Mates

By: Will B
(© 2009 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

At Longleaf Manor Alf, Giles, and Ted had been enjoying, exploring and exciting each other’s bodies—repeatedly!

At Rawlings Manors, the traveling players arrived, and Ed and Henry made the acquaintance of Justin and Dustin Wheeler, sons of Augustus (“Gus”) Wheeler, manager of the troop. Our two young heroes discovered some hitherto unknown talents.

Chapter 5:
12 June 1645

The sun rose on another beautiful day; the cock crowed to greet it, and Ed and Henry slowly woke up. They lay in bed savoring the peace of the moment.

Finally, Ed spoke, “You awake, my friend?”

“Yes, and ready for … you know!”

After some mutual muscle strengthening the two boys rose, put on some clothes and went downstairs where the maids were just setting out plates of bread and cheese, and pitchers of ale. Grabbing some bread and cheese, the two thirteen-year-olds went out to the tent where the actors were staying. They met Justin and Dustin who were breaking their fast with bread and ale.

“Can we go up the stream where we can practice for tonight?” Ed asked.

“Certainly.” said Justin. “Father, we’re going to make sure that Ed and Henry are ready for tonight.”

“All right, my bucks. If you’re sure you’re ready for your parts in tonight’s performance, go ahead. Have a good practice,” Gus said. He was about fifty years old, five-foot-seven, with a smiling face (most of the time) and like all good fathers, he knew when his sons needed correction, and when they needed encouragement. When correction was called for, he was firm but not harsh. He was a widower and he missed his wife, but he loved his sons.

The four boys took their bread and cheese and ale and went to the place in the woods where they had been practicing. Sitting on the grass in the warm June sunlight, they ate their meal, and then Justin said, “All right, Ed, let’s see how you are coming along with your juggling.”

Ed took the balls and began to juggle them, slowly at first and then faster. The others watched him, excited about his talent. He had poise and stage presence, and when he finished, he caught the balls in his hands and gave a graceful bow as if to a large audience.

Dustin and Justin clapped, and Henry just looked at his friend with admiration in his eyes. ‘He’s so wonderful. I’m just so glad we’re friends!’ he thought to himself.

“Well, young Master Henry, are you ready to amaze us?” Dustin asked.

Henry didn’t say a word, but slowly bent down, put his hands on the ground, and raised himself on his hands, so that his body was supported on his hands and arms. He did some forward somersaults and then some back flips. Then he stood up and said, “I want to try something else.”  With that he bent to his right, and began to do a series of cartwheels around the open space.

He stood up. “Ouch,’ he said, “I think I got a splinter from that piece of wood.”

Ed went to him and asked, “Is it bleeding?”

“Just a little.”

“That’s good,” said Justin. “One of the men in our group knows a little about salves and herbs and he says that when a wound bleeds, there’s less chance that it will go putrid.”

“We’ll have to be sure that the floor of the dining hall is swept his evening,” Dustin added.

Justin said, “Let’s take a break, and talk about tonight’s performance. Have either of you ever been to a theatre?”

“No,” Ed and Henry answered. ‘This is the first time we’ve ever seen a play.”

“Well, heh heh,” Justin chuckled. “There’s something you’d better know about Dustin and me.”

“Well, we’ve already seen you in the buff, so what else is there to know?” Henry asked.

Dustin said, “Well, there are two women’s parts in the play: the Princess and the maid.”

“That’s funny,” said Ed. “I didn’t see any women in the tent down there.”

”No, but you’ll see them tonight, my friends,” Justin said, chuckling to himself. “As a matter of fact, you’re looking at and talking to the Princess and the Maid right now.”

“You mean you…” Ed asked.

“…take the women’s parts?” Henry finished.

“Indeed!” said Justin, “and two fairer ladies you have never seen. When Dustin comes on and wiggles his hips, he does it so convincingly, you’d never believe it was a fourteen-year-old boy!”

“By St. George! That’s amazing!” Ed said.

“Now about the two of you and your costumes…,” Justin began.

“You’re not suggesting we wear dresses, are you?” Henry asked in horror.

"No, no, nothing like that. Here’s my idea. Tell your parents that the two of you are eating supper with us because you’re helping us get ready for the performance,” Justin said.

“Come to the tent, and we’ll get you ready. Ed, I think you should just wear your braies and come out in your bare feet. We’ll put some dye on your face so that you look like a clown. We’ll paint your faces and bodies so that nobody will know who you are. We’ll introduce you as visitors from er..., Maryland in Virginia.”

“Sounds like fun,” the budding juggler said.

