THE STROLLING PLAYERS by Andrej Koymasky (C) 2008 written on June 3, 1992 translated by the author English text kindly revised by The Australian
USUAL DISCLAIMER
"THE STROLLING PLAYERS" 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 13 - Don't wait for the third chance
On the last days of Lent, Vance was rehearsing with Rupert, Dave and Roe a part for the Easter shows. Meanwhile Dunn was inside the wagon with Timothy making love. Roe, at times giggled while pointing out to his friends that the wagon was slightly rocking from the enthusiasm of the couple inside, while uniting. It had to be Dunn. He was the wilder of all them when he was the top, and had, in a short time, became the most passionate and tireless lover of them all. When he was in the right mood he was able to make love two or three times in a day. Even though Dunn at times liked have a change, he usually preferred to unite with Timothy who he was fondly calling "my Tim". Timothy had a real crush on Dunn and it was a pleasure just seeing them together.
They suddenly saw a man coming on a horse, at a gallop. The man stopped near the wagon and Vance at once recognized in him one of the men of the O'Neil Clan. As soon as the man got down from his horse, he came over to group.
With a breathless voice he said, "The Ard Righ attacked Desmonds Castle while the members of the clans Federation for the Free Ireland had a meeting. He took the castle by storm and took several of the men prisoners. He decided to take the hostages to his castle. Amongst them is Lionel O'Neil, but the Ard Righ decided to deliver him to the English.
"They are now transporting him towards Dunn Laogaire, probably to embark him. They have already reached Toomyvara. I'm going to warn our clan at Conakilty but we surely can't manage to intercept them and free him. You should try to follow them to keep the friendly clans informed and see if they can try to free him before it's too late."
"Lionel... a prisoner again? Do you know what escort is transporting him, an English or an Irish one?"
"For the moment Irish. I think they have to be a dozen horsemen in all."
"Alright, we'll try to get more information, We'll do all that is possible. Did you manage to intercept anybody up to now?"
"Only the O'Grady, but they are weak and divided amongst themselves. I really don't think they will intervene."
As the man left, Roe said, "We have to go immediately. I can reconnoitre while you come with the wagon. Three horses should be enough for you. I think you have better pass for Dolla. You will see, Vance, we will get to do something, don't worry."
"Alright, Roe. If we get to Lloughmoe in time, we can possibly leave the wagon there and get some fast horses, and maybe gather some men in arms..."
"Do you think we have to intervene?" Roe asked.
"It could be a possibility, if we are not alone. Unhappily only you and I are able to fight, thus we two can do nothing."
"We can try. In this case it would be better if we meet in Rosecrea or in Ballaghmore."
"Let's do it in Ballaghmore, then." Vance decided.
Roe left at once. Dunn, who in the meantime came out with Timothy, and upon hearing about the problem, said, "We are not men of arms, but we can give you a hand. We will not leave you alone, Vance, right my friends?"
Everybody determinedly agreed. They loaded everything on the wagon and took the road. After a stretch of road Dave said to Vance, "You can take one of the horses from the wagon and go at once to Lloughmoe so we can save some time."
"Alright. If something happens to me, I entrust to you Dave, the wagon and my company. Give me your best wishes."
Vance went on at full gallop while the wagon was slowly proceeding along the road.
The day after they all met at Ballaghmore. Vance got seven men on horses, and six horses more and weapons. Dave had left the wagon at a farm of a man loyal to the O'More's who were allied to the O'Neil's. Roe had singled out the patrol escorting Lionel. They were already at Rosecrea. As the man who informed them said, exactly twelve well-armed men escorted Lionel.
Vance decided they had better to go beyond Borris and look for a point suited to an ambush between Borris and Mountrath. They went to explore the road, but unhappily they couldn't find any spot good enough to lay an ambush. They then went beyond Mountrath, until they reached a ford on the river Nore, and stopped.
"Here could be a good spot. The road is narrow and the river rather turbulent, as you see, they have to wade across with extreme caution. They will have to slow down."
They discussed it until the plan took shape down to the smallest detail. They assigned each man his place and his task. They foresaw all the possible variants, any possible problems, then waited while Rupert, on horseback, returned along the direction from which the patrol transporting Lionel had to come.
Their plan was quit simple. They had to wait until the patrol reached the river's bank, then attack from both sides. The most skilled men would be on the river's side. Timothy, Dave, Dunn and Rupert had to block their retreat by stretching some ropes between the trees after their passage, then blocking them with the picks and spears that Vance had acquired. Additionally, in the trees would be hidden two skilled bowmen who would shoot the two escort soldiers at Lionel side. The two archers would give the attack signal.
