in the far west, where the Fire Giants have formed an alliance with the goblin tribes and the Raiders of the Rhenoussian coast. It is imperative that we assist the Empire to repel them. Much as I dislike some of the Empire's servants, the Empire is humanity's best defence against the woe that would ensue if this alliance succeeds in its aims."

The unicorn said, "I hope the Empire appreciates the efforts you intend to make on its behalf, Magnus. I gather a warrant has been issued for your arrest. Something about kidnapping a slave belonging to the Imperial navy and assaulting a crowd of marines by magical means. I hope that means your boy here is not in danger too."

Magnus said, "Actually, I bought him and have a Sale Parchment to prove it. Not that that will do me any good; if they catch me they will seize him as well. But at least he will keep his life."

The large bald mage Joab, who had spoken to Magnus in such an unfriendly manner before the meeting began, now rustled up in his autumn-hued gown.

"You really should be more careful, Magnus," he said in a silky tone. "One of these days your fondness for slaves and other such low life will get you into serious trouble." And he glided away, daintily lifting the hems of his voluminous robes.

"His father was a shoemaker, you know," Magnus said, when Joab was out of earshot. "And yet the way he primps and preens around the place, demanding the finest luxuries for himself and that old powdered poof of a catamite he keeps, you'd think he was Chief Queen in the Sassid Shah's harem."

Shalmaneser said, "He likes the outward trappings of luxury and power because he had neither in his formative years. Many of us have a yearning for that which is different and unfamiliar. Perhaps this is the root of your sympathy, Magnus, for the downtrodden and oppressed. I know your father is a noble of the seventh grade, and that when he dies – though may the ancestors preserve him for many years yet! – you will inherit his title and estates."

Magnus said, "Don't invent virtues for me, Shalmaneser. I don't give a woodsprite's fart for the downtrodden and oppressed; after all I owe most of my wealth to their efforts. I just like pretty boys whatever their backgrounds."

And so saying, he fondled Callixtus's pert buttocks, and planted a playful kiss on the top of his head. (Callixtus was digesting the surprising information that his master belonged to the nobility. There were twelve grades of Imperial noble, and the seventh grade was three notches above his late mistress the Lady Domitia).

The unicorn continued, "Nevertheless Magnus, I feel within me the call of a partner from the opposite side of the spectrum. Which is why you must help me to achieve my full potential before I can make proper use of the magical side of my nature in the task of defeating the fire giant threat. I need an elf."

Callixtus said to the unicorn, "My Lord, there is an elf here – I saw him going in to the meeting earlier and he spoke to me!"

"Not that kind of an elf," said Magnus. "That would have been Chereskar, who is a High Elf. There are also Mountain Elves like the King of the Mountain across the sea to the east, and Forest Elves in the Summer Islands to the south. It's a forest elf that we need to find for Shalmaneser here."

In a rumbling voice, Shalmaneser replied, "My brother mage is correct. You two will accompany me to the Summer Islands, and help me find and choose a Forest Elf for my companion."

"So you see how the great adventure will begin, Callixtus?" said Magnus.

"Yes, master," replied the boy. "First, catch your elf."

Chapter 10
Summer Island

They had been on Summer Island for three days – Shalmaneser the unicorn, Magnus the mage, and Callixtus his slave boy. But they had encountered no sign of intelligent life apart from the woodsprites, whose blinking yellow eyes watched them warily from the undergrowth, but who did not otherwise trouble or approach them.

Summer Island had no ports, no towns or cities, and no human inhabitants. It was a huge expanse of warm green jungle filled with strange and exotic plants, where multi coloured birds called from the close packed trees. Mercifully, there were no stinging or biting insects, but the travellers were often accompanied by swarms of bright coloured butterflies. They settled in particular on Callixtus and sipped the moisture from his naked body as he perspired gently from the exertion of the march. At first he found this annoying but after a while he grew to like the sensation of them gently kissing his bare skin and fanning him with their wings. He felt as if he was clothed in a garment of all the colours of the rainbow.

The mage had given his cloak and bag to Callixtus, who carried them in a knapsack on his back while the mage marched in his white tunic. He too often had to brush the butterflies from his sweating face, but Shalmaneser was not troubled by them. He did not appear to sweat, but his milky white skin flushed a faint pink colour with the exertion of the journey. Magnus remarked, "Horses sweat, men perspire, but unicorns only glow."

"How much further is it before we find the elves, master?" asked Callixtus.

"This track we are following is used by them," replied the mage, "and my guess is we are approaching the territory of one of their villages. They stay away from the coast, and only inhabit the most densely forested parts of the interior. But I think we will soon be encountering them."

No sooner had he spoken than there stepped onto the path in front of them a small form which seemed to materialise from the trees. At first Callixtus thought it was a woodsprite, though he quickly realised it was at least a foot taller than any woodsprite he had seen. It appeared to be a young boy, small and slight of build, and about twelve years old, but with the pointed ears of an elf. The child had a glossy cascade of black hair worn very long, but apart from his ears he resembled a rather dark and well tanned Samnite, olive skinned and black eyed. He wore twists made of liana creeper around his throat, arms, and ankles in which jungle flowers had been placed, and a single bright blue bird's feather from a liana headband on his brow. He also had a thin belt around his narrow waist from which hung a dagger in a scabbard, and on his back a quiver filled with arrows; the quiver strap ran diagonally around his shoulder and across his chest. Apart from that, he was entirely nude, and his genitals, which were in proportion with his small and childish frame, hung free. Apart from the hair on his head his body was completely glabrous.

The bow he carried was held out in front of him and immediately lowered when he saw the unicorn. Fallling to his knees, he cried out a salutation in a fluting voice of melodious beauty, and inclined his forehead to touch the ground. Magnus addressed him in the strange sibilant tongue of his people, and the elf boy stood up and approached. He held out his left arm and took hold of Magnus's right elbow, and then stood on his tiptoes to rub noses with the mage, who had to stoop down to do so. He then repeated the gesture with Callixtus, to the slave boy's surprise. Elf and mage then had a conversation in the elvish tongue, in which Magnus appeared to be completely fluent.

"This is Vuonti," said Magnus, "a warrior and hunter. He will lead us to their village."

As they followed him, Callixtus said, "Master, how can he be a warrior and hunter? He is surely only a child!"

"No Callixtus," replied the mage. "He is in fact nearly thirty years old, though admittedly that makes him the equivalent of a teenager in elf terms. Look more carefully and you will see his frame, though smaller than a human's, is in fact strong and supple. Look at the way the muscles of his legs flex as he walks in front of us, and note the firmness of his build. When you see him from the front, if you have a closer look at him you will note his form is more developed than appears at first sight; his pretty dangling member, though small, is not the penis of a pre-pubescent, but you will note from his low slung balls that he is fully adult. Although Vuonti is I admit a little shorter and slighter than the norm; probably he is not quite fully grown."

Callixtus found that this was indeed the case when a short while later they came out into a spacious clearing and beheld the grass huts of the elf village. They were surrounded by a crowd of twenty or thirty elves, chattering excitedly with delight in their strange fluting voices. They patted and stroked and petted Callixtus with small warm hands, calling attention to each other as they pointed out various features of his anatomy, squeezing his muscles with appreciation and running their hands along his chest and back and buttocks. Exploratory hands made tentative approaches to his genitals too, but Callixtus gently brushed them away, and they did not persist. He did not want the embarrassment of sporting an erection which in his nude state he would not be able to conceal – he was already semi hard from their attentions.

The elves did not touch Magnus or Shalmaneser – keeping a respectful distance from the one and giving looks of awe to the other – but they were clearly making appreciative remarks about the size of Callixtus's cock (dwarfed though it was by the huge member of the unicorn), and like the Cheskans the elves were fascinated by his circumcised status, for circumcision was unknown amongst them.

There were only three females amongst the elves. They were similarly attired to the males, but wore loincloths, although their small breasts were only covered by a simple garland of flowers. There did not appear to be any children – or at least, none who looked any younger than Vuonti – and although most appeared youthful, some had signs of age. One of them, whose hair was long and black but sparse and thinning, looked almost wrinkled, and could have passed for a diminutive sixty year old human, apart from his pointed ears. Magnus explained he was in fact over six hundred, and nearing the end of his natural lifespan, for elves are not actually immortal as some think – they merely have lifespans much longer than humans.

The long lifespan of the elves was balanced by their very low reproductive rate and gender imbalance; this also accounted for the small number of females and rarity of child-elves. Elven females only came into season very briefly and very occasionally. Despite this, elven males were notorious for their strong sexual appetites, and so it was part of their culture for the males to express themselves sexually with other males. Most were about five foot [1.50 m] in height, and all of them had the same olive coloured, tanned skin and glossy black hair, with dark eyes – and of course the large pointed ears which were the one feature all the different elf-races had in common.

The elves laid on a feast for the visitors which lasted long into the night. None of them could speak any of the common tongue, so Callixtus felt somewhat out of things – but he was included in the banquet, for slavery was unknown to the elves. The elves just assumed he was the mage's lover and companion, and in a way they were quite correct.

Garlanded with sweet smelling flowers and sitting cross legged in a circle on the grass, Callixtus was also interested in the actions of the unicorn. Would he choose his elf companion from the assembled company? But he gave no sign of paying any close attention to any of them. Indeed, he scarcely seemed to notice his surroundings, and it was clear he knew no elvish. Magnus, on the other hand, spoke volubly in the strange speech of the elves, and seemed especially animated.

The next day, Callixtus awoke entwined in Magnus's arms as the first butterflies of the day arrived to investigate his body. They had fallen asleep outside, as although a grass hut had been set aside for their use the warmth of the tropic night meant that al fresco sleeping was perfectly comfortable, especially on the soft spongy grass that grew here.

Magnus opened a lazy eye. "Has he arrived yet?" he said.

"Who, master?"

"Why, Shalmaneser's companion, of course."

"I don't know what you mean," said Callixtus.

Magnus said, "Where is the unicorn now?"

Callixtus looked around and saw Shalmaneser sitting cross legged with his back against the bole of a tree, with his eyes closed and his hands resting on his knees.

"Look Callixtus – he is meditating – drawing on his inner powers to connect with the forest around us, and call the elf companion to him. It will not be long now, I think – he has been like that all night. He knows the chosen one is not far away – he senses his presence from afar."

At that moment an elf walked into the glade. He had not been present at the feast. He was rather taller than the norm with elves, being a little over five feet [1.50 m] in height. He could have passed for a short and slim human youth of thirteen of fourteen, but that only meant that in elf years he could be anything from fifteen to two hundred. He was dressed identically to the other elves, with a long green feather in his headband, and also carrying a bow. Like all the elves, he was beautiful, but this one was so very gorgeous that Magnus let out an appreciative gasp. His black hair fell down to the small of his back, and the large dark eyes on his sweet and demure face opened wide in awe at the sight of the resplendent unicorn. Magnus was, naturally, also quick to notice his most interesting parts: his member hung down long and thin, of a greater size than was usual among the elves, matched by the low slung balls descending sweetly from his perfectly smooth groin. He strode forward on slim athletic legs and presented his garland of flowers to Shalmaneser, turning as he did so and favouring the mage with the sight of his beautifully taut buttocks. Magnus positively drooled at the sight.

Shalmaneser gravely bowed his head to receive the garland of flowers around his neck at the hands of the beautiful boy elf, who now spoke. To Callixtus's astonishment, his clear voice spoke the common tongue perfectly and unaccented, and although his voice was musically modulated, it sounded more normal than the usual fluting speech of the other elves, which to Callixtus's ears sounded somewhat like the piping of birds.

"Welcome to the land of the forest elves, my Lord. My name in elf speech is Lendulio Riktilak Timaskiu. I dreamed of you last night, and your voice in my head has called me here."

The unicorn bowed gravely. "I welcome you Lendulio Riktilak Timaskiu. I too have dreamed of you. I am Shalmaneser, Lord of the Unicorns of the Eastern Quadrant, Grand Master of the Order of the Unblemished, Captain of the Golden Host and Keeper of the Sacred Glade of Jehoram. I bid you welcome in my name and that of my friends, Magnus Viridius Caeruleus of the Vale of Argentum, Master Mage and son of a noble house, and his companion Callixtus of Samnium."

He concluded this speech with another grave bow, including Magnus and Callixtus as well as the elf boy in his gesture. Callixtus, who had had no idea of all the splendid titles his friends possessed, decided he rather liked the sound of being addressed as Callixtus of Samnium. The elf boy approached them and greeted them in elf fashion, grasping their elbows and rubbing noses. Callixtus fought to keep his erection under control as the elf boy leant forward so closely that he felt the warmth of his naked body, chest pressed against chest.

The other elves all ran forward with cries of delight to greet their new arrival, rubbing noses excitedly with him in turn.

"So it seems Lord Shalmaneser has found his elf, master," said Callixtus. "Does that mean we are soon to leave?"

"Yes," replied the mage, "but not just yet. We must wait for the ceremonies associated with their union to be performed. That will take at least three days. Both elf and unicorn will spend most of that time preparing themselves in seclusion and meditation. You and I will have some time to explore the delights of the forest in the company of the elves, I trust."

The young elf Vuonti, who had guided them to the village, placed an arm on the mage's, speaking to him in his strange fluting tongue. The mage nodded in assent.

"He says he will be glad to look after us while the preparations are made for the ceremony," said Magnus.

Vuonti then turned to Callixtus, smiled at him, and presented him with an elf-bow and a quiver of arrows, and spoke to him, although Callixtus had no idea what he was saying.

"He says he would like to teach you how to use an elf bow," said Magnus. Callixtus looked uncertain – it was forbidden for slaves to use weapons of any kind, on penalty of death.

"Take it, dear boy," said Magnus, "we are not in the Empire now."

As Callixtus examined the bow, the mage said, "If you are as proficient at picking up the arts of toxophily as you are at picking up the arts of lovemaking, we will soon have you a master archer. And speaking of the arts of love, it's been a couple of days since we indulged, and the sight of all these beautiful naked elves has given me a raging hard on. You will have to come with me to the grass hut which has been set aside for us, and give me some attention."

Magnus addressed a remark in elvish to Vuonti, who laughed merrily, and then he gave Callixtus a playful caress of the buttocks.

"Your wish is my command, master," murmured the slave boy, and the two of them walked to their hut, with Magnus's arms around the boy's bare shoulders.

Chapter 11
Vuonti

Magnus particularly enjoyed his fuck with Callixtus in the grass hut. The boy lay on his back while Magnus lifted his legs and took him from the front – the method he preferred, as it allowed him to gaze on the beautiful face of his slave as it contorted with the emotions of mingled pain and pleasure. Though these days it was almost all pleasure. The mage was pleased to note that the boy was a very different shag from the first occasions back on the barge on the Great River nearly two months ago. Now, under Magnus's expert guidance, the boy was well trained in how to give and receive pleasure. He was now able to contract his internal muscles in a way which squeezed Magnus, while he was inside him, in a most delightful way.

Afterwards, Magnus lay panting and slicked with sweat, entwined at length along the boy, whose belly and chest was streaked with his own spunk, just as Magnus's copious seed leaked from the boy's arse and from Magnus's own deflating member – for Magnus's curved member always seemed to locate the boy's prostate every time they fucked, and stimulated him in such an expert manner that Callixtus almost never failed to ejaculate whilst being penetrated himself.

The sound of tinkling laughter and hand clapping came from the entrance of the hut, and they saw that the elf boy Vuonti had been watching their performance. It was quite clear he had been delighted with the sight, not only on account of his cheeky grin and loud applause, but also by the sight of his member standing to its full four inches [10 cm] of attention. By now Callixtus was almost beyond embarrassment, and he gave a rueful grin.

The next three days they saw nothing of Lendulio, who had retired into the chieftain's hunt with the three elf-women, to be prepared for the coming union ceremony with Shalmaneser. Exactly what he did in the way of preparation was a mystery it was not for outside eyes to discern. As for the unicorn, the grass huts were too small and cramped for his large frame, but he spent the whole time meditating at the bole of the tree in the lotus position, his golden tail curled around him, and seemed to be in a kind of stasis, for he did not move for three days, nor was he observed to eat or sleep. Only his huge hands, placed palm upwards on the top of his knees, showed that he was still awake, for his eyes were closed throughout.

Magnus, Callixtus and Vuonti had a much more active time. Callixtus, tutored by the elf, spent a great deal of time in archery practice, and the three of them delved on long expeditions into the forest each day in order to hunt. The island was in some ways a dangerous place. True, there were no venomous serpents or biting insects, but there were jungle cats – sleek carnivores patterned with stripes of grey and black which afforded them excellent camouflage in the tangled undergrowth. Although the elves were mainly vegetarian, they hunted the brightly coloured birds for their attractive feathers, and raided the hives of forest bees for their honey. The bees were stingless, but they lived in a symbiotic relationship with a species of forest buzzard, large birds with fiercely hooked beaks, who protected the hives in exchange for eating a portion of the bees' larvae. These birds set up a raucous cry and attacked the intruders, and Vuonti drove them off with his bow and arrows.

Vuonti seemed to have a great liking for both of them, but especially for Magnus. Most elves were naturally disposed to play the passive role in anal intercourse with other males, so finding a bigger and stronger male, especially of another species, was a source of particular pleasure to them. Magnus theorised that this was a natural outcome of their high sex drive and the low reproductive rate of their females.

On the first occasion they went into the forest they had scarcely gone half a mile before Vuonti stopped and, speaking in the elvish tongue, asked Magnus straight out if he would care to have him then and there. He was not at all abashed by the presence of Callixtus, who in any case understood no elvish, although the elf, by tugging on his burgeoning erection and rubbing his hand on the front of Magnus's tunic, made his intentions all too clear.

Magnus was of course delighted to comply. As well as being a mage he was also an Imperial aristocrat and thus – as we have already seen – totally uninhibited about having sex in the presence of a slave. Callixtus's former mistress the Lady Domitia had been a widow all the time she had been his owner, but had her husband still lived and been capable, he would have thought nothing of performing his conjugal duties with the naked slave boy standing by in the bedroom to cool the married couple with a fan or mop his brow during the act of intercourse. The Lady Domitia would have given no more heed to Callixtus than she would have done to a piece of furniture.

Magnus therefore immediately undressed, turned the elf boy around, and lubricated his member with spit while Vuonti braced himself against a tree, his feet placed apart and his pink little cherry winking prettily between his slim suntanned arse cheeks. Callixtus was intrigued to note that Magnus's cock slid easily into the elf's little puckered hole, and with only the slightest of pauses as the mage's glans stretched the entrance, he then pushed slowly in to his full extent, and then proceeded to shag the little elf with full, steady strokes, as the elf boy squealed delightfully in his strange, fluting voice.

