THE FREE COMMUNE OF SILVANA by Andrej Koymasky (C) 2006 writen on March 7, 1995 translated by the Author English text kindly revised by Bill
USUAL DISCLAIMER
"THE FREE COMMUNE OF SILVANA" is a gay story, with some parts containing graphic scenes of sex between males. So, if in your land, religion, family, opinion and so on this is not good for you, it will be better not to read this story. But if you really want, or because YOU don't care, or because you think you really want to read it, please be my welcomed guest.
CHAPTER 5 - The Commune siege. The fall of the neighboring kingdom. Contacts with the new power.
A law dated 19/6/3 Le LXXX (1607) decrees that childless couples, be they mixed or equal (that is gay), can adopt up to three children, be they orphans, that is without parents, or too many children in families who then desire to give a child for adoption. This law decrees that Brothers and Sisters cannot adopt, and this lets us know that allowing people of the same sex to marry was now common among the Friends and not only in the Order.
On 12/7/2 Fr LXXXI (1636) a group of fifteen horse-mounted king's soldiers showed up at Serene frontier asking for asylum. They surrendered all their weapons and horses and were brought into the presence of the Deputy who examined them. He came to know that they rebelled against a merciless and despotic captain and therefore they would be sentenced to death. The Deputy approved the asylum request. For the first time the Commune is in possession of fifteen muzzle-loading rifles, a supply of ammunition and the new weapon makes an impression on the commanders of the Commune troops.
Moreover the fifteen horses were purebred, really beautiful, strong, totally different from the few pack and transport horses they had up to then in the territory. And the fifteen horses were four males and eleven females. On the refugees' advice, was therefore started in Lilvalley territory the breeding of race horses that in later years would make the Commune famous.
But the King's Legate, coming to know about the refugees, demands that the fifteen men, their weapons and the horses be given back to the Great King. The Commune refuses, saying they are ready to give back the weapons, the horses and also the uniforms, but not the men. The Legate doesn't accept this compromise. On the 20th of the eighth month, the Commune territory is totally surrounded by 40,000 men of the royal army; they don't enter the Commune territory, but they don't allow anybody to enter or leave it until the fifteen men are handed over. The Commune doesn't yield. The Milice is armed and prepares to oppose any attempt of invasion, even at the cost of their lives.
Silvana Lord declares to the Legate, "I warn you, to enter our territory you will have to kill all of us, to the last man. We will not be able to oppose the forces of the Great King, but we will never be bent!"
The Legate knows that all the population is in arms, including women, old people, and adolescents, so he urgently sends to the capital a message praying not to order the invasion of the territory, as it would only end in bloodshed and "... it is not enough cause to slaughter five thousand citizens to get the lives of just fifteen deserters". According to the Legate, the blockade, cutting off all commerce completely for the Commune, sooner or later will make them yield.
The blockade continues for a little more than eight months, solidly impenetrable. All the attempts to go out or to enter the Commune territory are foiled, even though luckily without shedding blood, and not even a single person succeeds in passing. But the Commune didn't bend its head, didn't surrender the fifteen refugees.
On the twenty-fourth of the fourth month of the following year, suddenly the royal troops broke camp and retreated; the blockade was over. The king's Legate explained that this was not due to a change of mind; the problem was still open, but the kingdom had much more serious problems: from the west a formidable army was attempting to invade it and the kingdom was at war against that powerful neighbor.
News of the war and of the advance of the invaders started to worry the Regency that then decided to establish a special "Permanent Observatory of Matters regarding the War". Moreover, the news of the flight of rich and noble families with their "gold, silver, servants and horses" from the advancing of the enemy makes the Commune fear an "invasion of refugees asking for asylum." Therefore it is decided that asylum will be granted exclusively to people coming "with only the clothes they are wearing, as it was required in our old times". Notwithstanding this rule, some 4673 people asked and got asylum, that is a number of people almost equal to the Commune citizens.
On 7/3/3 Le LXXXII (1636) from the top of the mount a powerful army is seen approaching. They stop on the other bank of Swift River. The Regency then hurriedly sends a Messenger with a letter for the Supreme Commander of the foreign army, asking for guarantees for the small territory of which they also send a map and a short historical profile, "... for one thousand and five hundred years we are a small nation, possibly insignifiant, nonetheless free and proud. We always gave asylum to the persecuted without asking anything in exchange, neither gold nor gifts; we never attacked our neighbours; we have enough of what is our own and of what we are: poor but with dignity..." a part of the letter reads.
