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Phalanx

By: Justrex



It was, in all likelihood, the most important thing he will do in service to his city, his family name and for his honor.

He'd been a hunter since he was a small child. The very first kill still fresh in his mind even after all these years. He'd taken down a bird in mid-flight with a sling and a stone. Though it was only a small bird, his father had shown him how to clean it and cooked it over an open fire in the woods and young Hygromeryx had eaten it with relish and pride.

It was from this very point his fate had been cast and his future set. He was destined to be a hunter. At first of beasts to support and feed his family, then of men to support and defend the honor and glory of the great city of Mycenae. 

The skills he acquired at his fathers knee served him well. Using the sling and the knife and the spear and bow. Graduating to larger game and learning the handling of both the shield and the sword. So when he was chosen for military service they were much impressed with his facility with weapons and it didn't take long before he was helping to train some of the younger recruits. Even some of the seasoned veterans would grudgingly admit they learned a thing or two from some of his innovative techniques. He advanced rapidly in status and rank.

Now, after ten years of service to the city, Hygromeryx was on a completely different kind of hunt altogether. Though he was still hunting a man, the intent this time wasn't to kill.

This time he intended to save a life.

Possibly even his own.

One

Traditions.

Passed from father to son, king to subjects, priests to acolytes. Spoken by mouth, carved in stone, represented by statues and idols and every manner of thing.

Traditions ruled their lives. From the individual fruit seller in the market to even the king himself and every single person in Mycenae and all of the Greek empire.

As a soldier on this particular hunt, Hygromeryx was well aware of the traditions which governed his actions. Or the ones which were supposed to, anyway. Many of the top military men in Mycenae had found young recruits in this manner, which was rumored to have been brought up from Crete ages ago. The older man would select a younger male who was of age to begin training and treat the whole thing as a seduction. The more experienced would pose as philetor or "lover" and enlist the friends of the young man he fancied into helping him "kidnap" the object of his affections. As a group, they would retire into the mountains for two months of hunting and feasting. After which many expensive gifts would be heaped on the young man and his family.

Only after much waiting and playacting and expense would the youth's training begin.

As newly appointed Lochargos or "Captain" of his unit, he had neither the time nor the necessary wealth for this type of game. There were new soldiers to train, supplies to be ordered, gear and equipment to be maintained and a thousand other things which his new duties demanded of his time.

And frankly, as much as he would enjoy spending two months hunting deer and wild boar, after ten years of hunting and killing the enemies of his city killing animals would seem all too easy and he was afraid it would make him soft. His life wasn't all battle and killing. Most of it was spent training and preparing. But until the day came when he died in battle or lived long enough to retire, Hygromeryx was determined to be the best soldier he could possibly be and keep himself honed razor sharp.

He had been looking, nonetheless. Dozens of young men approaching military age had been looked over and rejected for one reason or another. Many of them for the simple fact their families were wealthy and they would demand many sumptuous gifts before surrendering their son and heir to him. In their haughty and elitist minds, their sons were only fit for someone of the rank of Polemarch or Strategos, not a mere Captain.

Too many young men were being raised as pompous and arrogant and spoiled and, in his opinion, the city was suffering for it.

So while he was still actively looking, it was taking second place to his duties to the city.

Besides, there were two ways to hunt. The active skirmish where you faced the enemy, overpowered him and triumphed. And the ambush where you waited, silently and patiently for your prey to walk into reach.

Both methods were viable and he was patient enough to see if one or the other would bear fruit.

Then the day arrived.

Two

It had already been a long and tiring day. Though the city of Argos was but a few hours away, the trip and the inspection of the garrison there had been fraught with trivial problems, all requiring his attention. The local commander was a jackass who seemed intent on blocking his visit as an affront on his local hegemony of power and Hygromeryx had been forced to pull rank and threaten to have the man killed before he could finish his inspection.

Before half the day had passed he had sent a courier scurrying back to Mycenae with a message for the Polemarch to have the man removed and possibly imprisoned for incompetence.

He was really looking forward to a good meal and a long soak in the baths before retiring to bed. Sometimes he wished he had refused the promotion and stayed a simple soldier. Following orders was so much simpler than making them. The sigh seemed to fall from his lips and drop straight to the stone floor of the room.

There was nothing he need to take with him. Everything in this room would be here the following day. Hygromeryx rubbed his temples. Maybe he needed to rethink this whole "citizen-farmer" thing after all...

"Captain?" He sighed again. What now?

"Yes, Aesciphus?"

"Someone to see you, Sir."

"Very well, send them in."

A young man entered the room. The Captain gave him a glance. Young. His chiton was plain cloth but fairly clean. Sandals well worn but serviceable. No marks or blood and he didn't seem to be agitated. Obviously not royalty or aristocracy and it didn't seem to be an emergency.

"Young man, are you or anyone else in immediate danger?" The question seemed to startle him.

"N-no, Sir."

"Will it matter if you speak to me now or an hour from now?"

"No, Sir."

"Good. Carry this and follow me." He snatched his cloak from the bench and thrust it into the youth's arms and strode from the room. Caught up in the sudden move, the young man had to scramble to keep up with the Captain's longer stride.

The hot water of the public baths did much to ease the pounding in his head. As a soldier long accustomed to the field, he used his time efficiently. He washed himself quickly and only then laid back to allowed himself to relax. Once the necessary was complete he allowed himself time to size up his companion.

The lad was young. Perhaps late teens. Just a hint of a burgeoning beard sprouting on his cheeks, but it wasn't always a good measure of age. He was lithe and well formed, but perhaps a bit malnourished and skinny. So obviously not from a wealthy family. Callouses on his hands and feet. Able to work and spent time laboring at something. A slight scent of hay and manure told the tale of working on a farm. No scars or visible bruises. He was small, though. Perhaps a head shorter than himself.

One thing he would have to give a nod to. The young man knew when to keep quiet. He hadn't spoken a word since leaving the office, merely trailing two steps behind like a household servant.

Hmmm...

"Are you a free man, son?"

"Yes, Sire."

"I am not the King, boy. Merely a Captain. Sir will do."

"Umm... yes, Sir."

"What is your name?"