Vuonti, despite his small stature, did not seem overly inconvenienced by having the mage's six and a half inches [17 cm] thrust rythmically inside him. Later, Magnus explained to Callixtus that elves were naturally more elastic and accomodating with their sphincter muscles, and were quite capable of absorbing even large human cocks, despite their small stature. This natural feature of their physiology was enhanced by the regular shaftings they received from all other elven males – excepting only immediate family members – and also possibly by their inherently quasi-magical status. All forest elves, although usually incapable of spellcasting incantations in the manner of mages, nevertheless had numerous gifts of psychic insight which showed them to be much more closely in touch with the inner powers of the universe than was the case for most other races. This was a gift they shared with unicorns (and – less happily – with the violent and unpredictable fire giants, but fortunately these were unknown on the Summer Islands).

The first time Magnus shagged the elf boy Vuonti, Callixtus was an uninvolved spectator, although of course his twitching erection displayed his interest in the proceedings. He did not bring himself off, however – the mage was unabashed about jumping on any willing pretty boy, but he disliked Callixtus taking part in any sexual activity unless he had given his slave boy permission to participate in it with him. This was only fair enough, thought Callixtus – the mage had paid good coin for him after all, and as far as both of them were concerned his spunk – as well as his cock and his arse and indeed every aspect of him – were owned entirely by his master.

Nevertheless, that first time was followed by several more over the next three days, and on these other occasions it pleased the mage to include Callixtus as a willing participant. The slave boy took great pleasure in the sensation of the elf boy's small mouth performing well trained and energetic services on his cock, while the mage's own cock simultaneously plunged inside the young elf from the other end.

Callixtus also enjoyed the elf's prowess in the field of archery as well as in oral sex, for the elf spent several hours in patient instruction with the slave. Elven bows were a bit small for a full grown human but Callixtus, though well developed (and his musculature had improved considerably after the exertions of the last couple of months), still had some growing to do. He found that drawing the bow took more effort than he expected, which gave him renewed respect for the elves. The ease with which Vuonti drew back the bowstring and held it taut made Callixtus realise that those small arms had muscles which were stronger than they looked.

When Vuonti and Callixtus were at archery practice the elf, like all his race, was very tactile, and stood close into the boy with his taut warm body frequently in contact with his own; as they were both of course entirely naked, this often got Callixtus into an excited state. Vuonti liked to pat and tug at Callixtus's cock and balls as they practised, which did not help concentration either. But usually their archery practice took place after their return from their forest expeditions, and as these always involved Callixtus in emptying his seed into the elf boy's mouth on two or three occasions, he was able to keep himself under control – though sometimes with difficulty. He was only a normal lusty lad after all.

On the third night, with the union ceremony between the unicorn and the elf boy Lendulio due to take place the following morning, Callixtus and Magnus lay down together in their grass hut. Although they were both naked, it was in chaste companionship, for both were tired after tracking through the forest for several hours with Vuonti, and pausing on three separate occasions while they had energetically spit-roasted the young elf.

Callixtus, who had been calling to mind some of the delights of the day's lovemaking, said "I understand, master, how Vuonti can take your cock with such apparent ease – but there would be limits, surely? I mean, no elf could possible take… for example, let us say… a unicorn's cock inside him, could he? That must be physically impossible!"

He said this because Vuonti's surprising anal adaptability made him wonder exactly what kind of union might be implied by tomorrow's ceremony.

"Of course you are quite right, Callixtus. Ordinarily, this would be impossible."

"Ordinarily?" said the slave boy.

But Magnus only smiled.

"Tomorrow, dear boy," said the mage ," you will be the witness of a ceremony of union between a unicorn and an elf – an occasion which only happens about once a century, and which to which we, my boy, will be privileged to be the only human witnesses. So no more questions – time to sleep," – and with that, he gave the slave boy a long and intimate French kiss, sighed pleasurably, and drew him into his arms as they both fell fast asleep.

Chapter 12
The Ceremony of Union

The next morning, all of the elves sat in a wide circle around the grassy glade in the centre of the village, and Magnus and Callixtus took up a place of honour to the right of the old chieftain. The elves all sat cross legged and many of them had small drums between their legs; others had flutes.

The chieftain stood up and addressed the company for several minutes in the elven tongue, then from opposite directions Shalmaneser and the elf boy Lendulio entered inside the circle. They were both naked, but the unicorn wore a heavy garland of flowers around his neck. The elf boy had a simple circlet of pink and white forest flowers around his brow, but apart from that had removed all of his liana-creeper straps and other decorations, although he had also been completely anointed in fragrant oils, and his slick body glistened in the shafts of sunlight that fell onto the glade.

The drumming reached a crescendo, then stopped. The elf-chief addressed the company again as the elf boy and the unicorn stood side by side. Then, at the conclusion of his speech, they turned and bowed to one another. The elves started a quick beat on the drums, accompanied by a merry tune on their flutes, though this only lasted about two minutes; at the end, they all broke into applause, which Shalmaneser and Lendulio acknowledged by turning and bowing to all those around the circle.

"Is that it, master?" whispered Callixtus to Magnus. The whole thing so far had taken less than eight minutes.

"Not quite. The most important part is still to come."

At that moment the elf boy lay down on the grass, facing towards the part of the circle where Magnus and Callixtus were standing. The unicorn dropped to one knee and crouched behind him. With a sudden shock Callixtus noticed that the unicorn had taken his massive member in one hand, and that it was rapidly swelling. At the same time, the elf boy angled himself on the ground to present his rump.

"Master, no – this is impossible!" said Callixtus.

"We will see," said the mage.

Now as is often the way with the sexual organs of any species, what is large when flaccid does not always grow exponentially when erect. Magnus had been pleasantly surprised by the sight of many a lad with a small or unremarkable cock which had grown to an unexpectedly big size when in a fully excited state; similarly, he was familiar with the sight of huge floppy flaccid members which when erect were disappointingly not much bigger. I do not want you to think, dear reader, that the unicorn erect was in any way a disappointment – just to indicate that there was not in fact a great deal of difference between Shalmaneser flaccid and Shalmaneser hard.

Callixtus often wondered just how big the unicorn was in the cock department (for, if truth be told, he was something of a size queen – which Magnus was not – or at least so he claimed). He would have liked to have asked, or, better still – measured it himself, but to take such liberties with a unicorn was out of the question. Especially for a slave boy.

(For those whose interests match Callixtus's , I am afraid I can offer no detailed information, for no- one has ever dared to ask a unicorn for measurements, still less attempt to take them. Leave it to your imagination, dear reader, but if you think of the organ with which you are most familiar, and mentally double it in length and girth, you are probably not far out).

Lendulio was tall for an elf – over five foot [1.50 m] – in fact he was almost the same height as Callixtus. But nevertheless, it seemed impossible for his slim build to… but the unicorn now reclined behind the elf, and gently lifted Lendulio's outside leg. The monstrous, quivering member approached the smooth, slicked pucker, and then paused. The elves began a slow drum beat. The unicorn placed the tip of his cock head against the elf boy's cherry, and very slowly eased in. Lendulio gripped the grass tightly and screwed up his pretty face as slowly, incredibly, the unicorn's glans disappeared inside the elf, to be followed by the full extremity of the unicorn's member, even right up to his huge balls, which now fitted snug against the elf-boy's bum cheeks.

"How is that possible, master?" gasped Callixtus.

"A mixture of the magical properties of elves and unicorns, the elastic nature of the elven musculature, and a great deal of grit and determination, by the looks of things," said Magnus. And as they watched, incredibly, the unicorn began to move his huge member slowly in and out of the young elf.

The elven drums started a slow beat. Shalmaneser took his time – it would have been unseemly to rush the ceremony – and besides, rapid thrusting risked causing real damage, notwithstanding the extraordinary abilities of the elves. With long, slow and stately thrusts Shalmaneser continued, while he held the elf boy gently across the chest. For his part Lendulio bent his head to the ground and frowned, eyes closed, in pain and concentration – but he also had an erection – which in itself, mused Magnus, was an extraordinary tribute to the sexual capacity of the elves.

The unicorn's face remained impassive throughout – although his body gradually changed colour from white to pink – and there was just a slight flicker of emotion when after six or seven minutes of steady, stately thrusting he stopped and exhaled loudly, with something of an equine snorting sound. Then he slowly pulled out of the elf boy, who collapsed on the ground with his eyes closed. He rolled slowly on to his belly and then got to his knees; the unicorn stood up and helped him to his feet. As the two joined hands, they bowed towards the spectators, who burst into prolonged cheers and applause and broke out into a flurry of drum and flute music.

The solemn moment was slightly spoiled, at least to the minds of the two watching humans, by a slight, slack, but perceptible fart from Lendulio, followed by the descent of a veritable river of unicorn sperm down the boy's inner thighs; but everyone was too polite to comment.

"What a magnificent performance!" murmured Magnus.

Everyone came forward in turn to rub noses with Lendulio and bow to Shalmaneser, who remained standing while holding the boy's left hand up to his shoulder.

Magnus observed Lendulio talking with Vuonti and it gave him the opportunity to study the two young elves and compare them. Lendulio was several inches taller and although both were pretty, Lendulio's beauty was of a different league – his long eyelashes and cute triangular chin were the frame for large, dark, almond shaped eyes, and his raven hair was glossier and longer than Vuonti's. Lendulio's cock, though admittedly still semi erect, was considerably longer than Vuonti's, and his balls were larger and hung lower. Fully erect, he attained six inches [15 cm], which was a lot for a forest elf. Although slim and narrow waisted like all elves, Lendulio had slightly better muscle definition and a fractionally broader chest.

Both elves had small and pert buttocks, though perhaps Vuonti's were slightly more globular.

"Master?" said Callixtus, for he could see Magnus was lost in thought. "That was incredible, wasn't it! Are you thinking about what we have just seen?"

"Hmm, what's that, dear boy? Oh, actually, I was just thinking that as delicious as these slim flanked elves undoubtedly are, you have the more shapely arse."

And indeed the slave boy did, at least to Magnus's eyes – his perfect butt was beautifully rounded and smooth, and altogether more globular and accomodating than Vuonti's. And just to remind himself of that, he caressed it fondly.

"I am almost inspired to give you a good rogering on the spot, right here on the greensward, as I am so inspired by what we have just witnessed. But it would be considered unseemly to detract from the solemnity of the occasion. No, our lovemaking must wait for now." And with that, he squeezed the boy's buttocks and gave him a gentle slap. Calllixtus giggled. "Come boy, the night is young, and there is much feasting and merriment ahead. But tomorrow we must leave this place, and continue our journey with Lendulio as a new addition to our band."

Chapter 13
A Song of Parting

The elves of the village had garlanded all the departing guests with forest flowers, but only Vuonti accompanied them out of the village, and when he got to the same place he had first encountered them, he stopped, bowed to the unicorn, and nose-rubbed Magnus, Callixtus, and Lendulio in farewell.

There's another pretty arse I'll be sorry to leave behind, thought Magnus to himself, but he was consoled by melodious haunting song which they elf boy sang as they walked away – and also by the pretty arses of his slave and the elf Lendulio who walked in front of him.

"A beautiful song, Lendulio," said the unicorn Shalmaneser. "But unlike the learned Magnus, whose erudition does credit to our Order, I have no words of your elvish tongue. I do speak a little of the High Elven language, though that is a very different speech."

"It is a song of parting and well-wishing, my Lord," replied the elf. "It is indeed beautiful, in words and melody, but it is tinged with sorrow because who knows what mischances might befall us, and we may never set foot here again. My people rarely leave this land, and we dislike the sea. Also, there is sadness in the song for our two human companions here, for though if we avoid unhappy accident we are certain to have years, indeed centuries, to return here and deepen our friendships, that is not an option for Magnus and Callixtus. They will fade quicker than the bloom of the moonflower, and short years will rob them of their noble forms and then their lives while we are still counted as youths to our own kin."

Magnus looked pensive at these words, and a slight depression fell on him as they walked on.

Callixtus, sensing this, said, "Master, may I ask a question?"

"Of course dear boy, you know it is my pleasure to indulge you."

"I was wondering if there were… other companions of yours before me?"

It was some time before Magnus responded. "Yes, I think you are the fifth body slave I have owned. The first was given to me by my father when I was just your age – an energetic stripling of the same age as myself. We were together a great deal for a few years, and although there was obviously a meeting of bodies, there was not much meeting of minds. When my father wrote to me, some years after I left home, and mentioned in passing that the young man was about to get married, I bought his freedom and that of his betrothed. Now he lives with his wife and family as a tenant farmer on our estate. I have seen him once or twice since. He was grateful, but we are strangers to one another now." Magnus sighed.

"As for the others after that, they were all pretty boys who turned into handsome young men, and served me well. Most were with me for four or five years before I set them free. But the best I had was a Wendish lad from the islands to the north west of the Empire – a rather damp and forlorn place much raided by the northern barbarians. He was called Placidus, though he had a different name in his own barbarous tongue. He had magnificent red hair like most Wends. Poor boy sometimes suffered a bit in the summer on account of his pale skin. Not much sunshine in Wendland."

Callixtus reflected that had the mage wished to spare the Wendish boy the problems of sunburn he only had to permit him to wear a cloak out of doors. But of course he knew the mage well enough by now to know that he would have considered the boy's sunburn a small price to pay for the pleasure of having him perpetually nude.

Magnus continued, "Placidus was with me for seven years. He was… rather special. But by the time he reached twenty three I decided it was time for him to retire. I gave him his freedom, and a considerable sum of money, and he went back to his homeland. I believe there is a red haired child of his named after me. Occasionally I have news of him, but communication over such a long distance, and outside the Empire, is difficult even for a mage. Of course, I miss him still sometimes… towards the end of our time together we were more like brothers than lovers, certainly not like master and slave. Goodness me, how dreadfully sentimental , I am sounding like that uxorious old poof Joab, always spouting on about the pleasures of long term same sex relations between two men. Never thought much of that myself; like most people, I think it a little perverted, though admittedly that is just a culturally mediated prejudice. Anyway, it so happens that my inclinations don't lie in that direction."

After a further pause, Callixtus said, "Master, what will happen to me?"

Magnus said breezily, "Never mind about that, dear boy, I will see you right."

At this, for reasons he himself did not fully understand, Callixtus suddenly burst into tears. The party all stopped in surprise and alarm.

Magnus caught the boy in his arms. "What's the matter, my boy?"

Callixtus sobbed, "You say 'my' boy" now, but for how much longer? What happens when I'm not a boy any more? The elf Vuonti sang that song about how we fade like flowers and die – even if you gave me my freedom and a lot of money – what would I do? where would I go? I know hardly anything about the world – and no-one showed me any kindness before, except for you. Why do things have to change? Why can't I just stay with you forever? I don't want to go away and have no-one!"

Magnus held the boy tightly and smoothed his hair. "Alas, change and decay is the way of the world, even for elves and unicorns eventually. Why, the very seas and mountains will in time change form and disappear. Without transience there is no true beauty."

He kissed away the boy's tears and said, "I'm sorry I'm so selfish and too much inclined to make light of deep matters. I suppose it is how I protect myself. From now on, you will never have to do anything you don't want to do. From this moment, I give you your freedom, but if you so wish, you will never have to leave my side."

Callixtus gazed at him – the weeping made his eyes bloodshot, making them look even more intensely blue.

The mage added, "Just don't expect me to be monogamous."

Callixtus smiled, and they kissed.

The Veskan schooner which had brought them to Summer Island had been waiting for them in the small bay where they had been dropped off a week before. None of the crew had dared to come ashore, for they held the Island in superstitious awe. The Captain greeted them and all the crew gazed at the elven boy, who was an unfamiliar sight to them in spite of the fact that living as they did on the Isle of Mages they had more opportunity than most to encounter the strange and the unusual. The only elves any of them had seen before were the High Elves, who looked pretty much like young Veskans, being very blond – although unlike young Veskans, they had pointed ears (and wore clothes).

The mage and the unicorn stood together on deck, together with their companions, and Shalmaneser motioned them all to follow him forrar'd to the bows, where they were out of earshot of the crew. His noble equine face had an air of benign gravity.

"We are heading north west, into the Azure Sea, and not north east from whence we came. It is my intention that we should travel with the western coastline of Cheskia on our starboard side, and make land not in Cheskia but in one of the petty principalities which quilt the littoral where the Cheskan peninsula ends and the coastline runs westwards."

Lendulio said, "Are these the territories of the Great Empire?"

"Not exactly," said Shalmaneser, "they acknowledge the overlordship of the Emperor and pay tribute, but they govern themselves. They are supposed to be allied with one another, but there is such a multiplicity of different political systems and clashing interests that they are often at odds with another – though only rarely do outright hostilities break out."

Shalmaneser continued, "It will be our mission, Lendulio, to try and bring some concord between these petty states, and to persuade them that it is their best interests to unite in amity against the common foe. If they squabble, only the Rhenoussian raiders and the fire giants will be the beneficiaries."

Callixtus said, "Will we encounter fire giants, my lord?"

"I think not, Callixtus. You will not be coming ashore. This mission is for me to undertake with Lendulio. You and Mage Magnus have a different mission. Once Lendulio and I are ashore, you two will return to the Isle of Mages."

Callixtus was not sure if he was relieved to be avoiding the fire giants, or disappointed that he would not be adventuring with the unicorn and the elf. But a few days later, as a gaily painted cutter in the red and white colours of the Duchy of Garramundi conveyed Shalmaneser and Lendulio from the ship to the fine stone built harbour of that principality, Shalmaneser stood up – his huge naked frame causing the little cutter to rock dangerously, to the momentary panic of its Garramundian sailors – and his loud booming voice rolled across to the Veskan ship, "We will meet again, my friends. I will wait for you on the first day of spring, in the Theocracy of Angiskor – it is the last of the principalities along the western coast, and marches with the Rhenoussian border. Find me in the home of the Chief Healer there."

As the Veskan ship turned south to make its two week journey back to the Isle of Mages, Callixtus had much time for thinking. In truth, he had not found Shalmaneser or Lendulio to be the easiest of companions. They had spent all their time together, often arm in arm, or the elf sitting on the unicorn's hugely muscled thighs. Lendulio spoke but little, though he often sang elven songs in a high clear voice, in the strange but beautiful tongue of his people.

As for Shalmaneser, he often spoke to Callixtus, and was always kind and polite, but also grave and somewhat formal. Callixtus, though appreciating the attention, was too much in awe of the mighty unicorn to feel comfortable in his presence – especially as his presence was a perpetually nude one, and his enormous member had dangled in the sea breezes in such a fascinating way that Callixtus had barely been able to keep his eyes off it. This added greatly to the difficulty of holding a conversation.

On their return journey, Callixtus said to Magnus, "Master, how old do you think I am?"

"I've no idea – how old do you think you are?"

"I have no idea either. But I feel I would like to know. I suppose being with the elves, and hearing their sad and beautiful songs, has made me think about how time passes and things change."

