Maiocxx

Tales from the World of Cody and Lucas
I The Lives of Owen and Bobby

2
Little Boys Condemned

Chapter Two
England

A tall, silver-haired man was smiling down at him, "Hello Bobby! Welcome to Chartwell! I'm Sir Robert Crowell and this is my home and it will be yours, too, for a while. Isn't it nice, we have the same first name."

"But, I'm Bobby and your name is Robert?"

"Well, Bobby is just another name for Robert," his host assured him.

"Then, why don't they call you 'Bobby', Sir?" asked his namesake.

"Because I'm old and stuffy," answered Sir Robert, making the little boy giggle. "But I promise you that I will take good care of you just like Ken and Gwen and Peter did."

"Now that you're here, I imagine you might like something to eat." He rang a little bell and two naked slaveboys appeared, one carrying a bowl of soup and the other carrying… you couldn't guess, could you… a chocolate peanut sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Bobby decided he was going to like this place and Sir Robert, too, even though he already missed his 'family'.

"These fine young men are Bertie and Timmy. They are young slaves who are part of my family, too. Obviously, they are twins."

Setting their food down, the two bowed their heads and said in unison, "Welcome to Chartwell, Bobby. We hope you enjoy being here."

"Master is very good to us," added Bertie. "He gave us a home when we did not have one."

"And cook even made us a sundae like yours." said his twin.

Bowing low, they excused themselves and left.

Seeing Bobby's puzzlement, Sir Robert explained. "Their parents were killed in a motor car accident four years ago. As is our custom in England, they were enslaved and I bought them. They are fine boys and I love them dearly. They are eleven years old and, in about a year, I will find them a good family who will raise them to be outstanding free subjects of His Royal Highness."

It was Bobby's first contact with other slaves. They looked just like regular kids and he was sure they would be friends.

"Now," said Sir Robert, after Bobby had inhaled the soup and wolfed down the chocolate peanut sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top, "here's what is going to happen. Your hearing before the court is in three days. Until then, you are to stay in this room. Bertie and Timmy will bring your food and help you with your bath."

"You'll find some books and writing materials in the desk in the corner. The court will ask you to tell your story. I've already heard it from Ken, and he wrote it down, but they will want to hear it from you. Gwen tells me you are a bright boy, so you need to think about what you are going to tell the court."

"Tomorrow evening, I'm planning to let you talk to your North American Family by telephone. I have already told them you arrived safely and they send their love. Particularly, young Peter."

"Now I suggest you get some rest. You need to get your internal clock reset." Bobby wasn't sure what Sir Robert was talking about, but he was tired and soon was sleeping peacefully. He woke one time during the night and had a mild panic attack when he could not find Peter. Then, he remembered where he was and soon went back to sleep. Clearly this sleeping alone again would take some getting used to.

The next morning, Sir Robert introduced another member of the 'family'. "This is Alfred and he is my sacristan."

"That's a fancy name for 'house manager'," explained Alfred.

"Alfred will be in charge of you when I'm not about, so be sure to mind him."

Alfred gave Bobby a big wink. Bobby winked back. He was going to like this man, too.

The phone call to North America was bittersweet. Ken had filled the rest of the family in about Bobby's situation. They still trusted Sir Robert's judgment that the court would overturn the original conviction. They might even set him free, although that wasn't likely and Gwen and Peter understood Bobby might never come back to them. Everyone tried to be upbeat… without much success. It did underscore the importance of what would take place on the morrow.

Having come this far, however, Bobby simply called upon his seemingly inexhaustible supply of courage, slept soundly and was ready for the court. Neither he nor Sir Robert gave any thought that this might be Bobby's last day in this world.

For some reason, Bobby had to appear naked… no biggie. The weather was pleasant and he was used to being naked, at least he thought so.

When they arrived at the courtroom, Sir Robert was pleasantly surprised to find Prince Harry waiting for them. Bobby was impressed! He was in awe of royalty and was amazed that Prince Harry and Sir Robert were old friends. "My brother asked me to be here today to keep an eye on these bozos. I don't think he quite trusts them to live up to their end of the agreement. He's pressed them very hard about the boy and they will try just as hard to get back at him."

"Well, I'm glad you're here, Your Highness. It should add a bit more judicial flavor to the proceedings."

The three judges entered and took their places after the appropriate greetings were intoned.

Bobby stared at the chief judge with a look of horror on his face. "Please, Sir," he whispered to Sir Robert. "That's the man who promised I wouldn't be punished if I told him the truth." This was not a very auspicious sign.

"Should I call him out?" Robert asked the Prince.

"I wouldn't," came the reply. "The other two are on our side, I'm sure. We could have drawn a worse panel. I think we'll be all right." He leaned across and patted Bobby on his head. "Be brave. Bobby. It's going to be all right."

The Prince had spoken to him! He had even touched him! How could they possibly lose? And, giving a sigh of relief, Bobby settled back in his chair.

The chief judge cleared his throat and began. "In the matter of the conviction and condemnation of Robert Sand for the crime of murder rendered by His Majesty's Superior Court on the seventh day of April in the Year of Our Lord two thousand and thirteen, this special panel has been convened and will review said conviction. Robert Sand, please come before the court."

Bobby rose and took his place in front of the three judges.

"Robert Sand, you have been convicted and sentenced to hang by a competent court and that conviction and sentence have been reviewed by the appellant bench and found to be without flaw. What relief can you possibly expect from this panel?"

"Your lordship," interrupted Sir Robert, "the boy is eight years old and does not understand legal terminology."

"Oh very well," grumbled the chief judge. "Robert, tell us your sad story." He clearly remembered hearing it before but had ignored it.

Bobby swallowed a few times and began. He told the panel about his sadistic brothers, how they had made him do things to the little girl. How they nearly hanged him and threatened to cut off his penis if he did not obey them. How the little girl had choked to death because his brother had pulled the noose too tight. He was calm and spoke clearly until just before the end, when he began to cry.

"I didn't want to do those things," he sobbed. "They made me! I didn't want to hurt her! She was my friend! Please, Sir. I don't want to die!" he wailed.

"Do you have anything else?" asked the chief judge.

"No, Sir," Bobby sniffed.

"You may stand down. That means to go back and sit down." Bobby did as he was told. "Is there anyone else who wishes to speak to this panel?"

"Yes, My Lord," said Sir Robert jumping up. "The trial record clearly shows that Bobby was present when the little girl died and he was found in a lewd act with her. We do not contest that. We do, however, contest that Bobby's act was the cause of her death. She died by strangulation from a noose around her neck and, at no time, has it been shown that he controlled the noose."

"We also protest, in the most vigorous terms, that at no time in the proceedings was he afforded counsel or the opportunity to testify. Indeed, he was convicted in absentia, in a proceeding which resembled a star-chamber trial. When he was apprehended he was severely beaten and injured by the young girl's father. And, in turn, the father gave lurid and inflammatory statements to the popular press, making it impossible for this child of tender years to have a fair and impartial trial. Indeed, there was creditable threat that the three of them might suffer mob justice before the trial was even convened."

"For these reasons, we believe the original trial was deeply flawed and must be set aside. We pride ourselves, as a people, on justice… justice done and justice seen to be done. Neither was the case here."

"Thank you, Sir Robert, for instructing us in the niceties of the law. My colleagues and I will now retire to consider our decision." The three judges left the courtroom.

"I think we're going to be all right," observed the Prince. "I was watching the other two and I believe they were horrified by what they heard. The whole trial was a travesty and they know it." He took Bobby into his lap.

The moment of truth was upon them!

They sat quietly waiting for the panel's decision.

It was growing dark by the time the panel returned. The judges took their places. "Robert Sand and Sir Robert Crowell, please approach the bench."

Sir Robert was puzzled why he was being called, but he took Bobby's hand and led him before the judges.

"Sir Robert," boomed the chief judge, "by your ill thought-out action in bringing this case, you have besmirched the entire judiciary. This little monster whom you champion has had his day in court and I personally believe he should pay for his crimes and be done with it. No good will be served by returning him to the ranks of free citizenry. And you, sir, have come perilously close to accessory to murder."

Cold fear gripped Sir Robert's heart! "No! They couldn't! They wouldn't!" The specter of Bobby swinging at the end of a rope while his vibrant life was choked out of him swam before his eyes and he almost collapsed. Prince Harry sat there unbelieving, rigid with anger.

Unknown to either Sir Robert or Prince Harry, the King had ordered the Household Cavalry to intervene should the decision go against Bobby. When asked later why he would risk open civil war to rescue one small boy, he replied, "If this child cannot secure justice, then not one of us can secure justice!"

The chief judge stared at Sir Robert with cold malice. Then he sighed. "My colleagues, however, believe differently and I am outvoted."

"Robert Sand," he announced, "it is the decision of this court that your conviction for capital murder on April 7th, 2013 was fatally flawed. Therefore, the sentence of death by hanging is vacated and the conviction is reversed."

Bobby's face lit up and Sir Robert bowed his head and breathed a sigh of relief.

"But," continued the judge, "you were found committing a lewd act upon the child when she died. This court, therefore, convicts you of the crime of accessory to murder and sentences you to two years Class Two Slavery, to be served in the household of Sir Robert Crowell of Chartwell."

Sir Robert looked up at the judge with puzzlement. "He is making Bobby my slave?" he thought.

"At the end of the period of two years, you may free or sell him to any citizen of Great Britain."

"That's the hooker!" thought Sir Robert. "Bobby will never be able to return to his North American family. What a cruel way to punish him! But why was Bobby to be a slave in his household? Did they think they were punishing him by that action?" He could see the two younger jurists' fingers in that matter.

But, the crowning blow was yet to fall.

"Furthermore, you, Sir Robert, will publicly demonstrate your willingness and ability to discipline this convicted slave to the satisfaction of this court with eight strokes of the cane, laid on well. The other provisions of this ruling will come into force when, and only when, this court is satisfied you have properly disciplined him. This proceeding is closed."

"My Lord! I must protest this…"

"Sir Robert, you had best hold your tongue, lest I find you in contempt and reverse this entire ruling."

Prince Harry came forward and dragged the two of them back to their seats. "Don't push him, Robert! You could loose everything!" Turning to his footman, he said, "Please take the boy and wait for us in the antechamber. Sir Robert and I need to talk."

"Go with him, Bobby," said Sir Robert. The two of them left the courtroom, Bobby looking back over his shoulder fearfully.

"This is monstrous!" fumed Sir Robert. "I won't be a party to this barbarism!"

"Yes you will," admonished the Prince. "Because, if you do not, Bobby will be dead before the day is out!"

That shocked Sir Robert into silence.

"My brother was afraid they might try something like this. That's why he sent me to observe. You must understand, Robert, you and Bobby are simply pawns in the battle between Parliament and the King over his proper role as monarch. He has championed your cause from the start and they are using the boy to get back at him. He will be livid when he finds out what these thugs have done."

"You mean I have to whip the boy in order to save his life?" choked Sir Robert. "Do you have any idea how much pain the boy will have to endure?"

"Yes. Grandmother had both William and me caned one time when the press discovered us peeing on her roses. I didn't sit comfortably for several days. But, Bobby's a tough little boy. He has to have been tough to have come through this far. He has reserves of courage that are simply inexhaustible. He will hate it… and maybe you. I hope not. But he'll come through it ok."

The bailiff approached them. "Sir Robert, you have fifteen minutes to prepare the boy."

Feeling thoroughly beaten, Sir Robert and the Prince went in search of the soon-to-be-beaten young slave.

When they walked into the room, Bobby immediately ran to Sir Robert and threw his arms about him.

"I'm not going to be hanged any more, right?" he tearfully asked.

"No. That's over with."

"What did the judge mean that he was making me a Class Two Slave?"

"It means that you will be a slave in my household for the next two years, just like Bertie and Timmy."

"Oh!" replied the little boy, crestfallen. "Then I can't go back to my family in North America?"

"No, you can't. But we'll talk more about that later. Right now I have something much more terrible to tell you."

"What is it?" Bobby asked with fear in his eyes.

