Sertial's Quest
By D. E. Sparks
Pboatboyz@prodigy.net
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction and in no way draws on the lives of any specific person or persons. Any similarity to actual persons or events is entirely coincidental. YA right!!! This work is copyrighted by the author and may not be reproduced in any form without the specific written permission of the author.
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts of adolescent/teenage boys. If you are under the legal age to be reading stories with a homosexual content, then you should leave. Equally if reading such material in your community, state, town, city or country is illegal then you too shouldn't read on. Or if you don't want to read about gay people in love or having sex. If however you do, then read on and enjoy the story.
Note: This story will be slow moving, and plot oriented. It is not a porno, though sex will happen. It's a fact of life.
E-mail responses to the story, questions, suggestions, criticism, and comments too: I will try to get to them in a timely manor and all will get responses as I see fit.
The three men awoke in the castle, their heads spinning. Not in the best of moods, they met in the dining hall at midday, staggering in, one at a time. At least they were smart enough to don new attire befitting of the day.
“Richard, how could you let me drink so much of that awful wine your servants like to serve at this inn of yours? My head feels like a horse has been kicking it,” complained King Robert.
“Hey, you can’t blame me for refilling your goblet. You were the one, if I remember correctly, demanding that they spike another barrel, after we were told that the two I already had spiked were empty,” said Richard.
“Well, get one of your Healers in here to help with my head, I am sure they have something around, way out here, that I might be able to use,” groaned the King.
Richard had one of the servants go and get the last of his Healers and told him to make sure he brought something for all three of them at once. While they waited they ate what ever they could of what was set before them, which really wasn’t much, considering. The Healer came into the room and he had a powder, that he said if taken with juice, will clear up his Majesty’s head in no time.
“Victor, if you please mix us up the goblets and one for yourself,” said Richard.
“Yes, My Lord, please bring me some apple nectar,” said the Healer to one of the servants. He understood why the Duke wanted him to make a goblet for all of them including himself - he had to prove his loyalty to the Duke after what had happened. His loyalty was not misguided - he loved the Royal family for how they treated the people of their Kingdom and he would do anything that was needed to save them. A servant came in with the nectar and he took a goblet from the table, put some of the powder in it, then poured the juice over it and mixed it up. He drank the whole goblet down without hesitation, just like he used to do as a boy when he was thirsty.
This gesture was enough for Richard. He got up and came around the table and said, “I am sorry Victor. I hope you understand how I feel after what has happened. I just had to be sure.”
“My Lord it is quite all right, you do not have to apologize to me,” said the Healer. “You are right to worry about who is still loyal to you, but I must tell you something. After the dinner last night, a lot of us - at least those who did not drink too much - got together and we talked. Your son and his friend, Sertial, isn’t it, have shown us all that you are a great and loving family. We are all behind you and we will help with whatever is needed to safeguard you and the rest of your family.”
“It is not often in this world that you find children who can touch your heart the way those two boys have touched ours, My Lord. The caring they show towards one another and towards us all - it is like magic - and we want to help preserve the love they have,” he continued.
“Thank you Victor, your words humble me. I will pass this on to Justyn and Sertial when they return. Let everyone know that I stand behind what I said the other night. I am only here to guide you - you have your own lives to lead. We only hope that you will take the right choices in life as they come to you,” answered Richard.
“Now, I shall get the drinks ready for you and His Majesty, My Lord,” said Victor.
“Thank you Victor,” replied Richard.
He went back to his chair at the table while their Healer fixed potions for them all. After they had all consumed their remedies, he left.
King Robert spoke. “Richard, you did not tell me that my nephew was in love with this boy who has brought him back to us. Are you sure it is not just an infatuation?”
“Robert, I think I should tell you a little bit more about Justyn, but I feel we should all go to my room. You just heard that my family of servants know about their love, but I feel we should talk more privately,” said Richard.
“Very well, we’re finished here it seems that the potion your Healer has given me is working, so we’ll go, and you can tell me all that you care to say,” replied King Robert.
They left the dining hall and went to Richard’s room. They gathered around the fire on the plush chairs that surrounded it. A portrait of Lady Katheryn, hanging above the mantle, was looking down on them. She was dressed in a blue gown, with an emerald necklace around her neck and diamond tiara on her head. She was posed gracefully on her throne, and Robert just stared up at her as the men got themselves comfortable in the chairs.