Magnus said, "I think you are about fourteen. And if you have an age, you should have a birthday. You joined me on November the ninth. How about we make that your fourteenth birthday? So now you are fourteen years and fifty two days old, to be precise. And today is the last day of the old year. So it is an appropriate time to make new beginnings. How about marking your newly found age, and your new status as a Free Man, with some clothes? I am sure I can find something for you from among the Veskan captain's wardrobe."

Callixtus said, "Master, we are on a Veskan ship and the Isle of Mages is also Veskan territory. As long as we are in Veskan lands, I think I should wear the same clothing that a Veskan boy of my age would."

Magnus grinned. "Which is to say, nothing at all. I am of course delighted."

"But Master," said Callixtus, "I don't want to take off your sigil, or the wolf's tooth charm you gave me. I don't care if some of the Veskans give me funny looks on account of them."

Magnus said, "I am of course delighted with your choice, dear boy, as I am sure you knew I would be. And if anybody is minded to give you any churlish looks, it can only be that they are wilfully blind to your dazzling beauty. The only looks you deserve are looks of admiration at those pert, globular buttocks, those rippling muscles, and that gorgeous cock. Though the sight fills me with sadness as well."

"How so, master?" said Callixtus.

"Because," said Magnus, "now that you are no longer my slave, I cannot command you to let me slake my lust on your beautiful form." And the mage gave a dramatic, eye-rolling sigh.

Callixtus laughed. "But master, you may always request what you can no longer command."

"I was hoping you might say something like that. And would my request be granted?"

"I can grant it straight away, if you like. And unlike the innkeeper's boy I watched you with on my first night in your service, you won't even have to pay me."

Magnus said, "My dear boy, the only thing which prevents me from taking advantage of your kind offer here and now is the thought you might get a splinter in your pretty arse from the deck planking when I place you on your back and fuck you rigid. I think we should go below to our cabin."

"Lead on, master!" said Callixtus – whose cock was already springing into uninhibited life at the prospect of what lay ahead. And so – followed by envious glances from not a few of the sailors, who were quick to notice the boy's obvious and unconcealed tumescence – they went below.

Chapter 14
The Oriflamme of Hyrcanus

There was some wet and windy weather on the way back and Callixtus almost began to regret refusing the mage's offer of clothes, but in the wind and rain squalls he kept below and in the cabin. The schooner was fast and seaworthy and expertly handled, but nevertheless it was uncomfortable for a few days.

At least he did not suffer from the sea sickness which had assailed him on his first voyage. He reflected that the Cheskan boy Votya, who had been their guide for a while in Cheskia, had solemnly believed that regular impregnation by a mage would cure sea sickness, as well as protecting from many other accidents and ailments. So perhaps it was true that the regular injections of mage sperm he had been receiving had inoculated him against sea sickness. On the other hand, until he met the mage he had never even seen the sea before, let alone set foot on a ship, so perhaps it was just a question of gaining normal sea-legs.

So it was that on a cool grey morning some days later they found themselves back in the glade by the Great Lodge on the Isle of Mages. They were sitting outside, on some beautifully carved wooden chairs festooned with climbing plants which were placed near the mossy pool. Even in winter, it was still mild enough to sit outside, and no discomfort for Callixtus, naked as he was.

They were sitting with the Mage Joab, who as Warden of the Great Lodge rarely left the Isle of Mages. They were joined by Joab's partner Gravillax, who like Joab was also in his forties, though slimmer of build and still with all his hair.

Magnus said, "Here's a riddle for you, Callixtus. When is a mage not a mage?"

"I don't understand, master."

"Gravillax here is a member of the Order of Mages, although I believe quite incapable of casting the simplest of cantrips. Strange, is it not?"

Gravillax, who sat holding a large rolled parchment on his lap, ignored Magnus's remark, but Joab flushed a dull red.

"As you well know, Magnus," he said, "Gravillax is one of the most skilled Master Alchemists in the world, and as such his expertise has been acknowledged by granting him honorary full membership of our Order, as a mark of his usefulness and skill."

"I meant no offence, Joab, to you or Gravillax. I was simply being flippant. I fully acknowledge your skill at alchemy, Gravillax. Indeed, I have benefited from your efficacious potions on numerous occasions. Your abilities in that regard far outrank my own."

Gravillax gave a gracious nod, and Joab's colour returned to normal.

Gravillax unrolled the parchment he was holding onto a large tree stump which functioned as a table, and held it in place with small stones. Callixtus saw that it was a beautifully drawn and coloured map, although as he could neither read nor write he could not relate it to anything he knew.

Joab indicated the map and said, "War is coming, Magnus, and there is not much time. The high mountain passes of the west are now blocked by snow, but come the spring, the fire giants and their allies will attack the western flank of the Empire. Three things are necessary for us to stop them, Magnus. Do you know what those three things are?"

"The will to fight, and the soldiers to do it?" said Magnus.

"Yes. Shalmaneser and his elf are even now forging the political will to resist where internecine squabbles have left it weakest. The Empire has legions, and once the sinews of the will are stiffened, there will be no shortage of additional volunteers," said Joab.

"Excuse me, Master Joab," interjected Callixtus, "but you said three things were needful, and yet Master Magnus has only mentioned two of them."

"Quite right, boy," said Joab with approval. "Magnus, your boy is not as naive as he appears. What is the third thing?" said Joab, addressing the boy.

"Money?"

"Yes, exactly. Armies cannot exist unless coin is found to buy their weapons and armour and keep them fed. I am not entirely surprised your master omitted this detail, as lack of coin is something he has never had to worry about."

Magnus ignored this remark and said, "The Empire is rich, surely?"

Joab replied, "The Empire's financial policies are set not by the Emperor but by the powerful nobles and magnates on his Council, who have ensured that taxes are kept low. Commerce therefore flourishes, and private wealth such as your own is indeed abundant, but the needs of the Empire are not met by taxation, and the government is heavily indebted. We need an influx of cash into the Imperial coffers. Which is where you come in, Magnus."

Magnus said, "My dear Joab, you are surely misinformed about my circumstances if you think anything I can contribute would be more than the tiniest drop in the ocean of what is required."

Joab said, "You are not very quick today, are you Magnus? Of course I am not suggesting you make a personal donation. Gravillax, show Magnus the Oriflamme."

From within his robes Gravillax took out an object wrapped in yellow silk. He unwrapped it, and there on the palm of his hand was a goose-egg sized sphere apparently made of translucent yellow glass which gave off a faint luminescence.

Magnus took the object in his hands and stared intently at it, then handed it carefully to Callixtus, who marvelled at its warmth and its heavy weight.

"What is it, Master Joab?" said Callixtus.

"The Oriflamme of Hyrcanus. It is a magical object of considerable power. A mage who possesses it and who is already capable of fire magic has the efficacy of such magic considerably enhanced. A fireball which might normally consume a single enemy soldier in flame would, if the Oriflamme was in the caster's possession, incinerate an entire regiment."

Magnus said, "Yes, and the Oriflamme is one of the most significant items belonging to the Order of Mages, and one of the most valuable and precious magical items in existence. I assume you are not giving it to me on a permanent basis, Joab?"

"Certainly not. And if you carry out your part, it will not remain the property of the Order for much longer."

"Surely you don't mean to give it away?" said Magnus.

Joab gave a superior smile, and this time his partner Gravillax answered. "Master Joab is a few steps ahead of you, as usual, Magnus. We do not have need of fire magic in a war with the fire giants, for they are resistant to flame, as you will surely know. But we do have need of coin, as Joab has mentioned. You are to take the Oriflamme and exchange it with the King of the Mountain for as much treasure as you can extract, and then return here. The Order of Mages will then turn the treasure over to the Empire as a donation to the furthering of the war effort."

Magnus mused for a moment, and then said, "Well, it certainly makes sense. The King of the Mountain has a realm rich in gems and treasure, and is a powerful mage – though not a member of our Order – with many enemies. As his kingdom is to the east, it is unlikely he will be involved in the coming conflict. We need treasure more than we need fire magic."

"He usually gets there in the end," said Joab to Gravillax, and permitted himself a camp simper. But Magnus did not appear disconcerted.

"I've always admired your incisive mind, Joab, and I don't mind admitting it. I am too much the dilettante to think up your deep schemes." Though I still think you're a pompous old queen, he added mentally to himself.

Joab said, "A Sassid schooner is already waiting for you in the harbour. Remember you must meet the unicorn in the Theocracy of Angiskor on the twenty fifth of March. Today is the fourth of February. You need to be quick about it. You will leave immediately – Gravillax will show you to horse. And be careful – both of you. The Mountain Kingdom is a dangerous place to get to – and a dangerous place to be."

Magnus rose immediately, Callixtus too, and they exchanged bows with Joab. Gravillax showed them to a bay horse in the small stable nearby – a large sturdy gelding. Magnus – although like all mages he rarely rode nowadays – had an intimate knowledge of the equestrian art, as befitted the son of an Imperial aristocrat. He swung up easily onto the horse then grasped Callixtus by the arm and helped him to get up behind him.

Callixtus had never ridden a horse before – although his duties had included caring for the trap pony in Lady Domitia's stable. He found it an alarming experience, as Magnus rode fast, and the boy had to grip the mage tightly as they flew down the sloping four mile [6 km] road from the Lodge to the harbour.

Within a very short time they were at the quayside, and the mage threw the reins to one of the harbour officials as he leaped down and helped Callixtus off.

"Did you enjoy your first ride, Callixtus? Your first ride on a horse, I should say?"

"Not very much, master."

"Oh? you could have fooled me. I felt your enjoyment pronging me through my cloak for the whole journey."

It was true – whether through fear, or adrenaline, or the feel of his arms around his master, or the way the leather saddle chafed his bare thighs, Callixtus had sprung an erection which he had no choice but to press tightly against his master or risk being thrown from the horse.

"Actually I didn't mind at all the feel of your splendid cock pressing against my back. As long as it doesn't give you any ideas; I'm not like Joab, who receives more than he gives, or so rumour has it."

They were standing on the stone quayside of the main harbour, right by the sleek lines of a Sassid schooner. The captain, a dark skinned man in a white turban and flowing cotton robes, called down – "Magnus! welcome aboard!"

Magnus climbed on board the schooner and gave the Captain a warm embrace.

"I did not realise you would be the captain, Tammuz. This pleases me greatly."

"You should have realised that few Sassid captains have better relations with the Order of Mages than I do. Joab warned me off months ago that he would need me for a mission most likely involving you."

Magnus was surprised – it was further evidence of Joab's foresight. Perhaps he should be nicer to the old bald poof, he thought.

Captain Tammuz was of medium height, dark skinned and dark haired, about thirty five years old, and of a slim build. His white teeth and handsome features would have been nearly perfect were it not for a long, livid scar whichh stretched from above his left eye and down across his cheek. He had clearly been lucky to keep the eye, but it had caused a permanent droop of the eyelid and it looked very alarming and piratical.

"Who is your charming friend, Magnus?" said the Sassid captain. His speech was only slightly accented.

"My sla- I mean, my companion, Callixtus. Of Samnium."

"Welcome, honoured guest," said the captain, bowing, with his hands on his hips – revealing a jewel-hilted scimitar in a long curved scabbard. "I hope you enjoy your time on my ship. Although by the looks of you, your enjoyment is already only too clear."

The Sassid captain was of course referring to Callixtus's engorged cock, still rock hard from his equestrian ride, which the boy was vainly trying to hide by holding his hands crossed over it – a gesture which only drew attention to it all the more.

"Never mind," said Tammuz. "You have been staring at my scar as much as I am staring at your member, but your erection will go away, whereas my scar, alas, will not."

"Master Magnus could remove your scar," said the boy.

Magnus laughed. "Your confidence is touching, my boy, but I've already tried, and failed."

The Sassid captain said, "He certainly did not fail. You should have seen the wound before he healed it. My whole face was ripped open, and the eye was lost. Thanks to Magnus, I have been healed far better than I thought possible, and my lost eye has been restored."

Tammuz continued, "Magnus, please take your friend below. I will show you to your cabin. Then we will leave immediately. By the way, some items which you ordered were delivered on board earlier. I have had them put in your cabin."

"Thank you Tammuz," said Magnus. "Those will be the clothes I ordered , both for myself and for my companion. From now on, he will be wearing clothes when we are in places where it is customary to do so – and that includes your ship, captain. If Callixtus puts some clothes on, it will help to dampen the lustful ardour of your no doubt lusty crew, as well as concealing his own improvident erections. Although this particular erection is so splendidly rampant that I think it needs some special attention from me to help it deflate, or it will be simply impossible to fit any clothes over it."

With that, Magnus grabbed hold of Callixtus's rigid cock, and gently moved his hand up and down the boy's shaft.

Tammuz burst out laughing. "I don't know which is funnier, the sight of you leading the boy to your cabin by tugging on his cock, or the expression on your face, which reminds me of a wolf I once speared in the Sassid mountains."

"Call us for dinner, but not for at least an hour!" said Magnus, as with one hand clamped on the boy's cock, he propelled him into the cabin with the other hand pushing against his arse.

The Sassid captain chuckled to himself as he returned on deck. He preferred women to boys himself, but was amused by Magnus's tastes, and pleased to find that they had not changed. You can always trust a man like that with your wives, he thought to himself with satisfaction.

Chapter 15
Flames on the Sea

Magnus was enjoying a light to moderate cool wind blowing from the north east as the schooner made a good pace gliding through the waves towards the east.

"What do you think, master?" said Callixtus, who at that moment appeared on deck.

The boy's appearance was very different. He wore a sheepskin jerkin over his shoulders. It left his arms bare and he wore it unbuttoned, leaving his chest also bare. On his back he wore his elf bow with a quiver of arrows, attached by a leather strap running diagonally across his body and attaching to a thin leather belt at his hip. On this belt he wore a hunting knife in a black leather scabbard; the knife had a hilt made of antler.

He wore a small triangle of soft leather hanging from the front of his belt, and another one at the back. Magnus was pleased to note they were only the skimpiest of coverings, and when the breeze blew, or if the boy bent over or indeed did virtually any movement, tantalising glimpses of his assets were easily uncovered. He wore leather wrist bracers, and tightly strapped ankle length leather boots, with a criss cross of leather straps as leggings extending up his calves. Around his neck he continued to wear the lighting flash sigil and the wolf's tooth charm on thin twists of black leather.

Magnus thought the outfit extremely fetching, and said so. He had also given Callixtus a hooded cloak, in the same blue-green colour as the mage's own. This could be worn over all the other gear in cold or wet weather, and came down to below his knees.

Magnus said, "The only problem is that with your bow and quiver there is no room for the knapsack. I will have to carry that myself. But no matter, I only have a few items in it, and there is room for me to carry your cloak in it when the weather does not require you to wear it. Though perhaps we might find a mule to carry our things, and the provisions we will need, when we make our journey to the King of the Mountain."

Just then there was a cry from the lookout – in the Sassid language – which indicated that a sail had been sighted. Magnus and Callixtus could see nothing for a few minutes, but then discerned a schooner approaching from the north with dark grey sails. The Captain joined them on deck.

"What do you think, Tammuz?" said Magnus.

"It's hard to make out, but it seems to be a Black Island ship, judging from the dark sails."

"A pirate?" asked Magnus.

"Of course. They are all pirates."

A sudden chill struck Callixtus as he remembered the Fennec youth they had rescued from the Imperial marines back in Avenna. He recalled that the boy had been a captive on a Black Island pirate ship.

Tammuz shouted out some orders and the Sassid sailors, their white robes whipped by the breeze, set about trimming sails and altering course.

"He is ahead of us, but bearing down from the north, while we are travelling due east. If we maintain this course he will intercept us. The wind is from the north east so he is on a broad reach, whereas we are close reached and so cannot outrun her unless we alter course to the south. I am afraid this may take us out of our way."

"So be it," said Magnus. "We cannot risk being taken."

The tension grew over the next hour as the pirate ship gained steadily on them, aided by its skilful handling and sleek lines. Tammuz's taut expression showed that he looked at it with growing concern.

"Darkness will fall in two hours," he said. "If we can hold her off till then, we may have a chance."

Callixtus, fingering his bow, said, "Can we not fight her off, captain?"

"No," said Tammuz. "This is not a fighting ship, whereas they are trained for piracy from childhood. And besides, Joab gave me strict instructions to avoid danger. He must have great love for you, Magnus," and the captain allowed a sardonic smile to play on his features. The effect on his scarred face was rather grotesque, thought Callixtus.

Soon the other ship was in clear view, and there was no longer any doubt that it was anything other than a Black Island pirate. Suddenly, a fiery bolt fired from a small ballista on board shot out, though it fell well short. Now, shouts and roars from the pirate ship carried to them across the wind, and they could see a gang of dark-clad bearded men crowding the bows of the enemy vessel and brandishing axes and bows.

Before long, more fiery bolts arched towards them, and one struck the beam of the ship a glancing blow before falling harmlessly into the sea. Callixtus ran to the stern and fitted an arrow to his bow.

"No Callixtus! Come back!" called Magnus, but for the first time in his life the boy ignored him. Standing in full view of the stern, he became a target for half a dozen arrows, but all fell around him, some into the sea but some onto the deck; one lodged quivering in the stern a few inches from his right leg. Callixtus fired several shots in quick succession – without effect – before Magnus dragged him back and pushed him down.

A sudden change in the wind left the sails of the Sassid ship flapping as the frightened sailors were caught off guard. Sensing their advantage, the pirates glided closer and prepared grappling hooks. They were only a dozen ship lengths away, and another fiery bolt came crashing through the rigging, tangling in it and setting it alight.

Callixtus crouched on the deck and looked up at Magnus, who stood boldly upright at the stern and took out the Oriflamme from inside his tunic. As more arrows hissed around him, he held it up in his left hand and raised his staff with his right, pointing it directly at the pirate ship, while pronouncing a loud incantation whose words were whipped away by the wind – though as they were in the mystic tongue of the mages, Callixtus could not understand them. Suddenly, and with a loud crack, a ball of flame shot from the tip of his staff and exploded with a fiery detonation right in the heart of the pirate ship. From all sides, sheets of flame erupted and spars and rigging flew out – some burning pieces rained down on the Sassid ship, one of them catching Callixtus a glancing blow on the shoulder. The pirate ship, engulfed in flames, had come to an abrupt stop, and shouts and screams came to them across the water. Within minutes, the ship became a towering column of flame, then broke up and sank with a shudder beneath the sea.

The shaken Sassid sailors quickly put out the small fires which the enemy bolt and the burning debris had caused, and resumed course to the east. There was no attempt to look for survivors.

"Behold the power of the Oriflamme," said Magnus with a stern voice. Tammuz gave a grim smile.

The rest of the voyage passed without incident. There were no injuries except for the bruising on Callixtus's shoulder where he had been struck by debris from the pirate ship. Magnus was, for the first time, seriously angry with him and spoke to him so harshly about his foolish irresponsibility in risking his life for, as Magnus put it, no real purpose except youthful bravado, that the boy burst into tears. But then the mage kissed him gently and put him to bed, carefully tending his bruise and pronouncing an incantation over it which had the effect of immediately removing all pain and discolouration, though leaving his shoulder and neck a little stiff for a day or two.