The rocks and trees would prevent an escape from the side, the river and the five men stopping their escape forward, the ropes and the other six their escape backward. They had to kill all the twelve horsemen so that none of them could escape and give the alarm. The two bowmen in the trees, once having killed the first two soldiers, had only to care of any soldier, who feeling desperate, tried to kill Lionel.
Their waiting lasted several hours. In the late afternoon, finally, Rupert came back at a gallop, announcing that the group was approaching.
"Did they see you?" Dave asked him.
"No, they didn't. I hid far from the road, on the hill. They aren't proceeding fast, but in a short while they will be here."
They all carefully hid, each one in his assigned place, camouflaging themselves with branches cut from the trees. In the silence broken only by the cry of some birds and by the river murmur, they finally heard the sound of the horses' hooves. Then they saw then coming. They all remained perfectly still. As the first two men of the short column reached the river's bank, the two bowmen shot their arrows and the two men riding at Lionel's side fell down, screaming.
The five men at the forward position immediately attacked the column, jumping out from their hiding place, yelling, and the group at their back at once stretched the ropes to bar the road and prepared to intervene. The battle was furious but short. The bowman killed two more horsemen who were going towards Lionel, without waiting to understand if they intended to kill him or not. One of Lloughmoe men was pierced by a sword and fell dead. A second one was badly wounded on the arm and side, while Rupert suffered a leg wound. The twelve enemies were all lying in the dust, dead or badly wounded. Roe went to those still alive and with his sword dispatched them one after the other.
Vance went to Lionel, who assisted in the short battle remaining still and in silence on his horse.
"You are free, Lionel. As soon as we find the right tool we will cut your chains. You will soon be back in Conakilty."
"Thank you. I owe you my freedom."
"We are quits. We have to hide the dead bodies in the woods, then will organize your return to your Clan." Vance said in a serious expression and went away.
They dragged the corpses behind the rocks in the scrub, then removed the harnesses and the saddles from the enemies' horses, and whipped them making them gallop off. With branches they erased all traces of their ambush including any traces of blood. Then they loaded their dead man and the two wounded ones and left the road going up the hills.
Dave with Timothy and Dunn went back to get their wagon. The others waited, while Vance bandaged the wounds of the soldier and Rupert. Two of the other soldiers were on guard while the others were resting. Lionel was seated, his back against a tree, his eyes closed, still chained. Roe looked at Vance and noticed that he could not see Lionel. So he went to him.
"Lord Lionel?"
"Yes, Roe?"
"How are you feeling?"
"Weird... and very tired."
"You didn't expect to be freed so soon... and by Vance no less, am I not right?"
Lionel looked in his eyes, then said in a low voice, "Yes you are. I thought he hated me."
"Hate you? Don't be silly. Vance is in love with you, after we left you, he did nothing but think of you."
"But he chose you, not me."
"And you chose the Clan, not him. I can never be a substitute for you. He is all right with me, he is affectionate to me, but... but in his heart there is nothing but you, only you. I must go now, I don't want him to see I'm talking with you. Reflect on what I have said".
Roe went away. When the actors' wagon came, night was already falling. They put the two wounded on the horses and went down to meet it. First of all, they found suitable tools to break the chains from Lionel's ankles and wrists. Then they discussed what they had to do. The men who helped them with their dead had to go back at their castle. Vance decided that he, with Roe, fully armed, would accompany Lionel to the south to a safe territory. The wagon would go to the south, but at a slower pace. Vance and Roe would meet their wagon again along the road that went from Rosecrea to Cork. After all was settled, they left with the Lloughmoe men. They would spend the night in that castle then resume their way south. Vance again entrusted all to Dave.
When they reached the castle, Lionel thanked the chieftain for his help. They refreshed themselves then rested for some hours. Vance asked for some plain clothes so that they could carry on the journey in disguise. Roe wore women's clothes, while Vance and Lionel wore servant's clothing. Lionel cut his hair into a bob cut and dyed in black.
Being fully disguised, they resumed their travel to the south at first light. In Gahir that night, they decided to spend their time at the local inn. They took two adjoining rooms, one officially for the "girl" and the other one for the two "servants". Vance wanted Lionel to sleep alone in one of the rooms, and he with Roe in the other.
When they were alone, Roe said, "Vance, why don't you go to the other room with Lionel?"
"What for?
"After so much time... you should have plenty to tell each other."
"I don't think so."
"Don't you desire to make love with him one more time?"
"No."
"Why are you lying? And to whom are you lying, to yourself or to me?"
"I'm not lying. Lionel loves his Clan, not me."
"Are you really sure? I've noticed how he was looking at you throughout our journey."
"Just fantasies of a romantic boy... or do you tire of me. Are you pushing me in his arms?" Vance asked, trying to be humorous.
