CHAPTER 24-Tessellations
By: Zane Hunter-Green This story is in honor of Ganymede's stories which should be read and re-read. This story has sex between imaginary men of all ages, and is written for an adult audience who likes these types of stories . . The copyright of this story belongs to the author, I appreciate all comments at Zanehuntergreen@excite.com. If you don't write I understand as I have read many wonderful stories here without writing to thank the writers, so thanks to them as well, and the elves that run this board.
The Abbott came in to see how the new boy was fairing in his preliminary tests with the instructors. Saffron was nervous and exhausted and depressed. He kept thinking about Dominic traveling further away from him, and he couldn't think clearly. The Abbott had been told that this boy was brilliant, and he would have expected no less from Rom's son, but unless this very effeminate boy, who was strangely beautiful with his unusual pale gold hair and large light green eyes, was a surrogate, they vastly overestimated his intelligence.
He was placed in the bottom classes, and dismissed. As he watched the boy walk off to the gardens he turned to the Father.
"I'm afraid that this boy is not going to measure up. He seems sweet though."
"Don't worry Abbott, I have plenty of work to keep him occupied."
"I am sure that you do, but he is only to serve at meals. This boy is under my guardianship, and I don't want him getting sick from working too hard. I'm sure that if he's not a scholar he can spend his time learning to paint or some other past time. I know that you are quite lax when it comes to supervising the nocturnal activities of the charity boys, and they lack from sleep. In addition, they are over-worked. It is no wonder that in the winter they are the first ones we lose from the flu, and croup. They are all a difficult accountability.
Father Benedict agreed curtly, well aware that the Abbott had never taken time in the past to intervene with his boys. "Yes but they know that they will have to earn their keep here. It is a small price for them to pay for the tutelage they receive. I am fair to them, unlike my predecessor who used the switch. I do the best I can, some of them are unruly as you know. Well I must be off to tend my sheep." He started to leave the room when the Abbott called him back.
"I would like for us to discuss with Saf- I mean Ron what he can anticipate here in greater detail. Would you go find him, and return with him to my private chambers. I would rather not have the conversation where anyone may disturb us.
Benedict was shocked; even he had never entered the Abbott's sleeping quarters before. "Is this a good idea, Sir, to show this boy, well any boy such favoritism." "Benedict, you're getting on my nerves, just do it. I'll meet you there."
"But really Sir, think how it looks."
"If I can't trust you to follow a simple command now, perhaps I need to appoint someone else to tend to these hard working honest charges of yours. Perhaps you would like to be removed from your current post and return to oversee the real livestock."
"No, I am happy with my post, I will be there with the boy shortly."
Ron had walked out into the garden after he left the classroom for a few minutes of peace, before he had to find the choir. He figured when he saw other boys leave, he would follow them instead of using precious time to ask for directions now. He ignored the many eyes that followed him, their expression a range from lust, curiosity, to menacing leers. He didn't have time to worry about the strange faces around him. He hated the way the course garment he was wearing scratched; he missed the soft silk tunics he wore since he left France.. Perhaps it was better this way though; he couldn't afford luxuries until he was safe in Dominic arms again. He wanted only to think about Dominic, but that too was a indulgence in this place.
He walked until he approached a stone wall at the far side of the garden, brushed several sticks and dirt from it and sat down. This place was much larger than he first supposed with all of the distant buildings and annexes he could see from the wall. He was tired but he had to think clearly. He pressed his knee against his mouth unaware that he had lifted his tunic up. It was high enough to give a peek past his lean legs to the velvet space above which although not exposed was hinted at which caused several boys in viewing distance to find a place to find release. Word had already spread that the new boy was going to be a prize for someone to claim, and those that hadn't seen him in the dining hall, clamored to get a good look.
Saffron had to plan. He had too much to do, and as he longed for Dominic he was unaware of the stir around him. He wanted a reassuring hug; he wanted strong hands playing with his hair. He wanted what he couldn't have now. He wanted to cry, but with all the boys around he couldn't. He wanted to die, but not before he saw Dominic again.