“Now, Henry, we are going to stain your body so that you will look like you have just come from far-off  Maryland. We have a strip of cloth to make into some kind of turban, or whatever it is those “Indians’ in Maryland wear, which of course will probably fall off when you go into your act, but we will also stain your face, chest, arms, and legs a dark brown.”

“That sounds good, but …uh…just where is this Maryland in Virginia?” Henry asked.

“I don’t know,” said Justin, but everybody talks about it as if it’s a far off place, so that will be where you’re from.”

“Now,” said Dustin, “do you both feel like you’re ready for tonight?”

“I think so,” Ed replied. “I’m just a little nervous.”

“Me, too,” said Henry.

“Well, heh heh,” said Justin, “Maybe we should relax in the cool water, and maybe afterwards, we could….”

“An excellent idea, friend Justin. “It sounds like that’s just the thing to get us relaxed—or to take our minds off tonight,” Ed stated solemnly, and then grinned. “But maybe we should do ‘the other’ first, and then clean ourselves off in the water.”

And so, the four teenaged youths did what teen-aged youths have done from time immemorial. Justin and Dustin lay side by side and then turned to face each other and each used his hand on his brother.

Ed and Henry lay side-by-side and pleasured themselves. So lost in their own euphoria were they that they didn’t pay any attention to the other two.

At last, all appetites had been slaked, and the sun had warmed their bodies. The four got up and went down to the pond.

The water was truly cool and refreshing, and after enjoying the sun and the water, and the memory of that afternoon, the four got out of the water, shook themselves dry and got dressed, and walked back to the Manor.

The square stone building, three stories high with a battlemented roof, lay in the sun, sunlight glinting off the windows. Ivy was climbing the walls, and there was an air of peacefulness—no, actually, there was no peace that afternoon. The actors were busy preparing for the evening’s performance, and there was an extra bustle of preparation. The Earl and Countess of Fleete were coming for dinner and the play!

The banqueting hall had been scrubbed, and some of the best tapestries had been hung on the walls. One depicted the story of St. George and the Dragon, and another depicted a map of the county of Kent with coats of arms of the principal families of the area embroidered. At the center point of the tapestry was the coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth.

Across the top of the room, fresh white tablecloths had been put over the table. The pewter utensils had been rubbed to the brightest gloss possible, and some silver flagons had been placed on the table.

Down the each side of the room ran a long table with benches on the side closest to the wall. The center floor had been left empty for the actors’ performance.

Dame Jane, usually so calm, was rushing about, giving orders to the servants. Mary Robinson and Elizabeth Thompson were giving her all the assistance they could. The men folk knew to stay out of the way so Sir Henry Rawlings, his son Gerald, and Tom and John had gone out riding.

Just as the men were returning from their ride, Ed and Henry asked their mothers if they could eat with the actors to help them get ready for the evening. The two mothers were so distracted, they just said “Yes, yes, just let us get on with this.”

Ed and his friend did not wait for a second order. They ran out to the tent where Gus, Justin, and Dustin were preparing for the performance.

“Here, you two, have some chicken, bread, and ale. You’ll need something in your bellies for tonight, but not too much,” Gus said.

“Yes, Sir, …” Ed began, but just then there was a blare of trumpets. Everyone ran to the front of the Manor house in time to see a beautiful carriage approach.  It was being pulled by two horses and accompanied by a number of outriders. The carriage stopped, and the Earl, a tall slender man of about thirty-five got out of the carriage, and then turned to help his wife, the Countess, a short, fair-haired beauty of about thirty, alight from the carriage.

Sir Henry and Dame Joan came forward to greet them and welcome them to Rawlings Manor. They presented the Robinsons and Thompsons. The men bowed and shook hands, and the ladies curtsied. The party went into the house.

Dinner progressed smoothly. The various meats were cooked to perfection, the fruits and vegetables were served in a variety of sauces, and the pastries were absolutely delicious! Best of all, there was plenty of fine wine for the diners at the head table and plenty of ale for the lesser folk at the side tables.

At the head table, the Earl and Countess of Fleete sat in the two center seats, flanked by Sir Henry and Dame Jane. Tom and Mary Robinson sat at Sir Henry’s right, and John and Elizabeth Thompson sat at Dame Jane’s left hand. Gerald Rawlings acted as server to the Earl and Countess. He stood behind their chairs and would be able to see the play. Gerald was thirty-three years old, and tall, dark, and handsome. He had a whipcord strong body, and his chest and abdomen were covered with dark hair. Dark hair grew elsewhere in abundance as well.