"I don't intend to lose you, don't worry, but as I am not jealous of you when you make love with the other members of our company, all the same, I wouldn't be jealous if you now went to the other room."
"Let's sleep, Roe. The travel is still long."
"Where do you intend to escort him?"
"At least to Bandon. Up until then the road is not safe from attack. After that, it's safe, because we will be in O'Neil territory. Unless we are lucky and the O'Neil are coming to meet him, in that case we can leave him earlier."
"Are you so hasty to leave him?"
"I think he is more hurried than me. Good night."
The day after, while they were on the mountain, Vance withdrew a moment to relieve himself. Roe sought time with him.
"Lord Lionel, if I ask you a question, will you be sincere with me?"
"Do you want to know if I am still in love with Vance?"
"Exactly."
"Yes, I am. I never forgot him. Throughout all these long months I never had sex with anybody else. I always fought in the hope of dying in battle."
"This is why you were taken prisoner?"
"No, that was just been bad luck. I wanted to die and not to become a prisoner. But unhappily fate decided otherwise."
"The fate, yes! The fate made you meet again, and Vance is in love with you. If you just wanted to leave your Clan and follow him... If you died, you would have left your Clan, wouldn't you? So then, why you don't leave your Clan now?"
"He... he has you. What can he do with me, at this point?"
"You should know Vance. He loves you, even if at times he can feel the need for a... an escapade. But he loves you and does nothing but think of you. Do you know that he never allowed anyone to take him after he left you? In an odd way, isn't this a way to be faithful? Talk with him, tell him you love him... don't be stupidly haughty. Oh, he's coming! I told you nothing, alright?"
They resumed their travel and Roe was always riding ahead to let them alone. He didn't hear them talk and mentally he was cursing them. Finally he heard Lionel voice. He couldn't single out his words, but smiled with satisfaction.
"Vance, may I talk with you?"
"You are a Lord. I'm just an actor. It's not up to you to ask your leave."
"Vance, I... I... I love you."
"Oh, really!"
"Yes, you know it."
"No, I don't know."
"Vance... if I told you that... that I'll leave my Clan, that I will come with you... will you believe that I love you?"
"Don't you think it's rather late?"
"No. It has taken me too long to understand, but now, I finally and fully understand. I need you."
"And if I didn't need you?"
"You are right in being so harsh with me, being angry at me, but I really love you. You... aren't you feeling anything for me?"
"I don't know. I have my company, my strolling players wagon, my life. I've been forced to make my choice."
"I'll come with you... I'll be one of your actors."
"Here in Ireland or possibly even in England?"
"Why not?"
"Because the English or their Irish servants would take you again. We should go abroad, to be safe. Do you think I should ask my companions? The company belongs to them in a way, can you understand that?"
"I'll run the risk in being caught again. Never mind!"
"Don't say bullshit. I could ever accept it. I am now with Roe, and at times I make love with the others. With the others there are no problems. Do you really think I can say to Roe - listen, my darling, I'm going back to Lionel, therefore I'm no more interested in you! If you had accepted to come away with me that day, I would have renounced Roe for you. There was still nothing serious between him and me. We just enjoyed relieving each other, and I needed it. With you it was so seldom that we could make love. Now... now it's the same as it was. I can't pretend that nothing has happened".
"I... if Roe were willing... I would share you with him... He after all accepts sharing you with the others... why not with me too?"
Vance looked at him bewildered. Then shook his head, "Just because I came to rescue you... you start dreaming of impossible things."
"Vance, I... during all these months I did nothing but trying to meet my death in the battlefield... because I lost you, but I have been unlucky. I've been taken prisoner and have not been killed. If you refuse me now, I can do nothing but try once again to meet my death in battle, hoping this time to be lucky."
They both kept silent for a long time, then Vance said, "It is your choice." and he again became silent.
Lionel for some time seemed not to react, but then said, "So then, goodbye. You don't have to accompany me to a safe place. You can leave me here."
"Don't say bullshit, Lionel! I gave my word to take you to a safe place, and I will do it."
"Against my will?"
"Yes, if I need to. Afterwards, you can do as you please."
"Then... try to stop me!" Lionel said and spurred on his horse running away at gallop.
Vance yelled, "Stop!" and galloped off after him.
Roe didn't understand what was happening but on instinct he chassed after Vance, who had surpassed Lionel at full gallop. When he reached them, Vance was trying to restrain Lionel's horse by the reins while Lionel was trying to hit Vance with his whip, screaming, "Leave me! Leave me!"
Roe got at Lionel's back and tried to immobilize him. They both fell from their horses and engaged in a struggle. Vance went off his horse and seized Lionel until, with Roe's help, managed to immobilize him. Then Lionel burst in tears.
Roe, dazed, asked, "What the hell is it happening?"
Vance told him everything.
