Twice Caught

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

Twice-Caught TOP SHELF An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers PO Box 2545 Round Rock, TX 78680 Copyright 2011 by Syd McGinley Cover illustration by Alessia Brio Published with permission ISBN: 978-1-61040-561-4 www.torquerepress.com All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by

the U.S. Copyright Law. For information address Torquere Press. Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680. First Torquere Press Printing: September 2011 Printed in the USA To Lee and Michelle, without whom... Chapter One

Tarin curled his toes a bit tighter against the bark as he scooted his butt back and leaned against the tree trunk. He huffed out a breath and watched his mouth-air swirl in the cold. His toes twitched. Stupid socks meant he could hardly hold on. He wriggled his ass, and his trousers unpuckered from his crack. Having a layer between him and the cold wasn't ungood. But it wasn't good either. He scowled and sucked hard on his honey treat. He was in a tree. It was a reward and he should enjoy it. If he didn't look down and see how close the ground was, he could imagine he was high up and solitary. Safe and alone. He sighed. His reward wasn't the freeness he'd hoped for when he'd begged for a scramble up a tree. The bare limbs meant he was plainly visible. No private moment. He plucked at his snug top. His holly berry Shortest Day clothes stopped him feeling the world and were not going to help him be not-being-seen Tarin.

He squirmed. The no leaves and scarlet sweatshirt were not the real problem. The tree was in the middle of the Before Times quad. Cadets were running in groups through the slush and shouting songs. Tarin knew his freedom was just a few minutes of play. That wasn't the problem either. Tarin swallowed some honey juice. The real problem was stamping around under the tree slapping his own sides to keep warm. Tarin glowered at the yellow flop of hair, the bony beak, and straw jut of beard that were all he could see of his man's face. "Bonded," growled Tarin, and rubbed his stupid tingling spine against the trunk. "Candle Day," he hissed to himself. "Be quiet, spine. Tarin waits!" Either his promise or the bark scratched the conscience itch enough. Tarin watched Garrick march in place. It wasn't warm clothes, good food, or even men that had Tarin trapped. It was his own self that kept him here. And sitting in a tree, playing at being free, only heightened the civilized trap. "Coming down," he hollered. "Not land on you!" Garrick had already taken a precautionary pace back. "Woof," said Tarin as he plummeted down and grinned at Garrick's teasing clutch at his own ribs. "Not squash you!"

"Not twice squashed," said Garrick, rubbing where Tarin had once cracked his man's chest. "Get your feet in those go-sloshes before you take another step. Gideon will kill us both if your feet get cold." "Socks," grumbled Tarin, glaring at the hated things. "Wearing them." "Wet and cold," amended Garrick. "If your toes fall off, we'll be in the scat." "Frosty-toes." Tarin shoved his feet into the funny rubbery shoes. He was still not convinced about this notion of Healer Gideon's that Tarin's toes were in danger of falling off if they got too cold again. Men had odd ideas about socks, and frosty-toes was probably a trick to make Tarin wear them despite his Mothers' Dispensation. Tarin sighed and trudged along next to his man. "Short climb, boy." Tarin shrugged. "Not right." Garrick didn't say anything, but his beard twitched. "Let's get some work done before the light fades." "Work, work," Tarin bit off the last planned "work" before Garrick could give him an irritated look. Tarin's early mornings in

the bakery with Edon were good, but his late afternoon shift in the library was merely tolerable. It was the project with Garrick that stressed him. Not that it was arduous, but so much rode on it, and it was frustrating and picky. The early afternoon light was hitting Garrick's work table perfectly, and the feathers, shiny line, and sharp hooks were meticulously laid out. Tarin had his doubts that even the best lures were going to be enough to reinstate Garrick as a hunter. If his man wasn't a hunter, then he wasn't contributing enough to the community to have a helpmeet. And Bad Egg Jadon would win. Garrick shucked off his parka and stood for a long moment, rubbing his injured right hand. "Get cold-stiff?" asked Tarin. "Should put a sock on it." Garrick barked at his cheeky boy and sat down. He waggled his remaining finger and touched it to his thumb several times. "Well, a glove would be wasted, but less of your backtalk, boy. We need to figure out how to tie this lure. Here, you hold this feather in place for me." Tarin sat quietly with his finger inside loops of line while Garrick muttered and consulted black lines on paper and repeatedly failed to replicate them. "Tarin does it instead?" suggested Tarin after a while.

"No," said Garrick, his snarl barely suppressed. "Has to be my skill, boy." For a second Tarin thought his man was going to sweep the hooks and lures to the floor. "And Gideon says this practice will help my hand heal right." Tarin reached out and massaged Garrick's clawed hand. It was stiff and knotted with the cold and pain. The scar tissue where his three missing fingers used to be looked purple and hard. "Hurts?" Garrick moaned. "No, boy, not really. I can't feel what I'm doing with these two. And the gone fingers ache." Tarin nodded. It made no sense, but he missed trees that were still there, so perhaps Garrick could feel fingers that were gone. He kept rubbing Garrick's hand and felt the inside of his man's palm shift a little. "Lady Night fingers," said Garrick, his beard bristling at his boy as they watched the truncated bones and tendons move under the skin. "Ah, what's the point, Tarin? I'll never be able to catch enough fish to replace the deer I used to bring in." "We fight," hissed Tarin. "Remember?" Garrick stood, walked to the window, and stared out. Tarin fiddled with the hooks. His palm still bore a tattooed dot from their

first encounter. A hook had jabbed into him as he and the beakfaced man had wrestled by the ravine. "Rabbits, too," suggested Tarin after Garrick had been silent a while. "Show you snares?" Garrick came back to the table, ruffled his boy's hair, and sat down to try the knots again. They finally got the feather attached, and Garrick twitched the line across the table. "See, boy? Like a bug for the fish." "Huh," said Tarin. "Men are tricky." "We use our brains," said Beak-face and rubbed his hand. "And boys are ticklers." "Am not," said Tarin. "Tickling is wrong. Torture." He nodded firmly. "Fish-ticklers," amended Garrick. "That's what catching the fish your way is called, Tarin. When you lie in wait and grab. I was reading about it in a Before Times book. Some Before Times tribes used spears. I wonder…" He looked at his hand and flexed the finger and thumb. His shoulders sagged. "Not enough grip or strength." "Other hand," said Tarin. "Can poke fish. Practice."

Garrick was shrugging again. "Nice fat man," said Tarin encouragingly. "Other arm is strong." He tried not to make his "pft" noise, but his man was being wrongheaded. Brains didn't seem to help much. Just got men tangled up like their black squiggles. "My left hand is clumsy," said Garrick. "It may be strong, Tarin, but I'll miss the target." "Mothers!" snapped Tarin. "You get to fish again. You have other fingers." He shoved the tray of part-made lures at Beak-face. "No freedom. Trapped!" "Civilized!" roared Garrick, banging his good fist on the table so that the hooks jumped. "We rescued you." Tarin's spine burned. "Trapped," he repeated in defiance of his own body and the expression on his man's face. Garrick's gaze bored into Tarin. As angry and hurt as Tarin felt, he wanted to snort. It was like having a woodpecker drill at him. He wanted to stroke his man's great beak and say "civilized," but he huffed instead. "We rescue boys," said Garrick softly. He put his good hand on Tarin's arm. "Don't you see yet, boy?" Tarin squirmed and gathered his wildness to say something, but

a shadow had already passed over his man. Garrick took his hand away. "Well, there's still Candle Day, Twice-caught. You have the Choice then and can leave if you must." Tarin squirmed. His man's desire, his spine, and his own brain tussled. Tarin wanted to stay with Garrick. Bonded mattered. But Bad Egg Jadon had promised to use Tarin to destroy Garrick. And Tarin missed being free. Civilized was scat. Tarin would have to leave, wouldn't he? There was a polite tap at the door. "Captain Garrick? May I enter, please, sir?" Garrick stamped to the door and yanked it open. Ofer stood there with a tray of food. Tarin's belly growled. Civilized was scat, but being warm and having hot deer made indoors good. Tarin poked his stomach. He was getting fat like a man. "Why are you here?" snapped Garrick, and then gathered himself when he saw Ofer flinch. "Ofer, I didn't order food in my room." "I did, Garrick. Remember? We said we'd get together for a strategy meeting. I thought we'd eat at the same time." Lieutenant Cale stepped in behind Ofer and chivvied the boy toward the table. "Tarin, move the work tray. I've brought Mart to keep you

company while Garrick and I plan." Mart gave Tarin a beaming grin as he scooted in behind his man. "Hey, Tarry! I got grab beans for us to play." Garrick had his hands on his hips and a frown. Tarin knew there was no such meeting planned, but the community had all been fussing and bullying at Garrick since his accident. No, thought Tarin, not since his accident. It was since Bad Egg Jadon's invocation of the Holy Elf clause. No one wanted Garrick to be defeated by Jadon, but still no one would vote that Garrick was fit enough to keep a boy if Beak-face couldn't prove himself. Rules mattered. "Captain," hissed Cale. "It's a favor to Sergeant Edon. He and Ofer have nowhere private to go since the bundling edict. Ofer is always on duty when Edon has some private time." Tarin smothered a giggle as his man's proud look melted. He was quite happy to do favors, but he bristled at receiving them. Community boy Ofer was one of his soft spots. "Ah, well, then. Bundling has been quite a burden for us all." Tarin and Mart made a joint fart noise and hooted. "Bundling stinks!" "Good evening, sirs." Edon stood awkwardly at the threshold, with two crusty loaves in his hands and a pointedly not-looking-atOfer gaze.

"Ah, Sergeant, yes, uh, thank you for the bread delivery. Can you stay and advise us on…" Cale trailed off. Neither he nor Garrick were good at cunning, thought Tarin. "Braids," bellowed Tarin. "Edon has to show me special bread folding. Make Candle Day twists. Must practice." "Uh, yes," said Edon, catching Ofer's hopeful wave. "There's only three more Mother Days until Candle Day. And it's a complicated braid. We can't waste the dough, and it's bad luck to make the loaves at other times." Everyone shuffled around for a moment to let Edon and Cale in, and Ofer beamed at his pledged man. The room was crowded with six people all standing around the table until Garrick took charge. "Very well then. Ofer, please serve the officers their food. Sergeant Edon, please give Tarin his tutorial. Mart, you may assist Ofer." Tarin rolled his eyes. His man was bossy, but Mart had said that was part of being an officer. It made it easier, Mart had insisted, because you knew who was in charge. All men in charge of boys and cadets. And officers in charge of men. Tarin had snorted, but not before wishing Cory had thought Tarin was in charge back in the woods. Tarin followed Edon into what Mart and Ofer called a kitchen,

even though it was nothing like the bustling hot room the community's food was prepared in and that Edon and the other bakers considered their turf -- at least in the pre-dawn hours. The Officers' Quarters had lots of useless rooms from the Before Times. Edon gave Tarin a big wink. "Well, Tarin, we do need to practice. The Mother Day braided bread is not as easy as your hair." Edon gave Tarin's rather scruffy braid a doubtful look. "And dough puffs, remember, so don't tug it tight. We'll practice some knot shapes on the cadets' supper rolls through the week so you can get a feel for how the rising changes the shapes. They won't complain about misshapen food. The beasts just inhale it." He picked up three cleaning rags and rolled them up. "Show me how you do your hair, boy." Tarin grabbed the rags and quickly flapped them over and around each other. "Braided." He grinned at Edon. "Now you can go and be private with Ofer!" Edon snorted. "That was the easy version. Now with four ropes, and we make it into a circle. Neatly, so that no one knows where the start and end are." "Be with Ofer!" said Tarin, as bossily as an officer. "I give up," said Edon. He tossed the rags at Tarin and headed back to the main room.

Tarin tried a quick slide on the kitchen floor as he followed Edon back. His socks were good for that at least, even if he did jolt to a halt at the edge of the squashy carpet and stumble into the room. "Ah, Sergeant," said Beak-face. "Defeated by him already, I see! When boys conspire…" "Men perspire!" shouted Cale and guffawed. "Mart, finish the meal service. Ofer, you are dismissed from the table." Ofer jiggled for a moment and then, as Garrick garbled out some order about folding bed linens, shot into the bedroom. "Sergeant… just… uh… supervise him." Mart and Tarin sniggered as they stood behind their men to complete the table service. The rare sound of Ofer laughing was cut short as Edon shut the door. "Remember, his innocence is restored!" called Garrick. He grinned at Cale. "Heh, Edon didn't think that part through, did he? His boy may be off limits to others now that he counts as a new boy, but Edon's only got Ofer's mouth and hands! No fucking the innocent boys until Candle Day." Cale snapped his fingers at Mart. "Stop eavesdropping, boy, and give the Captain some more of this gravy masquerading as stew. This is all potatoes and brown sauce." Garrick growled. "Well, it's deep winter, Lieutenant. Meat is

getting scarce, and the hunters are a man down." He waved away the gravy, and took a chunk of bread instead. "Sorry, sir!" said Cale, and glowered at his friend in a most unbecoming-an-inferior-officer manner. "Innocence!" chirped Tarin. "Still got mine!" "Mothers help me, you do," grumbled Garrick, but he shot his boy a pleased look at the change of subject. "Cale, when do the boys get their Candle Day training?" Tarin gave Mart an anxious look. Cale was all but rubbing his hands as he answered Garrick. "This Mother Day! Or at least, that'll be the day they are given the private talk and their men state whether they are opting in to the preparation pegs." Garrick chuckled, and Tarin felt his tummy flip. "I assume opting in is the way to go, Lieutenant?" Cale nodded, and Tarin saw that Mart was nodding hard as well. "It's kindest to the boys, and I think their men enjoy them more." "Sten is of the opinion that their innocence is lessened." Garrick rubbed his beard. "He opted out, and he's proud to have been the first and only thing inside Eloi."

Mart smothered a snort that sounded like, "Gideon's finger." "Lieutenant, what do you say we dismiss these two big-eared servers?" Tarin patted his ears. They were smaller than Garrick's, so he was confused about whether big was good or bad. Mart nudged him. "Tarin, we're allowed to play." "Not out of sight," said Cale. "The Captain doesn't want you listening to us, but I don't want you two chattering without supervision. Mart, don't you spoil his innocence with silly stories." "Take the gravy and crusts with you," said Garrick. "Leftovers, I know, but the scant rations… hey! Manners, boy!" Tarin grinned. "Am beast! Innocent beast!" He scampered to the corner of the room with the bread and gravy. Mart followed, giggling. The two boys squatted down woodland-style, and Mart spilled out his pouch of beans and explained the game while they sopped up the gravy with the bread and chowed through it. Garrick may have called the food leftover crusts, but the men had saved a full serving for their boys to share. "Mart?" whispered Tarin. "Is it really okay? Losing innocence?"

Mart tossed the big white bean and chanted, "Scurry, grab, one bean," as he picked out one dark bean from the heap and caught the white bean as it fell. He muttered, "Yes, but, Tarry, pay attention at training." He tossed the white bean again, and as he sang "Scurry, grab, two beans," Tarin anxiously pursued his questions, and Mart insisted he liked having Cale fuck him. By the time Mart had reached ten beans, Tarin was chewing his lip. Mart handed the white bean to Tarin. "Here, you try. Aran can get up to twenty!" He dropped his voice. "Honest, Tarin, it's good. You saw me and Cale in the steam room." Tarin played grab bean for a few tosses, silent except for his game chant. "Bum is tight," he finally hissed to Mart in between five and six beans. "And Beak-face has big cock." He missed the seven bean toss and handed the white bean back to Mart. Mart started his turn after a quick look at the men. Cale may have been visiting on a pretext, but now the officers really were deep in a strategy session. "Tarin, let the Captain know you want the peg." Cale's chair creaked, and Mart hastily said, "Scurry, grab, two beans!" "Mart! Enough play time. Tarin is on duty at the library soon.

We'll escort him over. The Captain has a hand appointment with Gideon. Ofer will be quite safe in the company of the Sergeant." Tarin and Mart both made a rude motion about Ofer and Edon with their fingers, and Beak-face laughed. "No respect for their superiors. Boy, I'll see you at supper." Tarin submitted to a goodbye eat of his mouth. The Mothers were right that even a brief parting should be faced with a kiss. Tarin and his spine might still tussle about what being bonded to Garrick meant, but they agreed they wanted him safe. Hearing his man was hurt at the mall had sent shocks through all parts of Tarin. He shook his head a little and frowned. Some of his Shortest Day was still hazy, but something about Mothers telling him to stay with his man invaded his dreams and snuck into his waking thoughts. He stomped along behind Cale and Mart with his feet inside the hated socks and rubber shoes. Dry feet had advantages, but naked feet were better. He gave his toes a wriggle inside their prison -- his littlest toes didn't feel anything, and he huffed. He'd get a lecture from Gideon about frosty-toes if he said anything, so he kicked off the go-sloshes at the library entry, waved goodbye to Mart, and trotted off to find Major Jonas, the head librarian. He didn't have to look far. Jonas was behind the Infer Desk

instructing his own boy, Aran. Tarin squinched his eyes. The dull daylight filtering in was harder to see in than sun glare, but the lack of clarity oddly enhanced the resemblance between Jonas and his older brother, Bad Egg Jadon. They only looked alike, thought Tarin. Jonas was kind and clever. Jadon was just shouty and mean. Tarin frowned. Worse than mean. He picked at a memory: Shortest Day and the bonefire. Jadon had promised to destroy Tarin and Garrick, but there was something else about that day. He shook his head. Scat! There was something important, but the fever he and many of the community had succumbed to had left holes. Jonas and Aran were whispering. Talking was allowed by the Infer Desk, so he was puzzled by their muttering. Tarin squinched again. They looked worried. "Duty!" he said, so they would know he was there. "Scat!" said Aran and rustled at some papers. "Tarin, don't be so quiet!" "Lie-Berry," said Tarin. "Has to be SILENT!" Jonas frowned and looked more like his brother for a moment. "Tarin, report to Lieutenant Linus. He has several orders to prepare before the light goes, and you're on stack-mule duty. We are allowing some books to leave the library during bundling times." "Bundling stinks," said Tarin and Aran together.

Jonas rolled his eyes. "Boys and their snappy sayings." "Well, it does, sir," said Aran. "Literally." Tarin trotted off to the stairs but heard Jonas say in a voice full of tensions, "Vocabulary, boy," and Aran's chastened defense of "Could be a Before Times word." Linus was in his usual grumpy mood. Tarin resigned himself to a few hours of dusty rebukes as he followed the officer up and down in the stacks, carrying piles of books. He delivered a heap to Master Sergeant Idris, who was still wrestling with something called trajectories, which was, as far as Tarin could tell from his sketches, simply how to throw big rocks. Tarin assessed Idris as he crossly scratched out some more squiggles. Now that Idris had claimed Kerr, Tarin was keeping an eye on him. Idris had to complete his project very soon to become an officer by Candle Day, or he'd lose Kerr. Kerr was a good kid, thought Tarin, and Idris seemed, well, diligent. "Before Times word!" said Tarin aloud, and earned a glare from Idris and Linus. "The light is getting too weak," said Idris. "Linus, I'd like to take these to the communal bunking to study." "Let me record them, and then Tarin will carry them there with you. Tarin, stay there. The evening hours will begin before you can

be escorted back." Idris paused at the front entrance for Tarin to fight his feet into the go-sloshes. Tarin scowled. Idris could hold the books to make it easier! Linus or Jonas would give Tarin a demerit for putting them on the ground. Tarin squirmed his toes and huffed. "Here, boy," said Major Jonas, and took the stack of books. "Master Sergeant Idris, are you so above your station that you can't pitch in?" "Huh?" said Linus, shaking his head. "Sorry, Major! I was thinking about ballistics for my catapult." He sighed. "I can't get the height I need for the stones to fly far enough." Tarin kept quiet and worked his left foot in while Jonas held the books. "I know the promotions board approved your project idea, but I don't understand why you are working on a distance weapon," said Jonas. "There's no one to fight." Idris shrugged. "Better safe than sorry, sir. And as long as we have a warrior officer option, we need qualified men to fill it. We can't all be hunters in the fighting units. " Tarin slowed down with his right foot. This was interesting! All the cadets and men trained in using hand weapons, he knew that, and spent hours doing ridiculous drills. Lots of running and shouting.

It was, Tarin and other boys had decided, because men didn't have woods so they were made exercise-crazy by being in the Before Times buildings so much. "Tarin! Get your toes in that shoe, boy!" Jonas sounded stern, but he had his usual amused look. Tarin obeyed but mused on the idea of a big distance weapon as he trotted along after Idris. Tarin's stony-sling was excellent for getting rabbits, and once he'd got a goose! Idris must be trying to hit monsters like in the divids, if Tarin had understood his pictures aright. He had big stones. They'd squash a deer. "Giant catypult!" said Tarin cheerfully to Idris as they stomped into the gym. "Yeah," said Idris glumly. "But Goliath will never work. I won't be an officer." "Huh," said Tarin. "Kerr likes you?" "Probably," growled Idris. "Be quiet, boy. Help me find a study spot before this place is overrun." Tarin plodded across the gym to where the officer-candidates had holed up the day before. Their crumpled paper was still strewn around. Ofer had tried to tidy it up and had been hollered at, so now no boys interfered, and the officers had declared the study

area to be an exception to the tidy rules. More and more men were entering the gym, and the noise level grew. Tarin rubbed his ears as he put Idris' books down on some bleachers. It was true that bundling did actually stink, but the noise was worse. "Tarin! Exercise time!" Tarin perked up and turned to see Cadet Kenan grinning at him. "Ready, boy? Before it's too full in here, you and I will do some circuits and sprints." Tarin set off right away. His legs got twitchy during the long days of work, work, work, and Garrick claimed he ran in his sleep if he didn't get exercised by Kenan. He pounded around the edge of the gym, dodging where cadets and boys were setting up squashy bags. If Kenan hadn't been pacing along with him, he'd have picked up a hand of demerits for his exuberance. "Wooo!" shouted Tarin and hurdled a kneeling cadet. "Yowp," he added as Kenan slapped his rump. "Quiet running, no jumping, and no silliness, Twice-caught." Tarin settled into a jog and remembered that he didn't want Kenan to know how long Tarin could run. He needed to keep some boy-secrets. He'd already given away that he liked Beak-face.