“Robert, right from the day Justyn was born, I knew he was different,” Richard began. “What I am trying to say, is that with that wolf coming in and touching him, and Justyn spending all his time with the animals in the woods over the years, I just knew he was special. I also knew he was shy and loosing Katheryn the way we did, it didn’t help matters at all. When he was old enough to learn to read, I got the best teachers I could find and I made sure he was safe. I kept him in that library for hours on end. That’s when we noticed the animals coming into the courtyard. It almost seemed like they were looking for him. Then he started to run away to the woods. As he got older I noticed him change - I didn’t want it to be so - but it was there.”
“I noticed it too, Robert,” said Stephen. “I saw it when he was with me and we would train and that was when I told Richard about it. He said that he’d noticed it a couple of months before. Justyn is a good kid - he has a lot of strength going for him and Sertial has brought that out in him. He was so shy before. It was so funny when he took up a sword for the first time - I thought he’d cut his head off. Now he has one that he carries around and he carries it with pride, not like it’s a burden.”
“Yes Robert, wait until you see these two. Justyn is a changed boy, well I should say he’s a man! You can see it in the way he holds himself and the way he talks and treats others. I am very proud of him and none of it is my doing, it’s all due to Sertial, he has made my son happy and loved. Yes, of course I love Justyn, but this is a different kind of love. I know that this is not what we all expected, but after he came home I was just so glad that he was back. I will do anything for him and Sertial. I just know they were meant to be together and when you see them, you will see it too.” explained Richard.
“Well, you two have given me a lot to think about. We all know about love and I am not going to be the one to hurt this family. I will see all this for myself and if what you’ve said is true, I will go ahead from there. That’s all I can promise,” said the King.
“Thank you, dear brother, you will not be disappointed. Justyn will probably be falling all over himself - getting Sertial ready to present to you - when he finds out that you’re here. I’m quite sure of that!” replied Richard.
“OK. Now, you red-headed old troll, do you think you can still best my guards on that old stallion of yours?” asked King Robert.
“Why, Your Majesty, you know I’m the best in all the land. I will have them fumbling all over the place.” boasted Stephen.
They all laughed at that, as they did know that Stephen was very good on a horse. They got up and went out to the courtyard and Stephen went to the stables to get his chestnut brown horse “Kingtutt” ready for the show he was about to perform for the King. His Majesty called upon three of his best guards to also get ready for a performance.
Kingtutt and Stephen appeared from the stables, looking splendid in regal robes and sashes. It was like Kingtutt knew what was about to happen as he pranced over to where Robert and Richard sat waiting for the performance to begin.
“So how many guards this time, Your Majesty?” Stephen asked.
“Ah, you jest Stephen. You know I couldn’t bring every one of my guards with me. I only have three for you this month and just to be fair, they get to go first this time,” answered the King.
“As you wish, Your Majesty. It wasn’t my fault that your men couldn’t keep their horses on their feet, having them run into the castle walls last time. If they just knew how to see, they might have won,” said Stephen.
“Oh Captain Stephen, you’ll pay for your insolence. Let the games begin,” commanded Robert.
The King raised his hand and the first of his horsemen approached. The rider bowed and they took off at a run for the far side of the courtyard. Then he turned his horse around and started him back at a trot. As he got towards the center, he made his horse side step to the left and then the right. Then he turned the horse around and got him walk backwards. He kept repeating this for a short while but didn’t pay enough attention to where he was going. When his horse backed right into the fountain, the man fell backwards off the horse’s ass into the water below.
There was a roar of laughter from all around. The guards from both King Robert’s and Duke Richard’s garrisons had watched this performance. Even the King laughed at his own man when he climbed out of the fountain, bowed and then fell over as he slipped in his wet boots.
The King raised his hand again and his next rider came forth. Not wanting the same to happen to him as the first man, he came at a trot. Then he stopped and made the horse rear up on his hind legs, hop forward, and then side step to the right. All was going well, until he started to spin the horse in a circle. As they went round and round, the guard’s foot came loose from the stirrup and he was flung to the ground right in front of the King. Richard and Stephen roared with laughter along with all the guards and the King couldn’t help himself either, as he waved the man off the field.
“Are you ready to forfeit yet, Your Majesty, or do you have something up your sleeve?” Stephen asked.
“Yes, Robert. I think you have lost the battle this time. It seems like these horses of yours have a mind of their own - they just don’t want to play,” added Richard.