The Sassid sailors, on the other hand, were delighted with Callixtus after that, and looked at him with renewed respect; and as for Magnus, they kept an awed and reverential distance, bowing low to him whenever he appeared on deck and calling out "Skarruz na gellum! Skarruz na gellum!" Callixtus asked the captain what this meant, and he told him it was the Sassid for 'Wielder of Flames', and was the new name they had bestowed on the mage.

Magnus seemed indifferent or even bored and irritated by these salutations. In truth, he was thinking what a splendid bauble the Oriflamme was, and what a pity it seemed to sell it to the King of the Mountain.

Two days later, early in the morning, a sailor called Callixtus from his bunk. He did not understand what he was saying, but followed him on deck where he found Magnus and Tammuz staring at the eastern horizon, where the sun was rising to reveal a brown shore line with distant mountains behind.

"Look, Callixtus, we will make landfall soon."

"Is this the country of the King of the Mountains?" asked the boy.

"Not exactly. This is the coastline of Phyrgia, once a great and powerful kingdom, but overrun many centuries ago by other peoples. The inhabitants call themselves Phyrgians, and speak a bastard version of the ancient Phyrgian tongue, but in truth only a few of them are descended from the ancient inhabitants. I have been here before, and we can expect a hospitable welcome. But our true destination lies in the mountains, several days journey inland. We will hire a pack mule and a guide to take us to the Mountain Kingdom."

And so it came to pass that they soon bade a warm farewell to Tammuz and his crew. Callixtus thought the small town where they landed scruffy and dirty and looking , and poverty stricken compared to the cities of the Empire or even the towns of the Cheskans and Veskans. But they were invited to dine in the villa of the leading merchant, a fat and courteous man named Bagaois, dressed in brightly coloured robes and with his beard dyed a curious shade of green.

Callixtus found it strange to be reclining on divans to eat and not sitting on a chair at a table, as was the custom nearly everywhere else he had been. Magnus pronounced the wine 'barely tolerable' – though not within earshot of their host – but they were served multiple dishes of tasty food, more heavily spiced than Callixtus was used to.

Callixtus said, "Master, I have never seen so many rent boys here – almost every boy I saw while walking through the town seems to be on the game! Is this really the case?"

"No, my boy," laughed the mage. "All youths and young men adopt the customary dress of the Phyrgians, which as you have noticed is a collection of leather straps leaving the buttocks and genitals exposed, and which is also the uniform favoured by rent boys in the Empire, who derived the dress from here. But you will note that older men wear trousers and shirts of light coloured linen underneath the straps, and those strange red caps which are the badge of the married. Whether the Rivermen of the Empire, who wear caps in the same style, are also descended from the same ancestors, or merely influenced by them culturally, is an interesting question on which there is no scholarly consensus…"

Bagaios – who feared with some reason that Magnus was about to embark on a lengthy discussion of the ethnography of the Phyrgians – swiftly interjected. "I have arranged the best guide in the town to take you to the King of Mountain. Very good, very experienced, and speaks your language. But not cheap – I'm afraid I must ask for one hundred silver crowns."

Magnus raised his eyebrows. Bagaios sighed and said, "Although as you are my friend I will accept eighty and cover the loss myself." The old hypocrite was certainly pocketing a healthy commission on the guide's fee already, thought Magnus, but as Joab had handed him a fat purse from the funds of the Order of Mages, he counted out the coins without demur.

Later that evening, as they retired to a guest room in Bagaios's villa, Magnus said, "I'm annoyed that the merchant has foisted a guide of his own choosing on us. I bet it's someone old and hideous. I noticed lots of cute youngsters clad in those adorable leather straps, with all their splendid tackle dangling free, and I'm sure I can prevail on one of them to act as our guide instead."

Callixtus said, "But I would be very angry with you, master, if you did such a thing."

" Yes, I suppose you'd be jealous."

Magnus was sitting on the bed getting undressed, and Callixtus approached him and said "No I wouldn't be! I wish you wouldn't tell me how I'm feeling when you don't know!"

"Calm down, dear boy, you are flushed and agitated, though I can't think why," said Magnus.

Callixtus said, "Don't you see how annoying you are? You blew up at me because you said I risked my life for nothing shooting arrows at the pirate ship – though I don't regret it, because after all it gave some encouragement to the Sassid sailors – but now you are considering something as stupid as hiring a guide based entirely on his looks! You will certainly want a pretty boy with his cock dangling free, which means he will have as much experience at finding his way to the Mountain King as I would! Don't you see that we have to take an experienced guide? We can't allow ourselves to be swayed by… by… frivolous notions of yours or we will certainly get killed for nothing! Joab told us that the road to the Mountain Kingdom is dangerous!"

Callixtus had worked himself up into quite a state and was almost shouting – he went red in the face and concluded his speech by placing his palms on Magnus's chest and shoving him back, so that the mage fell back on the bed with a look of astonishment on his face.

"I… I'm sorry, master. I forgot myself."

After a pause, Magnus gave a chuckle. "Well, that was quite a performance. I've never seen that side to you before. But you are quite right, of course. We will take whichever guide Bagaios has allocated to us. I'm sorry – I am frivolous at times. I'm also sorry I spoke so harshly to you a couple of days ago about the battle with the pirates. I can see you are still upset about that, and I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just that I would be so very, very devastated if anything happened to you."

Callixtus said, "Well, I'm sorry too. I was upset because you were angry, but that's because I hate to be the cause of making you angry and unhappy when you chose me to make you happy. At least, I think you did."

"Of course I did," said Magnus, "And you do make me happy. But now you can make me even happier if you slip out of those clothes, fetching though they are, and come into bed with me. From tomorrow, we will be on strange paths and dangerous ways, and there is no telling when we may be able to take our pleasures again."

Callixtus did as he was bid, and soon he was lying on his side. He held up his outer leg so Magnus could gain easy access; the mage reached round and grasped Callixtus's cock as he thrust inside him from behind. Ten minutes later, Callixtus felt all his tension drain away from triple causes: the mage had wanked him to orgasm, the sensation of the mage's warm and pulsating cock inside him, and the feeling of pleasurable repletion from the mage's gushing seed, released deep in his innards.

They both fell into a contented sleep.

Chapter 16
In the Halls of the Mountain King

The land of Phyrgia was drier and less fertile than the other lands Callixtus had seen, although as it was on the same latitude as southern Cheskia, the weather was mild in spite of the fact that this was February. Nevertheless, the weather did cool as they progressed upwards. They had been travelling for three days, and the sparse tree cover – at first some type of aspen, later succeeded by a species of fir, neither of which looked familiar to Callixtus – gradually thinned. Only scattered, spiky shrubs broke the monotony of the red rocks and jagged boulders.

At the top of a range of hills they reached the foot of a towering mountain where their guide stopped and spat. "This is it. I stay here with the mule and wait for you. I stay three days, no longer."

This was quite a long sentence for their taciturn guide. Although not quite old and hideous as Magnus had prophesied, he was certainly not young or attractive either. A short, squat, sparely built man with a black beard but a shaved upper lip, he was nevertheless sure footed and well versed in fieldcraft.

"Thank you," said Magnus. "I hope to be back by this time tomorrow."

A path wound up around the mountain, in places with steps cut into the rock, until it disappeared out of view in the mists near the summit. At the start of the path, near where they were standing, was a large obelisk with a carved inscription. Although Callixtus was illiterate, he nevertheless knew it was not the Imperial script he was used to seeing.

"What does it say, master?"

"It is a boundary stone," said Magnus, "marking the start of the territory of the King of the Mountain, and announcing that all who set foot beyond it are subject to his dominion."

The ascent took them several hours, and it was wearisome and difficult near the top. The wind flapped their cloaks, and Callixtus felt chilled, clad as he was only in his small jerkin and loincloth underneath. Magnus had told him little about the King of the Mountain, except that he was a kind of elf, and ruled over a large tract of barren country which was nevertheless rich in gems and gold. The Mountain Elves were the rulers over a larger population of humans, an admixture of many different races, who in status were little different to slaves.

The track culminated still some distance short of the summit in a small stone fort clinging to the side of the mountain, large enough for perhaps fifty men to garrison. An orange banner flew from the walls, with a device on it showing a snarling leopard with black and white stripes.

"A mountain leopard," said Magnus, "Sigil of King Adeodax."

Behind them, the sun was setting over the distant Inner Sea, and a blaze of red and yellow light splashed the sides of the mountain in front of them, so that the orange banner appeared to be dappled with luminescence.

An officer approached them, a man clad in a round burnished helm, leather armour trimmed with the black and white fur of the mountain leopard, and carrying a spear. He also wore a broad sash of orange silk diagonally across his body, tied at the shoulder, as a mark of his office.

"State your business!" he said brusquely.

"I am Magnus the Mage, on a mission from my Order, and seeking an audience with the King."

The officer motioned them inside the fort and they sat on a stone bench in a small guardroom, warming themselves by the fire, while another surly soldier stood watch over them.

Callixtus said, "I was surprised that the officer addressed you in the Common Tongue. I had not thought to hear it this far from the Empire."

"The King has a large following of men of many different ethnic origins," said Magnus, "and the Mountain Elves considers the elvish tongue too pure to be sullied by the speech of those they see as inferior races."

After half an hour the officer re-appeared and said, his tone slightly more polite, "You may enter the Halls of the Mountain King, but all weapons must be left here."

Callixtus handed over his bow and arrows and his knife; Magnus was unarmed apart from his ashen staff, which was not taken from him. Two soldiers, one in front and one behind, led them inside the mountain.

The first impression Callixtus had on entering the spacious chamber that lay beyond the entrance door was the silence; the wind had become strong outside, and its sudden absence was pleasing. The second sensation was a surprising amount of warmth and light. From a multitude of rock fissures came silent exhalations of steam, and large lancet windows, often filled with coloured glass, were built high into the chamber walls.

The passage way frequently went upwards for twenty or thirty steps, but never for more, then continued horizontally or opened into further chambers. Others were also travelling inside the mountain, who when they saw them stood quietly still and observed them. They did not speak, and there was something unnerving about their silent scrutiny. There were many women amongst them. All wore simple garments of long unbleached linen and all either an orange silk headscarf (for the women), or a headband in the same colour and material for the men. Callixtus, who was expecting to see elves, was surprised and a little disappointed that he encountered none.

After half an hour, they came to a large arcaded chamber flooded with green and yellow light from large stained glass windows in an upper clerestory, with an apse opposite where a sweep of semi- circular stone steps led up to an ornate wooden door lacquered in carved and painted panels depicting scenes of war and conquest. And here at last, in front of the door, there stood – a pair of Mountain Elves.

Callixtus was completely unprepared for the sight. The Forest Elves were diminutive, rarely much more than five foot [1.50 m] tall even when fully grown, and were dark of hair and always nude. The only High Elf he had seen – back on the Isle of Mages – could have passed for a tall, slender and rather handsome blond human, save for his pointed ears. But the Mountain Elves were something else altogether…

In size they were almost as tall as the unicorn Shalmaneser, being closer to seven foot than six [c. 2 m]. They were magnificently muscled, although not quite on the same scale as the unicorn. Their hair was extraordinary: pure white in colour, it formed extravagant peaks on the tops of their heads, and sweeping waves and curls down to their shoulders. They both wore silk gowns open at the front to reveal their bare chests – like the forest elves, they appeared to have no hair except on their heads. They wore small square loincloths which did little to conceal their impressive bulges, and sandals; and they were also adorned with a variety of jewellery such as gold or silver wrist bands and arm bangles and earrings.

When they moved, it could be seen that they had strange spiral tattoos on their arms and shoulders. They wore scimitars in jewelled scabbards on their hips. Their skin tone was different: one was a bluish-grey, the colour of the sea on a cloudy day, and the other was a soft grey, like the ash left by a fire of burnt-out timber.

The blue elf spoke. His voice, though deeper and richer than that of the forest elves, still had something of the same sibilant and melodious quality. "Greetings, Mage Magnus, and welcome again to the Halls of the Mountain King. It has been some years since your last visit, yet you look no older than I do. Perhaps you have elf blood in you."

And his companion gave a strange gasping sound that Callixtus thought must have been the elvish equivalent of a sardonic chuckle.

"Greetings, Lord Skyrax, Knight Commander to King Adeodax. I have important business with your King and would be glad of an audience."

Lord Skyrax, his imposing height increased by the fact that he stood several steps higher than Magnus, gave him a none-too-friendly look.

"The King is busy with one of his catamites and cannot be disturbed."

Magnus produced an object wrapped in silk from inside his tunic, unwrapped it, and held out in his hands the goose-egg sized sphere which glowed and sparkled with red and yellow light.

"Behold the Oriflamme of Hyrcanus. This could be your King's, if we can reach a satisfactory arrangement."

There was a lengthy pause as the elf's violet eyes sparkled with the reflected golden glow from the Oriflamme.

"I have heard of this object," he said. "I have no doubt the King would gladly speak to you about it." And with that he turned to the ornate door over which he stood guard, knocked, and entered.

So it was that a minute or two later Skyrax returned and ushered them into the throne room of King Adeodax. The room was large, and appeared to be a natural rock chamber, although the floor was paved with polished black marble. High in the wall, a series of lanceolated windows opened onto the mountainside and flooded the interior with light. The glass panes were alternately clear and blue, giving a beautiful dappled effect.

On a raised throne of malachite and obsidian sat the King of the Mountain. His skin was very pale, though not the extreme milky white of the unicorn Shalmaneser – more like the skin tone of a very pale human. He was even taller than the two guardian elves, being fully seven feet [2.10 m] in height, and rippling with muscles. He had the appearance of a man in his late twenties, but of course Callixtus knew enough about elves by now to realise that this was almost certainly deceptive, and he could easily be many centuries old.

He wore a richly embroidered gown of orange and white silk which reached as far as his knees, but he wore it unfastened, and underneath he was entirely naked and clearly unabashed about the fact. And he was not alone: on his lap, dwarfed by the elf's huge stature, sat a human youth who looked about the same age as Callixtus. He wore an orange headband, like all the elf-King's human subjects, and curious leggings made of mountain leopard fur. They encased his calves from just below the knee to just above the ankle. Apart from that, the boy was naked.

Magnus and Callixtus bowed low before the Elf King.

"Greetings, My Lord King, from the Order of Mages, who wish you continued prosperity and good fortune."

A silence followed.

"You have arrived at a somewhat inconvenient time, as I was about to sample this latest addition to my harem. I have two hundred boys in my collection, and I so enjoyed this one yesterday that I have sent for him again today. The others will be jealous."

The boy certainly did not look as if he had been enjoying the elf's favours – he had a dull and listless expression, and all in all did not look very happy. And no wonder, thought Callixtus, if the poor little scrub is getting pronged by that monstrous thing that lay flaccid but massive between the Elf King's legs. Although not as extreme as the never-to-be -forgotten occasion of watching the forest elf Lendulio being shagged by the unicorn Shalmaneser, it was nevertheless quite clear that the young boy's bottom and the elf King's enormous cock were not destined to make a comfortable match. At least not for the boy. And although elves and unicorns were both capable of drawing on powerful reserves of psycho-sexual magic to ease the pain and increase the pleasure of anal intercourse, this was not so easy for humans.

"Of course, Mage, you know I desire to possess the Oriflamme. It will be of inestimable worth to me in my conflict with the Zandish hordes who teem on the steppe land to the east of my mountains, and over which the elves, as a superior race, have a right to rule. And I think we can negotiate a price. Skyrax, take our catamites out and leave us. The matters I wish to discuss with the Mage are for his ears alone, as they concern arcane secrets which it is not meet for the uninitiated to hear."

Skyrax bowed, and said, "As my Lord King commands."

The elf king's catamite slipped off his knee – with a look of relief, thought Callixtus – and they followed the blue skinned elf lord out of the throne room. To Callixtus's mind, the Mountain elves did not seem at all friendly – there was something alarming, menacing even, about them. Could they misuse the Oriflamme for evil purposes? Was it a good idea to give such a powerful item away to such a frankly sinister crowd? And would Magnus's frivolity and lack of care with money lead him to be gulled by the Elf King, so he failed to get a good price?

He sat on a stone bench in the large chamber outside the throne room as Skyrax and his companion resumed their guard over the door. The King's catamite sat by him cross legged on the floor. Callixtus looked at him, though his mind was mainly elsewhere. He was certainly pretty, in a pathetic sort of way; his orange headband kept slipping over his shaggy brown locks, and his frame, though small, looked tough and wiry – though not as hardened as Callixtus's had become over the last few months.

Callixtus's thoughts continued. What if the Elf King simply decided to take the Oriflamme by force? Was there anything Magnus could do about that if he did? And would they then be thrust out to return to Isle of Mages with their tail between their legs to explain their failure to Joab? But what if they weren't allowed to return! Callixtus felt a sudden chill as he contemplated the possibility of being added to the Elf King's boy harem, and being skewered on that massive elven cock… it was not a pleasurable thought. As if reading his thoughts, the boy at his feet began to snivel. Sorry friend, thought Callixtus, I've got enough worries of my own.

Chapter 17
Kari

"This place will do," said their guide. He had stopped where some stunted aspen and sparse shrubs grew on an area of level ground by the bank of a mountain stream. They had been travelling for most of the day, gradually descending lower all the time, and the weather had warmed appreciably – either because of the drop in the elevation, or because the sheltered valley they were now in held off the chilling wind.

As the guide unpacked their canvas tents from the back of the mule, Callixtus busied himself with making a fire to cook their evening meal. The place they were in was a little barren, but not unpleasant. He reflected on the past couple of days in the Halls of the Mountain King.

For Callixtus, it had been a time marked at first by uncertainty and fear but then by boredom. Magnus had made only one brief appearance, to tell him that all was proceeding well in his discussions with the elf-King, but that Callixtus was not allowed to be present and must remain under the guard of the King's elf guardians. They were a constant and unsettling presence, and the grey-skinned one even followed Callixtus when he made a call of nature, staring at him with large yellow eyes in a most disconcerting manner.

The snivelling catamite had been conducted away by another elf – this one had grey-green skin and red eyes, which Callixtus thought was a particularly alarming combination. He was far too intimidated to attempt a conversation with the guardian elves, and they showed no sign of wanting to speak to him. After a while he began to miss Magnus a great deal; there was something comforting about his presence, and Callixtus realised with a sense of surprise that over the last few months he had never been separated from him for more than a couple of hours. He even started to miss the company of the catamite.

But then – after what seemed like days but was in fact about twelve hours – he was woken from the bench, where he was dozing with his head on his hands, by Magnus shaking him gently by the shoulder.

"Come along, my boy. Mission accomplished. The Oriflamme is now the property of King Adeodax, and the Mage's Guild has acquired a great deal of treasure, which you must help me carry."