"Alexander, Sir." Hygromeryx smiled softly and closed his eyes.

"A fine name indeed. "Protector of men." A name to be proud of. So tell me Alexander of Argos, what is your pressing need?"

"I wish to be a soldier, Sir." He wasn't overly surprised. Despite the risks involved there were many things available to the army which weren't allowed the average citizen.

"Have you spoken to the..." He trailed off, remembering who the local commander was.

"Y-yes, Sir. Three times."

"And...?"

"He rejected my petitions. Told me I was too small and too poor. The last time he laughed and called m-me a..."

"A what?" A sad sigh came from his lips.

"A... Ganymede, Sir." Glancing through slitted eyes, the Captain could see him blushing and turning his face away. He snorted dismissively.

"The man is a pig and a fool, lad. Don't take his words into your heart. I think you will make a fine soldier. What about your family, son? Won't they miss having you around to help out in the fields?" The sudden change of subject appeared to take his mind off the slight.

"My parents are dead, Sir. Killed in a fire in Alea. I traveled here for a new beginning and to become a soldier like my father and his father before him. The work at the farm is room and board only. The farmer only has one son and is grateful for the help but can ill afford to pay for it."

The ability to make snap decisions on the battlefield based on sound judgment was one of the reasons for his rapid climb up the military ladder. Thinking too quickly or too slowly could cost lives either way. Trained soldiers were not a thing you threw away. They were too difficult to replace.

It was a slight gamble, but nothing to devote too much thought to.

"How old are you, boy?"

"Eighteen, Sir."

"I will give you a month, lad. Show me how bad you want this. After we eat, you will go gather your things and bring them to my quarters."

"Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!"

Three

In a word, the boy looked... ridiculous.

The bronze helm was too long for his size and, even if his neck was able to support it, the front edge drug against the breastplate and he could barely move. The lad couldn't hold the 35 pound hoplon shield in the ready position and manage the weight of the spear at the same time. The bottom of the greaves protecting his shins rested painfully against the tops of his feet and stuck out above his knees, making him look like some sort of weird insect.

"I'll... grow into them, Sir." His voice sounded confident as it echoed hollowly inside the cavernous helmet.

Though young Alexander was strong and used to working hard, it was pretty obvious he was too small in stature to be a front line hoplite soldier. He was trying, but Hygromeryx could see his whole body was trembling with the effort of supporting the seventy-plus pounds of armor and weapons. Something the Captain bore without even thinking after all this time.

No. If this was to work, concessions must be made. Besides, he had other plans.

He took the spear and shield away before the lad dropped them and set them against the wall, then lifted the helm from his head. The lads hair was mussed and sweaty from the stifling confines of the bronze helm and the strain of keeping it upright. Despite his intentions to impress the Captain, he breathed in a sigh of relief as the weight was removed. Not only had it been heavy and incredibly hot, it had also made Alexander slightly claustrophobic trying to look through the little slits in front. It had been difficult not to panic. The Captain patted his damp hair.

"Don't worry about it, lad. We will find a way."

They had spent the best part of a week together in the garrison quarters in Argos while Hygromeryx dealt with the mess. He hadn't had much time for the boy until they returned once again to Mycenae. Though it had been largely unintentional the lad had been relegated to a cross between personal attendant and household slave. Always two steps behind, awaiting and trying to anticipate what was needed.

When he was hungry, Alexander brought him food.

When his cup was empty, he was there to refill it.

Whenever he needed something, he was there to put it into his hands.

At the end of each day when the Captain was tired and stressed, those strong little hands were there rubbing his shoulders and neck. Speaking softly and mostly listening, allowing Hygromeryx to work out his problems and frustrations.

And as night fell the boy crawled naked under the himation cloak they used as a blanket and pressed his back into the Captain's body, cuddling into him. One strong arm went across his chest and he fell asleep each night with the bigger man's breath against the top of his head.

It had been innocent enough. They slept together in the same bed for warmth and for comfort. Just the feel of another warm body there helped them both ease their minds and drift off into slumber so much more quickly.

At first, anyway.

"No. Again. You must follow my moves, Alexander." The strong arm holding the two foot long xiphos sword came up, out and across in a move designed to slash an enemy's throat. Hygromeryx had placed his own shield against the wall to keep his left hand free and he gripped one edge of the lighter wicker shield Alexander was holding and pulled it into his shoulder.

"Turn your back into mine, boy. More. There. The shield goes here when I attack. Your spear must be ready... there." He pointed. "Come up under his ribs if I miss or even if I do not. In and out."

"Good. Now, again."

They had been out in the small courtyard for hours. The Captain had decided to use this rather than the larger gymnasium to avoid any distractions and the possibility of injuring a bystander with their weapons. Both were covered in sweat and the younger man was obviously reaching the end of his endurance. His arms and legs were trembling with exhaustion.

It was difficult... pushing him this hard. But the day would come when he would need to rely on Alexander in combat and both of their lives would be on the line.

To a soldier there was no more satisfying sound than that of a sword returning to it's sheath. The sound meant combat was over and, at least for now, their lives had been spared. The return of the comforting weight on his hip meant the day was won and done.

For Alexander, since he had yet to experience a battle, it meant training for the day was through. He fought the urge to drop to his knees and leaned on the haft of his spear instead, blinking the running sweat out of his eyes. A large strong hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed.

"My shield is on my left, Alexander. You and my sword are on my right. When I attack, I am vulnerable there. I must count on you to be my right hand. My shield and protector. We will be a phalanx of two, you and I. And we will win the day."

"Yes, didaskolos." 

Teacher.

Sometimes he used "my didaskolos" which was closer to "Master." Hygromeryx found it a little better than the times he used "my kurios" which was closer to "Lord" or "Owner" than just plain "Sir."

It bothered him some the boy acted more like a servant than a soldier. He meant to train him to be both a partner and aide in the field. Someone to both guard his side and also be an extra set of eyes in an ever-changing battlefield.

Perhaps, with time, it would come. He vowed to keep at him until he became a soldier.