"Do you remember, when we first talked I promised to take good care of you and treat you kindly? And I would never cause you pain?" Bobby nodded. "Well, I'm afraid I must break that promise. The court has ruled that I must whip you with a cane before they will agree to the other parts of their ruling."

Bobby looked at him with tears starting to form in his big blue eyes. "Whip? Will it hurt bad?"

"More than you can possibly imagine!" Then Sir Robert began to weep. "Oh Bobby, I don't want to whip you! You've done nothing wrong! But I have no choice. It will hurt terribly. I'm so sorry!"

"Please don't cry, Sir. Peter told me you were a good man and I believe him. If you must whip me, I'll be brave. I know that you wouldn't do anything to really hurt me. I will try to be brave!" And then, he said a very strange thing to Sir Robert, "And you must be brave, too."

"The little guy is comforting me, " thought Sir Robert, "when I should be comforting him ." He just held the little boy close until he regained his composure.

"Time's up, mi-lord." broke in the bailiff.

"Go with him Bobby," directed the Prince as he embraced his friend. "Be brave!" And Bobby, almost defiantly, followed the bailiff out into the courtyard.

"Robert, listen to me! You must do this! And you can't pull your blows, either. If they're not satisfied they will just make you do it over."

"But he's too young to know how bad it will be!" cried Sir Robert.

"I think he does. He sees how upset you are about it. He promised to be brave. And you must be brave, also. The chief judge is betting you won't do it. Prove him wrong!"

"Harry is right," thought Sir Robert. And he squared his shoulders as the two of them trudged out into the courtyard. He looked up and saw the three judges standing on an upper balcony to observe his humiliation.

Bobby was strapped over a platform like a gymnastic horse, with his feet secured on one side and his arms painfully stretched and secured on the other side. His tender, pink buttocks was at the top, completely exposed.

The bailiff handed Sir Robert a supple cane. "When you're ready, mi-lord."

Robert took the cane and walked over to the prostrate boy. Positioning himself properly, he raised the cane over his head and brought it down hard on Bobby's ass.

The crack of the cane meeting bare skin was followed instantly by Bobby's scream of pain and shock. An angry red welt showed on both of his ass cheeks.

The second stroke brought another scream and snot and tears dripping into the dust. The look of terror on the little boy's face went through Robert like a knife. He faltered and turned to the Prince. "Harry, I can't do this!" he wailed.

"Yes you can! You must! Or your boy will die! Do them quickly! Get them over with."

Numbly, he turned back to the boy and delivered the remaining strokes as if in a trance. By the final stroke, Bobby just lay there, semiconscious, the fiery red welts crisscrossing his ass and upper legs and the cane lay on the ground where Sir Robert had hurled it.

As soon as the final stroke had landed, the Prince himself strode forward, brushing the bailiff out of his way. He released the child's arms and legs, carefully picked him up and carried him to where Robert stood in a daze. Robert received the burden from him and sank to his knees.

"Oh Bobby, how can you ever forgive me," he cried, tears running down his face. "How can you ever trust me again?"

In answer, the little boy reached up and touched Robert's cheek. "Please, Sir. Don't be sad," he choked. "I trust you because Peter told me I could. And I believe you love me just as much as Sir Ken, Miss Gwen and Peter do. That's all that matters. I know you did what you had to." And, then he passed out.

When he awoke, he was back in his bed at Chartwell. He lay face down and Alfred was there with a very concerned Bertie and Timmy helping to put a salve on his bruised parts. By good fortune, he had not been cut. "You're back with us, I see," said Alfred. "The master says he can't face you. But, I know he really wants to see you. Bertie, run and tell him that Bobby's awake."

"Yes, Sir. At once, Sir." replied the slave-boy dashing off.

Alfred and Timmy finished applying the salve and left, telling Bobby to be careful not to roll over. Whatever they had given him for pain made him sleepy and he dozed. Suddenly, looking up, he saw Sir Robert standing in the doorway. As he turned to go, Bobby called out, "Please, sir. Don't leave me!"

Sir Robert faltered for a minute. Then, he came to the supine boy and fell to his knees. With his arms about the little boy's shoulders, he cried like a small child.

"Oh, Bobby," he sobbed. "How can you ever forgive me? I hurt you terribly! How can you ever trust me again?"

"But, Sir, if you hadn't beat me, they would have hung me, wouldn't they?"

"Yes," he answered sadly.

"Then you saved my life. You don't think so, but the beating was a gift to me. Your gift! My bum will heal. And your love for me is strong and so is mine for you!"

This little eight-year-old angel had told him eternal truths.

That night, Sir Robert's dreams were full of terror: Bobby being whipped with a tawse, Bobby lying unconscious and bloody, Bobby kicking at the end of the rope as he slowly strangled. While it was still yet dark, he rose and tiptoed into the room where the young boy slept. Falling on his knees, he clasped Bobby's hand and wept as he had not since childhood.

"I've known him but two weeks, and he has stolen my heart!" he thought. Even in the dim light, eight fiery red welts stood out on the small ass and upper legs.

Bobby stirred. "Please, Sir, don't cry for me!"

"But I hurt you so!" sobbed Sir Robert.

"But you gave me a wonderful gift!" Bobby replied. "You gave me my life!"

As Sir Robert told it to Alfred later that morning, "At that moment an enormous weight left me. He healed me! This child has thoroughly bewitched me! He's not the first slave-boy we've had. Why is he different?"

"Perhaps, Sir," replied Alfred, "it's because he needs us so very much!"

"You may be right. Certainly he has been abused by his birth family and shamefully treated by our government. That he came to a wise and loving family like the Nelsons who had the courage to not only pursue justice but to rescue him from a despair that would have killed him even if he had never been hanged; that is a miracle straight from the Almighty! And I swear, by everything I deem holy, I will give him the best upbringing we are capable of. This child must stand one day as a free person!"

"You will certainly have my full effort," said Alfred. "He tugs at my heartstrings, too."

In an amazingly short time, his stripes healed. Bobby was restless and ready for whatever came next. "Well, it's time he understands what the rest of the decision means," Sir Robert thought. He asked Alfred to bring Bobby to the sitting room, the first he had been out of his room. Alfred led him in by the hand and helped the puzzled boy kneel in front of Sir Robert, with his forehead touching the floor.

"Please sit up, Bobby, and listen carefully to what I have to tell you."

He sat back on his haunches and look up at Sir Robert. "Sir, what?"

"You may not speak unless I tell you to." Bobby's eyes got big.

"Now then, you may remember part of the court decision is that you are to be a Class Two Slave in my household."

Bobby nodded.

"Class Two means that someday you may be a free boy. I know you would have liked to return to your family in North America, but the court did not allow that. Instead you will live in my household and be my slave." He could see Bobby wanted very badly to ask some questions. "All right you may speak."

"Sir," Bobby began.

"You must call me Master," Sir Robert interrupted him.

"Master, why did the court do this?"

"It's their way of punishing you. It's cruel, it's unfair. But the alternative was a rope around your neck and I was not going to let that happen. So I agreed to it."

"How long must I be your slave, Master," asked Bobby.

"For at least two years."

"What happens after that?"

"I will find you a good family here in Britain who will raise you to become a free person."

"So I still wont be able to go back to Peter?"

"I'm afraid not, Bobby. I'm sorry, but that is the decision."

The little boy continued to look up at Sir Robert, but tears filled those deep blue eyes. "What do I have to do as your slave?" he asked.

"You will live just like Bertie and Timmy. You'll have chores to do and you will go to school. I think they will tell you that life as a slave at Chartwell isn't too bad. You'll have enough to eat, a place to sleep and everything you'll need. Alfred will be in charge of you, just as he is for Bertie and Timmy. He has full authority to correct you, if you should need that, even spank you if necessary. But, I promise you that you will never feel the cane here at Chartwell."

Bobby thought for a while. He was sad and missed his beloved Peter and Miss Gwen and Sir Ken. But that was not to be, so he had better make a new life here. "When do I begin, Master?"

"You've already started. The other thing you need to know is about what is called slave discipline. The position Alfred placed you in is called your 'position of respect'. Whenever you greet a free person or a free person greets you, you must immediately go to that position and you may not rise or speak until that person tells you. If you are doing a chore that requires you to pass a free person, you may simply bow and continue unless that person wishes to speak with you. I give you permanent permission to speak to me, and you may always speak to Alfred."

Bobby's head was starting to spin.

"I know this seems complicated," Sir Robert told him, "but Bertie and Timmy will help you get started and it will soon be second nature. The whole idea is for you, as a slave, to show proper respect to a free person."

Bobby nodded.

"Now, come here."

Bobby rose and Sir Robert took him into his arms. "I know you are disappointed, but this is for the best. Please trust me. Please keep one thing firmly in your mind. Even in this short time, I have grown to love you very deeply, Bobby. And I want the very best life for you."

Bobby relaxed in his master's arms and, after a few moments, he said, "I know you want what is best for me. And I know that you love me. And I love you. So I will do my very best to be the very best slave-boy here at my new home."

Robert continued to hold him close for a few more minutes and then released him and said, "Go and find Alfred. He's waiting for you."

So began Bobby's first day as a slave at Chartwell. Alfred showed him where his bunk was, in the slave quarters right next to Bertie and Timmy. He would always be naked in the house, and outside, too, when the weather was nice. There was a warm sweat-suit for him to wear outside when it was too cold to go naked, but he… Alfred… would decide if it should be worn. Aside from that, he had no other belongings.

That evening, he ate dinner with Bertie and Timmy in the kitchen and then the three of them served Sir Robert and his guests. Bobby managed not to drop anything and Cook told him he did very well for his first time.

Bertie and Timmy tried their best to make him feel welcome, but in the darkness of the slave room that night, he wept for his lost family.

At 6:00 the next morning the three of them were in their positions before Alfred, ready to receive their morning assignments. Since they would be working outside in the garden, Bobby would need sun-block to protect his very fair skin.

The twins were instructed to be sure to apply it liberally to Bobby whenever they were to work outside. For their part, the twins loved rubbing the lotion all over Bobby and he enjoyed having them do it. All three of them usually sported erections before the task was finished.

He sometimes grieved because he could not rejoin his beloved Peter and his family, but Alfred was astute enough to keep him… and the other two slaves… busy so they would not have time to long for what they could no longer have. Slowly those thoughts faded and he found he felt comfortable and safe in this house. Life was good for him and the others and there was no doubt Sir Robert loved them all.

One Friday evening, Alfred told him that school would start the following Monday morning. "Mrs. Crawford is a very good teacher and I am sure you will like her," he told Bobby. "We don't observe slave discipline in school. There will be two free boys there, David and Jonathan, who are children of our head wrangler. Everyone gets treated the same. You'll go to school in the morning and have time to do your chores in the afternoon."

School with other kids would certainly be an experience he had not had for many years and he was excited when Monday morning rolled around.

Mrs. Crawford greeted him warmly and got him settled in his desk and gave him his books. He met David and Jonathan, both of whom were younger than he was. As free boys, they wore shirts, shorts and sandals to school. Bertie and Timmy did not seem at all shy about being naked in front of Mrs. Crawford, so Bobby decided he wouldn't be either.

At dinner the next night, Mrs. Crawford told Sir Robert what had happened that day. "All five of those rascals showed up nude this morning. David and Jonathan said they didn't want Bobby to feel 'different'. I told them it was OK this once, but to be properly dressed from now on. I think they actually liked being naked."

Sir Robert laughed heartily and said, "Well, most little boys do. But you were right. They must dress properly as free boys."

"By the way," Mrs. Crawford continued, "I think you need to get some slave coverings for Bertie and Timmy. They're starting to develop."

"You're right," agreed Sir Robert. "I'll have Alfred see to it. I think we'll get some for Bobby, too. That way, he won't be 'odd man out'."

The slave coverings Alfred provided them had a cord that tied around their waists with a small pouch just large enough to cover their boy parts. Timmy stood observing his twin and Bobby. "Sexy!" was his comment. Bobby wasn't sure what he meant, but he did agree they looked fabulous.

Once he had become used to sleeping in the slave quarters with Bertie and Timmy, he gradually was aware the two of them slept in one bed with a lot of movement and whispering and giggling before they went to sleep. Whatever they were doing, they certainly enjoyed it!