He missed him so much! He wondered if Dominic was also finding it hard to think, or even breathe without him. It was a sickness, and it made each movement slow. He thought about Dominic's face, his smile. His promise to watch out for him. Ron didn't think going to this school was being watched out for but then he felt guilty because that was criticism of Dominic, and he was still caught up in his thoughts of Dominic, he couldn't escape thinking about him.
He decided that he would stay in this place only long enough to go with his new friend, Falkon back into the city of Constantinople during their break. Then he would find the Doctor, who tended him after the fiasco with Leo, when he injured himself while running away from him. The Doctor would know a good source for him to trust and leave his money with; a banker who could invest his savings for him so when he really needed it, he would have his own resources. He might need a great deal of money if he were going to have to search at sea for Dominic, Next time it would be on his own ship, so he had to have fortune enough to buy, and outfit a ship.
Then he knew that he would have to follow the plot that started to take shape on Dominic's estate. He had no choice but to return to Leo. He didn't want to murder him though, as much as he wanted to be a soldier, he didn't want to kill anyone. Maybe a day with Leo would change his mind. He shuddered as he remembered the way his Uncle ran cold fingers on his thigh reaching into his groin. He knew actually Leo was neither Uncle nor cousin, but his stepmother's cousin, so he should stop calling him anything at all, except for the foulest words he could think of, and even they were too good for the rat's bastard that Leo was.
A little boy came propelling at him waking him out of his reverie. He put out his hands enabling the boy to stop before he smashed into him and the wall. The boy smiled and skipped back to a large group of younger boys who had been playing tag. Several of the older boys walked over yelling for them to stop. Saffron could see that even if he was a full paying student, this place was not fun.
He looked around, with a little more interest to see what the others boys did out here. He spotted a group pointing to him and whispering. A few boys danced with restrained energy. One pair looked like a couple. They ducked behind a tree close to him, and he thought that he could hear the wet sound of kisses being exchanged.
These boys came in all sizes and shapes. It was like being an ant in a colony to be with so many boys. He didn't even see one of the few people he knew by name. There were too many.
He took a deep breath and looked up to see the annoying clown who has ordered him to serve the mid-day meal. He remembered that his name was Father Benedict.
"Ron, you are to come with me at once. The Abbott wishes to see you. Instead of heading back to the office, they turned down a new hallway. It was narrow and dimly light. Ahead was a door that had been left unlocked for them. The door open to a landing and a set of stairs, They climbed the stairs and reached another door. This one was ajar. An odd soft blue-green light bathed the crack of the door, pouring out from inside the room.
Ron quietly walked inside the private quarters of the most senior member, as the Father held the door open for him. He looked around impressed with all of the artifacts that were bathed by one of the most beautiful colored windows he had ever seen. On the window was an image of a boy with a sweet, innocent face. This boy was wearing a glorious outfit. It looked like the story of Joseph with his many-colored coat. He opened his mouth in wonder. The mysterious light had come from the window.
"It is beautiful isn't it. It was a gift from a dear friend from Italy. The artisans there can make wonderful colors in glass. Blues greens, amber's, and they are even trying for reds and purples. Their gift goes beyond that of any Alchemist. It's almost magical how they make glass look brighter and more pure than any gem stone. The gift is of course the use of light." The Abbott informed him.
"I have never seen anything like it." Saffron said reverently. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from the illuminated window.
"Then you must come back on a sunny day Ron. Then it is a sight to really behold. Sit down I wish to talk to you, Father I need you to leave us for a few moments but first I want you both to hear that I do not want Ron to take on any chores beyond waiting on the table at meals."
"But...the other boys will resent him if he doesn't share in the work."
"Then they can take their complaints up with me. I am having second thoughts about the decision to make him a charity student, but I suppose if we make any changes now it would cause too much resentment and some suspicion."