They retired to the baths then crossed the large gymnasium building to where the club and meeting rooms lay. One large room was always kept for their garrison to gather and eat together at the end of the day and Hygromeryx knew many of his men would be there. He thought it would be good for his young companion to be exposed more to the company and camaraderie of fellow soldiers.

And... hopefully another good influence would be on hand also.

"Well, well... Captain Hygromeryx..." A set of half closed eyes and a sly smile adorned the face which greeted them in the passageway. The gaze swept Alexander up and down. "And his eromenos, it seems. How wonderful." The Captain gave him a curt nod.

"Prokoreter Arsenios. Always nice to see you again." He made it unspokenly clear he was not in the mood to introduce the boy. Alexander noticed his Captain's demeanor right away and lowered his eyes, trying his best to be unobtrusive. He did also notice, down to one side and behind, the Captain's right hand curling into a fist.

The deputy Governor's smile never wavered, even when facing such a dangerous man. He continued to smirk through half-lidded eyes as he shook his head.

"Really, Captain... you should learn to relax. Take some time off. There are so many... beautiful things in this world, you know..." His gaze flickered to Alexander. "Things you can ill afford to miss." He raised a hand and waved with his fingers. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you later. You two have fun now..." The smirk never left his lips as he wandered off down the hall.

"Captain, who was that?"

"A very dangerous man, Alexander. The deputy for this sector. Little more than a pig and a pimp, really. He thinks more with his mentula than his head and the only real reason he has influence is because he supplies certain... entertainments... to some of the people in power. He has the ear of the Governor and the Strategos and to some extent, the King himself." He turned and looked at his young companion and put a hand on his shoulder. The other hand came up under his chin and tipped the lad's face up to look into his eyes.

"You are a bit... older... than he prefers, lad. But I saw the way he looked at you. Promise me, Alexander. Promise me you will never let yourself be alone with that man. Not ever." He felt a chill run down his insides at the Captain's tone.

"Y-yes, my Captain. I swear it. To you." The hand which held his chin patted him in the cheek fondly.

"Good boy." Without really thinking, Hygromeryx leaned in and kissed him on the lips. The thought of that arxidi putting his hands on the boy shook him and he realized how fond he was becoming of having him around. Alexander seemed startled at first by the kiss but only a second or two later let out a small exhalation and opened his lips. It went on longer than either man had imagined it would.

Finally, the bigger man pushed him gently back and took his hand to pull him towards the entrance to the club room. "Come, Alexander. I think we are both in need of some distraction."

Counterpoint to the loud voices and laughter of the men, the soft notes of a diaulos and a lyre could be heard. There was only one set of sweet lips which could bring forth such sounds from the double flute. And one set of very talented fingers plucking those strings.

They were here.

"The girls, Captain." One of the men lay back against the cushions with a bowl of olives perched on his belly. "They have been asking for you." He waved a hand. "And your new young friend." Hygromeryx smiled.

"It is good to keep them waiting, Porthios. Keeps their fires burning bright. Besides, I fear once they get a good look at young Alexander here, we may lose a good soldier to the temptations of the flesh. Like Iason, he may set sail and be lost for ages." A roar of laughter raced about the room as the older man led Alexander through a curtain into an alcove.

"Oh! Our Captain returns!" Two voices spoke in unison. The women could not have looked more different, yet their time together had made them speak and act the same, often speaking together and finishing each others sentences. Polymnia was a Celt, with fiery red hair in long curls down her back, flashing green eyes, pale skin and so many freckles it was difficult to tell what color she really was. Talitha was a Cretan from Knossos with coal black straight hair and eyes so dark brown as to seem black.

Both women had been taken as slaves when they were children and raised together as sisters. When they came of age they became hetaerae and had purchased their freedom to ply their trade as they wished. The soldiers of the Ninth Regiment were some of their best and most reliable customers. The Captain had spent many a long and enjoyable evening in their presence.

"And he's brought us a new toy!" The redhead purred. Talitha licked her lips and growled.


Phalanx



The girls giggled and fawned over the boy, touching and kissing him and making him blush, which they thought was adorable. It didn't take too long under their ministrations to have the young man stripped naked and face down on a couch while two sets of soft yet strong and knowing hands rubbed oil into his skin and dug their fingers and knuckles into his sore tired muscles. He alternately sighed and squeaked at their touch. Accustomed as they were to soldiers, they knew what it took to get the hard muscled warriors to relax and while Alexander wasn't as fit as most it just meant they were quicker to pull and stretch the places where it hurt and ease his discomfort. From the other couch nearby, Hygromeryx watched and smiled and awaited the coming events. And his turn.

After long minutes, the girls paused and looked at him for permission. He gave them a little smile and a nod. With soft hands and gentle persuasion, the girls turned Alexander on his back and stood for just a moment looking down at him. His manhood, which was long and fairly thick, lay half hard and twitching against his hip. Two lovely pairs of lips wore a smile.

The girls looked at each other then reached for their shoulders in unison and unwound the simple white peplos they wore and dropped them to the floor. The boys eyes widened at the sight. Then each removed the little perizoma they wore around their hips and stood naked before him with a smile. Talitha had large firm mounds she was quite proud of with dark brown nipples which were obviously aroused by the sight of the naked young man. Polymnia's were much smaller, little more than a handful but also quite firm with little pink tips which also stood erect.

More oil was applied to the young soldier's body, but this time more with the intent of arousing rather than relaxing him. Both women were quite adept at their trade and even though they never once touched the twitching bit of flesh directly it soon stood at complete attention, pointing to the ceiling. They made it a game to see who could make him moan first and the brunette's large nipples rubbing against his almost won until the little redhead ran a hand up the inside of his thigh, almost but not quite touching his sack which made him finally crack.

"How many women have you lain with, soldier boy?"

"Uhmmmm... none?" Their eyebrows rose.

"Who gets the first taste, then?" The girls stopped and each raised a fist.

Talitha said "Evens." and Polymnia nodded. Moving together, they each shook their hand three times then threw out some fingers. Both of them held out three.

Six.

Talitha smiled happily and her sister pouted and muttered "Merda."