One night he listened as they whispered to each other. "Do you think he knows anything? Nah! He's too little. Oh yeah? He's bigger than you were when you were eight. Do you think he likes it? I don't think he's ever done it. Crikey! Are we going to have to teach him? If you want that little bubble-butt. Should we start tonight? Might as well."

Bobby lay on his back as the twins slipped out of bed and stood on either side of him. Old fears began to surface and he began to tremble.

"Bobby, are you awake?"

"Y-y-y-y-yes."

Bobby suddenly was seized with panic. It was his brothers and not Bertie and Timmy. His whole body shook. "Please!" he whimpered, "don't hurt me."

The two older boys were shocked and dismayed. "We're not going to hurt you, Bobby. We want to make you feel good!" One on either side of him, they began to gently rub and stroke his chest and groin.

"There! Doesn't that feel good?" And their hands, gently loving him did feel very good.

"Y-yes!" he croaked.

And suddenly he began to get a tingling in his boy parts, a tingling that he had sometimes felt when he was in bed with Peter. That caused a wave of regret to wash over him and he began to cry.

The twins froze, their hands on his body. "What's wrong, Bobby? What did we do? Why are you crying?"

"I thought about my family in North America and how I miss them," he replied truthfully.

They knew he had been forbidden to return to them, but all they could think of to comfort him was to continue what they had been doing. "Do you want us to stop?"

"N-no! I'm sorry I'm such a custard. Please don't stop." Bobby implored them.

His tingling increased ten-fold and his wee-wee grew stiff and stood up from his body like a flagpole. He began to gasp and moan. Satisfied he was over his 'problem' the twins expanded their field of endeavor. Bertie took hold of his boy pole while Timmy began to play with his balls.

Feelings he had never known began to race through Bobby's body. Feelings that overwhelmed him.

He couldn't think!

He couldn't talk!

He could hardly breathe!

All he could do was lie there, completely in their power, as the excitement he was experiencing for the very first time built! Ten times! A hundred times! A thousand times! Timmy had his hand clamped firmly over Bobby's mouth to stifle the scream that was building. His body convulsed as a great crescendo shook him from head to foot… his first ever orgasm!

Both the older boys sat back in amazement at the depth of his feeling as Bobby slowly drifted back to earth. "What happened?" he asked weakly.

"Did you like it?"

"Yessss! But what was it?"

"It's called an orgasm. You never had one before?"

"N-no!"

"You and Peter never did this?"

"No, but I wish we had. It felt soooooooooo good!" Then he turned serious, "I'm sorry I was such a wimp. I should have trusted you! But my brothers……"

"Yes, we know. And we're sorry we frightened you. All we wanted to do was to invite you to have fun in bed with us. We have fun every night before we go to sleep and we wanted you to have some, too."

"Can I make you feel good, too?" asked Bobbie.

"Sure, if you want. Scoot over so we can lie beside of you." He did as bidden and the two older boys slid into his bed on either side of him. Each one taking a hand, they showed him how to grasp and rub their stiff pricks so that it felt the best.

"I must warn you! We squirt!" Timmy told him.

"I know what that is! It's the sperm a man puts into a woman to start a baby," Bobby reported proudly.

"Where'd you learn that?"

"Miss Gwen taught me." This time the feeling of sadness was there but did not overpower him.

Both boys cummed almost at the same time and pumped their loads all over themselves and Bobby. It was a sticky mess, but their morning shower would take care of that. The three of them were soon asleep in Bobby's bed, a tangle of naked arms and legs.

It didn't take many more nights of instruction, until Bobby was proficient with hands, mouth, lips and tongue. It's not hard when you have such able teachers… and such an eager pupil.

One morning, Alfred was mystified when none of the three boys appeared for their early morning chores. Going to their room, he discovered Bertie unconscious in his bed, bound hand and foot and gagged. A small pile of ropes and other restraint gear lay beside his bed and the window was open.

Bobby and Timmy were gone!

An immediate alarm was sounded and the entire grounds were searched, to no avail. Sir Robert … indeed the whole estate… was devastated. It was speculated that the kidnappers must have sought Bertie as well, but were forced to abandon their task before they could finish. Significantly, one of the cooks… a recent hire… was also missing.

In Britain, as in North America, the slavery issue attracted a wide spectrum of thought. On the one hand were the Abolitionists who wished to do away with slavery entirely. They held four seats in Parliament but were not considered a credible force.

The vast majority were content to continue slavery in some form although the Liberals wished to see it modified and become less cruel. The Tories… currently in power… were quite satisfied with the status-quo.

On the fringe of the far right, however, lurked a sinister, well-hidden group calling themselves 'England First'. They advocated the immediate execution of all slaves, male and female, once they reached puberty. They had no voice in government, but staged periodic kidnappings of boy slaves just into puberty and ritually sacrificed them simply for their shock value. Since slaves were considered property, even when apprehended, the perpetrators could only be charged with theft or destruction of property. The abduction of Bobby and Timmy was clearly their work.

Bobby had awakened during the night, suddenly aware there were intruders in the room. But, before he could even shout, a cloth containing some noxious fluid was pressed over his face and all went black.

The abductors had cut all the phone lines and it was almost noon until the depth of their actions could be assessed. Several of Sir Robert's neighbors had been visited as well. Eight boy-slaves were missing and the police had no clue where the criminals were headed. They would have to wait until the kidnappers showed their hand. And that meant a ritual murder of one of the unfortunate slaves.

They did not have to wait long.

The next morning, a small town about 100 km [60 mi] northwest of them awoke to find themselves the scene of a horrible atrocity. A cross hand been planted just outside the city gate and a young teen was crucified upon it. To further add to the boy's pain and torment, a battery powered vibrator had been shoved up his ass. That had the effect of keeping the lad in an almost continuous state of orgasm until he finally succumbed from shock and loss of blood. A sign affixed to the cross proclaimed, "THIS IS THE FATE OF ALL SLAVES WHEN WE TAKE POWER."

He was still alive when they found him, but, despite heroic efforts, he died on the way to hospital. Two bystanders, strangers in the town, watched the scene with interest. "He's still alive." "Yes, we shall have to start earlier." And they melted away into the crowd.

When Bobby awoke, it was to find himself tightly hogtied, blindfolded and gagged at the bottom of a pile of naked boys in some sort of a packing case that was being transported by truck. He managed to scrape off the blindfold and could see Timmy lying beside him, weeping with fright. With the other boys on top of him, it was hard to breathe or move.

They traveled all day and finally stopped when it was dark. But they were given no water or food and, by this time, the ones on the bottom were covered with vomit, urine and feces of the ones on top. One of the boys on top was taken away.

Another day of travel and they were all suffering greatly from dehydration. That night, another boy was taken off the pile. The could hear his muffled screams through his gag and it sounded like the thugs were building something,

With three boys gone, it was a bit easier to move and Bobby managed to slip his bonds. He removed Timmy's gag and started to untie him.

"No, Bobby!" Timmy whispered to him urgently. "You're loose! There's no time. You must escape!"

"I won't leave without you," Bobby replied stubbornly.

"You must go for help! You're little! They won't miss you! Run for help!"

Bobby reluctantly agreed and when the truck slowed at an intersection of two roads and turned right, he jumped down and ran in the opposite direction. The weather had turned cold and he was half frozen, but he pressed on. His feet were being torn to shreds by the rough gravel, but still he did not slack. Finally, he saw the light from a small farm-stead.

Stumbling up to the door with his last ounce of energy, he pounded on it and yelled weakly, "Help! We've been kidnapped!" When the crofter opened to see what the commotion was, Bobby fell heavily into the little cottage.

"There are five of us left and they're killing us!" That was all he could manage as he passed out.

The crofter and his wife had heard the news about the latest kidnappings and he quickly ran to the nearest town to alert the police. The kidnappers had just finished nailing their next screaming victim's right hand to the crosspiece when the police descended upon them.

When Bobby awoke, the crofter's wife was cradling him in her arms and crooning a lullaby to him. He was no longer a baby, but her arms felt so good and he just lay there feeling her love. Seeing him awake, she began to feed him sips of broth. His feet were torn and caked with blood, but they were the only things that really hurt. But he was still desperately tired and soon dropped off to sleep again.

It was daylight when he next awoke, propped up in the lady's bed. "Ooch, young laddie! Yer little more than a bairn! Have a bit more broth, will ye. I shan't want your master to think we didna treat you properly."

"My master? Sir Robert?"

"He's on his way to ya, laddie."

And, at that moment a police helicopter settled onto the ground beside the cottage. Sir Robert came bursting into the room and flung himself onto Bobby, crying like an infant. "Oh, Bobby, Bobby. Once more I let evil attack you."

"Master, please. It's not your fault! Sir Ken taught me that men do bad things sometimes, just like my bothers did. Please, Master. I'm just happy to be back in your arms. How is Timmy?"

"He's Ok. Exhausted, thirsty and hungry. He told me how you managed to escape and run for help. From the looks of your feet, you must have run for quite a distance. We'll get you to hospital and get you patched up straight away."

"Master, do you remember what I said after you had to beat me? That I knew you loved me? And I know you really do and Bertie and Timmy, too. As long as I know that, Master, I can bear anything."

Sir Robert turned to the woman who had been observing all this in the background. "It's good to see a master who truly loves his wee servants," she said. 'He is fortunate to have you."

He thanked her and wanted to give her something for taking care of Bobby. "Nay, Sir Robert! Seeing him in your arms is payment aplenty. Here in the Highlands, it's love what counts."

Despite his promise, Sir Robert had difficulty finding a hospital or doctors who would treat the kidnapped boys. After all, they were just slaves. But he finally found a young practitioner in Wales who agreed to treat them. The young man confided to Sir Robert that he had once been a slave, too and knew what it was like to be ignored. He had a club foot that had not been treated when he was just a slave-boy.

Bobby had to endure several hours while the doctor removed the tiny pieces of gravel, imbedded in his lacerated soles. It hurt like hell, but was vital if the lacerations were to heal properly and he was to walk normally again. The other boy's wrist needed reconstructive surgery, but would always be handicapped. A terrible price as the boy had showed great talent as an illustrator.

The village church was crowded to the rafters, priority given to the families of the abducted boys. Three small caskets, each covered by a Union Jack stood in the front by the altar.

But, notable by his presence was one figure: His Majesty, William III, sat in the front row surrounded by the five boys who had survived, all dressed in simple slave tunics. One boy his arm in a cast and Bobby his feet swathed in bandages.

Dressed in a simple workman's tunic, William sat holding Bobby's hand on his left and Rupert's undamaged hand on his right. Bobby was enthralled; the King held his hand! And spoke to him, a mere slave! As he reported later, "His Majesty is nice, just like a real person. He said he hoped I would be his friend!"

The village curate welcomed everyone, offered a short prayer and then turned the pulpit over to Sir Robert.

Robert looked out over the congregation, at the faces of his friends and neighbors, three families of whom were in deep mourning. At the faces of the many children, slave and free, who had come with their parents to say goodbye to three of their own.

Clearing his throat, he began, "If the truth were told, many of us really don't think overly much about our young slaves. We may value them for their lives in our families. We may be fond of them. We may even love them as our own children. But, I suspect, we rarely think about what their experience enslaved means to them until calamity… as we have witnessed this past week… strikes."

"If we are honest, we mostly think of them for the economic value they bring to our households. They are… no matter how much we profess to love them… property, under the law, much like cattle and farm implements. We simply don't see them as the finest creations of God's infinite wisdom."

"For each child, slave or free, is God's pledge to us that man will survive. That He will not abandon us."

"We simply accept their status without question, failing to even take time to think about how and why they were enslaved. Were they guilty of some heinous crime? Do they have some serious character defect? The answer, of course, is, 'No'. Their former lives and families have been swept away by accident or disease; or they may have simply been abandoned by their birth parents."

"And so we care for them by making them slaves. No matter how much we profess to cherish them, even as much as our natural born sons and daughters, they are still slaves!"

"And we keep our taxes low!" This last statement caused great uncomfortable shifting among the onlookers.