“Fine! Stephen, if you think you can do better I’ll let you go ahead and I will forego my last champion. It seems Richard is right and these horses have something up their asses today,” sighed Robert.
“Why, thank you, Your Majesty. Richard, I will do you proud,” said Stephen.
Stephen bowed to His King and took off towards the right of the courtyard. A cheer rose up from the guards as he went to the castle wall. When he turned around it got very quiet. Kingtutt was ready, it was like he knew what to do. They came at a run, then did a tight circle around the fountain and came to a quick stop right in front of the King. The horse then bowed to the King, which brought laughter from Richard.
Stephen had Kingtutt back up, and then had him rear up on his hind legs. He had him dance in a circle and then walk towards the King. Still on his hind legs, he turned to the left. He started to kick his front hoofs out - Kingtutt was having fun! As they were walking away, he dropped back down, and they took off at a run towards the wall, stopped and turned. Then they started out at a trot and Kingtutt started to skip. At least that’s what it looked like. His left legs would come up first, then the right ones. It was hard to believe but that’s what happened. Stephen had him do this all the way right up to the King, then he had Kingtutt bow on one knee again and he stayed there till the King asked him to get up.
There were cheers all around and even the King was clapping. Richard was smiling at his Captain, as he knew that he worked hard training at these kinds of performances when he was free.
“All right, you red-headed old troll, what’s your pleasure?” asked the King as Stephen got off Kingtutt. The rider gave his mount a pat and a kiss on his forehead before he let one of the stable hands that had come over, take him away.
“Well, our usual wager is one piece of gold. I see that as just a simple reward, but this time I want one better. I want you to listen to the tale the boys are going to tell when they get back and I want you to listen with your heart before you say anything. That’s what I ask,” said Stephen.
“Stephen,” replied the King, “it seems that you and Richard here are both very proud of Justyn and this Sertial boy, so I will do as you wish. It seems I really have no choice in the matter anyhow, with the way you two are carrying on about them both.”
“You shall see, dear brother, you shall see. Now since we seem to have spent most of today sleeping in and it is almost dinnertime, I think we should all go and freshen up, then meet in the dining hall in a little bit,” said Richard. “A very good performance, Stephen, and tomorrow you are free to do as you please. Oh, and dear brother, do not go harshly on your men, it was all in fun.”
“Yes Richard, it was at that. I don’t know how this troll does it, but every time I come up here he seems to beat everyone I challenge him with,” replied Robert.
“I believe that all your men’s horses are afraid of Kingtutt and what he can do and when he comes out, they just get all jittery and cannot perform,” suggested Stephen.
“Oh that’s so much horse shit, that I think my boots would be stuck in it.” Robert said.
They all laughed at that as they got up and went inside to prepare for dinner. They went to their own rooms where they washed and changed clothes. They met up again in the dining hall where the banter continued through the evening.
* * * * *
Back on the road, the group had traveled quietly for a while, with our boys lost in their own thoughts. Justyn and Sertial didn’t want to say why Froytel was here, or even to try and figure it out, till they were all safe back in the castle. All they knew was that the Goddess had sent him here for some reason and that he was going to be a part of their plan.
“Drinn, we will be at the castle very soon, it’s just over this hill, a bit ahead,” Justy sent.
“That’s great Justy, I know the guys are going to be happy living here and Margaret is going to love having all of us together.” I sent back.
We started the climb up the hill and when Justy and I were at the top we noticed that the castle was ablaze with firelight, a lot more than we normally saw.
“Something is going on at the castle, maybe they knew we were coming and that’s why it’s all of a glow,” I sent.
“You might be right about that Drinn, but this is a lot more than just for us coming home,” sent Justy. With his new vision he could see further than he could before and as he scanned the castle, he was able to pick out the gate over the bridge and his father’s flag still above it. He also saw the flag that was now representing Justyn and Sertial too, which brought a smile to his face. When he looked over to the north tower, he knew then why the castle was all a glow. At the top of the north tower was his Uncle’s flag - the Red Dragon on a blue field. His Uncle was there. Justy got so excited he squeezed Sertial tightly around the waist.
“Sertial, I want us to go ahead of everyone else, now that we‘re this close to home. Let’s let Loreayl get a good run in and we could even have David come and run with us too,” Justy sent.
Sertial could feel every bit of Justy‘s excitement but he did not let on that he knew that something was up. “Why do you want to leave all of our friends out here Justy? I know that you want to see your Dad and Stephen again, but do you really want to leave everyone here?” I sent.