"Mmmm... a virgin sacrifice and all for me." The brunette straddled the boy's shins and leaned over to take him in her hand, stroking up and down softly. "Just relax, young hero. Tonight we will make you a man." Alexander twitched at her touch and another moan escaped from his lips. Yet still a third as she released him from her grip, but this one was a moan of frustration. She patted his thigh and gave him a smile. "Relax."

Talitha sat up straight and arched her back slightly as her arms came up, bringing those quite impressive mounds high up on her chest.

"Do you think I'm pretty, Alexander?" The boys eyes were wide and staring and his face was bright red.

"Y-yes, miss. I think you are b-beautiful." She gave him a grateful smile.

"So sweet..." Hands behind her head did something complicated with that mass of long dark hair, wrapping one bit around the other and tucking something in somewhere, tying it all back behind her neck. "Now..." Her hand wrapped around his shaft once more. "Let's see how sharp your sword is, young hero." She smiled at how he filled her hand. "It seems at least Priapus is smiling on you.." With that, she tugged down his foreskin and lowered her head. Her soft knowing tongue lashed around the big glossy plum of his manhood then she opened her mouth and took him deep inside.

Alexander cried out "Eia! Deus Omnium!" and his eyes rolled back in his head.

While all of this was going on, the little naked redhead had lain down beside the veteran soldier on the adjoining couch and laid her head on his chest so they both could watch. One of his big calloused hands slid down her back to cup her firm little bottom in his palm. In contrast one of her tiny soft little hands slipped inside his tunic and up and down the rippled muscles of his belly. When he kissed the top of her head and gave her a squeeze, she allowed her hand to wander further down into his loincloth. Knowing him well, she was not at all surprised to find him hard and wanting.

With both of their eyes locked on Alexander while he thrashed and moaned, Polymnia made ready to wrest the same noises from the lips of her favorite Captain.

Four

Curled up against his Captain's belly, the boy had slept like the dead that night.

It was no wonder, really.

Once he had lifted his hips with a cry and Talitha had swallowed his libation, she kept at him with her lips until he was hard again then climbed atop his body to take him inside her talented little kusthos, riding him to another rapid peak. She'd only allowed him a short rest before she made him switch places and wrapped her long legs around his hips and pulled him inside her once more, his face buried in her soft breasts while he drove into her over and over again.

On the adjacent cushion, Hygromeryx had well enjoyed the lithe little redhead while she used her hands and lips and snug little channel on him with professional dexterity. He'd touched and squeezed and kissed and licked almost every inch of that exciting little body while neither of their eyes glanced from the performance taking place only inches away.

Only when the boy was nearing exhaustion did the brunette rise from the couch and offer him to her sister. Polymnia had leapt on him like a lioness, taking him just as fiercely and leaving the boy with many scratches from her fingernails while they both cried out in passion.

With a look of tired satiety on her face, Talitha leaned down to kiss the older man warmly. Making sure the younger one couldn't hear, she whispered "For this wonderful gift, we thank you Captain. My sister and I will happily donate our gifts for no charge this evening." She glanced over at the young clean body of the boy as he played with the redhead and shivered. "Maybe even twice."

She lowered her head and cleaned all of her sister's juices from his flesh to revive him then climbed atop his lap with a sigh to ride him slowly, their lips and tongues dancing together to the music of the moans and cries which echoed around the room.

The other men of the garrison had clapped and cheered for Alexander when the Captain finally led him from the alcove. The young man had been startled at first, then blushed deeply as he realized there was only a curtain between the rooms and they had all heard his cries of passion. They rose as one to pump his hand and clap him on the back in congratulations. A cup of the local honey wine was pressed into his hand and he managed to drink some of it without someone jostling him and spilling in their excitement.

Sitting on the bench with the Captain's arm around his back, Alexander had managed only a few bites of the sausages and cheese and bread on the platter before him before he turned his face into the strong shoulder and fell into a blissful slumber. The laughter of the men only roused him briefly, his eyes only coming partly open before he began snoring softly anew.

He'd only been barely conscious when the veteran half carried him back to their bed and stripped him to bundle him under the covers.

Hygromeryx lay for a while beside him, looking down into the young man's face while he slumbered. One finger running lightly through the hair above his ear. Tonight indeed, the boy had become a man. Not only in the eyes of the men in his garrison and with the ladies as well. He had also acquitted himself well in the days training, working with dogged determination to learn the necessary skills to save his life and to impress his Captain.

And impress him, he had.

Alexander wasn't big and imposingly strong as were most of the men in the regiment. He just was not physically built to be a front line soldier. But he was lithe and fast and quick to learn and remembered what he was taught. He worked hard to earn a smile from the older man and frequently succeeded, even if Hygromeryx had to hide his smiles of pride to keep the boy working.

Plus he had heart. It was a very important trait for a soldier.

Throughout the years, the veteran had seen many many big and strong men come through who did not have the heart for battle. Some would freeze and die. Some would throw down their arms and run. Some would become physically ill, vomiting and soiling themselves. Sometimes their mind would break, succumbing to "battle madness." They would either becoming enraged monsters, slaying anything which came within reach including their own comrades, or they would fall to the ground and curl into a ball and never emerge again.

One finger curled through the dark hair.

But this boy... no. He corrected himself. This young man... even though he had yet to experience the heat of actual combat, seemed to have the heart to be a real soldier.

It made him quite proud.

To top it all off in his first contact with a woman, let alone two, this amazing lad had managed to bring two experienced and somewhat jaded hetaerae to the point of happy exhaustion. Granted, he had some help but still...

Despite his own satisfied condition, the Captain felt his manhood twitch at the memory. Little Polymnia always knew exactly how to get his juices flowing and he did so enjoy his time spent with her. He'd always thought if he could find a wife like that one, he would retire and never leave home again, let alone ever rise from his bed.

And Talitha, though she was completely different from her sister, brought him to heights in a slow and sensual way time and time again. She too, was an amazing woman and a joy to experience.

If a man had two such wives... Aphrodisia would be his death.

Hygromeryx found himself growing hard at his musings. It wasn't helping any the lads soft bottom and full smooth thighs were pressed into him.

Unconsciously, Alexander chose that moment to stir, however slightly.