Roe listened, then said, "Well! May I now say what I think?" As he didn't get an answer, he went on, "Vance, you are a silly, absurd, haughty, moronic, stubborn blockhead! You know you are in love with Lionel. And Lionel knows you are the most important thing in his life. So, then, why you don't go abroad you two, together, now? Why don't you try to restart everything once more?"
"But I don't want to renounce to you. You too have become important for me."
"Alright, Vance. So then... let's run away the three of us, abroad. Now. At once."
"And the wagon?"
"You entrusted him to Dave, didn't you? They will go on with it. And anyway, abroad, we can possibly restart and have a new one made. The first time everything went wrong between you two because Lionel wasn't ready. Now it's you who want spoil everything? Beware, I really don't think you will have a third chance. If you don't accept Lionel, then I will desert you too, because I will lose the esteem I always had for you."
"In short, you are proposing a mŽnage ˆ trois. But would Lionel accept it? And will I?"
Roe then asked, "Lionel! Answer me, are you ready to escape abroad with Vance and me? To try our luck; to try making a new life starting from zero? And to share Vance with me?"
"Yes... yes, I've already told him so."
"So now it all depends from you, Vance. What will you decide? Will you come with us, or do you want us to leave you, both of us?"
Vance shook his head several times, almost as to clear his thoughts. Then, with a strange tone of voice, asked, "You two... you two want to go abroad... so... all of a sudden?"
"I think that neither I nor Lionel are interested in going abroad. We two would like to remain with you, if you want us. We will not be running a great risks only if we all go abroad. If you decide you don't want to make that choice, Lionel will go to look for an honourable death on the battlefield, I will look for a job somewhere, and you can go back to your strolling players' wagon. This time it's up to you to make your choice... to you. Vance, what is most important to you? The two of us, or your actors' company? You rightly demanded Lionel to make a choice between his Clan and you. Now the parts are reversed. Do you want now to repeat his mistake?"
Lionel intervened in a low voice, "Don't blame the problem on Vance. The initial mistake was mine, not his. If I had been able to make the right choice that day, this problem wouldn't exist."
"But at least you saw your mistake, you admitted having made it, you revised your choice, Lionel!" Roe exclaimed.
Silence fell again. Then Vance raised his eyes and in a decided tone said, "Are you two sure you want to share everything with me?"
"Everything, yes, really everything." Roe readily answered.
"And you, Lionel?"
"Yes. Everything. Without exception."
"Let's then mount our horses and let's try to reach a safe port where we can find a ship that will take us to France. The O'Neil clan will manage without Lionel as my strolling players' wagon will manage without me or Roe!"
"It is we three who can't manage without each other." Lionel murmured, cheering up.
They mounted their horses and Lionel said, "It is better to avoid the south-east coast. In Bantry we will almost surely find a French ship. I have to be careful not to be recognized by my Clan's men. Let's go! We will pass through Mallow and Macroon. This disguising will help us to pass unnoticed. The faster we reach Bantry, the better."
They spurred on their horses and went towards the south-west. When they took a short rest, while Vance was going to look for water for them and their horse at a nearby well, Roe went near Lionel.
"Before, in the heat of the argument, I called you by name, without your title. Forgive me. I didn't intend to be disrespectful."
"Roe, if we have to share everything, don't you think it would be ridiculous if you were formal with me?"
"Good. There is also another point I wanted to clear with you. You are in love with Vance. Aren't you afraid that my presence could raise problems?"
"Vance is very important to you too. Could my presence with you two raise problems?"
"I'm used to sharing him with the others, you aren't. It is because of me that you became angry with him."
"I may have grown up some. If Vance forgave me and accepted me again, I owe it to you. I will learn and... if you want, we can not only share Vance but accept each other and possibly... become lovers we too."
"The problem, once again, is not mine. I like you, I would have no problem making love with you too. But you? I wouldn't like you tolerating me just so that you don't lose Vance, can you understand me?"
"I think I will soon learn to love you too, Roe. I think it will be very easy."
Vance came back with the water and they changed the subject. After they quenched their thirst and watered the horses, they resumed their journey. Vance was serious, but somehow serene, Lionel was serene, but once in a while he threw worried glances to Vance. Vance had accepted him, but he hadn't yet told him he loved him, or even that he was just happy to be reunited with him. Roe looked at them both and was peaceful. He could feel that they would become a perfect trio.
They rode night and day without stopping. When they were passing through a village, Vance purchased some food and drinks, then they ate while on horseback, daring never to stop. There was an absolute urgency to reach Bantry and leave Ireland before that the O'Neil Clan started to look for their trace. They had to beware of enemies and of friends. Ireland had become far too dangerous for them.
CONTINUES IN CHAPTER 14
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