While the meal was being served, the Earl told them of the events in London and elsewhere. He told them that at the beginning of the year, King Charles’ advisors had urged him to attack Parliament’s New Model Army while it was still forming. However, Prince Rupert of the Rhine, had recently been appointed General of the Army, and therefore was the King's chief military adviser. He had proposed, instead, to march north to recover the north of England and join forces with the Royalists in Scotland under Montrose.

“As we speak,” the Earl said, “The forces are gathering for a battle. They will probably meet somewhere in Northamptonshire.”

“Well,” said Sir Henry, “all I can say is, God bless the King, and I pray he will whip those rebels.”

“Hear, hear.” went round the table, and the diners at the lower tables called out, “The King,” “God Bless Him,” "God Bless the dear Queen and the children.”

In the meantime Ed and Henry had hurried to the actors’ tent where they met Justin and Dustin. The two older boys were holding bowls of a brown liquid and they told the younger youths to strip off. “Quickly now,” Justin said.

When Ed was completely bare as a newborn babe, Justin dipped his hands in one bowl and began to work the brown liquid into Ed’s hair, his face, his neck and shoulders. “Don’t worry,” he said, “This will wash off.” Then he moved his hands to Ed’s chest and abdomen. As his hands worked the dye into Ed’s skin, his hands brushed against Ed’s nipples, and Ed felt them tingle and grow hard. Justin turned Ed around and worked the dye onto Ed’s back and buttocks. He even worked some of it into Ed’s crack.

“We want you to be brown all over, don’t we?” he asked with a grin.

“Oh, sure,” Ed replied.

Then Justin turned Ed around and worked the dye into Ed’s bush and onto his member and his testicles. Ed felt himself growing a little hard. Justin paid no attention but continued to work the dye into Ed’s legs.

In the meantime Dustin was giving Henry the same treatment. When he had worked his dye-soaked hands down to Henry’s private parts, he grinned and said, “Oooh, what lovely meat. Maybe we could….,” he began.

“Oh, thank you, kind sir, but I don’t think so,” said Henry.

“Oh, well," said Dustin, “You can’t blame me for trying. You really like Ed, don’t you?”

“Oh, he’s my best friend,” Henry smiled. “We seem to have a special friendship, I can’t explain it, but, well, …. you know.”

“I know, Henry; I feel the same way about Justin,” Dustin said with a rueful smile.

At last the two boys were dyed brown from the top of their heads to the soles of their feet. They put on some pure white braies that Justin handed them. After a short conference between Justin, Ed, Henry, and the drummer, they were ready for their first appearance on the stage.

In the banqueting hall, the meal was finished, and the audience was ready for the play.

Into the hall strode two men, one, twenty-five-year-old Ronald Eltonhead, slowly banging a drum, and the other, thirty-year-old William Eltonhead, blowing a fanfare on a bugle. Ronald, the drummer, stopped and bowed to the audience. “Noble Lords and Ladies and Gentle folk and good people, pray silence while we act our play. ‘Tis set in our own English tongue, and we hope you like it, else you need not pay!”

There was some laughter and a little applause.  Then William, the bugler, bowed and said, “Listen one and listen all. Our play will tell you of a love destined to face danger and woe, but perhaps our lovers will be united, and you’ll see it all in this very hall.”

Gerald was watching William, who happened to look back at him at the same time. They both gave a half smile as they remembered the two lusty nights they had spent in each other’s company at a certain inn in London called ‘The Sword and Sheath.” It had served as a kind of brothel that catered to patrons who had certain ‘special tastes.’ 

Keeping the bugler’s attention, Gerald mouthed the words ‘Later tonight.’ The bugler nodded in understanding.

The play proceeded through the first act. Justin made a striking princess in a long dress and a veil. Dustin was the simpering, none-too-bright maidservant who was always getting messages mixed up.

When the first act was over, all the actors cleared out of the hall leaving Justin standing alone facing the guests at the head table. He gave a graceful curtsey, and said, “Lords and ladies and good folk all, tonight we have a special treat for you. Two visitors from far across the sea have come to entertain you with their humble talents. Please welcome our two guests, Prince Pa-tap-si-co and Prince Po-to-ma-ki from Maryland in Virginia.”

Everyone was impressed. They had heard of Maryland and they had heard of Virginia, but they were not too sure of the exact locations. Nevertheless they gave a warm welcome to the two visitors. Justin curtsied again and stepped to the back of the hall, and in walked Ed and Henry and bowed to the head table, and then to the people at each of the side tables. Henry moved back, leaving Ed alone.

Justin brought Ed the balls, and the drummer in the background began a slow beat. Ed began to juggle. The drummer picked up the tempo, and Ed juggled faster. As the tempo increased, Ed increased his speed.

At the head table Mary said to Tom, “That’s our Ed.”