"Mmmm... Mm mm-hmm..." He mumbled in his sleep in a happy way and flexed his hips. One hand reached up and grabbed the Captains arm to pull it to his chest and he pressed his bottom back into the older man, which did not help his situation one little bit.

"Mmmm... yes..." He mumbled. Alexanders head turned slightly. "Yes, my didaskolos. Anything for you." Then he dropped back into a deep sleep once more.

Aroused and uncomfortable and frustrated, it took the older man quite some time to relax again before he could close his eyes.

Five

It was a gamble, of course. One never knew for sure about such things.

As a pragmatic military man, Hygromeryx knew casting lots often did not fall your way. He also knew the time often came when you just had to try and leave your fate to the Gods. The battle was often won or lost on such things.

This particular gamble had quite a bit riding on it. His life and the lives of his men as well as his heart and his career. Not to mention half a years savings. The gear to outfit a soldier came dear, especially when it had to be custom made.

But looking at Alexander as he stood tall and proud in front of the assembled garrison fitted out in armor and weapons for the very first time was well worth the expense. The young man looked so handsome and strong.

The project had begun in secret. Using a rod, he had measured the lad's body while he slept and took them to a smith in the marketplace who was a master of his craft. Hygromeryx had sacrificed most of his spare armor and weapons as well as a fair amount of his silver tetradrachmae. 

The afternoon following the young man's dalliance at the gymnasium, the entire garrison was assembled and Alexander was called to stand in front of the ranks of soldiers.

"Alexander of Alea, stand at attention!" The lad stood still with his eyes front, as he had been taught.

"Who has this man's chiton?" Hygromeryx shouted.

"I do, Sir!" A man from the ranks stepped out. Quickly he removed the plain robe the boy had been wearing and draped him in new clothes with the maroon stripe of the soldiers of Mycenae running around the hem. A simple leather belt went around his waist. The soldier returned to his place.

"Who has this man's armor?"

"We do, Sir!" Two men raced out from the ranks and quickly strapped a breastplate shaped like Alexanders muscled chest and abdomen to him. It was smaller and lighter than that of the Captain and fir him perfectly. So did the armored greaves strapped to his legs.

"Who had this man's helm and shield?"

"I do, Sir!" Aesciphus, the first man to encounter Alexander in Argos, stepped out. He placed a Chalcidian style helm on his head. It too, was smaller and lighter than the full face Corinthian helmets most of them wore. The face was open with only a nasal guard in the front and cheek guards on the sides. He hung a smaller and lighter shield on his left arm. Instead of wood covered with a thick layer of bronze, this one was made from tightly woven wicker with a thinner layer of the metal for protection. He gave the young man a smile and a wink before returning to the ranks.

"Who has this man's weapons?"

"You do, Sir!" Shouted Aesciphus in response. Hygromeryx smiled.

"So I do." Marching out to the front of the formation, the Captain placed a lance in Alexander's right hand and went to one knee to strap a sword around his waist. Like everything else, it was smaller and lighter but would prove to be no less deadly in trained hands. Glancing up, he could see the young soldier was about to be overcome with emotions and he gave him a proud smile then returned to his feet.

Standing to one side, Hygromeryx placed an arm around the young man's shoulders.

"Men of the Ninth Regiment!" He barked. 

In one move they all went to attention and shouted "Sir!!"

"I present to you kleinos Alexander of Mycenae!" A spontaneous cheer went up and all of the men broke ranks to come up and pound him on the back and shake his hand in congratulations.

Finally overcome, Alexander wept.

That evening his shiny new xiphos sword was treated to it's first blooding as he sacrificed to Zeus the Ox his Captain had provided. The auguries were good and the priests assured the newest soldier he would live a long and glorious life.

Before the feasting began, Hygromeryx presented his young charge with one final gift. A shallow wide terra cotta kylix cup painted with a scene of two soldiers fighting side by side in battle.

Alexander exclaimed it was beautiful then went and had it filled with wine. Returning, he went to one knee and offered his Captain the first drink. Eyes looking up in pride to the older man, he said "It is only fitting, my Captain. I swear to be parastatheis to you. "He who stands beside." I shall always be at your side, Sir."

Smiling, the veteran took a drink then bent and kissed him warmly.

The feasting and the revelry continued late into the evening. Alexander stayed by his Captain's side, leaving only to fetch more wine and food, keeping him well supplied with meat and drink as well as all the smiles and kisses a man could want. When they finally headed back towards the garrison night had fallen and, on a whim, the older man led his young somewhat tipsy charge on a detour through the baths. There was one sure fire cure to reawaken a soldier far gone in drink, he knew.

Aside from the large heated pool where everyone bathed, there were two places where water fell through holes in the stone ceiling like rain. One was heated by the fires kept going by the gangs of slaves and attendants which oversaw the baths and the other came directly from the springs not far away and was icy cold. Leaving their clothing on a bench, Hygromeryx took Alexander by the hand and pulled him beneath the frigid fall of water.

The lad cried out and tried to pull away, but the bigger man held him securely at first by his hand and then by wrapping him in his arms and feeling the goose flesh rising all over his skin. He turned the young man this way and that making sure every inch of his body was rinsed off in the bitterly cold spray.

By the time he was pulled out from under the fall, Alexander was chilled to the bone and slightly blue and completely sober. His teeth chattered and he clutched himself against the chest of the older and bigger man, drawing what heat he could from his body.

Knowing it wasn't good to go from one to another too quickly, the Captain snagged a cloth from a nearby hook and held it under the hot water then wiped it down the shivering back, watching it chase away the tinge of cold. Alexander sighed in relief. He repeated the process over and over again, wiping and warming his entire body until Alexander relaxed and the smile returned to his lips. Only then did he draw him fully under the heated fall of water and held him in his arms.

That beautiful face and sweet lips turned immediately upward and strong fingers curled in the wet hair at the back of his head while they kissed, the grip holding his head still while the strong tongue slipped into his mouth. The other hand traced up and down his back and once or twice slipped further down to squeeze and cup his firm bottom. The touch there made Alexander moan in the back of his throat while he clutched the wide strong sinewy back, marveling at the feel of the corded muscle beneath his skin.