Oh! There was his man coming in through the double doors. Tarin did a happy sock-slide over to him and hollered, "Am good! No demerits!" "And a hello to you too, boy," said Garrick and caught his boy round the waist before he collided with the next man. "Aw scat," said Tarin, looking at who he'd nearly barreled into. "Still not controlling him?" sneered Jadon. "Twice-caught and half-hand -- you barely make a single cadet's worth between you." He barged on past them, and headed for the paired-up officers' corner. "We're in the way," said Garrick, and he tugged Tarin aside so others could enter. Tarin could feel the rage course through his man and Tarin's spine vibrated in time with his man's fury. His beakfaced man was ready to raptor swoop. "We slow fight," hissed Tarin. "We are the hunters, not prey." The twitching in his man's hand eased. Garrick choked for a second and then squeezed his boy. "Our prey is not in season, eh boy?" Chapter Two

More and more cadets and men rushed into the gym, and Tarin and Garrick were buffeted for a moment until Garrick led his boy down a row of bleachers. "Let's sit, Tarin, while the crowd settles. We have a reserved spot since we are paired." "Not near Bad Egg," said Tarin with a scowl. "He stinks." He paused and tried out his new word from Aran. "Literally!" Garrick chuckled. "He does. Rotten feet that one. Doesn't change his socks enough." "Socks," groused Tarin, and leaned against his man while the gym floor filled with men, cadets and boys. "Mart's man had ideas?" he asked. Garrick grunted. "Not really, boy. We already presented a solid case at the hearing that I can contribute to the food supply in plenty of ways, but they all require spring and summer to prove. Until then, we are vulnerable to challenges. The officers will vote fairly." "Am yours on Candle Day?" asked Tarin. "Before spring," he added in case the captain didn't understand his concern. Garrick put his arm around his boy's shoulders. "Yeah, boy, but you are still offered the Choice. I hope -- Tarin, I hope you stay. It is a choice, and I'm less than I was, so…"

"Lady!" said Tarin and rolled his eyes. "Only a Bad Egg would leave over that." Garrick snorted. "But you wanted to leave anyway, boy. You wanted freedom before my fingers went." Tarin squirmed. "Civilized," he said glumly as much to make Garrick's beard relax as to stop his spine buzzing. "But Jadon will leave you alone if I am gone." He wriggled his toes. How they had gotten frosty was a mystery, but there was something about his toes, his itching spine, and the bonefire. "Better you and Jadon than neither," said Garrick. "Ew, smushy," said Mart, flopping down behind them. "Captain Garrick, Titus has said there is enough stored power for divid watching groups! You and Cale are on tonight's list to watch with Titus." "See, boy," said Garrick. "Titus is not casting us out of his officers' groups. First night view is a privilege. We'll be okay." "Divid!" said Tarin, gleefully. Stupid Cory still insisted the divids were Mother Magic even though the boys now all knew it was Before Times stuff. Cory probably even still wanted to say Lady instead of Mother, Kerr had said a bit meanly during their last Mother Day lesson. Tarin grinned

at the memory. Kerr was asserting himself more during boy time and being less worried about being seen as Tarin's friend. Perry, on the other hand, was avoiding Tarin and even turning his back on him during meetings. It made Tarin's stomach feel like he'd eaten sour berries to see his friend do that. How could Tarin persuade him that Jadon was not to be trusted if Perry wouldn't sit near him? "Stop thinking, boy," said Garrick. "Perry," muttered Tarin. "We have enough trouble with Major Jadon," said Beak-face, "without messing with his pledged boy. No arguing, Tarin. The Major is being fully reinstated at Candle Day and, as soon as he is, he gets a boy. End of story." "Makes me stormy that Perry listens to him," said Tarin. "Perry wasn't stupid in the woods." "He's caught," said Mart. "Messes with boy brains when balls get involved." Mart squirmed and grinned at Tarin and Garrick. "And bums!" "Enough, Mart. Your man has told you not to corrupt my boy with talk." Garrick's eyes were crinkly though, so neither boy was bothered by the rebuke. They sat on the bleachers until they saw Cale come in just ahead of Edon and a crew of scullery boys toting soup pots.

Ofer followed with a big basket of bread. "Supper time," said Garrick. "More potatoes in chicken-flavor water." "Happy lumps," said Tarin. "Yum." Mart giggled. "First winter boys still think this is big eating, Captain." "Bounteous," grumbled Garrick as he and the boys caught up with Cale and joined the soup line. The two officers found their reserved sleeping bag spots, and their boys plopped down by their feet. "Thanks mom," muttered Garrick and Cale, sounding a little less grateful than usual. Mart echoed them, and Tarin just dunked his bread in his soup bowl, then chewed happily. His man might complain, but bread was so good even when, perhaps especially when, he had to make it himself. He liked his early mornings with Edon, even if other bakers and boys were there. It was work that made sense, unlike plodding around in the dusty library. As they ate, Aran wheeled in a cart with the divid watching box and arranged it near them. Tarin wriggled. The first time he'd seen a divid, he'd had to hide his head under his T-shirt until he realized men were laughing at the new boys and their sniffles about Mother Magic. He'd resolutely glowered at the screen until he'd understood

that it was a story -- just like Lady Night tales when the boys tried to scare each other around the fires. Divids were Before Times stuff but still just a story. Stupid Cory had cried all the way through about Mother Magic even after he'd been reassured that it wasn't real. Tarin was still trying to make up his mind about whether divids told true stories or lies. Cory insisted that they had to be true or how could they see them? Mother Magic, Tarin had taunted back, and then been separated from Cory by Cadet Kenan. Tarin grinned. He'd earned a demerit for provoking Cory, but so had stupid Cory for throwing his apple at Tarin. And Tarin's demerit had been worked off right away with a spanking from Beak-face. Tarin sighed. It had been the last right-handed spanking he'd gotten from his man. Left-handed ones were not so much fun. Yet! Tarin peeked up at his man and wished they'd had a chance to share gifts that afternoon. Letting Ofer and Edon use the bedroom was too kind, decided Tarin. If divid stories were true, Tarin was really glad he didn't live in the Before Times. They were loud and complicated. And there were Mothers everywhere. Even Little Mothers. Tarin doubted divids were real. They had too many strange things in them. Metal flying things. Splosions. Creatures from different worlds. Babies. Mothers. Dragons. Pizza. Horses. Puters. Men fighting, sometimes with swords and sometimes with splosion sticks. The Before Times couldn't have been like that. Tarin was sure that babies and flying metal things were unreal. Splosions seemed unlikely, although they were exciting, but he hoped pizza was true. Divid people seemed to

really like it. Tarin tugged at Garrick's ankle. "Splosion movie?" Garrick chuckled. "I don't know, boy. The choice hasn't been announced. The review board took a long time approving a new divid after last time." "Phoooone hooooome," said Tarin, making his voice as mournful as possible. It hadn't been just the first winter boys who'd gotten upset watching the creature go into the woods and get all glowy. Tarin had felt his belly flip and flop as he watched it, but now he'd discovered that he could make men act funny if he made an Elliott face. Not Beak-face though. He'd swat his boy and tell him to stop being a manipulative little monkey. Tarin grinned. He and Kerr could make Cory cry by touching their fingers together. Kerr was slowly becoming Tarin's friend in the free time after Mother Day lessons now that Perry had become a Bad Egg-loving weasel. Garrick snorted and ruffled Tarin's hair. "Silly boy. The review board said it would choose an exciting story this time." Tarin returned to the last of his soup, satisfied that it wouldn't be a snuffly-nose movie or a puzzling chicken flick. There had been no tasty birds in it at all. Lots of Mothers with spiky feet. He squirmed. He'd teased his man about shopping at the dangerous mall based on that divid, and his man had lost his fingers. The Before Times were very wrong, decided Tarin.

Shouty Jadon was making announcements about the evening, but Tarin didn't listen. He already knew he was in the divid group. "No idleness," finished Jadon. "To your groups!" The divid group was already in position, so Tarin stayed still and kept his head down while all the men, boys, and cadets yelled and stamped and reorganized themselves. Inside and civilized were tolerable only so long as Tarin could forget how many people were all crammed in. Bundling was horrible for that alone. He still felt like ants were crawling on him every Mother Meeting. He felt Garrick's hand stroke his neck. His man didn't like big crowds either. The noisy groups were positioned at the other end of the gym near the doors that concealed the thrumming generator. Cadets were doing pushups and stamping around in patterns, and the men grunted as they rode on chargers. During the summer, cadets on punishment worked the cycles, but during the winter the warriors and hunters rode the pedals to keep their muscles working until spring. Garrick still took his turn, having argued that he was still a member of the warrior group. In the middle of the gym, a librarian read a story aloud to the men and boys working on winter tasks -- splicing ropes, restoring leather, carving wood, sewing shirts and darning socks -- as well as some simple meal preparations -- scullery boys chopped dried

apples and shelled nuts. Off to the side were the study groups and some officer planning meetings, and finally, set up in the officers’ sleeping area, was the divid group. Groups would watch the same divid in turn until everyone had seen it. Bundling made divid night complicated. The watching box was turned so only the group could see it, nonetheless, by the end of each new divid's cycle, the whole gym could recite the story from listening to it so many times. Tarin grinned -- being a boy with a man was better than being a cadet! Cadets were always in the last groups -- even after the cohort of two-band boys who were still waiting to be chosen next year. "No spoilers!" said Titus. "No spoilers!" answered the divid group. "Or we'll kick your asses!" shouted the gym back. The room was filled with laughs, grunts, and curses for another minute, and then it resettled. Titus popped the divid into the watcher and sat on a squashy bag with his boy, Simeon, to watch with the group. There were groans as the divid proved to have coming soons. "Even bad divids that we'll never get are torture," groused Cale. "It's even worse when they look good." "This is Sparta!" said Garrick, nodding in agreement. "I bet we'll never find that one."

Titus shot them a look, and Garrick and Cale snorted. Tarin nudged Mart. "Men are like boys on divid night!" "Quiet!" said Titus. "There's only two hours until powerdown. If you make me pause the divid, you won't see the end." Everyone watched anxiously. Sometimes coming soons went on forever. Their two hours could be dangerously tight. Tarin grunted happily. The movie was starting, and he was pretty sure splosions would happen. The music just had that feel! He wriggled back against his man's fat chest and got ready to be transported. Huh, his man kept holding tight to his shoulders. There was nothing happening that would bother his man, so Beak-face must be anxious about Tarin. Oh, thought Tarin, he squeezes when I twitch. He's worried I'm going to yell. "Don't worry, Beak-face," whispered Tarin. "Spine and me both know it's a story. Won't shout!" "You and your spine," growled Garrick. "Here, have a honeysucker, boy." Tarin rattled the treat around inside his mouth, enjoying how it bumped against his teeth and released little bursts of sweet. He let it

settle where his cracked tooth used to be and let a trickle of sweetness drizzle into his throat. He listened to the divid voice talking about cubes and sparks. Tarin sniggered to himself. Bad Egg Jadon was a Dee Septy Con. It would be fun to call Jadon Eggatron! He would save that for the next attempt to persuade Perry. He bumped his head against Garrick's knee and wished he could tell Beak-face his joke, but Titus was watching the boys as much as he was watching the divid. Tarin gave Titus his Am Good face and was disappointed to see Titus smile. Titus' wrong hair looked odd in the divid glow, and Tarin shivered as he obeyed the commander's finger point from Tarin back to the screen. The story was getting fast! It made no sense. Before Times stories never did even, when they were ones with swords and no splosions. They still had Mothers everywhere. "Monster!" hollered Tarin, despite his promise. "Eats boys!" "No spoilers," shouted the entire gym, making Tarin shudder from the violence of having everyone direct their noise at him. Garrick's left hand squeezed hard. Tarin turned round and looked in his man's face. "Real!" he said urgently. "Was eaten by a monster!" "Shh," said Titus. "Garrick, take him outside if you can't keep

him quiet." Tarin looked back at the screen. The metal monster was rearing up to grab the boy in the divid. "Real!" Titus hit the pause button to the groans of all the group members. "Captain Garrick!" Beak-face's hand was firm on Tarin's shoulder, but it wasn't hurt-gripping. "Come on, boy, let's take a walk." "Real," repeated Tarin, embarrassed by how his voice wobbled. "Yes, boy," reassured Garrick, as he guided Tarin away. The divid noises started again. "Come on, boy, walk over here and explain." Tarin trotted along next to his man. His eyes felt scratchy. His man slung his good arm protectively across Tarin's shoulders, and the curious stares from the others no longer mattered. "Tarin, where have you seen a car?" asked Garrick in a low voice. "I know you can go beyond the boy boundaries, and we know some of you scouted over to the mall for winter clothes. But there are no auto-shells left for miles. We've scavenged all of them." "Eaten," said Tarin in a hot whisper. "Inside monster."

Garrick scratched his beard and steered Tarin to where Healer Gideon and his boy, Socorro, were chopping herbs and stirring them into salves. Gideon wasted no time in checking Tarin's temperature and looking into his eyes. "The fever's not back. I don't think he's hallucinating." "Real," said Tarin. "Yes, boy, we believe you." "Garrick, pop him up on the bleachers, so I can check his toes since he's here." "Frosty-toes," said Tarin glumly. "Then was eaten." Gideon frowned as he pulled Tarin's socks off. "What do you mean Tarin? Are you remembering something?" "Making up a story," scoffed Socorro. "My wild boy can't lie," said Garrick. "I leave stories to civilized sillies." Socorro snorted good-naturedly. No one ever seemed to get mad with his man, thought Tarin. Except Jadon. Gideon frowned. "Enough bickering. Tarin? Is this a memory or

a dream?" "Cold toes. Then in hot belly monster. Ute-vee." Tarin whimpered. "Mother!" "Wiggle your toes, boy." Tarin waggled his feet. "Toes," repeated Gideon. Tarin glumly obeyed and did his best to time his squeaks to Gideon's tweaks. He suspected he was not convincing. The officers were exchanging looks over his head. "Well, this is a mystery," said Gideon. "Your boy seems to have had a Mother Encounter. It must have been on Shortest Day, if he's right about it coinciding with his frostbite." Tarin felt the gym roaring around him. All the noise from the men and the trappedness of being inside made the world swirl. "Woof," he said, and flopped hard against Garrick. "Whirly." He tugged his feet away from Gideon's too clever hands. "I'll give him a turn around the quad," said his man. "I think we both need some fresh air." "Bundling stinks," said Socorro and Tarin.

"When boys are right," chuckled Gideon, and shook his head. "Very well. Let the boy cool off and calm down, and we'll finish this conversation when you get back." "Divid," said Tarin. "We're missing it." "We'll squeeze into another group," said Garrick. "So long as you promise not to fuss about the cars." "Cars splode," said Tarin, hearing a whoop from the divid group. "Outside and alone," said Garrick. "Mothers, boy, I never thought I'd have to entice you outside!" Tarin took his man's good hand and followed him outside. Nothing felt right. He was too hot inside even though there was still deep snow all around. It was stifling with all the men in one place. Garrick had patiently explained several times that lighting just one big hall after dark meant they had plenty of winter power for cooking and even divids, but that heating and lighting lots of small rooms was impossible. Everyone in one place shared their body heat. The Before Times rooms didn't have something called chimble-vents. By deep winter, there was a choice, Garrick had said, between lots of cold men in their own rooms in the dark with cadets shivering in bunks, or all together having fun and being toasty. In all but the mildest winters, they'd been obliged to bundle after Shortest Day.

Toasty was too much, thought Tarin. It was like being cooked. And so noisy! Tarin took a deep breath. Real air! "Fun," he snorted. Men liked company far too much. Garrick kept a firm hold on Tarin's hand as they took a brisk march around the quad. It was bitterly cold. The air prickled in Tarin's nostrils, and the slush had set into hard slick shapes. "You're blessed," said Garrick after a while. "If you've met a Mother. That's rare." "Pfft," said Tarin. "Be serious," said Garrick. "Boy, Mothers rarely intervene directly with individuals. We might get a Plea answered, and they send us the right medicines and food, but they hardly ever meet us." Tarin swallowed a snort. Men were very serious about Mothers. When Titus had convinced Tarin that Mothers were real, Tarin had bawled like a first summer boy. Mothers were all glowy and warm. Tarin squirmed at the memory. Now he was back to his usual 'poke it with a stick' self and was sure Mothers were some sort of trick. "Only stupid Cory," he began, but Garrick shook him into silence.

"Cory has been Mother Healed," said his man. "Gideon confirmed it." Tarin shrugged. "Eaten by monster. Not a Mother." Garrick groaned. "Tarin, the monster is a car. A ute-vee. Mothers drive them. They're from the Before Times. If you were in a car, it means a Mother was there." "So?" said Tarin, kicking at an ice clod and then muffling a whimper. It was harder than he'd expected and his toes were only in socks and go-sloshes. A funny dull pain racked his foot. "Titus has met Mothers," said Garrick. "Sten and Helem too. No one else. Cory doesn't remember it. And now you." "Means nothing," said Tarin resolutely. "Have met a skunk and a growl cat." "Blasphemous little beast," said Garrick in exasperation. "Don't let anyone else hear you say that." He paused. "Well, Gideon knows, so it's not a secret, and we'll let Titus know, but don't talk about this too much, boy. It will make some jealous." They were back by the entrance to the building with the gym. Just thinking of the warmth made Tarin shiver harder even though the noise and crowd made him reluctant to return. Garrick gave him a squeeze in the hallway and kissed him hard.

"My boy." "Nice fat man," said Tarin, and kicked off his go-sloshes. Tarin and Garrick both took a deep breath of clean air and then entered the gym. Three hundred pairs of besocked feet and coldweather-washed-in-theory armpits and the accumulated farts and funk of weeks of bundling hit them anew. "No one really likes this, boy," muttered Garrick. "Getting out of cadet bunkrooms is a good day for men, and the chance at private quarters is no small incentive to study for promotions." "Civilized," grumbled Tarin, casting a rueful look at the rapt divid group and submitting to Socorro's instructions to sit back down and take his socks off again. To Tarin's surprise the Healer focused on listening to his lungs, poking at his ribs, and peering into Tarin's eyes. Tarin felt twitchy and annoyed and as if he wanted to kick, but Socorro was near his feet so he didn't. He huffed mightily when Gideon invited Garrick to take a look at Tarin's eyes too and to prod at his second armpit bump. All the while, Socorro was humming some stupid Mother Day song about little piggies. "All the way home!" finished Socorro with a flourish. "Done, Gideon!" "Well, good news, Garrick, your boy's heart and lungs are in

good shape. No fever, no concussions. He's undoubtedly remembering, not imagining." "Scat," said Tarin. "Monster was real?" "Yes. The bad news is that he has no feeling in his toes. While he was distracted, Socorro did the poke test, and he didn't kick." "Skunk scat," said Tarin. "Don't want Ofer toes." "Boy, why didn't you tell me?" rumbled Garrick. "Socks make no feeling," ventured Tarin. "Couldn't tell." His spine buzzed. It wasn't a lie. Just not quite a true. "Will he lose them?" Gideon shook his head. "They seem okay for now. And he can move them. We'll need to keep a close eye on his feet. Daily massages and salves." "Holy elf?" said Tarin. Garrick bristled his beard, and squeezed his boy. "You'll be my boy, Twice-caught, no matter how many fingers and toes we have between us." "Come and join the Healers until powerdown," said Gideon. "Tarin, you can stir the tub of Candle Day salve while Socorro

measures in the herbs." Garrick and Gideon took bleacher seats along the edge of the group so that Gideon could continue to oversee his men who were measuring herbs into packets and boys who were glopping rendered goose fat into tubs. Socorro winked at Tarin. "You'll appreciate this recipe in a few weeks!" "Quiet!" said Major Lorn, who was grinding something in a stone jar. "Linus is reading us the Hobbitses Story." Swords and hardly any Mothers! Tarin liked this story. He and Kerr had hotly debated the plot after last night's episode. "Huh," said Tarin. This was his chance to get an answer! "Samwise is Frodo's boy?" "Shhh," said everyone. Tarin huffed and kept stirring. The Healer group was listening to the chapter he had heard last night, so he let his mind wander. Monsters and Mothers were both real, and, seemingly, he'd met them both, but they were out there in the dark. Not in the civilized light. Where he was. With his man. Tarin gave the salve an enthusiastic swoosh, and Socorro sniggered.

"Powerdown warning," bellowed Jadon. "Clear your projects! Powerdown in fifteen minutes." There was a roar from the divid group. Tarin bit his lip as he helped Socorro clear up. If the divid didn't finish by powerdown, he knew he'd be blamed, even though the pause while Garrick had taken him away had only been for a few breaths. Garrick's sleeping bag was still in the divid area, so Tarin and Garrick waited on the edge of the gym after they'd helped the Healers pack up. "Five minutes. All boys in bags! All cadets in their areas!" Jadon glowered at the divid group, and Tarin could tell he wanted to yell at them. General Titus was there watching and hadn't made any move to disperse the group. All the cadets had moved into groups divided by their years and piled their squashy bags over themselves to form a shared heap of covers. Garrick had said they slept like animals and it was true, thought Tarin, the cadets piled up together like a den of fox kits. By morning they'd be a tangled heap of legs and farty bums. The two-band boys were chastely bundled into separate squashy bags, and then encouraged to squirm close for warmth. The lower ranked men and single officers rather morosely did something similar in the men's area.

"Officers," bellowed Jadon. "On your honors! No flaunting your privilege!" Garrick rolled his eyes. "Bundling stinks," he whispered to Tarin as they watched the paired men and boys slide into doubled up squashy bags with a rolled up bundle of rags between them. "Unfair," grumbled Tarin. "Sharing gifts is good." "But not when only some of us can," said Garrick. "That's unfair -- lying there all night listening to men and boys sharing. The honor roll helps us fight the temptation to share." "Others can share on their own." Garrick snorted. "That's not what 'share' means boy, and you know it." "Feet in socks, hands off cocks!" chanted Tarin, and gave the bundled boys a wave. "Powerdown," shouted Jadon. "Scat!" came from the divid group. "Tarin!" shouted a boy. "His fault! Made the pause!" Tarin's belly clenched. It was Perry's voice. Even Garrick's friendly arm across his shoulders didn't help. The group was mad

with him, and his old friend had marked his trail. "Hold the generator!" called Titus. "Librarian! Bring the divid box!" "Sir!" snarled Jadon. "Exceptions lead to poor discipline." Titus merely raised his eyebrows and held out his hand for the box that Jonas held. The entire gym was staring at him. Cadet heads peered out at all angles from heaps, and boy heads stuck out from bags like half-woven cocoons. Titus inspected the box. "Major Jonas, the divid committee made a poor choice. This divid not only had too much technology, but it also is longer than two hours." Tarin felt worms in his tummy. He liked Jonas, and Bad Egg Jadon had a stupidly pleased look on his face at his brother being blamed, yet Tarin was also pretty sure this meant his pause wasn't the reason the movie hadn't finished. Jonas shuffled. "Sorry, General Titus, when we prescreened it, it didn't seem that long. We reached the judgment that the technology was overall presented as negative, and that the cadets would enjoy the explosions. We planned a Mother Day discussion about the misuse of gasoline in the Before Times." "Splosions!" chorused the boys by the divid watching box, made bold by their group viewing.

Titus chuckled. "Now then, boys, don't make me regret letting you stay up late." Jadon growled and then looked away as Titus turned his gaze on him. "It is cruel to snatch the ending away from the boys. It is hardly their fault that the divid was too long. There will be a half hour extension on generator time until all groups have seen this divid. Major Jonas, I will join the review committee for the rest of the winter, and the current members can all take an extra turn on the charger cycles to compensate for the power used." "Thank you, sir," said Jonas. "Very fair, sir." "Thank you, Titus," chorused the boys around the divid. Their officers applauded. Tarin huffed. They were all so easily pleased by Titus. Tarin narrowed his eyes. He wouldn't let Poxy-Wrong-Haired Titus get his smile! Jadon was the only other person looking grouchy, and Tarin felt even worse at being in his camp. The gym resettled, and the divid group scrunched round the watching box with the sound down as low as possible so there would be no spoilers and no ass kicking. The rest of the gym took the extra light time as permission to keep talking and the youngest cadre of cadets shot back out of their heap and played a clapping

and stamping game. "Round the gym, Tarin," said Garrick. "It'll tire you out and keep us warm until we can claim our sleeping spot." "Am tired already," said Tarin, and yawned just from thinking about it. He and Beak-face loped around the edge of the gym. They resolutely did not look at the divid screen as they passed it. Tarin waved at Ofer and Edon jammed together in a squashy bag, with their honor roll poking out between them. Next they passed Perry sitting waiting on top of the bag he would share with Bad Egg Jadon. There was Linus so bundled up in his single officer bag that he looked like a fat worm. They passed the clapping cadets -- "Who me? Yes, you!" -- and then back around to the divid area. Jadon was stamping back and forth between the divid group and the generator door. Garrick nodded at him, and Tarin chirped "Good evening, Major Jadon," and made Garrick snortlaugh. Aran and Jonas had moved away from the edge of the group and were on the bleachers with their heads together. Jonas was tapping the divid box. Garrick chuckled as they jogged on. "Poor Jonas. His boy is probably chewing him out about messing up the divid." Tarin snorted, both at Garrick's idea that Aran was in charge

and because he could see that Edon and Ofer's feet were clearly entwined at the bottom of their bag. They may have had the bedroom to themselves earlier today, but Edon and Ofer had lost time to make up. Perry didn't look happy. He looked shivery, and his eyes tracked Jadon as he stamped back and forth. Huh, Major Lorn was sneaking his bag closer to Lieutenant Linus'. It must be cold being a single officer. "…Geryon stole the suckers from the honey jar!" Clap, clap! "Who me?" Bad Egg Jadon was vibrating as if the word "powerdown" was fighting to escape from him. Tarin slowed up as they approached the divid group. The music had that finishing sound to it. He was ready to snug up with his nice fat man and go to sleep, even if there was an honor roll between them. They could just wait near Aran and Jonas. "One hour forty-four!" said Jonas. "Jonas, it says one hundred and forty-four minutes," said Aran, jabbing his finger at the box. Garrick grabbed Tarin's arm. "We didn't hear that! Quick, boy, another circuit." "Don't move, Captain! You are a witness." "Scat!" squeaked Aran.

