By saying this is a fantasy I don't really need to stress that it is a work of fiction. Set in a nameless land, maybe even a nameless world, our rules and conventions do not apply here.
As always this free resource needs your donations to keep it alive, so donate as much or little as you can afford. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html
ovote@unseen.is
Tancred slept deeply in a clean warm bed, the first time for many months, and Jacob found himself having to go and rouse the boy for them to break their fast late that next day. Having attended to the morning needs they sat together and Jacob related the tale of his searchings. Feeling Tancred was still not enough at ease to divulge the causes of his flight from home he allowed the boy more time to come to an explanation in his own time. Instead he dwelt on the immediate problems that would still hamper the pair
"We are in a hostile city, the constables are undertaking more vigourous sweeps to fill the slave cages after losing those children. Caution and your safety have to be our first priority for now. Today we are going abandon this house, the people living about have seen me coming and going over the time and have seen no youth accompanying me, to see you today will rouse suspicion. When I arrived here I also secured another house in a different part of the city which we can move to and take up residence without worry. As far as the people in that quarter know we will be newly arrived in the city this day"
Jacob suggested that Tancred spent more time soaking in the bathing pools during the day. The one good bath the night before had not fully cleared the ingrained dirt and his feet were still in a heavily calloused condition. Making sure Tancred was now feeling safer within the house he prepared to go about in the city and carry out some tasks such as having a supply of food delivered to the other house. He also needed to introduce himself to various trading houses and start to procure goods to reinforce their cover as merchants. His plan was to leave the city in a wagon loaded with those goods. He explained to Tancred that he would ward the house completely to keep it safe and secure. It was unsaid of course that it also prevented the boy from leaving, not wanting Tancred to feel imprisoned so soon after his last term of captivity in the city goal.
Between his calls at grocers and wine merchants to arrange the necessary supplies he spent time sitting in a few of the tea shops around some of the paizzas, making conversation with different people where the talk was mainly about the large fire in the lumber yard the day before. The fire, and the damage caused, had overshadowed the escape of the children, most people were amused by the carelessness of the guards who had allowed such a silly thing to have taken place. The constables were still out rounding up more urchins though, the greed of the city authorities would push to continue that task, thus making up for the lost revenue, but no suggestions were being made that the escape was organised. That was heartening news to Jacob. His final visit was to a large merchant house in the city that dealt in silks and other such goods. The house had no visual connections with his own lands, indeed they did no trade with the land. However it was part of the secret spy network that had operated for many years, and had never come under any suspicion as being anything other than it's commercial operation. In the office of the head merchant he sat and composed a letter to be carried by a circuitous route back to his master the King.
My valued Customer,
It gives me pleasure to inform you that I will shortly commence my journey back home. I have recently been able to secure a supply of wonderful glassware and crystal. I feel sure that your lady will be overjoyed when she sees the beauty and artistry of these goods. The journey will be long and arduous, great care will need to be taken to safely transport such delicate objects, and it may be that the hazards of a winter journey will cause a delay.
Having spoke at length with the King before his departure the meaning in this letter was clear. One other task he left the merchant house to arrange was for a carriage to be sent so they could journey from one house to the other. Returning to the house he found all was well with Tancred, now looking much more refreshed. Together they made the preparations to vacate, with Tancred having nothing more than the clothes he stood in that took no great time, and they were ready and waiting when the carriage arrived.
The new house was much larger and richly appointed, as befitted the prosperous merchant that Jacob was appearing to be. An elderly couple resided in the servant quarters who would cook and clean for Jacob and Tancred. Schooling Tancred on the way they would act in this new part of the city during the journey Jacob had told Tancred to jump down from the carriage first and assist him, as he now appeared to be a good deal older than the vigourous merchant he had been until now in this city. Walking with a stoop in small steps, supporting himself with a cane he had bought earlier in the day they introduced themselves to the servant couple. Knowing how servants gossip, Jacob expected the tale of an aged merchant and his nephew to spread quickly around the houses nearby. The carriage from the merchant house, and it's driver Zachary, would remain in their service for the rest of the time Jacob and Tancred stayed in the city. Even though Zachary was also a spy he would remain in ignorance of both Tancred and Jacob's true identity, believing them to be fellow countrymen here on a secret mission. He could be trusted to act however needed and as further protection for them, listening and watching. Once they had refreshed with more tea they called for Zachary to take them about the city, Tancred needed far more than the few items of clothing Jacob had carried with him the day before.