He held them there under the warming flow of water with their lips and limbs intertwined until he could feel the young soldier's body relax once more. A pressure against his thigh also communicated his growing excitement and Hygromeryx felt his own body responding in kind, pressed against Alexander's smooth firm belly. One hand pressed into his chest, pushing him slightly back and he drew the lad from under the fall. Alexander was flushed and slightly panting and his manhood was half hard and twitching. The Captain leaned in and kissed him again quickly.

"Better, lad?" The young man smiled back.

"Always better in your arms my kurios." Drying off quickly, they made their way back to their quarters.

It had been a long and interesting day. Somewhat wearily Hygromeryx sat on the bed in their little room and began to unlace his boots. Alexander came and knelt at his feet, pulling his hands away from the lacings and kissing his fingers before taking over the task.

"I am quite capable, Alexander. You are my right hand. My assistant and partner and friend, not my household slave." The boy smiled up at him while he continued the chore.

"And you are my Lochargos, my Captain. My didaskolos and my kurios. My teacher and my Master, Sir. You are my world and I want to be everything to you." The boots slid from his feet and the young man placed his palms atop the Captain's strong thighs. "I want to be your assistant and partner and friend and more. That... disagreeable man we met... called me your eromenos. Your young lover. And even if I do not like being named so by him, it... is what I wish to be." His eyes came up to meet those of the seated man. "I wish to be your eromenos and you my erastes, my mentor and lover. I wish to be your agapitos, your beloved." He took the Captain's hands in his once again and pressed his lips to those strong fingers. His face colored some at his audacity and he looked down.

"Forgive me if I am speaking above my place, my Captain. I do not wish to offend or be too bold. But there are things in my heart which want to be spoken aloud. In these few weeks you have taken a frightened farm boy and turned him into a man and I have always been told a man must speak his heart." He colored a little more then set his jaw in determination.




Phalanx



"Captain Hygromeryx of Mycenae on this eve I wish to declare my love for you. If this displeases you, then so be it. On my head it must be. I cannot keep silent any longer. My heart is full of love only for you, Sir. If I am to be nothing more than assistant and friend, I will make it suffice. But I desire more. I want..." He colored even deeper.

"Y-you... you are my world, my Captain. You have shown me your love. Call me greedy if you wish, but I want more. I want your... agape... and your... eros... Your emotional and your physical love."

The older man had kept silent. It had been the longest speech the boy had given since the day they met. Always in his own heart he kept a hope alive this very thing might come true. His chest swelled with pride and emotion, but he kept them in check.

For the moment, anyway.

One strong hand cupped the side of the young man's face, his thumb caressing the fine soft cheek.

"My eros..." He rumbled softly. "You realize of course some might consider it distasteful, Alexander. Even somewhat disgraceful. More for you than for myself." The young man shook his head.

"If my love for you is disgraceful, then I will bear it proudly, Sir. But I will not allow my foolish feelings to leave a mark on your name. That, I could not bear."

"There are some who will call you more than eromenos, lad. There are some who would call you less than a man. They will even say you are kinaidos... the penetrated one." Alexander shivered hard and a small moan was quickly clamped off by his teeth. The Captain frowned slightly. "Of course any man who spoke so ill of my agapitos had best be running in the other direction as he did and stay forever out of my reach."

"And what about you, my Captain? Would you think me less of a man if y-you..." He gulped hard. "p-penetrated me?" Smiling softly, Hygromeryx shook his head.

"Not at all, Alexander. Some might deem such thoughts shameful but I have dreamed about... penetrating you... since the first time I tasted those sweet lips." He leaned down and kissed those aforementioned sweet lips quickly. "And if it is your wish, I would be proud and happy to be your Captain and your friend as well as your didaskolos and your kurios and your erastes. My agape and my eros would be all for you, my handsome beloved."

"Yes, my Captain!" Strong arms came up and wrapped around his neck and those sweet lips opened instantly to him as they kissed.

Naked they lay together in the small bed as they had for so many nights. This time instead of mere warmth and comfort they both sought to fan the flames of their desire. Limbs and lips tangled in a heated knot of softly moaning and growling lust. The younger had been pressed onto his back while his older lover explored his body with hands and lips and teeth, touching and tasting and nibbling his tender flesh. One strong hand, calloused with the years of training and battle gripped and stroked the less experienced member until, with a cry, Alexander lifted his hips and the hot fluid remarking his joy erupted all over that knowing hand.

Hygromeryx smiled as he licked the sticky residue from his skin, saving one finger which he pressed to the boy's mouth, giving him his first taste of the salty gift. Greedily, Alexander sucked the finger in his mouth then proceeded to clean his Captain's entire hand with his lips and tongue. Vivid in his mind was the pleasure he had felt with the extremely experienced mouth of the dusky brunette Talitha on his member. He fervently hoped he could manage to give his lover...

His lover...!

His Captain! 

Alexander shivered and moaned a little as his lips pressed to the skin of the mighty warrior who had won his heart. The man who had taken him in and given him everything.

And to whom he owed... everything.

All he was now belonged to him.

The big hand which had given him so much pleasure now rested softly on the top of his head, fingers curling in his hair as the lad kissed and licked and nibbled his way down that hard muscled body. The young lips delighted in the difference between nipples which were layered over hard muscle rather than Talitha's firm but pliant mounds and a belly which rippled rather than one which was soft as a pillow. He wanted to explore and touch and taste and be amazed by all of this wonderful body. His own softer and smaller hands explored downwards as Alexander kissed and wiggled his way down with his feet already hanging off of the end of the bed. When they found their mark he just stopped and stared.

Although he had seen the Captain naked on several occasions (every single night, as a matter of fact) and had often seen him hard or at least nearly so, it hadn't quite prepared him for actually having that slab of flesh he so desired actually in his hands. Gripping the shaft, his fingers lacked at least one dactylos from being able to surround it, maybe two! The wide-eyed lad spread one hand out as long as he could alongside. Why... it was at least a orthodoron if not a spithame long!

Gods...!

It was beautiful...

Like all the rest of him.

Lying partly on his side, the big man sighed happily and rolled his hips at the touch on his manhood. Looking up past that big member Alexander thought he looked like Dionysus lying there.