"Jonas is your brother," hissed Garrick. "Have some fucking decency, man!" Jonas dropped the divid box and stared at Jadon. He reached out an arm and drew his trembling boy to him. "It's not what you think, Jadon." "Well, if I'm wrong, then the committee will decide against me, won't they?" "Again!" snarled Tarin. "Hush!" said Garrick. "That won't help, Tarin." There was silence. The divid had finally stopped. "What," said Titus, in what Tarin knew all too well was his danger-calm voice, "is the disturbance?" Jadon did a foot stamping turn and salute. "General! The librarian boy Aran can read! I demand an investigation!" Chapter Three

"You demand many things," said Titus silkily. "Can we clear this up with a conversation?"

Jadon looked like he would splode, thought Tarin, but he was too worried for Aran to voice his idea. Without waiting for Jadon's reply, Titus turned to Jonas and Aran. He smiled at Aran. The boy's legs were visibly buckling. "Sit down, Aran. Let me ask you some questions. Major Jonas, Major Jadon, you will remain silent. Captain Garrick, you will be a witness." Titus spun around and clapped his hands. "Divid group! To your sleeping places!" Aran had sat on the bleacher but was doubled over clutching his belly. "He is guilty," hissed Jadon. "Just look at him!" "Jadon, silence! Now, Aran, don't be scared. The truth is never wrong." Garrick's hand spasmed on Tarin's shoulder. The divid group had all moved to their sleeping places, but all eyes stayed focused on the group by the bleachers. Titus sat next to Aran and touched his head to Aran's. "Boy, can you read?" "Sort of," whispered Aran, and burst into wails. "Hush, hush," said Titus, and put an arm around him. "That's very wrong, boy, but we will always judge the truth mercifully."

Aran's shudders shook the bleacher, and Jonas took an angry pace forward. Garrick stepped in front of Titus and Aran and mouthed, "Don't, my friend," at Jonas. "Simeon," said Titus to his boy. "Go and ask your brother to brew some calm water. Aran may need to have a dose to help him sleep tonight. Perhaps Jonas will share it with him, since he is agitated enough to raise a fist to a superior officer." Jonas growled. "General, it is my brother I am planning to punch. He is not my superior in any way." "Well then," said Garrick, and stepped aside. Titus cough-laughed despite his serious expression. "Major, he is your older brother, and will be a Colonel in a few weeks." "As will I!" snarled Jonas. "And my lump-of-scat brother only made officer on my back in the first place. Do you think that clodhead could have figured out divid players? If it's not a brick or chunk of wood, he's lost!" There was a muffled and collective "ooh" from the nearby sleeping bags. "Out of the gym, gentlemen," said Titus. "Garrick, please escort Aran."

No one had mentioned his name, so Tarin trotted along at the back of the group and did his best not-being-seen-Tarin moves. His man was hug-carrying Aran along, but Tarin didn't mind. Aran was nice, and he needed a man to help him right now. Titus nodded at the generator attendant. "Powerdown, sergeant, and hand me a patrol lantern. There will be an emergency meeting going on in this office. Please let the patrol know if they come by so that we are not disturbed. There will be a calm water delivery in a few minutes." Jadon puffed and stomped around the office, and Jonas was only kept from lunging at him by Titus' stern gaze. The patrol lantern sent shadows leaping around the room, and faces were scarier than any Lady Night tale. Tarin stationed himself out of the circle of light and squatted down. He knew his man saw him, but until he was told to leave, he was staying. Garrick gave Aran a pat and settled him into a chair, and then positioned himself between his friend and Jadon. Titus ran his hands through his storm-sky colored hair and sighed. "Oh, Jonas, what a blunder! Teaching a boy to read!" "He didn't teach me," whispered Aran. "I just learned." Jonas looked ill, and Tarin knew it wasn't the lighting. "Ridiculous! How could a boy learn? They can barely brush their

hair without men telling them how!" "Oh yeah? Go on, brother, explain how the divid power works! How does that battery charger work? The one you signed your name to for the promotion project. Can you even walk Titus through how we knew to put a divid in the player?" "Be quiet," said Titus, and Tarin felt his belly turn to ice at the metal in Titus' voice. "Major Jonas, that is not the issue. Stop distracting." He gave a sideways look at Jadon. "Although I will convene another committee to investigate the matter since you are so fond of them, Major Jadon." Garrick was jostled from both sides by the brothers trying to reach each other. "Sit down," said Titus, and, after a long moment, the men obeyed. "Aran, how did you manage to 'just' learn? It takes the cadets several years of schooling." Aran scrubbed his face and gave his man a long mournful look. "Up and down all day behind Linus in the stacks, over and over, and after a year doing it, I learned the letters and numbers. He says them aloud as he hunts, and after a while I just knew how the shapes looked. I didn't mean to learn them. Then, being story time helper, I started recognizing the boys' story words after I had turned the pages so often." Aran whimpered. "They just started looking like sounds."

"He's a bright lad," said Garrick quietly. "It's perfectly possible, Titus." "I'm sorry, Jonas; I didn't mean to cause trouble." Aran gave his man an anguished look. "General Titus, I'm sorry. Writing means things when I look at it. It's hard to un-see something." "Not if you stop looking!" "Oh be quiet, Jadon!" said Titus. "The boy is being honest. Being around books all day would make it impossible not to see words." He turned to look at Jonas. "And when did you learn your boy's secret?" Jonas drew a deep breath, and said, "Around Longest Day last summer. I made him promise to not tell any boys about anything he had read." He put his head in his hands. "Titus, it just crept up on us. I'd told him to stop reading, but I'd forget and ask him to pass me a paper and he'd pick out the right one, or I'd ask if he thought the new boys would prefer a certain story, and we'd talk. I stopped fighting it after a while, and we'd read together in the evenings. I took care to select only boy-appropriate books, and he never reads them alone. Titus, it was so good to share ideas with him." "Acting equal," said Jadon. "And look what it got you -- a boy bickering with you about words in public!" "Silence!" said Titus. "Major Jadon, if I order you to be quiet

again, you will be on report. Jonas, you've done your boy no kindness at all. This is a bad business. Aran, tell me now, did you confess to Jonas or were you discovered?" Aran controlled his sobs. "I didn't say for a long time, Titus. I was scared, and I tried not to learn any more. But then I found books that explained all the library organizing and I had to show them to Jonas. They solved mysteries! Showed all the numbers Linus hunts!" "So you confessed did you, boy? Once you saw there was something the community needed?" Titus stroked Aran's hair. "Good lad. We'll be as lenient as we can." He held the boy's head to his chest and soothed him for a moment. "Simeon, stop lurking and come in with that drink." Simeon had the grace to look a little ashamed as he sidled in with two beakers of calm water. "We'll convene the discipline committee in the morning. Jonas and Aran, you may still bundle together, and I suggest you both drink the calm water so you are ready for the meeting." Aran gulped at the drink, and after a moment Jonas began to sip. "Titus, Aran's discovery of the government document classification tables formed the basis for several important officer

projects this year. Just understanding how the S class breaks down alone has shown…" "Enough," said Titus. "You can present a case to me tomorrow, Jonas, before the full committee meeting. We will do our best, but sometimes, as your brother says, exceptions lead to poor discipline. We can't let this pass." "Of course not," mumbled Jonas. "But Aran acted in good conscience. Bravely, you could even say. He didn't hide critical knowledge." "Don't protect the little weasel," said Jadon. "He needs to face the consequences of messing with knowledge he can't possibly handle." Jonas smashed down his beaker. "I've a lifetime of experience protecting ignorant weasels who can't be trusted with anything! Scat, Jadon, you can't even…" Tarin scooted back against the wall as fast as he could to avoid the men's flailing boots. Jonas and Jadon were wrestling on the floor and punching hard. Titus merely folded his arms. "Simeon, walk Aran back to his officer's bedroll, please. Stay with him. Aran, be strong, boy." Aran backed out the room, obedient, but stared, aghast, at his man the whole way. Simeon tugged him along. Garrick followed

Titus' lead and merely watched the brothers thump and claw each other. Jadon knelt astride Jonas and pounded at his brother's ears, while Jonas had one thumb in Jadon's eye and his other hand squeezed at Jadon's throat. "It would solve a lot," murmured Garrick. "If Jonas could just…" "Captain Garrick!" said Titus, but he didn't move either. They both watched for a while longer. Jadon's eye was swollen shut, and Jonas was now indulging in some blatant fish-hooking. "We'd still have to deal with a fratricide case," added Titus. "Pop out Bad Egg's neck lump!" hollered Tarin. Titus turned to look at him. "Tarin, that's not appropriate!" The rebuke was unnecessary. Tarin had already plopped down in a chair and was flapping his hands to try and remember something. Garrick moved next to him. "What, boy?" Tarin shook his head hard. "Just the fight! Jonas should bite!" Garrick snorted. "You are not even a little bit civilized." "No!" said Tarin truthfully, glad he could answer something else. He'd remembered something important. Something Garrick shouldn't know. Tarin had tried to kill Bad Egg. Tarin had had his

thumbs gouging into Jadon's neck just like Jonas was doing now. That was how his hands and legs had been burned. He'd rolled into the bonefire as he'd tried to strangle Jadon on Shortest Day. "Scat," whispered Tarin. He wished he'd succeeded. Jadon had promised to use Tarin to destroy Garrick. Oh Mothers! That was how he'd met the Monster! He'd left to save Garrick, and he'd failed. He was back, and after tonight, Jadon would hate them even more. And anyone connected with them. Scat, scat, scat. He couldn't ask Garrick for help or he'd know his boy had left. He couldn't ask anyone or he really would have Ofer toes, not just no-feeling toes. Or was that for running after Candle Day? Scat. Even asking about the penalties would make people ask questions back. Tarin moaned and rooted harder, but quietly, for Jonas to kill his brother. There was a crunch and a wail, and Jadon drew back his fist again. Jonas' face was a mask of blood, and his nose was sideways. "Enough!" said Titus. "Captain Garrick, please escort Major Jadon back to the gym and send Healer Gideon out. I very much doubt he is asleep." Tarin felt a belly squinch of pride as Garrick easily hauled Jadon off of his brother. Sure, Jadon was tired, but he was lifted up by a seven-fingered man! Jadon kept shouting, but, once given permission to lay hands on a superior officer, Garrick was easily

able to control him and march him away. Tarin dithered. Should he follow his man or see what happened with Jonas and Titus? Jonas rolled over, spat blood and a tooth, and then stood, using his hands on his knees to lever himself up. "Oh, Jonas, my friend," groaned Titus. "What a position you have put us in!" Jonas spat again. "Titus, I beg you, argue for the least penalty for my boy. Put what you can on me. Bust me down to lieutenant, but let me keep my Aran." "I will do what I can, but the committee must follow the rules. Sten and Helem can be sticklers, even if Gideon is inclined to follow my lead." "And I may not be," said Gideon coming in. "A boy reading! Jonas! My Socorro is a clever boy, and I have no doubt he'd read well, but boys are too smart. We need to control what they learn. It's all the more reason that we can't trust them with books. The Mothers want us to protect boys; we can't corrupt them with too much Before Times knowledge. It takes years of cadet and ranks training to handle it." Jonas groaned. "Just pop my nose back and save the lecture for tomorrow. I know I fucked up. Just don't make it into Aran's

penalty." Tarin yelped in sympathy as Gideon ruthlessly wriggled Jonas's nose once to test its mobility, and then shoved it into place. Jonas roared. "Since you're here, boy, get me a double handful of clean snow." Tarin skittered out to obey Gideon and paused only briefly to relish his outdoors aloneness. He stared at the stars through the stark branches of the quad trees and moaned as he plunged his hands into the snow bank. Running was not even a choice anymore. He was fighting for his man. Back inside, he clapped his hands to warm and dry them while Jonas held a snowpacked rag to his bloody face. "Helem can look at the tooth site tomorrow," said Gideon, inspecting the gory bit of ivory he'd picked up from the floor. "It looks as if Jadon popped it all out!" "Salty rinse," muttered Tarin remembering his own encounter with Helem's dentistry. "See what I mean?" said Gideon. "Now we have boys prescribing!" Titus chuckled wearily. "Tarin hates books, according to Linus."

"Dusty," said Tarin. "Boring in Lie-Berry." "Come along," said Titus. "Let's get some rest. Gideon, let Helem and Sten know there will be at least two disciplinary issues at the meeting tomorrow." Gideon looked surprised. "One in the matter of Aran and Jonas," said Titus, "and the other in the matter of Major Jadon and Major Jonas' academic dishonesty and abuse of the officer qualifying projects." Jonas groaned as he marched out of the door. "I'll be demoted one way or the other!" "At the very least," said Gideon grimly to Titus and then glowered at Tarin. "Not a peep, little pitcher!" Titus used the patrol lantern to ensure that they all returned to their bedrolls without stomping on others. Tarin squirmed in next to his man and wrestled away at the honor roll until he was snugged against his nice fat Beak-face. "Boy, that defeats the purpose." "Don't care. Need to feel you. Anyway, cadets sleep in a heap." Garrick growled. "Cadets don't have honor yet, boy. They're

still beasts being civilized. They take years more work than boys." Tarin chewed on that thought as he worked his cold hands into his man's armpits. "Not inside my shirt, you little heat-leech." Tarin giggled and burrowed his fingers between Beak-face's jacket and shirt instead. "Boys are better than men." "Not what I said. Boys can just be left wild longer. They're more tractable once they're civilized and don't need the years of studying to behave. Most of you," and here Garrick tweaked his boy's ass hard, "appreciate civilization once you come out of the woods." "Pft," said Tarin. "Go to sleep," said a gruff voice. Garrick squeezed his boy and whispered into his ear. "Tarin, we'll talk in the morning. There's much to disentangle. Just trust us, okay?" "Pft," repeated Tarin and slipped off to sleep as easily as the little animal Garrick said he was.

***

Tarin grumbled when Edon shook him awake, and was clumsy as they picked their way out in the early gray light through the lumps that were sleeping men. The hurry across the quad in the cold didn't do much to wake him up, and he was still sluggish as they pushed the first batch of bread loaves into the ovens. His usual perkiness would have him already in trouble with Edon by now, but his head was muzzy from tiredness and his foot ached. "Yowp!" He looked at his wrist and then resentfully at the hot edge of the oven. Edon just laughed. He had a row of silvery scars up and down his forearms. "Baker's burns, boy. Just shows your trade. But concentrate, Tarin. I know you're worried about Aran, but there's nothing you can do." Tarin nodded. He was, but he was also worried about how enraged Jadon was likely to be in the coming weeks and whether he and Garrick would be safe. Or whether Bad Egg would take it out on Perry. He sighed. He couldn't ask any of the questions he needed to have answered without giving something or someone away. Edon cut another huge batch of dough into portions, and set

Tarin to loaf shaping. "Sometimes all we can do is our duty, Tarin. As best we can. Fresh hot bread is what we can provide to the day." Tarin let the kneading and shaping help him into a thinking trance. Edon had his own worries about finding a promotion project and earning the right to be Ofer's man, but Aran's predicament -oh that was a Before Times word! -- and Perry's situation as Bad Egg's boy were the most pressing. Tarin tried a quick Candle Day braid on the loaf he was shaping. Under over under over… scat, it was hard with four instead of three. "Twice-caught! That's bad luck. No four-strands before the Candle Day bake." "Sorry, Sergeant Edon." Tarin worked the dough back into a smooth featureless round. Huh, perhaps Perry wouldn't be Jadon's. Tarin gave the dough an enthusiastic squeeze. Jadon was in trouble with a Committee and without Tarin doing anything! Perhaps he wouldn't be reinstated on Candle Day! Then he couldn't have Perry. Tarin jiggled a bit on the balls of his feet. And Tarin and Garrick couldn't be blamed. He huffed. Bad Egg would find a way to keep hating them. "Ow," he said. Hopeful dancing hurt.

"Now what?" said Edon, taking the tray of rounded loaves and turning to the oven. "Toe bumped," said Tarin. It hurt enough to confess. "Mothers," muttered Edon, as he slid loaves in. "Sit down, sock off." Tarin squirmed. He should have known that of all people Edon would take a toe complaint seriously. He plopped down on the ground and tugged off his sock. "Scat!" said Tarin and Edon together. "What did you do?" Tarin shrugged but racked his memory in response to Edon's frown. "Oh," he said. "Kicked ice lump!" He squirmed as Edon touched the loose nail on his big toe and pressed the blackberry colored bruise spreading across his foot. "Didn't hurt then. Toes are unfeely, Gideon said." "Mothers," said Edon. "Tarin, you shouldn't be walking on this until Gideon checks it over." He stood back with his arms folded and frowned at Tarin. He looked around. "Corporal Kass? Are you in the warm room?"

"Sir?" A red-faced and red-haired man stuck his head out of the proofing room. "Take over the morning shift. The boy is injured." Edon gave Tarin and his foot a long look and then, without warning, slung Tarin over his shoulder as if he were a sack of flour. "I'll be back soon, Kass. I'll just drop him off at the clinic." Tarin smothered a "waugh" since Edon was being kind, in his way, by not marching Tarin across the icy quad, but being upside down over a man was no fun. It reminded Tarin of his capture and first run-ins with Titus. Garrick would always scoop his boy into his arms and cradle him when had to carry him. "Not a baby," said Tarin into Edon's back. "Thought they didn't exist," puffed Edon as he hurried through the cold. Tarin scowled as he bounced. Did everyone know everything about him? "Right, lad," said Edon with a slap to Tarin's butt. "Sit there and tell the healers what's wrong. I need to get back. Breakfast bread won't wait!" The clinic's night crew was still on duty, and Tarin just stuck his foot out at them. "And have frosty-toes," he said helpfully.

"We know," said the night healer, as he stared at Tarin's foot. "In last week's skills training, Gideon had us all review your records as a case study." Tarin scowled. That sounded bad. The night healer turned to his cadet apprentice. "Our shift is nearly over, so we won't have time to treat him. Write up a diagnosis and your treatment plan. I'll review it before we hand over to the day shift. Make sure Captain Garrick is notified that his boy is here." Tarin yelped as the cadet over-enthusiastically prodded his bruised foot but didn't make a peep as the cadet, rather more tentatively, lifted Tarin's toe nail to see how attached it was. Tarin squinted at marks the cadet made on his clipboard. How they could mean anything to Aran was a mystery. Tarin stayed sitting on the clinic table through shift change. Socorro rolled his eyes as the cadet handed off the chart to him. "You again?" "Me again," said Tarin and waved his foot. "Socorro? Is Gideon in a good mood today? Will he be kind to Aran?" Socorro sniffed. "He will be fair to Aran." "As I am to all boys," said Gideon as he took the chart from

Socorro. Tarin scowled. The Healer was as quiet as a boy stalking a rabbit. And, huh, his boy looked mad with him. Gideon confirmed the chart's information with a quick look at Tarin's foot. "Not much to be done, boy. The nail will fall off on its own. Since you're already having your feet checked daily, we'll monitor it as well." He pressed Tarin's bruise. "That, however, is a small bone fracture." "What's my boy done now?" "Ah, Garrick! He needs to be found some different tasks for a few weeks. He can walk a little bit, but I want him keeping the weight off this foot. It's nothing serious. My only worry is that he didn't know until later that he'd hurt his foot. We're going to have to do something to stop him injuring himself." Garrick folded his arms. "Well, I can hardly keep him in a box. Twice-caught is trouble incarnate." Tarin beamed. "Am good." "That wasn't a compliment, boy," said Gideon. "Socorro, hand me the goldenseal salve." Socorro rummaged around the jars and opened several to sniff them before handing one over.

"Stop it!" snapped Gideon. "You know perfectly well which one it is." "Can't read the label. I need to check." Socorro tossed his head. "Don't want to be accused of reading by mistake," he added primly. Tarin smothered a snort and then yelped as Gideon rather briskly anointed his foot and toe. "Foot feels," he said. "Just toes are frosty." "Captain Garrick," said Gideon, "my boy has been impudent and insubordinate all morning. Apparently I am cruel for not teaching him to read and a monster for thinking Aran should be punished." He glared at Tarin and Socorro. "When in reality I am upholding the community rules and being quite fair." "Socorro, it would be you being judged if you'd been taught to read," said Beak-face. "Your man has protected you by not teaching you." Socorro bit his lip, and took the salve jar back from his man. "I just don't want Aran punished like Ofer was." His face softened. "Gideon, you still have nightmares about having to do that." Gideon's face, however, hardened. "Duty is not meant to be easy, boy. Punishments affect us all. We've failed as a community when one of us lapses so badly."

Socorro slid the jar back onto the shelf and shrugged. "So boys should be terrified of knowing a word after seeing Aran's fate?" "Yes," snapped Gideon. "Give me that bandage. I'll wrap Tarin's toe." "And you will shout in dreams of your own harshness?" "You are dismissed from clinic duty. Report to the day duty room and ask to be assigned a demerit task." Socorro flushed and stamped out. Tarin and Garrick both stayed silent as Gideon taped down Tarin's toenail. "Well," said Gideon. "Tarin won't like his prescription, Garrick, but I'll rely on you to enforce it. Take him to the store and have him measured for some boots. Make sure they fit well and have some sturdy toes." "No!" wailed Tarin. "Trapped feet!" Garrick ruffled his boy's hair. "Sorry, boy, but I like you having toes." "And will be tromply!" moaned Tarin. "You're not meant to be sneaking up on any prey," said Garrick.

"Warm and dry feet have advantages, boy." "Plus you'll get no cuts, slivers, or bruises, like in your barefoot days." Gideon made a note on Tarin's chart and handed Garrick a jar of salve. "Every night, he has to wash his feet, massage and salve them, and put on clean socks. Make sure you inspect his feet for any new problems. Let the toenail detach on its own. The bandage is just to stop it snagging. Bring him back to the clinic after Mother Day." Garrick helped Tarin down from the table. "I'll see you at the discipline committee a bit later." "Bring Tarin," said Gideon. "He's a witness as well." He paused. "And it will help Aran to have another boy there." He lowered his voice, but Tarin's sharp ears still heard. "Garrick, I don't want Socorro, or any of the others, thinking he can be a second mouse. Helem and Sten will be firm about the consequences, and I won't argue." Garrick nodded. "But remember that Jadon speaks from a bitter place." "We will be fair," repeated Gideon. "Now, Tarin, you can do a little walking for exercise, but keep your weight off that foot for any long stretches until I see you here again." "No Lie-Berry," crowed Tarin, and limped off next to his man.

Garrick scooped him up for the across quad trip to the stores, and Tarin took the chance while he was nestled against his man's chest to ask what a second mouse was. Garrick snorted. "The one that gets the cheese. First mouse is killed in the trap, and the next one gets the reward." Tarin pondered. "Weasel like Cory!" He pondered more. "What's cheese?" Garrick let him slide down onto the store porch. "Before Times food. Stuff on pizza." "Must be good," said Tarin. "In traps and on pizza!" Garrick laughed. "Must be! Come on, let's get you some boots, and we'll have breakfast together before the discipline committee. We need to talk." Chapter Four

"Trapped!" hollered Tarin as he stamped across the quad. "Stop that, boy!" said Garrick, as he followed along behind him. "Feet!" bellowed Tarin. "Trapped."