They had both spent the whole night in the Halls of the Mountain King. Magnus, who had been engaged in strenuous negotiations followed by hours of deep discussion on magical arcana with King Adeodax, was not at all tired – he was in fact euphoric at the success of his mission. Callixtus suspected that only the consumption of some of the mage's special herbal tea, fortified by incantations, could have enabled this. He was right of course, but what he did not realise was that Adeodax himself, and indeed the very mountain, gave off such a powerful stimulus to those of magical disposition that Magnus felt wholly energised, in spite of his lack of sleep.

The overburdened mule's panniers were soon bulging with costly gems and treasures – enough to meet all the military expenses of the Empire for a good six months or more.

They had also acquired another companion. Gathering sticks for the fire where they had stopped for the night – was the elf king's catamite, who had been sitting on his knee when Magnus first saw him, and who had spent a couple of hours snivelling at the feet of Callixtus as he waited in the throne room's antechamber.

When Magnus had first appeared with the boy Callixtus had been astonished, and gave him a quizzical look.

"King Adeodax was so pleased to get his hands on the Oriflamme," said Magnus airily, "that as well as giving a great deal of treasure for it, he threw him in as a parting gift."

Callixtus observed the boy. He was about his own age, and the same height. Sitting on the elf king's lap, he had seemed tiny in comparison with the massively muscled elf, but now Callixtus could see he was of normal size for a fourteenfifteen year old, though skinnier and less robust than Callixtus, whose own body was now toughened and tautened by the many miles he had walked in the last few months, as well as by his recent natural growth and the exposure of most of his body to the elements.

The boy was pretty enough, thought Callixtus, but nothing spectacular. He thought him rather too thin and wiry – his own preference was for something a bit older and more muscular – like Magnus. He was at a loss to understand why the Elf King had thought such a scrawny specimen one of the favourite boys in his harem.

Callixtus's bafflement was shared by their guide, who was plainly exasperated at the appearance of a new member of the party, though he said nothing.

After eating the stew of rock badger with wild garlic which the guide had produced – and which was far more appetising than it sounds – Magnus and Callixtus reclined against their packs and enjoyed the sounds of the stream rushing over its rocky bed and the sights of the evening glow in the sky above and the shadows deepening in the valley where they sat.

Magnus was also admiring the sight of the Elf King's former catamite, still clad only in his orange headband and mountain leopard leggings, who was on his knees a short way in front of them, bending down to wash their cooking utensils in the stream, and presenting – at least to Magnus's eyes – a most delectable view.

Callixtus said, "Did the Elf King really give him to you? I thought he said he was his current favourite? Surely he was unwilling to part with his favourite?"

Magnus made no reply, but faked a sudden interest in a distant view.

"I knew it!" said Callixtus. "I can't believe it! Your mission was to get the best possible price for the Oriflamme and I bet the Elf King beat down the price because you agreed to take the boy in part exchange. That is what happened, isn't it Magnus?"

Magnus said, "You do me an injustice. I did not sacrifice the interests either of my Order, or of the Empire. It is an extremely valuable coup that we now have someone as useful as… this boy… someone who has an errr… intimate knowledge of Adeodax. Do you not see how incredibly helpful it will to have some inside information on Adeodax and his court, especially when we don't fully trust him? You must have seen how… sinister the Mountain Elves can be. With the assistance of this boy, we may just be a little forewarned in case the Mountain Elves try to take advantage of us while we are engaged with the Fire Giants and their allies in the west. We do not want Adeodax taking advantage of us from behind while we are engaged to the front."

"You certainly don't, as I can attest from personal experience," said the boy suddenly, startling Callixtus and the Mage somewhat, as he had hardly spoken since he had joined their party. He stood up, shaking the water off the utensils, and approached them. "And my name isn't 'this boy' either," he said.

"I'm sorry," said Magnus, "we were forgetting that the Common Tongue is your own tongue too. I think you know our names already, but you are quite right that I neglected to ask you yours."

"If you are my new master," said the boy to Magnus, "then my name is whatever it pleases you to call me."

"Oh come now," said Magnus, "that won't do. What did your mother call you?"

"I don't know who my mother was; none of us do, in the Mountain Kingdom – we are raised in common."

"Well then, what do your friends call you?"

"I have found friends few and untrustworthy. But in the Boy Harem of Adeodax I am called Kari."

"Very well," said Magnus, "Welcome to our number, Kari. I am sorry we forgot our manners earlier. Though you did seem to be… well, not in the mood for conversation up till now."

"You are right, master. The Halls of the Mountain King seemed to stifle it. Now we are descending to lower elevations, I feel able to breathe a cleaner air, and speech is no longer such a burden. Though of course I am still a slave."

"Actually, Kari, you aren't. We have left the mountain kingdom behind, and are now in the territory of the Republic of Phyrgia. Adeodax gave you to me, but as far as I am concerned you are a free agent. Although I very much hope you will agree to come with us to the Isle of Mages so that you can provide us with further information about the mountain kingdom, as I indicated to my friend Callixtus just now. If you do agree, we will of course see to it that you receive a small stipend, and that all your needs are met."

Kari stared at Magnus for quite some time, saying nothing, his expression neutral and unreadable. Then suddenly, he grinned. "What about your needs, master? Do you have a wife, or do you prefer boys like the elves do?"

"That is a rather forward question, Kari, but since you ask, it is against custom for mages to have sexual relations with women – although we often have close friendships with female healers – so naturally we must use members of the same sex as an outlet for our sexual energy, which like all those with magical affinities tends to be stronger than the norm. As you will, err, no doubt know from your, err, experiences with King Adeodax."

Kari turned his green eyes on Callixtus. "Is that where you come in?" he said to him.

Callixtus said, "I don't really think that's any of your business."

Magnus said, "Kari, you will have to excuse Callixtus. He is feeling curmudgeonly today. In fact, he so far forgot himself a few minutes ago that he called me Magnus instead of Master for the first time."

Callixtus opened his mouth, blushed, then shut it again.

"Don't worry, dear boy. I liked it," said Magnus. "I'm not one for titles. You can call me whatever you like. You too, Kari."

Kari said, "Well then, MAGNUS and CALLIXTUS, seeing as how we are all getting on so well together, why not take things a little further?" – and he put his hands on his hips and tilted his head to one side, as he gave them a long and unmistakably lascivious stare with his green eyes.

Callixtus said, "You can't seriously be thinking about sex, after having the Elf King inside you on a regular basis?"

Kari said, "Actually, he only had me once, though that was bad enough. In the harem, we have to be strictly celibate unless we are with the King. I hadn't been in the harem for very long, it's true, but long enough to realise I'm not meant for the celibate state. And besides, you both look a lot more interesting than King Adeodax. Especially you."

This last remark was addressed directly to Callixtus.

Magnus laughed. "Well, whatever happened to that snuffling catamite of a few hours ago? You could be a different person altogether! Your resilience indicates, I think, that you are ultimately derived from Ugrian ethnic stock, for Kari is an Ugrian name… I wonder, do you know anything at all about your family origins?"

Callixtus groaned, "Oh don't start on that, Magnus. Don't worry, Kari, he loves asking obscure questions about where people come from, mainly so he can show off his intimate knowledge of places and people that no-one else has ever heard of. I find it rather tedious."

Magnus looked somewhat abashed, but Kari laughed. "Yes, I agree that such discussions are tedious. I just want to get fucked. By both of you. Now."

Chapter 18
The Silver Wolf

The Phyrgian guide was behind a screed of boulders, attending to the pack mule and sorting out the tents. Although out of sight he could nevertheless clearly be heard shuffling about. This did not inhibit the mage and his two companions.

The problem with Callixtus's skimpy loincloth was that when he had an erection – as he did now, for he had sprung into life as soon as Kari's desires became clear – was that it provided a very nugatory covering for his assets. The tiny leather triangle may as well have not been there, as Callixtus's rigid and slightly upcurved member was jutting out entirely exposed.

Magnus – who did not think Callixtus's exiguous loincloth was in any way problematic – tugged out his own cock from beneath his breechcloth and tunic. The boy Kari approached them and took their cocks in each of his hands. Apart from on his head, the only hair Kari grew naturally was in his armpits and his groin, but all the boys in the Mountain King's harem were carefully waxed and depilated everywhere except on their heads. (One thing all the different varieties of elf had in common was a total absence of bodily hair – with King Adeodax this also extended to an abhorrence of it in others).

Kari's cock had previously only been noted in passing by Callixtus, who had noted it was long and thin but also thought it boyish and barely worth a second look, but now that Kari was rigid Callixtus was able to appreciate that he was one of those lads who have more to offer than at first appears. He was not of wide girth, but pleasingly lengthy. Like almost everybody , except for former Imperial slaves like Callixtus, he was uncircumcised.

"Well, Kari," said Magnus, "I am of course a little hurt that you expressed your preference for my young companion, but I am becoming reconciled to the disappointment under the expert touch of your fingers."

"Don't worry Magnus, I can take both of you. Though I'd prefer it if it wasn't at exactly the same time."

Callixtus was very turned on by the idea of fucking Kari. He had received frequent oral stimulation from a couple of Cheskan lads and from the elf Vuonti, though not from anyone else. He generally received a thorough rogering from Magnus at least once a day, though no one else had ever shagged him apart from the Cheskan boy Votya. And he himself had never played the active role in anal intercourse. The more he looked at the taut and wiry Kari, the more excited he became at the prospect.

Kari got down on all fours and settled himself carefully on the stony ground.

"It looks like he's all yours, Callixtus," said Magnus. "Here – use some of this" – and he handed him the small blue flask of lubricant which he always carried and which never seemed to run out (as indeed it did not, being perpetually renewed by means of an auto-replenishment charm placed on the flask).

Callixtus had already laid down his bow and quiver, but felt no need to remove his sheepskin jerkin or his tiny loincloth, swept up to one side as it already was by his swollen organ. He carefully positioned himself over Kari, noting his pink cherry winking at him between the boy's thin, pale buttocks. There's my target, he thought.

Although this was Callixtus's first time in the active role, he was hardly a novice, having experienced the passive role on many occasions so far. He tried to copy what Magnus had so frequently done to him, and he remembered too the far more inexpert shagging he had received from the Cheskan boy Votya as he tried to avoid his clumsy positioning, jerky thrusts, and frequent miscalculations of the angle of penetration. But all of this rational carefulness was soon forgotten as he surrendered himself to the sheer animal pleasure of the sexual act; for the exquisite pleasure it afforded him was unlike anything else he had hitherto experienced. Kari's sphincter muscles squeezed and retracted in a way which brought Callixtus to ejaculation after a very short time.

Callixtus pulled out of the boy's reddened and dilating cherry while Magnus took his place. Whilst Kari was being pronged by Callixtus he was silent except for some muffled grunting, but as the mage thrust repeatedly inside him with firm and vigorous strokes he started to cry out loudly, though clearly in pleasure rather than pain. Magnus kept going for a full ten minutes before they both shouted aloud as they climaxed simultaneously. Kari shot his load over the bare earth at exactly the same moment as Magnus emptied himself inside him.

They both lay panting, utterly exhausted from their efforts. The sky above was deepening into burgundy hues, and the first stars were appearing. For some minutes, no-one spoke.

"If the gentlemen have quite finished… do you have any further instructions for me?"

They all spun around at the sound of their guide, who was standing with hands on hips and looking somewhat disgusted. The noise they had been making was evidence enough, but the sight of Magnus and Kari stretched out panting on the ground was obvious enough as well.

"Something offends you?" said Magnus.

The guide spat. "Where you stick your cock is no business of mine, Master. But you have been repeatedly warned that the wilderness is a dangerous place. I think it would be better if you took the journey more seriously. Some pleasures are best left till folk are back in the comfort of more civilised surroundings."

"Yes, well, I'm sorry if you are affronted," said Magnus. "You obviously seem to think that the brief moment of pleasure we have just taken somehow shows a lack of respect on our part for your professional qualities as a guide. But if you reflect for a moment, you will see that the truth is just the opposite. I am so confident of your ability as an expert that I knew you would warn us of any danger, and so felt able to take a few minutes in order to, as it were, recharge my spiritual batteries. It is essential for us mages to do this on a regular basis if we are to keep in touch with our magical abilities."

The guide looked rather dubious at this, but just then Kari gave a cry of alarm and they all turned round to follow the direction of his vision.

Kari and Magnus were lying only a few feet from the mountain stream, which was shallow and about fifteen feet [5 m] across at this point. On the far bank opposite was a barren overhanging boulder framed with a couple of fir trees. And standing on the top of that boulder, gazing at them with menacing yellow eyes, was an extremely large wolf. It was the size of an adult male lion, and its grey-white fur had a silvery sheen.

They were all rooted to the spot in terror, but Magnus slowly rose to his feet. He and the wolf stared at each other for several long minutes, neither of them making a move. The wolf could have bounded through the stream and been amongst them in seconds. Magnus had laid aside his staff, and Callixtus his bow. Kari was unarmed. Callixtus and the guide both had hunting knives, but these would have been of little use against the great beast and its thick fur coat.

The wolf held his head low to the ground, but after what seemed like an interminable time – though in reality it was only a few minutes – it raised its head, turned around and silently padded away.

Magnus turned to the others. "Well, as I said, there is nothing really to fear in these parts. Now I suggest we all get some sleep. Thank the ancestors" – here he addressed the guide – "that I had just had sex when that happened, or I might not have been able to see the wolf off so easily."

The guide spat again, and continued to look at Magnus with dubious regard.

The guide absolutely refused to allow Kari into his tent, so the mage had to share his with the two boys, which in spite of Kari's small frame made things rather crowded. But the mage didn't mind. The two lads slept on either side of him as he lay with an arm round each of their shoulders.

"What kind of a wolf was that?" said Kari. "I have seen grey wolves before – but they are much smaller than the one we saw – not much bigger than dogs. And this one had different fur."

"Grey wolves are the most abundant, it is true," said Magnus. "That was a Silver Wolf. A much larger and more dangerous species. There are also White Wolves far to the north, which are supposed to be even bigger, though I have never seen one. The worst are the Black Wolves – the largest and deadliest of the lot – though fortunately they are not found here, but only in the lands of the far west."

"What did you do to the wolf?" said Callixtus.

"Why, I didn't do anything. I just stared at him, and he went away – just as you saw," said Magnus.

Callixtus was not convinced. It seemed to him that as the wolf's yellow eyes stared into the mage's grey ones, that there was some kind of understanding that passed between them… some kind of connection. Perhaps the wolf could sense Magnus's magical nature. He wanted to ask more, but did not.

Kari said, "Well, it was a pretty unsettling experience, but it doesn't spoil the amazing shag earlier."

"You certainly seemed to enjoy it as much as we did," said Magnus.

Kari replied, "I loved it. I am always horny – I don't know if it's just my age, or also some effect of having lived in the mountain and absorbing its magical nature, but there we are. Although I must say, Magnus – I've never been shagged like that before. It was just amazing feeling your cock pulsate and throb inside me – such intense waves of pleasure – as you saw, I was hard the whole time and came too. But even more than that – I felt a surge going right through me, starting in my ring and shooting up my spine all the way to my head. In fact I nearly fainted, and I'm sorry but I just couldn't stop myself from making so much noise."

Callixtus said, "Some Cheskan boys think mages shoot sparks of lightning out of their cocks."

"I don't know about that," laughed Kari, "but I know it was the most incredible orgasm I've ever had, and I can't wait to do it again. But I need to recover first, for I've never felt so exhausted and exhilarated at the same time."

Callixtus said nothing. He loved being shagged by Magnus too, but he was not sure if he would have described the experience in quite the same way that Kari had. And he also noticed that Kari hadn't said anything about what it was like when he had fucked the boy himself.

As if sensing his thoughts, Kari leaned across Magnus's chest and stroked the side of Callixtus's face. "Don't worry, Callixtus. You were great too. And you are much cuter than Magnus. I really don't care for his hairy legs, you know – and this hairy chest is quite a turn-off." And Kari ran his hand through Magnus's chest hair as he said this, and gave one of his nipples a playful tweak.

Magnus chuckled, and kissed them both. "Goodnight, sweet boys," he said.

Chapter 19
Rhenoussia

Two months had passed since Magnus, Callixtus, and their new companion Kari had left the Mountain Kingdom. They had returned to the Isle of Mages, where Joab took charge of the treasure they had received for the sale of the Oriflamme. This was augmented by funds from the Order of Mages and sent to the Empire on the Veskan warship. Joab questioned Kari carefully about the mountain kingdom while his companion Gravillax made notes. Afterwards, he told the boy he could stay on the island at the expense of the Order of Mages; but Kari asked if he could stay with Magnus and Callixtus, and so it was agreed.

So the three companions found themselves once more on the fast Sassid schooner owned by Captain Tammuz, and on the agreed date of the twenty fifth of March – the first day of spring according to the Imperial calendar – they had a happy rendezvous with the unicorn Shalmaneser and his elf companion Lendulio.

Shalmaneser had succeeded in wielding together all the petty principalities of the southern shore into an allied army which he was now leading westwards in an invasion of Rhenoussia, a country of arid steppe and semi-desert now allied with the fire giants. In early spring the steppe was at its finest, as for a short time the grass was green and fresh and sprinkled everywhere with a profusion of wild flowers.

The army had halted, and under a large silk awning, Shalmaneser was reviewing the military situation with the War Council. This consisted of himself, Magnus, and the commanders of three of the most important allied contingents: Voloubos of Angiskor, Makris of Volantia, and Skanderos of Megaros.

"The invasion of Rhenoussia would be a lot easier," mused the unicorn, his golden tail swishing behind him, "If the Rhenoussians had proper towns and cities like other men. Defeating nomads is not so easy." He was standing over a table and peering at a map, and managing to look full of power and authority and dignity, despite the fact that he was entirely naked, with his huge pendulous member hanging down for all to see.

Magnus said, "But do we really need to defeat them? I thought our mission was mainly diversionary – to threaten the enemy flank and rear and cause them to fall back from their invasion of the Empire. The main struggle will take place when the Fire Giants and their allies erupt through the mountain passes and are met by the Imperial Legions, several hundred miles to the north-west of here."

Shalmaneser said, "You are right of course, Magnus. If we can prevent the Rhenoussians from attacking, that is good. If we can defeat them, that is even better, for then we might take the Fire Giants from behind, and catch them between ourselves and the main Imperial Army. That is the plan that Joab has entrusted to us."

Baron Makris of Volantia, a thickset, barrel-chested man of sixty, said, "The Rhenoussians will hardly let us march past and take the Fire Giants in the rear. At some point, they will try to block our advance, and that is where the decisive battle on this front will be fought. This seems a likely spot – " and here he jabbed a gauntlet at the map – "this is the shortest route through to the north west, and the only practicable course for our baggage wagons." He squinted at the map, and with difficulty read out the place name – "Nazzal Shireem."