Even if he wasn't really a God...

He was Captain Hygromeryx of Mycenae and in the young soldiers eyes, he was close enough.

All of his life Alexander had been making sacrifices to the Gods. Now he was making one more to a man who had become the God of his fantasies.

Except this time the sacrifice was himself.

He moaned softly and his hands shook as they stroked up and down that mighty shaft. Often in the night under the covers Alexander had played with his own tool, rubbing himself to a gasping climax. He had never felt as amazing as this, however. It was like the very first time all over again. The Captain's member was so hot it felt as if it would burn his fingers and it twitched in his grip like a netted lion. The veins pulsed beneath his grip and the younger man could not take his eyes away from the glossy plum of the head as it slipped in and out of the skin.

Once more he recalled Talitha's lips on his member and how wonderful and amazing it felt. From the back of his throat he mouthed a little prayer, sending it aloft in hopes he could give the man he loved at least the smallest part of that pleasure. Lowering his head, he placed a small kiss on the exposed tip. His tongue snaked out and he sampled the sticky and slick fluid leaking and puddling there.

How had she done it?

He couldn't remember... it was all a blur.

He wondered if she would consent to give him lessons.

The tip of his tongue moving in little circles, he pushed the skin back with his lips, opening his jaws wider and wider to take the beautiful thing into his mouth. The gentle caress in his hair and the happy sigh he heard made him want to wiggle like a puppy. To wrest the noise from the great man's lips made Alexander quite proud. His hands squeezed and stroked as he slowly worked the bulbous plum in and out of his mouth while his tongue did a little dance of joy.

"Mmmm... that feels wonderful, lad. Don't stop."

He had no intention of stopping. This was a thing he could do forever.

If others thought him less than a man, he didn't care.

If they called him kinaidos or even Ganymede, he cared little.

If it pleased his Captain, he would do it every day for the rest of his life.

"Aaaahhh... yes... Mmmm..." Alexander watched, fascinated, as the Captain's muscled belly rippled while his hips flexed and he could feel the hand in his hair trembling as he fought to keep from gripping him too tightly. Redoubling his efforts, he stroked faster and sucked and licked. Eyes tightly closed, Hygromeryx thrust his member in and out of the young man's mouth and all of his muscles hardened, making him look like a marble statue of some lustful God.

Then...

"Euai..! A-Alexander!" He let out a long growl of ecstasy and froze as jets of his hot salty bliss flooded his lover's sucking mouth. The lad was only allowed the briefest moment to savor the taste before he had to begin swallowing over and over again to keep the flow from leaking from his lips.

It was nectar. It was ambrosia...

It was the love of his Captain pouring into his belly.

Drinking from such a cup could make him immortal...

An echo of the cries and moans reverberated through his body and, as if from many milion away, Alexander felt his own manhood twitch and throb and begin leaking his own liquid lust across his thighs. With each eruption into his mouth a sympathetic flow shot from his member and down his flesh onto the bedclothes.

Gasping, panting and moaning through his nose, the ecstatic eromenos of Hygromeryx of Mycenae shivered and shook and kept his hands and mouth in an ever slowing motion while the older man likewise shook and moaned at the feel of those sweet lips he so favored. Each man, both lover and beloved, were lost in their own little world of fading bliss.

In the mind of the Ninth Regiment's newest recruit, his fate was now forever sealed. For him to reach his peak while servicing his Captain with his mouth told the young man this indeed was what he was destined to do with his life.

The Gods had spoken.

Six

"Smack!" The clatter of one stone striking another.

"Good." A finger pointed. "Again."

"Smack!"

"Good!" The finger pointed in another direction. "There! The commander! Take him!"

The sling whirled in the air and a slim muscular arm whipped forward, rocketing a stone from the pouch to score a direct hit, breaking the stone placed atop the post completely in half. Nine wooden posts had been set up in the field, each with a stone placed on the flat top and Alexander had managed to knock each of them off in succession with very few misses.

To make the task even more difficult, the Captain had them jogging in a brisk semi-circle back and forth across the face of the simulated enemy squad. Alexander had proved even while on the move he was able to hit the desired target more often than not. 

Stripped down to nothing more than his perizoma loincloth and his boots, the young recruit's body glistened with sweat, his thick brown hair plastered to his forehead. Over the course of several hours of training, both men had discarded piece after piece of their armor and clothing until they were both very nearly naked in the hot sun. Even though it wasn't an accepted written military practice, Hygromeryx had been in enough battles to know. If a melee lasted for more than a couple of hours and you had limited troops, sometimes it was better to sacrifice protection for freedom of movement and stamina. More than once a battle had concluded with both sides fighting naked against each other.

"Perfect, Alexander. You have done well." The young soldier could feel his limbs trembling with fatigue and all he wanted to do was lay down and sleep.

"Thank you, my kurios. I will always do my best for you." A large sweaty hand curled around the back of his neck and the Captain's lips pressed against his forehead. The fingers on his nape caressed his skin.

"You always work so hard, lad. It makes me proud. If I had a thousand like you I could rule the world." Alexander smiled and looked up into his lover's eyes.

"Would a thousand of me make you happy, Sir?" The big man chuckled.

"A thousand of you would be my death. No..." He shook his head. "One is all I want, boy. I want you. In my garrison at my side. In my arms and in my heart and in my bed." The hand at the back of his neck slipped around under his chin, tipping his head up and Hygromeryx kissed him roughly, almost bruising the boy's lips with his own. At the same time his other hand reached down and pulled the loincloth from his hips, tossing it to the ground. Those knowing fingers grasped the younger man's member and, despite his exhaustion, Alexander felt himself respond. Instantly, all thoughts of sleep were banished from his mind as he quickly grew hard.

"I want you Alexander, proud soldier of Mycenae." The big man growled into those soft lips. "In my arms and in my bed, loving me. I want to reward you..." The hand stroked up and down his shaft, making the young man tremble. "For all of your hard work. For your love and loyalty." He stroked him harder and Alexander could feel himself rapidly approaching his peak. The hand on his chin returned to the back of his neck, pulling him into the muscled shoulder and the Captain whispered into his ear.