Garrick swatted him. "Stop it, boy! It's still early. I know boots are horrible, but most of the community is only just waking up for breakfast. They don't want boy-wails as their day start." Tarin put his hand over his mouth and marched, knees high, to the building with the food hall. "Tarin," said Garrick, taking his boy's arm, "Don't stamp. You are meant to be protecting your foot. Gideon said you can move around but not to spend too much time on your feet. If you can't be library boy, you can't stomp either." "Scat," said Tarin, and adopted a pathetic dot-and-hop for the rest of the way. His black boots were heavy and stiff, but, he had to admit, his feet had never been so dry and warm in winter in his whole life. He leaned hard on Beak-face as they approached the door. His man was shuddering with silent laughter as he pulled open the door. "There you are, poor injured boy, safe across the snowy quad!" Tarin refused to laugh. This was undignity! "Dippy eggs and bread today," enticed Garrick. "Can't smile," said Tarin. "Aran in danger." Garrick nodded. "I know, boy. I'm worried about Jonas and

Aran as well, but missing breakfast helps no one. We need to be ready for the day." "Can't smile, can eat," amended Tarin. His man was right. Food should be eaten when you had it, even in civilized places. The dining hall was still relatively empty. The bakers had finished their morning shift, set out the fresh loaves, and were waiting in line for the eggs, too. The kitchen workers were still boiling up a water pot for eggs. Breakfast was still eaten in the dining hall to get the day started and away from the night fug of three hundred sleeping bodies. Besides, as Edon pointed out, the bread oven heat shouldn't be wasted. "Morning, Captain," said Edon. "How is Twice-caught's foot?" "Owie," said Tarin. "Need extra egg to heal!" "That was not the prescription," chuckled Garrick. "He's fine, thank you, Edon. My boy has to wear boots." "Terrible," said Edon shaking his head. "Poor lad. Boots before Candle Day." Tarin huffed. Having men tease you was one of the worst things about civilized. He reached out for the loaf of bread that was his and Garrick's daytime ration and tore a chunk off. The eggs had only just gone in the water and he was hungry. Warm, chewy crust. Yum! Bread! Civilized was not so bad. "Pizza!" he blurted.

"Mouth closed to eat, boy, and no talking with food in mouth. We can't understand you, and it looks disgusting." Tarin rolled his eyes. Stupid rule. He gulped his crust. "Cheese!" he tried. "Second mouse!" "Poor boy, addled with his feet trapped," said Garrick to Edon. Tarin tugged at Edon's sleeve. "Baker! Pizza! Promotion!" He was too excited to talk. Garrick nodded. "Yes! Edon, my boy is trying to suggest that you research and develop pizza as your promotion project." Edon already had on his "solving it" face that Tarin usually saw when he was creating a new bread shape. "Cheese," Edon said. "That is the problem. I can handle the rest of it." "Ask the Mothers for cheese seeds," said Tarin. "Like Socorro did for the chewing seeds. Yum!" He glowered at Edon and Garrick who were not bothering to make their laughs silent. "What?" "Give the boy two eggs," said Edon to the kitchen crew. The serving pan of steaming eggs had just been carefully set

down. Dippy eggs were popular, but the line wait was frustrating since the cook insisted they only be cooked in small batches so that they were freshly served. The officers had complained, but after having been served a batch of cooling and congealed eggs in response, no one now disputed with the cooks and their rules. The hall was still empty so Garrick had Tarin sit with him and Edon to eat. "Be good and have manners!" said Garrick. "Don't let us being too early for the boys' table mean I have to be embarrassed." "Manners!" chirped Tarin, and tapped the top of his first egg off. "Thanks MOM! Am GOOD!" He stuck his bread in and ate. "Cheese," said Edon to Garrick as they ate their eggs. "It will be a problem. I'm not sure if Mothers have dairy themselves." Tarin licked some escaping yellow bit from his finger. This seemed like a good 'learn something if he kept quiet' chance. Garrick frowned. "You're right, Sergeant. I've never heard of them including it in a Mothers' Reward. Titus says they do share everything they can grow or make with us. Even if we can't know how ourselves. We get flour and medicine. Perhaps cheese is a forbidden Before Times thing, like beer." Edon nodded. "The Before Times Evils!" He checked off items on his fingers. "Gasoline and grain, Beef and beer. Aerosols and

antibiotics." He sighed. "I could never remember the list past quiz day." "Metal and meat," said Garrick. "Factories and farms." He rubbed his beard. "At least a page of memory pairs. Pesticides and plastics. Corn and cars. Rubber and roads." Edon looked at Tarin. "Poor wide-eyed boy! Nothing to worry about little one. They're all Before Times things that were used wrongly. Men have to learn about them in cadet school." "Houses and herbicides," said Garrick dredging up one more. "Monsanto!" blurted Tarin. Edon dropped his bread. "Mothers! Garrick, where did he learn that word?" Garrick and Edon both looked around, sighed in relief at the absence of any sign that Tarin had been heard, and then leaned in close. "Tarin, if Jadon had heard that! Never say it! It's a forbidden word. Edon, Tarin has met a Mother. It's not a secret, but Gideon and I only just figured it out last night. I've not had a chance to tell Titus yet, since the Aran affair exploded before I had a chance." "Splosion," said Tarin. "Aran will be sploded?"

"No. Oh Mothers, Tarin, just be quiet a minute. Edon, he must have heard it from a Mother. No man would say it." Edon stared at Tarin. "A Mother-touched boy." "We're all Mother-touched," said Garrick. "Only as babies," said Edon. "You know I mean Mothertouched as an adult." Tarin squirmed. He didn't like expression on Edon's face. It was hungry. "Babies don't exist," he said hoping Edon and Garrick would laugh and go back to talking about cheese. "Boy, why did you say the M-word?" asked Garrick. Tarin tugged at his braid, and frowned. "Don't know. You said houses and herbysides, and Mon- um – the M-word just popped out." "Mothers," muttered Garrick. "Boy, you are one thing after another." "How else can things be?" said Tarin. "Otherwise it's all at once. Worse!" Edon laughed. "I'll leave you and your puzzling boy to prepare for the hearing. Tarin, you can still be on bread duty tomorrow -there is a tall stool you can sit on and work the dough."

Tarin tackled his second egg while his man drummed his fingers on the tabletop with a thinky expression. "Tarin," said Garrick at last. "Aran is in a lot of trouble. We can't lie to a committee, so answer if they speak to you, but please, don't say anything extra. You know that you provoke Jadon whatever you say." Tarin nodded and scrunched the empty egg shells as he thought of Jadon's snarly face. "Jonas is his brother. Why so nasty?" "Jealous," said Garrick. "But who really knows? You don't like Cory." "Not brother. Weasel," said Tarin. "Helped me be trapped." "I can't dislike him for that," said Garrick, and waggled his beard. "Tomorrow, we'll have to find you a task to replace the library, but this afternoon we can use some extra time working on my lures." Tarin huffed. "In my quarters," clarified Beak-face. "Alone." "Share gifts!" Tarin beamed and then felt squirmy as he saw his man's eyes crinkle. Scat! His man was happy that Tarin was

pleased. Candle Day, he assured his spine. He followed his man to the dining hall door, dumped his eggshells in the garden scraps bucket, and stamped off across the quad toward the Officers' Quarters. "No stamping," said Garrick. "Boots are good for stamping," said Tarin. "Makes the slush sloosh." "Silly boy. Take your hurt bone seriously. If it heals wrong, it might spoil your running." "Oh," said Tarin, and picked his way along, trying to be silent Tarin in the big boots. His foot felt fine now, but no running would be the end of all freedom. He looked up the stairs that lead to Garrick's rooms, but they headed down the hallway to Titus' study. Bad Egg was already waiting outside the door along with two men Tarin had never seen before. "Captain Garrick, the committee members are preparing. In the light of events, Major Jonas and Aran are waiting in a different area and will enter through the study's side door." "Thank you, Sergeant Vel. Are you and Corporal Lowell here to be guards?"

"Yes, sir. In case of, uh, trouble or if Titus declares anyone to be in locker custody." "Good. Boy, these two men are members of my squad. Do your man a kindness, and do not treat them to any displays." "Am good," said Tarin, and then nearly giggled as Corporal Lowell winked at him. Sergeant Vel nodded at him. "Oh and Captain, you and the boy should scuff your boots clean and dry. That Simeon scolded Helem for getting damp boots on the rug." Jadon growled something about commander boys being superior snots, and then swallowed his words as General Sten's boy, Eloi, swept by and entered the room without knocking. "For once he has a point," whispered Garrick to Tarin. "Why is Eloi there?" asked Tarin, defensive on Aran's behalf. He didn't want other boys watching. Corporal Lowell coughed. "He's just on an errand for all his airs. Sten asked for his black mark pen to be delivered." "Sounds like he's already decided," snorted Garrick. "Well, the boy is guilty," said Jadon. "He confessed!"

Garrick took a step forward. "Displays!" hissed Tarin, and watched his man come to a sharp halt. The door opened and Simeon and Eloi came out. "Please come in," said Eloi. "Mind the rug," added Simeon. The two boys carried on down the hallway. "Dismissed," whispered Tarin, and squeezed his man's complete hand. Garrick gave a rueful chuckle and waited for Jadon to march in first. Jonas and Aran were already there. Jonas, his nose taped and swollen, sat in the big squashy chair that Tarin had curled up in when Titus had told him about Mothers, and Aran knelt by his feet. Titus was behind his desk, and Sten, Helem, and Gideon were sitting on big chairs nearby. Vel and Lowell took up stations by the door. Tarin gave Aran a smile, and his spine buzzed at the pale brave lip twitch that came back from his friend.

"Well," said Titus. "We all know why we are here. Aran has learned to read, and we need to figure out how to handle the matter. His crime is not in dispute. Nor is Major Jonas' concealment of it. It is my opinion that neither originally acted in deliberate defiance of the order of things, but that they did compound errors on a daily basis. Punishment is in order, but we should consider that the boy confessed his crime when he discovered information that would benefit the community." Aran swayed on his knees, and Jonas placed a hand on his shoulder. Sten shrugged. "Well and good, General Titus, but rules are rules. A boy reading is a clear violation. The librarians' ongoing survey of the stacks would have found the government documents eventually." "General Sten is right," rumbled Helem. "The boy's crime already led his man into deceptions. We are here to protect the boys from knowledge, just as the Mothers protect us from the abuses of the Before Times." Tarin quivered. How could he have thought Helem's big belly was friendly? The blacksmith-colonel was a bristling, scat-eating… His man's claw-hand squeezed hard in warning, and Tarin realized he was panting as he glared at Helem.

"Colonel Gideon?" said Titus. "Do you agree with General Sten and Colonel Helem?" "Yes," said Gideon. "The boy was wrong. Major Jonas should have reported him as soon as he knew what his boy was doing. I consider the major to be the more culpable of the two." He paused and looked directly at Aran. "I do ask that we be as merciful as we can be to the boy. Our training failed him. He was placed in a position where he was exposed to corrupt knowledge. He was not protected from it once he let his officer know what had happened." Jonas nodded hard. "Agreed," said Titus. "When a boy strays, we must examine ourselves." Tarin squirmed. All the times he had caused trouble for his man weighed on him. Garrick's arm moved to rest across his shoulders. "So," continued Titus, "it remains to consider the punishments." "Why are we here?" hissed Tarin to Garrick. "As witnesses," whispered Garrick. "You know that. Be quiet." Tarin frowned. It was true that he had witnessed Aran and Jonas discuss what the divid box said, and he wouldn't lie if he was asked, but no one was asking him.

"There are two matters before us today," said Gideon. "I move that they be considered together since Jonas is involved in both. I suggest to the committee that it is in the community's interest for the Major's penalties to be combined or at least considered together." Jadon blurted out something garbled, and Titus gave him a cool look. "Agreed, Gideon," said Titus, "unless Colonel Helem or General Sten object?" "No," said Sten. "I think the Major will be sufficiently chastened by a combined penalty." Tarin squinted at Sten. Huh. Sten actually did want Jonas to be fairly treated, even if Sten was pushing for punishment. Helem was nodding as well. Only Jadon looked angry. "Very well, we will now consider the punishment for the two majors' abuse of the promotion system. Jonas has made a full confession already, and we have confirmed through interviewing Jadon that he has no understanding of the project he signed his name to for his officer promotion." Tarin gasped. Jadon wasn't going to be allowed to make excuses either. The committee knew he was guilty and were not wasting time. Jonas looked as nauseated as his boy, but he gave his brother a

steady look. "No more, Jadon. I've had enough." Jadon took a step toward his brother, and Vel and Lowell merely unfolded their arms. Jonas took a deep breath. "Sirs, Aran and I know we have transgressed. We are ready to accept your judgment. All I ask is that my boy not suffer for my mishandling of matters. He submitted to my understanding of how to proceed after he came to me with his confession." He swallowed. "My thinking has not been clear the last few years, as evidenced by my heinous act in allowing Jadon to become an officer. Sirs, please consider these two pleas: allow Aran to stay my boy, and, please, do nothing more than demote my brother. As the one who should have known better in both instances, I ask that the two weaker ones not be made to bear the burden." Aran buried his head against his man's knee, and thus just missed the full weight of Jadon's enraged bulk hurtling at his brother. Tarin blinked. Jonas' chair had tipped backwards, and Jadon was still roaring and pounding on his brother. Aran had crawled from under the two brothers and was attempting to yank Jadon off of his man. Despite the violence and gravity of the situation, Garrick was

laughing. "Oh, Jonas! He knows just how to provoke his brother." Titus held up a hand to signal "stop" to Vel and Lowell. "Give the Majors a few blows. It will go easier if they have vented." He paused. "You may detach Aran and hand him into the custody of Helem and Gideon." Aran wailed as Vel easily scooped him up and set him down by the blacksmith and the healer. "Stop him, please! He already broke Jonas' nose! Please!" "Boys let their men fight," said Titus softly. "Honor needs to trade blows sometimes." "Scat!" said Tarin and Aran in unison, but Titus just laughed. The committee conferred while the fight continued. Tarin had the stomach-churning feeling that they were just confirming what they had already planned to do. Sten was using his black pen to record something in a big book. Finally, Titus pointed to the brawling brothers, and Vel and Lowell efficiently broke up the fight. Tarin was pleased to see that this time Jadon's face was the bloodier one, and his ear looked lumpy. Titus continued talking as if nothing had interrupted.

"Well, it was presented as a collaborative project, Major Jonas, and we cannot undo that. You allowed Major Jadon to be promoted to officer class, and you must live with those consequences. Major Jadon has made sufficient contributions to our structural engineering to have earned his subsequent promotions since he became a lieutenant. Do you deny his skill at building and repairs?" Jonas just spat a little blood, and said nothing. "You also signed off on something you considered to be not his work. Major Jadon will not have his officer status removed. You are sufficiently punished by having your brother profit from your efforts, and you will not be punished further on that matter. You are brothers, but this committee severs that bond. You are not to speak to each other or interact for one year. Next Candle Day you may, if you both wish it, be considered brothers again. Neither of you will be Colonels this Candle Day, but this is a separate issue from Major Jadon's reinstatement. He will be promoted to Colonel, allowed to claim his new boy, and then demoted back to Major." "No!" wailed Tarin. "Punishes Perry!" Garrick clapped a hand over Tarin's mouth, and gave his ass a sharp pinch. Jadon was trying to smirk at his brother and glower at Garrick and Tarin simultaneously. He looked like a leering Before Times monster, thought Tarin.

"On the matter of Aran," continued Titus. "He will remain your boy. Major Jonas, on Candle Day you will be demoted one level to Captain. You will remain head librarian, as your skills are crucial. Aran, a boy with your knowledge and ability to gain more is too dangerous. You will infect the other boys. To prevent this, you will lose your tongue so that you cannot speak to boys." Aran vomited on Simeon's rug. He hung his head, panted, and vomited a second time. Titus waited, and then resumed. "As a concession, you will be permitted to learn to write so you may communicate to men. Your man may teach you. Be aware that Jadon wanted you blinded, and we considered that too cruel as well as devaluing your community role. As a further mercy, you will be found a role that does not constantly expose you to books, although you will be permitted to read under supervision of Jonas." "General Titus," said Jonas. "Please! We appreciate how considerate… but, scat! His tongue! That's too cruel." Sten laughed. "That's your part of the punishment. You lose the use of your boy's tongue." "That's not what I was thinking," raged Jonas. "Titus -- he needs his tongue -- to eat, to be healthy -- you can't!" "Gideon and Helem will perform it. They will endeavor to be

kind, and to ensure he can still eat properly. The boy will be unconscious as it happens. It won't be done immediately. They tell me they need to research cauterizing and blood loss issues." Aran heaved his guts one more time, collapsed on to his side, and whimpered. Tarin took a step onto the rug, and Garrick tugged him back. "This committee has completed its business," said Titus. "Justice has been witnessed by an officer and a boy -- Captain Garrick and his boy, Tarin. The community is satisfied!" There was a long silence, and then Titus moved out from behind this desk, and the other committee members stood. "Scat," said Titus. "Simeon is never going to let me forget about this boy puke on the rug. Ah well. Men, please escort Major Jadon away to the clinic. Jonas, I'm sorry my friend, but this is how it must be. Aran is still your boy. We did what we could." Chapter Five

Helem and Gideon were conferring. "Well," rumbled Helem, "I'm just saying, Gideon, that asking the library to research the matter is awkward! Surely your clinic has

materials about amputations." "Yes. But toes and fingers are a different matter than a tongue. The blood supply…" "We're still here," snarled Jonas. "Jonas," said Titus. "Take the day off, my friend. Spend it with Aran in private. If you want to use power in your quarters, please do so. Rejoin us before the gym powers down. Tomorrow onward, I suggest you stick as closely as you can to your usual routines. The structure will help. Once Helem and Gideon are sure of the procedure, a date will be set for the formal punishment. Aran, you are on your honor not to share any reading knowledge with the boys." Jonas helped his boy up from where he was still huddled on the ground and held him close, and then let him go again. "Come on, Aran. Let's get you cleaned up, and we'll go for a walk." Tarin watched as Aran staggered from the room. "Die in winter woods," muttered Tarin glaring at Titus. How could he act like he was being kind? "I suggest we adjourn elsewhere," said Titus. "At least until Simeon has had a chance to work on the rug."

"I'll send Second Boy over to help," said Sten. "You should consider using your two-boy privilege, Titus. Being a General is nothing but headaches, but Eloi says Second Boy is helpful." Titus shrugged. "Simeon doesn't like the idea. He's a jealous boy." The group moved toward the door with Tarin and Garrick at the rear. Sten laughed. "That's for the boys to deal with, man. Simeon would be in charge, and Eloi says having to look after our public rooms is like a whole other duty. Simeon might shut up about his precious rug if you got him a helper." Tarin glowered at Sten. He wanted to make a fart noise like he did when Cory was a weasel, but Garrick's hand was already giving a warning squeeze. Out in the corridor, he heard Titus say, "Well, maybe if no one chooses that butt-kissy, two-band boy next year, I'll take him rather than have him be squandered as a community boy. Simeon could supervise him, and I wouldn't actually have to fuck him apart from the Candle Day ritual." Tarin opened his mouth to object to something -- he wasn't sure exactly what, but he hated the conversation -- but all that came out was "waugh." His man had given him a mighty lift-yank to the side

and up several stairs. "Lures!" said Beak-face. "Come along, boy. Project time. Good morning, sirs!" "Study well, Captain," said Titus. Tarin's glee at privacy and gift-sharing fought with his fury at hearing Sten and Gideon chuckle over his scamper up the stairs. Helem's rumble laugh pursued him around the landing bend. "Hate the committee!" said Tarin as they hurried along the passageway to Garrick's door. He waved at Ofer who was sweeping the common area. Garrick snorted as he opened the door. "I don't think they're too fond of themselves today, boy. No one likes it when we have to enforce discipline." "Poxy, scat-eater…" Tarin shoved lures around on the work table and kept muttering. He almost managed to find a satisfying combination of Mother-licking and the M-word, but a look at his man's tired face kept him from that path. "Tarin," said Garrick. "It's decided. So stop. Take comfort if you can in the fact that now everyone knows Jadon is a cheat." "Bad Egg," said Tarin. That was good. He frowned. "But he still gets Perry."

"I know," said Garrick. "I'm worried about that too, now, but Perry has the choice on Candle Day, just like you do." Tarin fiddled with a lure and watched the feather on it catch the light. He sighed. "Miss the lake." Beak-face sat next to him. "Me too." Tarin shoved the tray away and let lures cascade to the ground. "Don't! You go again. Boys never see the lake. Never again. Unfree." Garrick wisely left the room. Tarin let himself howl and wail until he was just gulping out single word bursts of "Aran" and "swim" and "shoes." The door open and closed softly, but Tarin wasn't going to pay any attention to any yellow-bearded, big-nosed, fat, boy-catcher. He kept letting rage-tears fall. His foot hurt, and he was trapped forever. "Hey," said Ofer. Tarin scrubbed his face and muttered, "scat." He'd been snuck up on by a toeless boy.

"Hot honey water," said Ofer. "Share." He sat down next to Tarin and they took turns sipping from the beaker. "Aran," said Tarin after a while. "Yeah," said Ofer. "And Perry," added Tarin. "Yeah," said Ofer. "Tarin, don't do anything." He passed the last of the drink to Tarin, and started picking up the spilled hooks. "Really, Tarin. If you can't trust the community, then trust me." Ofer stared hard at Tarin, and twirled a hook. "I hear things. People forget I'm in the room. So, Tarin. Don't do anything." Tarin started matching feathers and hooks back up again. Ofer was being what Edon called suttle. "Hinting?" said Tarin. Ofer giggled, and the feathers wafted in his breath. "Well, if I am, I'm not going to spoil it by telling you! Seriously, Tarin. Let the boys who have been here for a few winters work on their men, and let the men work on each other." Tarin tried a bread dough twist move on some of the line, flipped it into a loop, and grunted at the secure knot he'd made with the hook. "Will be good. Will be watching, not doing Tarin."

"Thanks," said Ofer. Tarin grinned. "Did Beak-face send you in to rescue him from his wild boy?" "Yeah. Poor Garrick. You scared him. He does feel bad, you know. None of the other boys cared about missing the woods like you do. Food and shelter and divids and playtime are plenty for them." "I need to run," said Tarin. "Not away," he added hastily. "Run and climb and swim. Be outside. Hunt things." Ofer shuddered. "Tarin, it's nice to not have to catch dinner and to sleep in beds!" Tarin scratched at the base of his braid. "But Ofer, you have scatty jobs." "Now. When I'm Edon's boy, I can ask for my old job back. Growing things is so good, Tarin. Making potatoes grow! And tomatoes!" Tarin snorted. White happy lumps were good, but he'd never had a tomato. They sounded silly. Ofer grinned. "Oh Tarin! Your idea! Thank you! Edon is going to make pizza! There is bread in them and tomatoes go on them. We just have to learn cheese, and he will be a lieutenant!"