The next few days were spent visiting merchant houses, negotiating for object of the glassware and other decorative trinkets Jacob had intimated in his letter they would bring. If that letter had been opened and read then he needed to have in his possession the things mentioned. Tancred slipped easily into the role of Jacob's apprentice, helped by a gentle incantation to ensure he always answered to this new name he had been given.
Sitting together after their evening meal Jacob turned his thoughts to the subject they had avoided until now, the reason for the boy Prince's flight from home.
"Until now we haven't spoken of the things that trouble you Tancred, the time is upon us to do so"
"I don't know if it's something I can make you understand, indeed I'm not sure I understand it all myself" replied Tancred.
"Is this something that happened, some wrong done to you?"
When Tancred gave him no answer to that he thought some more and then continued
"Or something you feared in the life that is set out ahead of you?"
Tancred looked at Jacob, a haunted look in his eyes "I thought you would know what this is, you are able to talk without words into my head, you know where I am and can make things known to me. Why do you not know this thing?"
It seemed to Jacob that the time was ready for Tancred to learn some of the secrets he would not usually be given at such an early age. But he reasoned to himself the last few months in the young prince's life had turned a lot of things upside down. He had seen a side of the world that a boy sitting in splendour and waited upon by courtiers never would see.
"Many generations in the past a great mage, one with much greater powers than I, put protections into place that keep your family safe from prying minds. He was one of those who set the order of the world we live in today. Those mages are now gone, but the protections still remain. I can look into a person and see what is within, save for the King and his family. In order to see those things you must grant those such as I a permission by way of an incantation spoken together, and allow us to be in physical contact. That ability for me to see will only keep for as long as we touch, once broken we have to speak the words again each time"
After a short pause he spoke further "I am the keeper of the King's secrets, but the will to keep something secret from me is always yours. I only know what is in your desire to see and feel. In all things I am the servant and not the master. Let us speak on this another time, I would counsel you to think on matters and make your decisions in due course. We'll be a long time before our home is in sight yet, there's no urgency save keeping ourselves safe here. The winter comes early this year and the mountain passes will be snowbound." On that note the two retired to their beds for the night's rest.
The next morning, while breaking their fast Tancred was in deep thought over an idea that had been coming to him over the last days.
"Jacob, in our lessons you often told me that war is just diplomacy conducted in other ways, serving to protect and keep safe our interests in other places. Surely then it can also be the case that diplomacy be war conducted in other ways?"
Jacob, very pleased with that thought replied "It would seem the seeds of your lessons are reaching for the sunlight" Tancred, encouraged by Jacob's answer went on "This city appears on the surface to be a strong vibrant place, rich and prosperous. But underneath that is a rotten core, fed by cruelty and vicious treatment of many who are so poor they have barely enough to survive. Most of the beggars and cutpurses I was with had become that because their parents had been cast out of their homes by a rich landlord when there was no money to pay him. Or a father had been goaled and transported as a slave for the smallest wrong. So many of those I knew are quick to learn, they either survive or they end up in a slave ship having their forehead burnt with the iron."
"So what does my apprentice propose to do about that?"
"There has to be a way we can take an advantage of this, a boy or girl saved from a future as a slave or prostitute will be loyal beyond measure" said Tancred.
