CHAPTER 22-Tessellations
This story is in honor of Ganymede's stories which should be read and re-read.
The copyright of this story belongs to the author. I can be reached for constructive criticism at ZaneG7@excite.com
A simple meal consisting of seasoned goat, goat milk, and bread was served to Ron by the old man. "I know this isn't much of a breakfast, but we make do with what we have. I wish I could offer you something finer, cheeses, or frumenty."
Ron gave Jerdin his most seductive grin. The old man was ready to give Ron the entire platter of goat, and let everyone else starve. However, Ron did not eat a lot even when hungry so he brushed the additional food away, trying to be polite as he picked slowly at the oiled meat.
Dominic stood up, helping himself. He finished eating as Ron was just beginning. Taking a handful of raisins he turned to Ron. "Take your time sweetheart. Jerdin and I will be right outside as I want to look over the cart to make sure it won't fall apart on us the first mile. I probably will have to make some repairs. You stay here where it's comfortable, and I'll come back for you as soon as I'm done.
Ron seemed to acquiescence. Dominic and the old man left him alone. He took the time to gaze at the stone walls, and airy windows, trying to image Dominic here as a small child. He could tell by the empty shelves that this room had once been more than a barren cell. He figured that this was not the main house, which he figured had been burnt down but he hadn't discussed it with Dominic. There were crude foundations left near the field house. If he asked Dominic it would disturb him, and with his reluctance to bring up his past not a prudent idea. He decided to explore. He wanted to see as much as he could of Dominic's boyhood which might help him figure out the puzzle of the man he loved.
He left the table with his meal hardly touched, went outside and wandered over to the stalls where he could hear voices drifting downwind. He didn't mean to spy on Dominic, but he was entranced by his voice, like a dragonfly hypnotized by a lily pad, he leaned against the outer wall and listened.
"Are you really sure Dominic that you should return with the boy back to Constantinople? Aren't you bringing both of you into danger?"
"There isn't many options, I was told to take the boy out to sea with me, but that turned out to be a death sentence. He didn't last one day before he was thrown overboard. With an enemy aboard the ship if that hadn't occurred we would have been fortunate not to be poisoned. I could have and would have sent him to Iceland with a friend however Saffron saw fit to run away. Perhaps it was for the best. I am starting to believe that even his father conspires against him. By birth Saffron is entitled to so much. Is it fair for him to have a long life as a servant for another ruler out in the barbaric wasteland? He is such a beautiful boy, but more than his beauty is his mind. He can be taught to be an outstanding member of this land, and the fact that he was raised elsewhere gives him a clearer few of life. He is of Byzantine heritage but seems to bare no scare from the poisons that dwell in those of our royal house. I plan to take him to a school where he will not only be safe, but taught the skills of leadership. I plan not to even tell his father where he is. In fact after I have him settled I will return to my mission at sea which I must not fool myself, is very dangerous even without internal enemies. I may not return."
"You are wise to leave the boy behind."
"NOOOOO Saffron wanted to scream, but he was of two minds. He didn't want to go back to sea, but he wanted Dominic to stay with him. He went back to the field house with a cold metal noose around his heart.
Dominic returned with a smile on his face. "The wagon is in better shape that I supposed. We should be on the road as soon as we can load up."
"We're going to Constantinople, right?"
"Yes, we're going in that direction." Dominic said.
"Thank you for breakfast Sir" Saffron offered.
""My pleasure young Sir. I hope to meet you again and next time for a longer stay."
"Yes, I'll be back with Dominic." Saffron said with pronounced conviction.
Just as the final good-byes where finished, taking a prolonged time there was a pounding on the door. Saffron was bid to hide, he was told to hop on the stone mantle of the fireplace-oven and lean against the back. After he crawled into the large fireplace. Jerdin moved a false front. Air coming from the chimney kept him from suffocating. He wondered why he had to hide, but he figured that the two men didn't want anyone else to know that he was there. Meanwhile Dominic put on a raw tunic, and hunched over Saffron's unfinished meal like a field hand taking a noon break.
It was one of Leo's men; they gave a cursory glance around the room not expecting to see anything. "Have you heard from your old Master?" He demanded.
"Are you referring to Leo or Dominic?" asked Jerdin
"Dominic. Leo knows that he comes here from time to time." The stranger replied
"I haven't seen him in three seasons. Do you bring news?" questioned Jerdin
"Perhaps, I will tell you he has gone to sea with some boy that he stole from Leo. The boy is dead, and Dominic will be dangerous with revenge. If you see him tell him that Argund, and not Leo is his enemy. Perhaps though you will never see him again. I am sure that Argund's agents will make sure he dies as well. Dominic took the boy into the floating lair of his enemy like a fool. He may not even be alive as we speak, but Leo wants to know for sure what befell him and believes you may be the first to hear about him"
"Dominic never spoke of any boy, what boy was this?"
"Never mind, I am looking for information, not giving it freely. If off the rare chance you hear from Dominic send someone to the estate to inform us of it for Dominic's own good."
"I will, but it has been quiet here of late. The only new faces around here are the serfs we hired for the grape harvest. If I hear from Dominic again I will inform him of what you told me. I am sure that he would want to speak to Leo himself if what you said is true, but even if he weren't at sea he, knowing my great age, left with a kiss of passing, but you don't want to hear the sediments of an old man."
"No indeed I don't! Well there is nothing here of interest to Leo so I shall be on my way. It smells of old goat. Is that what you eat?"
"When we don't have guests."
"Poor old man, well I'll be off. I brought my own rations. Do you have any vintage yet."