"Cheese grows?" Ofer snort-laughed. "No. It's complicated. It comes from animals. But you don't kill them. Like eggs, I think. Or perhaps like bees and honey." "Huh," said Tarin. No wonder Edon and Garrick had laughed at his seeds idea. "What sort of animal do we need? Can Mothers send?" Ofer shrugged. "I think they might be a Before Times animal. One we don't have now." "No cheese then," said Tarin. "Pizza is not going to happen." "Edon will make it happen," said Ofer, beaming with confident pride in his man. "Is it safe yet?" Garrick's beard poked around the edge of the door. "Yes," said Tarin. "Look! Knot and feather! Was an easy twist!" He dangled his hook at his man and waved the lure. "Will catch prey!" Beak-face came fully into the room. "Thank you, Ofer. Please report to Jonas' room, and let him know that a private officer's bath has been reserved for his use this afternoon. Let him know the

officer token won't be required -- the hunters and warriors don't need their planned soak after all. They are investigating a sighting of some new tracks." "Paid by you!" said Ofer. "No," said Garrick. "That would embarrass us both, and besides it was from the whole squad." Ofer winked at Tarin, and said "trust!" as he left. Garrick sat down next to his boy. "Teach me that knot, boy." Tarin demonstrated his loop several times, and Garrick tried to copy him. His thumb and finger constantly fumbled. "Other hand," said Tarin. "Has all five." "Left hand is backwards," said Garrick, his voice becoming tense again. "Like Lady Night Boy," said Tarin, trying to amuse his man with the memory of his wild boy's first encounter with a glass reflection. "Say that again!" Garrick was staring with that "almost there" idea face. "Like mirror," said Tarin. "Hard doing stuff in mirror." He waggled his crooked braid. "Easier when I don't look."

Garrick shoved his chair back, and stood. He strode around the table making Tarin anxious that he'd already spoiled their small ration of peace. Garrick sat opposite. "Now tie the knot -- slowly." Tarin laughed. His man was copying him like he was a Lady Night Boy. Garrick's left hand was still clumsy, but he could make the pattern shapes now. Tarin resisted the urge to make faces and see if his man copied them, too. "Ta-da!" said Garrick, and dangled a feather and hook. "Mothers! I used to be able to do lures without thinking, boy. Now even the old simple ones I knew before are kicking my ass, let alone the new ones I'll need for meeting a fish quota." Tarin chewed his lip. "Has to be your skill, you said. But can have assistant? Like Healer? Socorro makes salves once Gideon has created them. And kitchen boys cook things that their officers plan. I can make lures you invent?" Garrick rumbled into his beard. "You will do the fish catching," snapped Tarin, annoyed that his offer was the cause of more sulking. "Still hunter. Tarin still the trapped boy." Garrick squared his shoulders. "I'll ask the opinion of the other

officers. Thank you, boy. Now…" He grinned at his boy. "Lady Night Boy…" He moved his hand slowly down his chest and waited until Tarin blinked and copied him. Tarin kept a scowl on his face, until Garrick move his hand back up and rubbed his own nipple through his shirt. "Nipples!" said Tarin. No one had ever played with his chest until Garrick, and his man knew it made him yelp and squirm. Garrick laughed and tweaked himself. "Owie," said Tarin, copying rather too enthusiastically. His man undid his shirt and ran his fingers through his bee-fur covered chest. Tarin stroked his own smooth brown skin. "Not pale," said Tarin. "Perry is pale now. Indoor color." Garrick laughed. "By this time of year, we are all no-sun color -our own winter shades, boy. You're paler than you were. Still a handsome wild boy." Tarin grinned. "Hide in woods color!" Garrick laughed and stroked his own belly. "And what about me?" "Beak-face is end-of-year leaves." Tarin copied his man's hand

sliding down into his pants. Garrick groaned. "Lots of tasty treasures in the fallen leaves." "Yum," said Tarin. "Nuts!" Garrick snorted. "Yes, boy." He palmed his cock, and its head rose over his pants. "Mushroom after rain!" said Tarin cheekily, and then moaned as his own mirrored gesture exposed his prick. Beak-face worked his protection skin for a few strokes, and Tarin sighed. They were both sliding easily with gift-promise. He licked his lips. His man's gift was good. Since he had become civilized, he didn't crave the taste of just any gift so much, but he wanted to share his man's. Socorro had said it was because he now had enough salt and protein, but those were just words. Tarin knew it was because he had his man's gift to himself. He had a promised supply! No competing with Cory, Kerr, and Perry for a gum-itch relieving mouthful. "This table is in my way," growled Beak-face. He stood and shoved his chair aside, and Tarin copied his move. They faced each other, shirts hanging open, cocks sticking out from their pants, and hands working.

"Bedroom," said Garrick, and turned and hurried away. Tarin clutched at his escaping pants and waddled after him. The bedroom was cold and the unused bed sheets were chilly as they burrowed beneath them. "Clothes stay on," grunted Garrick, as he wrapped his part hand around his boy's prick and grabbed Tarin's ass with the other. Tarin curled his fingers into the hair at the back of Garrick's neck, and used his other hand to pump at his man's mighty cock. He moaned for air as his man ate his mouth. Tarin writhed and panted as his balls readied his gift. It had been so long because of stupid bundling and being kind to Ofer and Edon! "Two days," growled Garrick, echoing his boy's thoughts. "Swallow gift," begged Tarin. "Miss mouth on cock." Garrick all but shoved his boy's head down to his crotch and sighed as Tarin sucked and gulped. He didn't object as Tarin thrust his hips into his man's hand. "Yeah!" roared Garrick. "Here! Take it, boy." Tarin felt the hot rush of gift into his throat and gulped and

gulped. His own cock was squeezed and worked, and his balls released his own gift. "Splosion," panted Tarin, as his breathing returned to his own control. "Better than," murmured Garrick. "Here, boy, come and snuggle without an honor roll. We can be warm and skin-to-skin for a nap." "Nap!" said Tarin. "Not work, work, work." "Cheeky brat," said Garrick, and pulled his boy close. His palm cupped Tarin's ass as Tarin burrowed into the warmth. "Mart says I should tell you I want the peg," mumbled Tarin into his man's armpit. "Do I?" Garrick squeezed. "Yeah, boy. I think you do. I want our Candle Day to be good for us both. Losing your innocence shouldn't be a bad thing. The peg makes it easier." "Innocence," snorted Tarin. "Is fucking!" Garrick laughed. "Yeah, we'll fuck, but it's good. You'll like it. You should believe Mart. You've seen him with Cale." "Cale is kind." "And so am I."

"Jadon isn't." "Hush, boy. We'll worry about Perry later." Tarin huffed. Being civilized was just more and more worries. He used to only worry about food and warmth and not being caught. "Nap," repeated his man. Tarin thought about protesting, but the next thought through his mind was that they had slept too long. The room was grey and cold. They'd have to hurry to get down the windowless hall and stairs before true dark set in. He jabbed his man in the rib. "Beak-face? Have to do a shift somewhere? No Lie-Berry?" "Scat," grumbled Garrick. "That was a real sleep, not a nap." He sat up and stretched. "I never reported to Titus about you being a Mother-touched boy and your injured foot. I didn't get you reassigned either. Since Jonas has the day off, the library is probably in enough confusion that no one cares you are not there." "Linus will be chewing on the request slips!" said Tarin. "No Aran, no Jonas, and no me!" Garrick bark-laughed. "No library! Civilization falls again!"

Tarin and Garrick scrambled out of the bed, shivering right away, and hastily did up their clothes. "This is why we bundle," said Garrick. "Our balls would drop off if we tried to live in private rooms!" "Bundling stinks," said Tarin automatically. The hallway was not as dark as they expected. Ofer was sitting at the corner of the hallway with a patrol lantern, and a golden line of light came from under one door. "They must be back from their bath," said Garrick. "I hope Jonas and Aran are using their time off to be happy." Tarin grunted. "Too soon from news." Garrick nodded. "Yeah, but I hope they gain some memories from the day." As they passed the door, they heard Aran's voice. He was singing, and Tarin and Garrick hurried on. "Hurts to hear him," said Ofer, as they passed. "He's been crying and singing since they got back." "How can there be a cherry that has no stone?" sang Aran, his voice pure and surprisingly low.

Tarin was used to hearing him do silly voices during Mother Day lessons. This was nothing like his little kitten voice. "Are you still on duty here, Ofer? I thought this shift ended." Ofer chuckled. "I brought them some food, and Edon told me to wait with the lantern for either you or Jonas, whoever needed it first, and then to leave the lantern behind at the top of the stairs for the others after you are safely down. He asked if you would get me safely to the gym so the patrols don't question me." "Edon is nice," said Tarin. "But he likes the Mothers a lot." "We all like the Mothers, Tarin," said Garrick. Tarin snorted and hopped down the stairs. His foot hurt. He was glad he'd admitted he was injured, even if he did have to wear boots. He cast an anxious look across at the library. His stupid spine was tickling him about Linus. It wasn't as if he and Aran were the only library boys, but Jonas was gone, too. And there was the extra chore of checking books out now that everyone spent the night in the gym. Two patrol lanterns bobbed around on the stacks level. They were working past the fading of the light. Garrick slid his good hand under Tarin's arm. "Lean on me, boy. We'll find the duty officer to get you a new temporary task and find Linus a helper. Then, on to Titus and we'll discuss your Mothering."

"He was Mothered?" gasped Ofer. "Garrick and Gideon say so," said Tarin. "But was eaten by a Monster!" "Ask Edon about it, Ofer. Just wait until you see that Tarin and I have spoken to Titus," said Garrick. "Tarin, you know it was a Mother in the ute-vee." "Pft," said Tarin, and hopped into the gym building hallway. It was nice not having to kick off go-sloshes or be carried like a baby. The gym was already half-full as men, boys, and cadets returned from their tasks as the light faded. The days were so short. Even though what the men called Shortest Day had gone by, Tarin still found the daylight seemed to disappear faster around the Before Times buildings. It was as if the quad trapped the dark. Ofer trotted off to find his man or next duty with a cheery wave to Tarin. "Hungry," grumbled Tarin. "We slept through the second meal," said Garrick. "Probably only soup. Again." He looked around. "Ah, Sergeant Vel, have the duty officers moved to the gym yet?" "Yes, sir. Setting up in the far corner, sir." "Come on, boy, let's see if there's a task for you. You don't

work, then you don't eat!" "What!" wailed Tarin. "No fair. Hurt!" Garrick guffawed. "It's just a saying, boy. If you're badly hurt, of course we look after you. We're a community." "Holy Elf," said Tarin, not willing to let his man avoid explaining his stupid saying. "The whole and healthy clause is for privileges like having a boy. No-one is denied food, shelter, and medicine. That wouldn't be civilized. And we can all work somehow." Tarin frowned. It was true. No one in the community was unable to work. "But," he persisted, "What if…" "Stop it," said Garrick. "We can all work, so there are no hungry members." "Am hungry now," groused Tarin. Garrick slapped his ass. "I'll spank you, boy. A few weeks ago, you thought eating more than once a day was luxury." Tarin scowled. Something was wrong with Garrick's explanation, but he couldn't catch it -- it was faster and more sideways than the tasty jump bugs Tarin loved to snack on.

"Sit!" said Garrick pointing to the bleachers. He turned to talk to the duty officer without watching to see Tarin obey. Tarin huffed and flopped onto the bench. His good foot was aching from the hopping. His spine scratched at him. He'd missed one meal and had a sore foot. He was lucky. He wasn't losing a tongue or his toes or fingers. But he still felt wrong. "Winter tasks are in short supply, sir" said the duty officer. "Especially given his restrictions: no standing, no knives, and no outdoors. And it's not yet Candle Day, so he still has to be supervised." Garrick ran his good hand through his yellow hair. "Scat. The boy needs to be busy, or he'll get into trouble!" "And am hungry! Need work!" said Tarin. The duty officer hid a smile and looked at his clipboard. "Let me ask around, Captain, and see who needs an extra hand." Garrick groaned. "Thank you. Now, boy, off to see General Titus." "Always talking to him," muttered Tarin. "You realize, Tarin, that there are some boys who have never exchanged a direct word with the General. You are both privileged and disgraced to have done so."

"Pft," said Tarin. Chapter Six

Titus set aside the log book he was reviewing as Garrick approached. "Gideon let me know about your boy. Tarin, you are full of surprises." Titus laughed at Tarin's scowl. "I told you that you had true faith, boy, and now the Mothers have blessed you further." Tarin controlled a "pft" as Titus and Garrick were looking serious, despite the tease. "My boy does seem to have some connection with the Mothers," said Garrick. "He's different from the other boys in his attitude to the Mothers and in his abilities to cross boundaries." "One of the Healer master sergeants has asked permission to make your boy's two armpit bumps his officer project, and the project board has agreed it would be a sufficient contribution of knowledge. With your consent, of course, Garrick." "And mine," growled Tarin, but he already knew Titus would ignore him.

"He won't harm the boy, or remove his bump?" "No. After Candle Day, he might test the boundary control by taking him to the highway barrier. We know for sure that one is effective on boys since it stopped Ofer. " "Hear that Tarin? You can leave the campus with permission! I give my consent, Titus, but if my boy is distressed by his exposure to off-campus, then I will end that part of the project." "Don't want to," said Tarin. "Don't want to see boundaries again. Trapped." Garrick sighed. "This may be bad timing, Titus. Tarin's had a hard day thinking about the cost of civilization." "As have we all," said Titus. "Garrick, how about you supervise the candidate project? It will help you provide enough winter service. You will be expected to travel to the barrier with Tarin to ensure his well-being." Tarin saw his man's part hand twitch. Scat. His man had to work to eat, too. "Will go," scowled Tarin. "Get buzzy backbone at border." "Why thank you, Tarin," said Titus. "How community-spirited and gracious of you. Garrick, the boy can count the time being studied toward his shifts. Now, how goes your lure project?"

"Well enough, thank you," said Garrick. "We made a breakthrough today. I feel sure that I can continue to lead hunts and building searches even if I can't hold a bow myself. I'll be able to supplement at least the officers' tables with fish." Titus nodded. "The left-handed bow that Cale found at the sporting goods store isn't usable?" "Perhaps, sir. Helem and Gideon are working on a brace for my thumb and finger that may let me use the bow. I'll be able to sight properly at least. I'm using afternoon shift while Tarin is at the library to work on building strength in my left hand and arm for the draw." Tarin gave his man a sideways look. He didn't know any of that! And his man had been scatty about Tarin's spear idea. "Very good," said Titus. "I'm sure there will be no disputing your whole and healthy status if those plans work." He paused and lowered his voice. "Especially since the challenger's reputation is less than credible of late." He turned to Tarin. "Well, Twice-caught, or perhaps we should call you twice-mothered?" He chuckled at his own joke, and continued. "If you are added to tonight's divid group, will you watch without shouting about monsters?" Tarin nodded. He didn't like feeling that Titus was doing him a favor, but he was sure Garrick would like to see all of the divid.

"Very well then. Enjoy your evening. Dismissed." Tarin trailed off after his man. He wasn't sure if he was angry, sad, or pleased. His legs wanted to run, that much he knew, but he wasn't allowed that release. Usually Kenan would be jogging with him around the gym. "Twitchy. Hungry." "Hush," said Garrick. "The soup will be here soon." Tarin and Garrick spent a peaceful hour watching the community return and settle in. Tarin's belly growled every so often and made Garrick laugh. The duty officer came by and said there were four or five one-shift postings for Tarin that might see him through until he was fit for the library stacks again. He read the details, and Tarin huffed and puffed about them, but his man accepted them. Kenan arrived for the exercise, and was as frustrated as Tarin at the cancellation. He stayed and played grab bean with Tarin, while Garrick read a battered old maggie about fish. Just as the soup arrived, the hunting squad returned. Their last hour had been spent hiking back in the dusk with no game except rabbits, but they were excited about something. They hustled around looking for Sten, and then Sergeant Vel peeled off and came over to Garrick. "Captain Garrick! You're the senior hunter in the room. We

can't find Sten, and Colonel Helem is a warrior. We need a tracker. Look at these prints!" Vel handed him some paper, and Garrick squinted. "Who recorded these? A good draughtsman?" "Me, sir," said Corporal Lowell. "I guarantee they're right." "Too round for a deer," said Vel. "Right, sir?" "Correct," said Garrick. His beard bristled with excitement. "Squad, I think you have found bacon!" "Bacon!" said Lowell. "Really, sir?" Garrick nodded. "Did you see disturbed ground like something had been digging?" Vel nodded. "Yes, sir." "Take me there tomorrow," said Garrick. "We'll confirm the sighting and make a plan. I'll consult with Lorn, but we may need to patrol for hogs from now on. From what I've read, they can ruin the vegetable crops." "Then we have to hunt it," said Lowell, with a light in his eyes. "Not just food."

Vel laughed. "Calm down, Corporal. They're dangerous. Not like deer. If it's a male, it might charge us." Tarin squirmed. He'd never seen a hog in all his years in the woods, but they sounded scary. "Hog is a monster?" he asked Garrick. "Eats men?" "Not a monster," said Garrick. "Just an animal. In the Before Times, they were on farms and also wild. For a long time, we thought they were gone like the cows, sheep, and horses. Then last year, the Mothers' Reward included some bacon and sausage, so we know the Mothers have them." "It was so good," crooned Kenan. "Bacon!" Vel and Lowell nodded. "Better than chicken or deer!" "Tarin, you've seen pictures in the Mother Day story books. Remember the huff and puff story?" "Pft," said Tarin realizing that hogs and pigs were the same thing. He tried to scrunch his toes remembering Socorro's song. "Stupid. Pigs are fat." "And delicious," said Kenan. Garrick laughed. "Wild ones in the Before Times were dangerous. But I don't know if these are really wild or …" Garrick

trailed off. "Or a Mothers' Gift like the chickens were." "Sir?" said Corporal Lowell, saving Tarin the trouble of asking. Garrick rubbed his beard. "Fifteen years ago, when I was in my last year as a cadet, we had no chickens. There were not as many men and cadets then, but finding enough food was getting difficult. We had vegetables, deer, and rabbits. Sometimes geese and ducks. Sometimes fish. Lots of us were getting weak. We didn't know if we could make it through the winter. That Shortest Day, the Mothers' Reward included a crate of chickens and some bags of cracked grain. Some of us…" and Garrick flicked his gaze toward where Jadon was sitting, "wanted to kill all the birds and eat them. Others said we should feed the grain to the birds and eat all the eggs. They correctly deduced that the grain was a clue. However, Lorn won his promotion to Lieutenant by persuading us to let the chickens live and their eggs hatch. That year we stayed hungry, but every year since we have eggs and can eat the oldest birds and the capons." Vel nodded. "I remember hearing about that -- it was my savage-cadet year! The Mothers' Reward next year had bees. And the yeast plant and bread flour!" Garrick nodded. "We were worthy of caring for things. The Mothers knew we could plan and not just hunt and destroy. Then a few years later, the Mothers gave us boys!"

"Boys are better than chickens," said Lowell, giving Tarin another cheeky wink. "Not better than bacon," said Kenan. "You wait and see, cadet," smirked Sergeant Vel. "The point, gentlemen," said Garrick, "is that the pigs may be a test." "Oh," said Vel and Lowell together. "If they are really wild," said Garrick, "we would have seen them before. New animals don't just appear unless they are like the geese that travel." Tarin frowned. He wasn't sure about that. The dogs that had bitten Cory hadn't been there the year before, but he wasn't going to argue with his man. Not in front of his squad anyway. "So we can't just have bacon?" said Lowell. Garrick shrugged. "I don't know. We'll have to scout and see how many pigs there are. We don't want to have them destroy the vegetable gardens, but I do know that the Mothers rarely approve of wiping anything out." "We can have more bacon if we capture pigs," said Kenan.

"Grow bacon," nodded Tarin. Garrick laughed. "Mothers, it really is supper time. Let's think about this when we are less hungry. I'll use the library tomorrow to read about pigs, and, in the afternoon, you can show me the tracks." "Sausages," moaned Kenan. "Carrot and chicken soup tonight," said Vel. "I saw the pots earlier." "And dumplings," said Edon, as he arrived to start herding stragglers into the soup line. "Instead of bread. Make sure you get two dumplings each in your bowl." "Food!" crowed Tarin. "Starving!" Tarin passed the entire evening with no mishaps. He ate his soup, watched the divid full of splosions, took off his boots and tended to his feet, and slid into his squashy bag with his man. "Am good," he said proudly. "Yes, boy," said Garrick, adjusting the honor roll so he could give his boy a goodnight kiss. "You are." Tarin slept deeply, waking only once when a boy whimpering and a man grunting grew loud enough to disturb him.

"Honor roll," he said drowsily, and the noise stopped after a last boy-sob. Putting on his new boots in the morning was no fun. They were cold and stiff, and he had to do funny toe points to make it work. Worse than socks. His man was still asleep though, so Tarin muffled his scats and pfts, and tried not to stamp as he joined Edon for the trip to the bakery. "Right, boy, up on this stool and stay there. Kass or I will bring you dough to work on, and we'll put the trays in the oven." Tarin sighed. He liked doing the kneading and shaping, but he was restless and he missed the big blasts of heat from the ovens. "I know, lad, it's hard to sit still, but be good. Look, we'll knead a handful of raisins into this small loaf, and you can share it with Aran and Ofer later. A treat for my three favorite boys." Tarin tried to smile at Edon's kindness, but he wanted to cry or shout or break something. He resorted to punching down the big tub of puffy dough a little more vigorously than usual. As bakery boy, Tarin was one of the first in line for breakfast. It was something gloppy. No eggs. Tarin poked at it in dismay. He didn't dare insult the cooks, but it looked like suckground. The raisin bread smelled so good. Tarin picked a still-warm

raisin off the top and ate it. He wanted more! He bit his lip, and shoved the loaf inside his shirt to protect it from nibbling. And, he thought slyly, from being seen by other boys! He had to get it to Ofer and Aran somehow. The warm loaf against his skin cheered him up even though he was eating a bowl of suckground. "Ah oatmeal!" said Garrick settling onto the bench next to his boy. "I wondered when we'd open that part of the Mothers' Reward. Perfect stuff before hunts. Warm and filling. Sticks to your ribs!" "Yucky," whispered Tarin, spooning up some. Garrick paused with a big spoonful wobbling in front of his beard. "Well, it's warriors' food, boy! Not meant to be delicate and tasty." Tarin giggled. "Warrior has glop in his beard. And warrior is going to Lie-Berry, not battle!" Garrick snorted and wiped his beard. "Boy, getting knowledge from books is a fight. And don't you get too excited about no library. You're coming with me. You may not be stack-mule, but Jonas has found you a task. You can do it during my research, and then you'll have a free evening shift. We can do more of my project when I get back from tracking." He waggled his eyebrows. "So long

as we don't oversleep again." Tarin shoveled up some more glop. It was yucky, but making him snuggly inside. Even going to the library wouldn't be too bad since he might have a chance to see Aran and give him his share of the treat while it was still warm. He knew he'd see Ofer in the Officers' Quarters later. "What's that lump?" asked Garrick frowning at his boy as they crossed the quad. "Taking extra food without permission is a demerit boy." "Edon gave it to me," said Tarin. "I am delivering it to Ofer and Aran, and I get to have some." "Huh. Well, don't let the librarians see it. No food in the library." One more reason not to like the library, thought Tarin, as they made their way to the Infer Desk. Jonas looked tired, and his nose was still swollen, but he still gave Garrick a good morning nod, and filled out a request slip for him so Linus could start the process of finding the best hog books. "Used to take days of trial and error to construct the right search numbers and ideas and find new areas," muttered Jonas. "Just hours now with Aran's books." "His skin looks like ashes," whispered Tarin, as he and Garrick

climbed the stairs to the stacks. "Hush," said Garrick. "I doubt he slept much. He loves Aran." "Loves?" "When your boy is part of you," said Garrick. "Now sit at that carrel. Your foot has done enough for now with the quad and the stairs. I'll find Linus." Carrels were funny, thought Tarin. Pretend private when everyone could still see you and hear you. He giggled. Once his hands had been so cold that he'd dropped a stack of books and Linus had yelled at him. Men's heads had popped up liked gophers from all the little cubbies. He saw a movement from the corner of his eye. Aran was fakedusting by simply waving the feather bundle around while he leaned his head against the shelf with his eyes closed. "Aran," hissed Tarin. "Come over here. Edon sent you something." Aran's face was empty like a Lady Night Boy's, but after a moment of seeming to wake up, he joined Tarin in the carrel. They squeezed onto one chair together, and Aran managed a wan smile. Tarin tore the loaf in half and handed it to Aran. He was still full of oatmeal and Ofer and Aran deserved it more.