The Supreme Commander then sends a delegation composed of three high ranking officers to visit the Commune and to give him a report, and he asks to get a list of all the refugees "to verify there aren't amongst them personages I want to have in my hands". The three high officers are received with all honors and they are shown all the Commune territory, explaining to them the history in detail. And, with diplomacy, it is explained to them that the Commune could not hand over any refugee, unless it was proven beyond any slightest doubt he did soil his hands with murder or theft. The three high officers asked to look over the laws about asylum.
The new Emperor recognizes Silvana freedom and abolishes the "gift" and the conscription
After five days, the high officers left the Commune. Still three days of anxious waiting elapsed. Then came a new delegation. The Supreme Commander and Emperor sent his written answer. Having heard the report of his envoy, he granted "peace and unbreakable friendship to such a proud land that so fairly titles itself as Very Right and Serene. If any of your frontiers would one day be challenged, it would be my duty, based on the map you sent me, to assist you to repel any claim. You are exempted now and forever, as well as for the past, from any tribute and the Commune citizens can freely circulate on all my territories, not as foreigners, but enjoying all the rights and privileges of my subjects, and not as subjects but as respected and esteemed friends". Moreover the Emperor sent them a gift of one thousand quintals of cereals, five thousand rifles with ammunition and twelve guns. Then the Imperial army continued the conquest of the kingdom territory on south and west of the Commune.
To thank the Emperor for his admiration and respect, the Forum decided that it had to add to the Commune's flag two hems, one red and one green, the colors of the Imperial vexillum. The Milice was armed with the rifles and a gun was placed to defend each borough.
The free commerce with the Imperial territory made the Commune life flourish and for the first time the Commune minted its own money, the gold, silver and copper Sun. Moreover, with the law of 1 Fl LXXXII (1650) the Friends were allowed to hold private property, but with some limitations "so that the large wealth of some and the great poverty of others vouldn't lead the wealthy to dominate and the poor to be dominated". Therefore was issued the text of the first sumptuary laws and the first system of internal taxation.
On 4 Fr LXXXII (1658) was founded the Gendarmerie with police function; it was formed exclusively by "forers" (that is foreigners) of any nationality "as not being them Silvanites, they won't be subject to the will of one party". They were recruited for a five year term with a possible re-enlistement. They had a black uniform with light blue hems, silver frogs and decorations, and white bandolier, hat and gloves. At first they were armed with rifles, later with a pistol. The Gendarmes wanting to ask for citizenship, after ending their active duty, could get it at once.
On 25/2/1 Fl LXXXIII (1675) the Commune population amounts to 6173 citizens and 397 "forers".
In this same year the story of Honoured begins. He was a thirty-four year old Brother living in Temple and teaching in the school of this borough. His companion, twenty-nine years old, was Courage and he officiated at the temple. They had a quiet relationship for nine years, but they were in a way more friends than lovers, even though they often made love and were totally faithful to each other.
In Honoured's school there was an eighteen year old student, called Constant, the son of a tailor. Constant was a healthy and strong boy of remarkable charm. The youth fell in love with Honoured at fifteen years old, but having the teacher as his companion could not be, so he didn't dare to show him his feelings.
After three years of silent love, Constant felt totally caught up in feelings for his beloved teacher and it was more and more difficult for him to hide what he was feeling for Honoured. Instead of lessening, his love was increasing and strengthening more and more. Constant was feeling powerless; he was not able to stifle his sentiments. He wanted to belong to Honoured, he wanted his love even though he knew he could not have it.
Constant started to write anonymous notes to Honoured, placing them in the most unusual places for Honoured to find them. What he wrote, was more or less always, "I love you, I want to be yours!" Honoured understood it had to be one of his pupils, but no matter how much he tried to understand to whom that handwriting belonged, he could not figure out who he was. Neither could he understand by studying his students' facial expressions, who would send him those notes. He talked about it with Courage and also with the school superintendent, asking them advice.
Courage told him, "You cannot find out who's sending you those notes because you are trying to catch a special glance, intense, loving, dreaming. But possibly the one who sends you those notes doesn't want to be discovered, therefore you rather have to look for who is avoiding your eyes. But, I'm asking myself, once you find out who is sending you the notes, what would you do?"