"Tonight your sweet body will be mine, boy. All of you. Tonight you will truly become kinaidos... the penetrated one..."

"Aaaahhh...! Mmmm...!" Muffled by his mouth pressed into the sweaty flesh of his Captain, the young man shook and cried out. "Agapi mou! My love! Mmmm...!" A bright light flashed behind his eyes and he felt his hot sticky love coating those strong fingers and spattering down in the dust.

And the day's training came to an end.

The laughter and the revelry of the men faded into the distance as they walked back to their quarters. In between the two men the little redheaded Polymnia walked with a smile and an arm around their waists on either side. As she walked she wiggled just a little at the feel of two strong hands resting on her pert little bottom. The strong handsome Captain had whispered in her ear about his intentions and she had been more than willing to provide such a special service in support of the mighty army of Mycenae.

Besides, her sister Talitha was home in bed with a case of hemikrania, with cloth over her eyes and drinking mint tea. As much as Polymnia wanted to tend to her ailing sister's needs, she knew it was best to leave her alone in a quiet house. So while the redhead wasn't wanting for attention, she quite welcomed her favorite Captain and his strong young eromenos and their invitation for an evening away from the common rooms.

And she had been wanting to get her hands (and other things) on that sweet beautiful boy and his handsome erastes again since the night Talitha had introduced Alexander to the ways of love. The opportunity to spend time with the both of them alone while he was given an introduction of another sort wasn't something she would turn down.

They sat naked on a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor, eating honeyed dates and sipping wine, just getting comfortable. The young man was both nervous and excited and she bet it wouldn't have taken more than a few whispered words and maybe one finger from either of them to bring him to his first peak of the evening.

Truth to tell, the sexual tension in the room was so thick it wouldn't have taken much more then a few words and a finger to bring her to her own peak, either. Polymnia hadn't been this excited around a partner (or a client) in quite some time and the whole thing just made her as randy as a cat.

The Captain seemed to be the only one in the room in full control of his emotions. Or at least in control enough not to let them show as obviously as the other two. He laid a hand on the boy's thigh and Alexander jumped a little, then sighed and leaned over for a kiss. The Captain held his head in both hands and kissed him slowly and quite thoroughly. While she watched and grinned, the proud member between Alexander's legs rose to it's full height and girth in seconds.

Knowing quite well how the captain kissed, it surprised her not at all. Seeing how deeply in love they were with each other almost made her a little jealous.

"Hey! Me too!" She knelt up and put an arm around both of their necks and demanded her share. Smiling, both men paused and kissed her back and forth while their free hands roamed up and down her body. She moaned softly when the Captain took his young lover's hand and put it between her thighs. Polymnia had been wet and ready since he first whispered into her ear back in the garrison room and, as she predicted, it only took a few seconds of those fingers to bring her to the edge and over it. She shivered and squeaked and bit Alexander's shoulder, making him shout in surprise. Hygromeryx chuckled.

"I am so glad you joined us, my little Celtic princess. Alexander needed the distraction. He's a little nervous."

Polymnia opened her green eyes wide with mock innocence.

"Why... my Captain... whatever would he be nervous about?" Alexander blushed so cutely it almost broke her heart.

"We have been taking things slowly, you see. Since the night this beautiful man declared his love for me we have been taking our time learning each others bodies. So far I have been more than content with those soft hands and that sweet mouth of his. He is inexperienced but learning quickly. The closest he has come to actually taking my phallus is a couple of times he held it between his thighs while I pumped him from behind." A palm on the blushing face turned it up for a kiss and the older man looked into the eyes of his lover.

"But tonight my young love will learn the full meaning of eromenos. Take me inside of him for the very first time. And I will enjoy taking that full enticing bottom for the very first time as well. We are hoping it will be a memorable night for the both of us." Alexander stared, as if bewitched by the words.

"But he's nervous." She said.

"Yes."

"Afraid it will hurt."

"Yes. My Alexander is a brave soldier, but as yet untested. He isn't... afraid. The thought of pain does make him nervous, though. During our play he had experienced naught but the tip of my tongue and one finger. The pleasure seems to have outweighed the discomfort. But the idea that I am... a bit larger than my finger does concern him." The girl frowned.

"You are quite a bit larger than your finger, my virile Captain." She said. "And it does hurt! I have told you so!" She took the blushing lad's face away from the Captain and kissed him then looked into his eyes. "Alexander I have received your Captain's phallus many times. More than once in my euphemia when he desired me that way. Do not let him fool you. It does hurt. The first time he took me in such a manner I thought his huge tool would tear me in half!" The blush faded as he paled. One small soft hand stroked his cheek.

"But trust me, lover. The discomfort is fleeting compared to the pleasure. Any pain will fade quickly and his wonderful member will bring you to the heights of ecstasy. By morning you will consider yourself the luckiest eromenos in Mycenae!" She stopped then stuck her lower lip out in a small pout.

"Alexander, you must promise not to be greedy. Will you share your handsome Captain and his wonderful member with my sister and I? Please?" She reached down and took him in her hand. His erection had flagged with the conversation but the touch of her soft little hand aroused him again quickly. "And yours as well, of course. I want to sample this pretty thing over and over again." A little groan of desire came from his lips as she stroked him.

"Aaaahhh... Of... of course, Polymnia. I... Mmmm... I promise."

The older man smiled, then leaned back against the pile of pillows, gathering his young lover in his arms so he lay against that broad strong chest. He kissed the top of his head.

"What a good lad." Looking up at the girl he added "My little fiery love, what say you take the edge off this young man? Blunt his blade so the battle will last long enough to enjoy?" She grinned and licked her lips.

"Mmmm... gladly, Sir!" Her hand hadn't left his member and it only took a moment for her lips to follow her fingers as she took him deep inside her mouth. The little pink tongue lashed against the sensitive underside of his head as her lips ran up and down in conjunction with her soft little hand.

"Look at her, Alexander. See how happy she is." Those bright green eyes were wide and even though her mouth was full, it was obvious she was smiling around him as she sucked and licked and bobbed with her head in his lap. "It's the same look you have when you are pleasing me." The young soldier shivered and writhed in his lover's lap.