Aran nudged him and offered him a share anyway. They picked away at the raisin bread, together. Tarin had no words, but hoped Aran had some comfort from his company. When Cory was scared in the woods, he had liked to just snug up to Tarin. Aran shuddered and leaned against Tarin. He was rolling each raisin around his mouth as though it was his last. "Boys!" "Scat," muttered Tarin, recognizing Linus' angry whisper. "Are you eating in the Library!" "Uh-huh," said Tarin, through a mouthful of bread. "Sorry, Linus," said Aran. "Oh, it's you, boy. Well, just this once I'll turn a blind eye. Make sure you brush up any crumbs. Tarin, since we are short on help, I've given your Captain stacks permission, so he'll be browsing the SF 300s himself. And maybe the SKs. If I'm not here, Aran can help you find him if you need him." Linus stopped, and put a hand on Aran's shoulder. "Aran, boy, I'm sorry I exposed you to that knowledge. I didn't know I said the call numbers out loud." Aran shrugged. "Thank you, sir. I should have spoken up sooner, but I didn't know I was learning."

Linus nodded stiffly and turned back to Tarin. "Boy, Jonas has a task for you. Go back down to him." Linus bustled off to help an officer-candidate who was frantically bobbing up and down in his carrel and waving a request ticket. Tarin squeezed Aran. "An officer apologized to a boy!" Aran laughed and tidied up the breadcrumbs. "Amazing. I'll see you tomorrow, Tarin. Jonas says I can choose the Mother Day stories for Peg Day!" Tarin groaned as he limped down the stairs. There was always something new to worry about. Mart kept teasing him about Preparation Day but wouldn't tell him what actually happened. None of the boys would! "Spiracy!" he muttered as he reported to Jonas. "The word is conspiracy," said Jonas giving him a tired smile. "And what would a new boy like you know about such a nasty political word?" Tarin squirmed. He felt silly in the face of Jonas' troubles. "Candle Day and pegs," he muttered. "No one will tell me." "You'll have your private talk tomorrow, boy." He beckoned Tarin to join him behind the counter. "Here, sit down on the floor and work on this for me. All the blue cards go in this box and all the yellow ones in here. Then the next project, sort this box of Before

Times papers. Take the ones with marks only on one side, and make a nice tidy pile with all the marks underneath. The duty officers can use the clean side on their clipboards." "What about the double marked ones?" Jonas pointed to another box. "In there. Later on, I'll show you how to fold them up so they can be fire kindlers." Tarin worked away. It was very boring but not as horrid as being a stack mule. Not as dusty and he wasn't following Linus around. Jonas was spending all his time reading something and making notes, but he'd stop and stare out of the big glass doors to the quad a lot. Officer candidates came by every so often, and Jonas would help them plan a request slip to take to Linus. After a while, Tarin realized they couldn't see him, and he heard many comments he was sure were off-limits for boy ears. Jonas looked at him once or twice but didn't send him away. All the visitors made some expression of sympathy to Jonas and some remark about wishing they could help Aran. A few were disrespectful about the committee, and one or two were vicious about Jadon. Jonas made non-committal remarks back to them all, but Tarin tried hard to recognize voices. He had no success until Major Lorn came by. "Already an officer," blurted Tarin. "Why are you in the library?"

Jonas laughed for the first time that morning. "Some of us like to keep learning, boy." "More knowledge is good," said Lorn. "I have on-going projects with the chickens. And I heard a rumor that I might need to learn about hogs!" "Bacon!" said Tarin. "Linus said he had tracked down something for you about the winter grain feed the Mothers send for the chickens." "Ah," said Lorn. "Excellent. I've been stalled on that project." Tarin squinted. Lorn looked as if his spine would be buzzing if he were a boy. "I'll find Linus, then." Jonas chewed thoughtfully on the end of his pen as he watched Lorn head for the stairs, and Tarin watched Jonas. There were more and more secrets and spiracies every day. "Sort those papers, boy," said Jonas softly. "It's nearly time for the midday meal. Since your man is going scouting this afternoon, you can come back and pick up an extra shift with me. Don't 'pft', you'll like it. You and Aran can be the boy members of the divid review committee, so long as you fold papers while you watch."

"New divids!" "Don't get too excited. Sometimes we only see the first ten minutes before they prove themselves unsuitable. Titus suggested we have a new boy as well. The older boys are used to Before Times things that may alarm the new ones. He says you are already corrupted about Mothers, so there'll be least harm done to you." "Corrupt," caroled Tarin happily. Jonas shook his head. "Tarin, go carefully on your foot, but warm up and get your legs some stretching on the stairs. Go and find your man, and let him know I am giving you your meal break now." Tarin looked up and down the carrel rows. He couldn't see Linus or Aran. He could hardly holler for Garrick. He limped up and down the carrel row. It was easy to be quiet here. The floor had a giant rug on it, although it wasn't squashy or as brightly patterned as Simeon's precious rug. Tarin sniggered. He wondered if all the boy puke was out of it. He frowned. But, poor unnamed Second Boy had been summoned to clean it. He frowned. That didn't seem right. He tromped a little, and then sneezed hard as dust rose from the stupid rug. "Shh!" said Master Sergeant Idris. "Pft," replied Tarin. He wasn't going to be shushed by someone

who couldn't even throw rocks without a machine. Huh, there were no librarians and his man wasn't in the carrels. Tarin struck off into the stacks. He was pretty sure he was allowed there on his own, so long as he didn't move anything; after all, he'd been there alone on his one ill-fated dusting day. His nose tickled in memory. He walked carefully down an aisle, making sure no dust puffed at him. The further away from the carrels you were, the more quiet conversation was permitted. He strained his ears for clues about where his man, Linus, or Aran might be. He peered down each cross-aisle as far as he could at each junction. He was nearly at the end of the row. Coming up was the open area where Linus had the big tables he used to put the used books back into order. Only actual librarians like Linus and Jonas were allowed around the tables. The stack mules were only permitted to come in to put down unsorted stacks. Tarin stepped in so he could cross to the next stack aisle and then jumped back. He'd seen something he shouldn't have! "Scat!" he whispered. He made his breathing slow and prepared to reverse away down the row. He held his nose to suppress a sneeze and then yelped. "Stay still, boy!"

"Ow!" Tarin tried to tug his wrist free of the harsh grip. "Come back out here." Tarin had no choice. Major Lorn's grasp was firm. Tarin stood shivering by the tables and blinked at Linus and Lorn. "What did you see?" demanded Lorn. Tarin gulped. He couldn't unsee what he'd seen, and his stupid spine wouldn't let him lie. "Nothing," he attempted, but squirmed and hung his head. "Mothers," groaned Linus. "He saw us!" Lorn shook Tarin hard. "Listen to me, boy. Say nothing about this!" His grip twisted on Tarin's wrist. "Hurts," said Tarin tugging hard. "Stop it," said Linus. "Lorn, the boy won't say anything, and why should anyone ask him?" "I was just looking for Beak-face," gasped Tarin. "Don't care about…" Lorn twisted more and shook so that Tarin's eyes felt rattley. "This is the PQ stack. Nowhere near Captain Garrick."

"Lorn!" snapped Linus. "The boy doesn't know the system. Let him go. Tarin, where's Aran? I told you to ask him for help when you needed Garrick." Tarin shrugged. "Couldn't find anyone. He rubbed his released wrist. "Ow," he said and gave Lorn a resentful look. "Won't tell anyone, but can't lie." Linus ran his hands through his hair. "Lorn, there's nothing else to be done. Tarin tries to be a good boy, so we'll just have to trust him. Come on Tarin, I'll take you to Captain Garrick." "Very well, Lieutenant Linus. Dismissed." Lorn turned and marched away. Tarin sneezed at the particles flying up in his wake and tugged his sleeve down over his wrist. "He's worried, is all," muttered Linus almost to himself. "Tarin, the major didn't mean to hurt you." Tarin shook his wrist to limber it up. "Is Holy Elf!" Linus snorted. "Mothers boy, you are irrepressible. Come on, let's find that man of yours, and figure out where Aran is." Chapter Seven

They found Garrick camped out in the stacks, surrounded by open books. Linus sighed heavily. "Captain! Books on the floor!" "I needed them all open, Linus, so I can compare. The carrels are too small, and I just kept finding one more book the longer I stayed!" Linus' tense expression faded a little. "Oh, I know how that is, Garrick. I nearly didn't get my promotion project done because I couldn't stop reading." Garrick smiled at Tarin. "So, why is my boy hunting me down?" "Jonas says early food! And then I am on DIVID COMMITTEE," said Tarin. "Mothers boy, be proud quietly! Sorry, Linus." Garrick uncrossed his legs and hauled up from the floor. Tarin grinned. Big strong men were not as wriggly and bendy as boys. He put that in his brain next to how fast and long they could run. "Linus, can you reserve these books for me? I'll want to see them again after I've seen the tracks this afternoon." "Certainly. I can have them delivered to your room if you want. I'm getting a new stack mule this afternoon."

"Replaced," said Tarin. "Not you, boy," said Linus. "Once you're healed, you're back. This is for while you are gone, and as a trial run for Aran's replacement. He won't be a library boy after -- well, after." Tarin bit his lip to control a blasphemy and let his man steer him toward the stairs. "Now, where is Aran?" he heard Linus say as they left. As they passed the Infer Desk, Tarin saw Aran sitting where Tarin had been working earlier. He wasn't working, just sitting on the floor, leaning his head against Jonas' knees, and singing quietly. His man was too good a hunter to have not spotted him, so Tarin knew Garrick was also pretending to have not seen. Huh, his spine barely tingled. They were nearly too early for midday food. Superior Eloi was on duty and tossed his head when Garrick set his tray down. Tarin hissed, but Garrick just smiled. "Hello, Eloi, I'm going hunting this afternoon. I need to leave soon, and Tarin is going to be on a committee with General Titus, so he can't be late." Eloi's ear hoops clattered as he spun around, and opened the bread ovens.

"Edon's!" said Tarin. "They are community ovens," snapped Eloi wrestling with a hot pan. "And the head cook has discovered a way to use the rest of the bread heat to make jacky-taters." He juggled two big brown lumps onto the tray. They landed with a thump. "They look, uh, filling," said Garrick. "Thank you, boy. Is that a new ear hoop?" "Sweet talking my boy into an early lunch?" said Sten. "That blue bead is to celebrate our seventh Candle Day, and the green one is to commemorate getting Second Boy last Candle Day." Tarin twitched, and Garrick squeezed his arm. Tarin smothered a yelp. His man had put pressure on where Lorn had twisted. "Well, lunch may be a little early," said Garrick, "but so are his ear hoops. It's still twelve days until Candle Day." Sten laughed. "As soon as Eloi knew I had them stashed away, I was doomed. He can wheedle like no other boy." Garrick laughed. "Well, that's a new name for oral skills." Eloi huffed and swirled off, and Sten sighed. "Captain, now I'm in trouble!" He reached out and served himself his own brown lump. He stared at it. "What do we do with these?"

Eloi clattered back with a tub of goop and slapped it down next to the pan of lumps. "Cook says to take some chicken fat and spread it inside." He paused, tossed his hair again, and said "Enjoy!" Tarin sniggered as he followed the two men to a table. Eloi was silly, but Sten seemed to like him a lot. He'd been smiling at his boy the whole time. Garrick cut the two lumps in half and passed Tarin his share. "Happy lumps!" said Tarin in surprise. "Potatoes," said Garrick. "Haven't you seen them whole before?" Tarin frowned and remembered one of his first days. "Only with mud on them. Eat brown bits? Are like egg shells?" "Let's find out," said Sten, slathering his potato halves with chicken fat. "Hot! Hot!" said Tarin, but kept taking bites. "Good!" Garrick laughed. "Don't burn your mouth boy. I'll need it later." "I will wheedle you!" said Tarin. Sten looked annoyed for a moment and then snorted.

"Does Second Boy get hoops?" asked Tarin, taking advantage of the good humor at the table. Sten and Garrick were getting the happy lump face as well. Garrick's hands were busy, so Tarin just received a beard bristle as a rebuke. Sten frowned. "Eloi looks after the Second Boy. He has his own boy rations and allowances, of course, and gets what Eloi no longer needs. He has more than most boys, so yes, he has hoops, Tarin." "Has no name," said Tarin. Sten scowled. "Of course he does. Using his rank is an honor. Like General." Garrick kicked Tarin's good foot under the table, but Tarin's nice new boots protected him. "General Sten, what is his name?" said Tarin. He made his Am Good face and popped some jacky-tater skin in his mouth. "Captain Garrick, your boy has a demerit. See to it, please," said Sten and picked up tray and moved to another table. "Mothers, boy," moaned Garrick. "Why did you do that? He's not just a General, he is the head of the warriors and hunters. My commander." Tarin chewed hard. His mouthful was so good.

"You get in enough trouble without picking fights," groused Garrick. "Second Boy is fine, Tarin. Eloi won't want him to look shabby or skinny. It'll reflect on Sten, and that's what matters to Eloi. Stop worrying about everyone else." Tarin tried changing his Am Good face to sad Elliott phone home face. Garrick just shook his head. "I'll spank you when I get back from tracking. Come on, back to the library. Please, boy, General Titus is on the divid committee. Don't provoke him." Tarin tried to hop and skip as much as he could on the way back. "Restless legs," he admitted. "Makes brain blurt!" "Poor boy," said Garrick. "You're all up and down with energy. Well, I'll try to wear you out when I get home. Now, give me a kiss and report to Jonas." "Man eats me!" said Tarin, and burrowed his face into Garrick's beard. Kissing was important before they parted. He hurried into the library, paused in confusion at the Infer Desk since there was a different librarian on duty, and was silently pointed to a back room. Tarin cautiously stuck his head into the room. He didn't want another surprise.

"Ah, Twice-caught. Well done, boy. On time and quiet! Come in and sit on the boys' cushion with Aran. As soon as the other watchers get here, we'll begin." Titus waved Tarin in and pointed at the floor. Aran wriggled over, and he and Tarin snuggled up. The library was always cold. The Officer Candidates wore their puffy coats to study. Aran had the box of double-marked paper, and showed Tarin how to make a kindle fold. Jonas came in carrying a stack of divids. "Under two hours, I trust?" said Titus. Jonas winced. "Of course, sir. And not too much technology or aliens in them either. At least according to the research I could find on them." "Or spiky feet mothers," piped up Tarin, giving his kindle paper the right twist. Aran rolled his eyes. "Phone home," he whispered, and he and Tarin touched fingers. Titus just smiled and said something quietly to Jonas about "good spirits." "He's a brave boy, sir," said Jonas. He shuffled the stack of divids and sighed. "Scat, this last movie is five minutes too long, but

I also think it may be the best one, especially for the boys." Two other men came in that Tarin didn't know. "Shall we begin?" said Titus. "I understand you watch at least ten minutes of each one to narrow the field, and all of the chosen one." "Yes, sir." Jonas turned to the two other men. "We have Tarin to help with a new boy perspective. We should pay attention to his reactions as well as to what he says. Tarin, please react as you wish." "Can say monsters?" "If you see them, yes, boy," said Titus. "These pre-screenings are intended to make sure none of the boys are exposed to inappropriate content. You are their guardian!" Aran and Jonas both snorted, but Tarin sat up straight. The first movie had lots of men and horses. The men had splosion sticks but didn't use them. There was lots of talking, and Tarin yawned. He and Aran made quite a few kindle sticks. "Note that the boys are bored," said Titus at the end of ten minutes. "Might be a splosion," said Tarin trying to be fair.

Jonas looked at the divid box. "I doubt it, Tarin. Although there will be a train and a gunfight." "Let's test the others," said Titus. Tarin also got restless about a man floating around on a big lake, and then the same man in a different divid riding a horse a lot and giving paper to people. That was puzzling. "How can that be?" The men all shook their heads. "We don't know, Tarin." "Like telling stories," suggested Aran. "Jonas tells a different one each week, but he's the same teller." Tarin gave him an admiring look. Aran was clever! He looked up. Titus was giving Jonas a long sorrowful look and a slow nod. Scat, thought Tarin. If Aran wasn't so clever… The next movie was terrifying. Aran and Tarin both had their hands over their faces. "Mother is eating him!" wailed Tarin. "Worse than chicken flick." Titus hit the off button. "Sorry, sir" said Jonas. "None of the boxes alerted me to that, but it does sneak in everywhere."

Titus shrugged. "Well, this is why we preview, Major." Jonas sighed. "Well, there are two left, as well as the too long one. The boxes say they are all suitable for younger audiences." Tarin and Aran laughed and clapped their hands through the start of the next one. The men looked a little bored. "We may have to suck it up, gentlemen," said Titus. "If boys like it, you know the cadets will too. Even if they pretend it's too silly for them." "Bacon!" said Tarin, as he watched the happy pig trot across the screen after a sheep. He leaned forward excitedly. "Scat," said Jonas. "Sir, if Captain Garrick is right, we may be getting a supply of pork products soon. This may not be the best choice. Remember, three years ago -- some of the boys wouldn't eat chicken after they saw that film?" "La-la-la!" trilled Tarin. "What the!" said Titus. "Boy, how did you do that?" "Sing!" "No! Made the divid hurry!" "Scat," said Tarin. "Broke it?"

"He hit the fast forward button," said Aran quietly. "I've been hinting at the controls for a few weeks, but I may as well just say it while I can: ff and rew make it move forward and back. You don't have to watch the blue warning or the coming soons." He wriggled on his cushion. "Unless you want to of course." Titus and the other men stared at him. Jonas snorted. "My boy has made two discoveries that would qualify him for a promotion if he were a man." "Baa Ram U!" said Tarin. "That'll do, boy!" said Titus, and hit the stop button. "Major Jonas, no one disputes your boy's intelligence. Quite the contrary. It's too dangerous to have boys reading." The room was quiet while Titus ejected the divid and handed it to Jonas. "No bacon movie?" said Tarin. "No," snapped Titus. "Major Jonas, show me the remaining two boxes." Titus turned them over and read them. He snorted. "No doubt the boys and cadets will enjoy this one, but I really don't think putting ideas about booby traps into their heads is a good idea."

Jonas sniffed. "The boy in the story is very resourceful. He is defending his home. The cadets will be inspired." Titus softened his expression. "Indeed, but do you want a boy like Tarin imagining a scene like this?" He pointed at the box. Jonas actually laughed. "Point taken, sir. Well, the last one is animated. Perhaps that's safer?" "Let's see," said Titus, sliding it into the player. "And Aran's ff discovery may mean we can squeeze in those extra five minutes." "Little mother in monster!" wailed Tarin, but he just bounced on the cushion and kept watching. After ten minutes, Tarin and Aran were still watching big eyed, and Titus nodded to Jonas to let it keep running. "Pigs," gasped Tarin again. "People turn into pigs?" Aran poked his side. "Like Lady Night story! Strange things happen! Little mother will have to adventure!" "Oh," said Tarin, and watched carefully. He spared a sideways look at the men. They were all watching too, although Titus was, as usual, watching Tarin as much as anything else going on. "Waugh!" said Tarin and pointed at the screen. "A Lady Night Boy!" Aran was clutching him too and they shuddered and kept

watching as the little mother walked by the no face creature. Titus chuckled. "I think, Major Jonas, we have a hit. The boys are deliciously scared. And it will do no harm for them to be reminded of scary stories about what might be outside the community." They kept watching until Tarin wailed "Big baby! Don't exist!" and Titus had to step out to recover from his attempt at smothering laughter. "That mother is scary," said Jonas to the other men. They nodded solemnly. "Really scary. Titus, the big headed mothers are a bit too frightening. There may be some nightmares." Titus shut the door behind him and sat down again. "The Mother Day lesson will explain about animation and cartoons. You will lead a discussion about how it is not real." "Shh," said Tarin, and flapped his hands at the General. "Well, that told me!" said Titus, but he fell silent, and the room was quiet again except for the divid, Tarin and Aran's happy gasps, and Jonas' broken-nosed breathing. By the end of the divid, Tarin was dizzy with the story. It was much better than splosion movie or snuffly alien movie and certainly better than chicken-flick. He and Aran had made hardly any kindle sticks, but no one seemed to mind.

"Will see again on divid night? With Garrick?" "Yes, boy. I think this is the next selection, and you'll see it again." Tarin poked Aran. "Can surprise Garrick with…" "No spoilers!" said Aran. Tarin just looked dreamy. "Mart will like bathhouse!" "Spoilers," repeated Aran. Jonas and Titus adjourned the meeting and had Tarin join Aran at the Infer Desk until shift end. Jonas sent the other librarian back to his mysterious cataloging. The two boys sat on the floor together making kindle sticks. Ofer came trotting by. "Delivered the books, sir! Lieutenant Linus says I should ask you for next orders!" "Ofer!" said Tarin, popping up from under the desk like a carrelgopher, "have TREAT from Edon for you." He rummaged in his shirt. "Oh, squashed!" He handed Ofer the body-warm and flattened raisin bread. "No food in the library!" said Jonas. "So, Ofer, you are my

replacement for Tarin?" "Yes, sir. Duty officer said I can be half-time stack mule and half-time community services while Tarin's foot is bad. Edon asked if maybe…" Ofer squirmed. "Feels wrong to ask." Aran snorted from his position on the floor. "Let him have my job, Jonas. I'd rather a deserving boy got it than it going to some weasel who hasn't earned it." Tarin giggled. Cory whined about his scullery and laundry placements all the time, and was always asking for a new placement. They were horrid chores, but he deserved them. It was nice, thought Tarin, that the men and boys were seeing Cory for what he was. Tarin chewed his lip. Although, it wasn't fair to hope Cory became Titus' Second Boy. "We'll see," said Jonas. "We'll consider this a probation." Ofer grinned. "Thank you. Aran, it'll be nice to work with you for a bit." He looked round, and dropped his voice. "You can show me the staff stairs and archives." "Why not do that now?" said Jonas. "Aran, show Ofer around your particular tasks. Tarin, you stay here with me. I can see the scouting party coming across the quad. Garrick will come and get you after they've reported in." "Bacon tracks," said Tarin hopefully.

"We would all like that, boy," said Jonas. "Now, finish up at least one box of kindle paper twists, please. No idle hands!" Tarin set to work and let the fold and twist help him pass the time. He was in a whirl. His legs were twitchy, the divid was running in his brain again, there might be pigs, Aran was in trouble, he'd seen something he shouldn't, and tomorrow was the long-promised private talk and preparation peg day. "Woof," he said. "Too much!" "Have you worn my boy out, Major Jonas? He still has project duty and a demerit to work off." Scat! His demerit -- but it would be a spanking! Tarin scrambled up from the floor. "Beak-face! Saw divids! Horses and splosion sticks!" He tried a wink at Jonas. His spine didn't buzz, because it was true! Jonas managed a chuckle, although his swollen nose made it hard to tell if he returned the wink. "No spoilers, Tarin." "It sounds very exciting, boy. Now come along. I need to compare the fresh track notes I made to the hog books. Did they get delivered, Jonas?" Jonas nodded. "Ofer took them over. He's Tarin's substitute."

