Robert of the Roundtable Ch 03
Robert's first few weeks as a knight
This series is fiction--a mash-up of the Arthurian legend, the medieval rivalry between the Normans (in modern day France) and the Saxon-Celts (in Britain), the Crusades and the interplay of politics and religion in the Middle Ages. Let me warn you. There are many anachronisms--but this is the story of a few unusual men during a time about which little is really known with certainly. Everyone who engages in sexual activity is over 18--although at the time, that would not necessarily have been the case. Β© Copyright, 2025, Brunosden. All rights reserved.
Sir Robert D'Aqua had just joined the illustrious ranks of the Knights of the Roundtable--the third iteration of that institution, engineered by King Richard who claimed Arthur as an Ancestor. Twenty knights were now full members. In addition, in a surprise move a few days before, the King had announced the creation of another Brotherhood of Knights. These men would not be charged with defending Angleterre, but instead would journey off to the Holy Land to rescue it from occupation. The Holy Land war, dubbed a Crusade, had been requested by Pope Malifacio IV, and most of the kings and rulers of Christendom had responded with varying degrees of enthusiasm, contributions and commitments of fighters. King Richard had stepped up first and cajoled several of his Continental brothers to do the same. So, Angleterre would create and finance an army which would proceed to Normandy where it would meet up the armies formed by the other leaders. They would bivouac and plan and provision there, which might take a few weeks--and leave from Calais by sea, bound for the Holy Land with several stops along the long journey.
Robert D'Aqua, the youngest and newest knight, had been born in Normandy, and being the third son, had sought his fortune in combat. His father, the Duke, headquartered in Calais was now a "distant" relative. Robert is now in his twentieth year, handsome, muscular, popular, a fierce fighter--and like most of his peers, bi--out of custom and necessity. The "rules" of society forbid men to sleep with noblewomen before betrothal and most of the women (and male) serfs and peasants were infected with various poxes. So, with societal "approval", young men were expected to enjoy the sexual companionship of their male friends of equal rank and proven health. This was particularly true within the ranks of the knighthood guilds. Marriage would typically reduce this practice, but not always. Robert had already gained notoriety because of the size of his reproductive equipment which marked him as a natural alpha. He could have had any Knight in his bed, but had chosen Michael. (Actually Michael had chosen him, but as the relationship matures, that is not exactly the necessary conclusion.)
The story continues with Robert speaking....
My knighthood ceremony had been interminable. Both the Abbot and King had been arrayed in colorful silks, each trying to outshine the other; the dimly-lit (and hot) Abbey was filled with the smoke of incense; and, the sermon had been much too long. The ceremony, fashioned as a High Mass sung by the Abbey choir, in a polyglot Anglo-Latin, was nevertheless a political event. The King had decided; the Abbot had followed through and blessed the decision with his words and actions. But, finally, it was over.
I was a knight under the laws of Angleterre, in the eyes of the Church--and in reality, because I had proven myself on the field of faux-combat and trial.
It was now Monday morning, a beautiful late summer day. Michael and I had a date. We had spent Sunday banqueting and in the horizontal celebration of our victory and union in his bed. Both of us were sore and sated. But, we needed fresh air.
We had decided to ride out into the countryside to scout some campsites for the army he was building to go to the Holy Land. We expected several dozen knights, hundreds of serfs conscripted into combat duty, and two or three times that many retainers to prepare our meals, polish our armor, care for our warhorses and march in arms to our command. Our squires had gone ahead and prepared an al fresco meal--and been told to disappear as they heard our horses' hooves approaching. Both of us had been cooped in the stuffy, smelly stone castle for weeks and wanted to enjoy the countryside. (If the truth be known, the "smelly truth" was mostly of our own making--Robert's room smelled like a male brothel--for we had coupled incessantly for days and bathing was a rare event.)
Our squires, mine named Jean Pierre and his named Adolphus, had already become friends. Both had provided regular sexual services to a master, but were no longer needed, at least for the moment, for that purpose. It seems that they might be already consoling each other, commiserating the loss of regular infusions of "affection." Certainly, when together, they were often touching, usually smiling and blushing, and absurdly formal (to cover a sexual attraction, no doubt). When they heard of the intended picnic and adventure, both had been delighted. For several hours, they would be free of the eyes and ears of the castle and together. We had even commanded them to disappear when we arrived. They put together an enormous feast and arranged it carefully beneath a colorful silk marquee in a forest clearing to ensure that we would be engaged together for hours. Then, they had sat to await our arrival. One thing led to another and both were naked and intertwined within minutes. At the sound of our horses, they sprung apart; picked up the clothes they had cast around the tent; and, disappeared from the scene as they had been instructed. I caught Jean Pierre's big smooth arse disappearing into the brush as we reached the clearing. It was glistening in the sun with someone's cum.
We arrived to find a magnificent setting--silk cushions, raised tables laden with food, two ewers of wine--and a large pot of perfumed lard, with the seal already broken, set strategically beside the largest plump cushion. How thoughtful of them to make such arrangements! Knowing Jean Pierre, I'd expect no less--and I'm sure, as was the custom, he had tried out the food (to be sure it wasn't spoiled or poisoned) and the lard (to be sure it was perfumed to my taste).
Earlier we had inspected two large training campsites, both along small streams, one with a small lake. They were wooded and flat. Perfect for the creation of a camp or two with training spaces, firewood, fresh water, bathing facilities and, most importantly far from any cultivated land or village.