"There is one bottle left from last year's harvest. I was saving it for company, you may have it. It's still in the store cellar."
The man followed Jerdin. In a few minutes he returned alone.
Dominic quickly opened the hidden wall and motioned for Saffron to get out. Instead of the clothes he expected to wear, Dominic had taken a long girl's tunic that had been his sisters. Because they had been searching for a boy, Saffron would go in disguise. It was providence that they believed Saffron to be dead. For now he could pass as a girl. Later the monks would know of a better false identity for him. With the cover of his own demise, Saffron would be safe. Before Ron could protest Dominic helped him take off his clothes, he sighed anew at the lovely angular proportions of Ron. No girl had his perfection of sharp angles and soft skin. No girl was such a masterpiece of pale lean cheeks barely rounded, and walnut gems with a small emotional springboard which was happily up, if only there was time to play with it! His boyish clothes were put in a bundle, with his precious necklace, to be taken with them. He was a fetching girl. That could cause other problems. He hurried Saffron out to the stable and they walked the horse and cart until they were off the property. Jerden would explain away the field hand; after all he was only a day laborer. They left as quietly as possible to abate suspicion.
Finally when Dominic was confident that they hadn't been followed. He told Saffron to get in the cart.
"Can I take off this dress?"
"No, you better get used to it `daughter' besides if you ever did dress up like a proper young Byzantine Lord your robes would look not much different from a young ladies."
"Like I care for Byzantine fashion. I would rather dress like a Viking."
"Well you are too young to be a member of the Varangian guards, as are the Vikings at court and even they make concession as to their dress. You are too much a wild Frank at times. I find it charming how you wear two sashes instead of one, and seem to always wear leggings that were not meant for the tunic. The colors please me, but Saffron you have your own way of dressing."
"In France we have a freer way to dress you know, the Byzantine's should copy us"
"That will be the day when the world copies the dress of Parisians"
Saffron huffed.
"Now now your Mother brought you up better than that, I am taking you to the home of your new husband, and you better make a good impression."
"Then his name better be Dominic."
"Silence, I will have none of the allowances that the upper-class permits their daughters. That is the downfall of our society. Girls are just good as housekeepers and baby makers. I am a stern father and I taught you not to speak until you are spoken to."
The road was crowded, and Saffron knew this was Dominic's way of telling him what their excuse for travel was, if asked."
"So what do I call you dear father?"
"You may call me Sire when you must speak"
"And do I sleep with my father, Sire?"
"Impertinent child, act like the innocent virgin you are."
"And if I don't agree to marry you are taking me to a Nunnery."
"You're half right, I'm taking you to a Monastery."
"Dom-in-ic, I do not want to go to a monastery. I will languish away with 25 monks all called Basil."
"You will be protected, and educated. Where I am sending you are much like a University, but say no more. There are ears everywhere so no more"
"I would do better to spy on my Uncle."
"Saffron, you do not have an inkling of the price we would both pay for that. I will only have peace of mind to know I have left you some place of safety. Besides now you are dead, Ron, Dead. They think that you have died, and we are going to use their ignorance to protect you."
"You really are going back to sea then? If you don't come back I will kill myself, and they will be right."
"Yes I have no choice in the matter, and you really do have some growing to do. Our responsibilities are greater than our desires. After all you are a bundle of talent, and we both know that the Greek translation is responsibility."
"I have no talent."
"There you're wrong."
"What is my talent?"
"That is what you will discover at the place I'm taking you to."
"My talent is as a lover, are you taking me to an ancient cult of Aphrodite?"
"No love that is one talent you have too much of. Perhaps this is the time I must tell you this. Ron there will be other boys where you are going and men as well. I do not bind you to me. It would be unfair if I did. If you fall in love with another, and he is worthy of you, he can be me in abstention."
"Dom."
"Ron, I may not be back."
"Then I will..."
"No, you will not. I ask one pledge of you, and you will give it to me now if indeed you truly love me."
"I do, I do love you, with all my heart. Dominic you know that."
"Then swear on our love that you will do everything in your power to stay safe, and follow orders to keep you that way. You will live a full life, and if I am not a part of it, you will remember me through your own great deeds."
"You ask too much!"
"I ask too little. That I have shared even a moment of your starlight time has been a great honor. I will never ask you for another thing but this vow."
"Good because I think it is more than I can promise. I can't even ride a horse without falling off."
"That's because you stand on the horse instead of sit like a normal squire, you would think you were pretending to ride the waves or something."
"It is more fun to try to stand up and keep your balance..."
"You are changing the subject, I want a kiss as your vow."
"Or..."
"No more kisses."
"That is bastardly of you Dominic! If I don't promise you won't kiss me."
"Never again, that's how much this means to me!"
Saffron started to lean back with his arms crossed. Dominic wasn't getting this kiss, and yet he saw the travel wary face concerned only for Ron. Ron figured out this pledge wasn't for him but for Dominic, to give him one less burden, and some peace of mind. Ron knew that he could not be selfish. He had to give this gift. It was the one that any who truly loves another asks for. It was the only one worth buying.
Saffron inched closer and he moved his face, where with no effort he could reach Dominic. It was nothing to press his lips to the man's mouth; it was warm, pleasant, begging for another. But the meaning of this kiss left another feeling behind. It had the hollowness of fear of a life apart. Already Saffron was wondering how to insure that Dominic wouldn't leave him, or if he did that his return would be swift. He dreaded living with a pack of boys like a pack of wolves. Why did life have to be a piece of hard iron, unyielding to his own simple desires, which were only to be with Dominic?