"Three fine, young boys have been taken from us. Three boys who will never have the opportunity to grow up and stand as free persons. They will never know the joys of their own sons and daughters. Or proudly serve this empire we all love. Why? Because we failed to protect them in their hour of need."

"None of us can fully understand the heartbreak of their parents. Two of my boys were taken. Thankfully, they were spared but only through the luck of the draw. If my Timmy and Bobby had perished instead of Christopher and Arthur and Sean, I do not believe I should have the strength to stand before you today. I salute their parents, as we all do, for their bravery on this sad occasion."

"You may wonder why their coffins are draped with our flag, as those of our soldiers are when they give their sacrifice on the field of battle. Well, I tell you these boys are soldiers… in the great battle between good and evil, between that which is noble and honorable and that which is dishonorable and debased. And they have paid the ultimate sacrifice."

"His Majesty at first sought to honor them with a place in the Children's Corner at Westminster. But, their families and I disagreed and he demurred. They should lie here close to friends and family. Perhaps, they will serve to remind us all of our failure to protect them. And, perhaps, they will encourage us to regard them and all our children as the gifts from God they truly are."

"Christopher and Arthur and Sean, we bid you goodbye for a time. I am sure the Lord God of Hosts was there at the Gates of Heaven to welcome you, 'Well done, boys. You haven been faithful sons and true. Enter into My joy!' As your friend and neighbor, I shall grieve with you."

As Sir Robert finished, a small girl approached with five red roses on a white satin pillow. She offered one to each of the boys in the front row. One by one, each boy rose and went forward to place his rose on one of the coffins. When it was Bobby's turn, William realized he would have trouble walking even that short distance. He was about to scoop Bobby up and carry him forward in his arms, but Bobby shook his head. He did allow William to assist him as he slowly and painfully hobbled forward so he could lay his tribute on a coffin.

Returning to their places, William beckoned the other four to him. Enfolding them in his arms, he told each of them, "You have been very brave and I salute you!" Bobby's bandages were soaked with blood.

Once more, the perpetrators of the ghastly deed could only be charged with theft. But, aroused by the fierce indignation of the people, Parliament quickly passed an act extending to Class Two Slaves most of the protections against injury and abuse enjoyed by free children and held their owners accountable for their health and well-being. In this they were far ahead of other parts of the Empire.

A surprising side effect of the Act was the enthusiasm of the police to move quickly against a number of notorious slave abusers, hail them into court, deprive them of their slaves and mete out punishing fines and/or jail terms. In the course of their investigations, the authorities discovered one of them was the real power behind the 'England First' movement. A member of a once well-regarded noble family, he was charged with high treason. Convicted, he was the first miscreant executed by beheading in the Tower of London in several centuries.

Deprived of its 'root', the movement quickly withered away.

Life at Chartwell slowly returned to 'normal'. But, innocence had been badly shattered and it would be many months before Timmy could throw off the demons of those few days of terror. For Bobby, it was replay, of sorts; he had experienced despair and terror before and had overcome it with Peter's help. This, time, he healed himself, and Timmy and even Sir Robert who held himself responsible… much too responsible… for their time of trial.

Unable to walk at first, Bobby was more or less confined until Bertie and Timmy took over the job of transporting him piggy-back. After some weeks, he protested their solicitous help and Alfred finally had to step in. "No more carrying Bobby, you two. He needs to get those feet toughened up again."

"Yes, Sir," the twins replied. Bobby was given a pair of sandals to wear, but it wasn't long before he was able to abandon them and resume his barefoot existence.

Although he still thought sadly about Peter and the others, he no longer allowed those feeling to immobilize him and they faded with time. Instead he concentrated on being the very best slave he could imagine. Rather than doing his chores and schoolwork because they were required, he began to take delight in pleasing Alfred and Mrs. Crawford and… most of all… Sir Robert. He lost some of his baby-fat and was growing into a very handsome boy. "All he needed," Alfred remarked, "was harp, halo and wings and he could join the heavenly host."

Sir Robert lavished attention on all three boys. Often they were invited into his sitting room in the evening to watch TV or a movie. The tasks Alfred assigned and the schoolwork became progressively more difficult but friendly competition among the three kept them striving to outdo one another. Although three years younger than the twins, Bobby more than held his own.

When it came to physical activity, 'Higher, Faster, Farther' was each one's motto. As their bodies began to mature and harden, each of them could be outdoors in mid-winter dressed in only their slave coverings without even thinking about discomfort.

Emotionally, Bobby's ego was still a little frail, but once he made his mind up about something, nothing could frighten him. Indeed, Alfred and Sir Robert marveled at the depth of understanding this eight-year-old boy possessed. "He thinks things through, decides on a course of action and, then plunges ahead," Alfred told Sir Robert. "He understands things that some adults have trouble with!"

"Hmm! Reminds me of another young boy I once knew. Named Alfred!"

"No, Sir Robert, he is much more astute than I ever was," replied his sacristan.

Intellectually, Mrs. Crawford knew how to challenge him and she soon had him reading well above his age level. She had access to all the classics and other books in Sir Robert's extensive library and constantly tempted him with new adventures in print. His math needed a bit of work, but that was coming along.

In this way, the months rolled by and soon Bobby had been at Chartwell for more than a year.

He had turned nine and the twins, at twelve, were poised on the brink of adolescence.

One evening, they were together in their quarters when Bobby noticed something when the twins removed their slave coverings. He thought they had been rather fidgety most of the day; maybe this was why.

Their boy parts were encased in soft plastic cage!

"What's that for?" he asked them.

"We're going to be sperm donors," explained Bertie.

"Those things keep us from cumming," added Timmy. "We're not allowed to cum for a whole week."

Bobby's eyes grew big. "A whole week?"

"I don't want to talk about it," declared Bertie. "I'm so horny right now I can hardly stand it! And it's only been one day!"

Bobby could see the contraptions forced their penises down between their legs. There was no way they could get an erection.

Everyone spent a restless night in there own beds.

The next morning, before school, Bobby went to see Sir Robert. From his 'position' he asked, "Please, Master. May I ask a question?"

"Certainly Bobby. What's puzzling that little blonde head of yours?"

"Master, Bertie and Timmy say they are going to be sperm donors. And they have a funny thing over their boy parts."

"You know what sperm is, don't you?" Sir Robert asked him.

"Yes, Master."

"Well the sperm from young boys is sought after by medical researchers. And most of it comes from young slaves. So, Bertie and Timmy are going to give some of theirs. They will be paid well and will have a nice sum to take with them when they go to a new family one day."

"Oh!"

"Bobby, every slave in my household has this opportunity, if they wish it, once they are old enough. You will, too, when you are old enough to ejaculate. That means to squirt sperm when you cum."

"But, Master, that thing covering their boy parts, keeps them from cumming."

"Yes, they must refrain from ejaculating for a week so they have enough sperm stored up for a full donation. I know you all have fun every night before you go to sleep, and this spoils you fun, but just for a week."

Bobby was in a state of shock! Master knew?

Seeing his look of panic, Sir Robert sought to comfort him. Enfolding his little slave in his arms, he told him, "I was a young boy once too. I remember all the fun my friends and I had. Your fun with Bertie and Timmy is quite ok. You're just going to have to give it up for a week."

Incredulous, Bobby had difficulty imagining Sir Robert as a young boy doing 'naughty' things. But he became a believer when Sir Robert told him, "I had a special friend and we did sixty-nine whenever we had the opportunity. The twins can tell you what that is."

"They already have … ooops."

Sir Robert chuckled, "I see. Well, would you like to help them through this?"

"Oh, yes, Master!"

"Good! On Saturday, when the nurse comes to collect their donation, you can help them make it."

"How, Master?"

"Be patient until Saturday. Now, you had better get off to school."

The rest of the week was pure hell for the twins. They tried everything they could to take their minds off their imprisoned penises and balls. But their bodies cried out for release and they spent their nights in sexual agony. Bobby, tied his best to help, but he, too, missed their nightly 'games'. The only thing he could have done to relieve their torment would have been to suck them off. And, that was impossible.

Saturday eventually came… was it only one week? Bobby, along with the twins, was sent to a room in the small dispensary. Two padded tables had been set up; each had a large hole in the middle.

The twins removed their slave coverings and were strapped down on the tables with their boy parts protruding through the holes. Their hands and arms were securely fastened over the heads and their legs wide apart offering complete access.

At the nurse's direction, Bobby blindfolded them and removed the devices that had tortured them. Both boys sprung immediate erections, their pre-cum dripping in the floor. "Now," she told him, "I want you to 'milk' them." And she gave him several containers for each of them. He understood her meaning and began to stroke Bertie's steel-hard boy-pole with one hand, aiming it at the container he held in his other hand.

With a scream of ecstasy, Bertie filled two containers with his boy cream and lay gasping as his twin pleaded from the other bed, "Please, Bobby! Do me before I burst."

Bobby obliged and another two containers of the precious stuff was ready for the lab.

The nurse insisted on a second round, with less spectacular results and Bobby again drove them both completely out of their minds. Before a third round, he had to stop and relieve his own hard problem.

By this time, the twins were so wiped out, they could not even move off the tables once their restraints were removed. "It's a tough way to earn £200," he observed.

By dinner time, the twins were still too weak to help, so Bobby served the meal by himself.

"Well, how was your science lesson this afternoon?" Sir Robert asked him.

He squeaked and almost dropped the salad he was carrying. Turning bright red, he stammered until Sir Robert laughed and waved him along. To make matter worse, his own prick became rock hard, very evident from the 'tent' in his slave covering. Managing somehow to serve the salad, he hastily retreated to the kitchen, where the entire staff was in hysterics.

Alfred was there to sweep him into his arms. Oh, Bobby, he would never ask anyone else that question. That's how much he loves you!"

"Well, it was embarrassing!" Bobby huffed, before breaking into a fit of giggles.

An important milestone passed, it would soon be time for the twins' adoption and manumission. Sir Robert, determined to fulfill his promise to them, invested much of his time in selecting the right candidates.

One evening they burst into the slave quarters, grabbed Bobby and danced wildly around, nearly terrifying their young compatriot. "Bobby! Bobby! Sir Robert has found us a family! They're coming to visit tomorrow!" At once, both happy and sad, he joined in their celebration. He was happy for them. But he was a little sad, too. He would be loosing two friends and would be alone again.

The young couple Sir Robert had chosen had recently come into some money and had invested in a property at Kinloch Rannoch, near Aviemore in Scotland. They had started to develop the property into a world-class ski resort. In the summer they planned to offer a quiet retreat for artists, writers and scholars. While the two boys were thrilled with the idea of learning to ski and becoming ski instructors, the intellectual and artistic summer visitors might awaken who knows what kinds of hidden talents they possessed.

They spent the afternoon with their prospective parents and found them to be loving and deeply interested in them. That evening the three boys served Sir Robert and his guests, Arthur and Sandra McGreggor, flawlessly and with flair.

The next step in the vetting process was for the twins to spend several days at Kinloch Rannock. They returned with glowing reports. A better match between boys and parents seemed unlikely.

"When Mrs. McGreggor held me in her arms, I just cried!" Timmy reported, seemingly distressed.

"What's wrong with that?" asked Bobby.

"I'm not a baby anymore! I'm twelve!" scoffed Timmy.

"So! It's OK to cry when you need to no matter how old you are. Master does!"

Sir Robert listened to the by-play filled with awe. "He couldn't be just nine-years-old!" he marveled. But it made him more determined than ever to find the 'perfect' match when Bobby's time came.

The necessary negotiations were concluded, the proper petitions drawn and the court was invited to sit at Chartwell.

The premier day dawned sunny and pleasant, a perfect day for the ceremonies to be held right after lunch. Bobby had been given the honor of leading the two boys to their soon-to-be parents. He brought them in… hands symbolically cuffed in front of them and at the end of short chains… and the three of them sank to their positions before the judge and the McGreggors.

Arthur McGreggor motioned for them to stand and asked Bobby, "Young slave, who do you bring to us?"

"I bring you Bertram and Timothy Welton," Bobby answered as he had been coached. "They wish to honor you with their lives and become your sons." And he handed one of the chains to each of the McGregors before he bowed low and retreated to stand by Sir Robert. He put his arm around the little boy's shoulder and gave him a quick hug.