"Make him understand he has to stop thinking about me."
"He possibly already understands that, but he simply is not able to forget you."
"But why does he write me those notes? Whad does he hope to get?"
"Help, possibly? But possibly also love. He hopes against any hope..."
"So then, what can I do?"
"I don't know; very little, I'm afraid. You can give him your love, or else you can do it so that he doesn't see you any more, asking to be moved to Lilvally, for instance. But you, what do you really want to do?"
"If I could at least know who he is!" Honoured answered.
The school superintendent gave him advice similar to that of Courage, that he should ask to be moved elsewhere, at least for a school cycle. Thus Honoured asked and got to be moved to Lilvalley. Courage however, remained at Temple. A few days after Honoured's leave, Constant went to the temple and asked to talk with Brother Courage.
When he was in front of him, he asked, "Why did your companion go away? Does he possibly want to separate from you?"
"No, that's not the reason; he just wanted to have a change for a while, for four or five years."
"And you will be separated for such a long time?"
"I will go to see him from time to time."
"But wouldn't it be heavy being separated in this way?"
"How is it that you are asking me so many questions? Is it possible you are the one sending Honoured all those notes?" he asked, starting to guess the truth.
"No..." Constant said, but his eyes filled with tears.
Courage put his arm around the boy's shoulders, "Why don't you tell me the truth?" he gently asked.
"No..." Constant repeated.
"If it was not you sending all those notes, you wouldn't have answered no, but you would have asked what notes I'm talking about, as you couldn't know what I'm refering to, don't you think?"
Now Constant was openly crying.
"So then... are you in love with Honoured?"
"Yes..." the youth moaned.
Courage nodded and asked, "What do you intend to do?"
"What can I do? I'm unable not to be in love with him. I would like going to see him, even though I know it would be useless. Also if I understand correctly, he went away because of my notes. But I love him, I cannot renounce him."
"Renounce what? One renounces something he owns, but he doesn't even know it was you sending him all those notes. Just try to forget everything; time heals any wound."
"Not this one, not my wound. It is now three years I'm telling myself I have to forget him, but I am not able, or rather, it is worsening. What can I do? Kill myself?"
"Don't talk nonsense. But what made you fall in love with Honoured?"
"You ask me that? Aren't you his companion?"
"Yes, but... Honoured and I... I was twenty years old and we were already making love; I liked him, he liked me, so we decided to celebrate our union. There never has been a big love between us, but just a big passion. We simply fit well together, but we are possibly more close friends than lovers."
"How can this be possible? Honoured is such an exceptional man..."
"Yes, he certainly is smart, honest, goodhearted, kind... but you see him as exceptional because you are in love with him, don't you see?"
"Or possibly I see him as he really is, because I'm in love with him." The youth retorted.
When Courage went to see Honoured, he told him about Constant. Honoured was quite surprised, as he couldn't begin to guess that the author of the notes was that boy and even less that he was in love with him for three years.
"That a fifteen year old boy becomes infatuated with his teacher, is not a new thing, it happens and will always happen. But usually it doesn't last for three years." He thoughtfully said.
"I felt he is madly in love with you and he seemed really astounded when I told him that in reality, what binds us two, is more a sweet habit than real love."
"Yes, a very pleasant habit, anyway. I missed you a little, in these days."
"Just a little?"
"Enough anyway, to not be wanting to lose more time in chit-chat. Let's go to my room, come on!"
"Who knows..." Honoured started saying later, while they were dressing after making love, but then became silent.
"Who knows... What?"
"I was thinking about Constant."
"What?"
"He is a really handsome boy. Didn't you ever see him naked?"
"No. And you?"
"Sure, at the common baths. A perfect body, very beautiful and sensual."
"You are talking of him like as... with desire."
"I don't know. Possibly yes."
"What means this possibly? Did you feel desire towards him?"
"No, not in the past. I just felt an aesthetic admiration, I think. I'm not certain, to tell the truth, but now that I know he is in love with me..."
"You are no longer so sure about your feelings." Courage said, smiling with understanding.
"So then, what do you think I should do?" Honoured asked.
"Nothing. But I believe I was right to come and tell you."