“I know, my dear.” Tom turned to Sir Henry and said, “That’s my son!” and Sir Henry nodded and smiled.

At last, with a furious tattoo on the drums, the juggling was over, and Ed caught the balls, and bowed. The audience clapped and cheered. Flushed with success, Ed bowed again and again, and then moved to the back of the hall.

Henry moved to the center of the performing area and bowed to the people at the head table, and then turned and bowed to the good folk at each of the side tables. Again the drummer started a slow beat and then he gave a short tattoo, and Henry bent down put his hands on the floor and then raised his body and legs so that he was standing on his hands. Again came the slow beat of the drum, and Henry walked around the open space in a circle. When he came back to where he had started, the drummer gave a quick rat-a-tat-tat and Henry did a back flip. Then he did a forward somersault and ended up standing on his feet. The audience applauded loudly.

Watching from the back, Ed was so proud of Henry. He stood between Justin and Dustin. Unthinkingly, the two older boys had put their arms around Ed’s waist and watched with him, thrilled at Henry’s performance.

At the head table John and Elizabeth held hands as they watched with pride as their son showed his physical prowess.

Now the drummer started a slow beat again, and then, with a rat-a-tat-tat of the drum, Henry began a series of cartwheels around the floor. When he finished, he stood up straight and bowed again to everyone and gave a special bow to his parents.

Gus now brought Ed out and he took Ed and Henry’s hands in his said, “My noble friends, I fear this may be the only performance our guests from Mary-land in Virginia will be giving, as I fear they have other duties elsewhere.” The audience smiled, laughed, and clapped. Gus went on, “If these two ever want to have a job in my troop of actors, they can have it.” There was more laughter and applause.

The Earl of Fleete stood up. “The Countess and I have been most royally entertained this evening. I would like to give each of these mysterious guests a token of our appreciation. Young 'Princes,’ if you will come forward….”

Ed and Henry approached the table, and the Earl handed them each two gold sovereigns. “Well done, my young friends. England needs strong young men like you. God bless you.”

The applause was louder than ever, and Mary and Elizabeth left the table and went onto the floor and hugged each of their sons. Their fathers smiled broadly at them. Justin and Dustin, still in their costumes, came forward and kissed each of the boys. The audience roared with laughter and there was still more applause.

Gus held up his hands for silence, and said, “Now, my lords and ladies and gentle folk, and all good people, we would like to present the second act of the play.”

While the second act of the play went on, Ed and Henry went back to the entrance to the hall and looked outside to see it was still light (Summer time meant longer days).

“Henry, why don’t we go up that stream and wash some of this dye off,” Ed suggested.

 

“Good idea,” said his friend.

The two youths went up the stream, and took off their clothes. They immersed themselves in the water and washed as much of the dye off their young bodies as they could. They got out of the pool.

“Ed, I was so proud of you,” Henry said.

“And I thought you were magnificent,” replied Ed.

On an impulse they hugged each other, and their bodies were pressed together and their members rubbed against each other. They had never felt such sensations before, not even when they were pleasuring each other manually.  Their embrace continued and they sank to the ground and continued to hold each other and pressed their erections together. They each felt the heat from the other’s manhood. They ground their cocks into each other’s crotch, rubbing faster and faster until … their man-milk was released in a series of strong powerful spurts that left them both breathless.

They must have dozed off and while they were sleeping, two other couples made their way into the woods. Justin and Dustin had also come up for an evening’s splash and tickle. Then Gerald and William, the bugler, appeared. They knew what they wanted, and they were going to get it.

Gerald and William undressed each other, and Gerald began to suck on the bugler’s nipples. William then began to kiss Gerald from his nipples to his navel, and then to his pubic hairs. Both men lay on the ground, in a head to toe position, and Gerald said huskily, “Suck my cock while I take yours into my mouth.”

While they were having at it, Justin looked at Dustin and said, “You wanna try some of that?”

“Oh, yes!” replied Dustin.

Ed and Henry had woken up by this point and they watched as the two couples enjoyed licking, tasting, sucking, and slurping their partner’s poles.

They were amazed at what they saw. They had never dreamed that two men could so enjoy each other’s bodies. They each quietly decided that when just the two of them were together, they would enjoy each other in the same way.

To be continued... 

Author’s Note: Details of the Battle of Naseby and other historical events are from wikipedia.org 

Encourager’s remarks:  Dear me, I can see all sorts of possibilities evolving from this exciting chapter.  Ed and Hank are going to run away from home.  They wouldn’t do that would they?  What is it they are going to do to pleasure each other’s bodies?  I guess we need to wait to find out until we receive the next chapter.  E

Posted: 02/13/09