At this they left the conversation for a time when the maidservant would not be bustling in and out of the room with dishes. The subject continued to engage them during the day, and when sitting in one of the city piazzas, in keeping with Jacob's portrayal of an elderly and somewhat frail man they took regular rests, Tancred notice a small figure dressed in rags hovering around the edges of the square.
Recognising him he called Jacob's attention to the boy "I know him, he taught me a few tricks about how to elude the city watch and about ... other things as well. And he shared food with me"
Tancred pushed himself back into Jacob's shadow so as not to be noticed. "That won't be needed, you look very different now in rich clothes and no long, light coloured hair" said Jacob.
"Come now, let us see if we can snare ourselves a little urchin and test out your theory for a while"
They made ready to leave and Jacob hobbled over past where the boy was sat begging for coppers. As they passed him Jacob dropped a few small coins into the grubby outstretched hand and muttered silently to the boy. The boy stood and followed them as they continued to make their way through the town. Stopping at a small street market Jacob gathered some new basic clothing that looked about the size to fit him and they headed for home. Beckoning the small boy to come to him he reinforced the incantation already in place. When they got back Jacob called for Zachary and gave charge of the boy to him. Telling him to give the boy tasks such as sweeping the yard, and any other things that came to mind. Passing the parcel of clothing for the boy to Zachary he told him to make the boy bathe first then tell the other servants to find other mundane tasks for the boy, and to treat him well with no beatings. His final instruction was for the boy to be found a place to sleep if he proved willing and trustworthy. As Jacob's incantations ensured the boy would be doing just that the words were just to allay suspicions from Zachary and the servants.
That evening they were to dine at the home of another merchant that Jacob had entered into negotiations with. Upon arrival they were introduced to another guest, he turned out to be the head of the city goal. During the meal the head goaler engaged Tancred in conversation, and his intentions could not be made clearer when he could not prevent himself from casting some lecherous looks at the good looking young Tancred. Long used to not showing his feelings around the palace Tancred was easily able to show no emotion to the man, unfortunately that seeming innocence in itself made him all the more attractive to the man. Jacob, although on the surface in deep conversation over trade with their host, was closely watching what was happening between the two, and could easily feel Tancred's discomfort. As they were leaving to return home Jacob took the goaler's hand and gave him a warm and friendly handshake, parting as if he had greatly enjoyed the evening. Once they were in the carriage on the way home Tancred started talking about the way the man was acting towards him.
"He wanted me to come and visit but his eyes were telling a different story. I thought you would come to my rescue when he was being like that"
Jacob laughed "You handled him really well, I was listening to every word the pompous little man said. Don't be concerned though, that handshake when we said goodnight contained a little gift for him." Holding out his hand he let one finger droop down to the carriage floor. "He will find that his little hobby has come to an end now"
"You don't like men who do things like that with boys?" "On the contrary, it is the way of the world, we can't help who we are attracted to. I've enjoyed pleasurable times with both men and women over the years, and will again in the future. He's different though, I felt when I took his hand that he cares only for himself. It matters nothing to him if a boy is willing to be with him, he will hurt and damage a boy just so long as he satisfies his own needs. I sensed the joy he gets, even going as far as taking a life, and he has done so in the past. I'm long from finished with him. But until I have, his manhood will never stiffen to hurt another boy"
Those words stayed with Tancred on the journey home in the carriage, and once settled in the library of the house, it had become their favourite room to sit at night before retiring to bed, he knew he now felt comfortable enough to let Jacob know what was weighing heavily on him. He knew it had to be faced before they reached his home, and parents, and now knowing he could trust Jacob to know all he said to him "Jacob, I want you to know the reasons for running away, but I'm not really sure how to put it in a way that will make a great deal of sense"
Jacob felt the need coming from Tancred and knew he was struggling to start this conversation, he thought for a moment and decided to explain some of the way in which he would know Tancred's thoughts. "We open our minds to each other by taking hold of each other's hands, when you repeat the words needed I will see as if looking through your eyes and hearing through your ears. Think of just what happened to cause you this trouble, and as I have told you already your other secrets are safe from me unless you wish to show them to me"
Holding out both his hands towards Tancred he waited as the boy overcame that last small reserve and took his hands. Jacob started saying the incantation, pausing to let Tancred say the same words, and as the last words were spoken Tancred felt a tremendous sense of ease spreading through him.