"Bah... He is just a boy, and moreover one of my pupils..."
"A former pupil..."
"Are you trying to push me into his arms? Are you getting tired of me?" Honoured asked laughing.
"No. But you, at the beginning, were in love with me and hoped I could reciprocate your love. He, on the contrary, would be ready to give his love to you."
"I accepted you as you are. I don't regret it, I really don't."
"You adapted yourself, sure. Possibly Constant is right saying that you are an exceptional man, possibly he understands you a lot more than I do."
When Courage went back to Temple, he went to see Constant, "I think you had better go and see Honoured." He told him.
The boy looked at him astounded, "Why are you telling me that? You know what it means to me going to meet him now that he knows that I..."
"Right. I think it is only fair you two talk and explain in person what you feel for each other."
"But he is your companion."
"There is the possibility for us to be separated, you know."
"And you would be ready to... I can't understand you."
"I'm affectionate to him, but if by chance he could be happier with you than with me... why not?"
"But he... what did he tell you?"
"He? He likes you, that's sure. I don't know if he loves you, not yet possibly. I believe he never thought of you from that perspective, rather, as you were his pupil, he didn't even want to think about love for you."
"And he still would not accept it, don't you think?"
"But you are no longer one of his pupils, moreover you are of an age to freely choose the one with whom to make love. He could now look at you with different eyes, don't you think?"
"Why are you doing this for me?"
"Because I like you and because I'm affectionate to him. More than for you, I'm doing it for him. I never gave him what he most needed, that is love. You on the contrary can give it to him. Go and see him."
Constant went on a trip and in four hours, walking fast, he reached Lilvalley and went to the school. With his heart in his mouth, he asked to see Honoured. When they were in front of each other, for a while neither of them uttered a word, the man for the surprise, the boy for his emotion.
Then Honoured said, "You came all the way here?"
"Yes..."
"Come inside. Do you want to talk with me?"
"Yes..."
"I'm listening."
"I... I'm in love with you..."
"I know."
"... but if you don't want me, you have only to tell me, and I will never again show here, if you ask me."
"Constant, what can I say? Until a little while ago you were one of my pupils; moreover I have a companion to whom I always have been faithful. I never thought of you as a possible lover. And these matters cannot be decided just like that, on the spot."
"Therefore you don't want to have me in your way?" the boy hesitantly asked.
"I didn't say that. I like you. But... you are a very smart boy, no doubt about that, and also handsome, very handsome. I feel attracted to you, physically. But I would like knowing you deeply, as I think you are not just asking me to spend one night in my bed, are you?"
"I would content myself with that, but it is true, it is not just that I am hoping for. I would like to be yours..."
"And also that I was yours, right?"
"It would be... I would be... It would be a dream come true!" Constant murmured.
"Therefore, possibly, we just have to get to know each other better, to understand if we really are made for each other. Also you, in fact, don't really know me..."
"Yes I do! It's now three years I've been observing you, I'm thinking how could I be living with you..."
"Not I, anyway."
"Yes, I understand. So, then, what do you want me to do?"
"That you... that you give me time to reflect and to get to know you."
"But how can this be possible, as now we live so far away?" Constant asked with a sad voice.
"You have to end your studies and not as my pupil. Therefore you can only wait for this year and a half to end."
"But can I come here to see you, when I've free time?"
"Sure, and I will wait for you with pleasure..." Honoured answered with a smile, " ... as I want to get to know you better. In fact I like you, as I said."
"Thank you." The boy murmured with a smile in which was a transparent hint of hope. Honored caressed his hand in an affectionate gesture.
They spent a few hours together, then Constant had to go back home in order to be in time for his lessons. But on the following morning, he talked with his father and told him that he was in love with a Brother living in Lilvalley, and that he wanted to go and see him as often as possible. But as Lilvalley was four hours walk away, and him having only twelve hours of free time from the school, when he went to see Honoured he could not help his father with the tailor's work.
His father wanted first of all to understand exactly how serious this was for Constant. He discussed it with his son until he became persuaded that the boy not only was truly in love but also had some hopes that it would be reciprocated. Then he talked with him about work. He told him that he could not do without him very often, and that it was not worth that long trip, only to spend four hours with the man, and to lose twelve hours of work. Therefore he told his son that, on the days of school holidays, having thus thirty-six free hours, he could go; but on all the other days he had to stay home to work.