Garrick laughed, too loudly for the library, but Jonas said nothing about it. "There's no substitute for Tarin!" Chapter Eight

Away from the library, Tarin felt his excitement evaporate. He snuck his hand into his man's as they crossed the quad. "Bacon?" he asked. "I think so, boy, but I need to check. We'll have a hunter and gardener meeting later to see what to do. Lorn will need to think about how to keep pigs, if that is what the Mothers' Gift turns out to be. Or we will need to learn how to guard the gardens from them if they stay out in the woods." "And protect boys!" said Tarin. "If wild pigs…" Garrick squeezed his hand. "I will raise that concern boy. We do look out for you woodland boys, you know." "Wood boys are chickens," said Tarin. "Already trapped and don't know it." "Aw, boy, don't feel that way. Civilized is home." Tarin shrugged and plodded up the stairs. He didn't like this

feeling. Getting happy and excited about one thing made the rest of things scatty. "I'll spank some smiles back into you," whispered Garrick from a step below him. His beard tickled the back of Tarin's neck. "Just don't let anyone else know spanking isn't a punishment for you, or we'll have to find another way of removing demerits." Tarin gave the giggle he knew was expected and headed down the hall. It was strange not seeing Ofer doing his community service in the Officers' Quarters. Garrick stretched when they got inside, and Tarin admired the width of his man's back and chest. Even the puffy coat couldn't disguise that his man was strong. "Right," said Garrick. "Tarin, why don't you make me some lures while I review the tracking books. The officers I spoke to said it is appropriate for you to be my helper in making my designs. When we're done, we can see about your demerit." Tarin nodded and set about tying some lures. He didn't bother to say that the only hook and feather knot he knew was the one he'd taught Garrick. Garrick was looking pleased as he flipped through pages and looking at pictures. It must be bacon! Tarin wriggled in his chair. He was looking forward to his spanking. His man's left hand was

getting cleverer every day. Huh, his man was reading now! "Undignity," muttered Tarin. Reading while his boy was wriggling his ass! "Tarin," said Garrick, putting his only right finger into the book to mark his place, "sit still. I need to be sure about this so I can organize a pig hunt later this week." Tarin sighed and thought about the pigs in the divids. One talked and the others used to be people. "Pigs talk," he announced. "Are people. Can still eat?" "What?" Garrick snapped the book shut. "Tarin, did you bump your head? Where did you get that idea? You know the Mother Day huff and puff ones are just stories. Pigs don't talk and they are certainly not people." "La-la-la!" said Tarin. Garrick shook his head. "Addled for sure. Come here, boy." Tarin grinned. No more stupid books today! His man had that look in his eye. "Demerit," said Beak-face. "Bare bum!" "Cold," protested Tarin, even as he wriggled out of his pants.

"Part of the punishment," said Garrick and sat down on his big squashy seat. He patted his thighs, and Tarin scooted over. He remembered to face in the new direction so his man's left hand would land the blows. Tarin squirmed around to get his cock and balls comfy and, not coincidentally, on top of his man's, and then clenched his cheeks several times. "Ready!" Garrick laughed. "Such a repentant boy!" He caressed Tarin's butt cheeks for a moment. "And such a fine ass!" "Ow," wailed Tarin. How did he always forget that his man would really punish him? And that there was the ow before the glow and the hard cock and brain float? Garrick's left hand had learned the angle and wrist flicks to make the spanking exquisite, and Tarin wriggled and writhed and wailed. His cock poked hard against his man's. "Mm, rosy!" said Garrick, and stroked Tarin's heated cheeks. "I could eat your butt like an apple!" Tarin squawked with fear-delight at the idea and wriggled even more. His man's fingers slipped in between Tarin's thighs, tickled his balls, and then upwards to press against his hole.

Tarin lay very still. How could anything fit in there? He knew it must because he'd seen Mart take Cale's cock up there. "And big scat comes out!" he mumbled. "Ah, Tarin, you never fail to enhance the mood," murmured his man. "Don't worry, boy. You will learn things tomorrow, and you trust me not to hurt you, right?" Tarin snorted. "Have red bum. Owie!" Garrick guffawed. "You know that's different! Boy, I'll never harm you." Tarin slid to his knees so that he could look at his man's face as well as get at that mighty cock. His own prick waved in the chill air. He undid Garrick's trousers, and stroked the scar on his thigh. The cold had turned it silver-purple under Garrick's yellow thigh-fur. "I harmed you. And your rib. Said set right after Candle Day." Tarin sighed. "Didn't understand then. Now am more civilized. Know what I did. Worried about what putting right will be." Garrick cupped his boy's head with his big left hand. "Ah, yes, I promised we'd settle some scores so we could go forward as man and boy without this past debt-injury between us." Tarin nodded.

"I'll find something for us boy," said Garrick. "It matters, but it won't harm you. And that's not now. Now is this." He pointed at his cock. "Oak!" said Tarin, and made a dive for his man's balls. "Start at bottom!" Garrick laughed as he suffered his boy rooting around and snuffling in his groin. "Like the books say the pigs do for acorns! Mothers, boy! That tickles." "La-la-la," buzzed Tarin into his man's balls, and licked his way up Garrick's prick. His man still smelled like the woods and outdoors to Tarin's yearning brain, and he sucked at his man's prick head as if he were consuming all the wildness his man had carried home. Rich, leafy, cold, salty scents. Oh yes, thought Tarin. My man. Garrick's cock bumped at the back of Tarin's throat, and he gulped and licked. Tarin bobbed his head and choked as his soft dangler was hit by hard cockhead. "Easy, boy, easy," soothed Garrick. "If you want it all, we'll change positions." He slid an arm under his boy's armpit, lifted, stood, placed Tarin on the couch, and then knelt astride his boy's face. Tarin panted. He was prey Tarin! His man's prick suddenly looked twice as big. It went on forever as it slid back along Tarin's tongue.

"Waugh," tried Tarin, but his tongue was held down by solid meat. His man had his eyes closed and was moaning. "Tarin -- if it's too much pull my beard. Show me you can reach it." Tarin stretched and gave his man's beard a tug. "Good boy. Do that again if you need me to stop." Tarin groaned. Did he want his man to stop? It was a scary feeling. But head rushy. Like the time he tried seeing how long he could stay under the lake water. Oh, and his man's prick skin was smoother than anything he'd ever felt. Tarin arched his back and humped the air. He couldn't reach his own cock. There was too much man in the way. "Take it all, Tarin, and I'll stroke you off when I'm done." Tarin grabbed his man's thighs and rocked. Oh Lady! It was like traveling from treetop to treetop -- heartstopping release and plunge and almost too far and excitement and fear and freedom and safety and… oh, and salty tasty gift in his mouth and nose at the same time. Tarin snorted gift from his nose and swirled his tongue around his man's cock as it retreated enough for Tarin to regain control of his mouth. Tarin moaned like he was losing something as his man pulled

away and hauled them both into a horizontal position on the squashy seat. His man's part hand worked at Tarin's quivering cock, while his whole hand kneaded at Tarin's ass like it was the morning dough. Tarin jammed his face against his man's beard and ate his man's mouth. He snarled at the idea that Garrick's own gift was still slicking his tongue and throat. He wailed deep into Garrick's throat as his man made Tarin's gift shoot hard between them. Tarin tore his face away. "My man! My Beak-face. Will kill Second Boy if you claim one!" "Woah!" said Garrick, panting to re-gain his breath from Tarin's kiss. "I thought you felt bad for Sten's Second Boy?" "Do," said Tarin, ashamed of his outburst now that his brain was in charge again. "But won't share my man." Garrick wiped his beard and held his boy close. "I'll have to be a Colonel or General to be eligible for a Second Boy. I doubt I'll ever be that highly ranked!" He pinched his boy's ass. "My promotions will always be in jeopardy!" "Huh," said Tarin. "Why?" Garrick just laughed, and swatted him on the ass. "Get dressed, boy. The light is going. We need to head to the gym."

"Aw scat," muttered Tarin even as he sat up and tugged at his clothes. "Wish we could stay private." "I know, boy, but I need to meet with the hunters and gardeners. And there's rabbit stew and more jacky-taters for dinner!" "Yum," said Tarin, although he knew the stew would be mostly gravy and carrots. The six brace of rabbits the hunters came home with yesterday was no more than a seasoning of meat in a stewpot for three hundred, even with the rabbit hearts and livers included. Garrick ruffled his boy's hair. "I know, boy. But what would you be eating in the woods this time of year?" Tarin made a face. "Rabbit. On a stick. And rabbit liver." He grinned. "But all for me! And maybe stupid Cory and Gram." "No happy lumps," said Garrick, adjusting his balls and cock into his pants and buttoning up. "Happy lumps are good," conceded Tarin. "And bread." He pulled his pants up. "Save rabbit fur? Men not waste?" Garrick laughed. "We don't waste anything, boy. Even the piss buckets go to tan leather. If you're good, you'll get some rabbit mittens next Shortest Day. Like Ofer's Shortest Day Prince hat." "Should keep rabbits," said Tarin. "Like chickens. Lots of stew!" His belly flipped as he realized that he had, just a few Mother Days

ago, been furious that men kept chickens. Stupid civilization was changing him. "Huh," said Garrick. "I'll suggest that to Lorn. He may have an officer candidate who needs a project. Thank you, boy." "Men should listen to boys," grumbled Tarin as they stomped down the stairs. "We know stuff." Garrick threw an arm over his boy to walk across the quad. "Smart men do, boy. We do." Tarin and Garrick both took deep breaths of the crisp quad air before they entered the hallway. It was so bright, noisy, and smelly in the gym. "Warm," said Tarin, trying to be good, but he felt miserable again. He'd said stuff he didn't used to mean and was liking his man too much. And his spine was quiet. It wasn't buzzing so much or helping him. Scat. Garrick drew him close and kissed his forehead. "Go and be useful somewhere, boy. Don't wait for me to get your food. I need to meet with the hunters and gardeners." "Why gardeners?" "When we started, they only had gardens. Things change, so now they have bees and chickens. They will have the pigs if we

decide to get them." Garrick paused. "And rabbits, boy." "Change," grumbled Tarin, scanning the gym for a good spot. "Change is not good." "Silly boy," said Garrick, swatting his rump and sending him off toward where Edon was carrying a big bread basket to the food area. Tarin helped Edon tear the bread into serving sized chunks and chattered happily with the kitchen boys. Eloi was not on the dinner shift, so everyone was more relaxed. Tarin felt his spirits lift as he chortled over a story about Stupid Cory dropping a jar of oil and Eloi slipping and bruising his butt. Edon shook his head even though he smiled. "Kitchen safety is serious, boys. What if Eloi had something hot in his hands? And Cory wasted the last of the special oil that the Mothers sent. Cooking oil is valuable." "Scullery boys," said the duty cook with a sneer. "If they were too clumsy to be assigned as cook's helpers in the first place, they should be kept in the vegetable and pot-scrubbing area." Tarin's spine twitched. Aw scat! He cared that Cory was despised. He took his bowl of rabbit stew, a potato, and a chunk of bread and went to sit on the bleachers to eat. The promotion candidates had their work spread out near him, so it was the

quietest spot in the gym. If he faced away from the gym floor, it was almost like eating alone. He growled a little. The stew was good. He wondered what civilized cooks did to make little bits of meat stretch so far. He scowled. It was deep winter, and he had food. He was fatter than he had been when he was captured. He rubbed his hands across his face. Scat. It would be Candle Day soon. Just over two hands of days. His spine wasn't the reliable guide it used to be. Jadon was still a threat to Garrick, Tarin still worried about Gram in the woods, and he wanted to be free, but, scat, scat, scat, he worried as much about Aran, Ofer, and Perry, and he wanted to be with Beak-face, and civilized… well that was, what did Titus say knowledge and wrong divids could do to boys? corrupt, that was it. Civilized was corrupting him. He dunked his bread in his stew and munched. Corrupt was really yummy. He wiped his bowl with the last of the bread, stretched his legs, and turned around to watch the room. His stew suddenly felt heavy in his belly. Helem and Gideon were using the study area to share a big book of drawings, and were talking fast and low to each other and jabbing at the pages. Tarin narrowed his eyes. The pictures were like the ones on Gideon's clinic wall. His jaw throbbed in memory and he stuck his tongue in where his tooth used to be. It would take more than salty

rinses to heal Aran's mouth. "Hey, Tarin. I've got an idea for your exercise!" Tarin yelped. Kenan had snuck up on him. His ears were letting him down in civilization. There was too much man noise all the time. "Aw, Mothers," said Kenan. "You ate already. Watch my idea!" He lay on his back along a bleacher and waved his legs in the air. "Like the men on cycles!" Tarin shook off his anxiety about Aran, and laughed at the cadet. "Flipped bug!" Kenan grinned and waved his arms, too. "Wait until your stew has settled, Tarin. Then we can beetle back together!" "Silly," said Tarin, but it would let his leg twitches escape. Kenan sat up. "I'll teach you jump bean until then. Fun game." Tarin watched as Kenan marked out a grid on the back of some Before Times paper, and set out beans in four rows. "Huh," said Tarin when he had heard the rules. "White beans are prey!" Kenan laughed. "On the contrary, white beans are my hunters, and your red beans are my prey."

"Pft," said Tarin, and scrunched over the beans. Kenan's beans would be trapped! After a few games, Kenan had changed his mind about the fun nature of jump bean, and Tarin was crowing in anticipation of another victory. "Cadet," said Edon. "Be careful. Jadon is watching you. He has been muttering about fraternization rules." Kenan's chin jutted forward. "Tarin's exercise and keeping him out of trouble in the evening open hour is an assignment, sir." "I know, cadet. But neither of you should be enjoying it so much! It's provoking him." Tarin scooped up the beans, found a line of sight to Jadon, and readied his throwing arm. "Tarin! No! Do not throw beans at Jadon," ordered Edon. Tarin's hand wavered. "For Perry's sake," added Kenan. Tarin sighed and scattered the beans back onto the grid. "Perry cries," he said. "Honor roll doesn't protect him." Edon groaned. "Mothers, what can I do though, boy? Ofer isn't

truly mine yet, and I can't jeopardize him. Perry has his Candle Day Choice." "Boys never say no," said Kenan. "Anyway, it's only a ritual. Not a real choice." "There is nothing only about a ritual," said Edon. "It's crucial. The Mothers know we have made a promise." "Not a real choice?" said Tarin at the same time. "Scat!" "This is why fraternizing is not a good idea," said Edon, after a moment. "Watch your words, Kenan. Tarin, yes, it is a real choice. A boy has never said 'no,' but he can." "Make sure Perry knows," said Tarin. "He doesn't listen to me." He fiddled with a bean. "And Jadon doesn't let him play after Mother Day meeting. He collects him as soon as the boys' meeting is done." "Huh," said Kenan. "That's not right. That's your recreation hour." "Well, tomorrow it's being used for Peg Preparation time," said Edon. "Perhaps you can talk to him then, Kenan. I hear you and Mart are the cadet and boy on duty." Kenan grinned. "Yeah, Cale will show the boys what happens using Mart. Gideon and Socorro are there too." He smirked. "To

ease things along." Edon sniggered. "Spiracy," grumbled Tarin. "You'll like it," said Kenan. "You have all the signs of being an enthusiastic fucker." Edon belly laughed. "As if cadets really know!" Kenan stuck his chin in the air. "I have fucked a boy!" Edon shifted menacingly. "Not Ofer, I trust." "No," said Kenan, knocking the beans over as he slid back from Edon. "It was Sten's Second Boy before he became the General's. When we became final-year cadets, there was a party and he was one of the rewards from the officers." "Good," said Edon. "I know Ofer had to be with many men in the last few years, but he had no choice. They all had a choice about whether to use a community boy." Kenan nodded. "Sergeant Edon, it may not be as many as you think. Lots of our training officers told us that we shouldn't use Ofer once we became privates. They said that real men considered it a dishonorable thing to do, since Ofer was mistreated by Jadon and not originally assigned as community boy."

Edon's jaw worked. After a moment, he thanked Kenan, and left. Kenan poked Tarin's tummy. "See, Tarin, the community is good! Now, roll on your back! We'll beetle!" Tarin obeyed, but he cast a look at Edon's departing back. Maybe fewer men had used Ofer, but the ones who did were the dishonorable ones. Ofer had still suffered and had had less comfort. Tarin wasn't sure about that idea of kindness. Kicking his legs felt good, though. Kenan laughed and taunted Tarin into keeping up with him. Tarin wished his feet were bare -his boots felt heavy doing this. Huh, he thought, running in boots might be why men were slow. He pumped his legs harder. He should practice. The room was getting noisier, and the younger cadets were shouting. Tarin stopped and looked. "Kenan! We have started something!" The two youngest years of cadets were cycling on their backs and roaring their songs. Tonight it was something about greasy gopher guts. As Tarin and Kenan watched, leg wrestling fights broke out and the floor of the gym became a heap of squirming, laughing cadets.

"Whoops," said Kenan. "Better help restore order, or certain officers may blame us. You stay here, Tarin." Kenan waded in to the flailing cadet limbs and started separating bodies. As soon as he had a few cadets calmed, he started shouting. "Cadets! We need a league. Let's get organized! Come on, teams of four and we'll have a tournament!" The already parted cadets cheered and set about breaking up the remaining fighters. "He's going to be a good officer one day," said Garrick sitting down next to his boy. "I hope he elects to serve as a hunter." "Cadets choose?" "Yes. They apprentice at fifteen and make specific decisions when they become private. Kenan has been in hunter-warrior for three years now. He'd be a good warrior too, but we have more need of hunters, really." "Who do warriors fight?" "Exactly," rumbled Garrick. "There are no enemies. The Mothers protect us, and we protect the community and wild boys. Wild dogs…" Garrick trailed off and flexed his fingers. "And crumbling buildings! But there are no battles." "Big stone thrower!" said Tarin. "Ah, Idris!" chuckled Garrick. "He has seen too many Before

Times ancient warfare divids! Last winter that was all we watched for weeks. Romans and Greeks and Celts." He tossed some of the jump beans up in the air with his finger and thumb and caught them in his left palm. "Still, the project committee said he can build his machine. The builder group candidates are always odd." "Jadon is builder," said Tarin, and sniggered. "Yeah," said Garrick, and snuggled up to his boy, and they watched the cadet teams leg wrestle for the rest of the open hour. Tarin tried to stay relaxed through the evening, but he was anxious about the next day. He was in with the hunters and warriors as they worked on maintaining their bows and arrows. Tarin sat at his man's feet with the task of working beeswax into bowstrings, while Garrick supervised some cadets as they fletched arrows. Most of the talk was about pigs and the hunt plans, but some of the older boys in the group would say 'peg' instead of 'pig,' and then stick their tongues out at Tarin. He knew he was being teased by older boys when they made their eyes wide about Preparation Day, but he had also seen Mart get fucked, so he had good reason to be antsy. The first day of oral training had been no fun, although, in hindsight, Tarin appreciated how kind, in their way, Edon and Kenan had been. "Cadet," said Garrick, "Identify which wing that feather came from. Left? Then why are you attempting a right helix?"

Tarin felt a funny glow listening to his man be gruff with the cadets. This was who he was being prepared for. He squirmed. "Shove over, Tarin," whispered Ofer. "Me and Aran are joining you. Linus is going to read to the group." Tarin wriggled around, and the trio of boys sat in the shelter of Beak-face's presence. "Looking after Aran," whispered Ofer. "Jonas asked me to help him, since I know what it's like to, uh, lose something." Tarin shuddered. His man's accidentally lost fingers caused Garrick enough anger and pride, so what must Ofer feel like? And to know his balls and toes were removed deliberately? Tarin couldn't imagine being Aran and knowing his own future maiming. Aran looked a little dazed. "Socorro has a special batch of honey suckers for him," said Ofer. "He makes them with the seeds he uses to brew the calm water." Aran smiled at them. "Feels like summer sleep." Ofer squeezed his hand. “Here's Lorn. I bet Linus will start reading now." Tarin gulped and averted his gaze from the major even as he wondered why Ofer had said that. He looked at Ofer, and his face

must have shown he was thinking. "Men forget I'm there, remember?" said Ofer, right in his ear. "But what do you know, Tarin?" Tarin shook his head. “Nothing. Shh, Linus is starting." He rubbed his sore wrist and leaned against Garrick's leg as he listened to more of the Hobbitses Story. Chapter Nine

Tarin slept badly: his toe hurt, and his man's beak was honking. When he did sleep, he fought the honor roll and tried to gouge out an imaginary neck lump from it. He was sure Perry cried out and wept again, but that could have been part of his dream. He rolled over and scowled at the boots filling his vision. "Bread time, already?" "Yes, boy." Tarin frowned. Edon's boots had snow on them. Tarin slid out of the sleeping bag and tiptoed out to the hallway before he fought his way into his boots. Huh, two sets of wet foot prints coming in. He stole a look at Edon. He looked well-rested.

"Prepared for your big day?" Tarin scowled. "Teased!" "It'll be fine," said Edon. "Really, boy." "Pft," said Tarin, and trudged across the quad. He was glad of the heat from the ovens and happy to perch on his stool. His big toe was tingly, and that was weird. He hadn't felt anything there for a while. Corporal Kass winked at him as he put the tub of dough onto the table. "Ready?" "Stop it!" huffed Tarin. Kass nudged him with his elbow. "Oh don't be so touchy, lad. Mind you, you won't sit so firm on that stool tomorrow!" "Leave him alone," said Edon, but he was laughing as well. "Um, sir," said Kass. "Your boy left his scarf in the warm room." "Oh Mothers," grumbled Edon, and stamped in there. He came out tucking Ofer's scarf into his pocket. He glared at Tarin. "Not a word, boy. Baker's privilege. We each take it in turns to sleep in the warm room and get some privacy. In exchange, we do the morning stoking. It's not forbidden, but we don't flaunt it. Other men with

warm duties do the same: Lorn sleeps with the incubating chicks most nights, and Helem is often in his forge." Edon looked hard at Tarin. "Last night was my turn. Certain people might make trouble about Ofer joining me though." Tarin opened his mouth, and, just in time, stopped himself from saying, "Does Linus sneak off to the chicks as well?" Instead, he said, "Well, I didn't see Ofer." Edon nodded. "Good lad. Now hurry up. We don't want the Mother Day loaves to be late." Tarin still didn't like Mother Day. Some of the Gratitude Songs were fun, but he was nearly always on the demerit list, and the mom chant still scared him. The Mother's Plea Book was useful though. He sighed and looked at his boots. Even if he did now have to wear socks and boots. Still, his Flower Toes would be good in the summer, if he could persuade Beak-face that his toes were safe. He worked on forming a Mother's Plea about Aran. He was pretty sure every boy's would be the same. Surely the Mothers would answer such a big and communal plea? The loaves were all baking, so he fed and stirred the yeast plant, and tried to ignore the thought that no doubt every boy, and probably many cadets and men, had made a similar plea for Ofer. Edon inspected his work and nodded. "Good boy. You'll be a fine baker. We can make pizza together next year, eh?"

Tarin grinned. "Have pizza with Ofer!" Edon laughed. "Sure, Lieutenant Edon and his boy Ofer will have a pizza party with Major Garrick and his boy Tarin." Tarin giggled. "Edon? You love Ofer? Like Jonas loves Aran?" "I'm not studying to be an officer for my health. Yes, I love Ofer. Don't go blabbing about love everywhere though, boy. This isn't one of your chicken flicks." Tarin frowned. "Not my chickens. Do I love Beak-face?" Edon laughed. "Well, that's for you to know, isn't it? I think you do, boy." He turned and shoved his long paddle into the oven and pulled out loaves. "The Captain loves you." Tarin sighed. "That's what I was worried about." His spine stayed still and silent. "Not helpful," muttered Tarin as he unloaded the hot loaves into the Mother Day basket. The meeting room was still an over-crowded place, and the cadets were still a dangerous herd as they swooped in together, but Tarin was resigned to the experience. At least he and the other new boys were at the back of the room along with Edon, Kenan, and Fat Cadet Micah. He could see his man's yellow head up near the front along with the other officers. Titus and the other senior officers paraded in. Tarin zoned out and followed through the motions until

the Plea book came around. As usual, Edon was the boys' conduit. "Let Aran keep his tongue," Tarin whispered into Edon's ear. He was sure the same plea was made all along the row of boys. Jadon was still involved in the ceremony and was as shouty as usual. It spoiled things, thought Tarin. Even if someone else did it, the shouty part was wrong. Tarin clenched his fists as the room swelled and buzzed with "mom" and the lights glowed as the pleas were sent and answered. "Approved requests!" yelled Jadon. "The kitchen receives another month of flour and a replacement jar of oil. The chickens are granted a supplemental delivery of grain." He stopped, his face turned even more thunder-cloud, and he crumpled the paper and stamped off the stage. Titus retrieved the paper. The room was silent. "Aran," moaned Jonas from the front row of officers. Titus shook his head. "The Mothers hear and accept the plea that Colonel Helem should take over as head of the builders and engineers, since Major Jadon has still not attained the rank of Colonel." The room whooshed with noise and chatter. Tarin shuddered. That was good news but not the right news. Aran was still in danger, and Jadon was going to be even more maddened, so Perry

was at greater risk. Titus' wrong-hair gleamed in the Mother Light, and Tarin knew whose plea had been granted. Scat, he thought, how do we know if the pleas reach the Mothers? Double scat, he thought, he was relying on the Mothers! The gratitude song had started, and the room bounced and sang. The singing was uncertain, but grew in strength as the stamping and shouting caught hold. The pleas for Aran may not have been answered, but no one seemed displeased at the appointment of Helem. He was stern about the rules, but he wasn't a Bad Egg. Titus moved to the front, and began the dismissals. The cadets barreled out, and then Titus dismissed the new boys. Tarin fought the urge to holler at the men as the one-band boys exited to jovial taunts and shouts of "Prep the peg!" Jonas and Aran joined them just after the two-band boys filed in. The five two-band boys looked subdued and gave the seven one-band boys glad-it's-not-us looks. "Relax, boys," said Jonas. "We still have the usual lessons." Tarin groaned. He'd rather just go ahead and be prepared. He had little enough tolerance for the Mother Day stories at the best of times. Jonas smiled. "Today will be a little different. My boy, Aran, has selected and will read the stories."