"That is the Rhenoussian for Field of Tulips," said the soft, camp voice of Voloubos of Angiskor. "At this time of year, I imagine it will be a carpet of wild tulips – a most beautiful sight."

The speaker was a short, fat, greasy-looking man, his beard dripping with fragrant oils, wearing the long black-and- white chequered clothing of a cleric of Angiskor.

"Thank you, Archimandrite Voloubos. Your knowledge of Rhenoussian is, as always, most valuable," said Shalmaneser.

The cleric gave an unctuous simper.

"Have there been any more reports of the enemy, Lord Skanderos?" asked Shalmaneser, turning to the third allied commander. He was a youth of twenty three – the son and heir to the Sovereign Prince of Megaros – tall and strapping and handsome, with a magnificent head of curly blond hair, not wearing armour but a cornflower blue cloak over a white tunic, and a sword at his hip.

"My cavalry scouts have reported more sightings of the enemy's scouts," said the Megaran noble. "There is no doubt we are being closely watched and followed. Of the main enemy host there is no sign. I agree with the Baron of Volantia that they are most likely intending to block our advance at the Field of Tulips."

"In that case," said Shalmaneser, "We will advance and meet them there. I expect the decisive battle to occur in about three days' time."

While the military council were at their deliberations, Lendulio and Callixtus were practising their archery – firing arrows into a straw butt – while Kari sat watching them, sharpening a machete which he had taken to wearing strapped on his shoulder. A group of archers sauntered past , their yellow surcoats over white tunics indicating they were part of the army of the County of Podolia.

"Can we share your butt? Your archery butt I mean!" one of them said to Lendulio. "Or does he!" said another, to shouts of laughter from the others.

Lendulio sighed and ignored them, but Kari said, "He only takes unicorn cock – so if any of you can show you can match that, pull it out and give us a look – otherwise fuck off!"

The Podolians did not seem at all upset by that, but burst out with renewed laughter and went on their way. In the last few weeks many of the soldiers had got to know Kari, and they liked his lack of respect for authority and his coarse banter. Quite a number of them were also glad to see his thin wiry frame bent over his outspread legs while he sharpened his machete, his long thin cock hanging free and smooth between his narrow hips. They were much more careful about approaching Callixtus: it was obvious that he and the mage were together, and besides, Callixtus was much shyer and less confident than Kari. He had after all spent most of his life in seclusion in the villa of the Lady Domitia, whereas Kari had lived a communal life amongst hundreds of others in the Halls of the Mountain King.

The sort of banter the boys got from the Podolian archers was something they were getting used to, largely on account of their total or partial nudity. The Archimandrite Voloubos had – unsuccessfully – tried to persuade them to adopt at least some clothing whilst on campaign.

"The followers of Giskor disapprove of public nudity," he had told Magnus. "We have a saying, 'Only a dog reveals his testicles' – please may I implore you, as the only one of Lord Shalmaneser's companions who covers himself properly, to ask your friends to do the same."

Magnus told him it was absolutely out of the question. Clothes were an abomination to the elf, and to the unicorn; Kari absolutely refused to wear anything other than his orange headband and mountain-leopard leggings, and as for Callixtus… well, had he not adopted the sheepskin jerkin and loincloth since he left the Isle of Mages?

"The loincloth exposes more than it reveals," said the oleaginous cleric, running his little pink tongue over his fat squishy lips, "And for those of less pure heart than ourselves, it is a worse inducement to lustful thought than total nudity, by drawing attention to what it so imperfectly conceals."

Magnus did not respond directly to that, as he could hardly disagree.

"Look here, Archimandrite," he said, "We are not in the territory of Angiskor, so we cannot be bound by the customs of your land. The Knights of Angiskor don't cover the sexual organs of their stallions, so why should Lord Shalmaneser cover his? He is at least as much equine as human. As for the elf, for a forest elf to wear clothes would be as bizarre as seeing clothes on a dolphin or a leopard. And Callixtus and Kari are hardly the only ones to run around naked, or virtually so. The Megarans normally wear clothes, I grant you, but nevertheless Lord Skanderos and his Noble Companions often strip naked and indulge in wrestling bouts and other martial training in front of the rest of the army….and what about the Volantians? The Baron's heavy infantry are all clad in leather armour, it is true, but they also have a large contingent of slingers – fine looking youths between the ages of sixteen and twenty, all chosen for their agility and speed – and they normally wear only a piece of linen across their shoulder, leaving their lower body bare, and indeed they fight and exercise completely nude."

The Archimandrite wrinkled his nose in distaste, but did not argue. He knew when he was beaten.

Kari had nothing but contempt for the 'followers of Giskor' – as the Angiskoris called themselves – but then he seemed to have little regard for anything. The casual way he spoke to almost everybody – except perhaps for Shalmaneser himself – was a continual source of wonder to Callixtus. They had both been brought up in servitude, but somehow it hadn't seemed to enter so deeply into Kari. Or maybe it had, and this was how he reacted to it.

Callixtus said, "Well, I think I've had enough archery for today. I'd better go and find our baggage wagon and start seeing about the evening meal."

Magnus, Callixtus and Kari all shared the same tent, but there was no comparison with the tiny tent they had shared on their way back from the Mountain Kingdom a few months ago. This tent was large and luxurious – it was also put up and taken down for them by a squad of Angiskori soldiers who had been specially detailed as their bodyguards.

As they lay there on the finely embroidered plush silk sheets and cushions waiting for Magnus, Callixtus said, "Kari, have you ever.. you know… had feelings for someone? I mean, really strong feelings?"

Kari said, "Yes. I have the strongest possible feelings for myself, and my own welfare."

Callixtus said, "You know that isn't what I meant."

Kari said, "I know what you meant. You are in love with Magnus, and he is in love with you. Good luck to you. I'm glad it doesn't stop either of you fucking me. You're cute, and although he's really too old and hairy for me, I must admit there's nothing quite like what he does with that cock of his when it's up my arse… but I just don't feel the same way that you do about anybody, and never have. I think if you reveal too much of yourself, you only end up getting hurt. If I don't love anybody, nobody can hurt me."

"But won't you be missing out?" said Callixtus. "Maybe… you know… maybe there is someone for everyone?"

Kari laughed. "You know Callixtus, you are a bit of a soppy little poof. I've no time for that nonsense."

"But what if things were different," persisted Callixtus " – what if – imagine if – you were a really powerful mage and, you know, you could make anything you wanted happen?"

Kari became serious all of a sudden. "What I'd really like," he said thoughtfully "is Lord Skanderos… I was watching him exercising yesterday – and, by the ancestors, what a fabulous body! That mop of curly blond hair, and those muscles! And totally smooth too… mind you his cock wasn't that impressive, but you can't have everything I suppose… hmmm just imagine… getting fucked by the heir to the Prince of Megaros… would that make me a Princess, ha ha! But just think… if someone had a body like Skanderos and a cock like Magnus… now there's something to think about…" and Kari started tugging musingly on his own growing hard-on at the thought.

Just then the tent opened and Magnus entered. "Hello boys! Sorry to be so late! I can see Kari is getting impatient, at any rate!"

He came in, disrobed, lay down between them, and gave each of them a lengthy French kiss. And now, he thought to himself, the most enjoyable part of the day begins… but just then – as Magnus had his tongue in Callixtus's mouth and his hand on Kari's cock, while Kari was tugging at the mage's swelling organ – the tent flap opened unannounced and a robed and turbanned figure glided in, like smoke filling a bottle.

"What is this!" said Magnus, annoyed at the unannounced intrusion. "Who are you, and who let you in?" The Angiskori guards should know better than to allow unannounced visits, he thought, especially at a time like this.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Mage Magnus," said the intruder, with a thick guttural accent, "but I have a gift for you – from Rhenoussia!" and as he said that, he produced a vicious looking curved dagger from his robes, dripping with a black viscous poison, and thrust it towards the naked mage.

Callixtus rolled away from Magnus, who lay frozen where he was – but as the assassin lurched forward, he let out a sudden scream and was suddenly contorted almost double – blue sparks danced all over his body, and there was a perceptible smell of burning flesh and smouldering linen for a few seconds, when suddenly he fell to his knees and then stretched out, blood gushing from his mouth.

"He's dead," said Magnus, after a brief examination.

"How did you kill him, Magnus?" said Callixtus.

"Well," said Magnus slowly, "the interesting thing is… I didn't. He did" – and both he and Callixtus stared at Kari, who was sitting upright with a look of shock on his face.

There was a pause, then Kari said, "Yes, I think I did. I mean, I just held out my hand and felt some kind of energy leaving me and hitting him. But as to HOW I did it, I have no idea."

"Kari, my dear boy," said Magnus, "I think tomorrow you and I will have to have a little talk."

Chapter 20
The Field of Tulips

The Field of Tulips was a large bowl of steppe grass, several square miles in extent, and it was indeed filled with wild tulips, though Lendulio was sad to see how the flowers were inevitably crushed by the tramp of the soldiery.

Beyond the grassland in front of them, to the north west, the land rose up and the hills were broken by scree slopes and boulders – rough going for an army, and impossible for the large and unwieldy baggage train which the allied army possessed. But at one point opposite, it could be seen that the ground rose less steeply, and there was an open pass through the Field of Tulips leading to a valley beyond.

This was the direction the allied army intended to take, but drawn up opposite them, at a distance of about half a mile, the steppe grass was filled with the great spreading stain of a mass of Rhenoussian cavalry, many thousands strong, with their hundreds of banners rippling in the warm spring breeze.

On the right of the allied line were the yellow-and-white clad Podolian archers, and behind them contingents of Podolian axe men in leather armour. In reserve on the extreme right flank was Lord Skanderos and his three thousand Megaran cavalry, including the group of sixty young Megaran noblemen who formed his elite Companions.

The Angiskoris occupied the centre – stern looking spearmen for the most part, but behind them in reserve was the heavily armoured elite cavalry regiment known as the Knights of Giskor, big men in armour on heavy horses armed with lance and mace, but suffering somewhat in the heat. The Angiskoris also had their Holy Wagon with them – drawn by white oxen, it contained Archimandrite Voloubos and his attendant clerics in their black-and-white robes, loudly blessing the troops and asperging them with holy water.

On the left of the Angiskoris were many smaller contingents of the lesser statelets, but the most significant unit here was the army's only artillery. This was a group of six catapults and twelve ballistas, manned by men from the Duchy of Garramundi dressed in red and white.

Shalmaneser had his command post on the extreme left of the allied line, where there was a slight rise in the ground. Behind him, in a fold of dead ground, the green-robed women who accompanied the army – but who had so far had little work to do – were busy setting up a field dressing station in anticipation of the coming battle. The small ridge that Shalmaneser stood on marked the beginning of some rocky and broken ground unsuitable for cavalry, which is why the unicorn used it to anchor his left. (The right flank was 'en plein air', but he trusted to the large force of Megaran cavalry to guard that flank).

The closest troops to Shalmaneser were the men of the Barony of Volantia. Their infantry were an impressive and disciplined sight, their white-and-marroon checkered banners fluttering in the spring breeze. They stood impassively with their leader Baron Makris, showing no sign of discomfort despite their heavy armour and the growing heat of the sun. To their front, and curving so that their extreme left extended as far as the rocks and boulders close to where Shalmaneser stood, were the Volantian skirmishers: young men with slings and pellets of lead or clay. They normally wore only a white linen garment diagonally over their chest and shoulder, but now they were in battle order they were entirely naked, carrying only their slings and pellet bags.

"A fine display, Shalmaneser, is it not?" said Magnus, as they stood together on the low ridge looking at the whole allied army spread out on their right in battle order. The seagreen cloak of the mage stirred in the warm breeze, as did the great golden mane and tail of the unicorn.

"Yes," said Shalmaneser, "but we are outnumbered nearly two to one. On the other hand, their force is entirely cavalry, whereas we have infantry too."

"And artillery," said Callixtus – for just at that moment the Garramundian catapults released their missiles with loud cracks of the catapult arms and cheers from the whole army.

Kari said, "They can hardly miss the great mass of Rhenoussian cavalry. But it's hard to see from this distance what effect they are having."

"Certainly I see men and horses flying and some unsteadiness and disorder in their ranks," said Shalmaneser, "but now look at how they edge forward – this was my main purpose – to goad them into attacking us."

A huge horde of Rhenoussian cavalry, many thousands strong, made the Field of Tulips thunder as they swept in a screaming charge against the allied centre. Volleys of arrows brought down scores of them, but then the allied archers were forced to run behind their infantry supports as the Rhenoussians hit the front line of waiting infantry. Callixtus could no longer see the action clearly as it was obscured by clouds of dust and a swirling mass of screaming, shouting, fighting men and horses.

"Wake up Callixtus," said Kari suddenly – tapping him on the shoulder – for an arrow had just hissed close to them. A hitherto unnoticed group of Rhenoussians had abandoned their horses and crept on foot through the broken ground to the left of where the friends stood, and were starting to shoot arrows towards them, though the range was still long. Callixtus had been so absorbed in watching the main battle that he had failed to notice them.

Shalmaneser also was staring intently at the battle raging in the centre, and completely ignoring the arrows which occasionally fell nearby. "Voloubos should commit his cavalry," he said to Magnus. "The Angiskori infantry are wavering under the onslaught."

"Yes," said Magnus, "and I fear our artillery has been overrun – I can see Rhenoussians dismounting and smashing it – although I think the Garramundian artillerists mostly got away in time."

Shalmaneser said, "Only half the Rhenoussian force is engaged, Magnus – see they hold a second horde in reserve to prevent Lord Skanderos taking them in flank."

A short time later, as they anxiously watched the fighting develop, Magnus said – "See – Voloubos has committed his cavalry at last!" – and they could make out the Knights of Giskor in their flapping black and white robes over silvered armour laying about them with huge maces and cries of "Giskor! Giskor!" – though they were outnumbered by the hordes of scimitar-wielding Rhenoussians.

Meanwhile arrows continued to fall around Shalmaneser as the dismounted Rhenoussians started creeping closer. Callixtus was returning fire, and with a sense of exultation he saw a Rhenoussian who had been crouching behind a boulder fall back with a cry, the feathered shaft of Callixtus's arrow in his throat.

Magnus, whose attention like Shalmaneser's had mostly been directed to the battle in the centre, now crouched by Callixtus to observe the enemy who were drawing closer to them.

"You're not telling me to get out of danger now – like you did when I fought the Black Island pirates!" said Callixtus.

"No," said the mage. "But then you were only a boy who couldn't shoot straight- now I see you are a warrior."

Several more Rhenoussians sprawled supine or crawled away amongst the rocks, hit by Callixtus's arrows.

Magnus turned to address Kari, who was crouching nearby, a glint in his green eyes as he watched the approaching Rhenoussians and ran his thumb along the sharp edge of his machete.

"Kari – we need to stop this little lot, or they will force Shalmaneser to change his command position, and they may imperil the healers who have set up behind us. So I think we should do what we were discussing this morning – "but then his train of thought was broken, because he had just noticed that Kari had a raging erection – and as of course he still wore only his mountain leopard leggings and orange headband, there was no concealing it, even though he was crouched down.

"I'm really amazed at you, Kari. Here we are in the middle of a battle and your cock is as rigid as a Volantian pikestaff! Don't you have more important things to think about?"

Kari said, "You're the one who should be ashamed – I'm just hard because of the excitement of battle; it's not sexual. You're the one who is distracted enough to notice it – I don't suppose anyone else would. I bet half the time you've been talking to Shalmaneser you've really being thinking about how you'd like to shag all those pretty boy slingers hanging around stark naked in front of you."

Magnus didn't reply to that – the remark was uncomfortably close to the truth – and just then more arrows hissed among them – including one which struck Shalmaneser in the back of a massively muscled thigh and lodged there. Shalmaneser gave a sound mid way between a neigh and a shout and fell to his knees, his voluminous golden tail twitching, as red blood gushed from his milk white skin.

"Right, that's enough," said Magnus. "Come on Kari – as we practised earlier!"

Magnus took Kari's left hand in his right, and with his left he extended his staff towards the Rhenoussian archers. Kari put down his machete and held his right arm out, palm outwards. Magnus muttered something indistinguishable, and then there was a searing flash of flame – not only from the tip of Magnus's ashen staff, but also simultaneously from the ball of Kari's palm. The twin streaks of flame hit amongst the rocks and both of them exploded in balls of flame with loud retorts. When the smoke cleared, a dozen Rhenoussians lay blackened and smouldering and the rest were running away in fear.

They ran across to Shalmaneser, who was calm, though clearly in pain from the arrow sticking in his flesh. Lendulio held onto him tightly and looked close to tears.

"Don't even think about healing me, Magnus – save your energy for more important matters. Callixtus – please run and fetch a healer for me. When the arrow hit me, I was just watching the charge of the Megaran cavalry. The Rhenoussians committed their reserve, and Lord Skanderos took them in flank. I think the battle is won."

Chapter 21
Lord Skanderos gives thanks

"Everything alright, Callixtus? You look sad."

It was the day after the battle, and Callixtus was re-stringing his bow, sitting on the green spring grass surrounded by trampled wild tulips.

"Thanks Kari, I suppose I am. I know we won a great victory, but many lost their lives. And I don't feel as happy as I did that I killed some of the Rhenoussians."

"Why feel bad?" said Kari. "They were trying to kill you."

"I know," said Callixtus. "But when you pull back the bowstring, and release the arrow, and end another person's life… it's a big thing you've done, and not something you can just shrug off lightly."

"I'd rather be sorry about the ones on our side who died," replied Kari. "Even though it's true that the ones who suffered most were those idiot Angiskoris – their Knights were cut to pieces. But thank the ancestors for the Megaran cavalry! You should have seen the way they cut right through the Rhenoussians… right through and out the other side! Lord Skanderos was amazing! He knows no fear – even though he and his Companions wear no armour and the Rhenoussian King's bodyguards were all quilted and padded and helmed, he went through them like a Sassid schooner gliding through the waves! And he dismounted the Rhenoussian king and took him prisoner!"

"Yes, it's a pity I missed all that, as I was running to fetch the healer for Shalmaneser. But I also heard that the cavalry action came close to you near the end, and that before Skanderos captured the Rhenoussian king he was nearly decapitated by the King's champion…"

"…but as you see I kept my head!"

The two boys were startled and turned round to behold Lord Skanderos himself, with two of his Companions, who had trotted up behind them on the grass.

Skanderos leapt from his white horse with the easy, graceful motion of a superb horseman and approached the boys. Kari, who was sitting on the grass, looked up to see the laughing Megaran nobleman approaching him, his dazzling white teeth matching his snowy tunic, with a cornflower blue cloak slung over his shoulder, while the sunlight gleamed on his abundant golden curls.

"Sorry, my Lord, we didn't hear your approach," said Kari, as both he and Callixtus scrambled to their feet and bowed.