Constant understood his father's reasoning and thanked him; he devoted himself, during the three days he had to help his father, to producing the most he could. When the school holiday came, he at once went to Lilvalley. He got there in late morning and looked for Honoured, who welcomed him with pleasure. Constant explained to him the agreement with his father and asked, "So can I stay and sleep here tonight?"
"Yes, but not with me, at least not for now..."
"Why?" the boy asked, somewhat disappointed.
"Because I am still united to Courage and I don't want to wrong him. If we slept together, I don't know if it would make things difficult." Honoured said.
Constant understood and, even if in part he was sorry, on the other side he was happy, because this meant that the Brother was feeling a strong attraction towards him. Honoured told him that he would sleep in the school, in the Fruit section, as it was not in use that night. For the meals he asked the Father if Constant could eat with them, and got the authorization.
That evening, after supper, Honoured accompanied him to the cell where the boy would sleep that night. "Goodnight," he said and was about to leave.
"Can't you stay here with me just for a while?" the boy asked.
"Just a short while..." Honoured nodded.
Constant lay on the bed and gestured to Honoured to sit near him. "You know, I'm so glad I can spend some time with you..."
"Yes..."
"And that I can tell you I love you." Constant added, lifting Honoured's hand to his lips and kissing it.
Honoured caressed his cheek, smiling.
The boy returned the smile then, with a soft whisper, asked, deeply moved, "Can't you give me a kiss, before leaving me?"
Honoured smiled again and with a finger lightly brushed his lips. Constant slightly shuddered and opened his lips a little. Honoured took his face in his hands, bent over him, and his lips brushed the boy's. Constant took the lower lip of the man between his own and suckled it, passing the tip of his tongue over it.
Honoured gently parted from him and said, "Now it is better I leave."
"Yes."
"Good night."
"I'll dream of you, hence it will be a good night."
"I'll come to wake you up, tomorrow morning." The man said and went away.
Honoured was feeling aroused, full of desire and knew that, if he didn't go away immediately, he wouldn't be able to resist the attraction he was feeling for the boy.
The following morning, when he went to wake him up, the boy was deeply asleep. He called him but the boy didn't answer. He gently shook him calling him again. Nothing. He then bent over him, kissing his lips until he felt the boy react, then he parted from the boy and again called him. Constant opened his eyes and smiled at him.
"Get up; you hardly have time to take a bath before breakfast."
"Will you come washing with me?" the boy asked.
"I already did that."
"What a pity... I would have loved washing you." The boy said, starting to undress.
Honoured felt the desire to go with him to the bath to look at him while the boy was washing, but thought it wiser to wait for him in the cell. Just looking at him undress made him aroused. The man was aware that what he was feeling was more than a simple physical attraction; he liked his smile, what he said, what he thought, his character, his personality that was gradually being revealed; it was partially different from what he already knew of him as a teacher. Now the boy was unveiling his soul to him, little by little, as well as his most intimate thoughts.
Constant came back and put on his clothes. They spent all the remaining time together, until Constant had to go back to Temple. When Courage went to see Honoured, he told him how things went with the boy, what he felt, what he thought.
"I believe that we have to ask to be separated, then." Courage said.
"No, not yet. I still don't feel sure."
"Judging from how you talk about him, it seems that you like the boy a lot."
"Yes, but I still can't say I'm in love with him. I don't want to repeat what happened with you."
"But with us, the one not being in love was me, not you. Constant is in love with you; it's different, isn't it?"
"Let's wait some more." Honoured insisted.
Constant went to see him regularly. At times they exchanged a kiss, stayed half-embraced, but Honoured always made sure they never overstepped their set limits and Constant, although he desired it, never tried to push their relationship beyond the limits they tacitly fixed. But the man was feeling more and more attracted to the boy and, each time, he was waiting for him to arrive with growing joy and pleasure.
When Courage renewed his proposal to separate, after some more hesitation, Honoured accepted. This provoked a change in the man: he felt free to express all he was feeling. In fact, when Constant went to see him again, the boy at once perceived a change in Honoured's behaviour, albeit a very small one. He wouldn't be able to tell anyone just how the man was different, and yet he could feel it. They had lunch then went out for a walk to the river. They were back for supper, then Honoured accompanied him to the small cell, to sleep.