The petitions were read and approved, decelerations were made and the ceremony ended when the judge announced, "Who will strike off the fetters from these free persons?" Sir Robert advanced, key in hand, and the cuffs and chains were soon on the floor. Receiving a warm hug from each, he returned to his place as Alfred came forward with new clothes for each of them, his personal gift.

Their parents quickly dressed them… Bobby thought they looked strange in clothes and he confided to Sir Robert, "I thought they looked nicer without clothes,"… before presenting their new sons to the applause of the company.

Completely spontaneously, Bobby ran forward and prostrated himself before the two started boys. "I greet you as free persons and worthy of my respect." They looked at him with shocked expressions.

Finally, Tim… they were Bert and Tim, now, very grown-up… found his voice. He leaned down, took Bobby by the shoulders, and raised him. "Bobby," he said, "you are correct. We are free boys and you are a slave. But you have been our friend and will be forever. After all, you saved me from a horrible death. Please do not ever kneel to us again. We are equals, now and forever." Three sets of eyes were filled with tears.

Sir Robert had assigned Bobby to be personal attendant to Bert and Tim for the remainder of their stay, so he stood proudly behind their chairs at dinner that evening. As usual, he had eaten earlier, but every so often one of the twins would turn and offer him a 'goodie' from the table. The first time, he hesitated and looked to Sir Robert for guidance. Sir Robert laughed and mouthed, "Enjoy!" to his young slave. They continued to ply him with more and more until he finally told them, "Please sirs! No more! I'm fit to burst!" His voice had carried throughout the dining room and everyone burst into laughter and applause. Bobby turned beet red all over.

Later that evening, the three of them stood in the guest room Sir Robert had assigned to them next to their parents' room. Bobby was dressed in only his slave covering and the twins were clearly chafing in their new splendor.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" asked Tim.

"Your instructions, Sir."

"What's this 'Sir' stuff? I'm Tim, or have you forgotten us already?" he smirked.

"Don't be nasty," admonished his brother with an elbow into his ribs. "He's trying very hard to please us."

"OK. Bobby, please call us by our names like you always do. And please undress us like you always do."

"Thank you Tim. I don't want to be disrespectful to my good friends." And he set about the task of stripping them. Over the months they had evolved a way of removing even their slave coverings so they emerged naked and hard. Tonight it would just take a little longer.

"At dinner," said Bert, "you told us you were too full to eat anything else. Does that include cream?"

In answer, Bobby tackled him and forced him down on the big bed. Spreading Bert's legs, he wiggled up between them and sucked the boy's balls into his mouth. After giving them a good tongue washing he settled down on the rigid pole waving in front to his nose.

Bert snorted, gasped and bucked like an unbroken horse as Bobby's tongue and lips drove him into ecstasy. Bobby hung on for dear life and quickly brought him to a shuddering, creamy climax.

Repeating the performance with Tim, Bobby sat there with a huge grin on his face waiting for two boys to return to earth from the universe into which they had been hurled.

"MAN! That was awesome! How will we ever…?"

"You'll just have to be satisfied with me."

"Yeah, but your tongue work isn't nearly as good."

And the three of them dissolved into giggling fits.

Then, it was Bobby's turn. Laying him out flat, they started with full body caressing. Arms, chest, nipples, tummy, legs and thighs all got a sensuous stroking. When his moans and gasps came freely, Bert went down on Bobby's prick and shoved his finger into the little boy's tight hole. Tim, meanwhile, rolled his balls in one hand and clamped his other hand over Bobby's mouth… he tended to squeal loudly during his orgasm. It came on strong and this time there was a tiny bit of fluid. At nine? Why not? These were very sexy boys.

After Bobby recovered, they all cuddled together and were soon fast asleep.

By noon the next day they were gone.

That evening Sir Robert invited Bobby to sit with him after his evening chores were done. "Why so glum, my little slave?" He knew why, but wanted hear it from Bobby.

"Master, the house seems so empty without them."

Sir Robert nodded in agreement. You really miss them, don't you?"

"Yes, Master. They were very good friends. They helped me when I first came. And I feel really close to Tim since our, our."

"You have shared a life and death experience with Tim. Much like two soldiers on the battlefield. Men who do that often feel a closeness that others may not."

"But, now they are gone," Bobby sniffed, "and I'll never see them again."

"You'll be free one day soon and perhaps your new parents will take you to visit them."

"And to your North American Family, too," he thought.

Bobby sat silently for a while. Sir Robert could tell he had something other than Bert and Tim's departure on his mind, something that was triggered by it though.

"Master, at first when I came here, I was sad and angry the court would not let me go back to North America. Then I remembered how you suffered… and how brave you were… when you had to beat me. You gave me a home, even if I was a slave. This is now my home and I love you and everyone here. Being a slave has been good for me. I will know what it is like to be a slave. When I am free I will look with love on slaves and honor them for their lives."

Sir Robert listened with wonder. The boy might only be nine-years-old, but he had figured it out. "Yes, at first I thought they were punishing you, but then I began to see it differently. And I promise you again, you will have a good family, here in Great Britain."

The both sat quietly for a while.

Summoning his courage, Bobby asked, "Master, a slave has no right to ask this of you. Will you adopt me when my term is finished?" And he looked up a Sir Robert, eyes full of hope.

There it was! Out on the table at last!

Sir Robert closed his eyes as if in pain. "Bobby, you have every right to ask that question and I am deeply honored that you would choose me." He motioned for the little boy to come to his arms. "If it were up to me, I would adopt you in a minute."

Bobby sensed what was coming, and the look of hope faded.

"But I cannot. The King has forbidden it."

"Why? Is it something I did wrong? Is it that I was condemned to die? Why?" he sobbed.

"It's none of those things, my little love. Our family, the Crowell's, have a title that goes back seven centuries. I have no male descendents, so when I pass away the title will go to my younger brother or one of his three sons. If I were to adopt you, that would place the succession in question. His Majesty will not permit that. And I must, reluctantly, agree with him."

"Then, could I just live here as your slave. I wouldn't mind."

"No, Bobby. That would be very unfair to you. You need parents who are young and vital. Who can introduce you to that wide world out there… a world that has been mostly kept from you. Not an old man!"

"You are not an old man," protested Bobby. Sir Robert just left that remark pass.

"Bobby, you are a very special child. A miracle, really. I have never seen such courage and understanding in one so young in years. Courage to have endured a childhood that would have utterly destroyed most boys. Courage to emerge from that nightmare completely without hatred. Courage to trust."

"When you first came here, we had to learn to trust each other. My greatest fear when I had to beat you was that you might end up hating me. But even as the blows landed, I saw in your eyes a trust so pure that it was unbelievable."

"I remember," added Bobby, "being afraid you might not be strong enough to finish and I would be hung. But, somehow I knew you would not fail and I could trust you. Just like Peter told me I could."

"Thank you for sharing that, Bobby. And I will find you the very best parents a boy could have. It may take a while, as I must find very special ones to match a very special young man."

Bobby kissed him, bowed low, and went off to his, now empty, slave quarters.

But still the estate did seem empty without Bertie and Timmy. Without the other two boys to challenge him, Bobby began to pine for his North American family again. He did his chores and schoolwork well, but at night he often wept for his beloved Peter. "You know," Alfred reported to Sir Robert, "he's very depressed since the twins left. He's focusing on the family he lost and not on the future."

"I know," he replied. "Since I told him I can't adopt him, he seems sad and disoriented. He just doesn't think he will ever have a 'permanent' family and I can understand that. He needs some sort of a challenge to focus on. I know Mrs. Crawford tries hard, but even she has noticed that change."

"Well, I hope we can find one soon. I can't bear to see the little guy so sad."

Several days later, Bobby was hard at work on his chores, It was Saturday and there was no school and, he was helping the head wrangler take an inventory of the stable supplies when Alfred came seeking him. "Bobby, please go to your bunk and shower. You'll find a new slave covering and tunic there. Put them on and then go see Sir Robert."

"Yes sir," replied the boy. "Please sir, what is happening? I know it's too soon to find me a family. Did I do something bad?"

"No, little one. Just be patient and do as I said. You are not in any trouble, trust me."

"I'm sorry sir. I have been disrespectful. I should be punished."

"Bobby, I was a young slave once, too." Bobby was astounded! He hadn't known that. "So I know how you feel. Just trust me. Now go and get your shower."

"Yes sir. Straight away, sir!" And he dashed off to his bunk.

There he found a new slave covering, silver colored, and a tunic of pale blue with the Crowell coat-of-arms embroidered on the front. It was longer that his previous tunics and covered him nicely to the tops of his legs. After scrubbing himself extra clean, he donned his new finery and went off to find his master.

He found Sir Robert in the sitting room and immediately started to go to his 'position' but Sir Robert told him to stand and come to him. In the corner, he could see two quite young boys, naked and filthy, cowering in their shackles.

"Bobby, I've decided it is time for the next phase of your training."

"Yes, Master!"

"Just be quiet and listen, please." Bobby nodded.

"These two imps are Marcus, age seven, and Timothy age six… he's called 'Timo'. They are brand new slaves and you are going to be in charge of them."

"Master, I will do my best to help train them."

"No, you're going to be completely in charge of them. You will be their 'prefect'. They will, in effect, be your slaves."

Bobby had a moment of panic. What did Master want from him?

"Let me tell you about them. They come from the slums of London. The authorities have no idea where or who their father is. Their mother is a dope addict and has let them run wild. They got into trouble when they broke a shop window and stole some sweets. The court sentenced them to six years enslaved, and I bought them."

"For you!"

"For me?" Bobby squeaked.

"Yes. If you're some day going to be free, you need to know how to handle slaves. So, you're going to learn from the ground up, so to speak."

"Master, you know I will do my very best, but I-I-I!"

"You will do fine, Bobby. When have you ever shied away from a challenge?"

"Yes, Master."

"Now for some rules. They have been told your are their boss and they must obey you without question. They are to call you, sir. As you can see, they are very frightened and you will have to enforce discipline upon them. I hope you can do so by words and example, but if they need it, you must paddle them. You must use only your hand and use it well. Every time you do so, you must report it to Alfred and he will give you the same number of strokes."

Bobby winced. He knew how hard Alfred could paddle.

"They will start school on Monday, so you have the weekend to whip them into shape. Alfred will give you assignments for all three of you, but you must decide how to split them up."

The enormity of his new position staggered Bobby and he began to tremble.

"Bobby, you have been through this yourself. What's the first thing you had to learn?"

"Trust, Master!"

"That's going to be hard for these hellions. They have never trusted anyone, not parents, not friends, no one. But you have a way of projecting your love on others and I am sure you will overcome their distrust."

"Master, you have honored me more than I can ever deserve. I've been thinking too much lately about Peter and his family and I am ashamed. I should be punished." He looked down at his feet.

"Let's not go through that again, please. You have more than earned my trust. I am confident you will do marvelously."

Bobby bowed low with his forehead on the floor. "Thank you, Master! Thank you." He got up and went over to the two boys.

"Stand up," he told them. "I am your prefect and you will do whatever I tell you."

There was nothing but defiance in those two sets of eyes, but they did as they were told.

"May I please have their shackles taken off?" Alfred had come in and he handed Bobby a key. He unlocked their handcuffs and leg irons and removed them. Holding them in front of the two boys, he told them, "You will never wear these again in this house."

The two boys stared back at him, shaking from head to foot. Bowing to Sir Robert and Alfred, he grasped each boy by his hand and led them out of the room and down the hall to the slave quarters.

Two new bunks had been installed and he assigned each boy to one of them and told them to sit down. "You are now in your new home. You will always have enough to eat and a place in this family where you will be safe and loved. If you obey me and cooperate and learn the lessons I will teach you, you will have a pleasant life here. If you don't, I will paddle your little asses raw. The choice is yours. Now come here."

He held out his arms to them. At first they did not move. Suddenly, they threw themselves into his embrace and cried piteously. They cried for what seemed like hours and he just sat and held them. "It's probably the first time in a long time anyone has shown them some love," he thought.