"Of course I might well have lost my head," continued Skanderos, "If that big ugly Rhenoussian hadn't suddenly exploded in flames. An incident which I believe might be something to do with a certain mysterious young mage from the Halls of the Mountain King."

Callixtus was pleased to see Kari blush – something he had never seen him do before, although he had often teased Callixtus about HIS propensity to go red.

Skanderos turned over his shoulder and said, "Here, Moonlight!" and his horse ambled towards him, laying its head on his shoulder and nuzzling him.

"But I'm afraid your aim wasn't entirely perfect – look what you did to my horse!" – and he pointed out that the horse's mane was indeed looking somewhat singed.

"Oh… I'm sorry about that, my Lord" stammered Kari, but Skanderos and his Companions burst into peals of laughter. He approached Kari closer, and gave him an appreciative look, taking in his orange headband, his shaggy brown hair, his green eyes, his pretty face… his narrow shoulders and slim waist, his smooth thin cock, his long athletic legs and the curious black and white leggings around his calves.

"When I realised I owed my life to a mage," said Skanderos, in a quieter tone, "I thought they meant old Magnus. I never expected it would be to one as young and beautiful as you." And he turned on Kari the full force of his dazzling smile. "I've been looking for you ever since the battle, so I can express my thanks."

Kari quickly moved his hand over his cock, and softly muttered the incantation which Magnus had lately taught him to cause penile deflation – a very useful little cantrip for a teenage boy who was perpetually nude and almost perpetually horny. (The cantrip could also be used in reversible form, causing a flaccid penis to become instantly erect. Kari doubted he would ever have to use this on himself, but he had already tried it on the Archimandrite Voloubos – just to cause him some embarrassment as he was on his way to a War Council meeting – though the cleric must have had a tiny pecker, because although he looked even shiftier and more uncomfortable than usual, there was no discernible effect beneath his voluminous robes).

As happened wherever the handsome and popular cavalry commander went, a crowd had now gathered, and Skanderos and the two boys were in the centre of an admiring audience.

"I owe my life to this mage," Skanderos said, making sure his voice carried to the crowd, "and as the heir to the princely house of Megaros, I wish all to know that we Megarans give honour where it is due. Be it hereby known that from this day, Kari Mountainhall the Mage is now a Knight of the Order of the Blue Banner of Megaros, and is enrolled as a full member of my Companion Guard – if, that is, he wishes to accept these honours?" – this last phrase was spoken in a softer tone, and addressed to Kari directly.

Kari stood there mute and motionless, looking completely astonished. "Why… that is, err… yes, my Lord."

One of Skanderos's Companions approached and slipped a cornflower blue cloak over his shoulders, fastening it at the throat with a silver brooch. "Welcome, brother," he said, and kissed him on both cheeks. The second Companion did likewise.

"You have nothing to say, Sir Kari?" said Skanderos.

"I… I can't ride a horse."

Skanderos laughed. "Moonlight is strong, and although your powers are great, your frame is small and light. You will ride with me." And with that, he threw himself on his horse, and pulled Kari up to sit in front of him, holding the reins with his arms around the boy, and kissed him below his ear. "Come – we will join the rest of my Companions to celebrate our victory over the Rhenoussians, and to celebrate the feast of welcome for you and the other fourteen new Companions who have been made this day."

And then Moonlight reared onto his back legs, gave a neigh of celebration himself, and Lord Skanderos bore away Kari with shouts of laughter and encouragement from the Companions as they all galloped across the tulip-strewn steppe, with their hair and their cloaks streaming out behind them in the wind.

Later that evening, Callixtus lay in the tent with Magnus and recounted all that he had seen.

"Kari's magical abilities," said Magnus, "are a rare gift. All mages are born with innate ability: we are, in that sense, a true aristocracy of birth. But just as those who are highly born ought always to hone and develop the virtues that go with nobility, so too all mages – however good their instincts – must have them properly schooled and regulated before they can become really great. Kari has the potential to be a very great mage – but only if he is accepted as a member of our Order, and spends years in rigorous training and study. I fear that his head is turned by Lord Skanderos, and it will do him no good in the long run." He sighed. "I noticed that Skanderos mentioned that there are fifteen new Companions. As their numbers are always fixed at sixty, that shows you how many were killed in yesterday's battle. Skanderos is beautiful and brave, but following him is no sinecure."

"But Magnus… maybe that doesn't matter so much to Kari? I mean, maybe being with someone like Skanderos is more important to him than anything else – even being a mage? Who is to say that one path is better than another? I asked Kari what he could have if he could choose anything, and he said it was to be with Skanderos! "

Magnus said, "Maybe there is something in what you say. But what about you, Callixtus? If you could choose anything, what would it be?"

Callixtus said, "You know what I want. Just to be with you."

Magnus smiled and kissed him lightly on the cheek, then said, "I have a feeling Kari will not be sharing our tent from now on. And I must confess, that enjoyable though it was to have him join us in our lovemaking, I think I preferit when it is just the two of us." And he gave Callixtus a long and slow kiss, with one arm around the boy's shoulders, while with the other he tugged and fondled at his cock.

"If we are interrupted by any Rhenoussian assassins," said Callixtus, "Kari isn't here to save you."

"The Rhenoussians have sued for peace and their King is our captive," said Magnus. "And besides, I sacked our useless Angiskori guards, and replaced them with Volantians."

"So we are being guarded by naked boy slingers?"

"Certainly not! The Baron sent only his oldest and most grizzled veterans!"

"Oh yes… and was that your idea, or his?"

But Magnus could not reply to that, for his mouth was fully occupied elsewhere.

Chapter 22
A messenger on the North wind

Weeks passed, and the green spring had turned to summer by the time the army left behind the land of Rhenoussia, and marched on towards the north. They were now in goblin hill country, and the goblin tribes were allied with their enemies. The goblins avoided a pitched battle, but there were many clashes with foraging parties who were forced to make wide deviations from the line of march to hunt for game or raid goblin villages for food.

Men and horses alike suffered privation, as food and forage were insufficient for such a large host, and the grass of the hill country was poorer than the rich spring grass of the Rhenoussian steppe. Magnus and Shalmaneser were both able to use special incantations each day to reduplicate food and fodder, but the amounts achieved in this manner were still inadequate, and the effort left both mages exhausted.

At length they reached a wide river which flowed from east to west across their line of advance. Here, at a ford which provided the only practical crossing point for their baggage train, they found a substantial goblin army drawn up on the opposite bank, blocking their path.

The allied army no longer had any artillery, for it had all been wrecked on the Field of Tulips. Shalmaneser had decided they could not wait for the Garramundians to repair their catapults and ballistas, which would in any case slow them down further, so they had been abandoned, despite the protests of the Garramundian commander. Now, as he surveyed the goblin horde on the opposite bank, he regretted his decision. There was no way he could simply sit back and pound the goblins from a distance.

"We must force a crossing," said Shalmaneser. "I have had no news from the Empire, and I fear for the consequences if we cannot break through in support of our Imperial friends."

Baron Makris said, "None of our missile troops have the range to hit the goblins from our side of the river, but there is a contingent of crossbowmen with us from the Free City of Cantazeno. If they advance part way across the ford, they would have the range to hit the enemy and still be out of range of their bows."

"That is true," said Shalmaneser, "but the ford is only wide enough to take a score of men abreast. Even if we had the crossbowmen in several ranks, we could not do enough damage to make a serious impact. And the goblins would simply advance into the river till they closed the range. They might have difficulty drawing their bows, as I judge the water would be almost at the height of their chests, but they have such superior numbers that the Cantazenans would be swamped."

"Perhaps," simpered Archimandrite Voloubos, "It is time for us to reconsider, and withdraw. We have already achieved much, but now we are hundreds of miles from home, and short of all manner of supplies. I think it is time for us to fall back."

"I am afraid that is no longer an option," said Lord Skanderos, looking grim. "My scouts report that another large goblin army has come up on our side of the river, and has cut off our retreat. Furthermore, they are accompanied by scores of enormous black wolves, of a terrifying size. None of us have ever seen the like before, and all our horses – even my own – are helpless with fear when they catch their scent."

"These must be Black Wolves from the Inner Mountains," said Magnus. "Even crossbow bolts will be of little use against their huge size and thick fur, unless a lucky shot hits one at close range. I fear we are surrounded, and must soon prepare for battle."

"Very well" said Shalmaneser. "The army will adopt a defensive posture, in a hedgehog formation, while we wait to see what the goblins will do."

"And what if they do nothing?" said the soft voiced Voloubos, but with a harsh glint in his eyes. "We are trapped, and man and horse will soon starve if we cannot get out."

"Let us sleep on it while I think," said Shalmaneser. "There must be a solution. I have heard in my dreams that soon after sunrise tomorrow, we will find tidings on the north wind. Magnus, please fetch Lendulio, then stay and speak with me awhile. My Lords, let the rest of us meet again at first light."

Callixtus slept alone that night. In the early hours of the morning, those on guard at the ford were surprised to stand aside for the naked elf boy, as he stepped into the river and started walking across to the far bank. They watched, wondering and afraid, as his slim form disappeared into the night, heading for the goblin side of the river. The guards on the southern perimeter were even more alarmed to behold Magnus, swathed in his seagreen cloak, slip out past them and walk alone to where the Black Wolves prowled, unseen, but filling the night with blood-chilling howls.

At dawn the next morning, Shalmaneser met Voloubos, Skanderos and Makris, and the four of them stood in silence by the ford, as the rising sun turned the water red and gold and the allied army was drawn up before them in wary expectation. As they watched the far bank, they beheld three small forms approaching. Astonishment grew into anxious murmuring as they beheld Lendulio wading back across the ford, but this time he was not alone. On one side of him was the goblin commander, as tall as the elf and wearing a grotesque necklace of small skulls of unidentifiable origin over fish-scale armour, while on the other side he was flanked by a goblin mage bearing a staff topped with a human skull and trailing tattered black flags.

The fear and astonishment of the army was compounded when Magnus appeared from the opposite direction. He too was not alone, for walking at his side was an enormous Black Wolf, its eyes as red as glowing coals, and its huge shoulders reaching almost as high as Magnus's own. Horses neighed in terror, and men fell back them to let them pass.

Voloubos was shaking in fright, but Makris and Skanderos looked grim but composed as the two approaching parties met them outside Shalmaneser's tent.

Lendulio spoke first. "This is Mesha, General in Chief of the Goblin Hordes, and his mage Grank." Shalmaneser gave the goblins a stately bow, but they did not respond, except to bare their sharp yellow fangs and chitter excitedly. For they were staring at the Black Wolf.

"And this is he," said Magnus, indicating the wolf at his side, "whose name in the speech of the Fire Giants is Eresh Kigallu i-Mashnaz Skarrangu, which in the common tongue means He who rends flesh and crunches bones. He is Captain of the Black Wolves."

Shalmaneser bowed to the giant wolf.

"Magnus, please tell them that they are welcome," said Shalmaneser.

The goblin mage replied, "We understand the common tongue, horse man. But the wolf can understand no man-speech."

Magnus said, "Mage Grank is correct. But I am conveying our speech to the wolf-captain in a manner which he can understand."

He looked at the giant wolf, who blinked his great red eyes, and looked around at all of them with a look that mingled threat with intelligence.

At that moment there came, high on the wind, the distinctive call of a crane – and descending to them out of the clear sky, its white wings golden with the rising sun, the large bird spiralled downwards, its wings ruffled by the north wind. Landing a few yards from Shalmaneser, the crane bowed, then raised and flapped its wings – and as all watched in astonishment, its feathers fell away, and its form changed, until within seconds the crane was no more, and there stood before them instead a tall and handsome blond elf clad in green, and bearing a large sack bulging with heavy looking objects.

"Welcome, my lords," said the elf.

"Chereskar!" shouted Callixtus, who had recognised the High Elf mage who had spoken to him on his first visit to the Isle of Mages, many months ago.

The elf turned to him and bowed. "Yes, it is I, Chereskar the Elf Mage. I have flown all night with news from the north. A great battle has been fought between the fire giants and the Imperial Legions. Losses on both sides were heavy, but the Empire has been victorious. Behold the proof of my words."

And with that, he tipped the sack on the ground. Out of it rolled two huge grotesque severed heads. In appearance they were like gigantic goblins, but their skin was a dull fiery red, and they had hair and beards of a vivid orange.

The wolf and the goblins approached, sniffing and investigating the gruesome trophies.

The goblin mage said, "It is true, and this is no disguise of sorcery. These are the heads of the Fire Giant King and his Chief Lieutenant." Shouts and cries broke out from the army, but the goblins and the wolf remained inscrutable.

Callixtus never quite got over the unnerving terror of that first encounter, even when later that day the army crossed the river, with the goblin hordes parting and keeping a peaceable and respectful distance.

"What did you do, Lendulio?" he asked the elf, when the next day he got the opportunity to speak to him as they marched deeper towards the north.

"I just persuaded them to attend the parley and see for themselves. I didn't know exactly what we would see, but I trusted Shalmaneser. And besides, goblins aren't bad really. I rather like them, in fact. They just need a little love. Very like woodsprites, actually."

Callixtus was not sure he agreed. Grank the goblin mage was coming with them – and what was even worse, he had brought his wife – a cackling creature with three wrinkled breasts, who did not speak the common tongue but whose scolding and petting of her goblin mage husband was simultaneously comical and grotesque.

As for Magnus, he refused to discuss how he had managed to persuade the Black Wolf to pad along beside him like a huge and menacing hound. At least the wolf did not come with them: once they had crossed the river, he stopped, and he and Magnus looked at each other for long moments, their eyes interlocked in some strange communication, before the wolf turned and sloped away.

The High Elf Chereskar walked with them, and over the next few days he and Callixtus were constant companions. Magnus had nearly all his time taken up with the goblin mage, spending long hours in conversation with him in a language no-one else could follow.

As for Kari, he was constantly with Lord Skanderos. He had discarded his orange headband and wore instead a circlet of white flowers which Skanderos plucked and arranged for him afresh each day. He rode on the front of Skanderos's horse, wearing his blue cloak, but apart from that he remained naked save for his mountain leopard leggings. Skanderos and his Companions wore their blue cloaks as well but they too now also went otherwise naked, apart from their sandals – to mutterings of horror from Archimandrite Voloubos.

It was also quite clear to everyone that Kari and Skanderos were now lovers – not only did Kari share Skanderos's tent, but the Megaran commander was quite unabashed about kissing and fondling him openly as they rode about together. Although this caused disquiet amongst the Angiskoris, the rest of the army had no problems with it – Kari was already known and liked by many, whereas Skanderos was universally revered, so the match was popular. This was especially so amongst the Megarans themselves, who loved their leader, and rejoiced to see him so happy.

Callixtus said to Chereskar, "I don't understand why we are still marching north. Surely what Voloubos has been saying is correct, and that the campaign is now over? Why is the army not returning homewards?"

Chereskar replied, "Alas, my friend, it is not as easy as that. The Fire Giant army, although badly mauled, is not destroyed, and the victory has caused the Imperial Legions such heavy loss that they are in no condition to follow up the retreat of the enemy. The Fire Giants still have a large horde of mountain goblins with them, who are not the same kin as the hill goblins who have now made peace with us. They are falling back, but if we can intercept them – and we are only a few days march away – then we can end their threat for many generations of men. You will have noticed that the hills around us are becoming higher and that we are entering the mountains. Soon, we will reach the Red Pass, which the Fire Giants must traverse if they are to make their escape. Shalmaneser intends to block them there. That is why the campaign must continue to its final conclusion. But the end is not far off."

Five nights later, the army reached the Red Pass, and Callixtus and Chereskar sat talking by a camp fire outside the tent that had been allocated to the High Elf. All across the mountain slopes a myriad of camp fires burned, while above them countless stars shone down, though there was no moon that night.

"The Fire Giants are only a few miles away," said Chereskar, who had flown high above the pass earlier that day. "In the morning, there will be a battle – I hope it will be the last battle of the war. The only other pass is two miles away, and I judge it to be inaccessible to the giants, though possible for the smaller and more agile goblins. Shalmaneser has sent Voloubos and the Angiskoris to block it; they are not so enthusiastic for further fighting, and we feel sure the main action will take place here."

"Will you fight with us?" asked Callixtus.

"No. I will resume crane form at first light, and observe the battle from above. I will be able to communicate with Shalmaneser from the sky, and can help him direct his forces to best effect."

"Will I see you again then, after the battle?" said Callixtus, for he had grown very fond of the handsome elf, who was much easier and more approachable than the mystically inclined Lendulio.

"Of course," said the elf. "How could I fail to come and see the bravest and most beautiful soldier in the army?"

Callixtus blushed. "I am not brave. When the Rhenoussian assassin attacked Magnus in his tent, I rolled away from him in terror, and failed to protect him."

"And yet you protected him at the Battle of the Field of Tulips, and performed feats of valour there – not to mention your bravery last year, when you took on a Black Island pirate ship single handed. You are too modest, my handsome young friend." And the elf pulled him closer, and kissed him.

Callixtus enjoyed being held and caressed by the strong and handsome elf, who smelt of sunlit forest glades filled with spring flowers. His face was entirely smooth – unlike the stubbly face of Magnus – for elves had no hair except on their heads and eyebrows.

"Come into my tent, Callixtus, and let us comfort one another before tomorrow's battle," said Chereskar.

Callixtus's rock hard cock had pushed his tiny loincloth to one side, and unlike Kari and his penile- deflating cantrips, it was impossible for him to disguise it. "But… Magnus…"

"Magnus is not here. When not in Council with Shalmaneser, he is spending all his time trying to satisfy the inexhaustible curiosity of that immensely irritating goblin-mage, who knows he has hit the jackpot in finding such a powerful and patient guide who can further his advancement in the arcane arts. In any case, you are no longer his property and your body is your own to share with whom you will – just as he does with his. And besides, battle is full of mischance and uncertainty. Who knows what may happen to us, before another night falls?"

And with that, Chereskar tugged at the front of his tunic, and out sprang his cock, which was far larger and more attractive than Callixtus had expected.

The elf rose, took the boy by the hand, and led him inside his tent, where a dozen candles were burning in silver candlesticks. He tugged at his clothing and stepped out of it, and pulled off Callixtus's leather belt, then slipped off his jerkin, so that they both stood naked, gazing at one another in the soft candlelight. Then, as their tongues entwined, he sat on a camp stool and pulled Callixtus onto his lap as he fondled his swollen cock.

Chereskar moistened his fingers with saliva and gently rubbed them on the boy's cherry, working first one then two fingers inside as Callixtus moaned in pleasure, then he gently eased the boy up and slowly slid him down so that the boy was astride him. Gently and tenderly, he eased Callixtus onto him, and the boy felt the elf's curved glans slip inside him, as they continued their passionate kiss.