"I need to take a bath. Will you wait for me, here?" Constant said, starting to undress.
"Today I haven't yet had my bath. I'm coming with you, so we can wash each other." Honoured said starting to undress himself.
Constant looked at him, pleasantly surprised and thought that for the first time he would see the naked body of the man. He became aroused, therefore, and somewhat embarassed. He turned away, not to avoid looking at the man but mainly not to let him see the erection he got.
He went to the bath room ahead of the man and at once started to soap himself. Honoured arrived soon after; Constant turned his back, then Honoured took the soap and started to wash the boy's back, then the small, round and firm buttocks. With his hands made slippery by the foam, he massaged the back of the boy, feeling a growing pleasure and desire. Also the boy, being touched in that way, was aroused even more than before but neither of them did anything to get to touch each other more intimately.
Then Honoured turned back, washed himself in front, then passed the soap to the boy to soap his back. They both were fully aroused, but possibly because of this, they yet didn't dare to look each other in the eyes. They rinsed, then entered the wide tub full of warm water and sat in it. Immersed in the clear water to their necks, at last they looked at each other. Honoured stretched out a hand towards the boy, who stretched his own and their fingers tightly intertwined.
Honoured pulled Constant to himself, and when he was near, girded his waist with an arm, "I like you." He lightly murmured.
The boy put his head on the man's shoulder then, with his hand under the water caressed his pectorals. Honoured raised the boy's face and gave him a kiss on his lips. Constant opened them and Honoured slipped his tongue inside. The boy gently sucked it. Honoured slowly stood up making the boy rise with him, continuing to kiss him, and their bodies adhered together. The man, cupping the boy's ass with his hands, pulled him to himself until their firm and quivering erections brushed one against the other.
"Will you stay with me, tonight?" Constant asked him, moved, as their mouths parted.
"Yes. Let's go."
"Yes..." the boy sighed.
They got out of the tub and dried each other, then went to the boy's cell. Constant laid down on the bed and Honoured laid on top of him, caressing him.
"You are so beautiful!" the boy murmured.
"You think so?"
"No, I don't think it, I see it!" the boy answered with a bright smile, passing his hands over the man's body.
They gradually caressed more and more intimately, in a crescendo of passion, until they united, finally giving free rein, with gentle vigor, to the reciprocal desire. It would have been difficult to tell which of them was happier to have reached the point of giving himself to the other. If it was Constant who at last crowned his dream or if it was Honoured who was re-discovering the beauty of sex made with love. Honoured was strongly feeling the love charge of the boy and almost shyly was letting free his own need to give and receive love.
They finally fell asleep, tightly embracing each other, grateful to have been able to share these love hours. In the morning, when Honoured woke up, he felt very fulfilled being able to wake up the boy kissing and caressing him, and Constant being able to give free rein to his desire for the man that he'd loved for years. They made love again before getting up, and both felt to be in splendid shape.
They spent the remaining hours in sweet intimacy, telling each other a thousand things, with trepidation, but happily. Honoured was feeling he was more and more falling in love with the boy. When at last in the afternoon they had to part, it was difficult for both of them. They made a date for the following school holiday. The days when they couldn't see each other were elapsing slowly, each of them with their heart and thoughts full of the other.
Months elapsed and Constant at last ended his school, then he asked his father for the authorisation to definitely move to Lilvalley to Honoured's place. Honoured proposed that Constant start to work as a tailor in the borough as there weren't any there. When at last Constant was twenty years old, they celebrated their union and Honoured asked to leave the Brothers in order to live with Constant, though continuing to teach in the school.
Their love was strong and deep and Honoured seemd almost to become younger, he was so happy and fitted well with his beloved Constant. They were united for three years when they asked to adopt two children, four and two years old, from a very large family. The two children were brothers and their names were Vital and Cloud. The fact that they had to concern themselves about raising the two children gave new freshness and sweetness to their union.
When Vital became an adult, he would become one of the most famous and valiant Captains and then Regents of Silvana and it would be him to sign the new pact with the sovereign of the surrounding lands. But we will see this later.
CONTINUES IN CHAPTER 6
In my home page I've put some of my stories. If someone wants to read them, the URL is http://www.geocities.com/~andrejkoymasky/ If you want to send me feed-back, please e-mail at andrejkoymasky@geocities.com