“Justy, I think it would be wise of us to stay with the group so that they don’t think we are just abandoning them on the road.”
“Oh Sertial, you really do know how to spoil a guys fun. I know what’s going on at the castle and I wanted to get back there quicker, and a little race wouldn’t hurt anyone.” Justy sent.
“You know I don’t mean to do that to you, Justy, and sure it would be fun to have a little race, but I still think we should stay here with our group. We can go out tomorrow when we have some free time and have some fun. I also think we’re going to have to get you on another horse soon, too. I don’t think it would look too good for us to be riding throughout the countryside like this all the time. I know that this feels great having the three of us connected again, but if we have to ride fast like we did before, you know what will happen,” I sent.
“Oh yea, I almost forgot about that, Loreayl will start to glow again if he ran fast wouldn’t he?” Justy sent back.
“Yes he would, but it’s not just him that will glow - it will be all three of us from our connection that we have. That’s the power we make, I also believe that it is some form of a shield to protect and guide us, that way we don’t hit anything as we travel at those speeds,” I sent.
“Ok, Drinn, let’s at least warn the others what’s going to be happening when we go through the gate, so they don’t get too worried,” he sent.
I squeezed Justy’s hands that were wrapped around my waist and he snuggled into my back which felt really good. I couldn’t wait to get him alone again.
“David could you please come over here.” Justy called out. When he rode over, Justy said, “David, when we get back to the castle, we want you to get yourself all cleaned up and dressed and meet us over in our room. We have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise for me?” answered David. “What could I have done, that you would have a surprise for me, Justyn? I didn’t do anything special for you,”
“Oh, but you have, David. Just meet us at our room when we get back to the castle, ok?” Justy asked.
“Sure Justyn, I’ll meet you there as soon as I can,” said David.
“Great,” Justy said. “Now we are going to go and talk to the others so we’ll be right back....”
Then we rode to the back of our troupe and when we got to the wagon where the guys and Margaret were, we could see the excitement on everyone’s faces.
“Mark, Josh,” began Justyn. “When we get to the castle I will have you staying in a room just across the hall from us. I want you both to come to our room after you get yourselves cleaned up and ready, because we’ve got a surprise for you when we get to the castle.”
“A surprise for us, what is it Justyn. What do you have for us?” asked Mark.
“Come on Mark, you don’t want to spoil the surprise, do you,” replied Justyn.
“No, of course I don’t want to do that! I still can‘t believe that we are all going to be living here, that’s all. Then you say you’ve got another surprise for us, I just don’t know what else to say. I’m not used to people liking us, just for us. It’s hard to get used to all this,” said Mark.
“Mark, we’re not going to do anything that would ever harm you or Josh, that’s a promise. From here on in, everything is going to be better for all of us,” said Justy.
“Thanks, Justyn, that means the world to me and I know it means the same to Josh as well. We’ll meet you in your room when we get ourselves settled,” said Mark.
“Good, now Margaret, I have picked out a room down the hall from us that I think you’ll like. It’s really big and it has an adjoining room. I will make sure that they have all of your things brought up to it tonight and you can unpack at your pleasure. If there is anything that you need at all, all you’ll have to do is ask someone and it’ll be done for you. I want all of you to know that this is your home now and you are all a part of my family. I just want to say this again, so no one will think otherwise,” said Justyn.
“Justyn, this is going to take a lot for me to get used to living here, but I’m sure that we’ll all manage,” Margaret replied.
“Great! After you get cleaned up, I’ll have an escort waiting for you, to bring you to the great hall. There you’ll meet again with my father and after that you’ll all get one of the surprises,” explained Justyn.
“Thank you Justyn, I’ll get ready as quickly as I can. Will they be able to bring my things up to my room so that I may have something else to wear?” asked Margaret.
“Don’t worry about that. I’m sure we can find you something befitting your beauty Margaret,” said Justy.
As the guards and the boys started across the bridge to the castle, a fanfare of the trumpeters sounded their approach. King Robert knew from the sound of the trumpeters that his nephew, this new boy, Sertial, and their other friends had returned. Richard and Stephen excused themselves from the table, left the great hall and went out to the courtyard, just as the troop of guards were coming through the gate and heading off towards the stables.
Justyn and Sertial came to a stop at the steps in front of the castle’s main door along with the wagon carrying Margaret and the boys. They were met with great smiles on the two men. “Welcome home sons,” said Duke Richard.