When the tears, at last, subsided, he took them off to the showers. Both the tykes were astounded to find the water warm and eagerly allowed Bobby to scrub away the dirt and grime they had accumulated. To be sure, Bobby loved caressing their soft, warm bodies and the two of them… even as young as they were… responded to his touch in the way boys do, with erections to match his.

Drying them off, he helped them into their slave coverings and led them off to dinner.

After they had eaten, telling them exactly what to do, the three of them served Sir Robert and his party. There were a few spilled things, for which they were corrected, but none worthy of smacks on their little bubble-butts. Sir Robert gave Bobby a broad wink which said, "Good work!"

That night, Bobby had two shaking boys in his bed. They were terrified of the dark, terrified at what was going to happen to them, but not quite so terrified of this prefect. He seemed to genuinely like them. Perhaps life here wouldn't be so bad after all. At least they had had enough to eat and were warm, for one of the few times in their short lives.

Monday was a disaster! They were impudent to Mrs. Crawford, fought with the two free boys and generally created chaos. Bobby was near tears and the teacher told him, "They are going to be a tough case. But you have made a start and I understand what you are up against. Don't worry that I will punish you for their bad behavior. And I will not punish them, either. That's your job."

That night, both Marcus and Timo had their asses blistered before Bobby sent them off to bed, sobbing. Then, he reported to Alfred and received forty-two of Alfred's best spanks. His ass hurt like fire, but he was able to keep from crying. And afterward, Alfred hugged him, but he would have to eat breakfast standing up.

Returning to the slave quarters he found the two of them waiting in his bed. "Do you see what my ass looks like? You caused that. Now, get out of my bed! When you learn to behave yourselves, I might invite you back."

A new round of wails ensued as they tearfully took to their individual bunks. Bobby slept on his tummy without blankets, trying desperately to cool his burning buns. His mistake, he realized, had been to spank them while he was still angry with them for their behavior. He would not make that error again. He would spank them, yes. But not full of anger.

But, still they mostly misbehaved. Yes, they had some good days, but not good enough that he invited them to share his bed. One night, after he had received his six swats from Alfred, he continued to lie over his lap, allowing Alfred to play with his ass. When he didn't leave after their hug, Alfred immediately realized what Bobby was too proud to ask. "This isn't working, is it?"

"No Sir," Bobby answered, hanging his head.

"May I suggest a different approach?"

"Oh, yes Sir! Please.!"

"Find something they really like and tell them they must earn it every day. Now, you can't withhold food, but what do they like most?"

"Well, sleeping in my bed with me. And having me wash them in a warm shower."

"All right, tell them they must earn those things every day."

It was that simple? Why hadn't he thought of that? He suddenly realized that spanking them had not demonstrated either trust or love. Only that he could beat them up. And he was ashamed.

"Sir," he told Alfred, "I should have thought of that before. That's how you and Master treated me."

"You would have, sooner or later. But you forgot one important thing. It's OK to ask me for help."

The next morning, he gave them the new rules. "I'm not going to paddle you any more unless you're really, really bad. Do you still want to sleep in my bed with me?" They nodded. "Would you like me to wash you like the first night you were here?" They nodded vigorously.

"If you behave yourselves, I'll let you back in my bed and I'll wash you. If you don't, it's cold showers and your own bunks." He knew they hated the cold showers; the water was frigid. And they were still very frightened at night.

From then on, one of them succeeded in earning a place in his bed most nights. More often it was both of them. And, truthfully, he liked the feel of their naked skin next to his. Even at their young ages, they liked to fool around a bit. The streets had taught them early. He taught them how to kiss… really kiss… but that would be the extent of their sexual education for a while.

In an amazingly short time, the two hellions became somewhat civilized slaves, eager to please and hard working. The spankings became less necessary and Bobby's ass did not glow in the dark any more. So, his hardest task with them became deciding how to split up the increasingly difficult assignments Alfred provided. Both Alfred and Sir Robert were simply astounded at how well Bobby led them and how well the two boys responded. And they went out of their way to tell Bobby so.

For the first time in his young life, he understood what Peter had once told him… that he literally held two young lives in his hands. It was a very wonderful feeling.

Shortly after lunch on a Friday, he was working on his homework while his two charges were helping Cook. Suddenly, Marcus appeared. "Alfred says Master wants to see you right away." Bobby looked at him in surprise. "He said to hurry! He's in the sitting room!" Bobby abandoned his schoolwork and left at a run.

Entering the sitting room, he was about to go to his position when he spied a tall young teen standing with Sir Robert. One glance and he dashed across the room, screaming, "PETER! PETER!"

Peter held out his arms, but just before Bobby reached him, he suddenly dropped to the floor and pressed his face into the carpet.

"Oh, Sir! I have not greeted you properly. I am a mere slave and should be punished for such impudence. Please, Master, punish this unworthy slave who has embarrassed you and brought dishonor to this house."

"I choose to overlook it!" chuckled Sir Robert. Then to Peter who was standing there completely undone, "Ah, Peter, if you don't give him permission to rise, he'll stay there all day."

Peter jumped. "Oh! Yes! Please rise." He continued to look confused. Then, sensing something more was necessary, "Please come to me!"

He reached out once more and Bobby jumped into those waiting arms… those arms he had missed so much.

"Oh, Peter! Is it really you? Oh, Peter, I've missed you so much! Oh, Peter!"

"Yes, It's me, you little urchin! And, I've missed you terrible. But, what's going on? Why did you…?"

"Bobby," Sir Robert interrupted, "Peter is going to be here for two weeks while his parents are in London on business."

"And for a second honeymoon," snickered Peter.

"During that time," continued Sir Robert, "I want you to be his personal servant. That is your only assignment."

"Master, what about Marcus and Timo?"

"I think Alfred can look after them for that time. With luck, he won't indulge them too much."

Bobby went to his knees again, "Thank you, Master, thank you."

"I've had some time to visit with your 'big brother' and he's told me a lot about your time in North America. He's everything you told me he was."

Peter blushed.

"Now, he will have the upstairs guest room. Why don't you show him there and help him get settled."

Bobby bowed, grabbed Peter by the arm and literally dragged the still astonished teen out of the sitting room and upstairs to the guest room.

Once there, he began to unpack Peter's things and put them away. Peter watched for a minute or two. "Bobby?"

"Yes sir?"

Peter lost it! "Please stop calling me, sir. Isn't 'Peter' good enough for you?" He was still shocked and getting angry at Bobby's behavior.

"OK, Peter. I will. I just didn't want to insult you!"

"INSULT ME?" Peter roared. "And what's with all this bowing and 'Sir' and 'Master' stuff? What have they done to you here?"

"Peter," answered Bobby softly, "I love you. You're still my 'big brother' and I will always love you and Miss Gwen and Sir Ken. Please come and sit beside me and I'll try to explain."

Peter was ashamed he had shouted, but he had no experience with slaves and this sudden introduction had rattled him. He sat down beside Bobby, put his arm around him and kissed him. "I'm sorry, little brother. I just didn't understand what was happening. At first, I thought you didn't like me any more."

In answer, Bobby gave him a deep kiss, full on his lips.

"Guess I shouldn't have worried," Peter gasped. "I haven't had a kiss like that since you left."

Bobby giggled. The rift was healed, but he still owed Peter an explanation.

"Peter, you know part of the court's rule was I must be a slave for two years here at Chartwell."

Peter nodded.

"At first, I missed you very much and thought I would never be happy away from you and Miss Gwen and Ken Sir. But you told me I could trust Master and I believed you. And I soon learned he loved me just as much as you all did. And he wanted the very best for me."

"He didn't just love me either! He had to do something that hurt him very much. He had to beat me. The court made him do that, It was terrible; I never felt anything before that hurt so much."

"If he loved you so much, why did he beat you?" snorted Peter,

"If he didn't, they would have hung me that same day!"

Peter was shocked into silence. That was a part of the decision freeing Bobby he hadn't known about. "Was it bad?" he asked with tears in his eyes.

"Yeah!"

Both boys sighed. "He told me it was the worst thing he ever had to do. So I knew he must be very brave and love me very much to do it. He cried afterward!"

"So I decided this would be my new family. I would never stop loving you, but I would have two families. And Master has promised he will find me the best family a boy could want when my term is up. And I know he will keep his promise. So, now I have two families."

"Father told us about the court decision," said Peter, "so I knew you would not be coming back to us. I was very sad, too. I didn't think I wanted to live without you. But knowing you were alive and safe helped me to get over it."

The two of them just sat and held each other for a while.

"So what do they make you do as a slave?" Peter wanted to know.

"I must call him Master and greet other free persons properly. That's called 'slave discipline' and it's what you saw me doing just now. You are a free boy, and I must show you the proper respect. It's not hard and I kind of like doing it. It's a way I can say 'thank you' to everyone for treating me so well and thank Master for giving me this good home."

"All us slaves have work to do and it is hard work, but it helps to make this such a great place, so we are glad to do it. And I get to go to school with other kids and Mrs. Crawford is our teacher and she is cool."

"But the most exciting thing is my two little slaves, Marcus and Timo. I had to train them from the very first and they were in pretty bad shape. They had to learn to trust me just like I had to learn to trust all of you. It was tough, but I remembered how you treated me and it worked. Master honored me very, very much when he gave them to me. You will meet them at dinner, tonight and they are the second most wonderful thing that every happened to me. The first one was you!"

At dinner that evening, Peter insisted that Bobby be allowed to eat with Sir Robert and him. So, after helping the two little ones to serve, he joined them at the table. Marcus and Timo were on their best behavior; they wanted to show Bobby and the others how much they learned.

In their room that evening, Bobby and Peter sat for a while just holding each other quietly. "Does he know about sex?" Peter wondered.

"Dare I? Would he?" Bobby asked himself.

Finally Peter broke the ice. "Bobby, would you like to undress me?"

"Oh, yes!" And he began to slowly remove this big brother's clothes until he was naked. Without further invitation, Peter removed Bobby's slave covering. Embracing each other, they rubbed their stiff pricks together as they indulged in a lengthy kiss. Moving over to the bed, they explored with hands, lips and tongues every bit of each others bodies. For Bobby, it was time to practice all those neat things the twins had taught him. For Peter, it was a replay of the fun he and Tommy used to have in bed.

After they had floated back to earth following their shattering orgasms, they simply held each other for the longest time.

"Where did you learn about all that stuff?" Peter finally asked him.

"Well, we used to have two older boys here. And I'm a boy and they were great teachers." He told them all about the twins. Then he asked, "You and Tommy used to have fun in bed, didn't you?"

"How did you know?"

"Well, when you had a sleep-over, you certainly didn't do much sleeping. I didn't know what you did there together, but you certainly enjoyed it."

"Yeah! It was fun!"

"But you never invited me," Bobby said, wistfully.

"Well, you were still pretty little. And Father thought you had enough to learn without getting into that. I wish I had invited you."

"Did you enjoy tonight?"

"Bobby, it was the most mind-blowing thing I have ever had. Being here with you was just so beautiful. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did."

"Oh yes! It was splendiferous! Do you and Tommy still have fun in bed?"

Peter sighed, "Not for a while. He likes girls now. We'll always be friends, but not like that any more."

"Do you like girls, too?"

"Yeah, but I still like boys, too. I guess I like both," Peter told him. "There's a girl in my class who's pretty neat. We've kissed and I've squeezed her boobs a few times. She seems to like that, so maybe I'll try to go farther. Besides, she has a cute little brother. I've sat with him a few times and he likes to fool around."

"But no one will ever be quite like you, Bobby!"

"And I will never love anyone as much as I do you, Peter!"

When they woke the next morning, Peter sat up in bed. "You know, I was pretty cruddy yesterday. I just didn't understand. But I want to learn. While I'm here, I want to dress like you do and be treated just like you are."

Bobby sat with his mouth open. Peter wanted to be a slave ? Recovering from his shock, he told Peter, "I'll have to ask Alfred if that is possible. I'll be right back." And he ran off looking for the sacristan.

"Please, sir," he said from his position, "I have something rather strange to ask you."

"Well then stand up and ask," replied Alfred, amused.