As Callixtus sank down onto Chereksar, not even from Magnus had he felt such exquisite pleasure. The elf's cock was by the far the biggest he had ever had inside him – much bigger than Magnus, bigger even than the clumsy Cheskan boy Votya – but as it throbbed and melded into him, Callixtus felt an indescribable tingling pleasure, and shouted and squealed as he squirmed up and down on the elf's lap.

It took the elf a full forty minutes before they both came – and when they did, it was simultaneous, and suddenly Callixtus had a moment of insight as to what Kari had talked about when he described the sensation he got when Magnus shagged him -for it was not just a question of the stimulation of his prostate, but also the simultaneous and much more intense pleasure of an anal orgasm which started in his ring and seemed to spread on tingling nerves throughout his entire body, shooting up his spine and making his making his face flushed and his head feel so light and euphoric that he had the sensation that he was almost physically floating.

Some hours later, feeling not exhausted but utterly energised and alive, the candles had burned right down and the tent sides were illuminated with the first rays of the morning sun, when from outside came the sharp sounds of horns echoing down the mountain side, and shouts of alarm and clashes of weapons.

The Final Battle had begun.

Chapter 23
The Battle of the Red Pass

Chereskar and Callixtus both ran outside to find the camp in chaos and confusion. From the pass ahead, flashes of flame and loud shouts and cries showed that battle was in progress, but it was difficult to make out what was happening amidst the smoke and dust of conflict. But other similar sounds gave indication that the camp was also under attack from their right.

Chereskar frowned. "I do not understand. We seem to be under attack not only from the front, which I expected – although I thought we would have had more warning – but also from the flank. I do not see how the enemy could have got there, unless they have somehow come through the secondary pass which the Angiskoris were guarding. But how could they have got through undetected, and what has happened to the Angiskoris? I must go aloft and find out." And so saying, he raised his arms, and in moments his body sprouted white feathers, and he launched himself into the air in the form of a crane.

The huge form of Shalmaneser was easily spotted, his milk white body nude and whole, although a bandage remained around his thigh where the Rhenoussian arrow had injured him in the Battle of the Tulip Field.

"Callixtus!" called the unicorn. "The Fire Giants have used sorcery to surprise us, and they are pouring through the Red Pass to our front. I will engage them there, but you must find Magnus on the right, and assist him – we are also under attack from there! Mountain goblins have swarmed over the secondary pass – the Angiskoris have betrayed us and fled!"

Callixtus raced past the scenes of confusion. Fireballs were exploding nearby, and the screams of injured men and horses were everywhere. Within a few minutes he had scrambled across to the top of a slope where he saw Magnus standing by the contingent of crossbowmen from the Free City of Cantazeno, who were calmly firing crossbow bolts into a thick swarm of goblins who were rapidly approaching with shrill battle cries, blowing horns and banging their scimitars on their shields.

The crossbowmen were firing volleys, and when they had fired they turned as one, presenting their backs to their enemies, as they knelt to cock their weapons. They wore large rectangular green-and-white shields strapped to their backs, which gave them some protection from the red-fletched goblin arrows which were whistling towards them, but nevertheless many of them were hit, though green-robed women healers moved among them, tending to the wounded.

Magnus looked grim. "Fire into them, Callixtus!" he called, and with trembling hands the boy notched his bow and started to shoot into the advancing enemy. Magnus extended his staff and a bolt of lightning shot forth which hit a group of goblins, who fell twitching and writhing to the ground. As Callixtus continued to shoot, gradually becoming steadier, he and Magnus joined the crossbowmen as the goblin dead started to pile up below them. But on they came.

Just then Magnus was hailed by a deep voice which carried over the noise of battle, and they turned behind them to see Baron Makris of Volantia at the head of a regiment of Volantian heavy infantry.

"Magnus! I am taking my infantry to engage the fire giants, but my slingers will have little effect on the creatures. Take them and use them on this flank – the goblins will present them with an easier target!"

So saying, he motioned forward a swarm of naked young slingers, looking pale but determined.

Magnus ordered the slingers to position themselves beside the Cantazene crossbowmen and to direct their fire at the advancing goblins. Firing down the slope, their pellets carried further than the small goblin bows, and they soon began to extract a heavy price on the enemy.

Meanwhile Makris led his infantry on a charge straight into the heart of the enemy to their front, who were tangled in a confused melee with a mixed group of allied soldiers who had lost cohesion in the surprise of the attack. Here there were also goblins, but also huge fire giants – some of them eight feet [2.50 m] tall – roaring through their orange beards and laying about them with great clubs, although many of them also paused to cast fireballs about, to which they and the goblins were immune.

Now, looking aloft, Callixtus caught sight of Chereskar, in crane form, flying high above the battle. But even as he watched, an enormous fire giant stood back a little from the melee and brought both his hands together to point skywards. He gave a loud roar, and a ball of flame burst from his hands to arc upwards. As Callixtus watched in horror, the fireball caught the crane a direct hit with a huge explosion of flame, and Chereskar became a blazing mass of feathers, spiralling downwards to the ground. Callixtus choked back tears, but was forced to return to his bow as the goblins surged ever closer.

Meanwhile in the centre Lendulio was also in the melee, fighting side by side with the huge unicorn. Shalmaneser was roaring and laying about the fire giants with a giant club, and at intervals he held up his free hand and sent bolts of lightning which sent many of the giants twitching in death throes, with crackles of electricity sparking all over their bodies. But the unicorn had been scorched badly by enemy fire magic, and was also streaming with blood from great bruises and lacerations caused by hits from the clubs of the enemy.

Lendulio was darting about with incredible agility, repeatedly slashing at the fire giants and their goblin allies with a machete. Incredibly for such a slim and slight looking figure, the power of his blows opened gaping wounds in the giants, sometimes hamstringing them so that they fell to their knees to be despatched by the spears and axes of the allied soldiers; and as for the goblins, many of them had heads and limbs entirely severed by his blows. Every cut and blow that came his way he seemed to dodge with acrobatic skill, but nevertheless his beautiful body was marked with burns and scorches, the results of near misses from enemy fireballs.

Lord Skanderos was gathering together his cavalry to make a charge. It was no easy task: the sloping and uneven ground was far from ideal – such a contrast to the Field of Tulips – and to make matters worse the cavalry were also being hit by fire bolts cast from the giants, disordering their ranks and panicking the horses. Kari, looking pale and grim, was sitting on Skanderos's horse, gripping his mane with one hand while with the other he launched repeated lightning bolts at the fire giants – though they lacked the power of the ones cast by Shalmaneser or Magnus, and it often took several hits on the same giant before it toppled to the ground, its bright red skin blackened and crackling with blue sparks.

At length, the cavalry were got into a rough order, and Skanderos called the charge. He gave a great shout as Moonlight reared and leaped forward, Skanderos and Kari both sitting together on the noble warhorse. The Companions – still naked except for their blue cloaks – and all the remaining Megaran cavalry charged with them, making the mountains ring with their battle cries of "Megaros! Skanderos! Death or Glory!" They smashed into the fire giants, and were soon embroiled in a whirling melee, in which many were unhorsed – although fire giants too were toppling under their determined onslaught.

On the right flank a goblin chief, larger and fiercer than the rest, urged on his companions with a bestial cry and hundreds of them sprang forward to sprint across the remaining distance that separated them from Magnus and the crossbowmen and slingers. But Magnus sent a lightning bolt at him which exploded in a huge ball of electric energy, frying the goblin instantly and causing at least a score of others to fall as well. The goblin surge paused, and the Volantian boy slingers redoubled their efforts, so that hundreds of goblins now lay dead on the slope, and the remainder started to waver in dismay.

In the centre, the tide was also turning in favour of the allies – though at heavy cost – as one by one the fire giants were brought crashing down.

A great fire giant, his red skin steaming from multiple wounds, swept a huge club towards Skanderos. Moonlight reared up, and the club caught the horse fully in the chest, smashing it in instantly. Kari was thrown clear, but Skanderos fell to the ground under his mangled and dying horse, the fall breaking his leg and trapping him. As he lay there helpless, the fire giant brought his club high above him, and brought it swinging down with a roar – but at that moment Kari, who had with difficulty scrambled to his feet, dived in front of Skanderos and launched a bolt of lighting directly at the giant's face. The bolt entirely obliterated the giant's head in a crackle of blue sparks, instantly killing it, but its huge club, powered by an overwhelming momentum, had already started its downward descent. With a sickening crunch, the club smashed into Kari's chest, lifting him completely off the ground and hurling him a considerable distance, where the boy's mangled body smashed into a pile of rocks. And the headless body of the giant, dead before the boy hit the ground, toppled full length across the helpless trapped Skanderos.

Soon after that, it was all over. The fire giants fought to the very last, but long before the last one was brought roaring and toppling to the ground by a final lightning bolt from Shalmaneser, the surviving goblins had all fled, with shrieks and howls of dismay.

The Megaran Companions pulled their injured commander, pale and bloodied, from underneath his dead horse and the prone body of the slain fire giant . "Kari… Kari… where is Kari?" said Skanderos.

Callixtus and Magnus had both rushed over to Kari's crumpled form. Both of them were unscathed, but Magnus was white and drawn with exhaustion. Callixtus was shivering and weeping as they looked down at Kari. His face stared up at them, his eyes misting over, and a bloody froth bubbling on his lips, which had turned blue. His chest was smashed into a pulp of bone and gore.

"Magnus! Magnus! Heal him!" cried Callixtus.

"I am sorry Callixtus… he is beyond help." And the mage, weeping too, held Kari's hand as he knelt at this side. "Oh Kari… Oh Kari…" he wept.

But the boy spoke no more. His small ruined frame gave a convulsive gasp, and his final breath shuddered from his body. His green eyes were open, but fixed in the glassy sightlessness of death.

Lendulio appeared at their side. Though somewhat burned and scorched about his limbs, he was relatively unscathed, considering how he had fought in the thick of the action – thanks to his extraordinary agility. But Shalmaneser, who came snorting with him, was in a very different state. His white skin had flushed a deep shade of pink with the exertion of battle, and he was mottled with great bruises and gashes, and streaming with bright red blood from multiple wounds and abrasions.

"We have won a great victory," said Shalmaneser, "and the Fire Giants will, as Chereskar foresaw, trouble us again no more for many generations of men. But Chereskar is dead… as is poor Kari… and many others."

The unicorn gave a great sigh, and continued – "Alas, many have lost their lives today. Almost all our regiments have suffered grievous losses, apart from the Cantazene crossbowmen and the boy slingers of Volantia – thanks to you, Magnus – and you too, Callixtus. But Baron Makris is dead, as are the greater part of his infantry. I fear many of the boy slingers whose lives you saved will weep for fathers and brothers lost this day."

"And Skanderos?" said Magnus.

Lendulio replied, "The healers say he will live – his broken bones will heal in time. Though I fear the wound to his heart will take longer to heal. If indeed it ever does."

Chapter 24
At the Villa by the Sea

Almost six months had passed since the war had ended with the complete destruction of the Fire Giants at the Battle of the Red Pass.

Magnus was sitting on the balcony of a villa overlooking the sea. Although it was now late autumn, here on the Isle of Mages the weather was still mild and sunny.

"Hello Magnus!" said Callixtus, who entered carrying his bow and arrows. He had been practising his archery in the garden of the villa which they now jointly owned, overlooking the small port on the Isle of Mages.

Magnus said, "Come over here, my boy, and let me look at you closely. You know how I love to gaze on you."

As he had done so often, but never tired of doing, Magnus admired the entirely smooth and naked form of his companion, whose only adornments were the bow and arrows he carried and the wolf's-tooth charm and silver sigil disc he still wore around his throat on thin strips of black leather.

"You have grown a great deal since we met a year ago. You are several inches taller, your chest is broader, and your muscles bigger – especially your splendid thighs and calves, which are proof of the hundreds of miles we have marched together. And despite the dangers we endured, no scars or blemishes mark your fair skin, which is still as glabrous and beautiful as the day I had the Cheskan cabin boy shave you – though wind and sun have turned you a lovely colour of light ochre, but with an inner glow – so different from the trembling, pale young boy I bought a year ago ."

Callixtus looked modestly downwards, as Magnus continued, "I am glad to see you do not yet need to shave, though that may be down to the fine unguents I gave you… I do so hope you continue with them, for I would hate to see you sprout stubble!"

Callixtus smiled and said, "But you look fine now that your beard has grown again!"

Magnus's appearance had also changed markedly since the Battle of the Red Pass. The stress of the campaign, the exhaustion of the final battle, and the blow they had both suffered from the loss of close friends, had all taken their toll. When Magnus and Callixtus had made their escape from the Imperial City of Avenna a year ago, Magnus had changed his appearance to make himself look considerably younger, but ever since the invasion of Rhenoussia this effect had started to fade. Now, his weather-beaten face was framed by grey hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He looked no older, but certainly no younger, than his forty seven years.

"You look exactly like you did when we first met," said Callixtus, "except that your face is now a bit more suntanned. It makes your grey eyes seem a bit bluer – but they still have that same expression – I remember the very first time you looked right at me, when I was still a slave at the Lady Domitia's. I felt you knew – or you wanted to know – everything about me. It made me feel completely naked."

Magnus laughed. "You were naked! And you nearly always have been, just as you are now!"

Callixtus said, "Yes, but this was different… I can't explain." And he put his arms around Magnus's shoulders and kissed him on the top of the head.

Magnus said, "Do you know the date today, Callixtus? It is the eighth day of November. Tomorrow is the anniversary of our first meeting, and your fifteenth birthday. Tonight, I have invited Joab and Gravillax for dinner. I know it's hardly the kind of birthday treat you were looking for – but I'm trying to be nice to them, and our cook is providing some very special delicacies. We also have some of the excellent red wine that Jirek sent us from his farm in Cheskia. A very special wine, because it actually comes from the little vineyard where we… had a particularly interesting encounter with his two boys. You may recall it."

Callixtus laughed at the memory, and Magnus was glad, for laughter had been in short supply for some time, and for long months the sound had not been heard in their new villa, light and bright and pleasant though it was.

Callixtus said, "I wonder what Joab will make of the fact that our cook is a hill goblin."

Magnus smiled. "Yes, although the arrangement has worked out rather well, don't you think? I find Grank's wife is a surprisingly good cook, and it amuses me greatly to have the pair of them in my entourage – it gives me a certain notoriety, even amongst fellow mages. No goblins had ever set foot on the Isle of Mages before."

"Do you think Grank will really become a member of the Order of Mages? He told me he will be the first ever goblin to gain that honour!" said Callixtus.

"Oh did he now!" said Magnus. "Well, that we will have to see. Though actually, one of the reasons I am being so nice to Joab is that I am trying to soften him up to admit Grank to membership of the Order. His magical abilities are actually rather impressive, and I've learned many surprising things from him."

"At least you managed to get him to dispose of that awful staff topped with a human skull," said Callixtus. "Although he complained to me that you were being unreasonable and depriving him of the reminder of a very tasty meal!"

"What else has Grank been telling you?" said Magnus.

"He told me that Joab has been made a Lord by the Emperor, and that you were given a full pardon for any allegations of wrongdoing in the Empire, and offered a Lordship as well – which you turned down."

"Well, that much is true – about the title, though of course I was glad to accept the pardon. Joab has indeed been elevated to the peerage – a fact which has given the shoemaker's son a huge amount of pride. I don't see the point, especially as we live on the Isle of Mages, which is Veskan territory,and the Veskans don't use titles of nobility. If I'd accepted, I would be the First Baron Magnus, but when my father dies, I'll be the Seventeenth Baron Caeruleus of the Vale of Argentum. I think you can guess which title I'd prefer. But don't tell Joab I said that."

"Grank also showed me the cantrip for erecting and deflating cocks. He did it to me, and on himself!" said Callixtus.

"By the ancestors!" said Magnus. "I hope you weren't involved in mutual masturbation with a goblin, or I will begin to think your tastes are seriously depraved!"

Callixtus laughed. "No, it was nothing like that. His wife was there the whole time, cackling like a drain. She said the erectile version would come in very handy seeing as Grank has such a tiny pecker and is often too drunk to shag her. Then he got angry and they started throwing things at each other, like they so often do. It was very funny watching them chase each other round the kitchen, Grank with his little goblin cock waving about! "

Magnus said, "Yes, having goblins in the household can be a little trying at times. But I don't think I taught him that particular cantrip."

"No… Kari did," said Callixtus.

There was a silence as their thoughts turned to the boy mage whose death at the Battle of the Red Pass was an unspoken but ever-present painful memory.

"It is said that Lord Skanderos was in danger of death for many weeks after Kari died," said Magnus, "even though the healers could find no physical cause. He just refused to eat, and was so filled with despair that he very nearly lost the will to live. But he recovered, physically at any rate, and is back in Megaros, which I believe he has filled with statues of Kari. So although Kari's life was brief and mostly sad, at least his image will live on, carved in marble by the sculptors of Megaros, whom everyone acknowledges to be the finest in the world."

"I suppose that's something," said Callixtus, "but I'm not sure if it really makes me feel much better. About Kari, or about Chereskar, or about all the other brave and beautiful warriors who marched with us but did not return."

"Don't think sad thoughts now, Callixtus, not on the eve of your birthday feast" said Magnus, pulling the boy towards him and embracing him. "Tomorrow our old friends Votya and his brother Danko will be arriving from Cheskia. Their father has graciously permitted them to come and stay with us until the end of the month. Will it not be a fine thing to see how they have grown, and renew our friendships? Do you recall that last sight we had of them, a year ago, when the ship pulled from the Cheskan shore and we saw their naked bodies waving, painted in the colours of the setting sun? How lovely to see those naked bodies again, stepping ashore in the sunshine of an autumn morning!"

"I remember that," said Callixtus. "But at the time I was mainly thinking about how to get the spunk stains off your cloak."

The mage smiled, and Callixtus added, "But of course I'll be pleased to see them again. Thank you for arranging it for my birthday. I must admit I forgot all about having a birthday; but then I never had one before I met you." And he kissed Magnus on the lips.

"Callixtus my boy," said the mage, seeing that a slight air of sadness still hung over the boy's brow, "remember that as I told you before, all things must, in time, change form and wither and die. All we can do is make the best of the brief moments of joy and beauty which come to us in the meantime. Not with a spirit of selfishness, but with a spirit of kindness and generosity for those we love, and a fond remembrance of those whom we once loved, and who are no more." And he gently kissed the boy's brow.

"Will we see Shalmaneser and Lendulio again?" asked Callixtus.

"Of course we will," said the mage. "I wish to spend the winter here with you, writing an account of the War of the Fire Giants and our role in it; but come the spring we will take ship with Tammuz, and go east, where we will meet our friends again. Who knows what strange lands and peoples we will encounter! Will it not be a fine thing, Callixtus, for us to see the wind swelling the sails as we speed over sunlit seas to new adventures?"

And Callixtus smiled back at him, and they stroked each others faces.

Just then a gong sounded. "Grank calls us," said Magnus, "Come, my boy, Joab and Gravillax have arrived – let us go to meet our guests."

The End