"Then leave well enough alone, Ron would be more resented if he got out of doing work, and it certainly won't harm him. We both saw how he faired in his tests, and we certainly can't claim that he's an advanced student."
"Perhaps he faired poorly because he speaks and reads in French. He was tested in Greek, I could pretend to have him transcribe books from Greek to French, but I did want to down play his background."
"He needs to work. A charity boy always has a job."
"Indeed you are right, Ron turn your head, oh beautiful, indeed young man you look like an angel, and that does give me an idea. Since we are just an offspring of the church, more of a place of learning, than any religious body which I am sure Father Benedict would be happy to testify to, we have artists and craftsman that often stay with us while working on some project or another. In fact that is how I happened to have this window that you admired. Several years ago we hosted a Venetian who made this window in gratitude. Right now in fact we have a sculptor who, as providence is kind, requested we find a student who could model for him. At that time I couldn't think of anyone who would be suited for until you arrived. Could you stand being draped in a Greek toga and standing idly still for a couple of hours early every morning and evening when I believe he works, as he prefers indirect lighting?"
"What would it require of me?"
"Endless patience, which is a rectitude. He would position you, and then you would only have to pose in that position without moving for an extended period of time, with several breaks of course."
Ron had to think it might take awhile to create the sculpture, and he wanted to be on his way as soon as he could. "I don't know."
"That is a fair answer. Let me take you to meet Antonio Cerinatto and see if you would want to labor for him. He would need to see if you would be right for him, but I hardly see that as an obstacle. He will fall in love with you, I'm sure.
He was sad to leave the window, there was something hypnotic about the ray of colors, but he agreed to go met the artist. It tuned out that his workshop was a large cottage he saw from the walled garden earlier. The room was empty except for a large piece of pale dawn-tinted jade.
Saffron was surprised to be introduced a cheerful, robust little man. He though the man seemed more like one of the silk merchants. He had thought that artists were moody and outer worldly. This man was energetic and became extremely passionate when he saw Saffron.
"Where did you capture this seraph?"
"This child is a new student. He is willing to pose as one of his work duties his tuition here."
"Does he know what I require?"
"I told him what it means to model."
"Well if you leave him here I can get started, do a few quick sketches and make sure that I can use him as my angel."
"Is that alright Ron?" The Abbott asked.
"I wanted to go to choir and audition for it this afternoon."
"If you want to chant, I will make sure you are placed in the choir, so don't worry about that"
"Thank you Sir, can I see something you carved first Senior Cerinatto before I make a decision?
"Yes, come here boy. Off to the side was a pedestal. On top was a 100-millimeter wrapped form The Artist lifted up a piece of silk; under it was a snow-white falcon. Each feather was so brilliantly carved that it glistened. Saffron sighed as he felt himself flying in its gracefulness.
"I will pose for you." He declared
"Good that's settled then, you will stay boy so I can get a feel for you."
The Abbott politely took his leave. Saffron was left alone with the artist. He wondered if the man meant to draw him wearing the shapeless course tunic but that question was soon answered.
"I told the Abbott that my angel would be wearing a Greek style-toga, however the benefactor who it is being created for has changed his mind. He wants the angel to be naked, like it would have been if it were Roman art. Ron looked at him knowing the next request, "So my dear boy I had the fire lit so you wouldn't get cold. Now I must order you to take off your clothes. It is most important that I see what you look like."
Ron felt the heat on his face. Did he really want to strip for this man? No matter, the Viking and his crew had seen him, and certainly Dominic, as well as his tutor John. Thinking about John made him ashamed that he had done so poorly with his testing. As he thought about John he removed his clothes, it was easy to slip of the tunic, and untie the knotted cord holding his undergarment. The Artist smiled as he took inventory apparently liking what he saw. Without asking permission, he knelt beside the boy and cupped his balls, feeling their lightness, and smooth velum skin. He stroked the boy's penis, which was getting iron hard.