"Please, sir. My big brother, Peter, wants to be treated like a slave while he's here. He says he wants to know what my life is like. Is that permitted?"

Alfred was shocked for a minute. Then he said, "Hmm! I don't see why not if that is what he wants. But he'll have to be nearly naked no matter who is here and he'll have to observe slave discipline. And he'll have chores to do. Is that OK?"

"Oh Sir, that is very OK. Thank you, thank you!"

"Well, it will certainly be the most unusual treatment of any of Sir Robert's guests. Let me see if I can find some of Timmy's old slave coverings. I think they should fit."

Back in their room, Bobby helped Peter put on the slave covering and get all of Peter's boy parts into the little pouch. "What happens if I get a hardon?" he asked nervously.

"It will show," chuckled Bobby.

"Oh lord, what have I gotten myself into?" thought Peter.

Having been forewarned by Alfred, Sir Robert made no comment about his new teen slave.

At school that morning, Mrs. Crawford welcomed Peter and simply introduced him as Bobby's big brother from North America. Marcus and Timo had already met him but were surprised to see him dressed as a slave. The two free boys, David and Jonathan, could not understand at all why anyone would want to be a slave.

At the end of class, Mrs. Crawford dismissed the others, but asked Bobby and Peter to remain. Without being told, she knew exactly what game was afoot. "Peter, I admire your courage to want to know first-hand what kind of life Bobby has. You are everything he has told us."

"He probably exaggerates," replied Peter, blushing.

"I think not! If not for you, he would have perished. He told me one time about your holding his life in your hand and he was right. Without you and your parents and your determination to demand justice for this fine boy, he wouldn't be with us. And I am honored by your presence in my classroom, if even for only a few days."

"Wow!" though Peter. "Thank you Mrs. Crawford," he said. "No one has ever put it quite that way before."

Alfred had decided to really test Peter's mettle by working both boys to exhaustion. But, for both of them, it was the finest two weeks in their young lives and they beat him at his own game. Their days might be full of hard work, but their nights… their nights!"

Gwen and Ken were due on Saturday, so Friday night, they invited Marcus and Timo to sleep with them. They were ecstatic and outdid themselves proving how much they adored their prefect and, by extension, his big brother.

Saturday morning, Peter's parents were astounded to be met by two slave boys. They were both thrilled when Peter told them about his decision to really experience Bobby's life. As Ken put it, "It was an education none of Peter's peers would ever have."

That night, the two boys made love tenderly and beautifully. Afterward, Bobby began to weep. "What is it, Bobby? What's wrong?"

"Oh, Peter!" he wept. "It has been so wonderful having you here! And tomorrow, you'll go back to North America and I'll never see you again."

"Don't say that, little brother. Don't even think it. We'll see each other again, I promise. Besides, you will always be in my thoughts, no matter where you are. You are very special to me and I will love you forever."

Bobby felt better, but not much. "Master says I'm special, too. But I'm not. I'm just a kid, like you and Marcus and Timo. I've had some lucky things happen to me and your love is one of them. But why am I special?"

"Well, Tommy's dad says all kids are special, gifts from God. But I think Master means you were given a miracle to escape from hanging. Yeah, I helped you become a kid again and got you to believe in yourself, but you had to do all the hard work. And look how you have made it here at Chartwell. And through all of this… from the sad, frightened little boy I first saw in that prison cell to the super-strong leader who showed the way to two other abused boys… you refuse to hate anyone, no matter how badly they treated you. I'd say that's pretty special!"

They spent the rest of the night in each others arms in one long hug.

By noon the next day, Peter, Gwen and Ken were gone.

Peter had only been gone a few weeks when Mrs. Crawford announced they all would have a two-week school vacation. She wanted to visit her sister in Glasgow.

On the Wednesday afternoon before the break, Bobby lay on his bunk relaxing. He and his two slaves had finished their schoolwork and chores, so he had told Marcus and Timo they could go play until it was time for dinner.

He lay there thinking about Peter and the great time they had had during his visit and he dozed off.

A very insistent Timo awakened him, "Sir it's almost time for dinner and I can't find Marcus anywhere."

"Did you two go off and play?" Bobby asked.

"Yes, but David and Jonathan wanted to play a game with him. They said I was too little, so I decided to read about King Arthur instead. Should I have stayed with him, Sir?"

"No Timo. It's all right if you didn't want to play with them. They can be a little cruel sometimes. Where did you see them go?"

"They went toward the stable, Sir. But we're not supposed to go there unless you're with us."

"Let's go and look for him there." Bobby got up and the two of them went to the stable to search for Marcus.

They found him, in the tack room, tied hand and foot. They quickly released him and he sat up looking scared. "You want to tell me what happened?" Bobby asked him.

"Please, Sir. I promised I wouldn't tell," replied Marcus.

Bobby thought for a minute. In a move he regretted later, he decided not to force Marcus to break his promise. But, it was pretty clear who had tied him up. He would have to keep an eye on David and Jonathan.

Friday afternoon, Marcus again went missing. Annoyed with himself and concerned for Marcus, he and Timo searched the stable from top to bottom without success.

Moving on to the main barn, they finally found him in an upper haymow, tied in a tight hogtie and gagged. Lying in the loose straw, he was coughing and choking when they found him. Timo was thoroughly frightened and very upset.

After untying him, Bobby took the boy into his arms. "I know who did this to you, but I want to know why."

He began to cry, "Please Sir, they didn't mean to hurt me."

"Marcus, what they did to you was very dangerous. You could have choked to death. Now I want to know what happened."

"They told me I was just a slave and had to do whatever they told me to or I would be punished," he admitted reluctantly.

"Go on, that's not all of it."

"They made me use my mouth on them and then they tied me up and left me here," came out in a rush.

Bobby was angry with himself. He should have put an end to this tomfoolery the first time it had happened. "Go and get a shower," he told Marcus, "and then both of you get something to eat. I'll handle serving dinner."

When he was the only server who appeared, Sir Robert looked at him puzzled. "I gave them the night off," he explained lamely.

After dinner he went to see Alfred, fully expecting to be punished after he confessed his dereliction. But Alfred assured him he was not in trouble. "I will certainly put an end to that," Alfred told him. "Their father will tan their hides thoroughly! They can't be allowed to abuse a slave."

"Please Sir, if I'm not being impertinent, I have an idea I would like to present to their father. They don't have a clue what it means to be a slave boy." And he told Alfred what he had in mind.

Alfred listened, thought for a minute and then burst out laughing. "That is a marvelous idea! I'll see their father first thing tomorrow."

"Please sir, may I go to him myself? I've worked for him a lot and he knows me pretty well and always has treated me with honor."

Alfred thought for a minute. Then, "All right, go ahead." He was very pleased at Bobby's initiative.

When Bobby got back to the slave quarters, Marcus and Timo were nervously waiting for him. He pulled them into his bed and told them, "Tomorrow morning we are going to see David and Jonathan's father. We're going to teach those two cheeky free boys a lesson they won't soon forget." His two slaves had no idea what he was cooking up, but they trusted him and were soon fast asleep.

The three of them knelt politely in front of David and Jonathan's father until he released them. "What brings you here, Bobby. I can tell by the look on your face it's something important."

"Thank you for seeing us sir. I think you know my slave-trainees, Marcus and Timo." The man nodded. "It gives me much pain to tell you that David and Jonathan have been taking advantage of Marcus and putting him in a very dangerous situation."

"You don't say? Well, we'll certainly find out about that? DAVID, JONATHAN! Get in here."

The two free boys appeared almost instantly and were startled to see their visitors. "What have you been doing to young Marcus."

His sons hemmed and hawed a bit and finally David confessed, "We were playing tie-up."

"But we didn't hurt him," added his brother.

"Young sirs," said Bobby, "you left him alone, tied and gagged and he almost choked to death!"

The two free boys turned white. "We didn't mean it!" they wailed. "It was just for fun."

"YOU DIDN'T MEAN IT?" roared their father. "What makes you think you can abuse another boy, even if he is a slave?" he demanded.

"'Cause we're free boys and he's a slave," asserted Jonathan. "He has to do what we say."

"My God, I've raised two bleeding sadists. I understand about tie-up games. I played them when I was your age. But there is one iron-clad rule: never leave the victim alone. Never!"

"Sir," interjected Bobby, "I don't think they wanted to hurt Marcus. They just didn't understand."

"Well, they certainly will understand when I am finished with them. I promise you they will be eating standing up for a week!" His sons began to tremble and Bobby had no doubt they were not looking forward to their father's punishment.

"Sir, if I'm not being disrespectful, I have an idea that might help them to understand."

"When have you ever been disrespectful, Bobby? Tell me your idea."

"Well sir, I don't think they have any idea what it is like to be a slave. So, for the next two weeks, will you allow them to be slaves? My slaves?"

"Can you handle two more?"

"Yes Sir."

He looked at his two sons, standing there shaking. "Father! You wouldn't!" they wailed.

"Yes I would. It will be good for both of you. You've been getting far too cheeky for your own good. And if I hear even a whisper that you have been disobedient, I might just make it permanent!" By this time both boys were crying openly. "Ok, Bobby, they're yours!"

Bobby turned to Marcus. "Please go to Alfred and tell him I need two slave coverings about your size. He'll know why."

"Yes Sir, Right away, Sir," replied Marcus, running off on his errand. The two boys looked horrified. They would have to wear those?

Bobby strode over to them, "Get your clothes off. You won't be needing them."

"All of them?"

"All of them! And when you're finished, put your hands behind your back and get down on your knees with your forehead on the floor. Don't you dare move until I tell you."

Their father gave Bobby a 'thumbs up'. "They look better all ready," he observed.

"Father!"

"Be quiet," ordered Bobby. "I will tell you when you can speak." Turning to their father, he asked, "May I spank them if they need it, Sir?"

"Absolutely!"

"No! Father, please!"

"I told you miserable slaves to be quiet!" And Bobby gave each of them a smack on their upturned asses. They both jumped, but did not cry out.

Everything was quiet for a few minutes, except for some sobbing, until Marcus returned with the slave coverings. "Alfred Sir says the tell you that he has informed Master there are two new slaves."

"Thank you, Marcus. On your feet you two. Put your hands behind your neck. Since you spoke without permission, Timo will carry your slave coverings."

"But someone will see us!" came the wail. "They'll see our… things!"

"Well, you don't have anything much to show, so that should not be too hard for you," Bobby assured them.

"Marcus, please lead them to the slave quarters. Be sure to take the long route so everyone gets to see our new slaves. When you get there, they are to kneel and wait for me. I'll be along shortly."

"Yes Sir. At once, Sir!" And Marcus led the two crying boys out of the cottage into the morning sunlight.

Turning to their father, Bobby asked, "Are you sure, Sir, you want to do this?"

"Bobby, your idea is a stroke of genius! I think every free boy or girl should have to spend a short time enslaved. It should be part of their education." And he drew Bobby to him and gave him a big hug.

By the time the four boys reached the slave quarters, everyone on the estate knew about them, much to their embarrassment. Not wanting to risk Bobby's wrath, they knelt cowering in the center of the room. Which is where he found them.

"All right, sit up and listen. For the next two weeks you will live and work as a slave. You will have a bunk in this room and you will eat meals with Marcus and Timo and me. You will have chores to do and things to learn about being a slave. I expect you to obey me instantly. Until I tell you otherwise, you are not to speak to anyone except me, Sir Alfred or Master. And, only if they command you to."

He motioned them to sit on one of the bunks, sat between them and put his arms about their shoulders. "Right now, you are sad and frightened, just like every slave boy is at first. If you obey and try to be good slaves, you will not find life as a slave too bad. I would prefer not to spank you, but I bloody well will if you screw up. And Marcus or Timo can tell you how good I am at that."

"Now get into the shower. I want you to come out shining." And he handed each a bar of soap.

They reluctantly stepped into the shower and turned on the tap. "It's freezing!" they shrieked.

"That's right. You earn warm showers with good behavior. Now get scrubbing."

While they were in the shower, he drew Marcus and Timo to him. "I don't want you to tease them. I do want you to help them, Be friends to them; they will need it."

"Yes, Bobby Sir. We remember. We'll do our best to help."