The prince was sat on the manicured lawns of the palace, he could hear his youger brothers and sister playing away in the distance. It was a hot beautiful summer day and the prince wanted to be off swimming or sailing, but here he was sat with stuffy old Rama his history tutor. It was hard staying awake as he droned on and on about King somebody marrying Princess somebody else 500 years ago. If that bee that was buzzing about near Rama's head would just land on his head, or funnier still sting him on the end of that long nose. Rama's nose always dripped in the winter when it was cold, if it was dripping now it would land on that dusty book he was reading from.
Oh he's done it again, wandered off and now he's talking about me getting married, that was quick, we've jumped five centuries in a flash. I've got to marry!! Not yet, not for a long time please, and what does begat even mean?"
As it came clear what Rama meant by begatting the prince felt a terrible sense of revulsion spread through him at the thought of him and a woman undressed and doing that thing Rama was describing. He blushed deeply when Rama spoke about his private parts stiffening so he could put it in to the woman. He felt sick and wanted to vomit at the picture in his head. He saw himself as a man, undressed with a woman seeing him naked, and seeing her without clothes as well. He had seen his baby sister getting bathed by the servants and he knew what was different, but to push his thing into that part was horrible. He could never do that, No he was never going to do it. He wasn't shy about anyone seeing him undressed, he swam often without his clothes on, the other boys he played with always swam in the sea without clothes on, they took off their clothes as well. He saw their private parts, and he liked looking at them, they looked like him. As he thought about his friends naked he felt himself stiffening. He couldn't stop thinking about his best friend Darius, and how nice his looked when he saw it, and when Darius turned around he still looked nice from the back. He liked Darius seeing him as well. He wanted to touch it because he was his special friend, but was too shy to ask. It was a really nice feeling being with Darius when they both were lying on the sand with the sun drying them after swimming and his private parts got all tingly with the heat of the sun, it always made him stiffen.
How could boys and men do that and not feel sick? Did everybody do it? If I can't do that with a woman I can't be a King. My brother will have to be King and not me. My father will be so angry with me if I am not going to be King, how can I ever tell him?
Jacob left go of Tancred's hands, sat back and laughed heartily. "Rama's dripping nose, oh my!"
Tancred looked at him and was shocked that at all the things he had been thinking that Rama's nose was first to be mentioned by Jacob.
Quickly becoming serious Jacob told Tancred "You are a boy that likes other boys, and there is nothing wrong at all with you feeling that way. I told you earlier that I have took pleasure with both men and with women. Sometimes it was more than just taking pleasure, I too have loved deeply a person of our own sex. It was a warm, genourous love that we both shared, and even though he died a long time ago I still have deep love in my heart for him. I miss him even now and his memory is always deep in my heart."
Seeing Tancred's eyes with tears gathering in them he held out his arms and pulled the boy in to a close embrace, holding him close and soothing him as a small child needs soothing.
Still holding him he felt Tancred's body lose the tension and, still holding him, he spoke gently.
"These worries and fears will all come to nothing, and I, Jacob who has loved you since I held you in my arms fresh from your Mother's womb tell you that you will be King, and that you will also have the life that makes you happy. On this you have my solemn word. Put these worries from your mind and we will speak on it another time."
Silently passing a sleeping incantation he held Tancred and shortly afterwards carried the sleeping boy to his bed. leaving him to a peaceful, untroubled sleep.
In Chapter 3:
Jacob and Tancred start to make plans for the disruption of the city. Tancred learns a little more about men and women, & about the things Jacob can do to give Tancred the happiness he needs as he grows. The prison goaler also might get his just desserts if other things go to plan.