"I need to know what you feel like. When I paint it is just a matter of what I see, but with any kind of rock it must feel like a cold, frozen copy of my inspiration. This angel will be as Medusa's victims, trapped forever in time.
Saffron shuddered as he thought of the warm hands playing with him wishing his form was already a still unmoving rock. He felt curious hands rove behind him. Hands kneaded the flesh of his tiny ass, getting closer to the crack where he felt himself being spread open; a hand was inside his crack running up and down memorizing the contour. He was being appraised purely for what he looked and felt like. It made him feel as a slave must feel who is seen only as an object. As he felt a finger reproaching the place where his body could be entered by another, and knew the intent was he would be subjected to that invasion of his privacy he decided he had enough.
"Stop, I was never told that you would fondle me, only that I would be required to pose for you, in clothes for that matter."
"Gorgeous boy" the artist pointed out, "You say stop, but your indicator says go on." Ron knew that he was very aroused, he didn't need to hear it. "But I will stop if you want. I just thought if I gave you some release it would be easier for you to stay still. I don't think we want our little angel boy to be a carving with his tiny penis sticking up to the sky."
"That wasn't my penis that you were exploring!"
"No, but from my experience with boys, I know if you excite them at the back, the front takes care of itself, but I respect you si, and I will get to work. I can leave your penis out of the drawing altogether."
"Who will see these drawings?" asked Ron with concern.
"No one. I destroy them once the sculpture is done."
Saffron looked down thinking to himself. He didn't want drawing of himself being passed around to every boy and member of staff at this school. I decided that I couldn't be the model for your angel. If these drawings are shown to anyone.
"What if I promise to keep them locked up, and then when the sculpture is finished we will burn then together."
"No, what if they are stolen?"
"I will change your face in the drawings, I can make your hair and eyes appear to be of a dark hue."
"I don't know. What if someone walks in while I'm modeling for you?
"I will keep the door locked, and draw a few sketches of you wearing the toga. I can leave them about so no one would grow curious"
"And the sculpture, you said it was commissioned by someone, by whom?"
"A private collector in Rome. It will be shipped to them. Don't worry no one will ever learn the identify of the model. It will be hundreds of miles away. Just think, you are young and beautiful now but in sixty years when you are an old man, three hundred years when you are long gone and unknown to any on this earth there will remain a statue which I will make so exquisite that with capture your youth forever."
Saffron had an idea. "Did you settle on a price with the man who commissioned it?"
"Yes."
"What if someone came along and offered you much more?"
"It would depend who the buyer was, for me to break my word to a patron."
"What if it was me."
"You are a charity student. You can't afford a decent vestment, let alone a work of art"
Saffron looked at the large pale pink stone, the bottom was so transparent in it's clear rosy color that he knew the angel would look like it was hovering off the ground. It would be the most perfect gift to give to Dominic. Crazy an idea as it was to have a large sculpture in his possession when he didn't have a place to keep it, it was the best present he could ever give to Dominic. As he stood still for the endless hours ahead he would have a reason. He would be doing it to give Dominic a splendid surprise "I will model for you, only if you promise to sell me the sculpture when it's finished."
"The Artist laughed at the boy, he was a dreamer. If you can pay me 10,000 bezants, it will be yours' but I have not even had a chance to do my first drawing yet, thanks to my indecisive little model.
"You must put it in writing for me, that you will sell it to me for the price you mentioned then I will let you start sketching me."
The Artist laughed again. "So it shall be my little merchant." It was the same price he was getting from the collector, but it was so out of reach for this boy to find that kind of money that he didn't spend another moment thinking about it. He took out his charcoal, and roved his eyes once again over the perfect lithe body before him. The sultry stick made lines that gave grace to the parchment he used. He had the boy turn slightly, and grinned as he drew an erect penis, and a small tight little scrotum that looked as if it could hold no more than a gem or two, and a few coins. Which he was sure all the boy would be able to earn between now and the time the sculpture would be done, and that would only be if he were willing to sell his nice, warm body, which at this junction was far more attractive than any rock image.