"I know you will, guys." And he hugged them.

The five of them served dinner that night. No disasters, but the two new slaves turned bright red when they discovered there were women in Sir Robert's party. When they returned to the slave quarters, there were two hard pallets on one side of the room, and a box of soft rope.

"This is where you will sleep," Bobby informed the two newbies. "But tonight the guys and I are going to teach you a lesson. Take off your slave coverings and make sure you pee."

When they returned, he directed them, "Lie down on your beds with your hands behind your backs. Marcus and Timo, I want you to tie their hands tightly, but don't cut off the blood. When you're done, tie their feet together."

When they finished, Bobby inspected their efforts, made a few adjustments and commanded, "Now pull their feet up and their hands back and tie them together. I want their hands and feet to touch. Don't worry, you wont hurt them. Uncomfortable, yes."

The two hogtied boys groaned a bit. "I want you to feel how much pain you gave Marcus. You're going to spend the night that way so you won't forget." Pulled into a tight hogtie, it was impossible for them to get at all comfortable. It would be a very long night.

Turning out the light, Bobby called Marcus and Timo into his bed. "I'm not really going to leave them all night," he whispered to his bedmates. Just long enough for their arms and legs to really hurt."

"We knew you wouldn't be that cruel," Timo assured him.

Several hours went by. The only sounds were the moans and sobs from across the room. Finally, the silence was broken. "Please, Bobby Sir. It hurts!" "My arms and legs hurt so bad, I can't stand it!" chimed in his partner.

"OK, you can release the hogtie," Bobby told his boys, "and untie their legs, but not their hands. Rub their shoulders and arms and legs until the cramps are gone. You can fool around with them a bit, but be gentle."

Whimpers of pleasure soon replaced the moans of pain. "I'm bigger than David is," reported Marcus.

Two thoroughly beaten and cowed slaves greeted Bobby in the morning. Heads down they sat on their pallets, their hands still tied. Bobby sent the other two off to their morning chores and untied David and Jonathan. He rubbed their stiff shoulders and arms and asked, "Do you understand how much it hurt Marcus?"

"We didn't know," sniffed David.

"We'll never do that again to anyone," Jonathan assured him.

"OK, guys, I believe you. That part of your punishment is over. But, you both need to tell Marcus how sorry you are. Tie-up games are OK as long as all the players want to. You can hog tie someone, but not pull their hands and legs together and it won't hurt so much. If you guys want to play tie-up with Marcus and he agrees, you must let him tie you up too. And remember: you never, never, never let the tied-up person alone."

"Now, starting today, you may speak to them whenever you want. Today they are going to teach you about slave discipline, the way a slave shows respect to a free person. If you do well, you can have a warm shower tonight. Just remember one thing: Marcus, Timo and I love you both."

The day was a success and by its end the two new slaves understood what was required of them to properly show their respect. They helped serve dinner without a mistake, finished the dishes and went to claim their 'reward'. Bobby joined the four of them under the warm spray and they all enjoyed soaping each others bodies.

For the next several days, he gave the newcomers the hardest work assignments and drove them unmercifully. They were exhausted every night, but the warm shower revived them. And a little stroking by Bobby or one of the others, convinced them that their life wasn't too bad.

Bobby was surprised and amused one evening to find both David and Jonathan securely tied to their bunks, spread-eagle, and blindfolded, squealing while Marcus tickled them and stimulated their little boy parts.. "You better stop!" shrieked David, "I can't hold it much longer!"

"I think your victim has had enough, Marcus. If he pees the bed, you will have a mess on your hands."

"Ok," replied Marcus, as he immediately started to untie his squirming victims.

Once they were freed, Bobby asked them, "So how do you like being tied up?"

"It was kinda fun," said Jonathan.

"Cool!" answered his brother. "It was so cool being completely helpless and having Marcus torture me. My little thingey was so stiff! But, I almost did pee the bed."

Timo sat across the room with a look of disdain on his face. He would never do such things. If that was the case, then why was his little prick so hard?

By the middle of the next week, the two new slaves were mostly content with their role and even happy to be with Marcus and Timo. Wednesday evening, Sir Robert had some guests who brought their children along. For Bobby, it was an opportunity to teach still another lesson to his new charges.

He told Marcus and Timo they wouldn't be needed to serve that night and they could go off and play. Corralling David and Jonathan, he told them, "I want you to serve dinner by yourselves tonight." They looked a bit skeptical. "You've been doing very well and I'll be here if you need help." And he sent them off to the dining room with the soup course.

David put one foot into the dining room and beat a hasty retreat, almost spilling the soup in the process. "There's girls in there!" Three, to be exact, children of Sir Robert's guests.

"So?" asked Bobby.

"But they'll see us almost naked!"

"So?"

"Must we?"

"Well, you can do it with or without your coverings."

"No, please sir! Not that!"

Realizing they had no choice, they served the soup. When they were finished and back in the safety of the kitchen, Bobby asked them, "Did anything bad happen?"

"They started to point at us and giggle," said David.

"But Master made them stop. He said it was not polite for them to tease us. Said we worked very hard to make this a nice place," added Jonathan. "They even said they were sorry!"

"Guys, do you remember the first morning when I made you walk through the whole estate without anything on." They nodded. "Did anything bad happen?"

"N-n-no."

"So being naked where everyone can see you isn't so bad."

"I guess not," replied David reluctantly. "But I feel embarrassed."

"Guys, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. You have very nice little bodies and you should be proud to show them. At least here, you get to wear slave coverings. When I first came here, the other two slaves and I were naked all the time."

The looked at him doubtfully. "But my thingey gets all stiff and pokes out in front," said David.

"So does mine," Bobby assured him, "but that's what happens to boys. There's nothing wrong with it." They weren't completely convinced, but managed to serve the rest of the meal.

Later that evening, after warm sensuous showers, they all sat together in the slave quarters sporting hardons. "What do you think of being a slave?" Bobby asked the others.

"I never thought it would be so hard," confessed Jonathan.

"But, it's not so bad, 'specially if you have friends to help you," added his brother.

"And we've had fun helping to teach you," said Marcus. Timo nodded vigorously.

"I'm never going to treat a slave bad again," declared David.

"Me neither!" added his brother. "Slaves are kids, just like us, only different. They have to work hard and do what their master says, even if they don't want to. I didn't want those little girls to see me almost naked, but it didn't hurt me. And Bobby Sir, says I should be proud of my body and not afraid to show it. So, there!"

"Even if we have stiffies."

"Bobby Sir, how do kids get to be slaves?" asked David. Bobby had hoped one or the other would get around to asking that question.

"If a kid does bad things, the court can make him be a slave, even for life," Bobby began. "Or if a kid's parents die or just can't take care of him, the court can make him a slave for that, too."

"That doesn't seem fair," David protested.

"It's better than starving, 'specially if he's adopted by a good master, like we have," Bobby responded.

"You mean some masters aren't good to their slaves?"

"No, sometimes they treat their slaves very bad. But we're lucky. Master loves us very much and wants only the best for us. So we can grow up to be good people. Free people."

"Golly! We didn't know that!" said Jonathan.

"How did you get to be a slave, Sir?" asked David.

Bobby had expected they would ask that question, so he was prepared. "I had two older brothers who did a very, very bad thing. They tortured and killed a little girl, and they made me help them. I didn't want to, but they threatened to kill me if I didn't. They almost cut my penis off, too."

"They were caught and the court said they should be hung. And I was to be hung along with them, even though I wasn't the one who killed the little girl."

"You mean they would have put a rope around your neck?" squeaked Jonathan.

"Yes, and pulled it up until I strangled."

At that, the four young boys all screamed and almost began to cry.

"How did you escape?"

"I didn't. The people who are my family in North America saved me. They, with Master's help, made the court confess its mistake. But, part of the agreement with the court was that I would be a slave here for at least two years."

"At first I was very sad I could not go back to my family in North America. But, then, I came to know that Master loved me just as much and wanted me to have the very best. And he promised to find me a good family here in Britain. So, I will have three families who love me. And Master gave me a great honor when he picked me to train Marcus and Timo."

"Do you remember the boy who visited here a few weeks ago?"

"You mean the one who wanted to be treated like a slave even though he was a free boy?"

"That's the one. He was my big brother from North America."

"He was really neat!" interjected Timo. "His name is Peter and we spent a night with them and we had lots of fun."

"Well, Peter had to teach me how to be a boy again; how to trust and be trusted; how to love and be loved. Without his love and care, I would have died even if they never hung me."

"Wow!" exclaimed David. "I'd like to be that kind of a big brother for Jonathan."

"I think you all have been better brothers than you think," asserted Bobby.

"What happened to your older brothers?" asked Timo. He and Marcus had not heard Bobby's story before, either.

Bobby swallowed. "They… died."

"Were they hung?"

"No, they died in a medical experiment. That's how we got to North America. I don't talk about them very much."

"Did you hate them 'cause of what they did to you?"

"No, but I feel sad and frightened when I think of them. I try very hard not to, but…" The four younger boys couldn't imagine Bobby afraid of anything. "Marcus, why don't you tell David and Jonathan how you became slaves."

"Our papa," began Marcus, "ran off when we were little. And our mama got sick and didn't teach us how to be good boys. We tried to steal from a shop and got caught. The court said we had to be slaves for six years. And we were very, very lucky that Master bought us and gave us to Bobby."

"We were really, really bad at first and Bobby paddled us hard," added Timo. "You don't ever want him to paddle you; he knows how to make it really hurt."

"That doesn't sound like much fun!" exclaimed David.

"Yeah, but then he said we had to earn the things we liked. Like sleeping with him. And, we began to believe he really cared about us. No one had ever done that before," said Marcus.

"I think I can understand that," said David. "Our mom died having Jonathan and our father has tried to raise us right. But, we haven't always helped very much. I promise to be a better son from now on."

"Me, too," echoed his brother. "But there used to be two older twins who were slaves. Why were they slaves?"

"Bert and Tim lost their parents in a motor car accident and had no one to take care of them. Master heard about it and bought them. So, they had a good family, here, to take care of them and help them grow up to be good boys," related Bobby. "And they were adopted by a family from Scotland."

"So, if you have a good master who cares for you," asked Marcus, "you will grow up to be free?"

"Yes," answered Bobby.

"What if you don't have a good master?"

"You might be a slave all your life."

"That sucks!"

"You should worry. You only have another week. We have more than five years to go."

"But, we're your friends, now. I mean, if you ever need help with anything. We'll never mistreat either of you," declared David. "No, never again!" added Jonathan.

The following Saturday morning, Bobby delivered the two boys back to their father. "Well, you certainly look neat in your slave coverings," he chuckled.

"Father," said David, his eyes moist with tears, "We're going to try to be better. And we have two new friends, Marcus and Timo. They may be slaves, but they are our friends and that counts for more."

Their father reached out and embraced them as Bobby stood back with a big smile on his face. "Why don't you invite your new friends and your master to dinner tomorrow? We'll have a barbecue. Will that be possible, Bobby?"

"Yes Sir. I think we can work it in."

"Bobby," he said reaching out to clasp his hand, "I want you to know if you should ever need it, you will always have a home with me and the boys."

"Thank you, Sir," Bobby choked,

The weeks moved on with amazing speed and soon the end of Bobby's term would happen.

Sir Robert began in earnest to search for that special family for his special boy. He was determined to find the very best and he and Bobby often talked about the criteria he was using. Foremost, was both the temperament and the ability to provide what Bobby needed most: a deep commitment… call it love… to the boy's continuing welfare. He believed Bobby needed constant challenge; he simply would wither if his new life did not provide that. Almost assuredly that meant young parents whose own lives were full of excitement and challenge.

For his part, Bobby waffled between patience and impatience. He believed with his whole being that Sir Robert would keep his promise. He saw clearly his master's sadness at the idea they might soon be parted. He understood why Sir Robert could not adopt him, even if he felt sadness himself about that.

The magic date… the end of his court ordered period of slavery… would soon be here. Sir Robert had warned him the search might take longer and he worked hard with Marcus and Timo, keeping up with his schoolwork and continuing to perform his chores almost flawlessly.

But, who would adopt him?

Who would be his third family?