“Dad, it’s great to be back home. There is so much to tell you about our journey,” said Justyn, climbing off the back of Loreayl.
“Son, it’s great to have you all back safe, but there’s someone here I think you might want your friends to meet. You should get everyone up to the rooms that you’ve picked out for them and have them get cleaned up and meet us in the great hall,” said Richard.
“Oh yes, I can see by the banner over the door that he’s here and I can’t wait for everyone to meet him. Dad, Stephen, you remember Miss Margaret, and these are her sons Mark and Joshua,” said Justyn, as they came up behind us.
“My Lord, it is good to see you again so soon. Thank you for helping out my boys and taking us in like this. It is very gracious of you,” said Margaret.
“My dear lady, I am at your service, but this is not my doing, it is entirely my sons’. Now just so all of you know, when we are alone like this, when it’s just us, I would prefer it if you were to all call me ‘Richard’. I welcome you and your boys to our home and I want you to treat it as if it were your own,” said Richard. “Now, everyone let’s all get inside as dinner is being served and I know you all must be hungry from your travels.”
“Dad, do you think we could get some help tonight with all of Margaret’s belongings and have them brought up to Margaret’s and the boys’ rooms?” Justyn asked.
“That’s not a problem Justyn, I’ll get some of the guards to offload the wagons. Which rooms are you going to be using?” asked Stephen.
“That’s great. Thanks Stephen. I’d like to have Margaret at the end of the hall in the room that Mom used to take me to play in and I want Josh and Mark in the room across the way from us, since David is right next door,” answered Justyn.
“Good! Now that we have that all settled, we have a very important guest that we should not keep waiting any longer - I know you will all understand later,” said Richard.
Justyn ran over to the wagon to get Froytel and as he came back, his father looked in wonder at the very large cat in his arms. We all went back into the castle. Justyn went over to some of the servants that were waiting and they were whispering. I saw them nod a few times to him and he then came back over to us with a great big grin on his face and smiled at me.
We started down the main hall that led into the castle and Justy started to point out some of the paintings that were on the walls, telling us who everyone was. We came around a corner into the next hall. I knew that would lead us to the library and then further on was the stone stairs that were to the right of the hall - they led to the upstairs. When we got to the top, Justyn handed Froytel over to me, he then took everyone down to their rooms and showed them where everything was in each room. He then reminded the guys that they were to meet us in our room after they were settled and washed.
Justyn and I went to our room once we knew that everyone was ok and we started to get ourselves ready to get cleaned up. We took off our gear and put it next to his suit of armor, then Justy came over to me and he started to undress me so I did the same to him. He started with my tunic, pulling it off over my head. I pulled his up off of him, then he pushed me by my waist back up to the side of the bed and back down onto it.
I started to laugh at him as he pulled off my boots and hose. When he was going after the string that held my pants up I grabbed his hands. “Justy, we really don’t have time for this. Your father said you have a guest waiting in the great hall and our friends will be coming soon and we have got to get ready,” I said.
“Oh Drinn, you really do have to stop spoiling a guy’s fun,” he said, as he laid his head on my bare chest. ‘Alright, let’s get ourselves ready.”
He pulled me from the bed. “I sent word to have some of the servants come up and to help all the others out, so that they will have some nice new clothes to wear. I’ve already had our tailor make some for them,” Justy said.
“How did you know what to do and their sizes?” I asked.
“Well it’s kind of easy for me. When it comes to looking at people, I’ve got a good eye for that sort of thing. If I was to compare them to you, both Mark and Josh are about as big and tall as you are, so when I talked to our head tailor, I told him what I was looking for and he said he’d get right on it. As for David, when we made him our pageboy, they should have taken his sizes for all his new clothes at that time. When you get to see what they’re all going to be wearing, I hope you’ll be happy,” Justy said.
“What about Margaret? She’s not that small, you know, and I’m not just talking about her height.”
“Hehehe, Oh Drinn, you’re just too much. We have some women here at court that are about her size and I told the tailor about her too, so don’t fret about it, you’ll see. I made all these plans before we left and I’m sure they’re going to be happy with their surprises, OK?” he continued.
“Alright, Justy, I’ll trust you like always. Now let’s go get cleaned up and out of here, so we can surprise everyone with our plans,” I said.
With that, we both finished undressing and headed to the privy, where that big pool of water was just waiting for us to climb in and have some fun.