Stupid Cory made a protest squeak that was silenced right away by his cohort. "Sit in your circle, please, boys." It was a day of surprises -- Perry didn't scoot away when Tarin tried to sit next to his old friend. Tarin settled down with Kerr on one side and Perry on the other. Since Aran was reading, Tarin paid attention. "This is my favorite book," said Aran, and held up a big blue and gold book. The boys chattered briefly at the mere fact of a boy having a favorite book. "It is full of warnings," said Aran. "So listen carefully. They are hidden from men's ears in boys' stories because they are about men." Jonas smiled and nodded at Kenan and Micah. "The cadets will step outside. This is boy knowledge." Fat Cadet Micah looked as if he wanted to argue, but Kenan tugged him out. Jonas settled back in the chair and smiled. Aran opened the book and started to read. Daol and Damon, the dark twins, snuggled close to each other and muttered.

Tarin chewed on his Mother Day bread and honey and frowned as he listened to the story about a mother sending a little mother into the woods. That didn't seem fair when he had been made to come out of the woods. "Wait," he said. "What's a grandmother?" "A mother's mother," said Jonas. "Oh scat," hollered Tarin. "More of them!" Daol and Damon whimpered, and tugged at Tarin's arm. He listened to their twin babble, and then looked at Jonas. "The twins want to know if the Mothers really did send us into the woods." Aran nodded. "The Mothers sent us away." "Boy," said Jonas. "Don't embellish." Aran bit his lip. "The mother in the story sent the little mother into the woods." He carried on reading. Tarin folded his arms and listened. Kerr interrupted to clarify what a wolf was, and then they had to pause while Cory panicked about wild dogs. Tarin controlled his impatience. Cory had nearly died from the dog bite.

And then the story got really scary when the wolf ate the mothers. Tarin sat on his hands. He knew clapping at that bit was wrong. He saw Jonas smiling at him, and squirmed. When the woodcutter came in and rescued the mothers, Jonas nodded, and Tarin allowed himself a little honk-laugh as he imagined Beak-face chasing a wolf. Finally Aran finished the story, and looked at the boys. "Story about men?" said Cory. "Yes," said Aran, staring at Perry. The boys bickered for a bit about what it meant until finally Tarin snarled, "but the real wolves aren't in the woods." "Oh," said Kerr. "I get it." Kerr, Aran, and Tarin all nodded. Perry looked at his hands. The two-band boys muttered and looked scared. Cory sniffled and denied that he understood. "Scat-talker," said Tarin. "Of course you do. Daol and Damon do." The twins nodded. "And so do Carson and Orm," said Tarin pointing at the other

two-band boys. Cory tossed his head. "Men are good!" "That's scat!" Jonas turned his head, and began, "Tarin!" and then stopped. Tarin squashed a triumphant feeling. Perry had been the one to burst out with that. The boy sat there with his knees drawn up and his head down quivering. "Well," said Jonas softly, "let's have a happy song, shall we?" Tarin snuck his arm around Perry. Being right was no real fun when it was about something so wrong. "Ofer's foo-foo song," announced Aran, and started the singing. The song had become a hit in boy circles, and even some cadets had been heard to sing it. Tarin was sure he'd heard Edon whistling it one morning as they baked. Even though the song was a tease about him and Beak-face, Tarin joined in and roared the chorus. Just saying BOP was fun. Perry leaned into the hug and didn't move. Kenan and Micah were invited back into the room for the next story. Tarin knew that their absence was just to make boys feel

special -- he'd seen the cadets sitting on the floor outside the door listening to the tale just as intently as any fresh-from-the-woods boy. He couldn't hate Jonas for the lie. Cory and Perry had soaked in the message. He wondered if Jonas' spine had buzzed. "…just a little garnish would make the soup perfect…" said Aran. Tarin chortled. Next time Beak-face grumbled about the soup just being chicken water, Tarin could call it stony-soup and make him laugh. "One more song," said Jonas, "and then Micah will take the twoband cohort to their play time, and Kenan will escort the other boys to be prepared." Tarin and the one-band boys wriggled, but the happy clapping song distracted them for a few more minutes. The twins especially liked this song and jiggled together as they called out "Iko!" "Hey now!" shouted Tarin and stamped his feet. Fun! Even his toe tingled. Scat! He wasn't meant to stamp. Perry was joining in a little as well. Like most woodland boys, he had the trick of taking his safety and pleasures as they were offered, but Tarin could tell that Jadon was like a nasty fog seeping into all parts of Perry's world. "Bad Egg fart," muttered Tarin.

Kenan gave him a look. The song had ended, and Kenan was waiting for the boys to focus on him. He checked his clipboard. "These boys go with Micah." Tarin rolled his eyes. They all knew who was a two and a one band boy. "Cory, Orm, Carson, Daol and Damon, and Perry." A ripple of hope that perhaps Perry wasn't going to be a chosen boy was cut off when Jonas said: "Jadon has opted out of having his boy prepared." "But Idris said…" said Kerr and then bit his lip. "I know," whispered Perry. "Everyone says being prepared is the kind option. I don't know what else I expected." Tarin squeezed his hand hard. "Not all boys are prepared. Eloi wasn't. You can ask him?" He turned to Jonas. "Perry still gets private talk?" Jonas shook his head. "Only what Jadon chooses to tell him." "Mon--" started Tarin, and hastily changed the M-word to "Monster." "Come along," said Fat Cadet Micah, and bustled his charges

into a line. Tarin stuck his tongue out at the cadet's back. He still didn't like Micah, and he knew the feeling was returned. When Micah looked at Tarin, he would still stroke his cheek where Tarin's toe nail had sliced it open during his capture. Kenan smiled at the remaining boys. "Off to the bathhouse, boys. We start with a nice hot soak! Yes, Tarin, I know it's not bath day." The six boys splashed and dunked each other, and Tarin showed off his swimming with the two or three strokes the tub allowed. Kerr did his best to copy him and promptly sank. "Flavor leaves," cackled Tarin, waving some of the herbs that had terrified him so on his first day. "We want our boys to be fragrant," said Gideon, appearing through the steam. Tarin frowned. He hadn't been saying anything demerity, yet Gideon was there. That was unusual! Socorro was behind him with a tray of jars. Tarin gulped. He recognized it as the mix Socorro had called Boy Ease. He sloshed around some more but watched as Mart and Cale joined the others poolside. Mart was just wrapped in a towel. He was looking quite relaxed and was helping Socorro unpack another

box. The two were giggling, and Cale and Gideon were ignoring them. "Boys, you all know how to give water massages by now. Pair up, please and work on each other's legs and backs." Tarin and Kerr set to work. There was lots of pinching and splashing at first, but soon the three pairs settled into soothing and calming work. After a while, Mart, at his man's suggestion, slid into the pool as well. He moved from pair to pair adding rubs and offering advice on techniques. He also floated and relaxed in the center. Finally, he scrubbed himself off as well, and climbed out. Cale bundled him up in his towel and started rubbing him dry. Tarin wasn't quite sure when it turned into Mart sighing and squirming, but when his towel slipped off and caught on his cock before hitting the ground, it was quite clear that Cale had been playing with his boy. Cale kissed him, and Mart's cock waved in response. "Good boy." Cale patted his boy's rump, then placed his hands on Mart's shoulders and pressed so the boy knelt. Socorro hurried forward with some folded towels, and Mart moved onto them. Cale undid his own trousers, and his prick thrust out. All motion in the pool stopped as six pairs of eyes focused on how large Cale's cock was and how happily Mart was licking at it.

"Not as big as Beak-face's," whispered Tarin to Kerr. "Longer than Idris', but not as fat," replied his friend. "Hush," said Gideon. "Just watch and learn, boys. Come and line up along this side of the pool so you can see better." There was eager splashing and some elbowing, but the boys settled back down in a row. Mart was sucking the end of Cale's cock, and his own was bouncing a little as he worked. Tarin felt his own prick swell and lift his floating balls even more. "Pass me the Boy Ease," said Cale to Socorro, and Mart sucked harder. "Turn around, sweet slut. You know you have to let my cock go if you want your hole filled." Mart moaned but turned to be on his hands and knees with his rump facing his man. Socorro made sure there was a towel for Cale to kneel on as he placed the Boy Ease salve next to Mart's feet. Gideon sat on the edge of the pool and dangled his feet in. "Pay attention, boys. Look at how happy Mart's cock is. He is going to drip gift!" Cale reached around and rubbed his fingertips on his boy's wet cockhead. He teased Mart's hole with just a gift-slick finger. "That's not enough," said Socorro. "Your man will know that, but if you get overeager one day, do not forget and think a little man

juice or spit is enough to do the job. You need the Boy Ease. If you have none, make sure you find some goose grease or stick with using your mouth on him instead. It's hard to resist a cock in your ass, but trust us: no dry fucking." Cale hooked two fingers into the jar of Boy Ease, palmed his own cock for a moment so that it was covered in glistening salve, and then stroked Mart's hole. Mart tried to back onto his man's finger. "Mart," said Gideon, "is a true devotee of ass-fucking. It's one reason we use him as the training boy, but you will all enjoy it. Think about how gift feels when it shoots from you, and remember how my finger felt on the day you were processed." Tarin squirmed. His cock was so hard that it hurt. Gideon's finger had touched something in his ass, and his gift had flown out. "Now think about your man's cock," continued Gideon in a low voice. "Boys, put your hands on the bath side. You're not to touch yourselves." Tarin whimpered. A vision of his man's cock imposed itself over the scene of Mart on all fours, panting and pumping his hips as two of Cale's fingers thrust in and out of his hole. Next to him, Kerr had gone red in the face and was bouncing in the water.

Gideon smiled at the row of boys. "Don't worry, pretty fishes, you'll all get some relief. Once Cale has his cock deep in his boy, we'll see about helping you." The boy next to Tarin moaned and dunked his head under the water for a moment. Tarin couldn't stop looking at Cale's cock as it lined up its target and nudged at Mart's ass. In his side vision, he saw Socorro setting out more folded towels and jars of Boy Ease. "Mart," said Cale, grasping his own cock and sliding it up and down his boy's crack. "Tell the new boys what you want." "Your prick," groaned Mart. "Please fuck me, Cale. I need your cock in my ass. Deep!" He rocked his hips. "Don't deny me, please, Cale, please." "Good boy," said Cale, and eased his swollen cock head into Mart's ass. All the boys in the water groaned along with Mart. "Thank you, thank you," cried Mart, then obediently followed his man's order to stay still and let Cale set the pace. Gideon adjusted himself and winked at Socorro. "Perhaps I'll demo on you as well, boy." Socorro snorted, and jiggled a bag at his man. "After the boys

are prepped!" Gideon beckoned to Kenan. "Cadet, select two members of your cohort to be the first ones." Kenan grinned. "Not Twice-caught. You know how he acts up. Bandar and Ossie, out of the pool. Dry each other off. Don't touch each other's cocks." The two boys yelped but clambered from the pool and patted anxiously at each other with the towels. The room was still hot and steamy. The smell of the flavor leaves in the water hung in the air with the musk and Boy Ease scents coming from Mart and Cale. Kenan arranged the two damp boys kneeling on towels with their rumps in the air. Gideon nodded appreciatively. "Fine asses; there'll be some lucky officers on Candle Day." He pulled his feet from the water, and Socorro hurried over and dried them off. Gideon stood behind the two kneeling boys. "Relax, boys, it's going to feel good." Gideon motioned Kenan to stand in front of the two boys. "Just in case they panic and try to bolt," he said almost inaudibly. Socorro held an open jar of Boy Ease and the bag he'd jiggled earlier. "All starter sizes in there, correct, boy?" "Yes, of course!"

Gideon laughed. "Cheeky boy. I think I will fuck you in front of these boys in a bit." Socorro flushed. Gideon turned his attention to Bandar's butt, and soon Bandar was panting and whimpering as the Healer's finger probed and greased him. Mart was sobbing and rocking, and Cale was staying still. "Please!" wailed Mart. Cale laughed. "Ah, boy, I'm not going to finish until all those pretty asses are filled." Mart choked. "Gideon! Don't tease them! You have five more!" Gideon chuckled. "Bossy boy! I will plug at a rate pleasing to me and to your man." "Oh," moaned Mart. Tarin chewed his lip. Bandar was writhing while Gideon stayed still. Poor little Ossie looked frantic with anticipation and suspense. He was the only one in the room who didn't know what was happening to Bandar's hole. Gideon held out his hand, and Socorro dropped something into it. Tarin sloshed up in the water to see better, but it was already

sliding into Bandar. "Lady!" wailed Bandar. Then he shuddered, stayed still, and sighed. "So good," he crooned. Gideon stroked the boy's side and turned his attention to Ossie. Kenan petted Bandar and Ossie's faces through the process, and the boys rubbed their heads against him. Bandar's asshole was covered by a circle of something a few shades lighter than his skin. Kerr and Tarin conferred until Socorro signaled to them to be quiet. Tarin didn't know whether to be relieved or mad when Gideon ordered Jem and Jake out of the tub next. He and Kerr watched carefully and bumped hips under the water as their remaining form of comfort communication. Cale resumed actively fucking Mart as Kerr and Tarin climbed from the pool. The other four boys were in a dazed row with their plugged asses in the air and their pricks sticking out. "Kneel," said Gideon, and smiled at them. Tarin huffed as he realized he was last! Kerr next to him was gasping and squirming. Tarin still yelped as he felt the touch of Boy Ease and the Healer's finger. "Think of Garrick," whispered Gideon and in went

his finger. "Lady!" hissed Tarin and shut his eyes tight. His gift had nearly escaped. Gideon wriggled his finger a little, and Tarin groaned. A vision of Beak-face's knuckles had flashed by, and then to Tarin's confused excitement he imagined his man's part hand slipping in. "Mothers," moaned Tarin. "Don't shoot," ordered Gideon. "You're not even plugged yet." "Waugh!" wailed Tarin as Gideon's finger left and something fatter and longer took its place. He rocked his hips. "Stay still," advised Kenan. "There's a reward if you hold out." "Ergh," said Tarin. The room was quiet except for six boys suppressing groans and fighting the urge to shoot, and the happy grunts and roars from Mart and Cale. Kenan walked along the row of boys and tapped each boy's chin up with his boot so that they kept watching their friend get his ass pounded by a man. Cale was tormenting all the boys by withdrawing all his cock except the very tip, and then pushing back in so the root of his prick pressed against Mart's stretched hole. Sometimes he rammed and other times he inched it back. Mart's face was bright red, and his body was slick with sweat from the sex and the steam.

Tarin thought he felt a cool breeze rush through, but it was already gone. Gideon had jumped into the pool with his boy and was getting a water massage. Kenan supervised the row of boys. Tarin yelped. The thing in his ass had moved. It was pressing in and rubbing against what Gideon called his walnut. The other boys all squawked as well. "Hush," said Kenan. "We want you to like having your asses filled. You'll be allowed to come, but not through your own hands. Your officers are going to make you shoot so that your memory of getting your butts plugged is positive. Gentleman, your boys are yours to satisfy." "Hello boy," said Garrick, and Tarin felt his man's beard brush his shoulder as his ear was kissed. "You look perfect with your ass stretched. Better with your mouth filled as well. Turn round and get your mouth on my cock." Tarin bobbed his head up and down on his man's cock as his man slapped the flat of his hand against the end of Tarin's butt plug. If Tarin slowed his sucking, the gentle blows slowed too. It was wicked, thought Tarin, wicked of his man to put his own torment in his control. Tarin grabbed his man's thighs and worked diligently. His balls ached and bounced.

"Good boy," said Garrick, and stroked his boy's flank. "You're going to be so hot on the end of my cock. Where you were made to be." Tarin bucked his ass into the blows and tried to inhale his man. "Mothers," roared Garrick, and Tarin wasn't sure which of them was spattering gift everywhere. Everything was starlight. His own flew onto his belly, and his man's trickled down his chin. They fell forward in unison, and rolled so they lay, still entwined, on the towels. The plug was a different torment now that his gift was drying on his stomach. Tarin licked at his man's receding cock and eyed it with a fresh gaze now that he had a stretched ass. It was much, much bigger than the glimpse of plug he'd seen sliding into Bandar. He wriggled. The one in him felt massive, but then Gideon's finger had felt huge. He rested his head on Garrick's thigh and lazily took in the scene around him. Cale had grabbed Mart under the armpits and hauled him to the vertical as his shuddering boy's gift jetted into the warm air. Gideon was floating on his back in the pool with Socorro working at his Colonel's cock. The other plugged boys and their officers were in varying stages of collapse. Poor Kenan continued to valiantly patrol the room. "Cadet," called Gideon. "Permission granted to jerk off."

Kenan fumbled his pants open. "Stay that order," called Cale who was still rocking into his boy's ass. "Cadet, permission granted to fuck my slut's mouth." He paused. "With your consent, Gideon." "The cadet has earned it." Mart opened his mouth, and Tarin watched as his friend swayed between two cocks filling him front and back. "He likes it," Tarin whispered. "Oh yes," said Garrick. "He does. But you are my boy. No one else touches you except while you are being trained." "Or you," said Tarin. "I know," said Garrick. "Kill Second Boy." He laughed and ruffled Tarin's hair. "Territorial little beast." "Mine," said Tarin, and yawned. Chapter Ten

The peace ended in hollers from Socorro when he discovered Tarin's toenail floating past him in the tub, and from the boys when

they learned their plugs were staying in. No one met with any sympathy, but Tarin's naked toe was thoroughly salved by Gideon. "It looks excellent, Garrick," said the Healer. "The nail bed is nicely pink. I was worried that the combination of frostbite and trauma would mean the toe had lost circulation." "Tingly," said Tarin. "Still keep off that foot – the bone is still healing. And still in boots. We can't risk more foot injuries." "Feh," said Tarin. "Come along," said Kenan, waving his clipboard. "There's a special midday meal being saved for us." Tarin narrowed his eyes. The officers were all wearing a "we're not laughing" expression, and Mart and Socorro were suddenly busy with clean up chores. While Socorro and Gideon dried off, Cale and Mart took a quick dip, and Tarin and the boys dressed. Their officers stood in a cluster by the door and engaged in a conversation that resulted in lots of bellows, guffaws, and back claps. Tarin gave his man a glower as he eased into his trousers.

The idea that his bottom was going to stay stretched was not making him happy. He felt as if he needed the scat bucket. All the time. "What if I need to…" he blurted, and the other boys nodded. "Ask your officer or supervisor if it is during a shift," said Kenan. "He'll take you to the clinic, and Gideon will make sure you have it replaced after you use their bucket." "Or increased," giggled Socorro. "Indeed," said Gideon. "Officers, be sure to bring your boys back every other day for a size increase evaluation. We want to be sure everyone's Candle Day is a success!" Garrick took his boy's hand for their trip to the dining hall, and Tarin clutched it hard when the doors opened and there was a roar of "stretched bum!" accompanied by fists banging on the tables. Most of the community had finished their food and were clearly loitering to be able to tease the one-band boys. Tarin grabbed a tray and tried not to huff. It was important not to embarrass his man! "Mothers!" he hollered and banged his tray down hard. The server boy was offering him a nice bowl of carrot and

dumpling soup. Except… "Scat," sniffed Tarin, and took his bowl of carrots carved into cocks. "Eloi takes a whole shift to make them," chortled Beak-face. "He had some fine whittling skills." "For a butcher," said Gideon. "Aw, come on Gideon. He even made a slit in the head and that little line." Garrick sounded admiring. "I am amazed that he has enough of a sense of humor, though." Socorro grinned at his man. "Just because Eloi is a butcher instead of a medic…" Gideon growled and took his own bowl of soup from the boy. Tarin squinted. The men's bowls had regular orange crunchy chunks. "Men don't eat cock, remember," said Beak-face. The server boy protested that it was because Eloi could only make enough for the new boys, but the officers frowned him down. Tarin followed his man to a table. The whole mess hall was still full, even though their meals were plainly done. He was about to sit when he paused.

"Scat," he muttered. Corporal Kass' joke about the stool made sense now. Seemingly, the other boys had all just had the same thought. They all hesitated. Their men as well as Gideon, Socorro, Cale and Kenan seemed to sit down extra heavily. Mart smiled at them and sat down a little cautiously himself. "Sit down, boys," said Gideon, with too-broad a smile. "Butt on bench," chanted some boys from a neighboring table. "Traitors," muttered Tarin, and sat down slowly. "Waugh!" The chant picked up around the room, and one by one the new boys sat down next to their officers, and all groaned in turn. Each new ass on the bench met with a cheer. "I know, boy," murmured Beak-face, "undignity. Wait until next year, you'll be stamping your feet for your friends." Tarin snorted, but he suspected his man was right. He looked around to try and see Perry. As huff-making as this was, he felt bad that Perry was left out. He caught a glimpse of Jadon at a far table but couldn't tell if Perry sat by him. "No squirming, lads. Eat your cock carrots like good boys." Bandar and Ossie were rather enjoying themselves. They'd each

fished the largest carrot they could find from their bowls and were nibbling at them in a wicked manner. Their officers were squirming as much as their boys. "Such a display," said Eloi, swooping by as he left with Sten. Tarin had a dumpling in his spoon and ready to hurl before his aversion to wasting food kicked in. "Hey!" said Idris. "Stay still, boy. Let me look at your wrist angle." Tarin sighed. He was hungry for his rapidly cooling dumpling, but at a nod from his man he put down his dumpling, and demonstrated his spoon flick motion for Idris. If it helped Kerr get his man, he supposed he would help. It would be rotten for Kerr to be prepped and then not have Idris pass his officer-promotion project. "Said is just throwing rocks," he grumbled. "Like lost slingshot in the woods." Idris started scribbling on some Before Times one-side paper and just grunted. Tarin stuffed his mouth full of dumpling before anything else spoiled his meal. The carrot cocks were yummy as well, and Tarin rather heartily chomped one in half as he glared at Jadon's table. The hall had emptied out now that the community had had their fun

with the new boys. Most had made some remark as they passed the table, and Tarin's supply of "pft" was running low, and he was ready to holler at the next tease. By the end of the meal, Idris had negotiated with Beak-face to borrow Tarin for a few hours. Tarin huffed at the conversation but was pleased enough to be allowed outside and didn’t really mind showing Idris how his old slingshot had worked. "Don't read in Lie-Berry," he said to Idris. "Throw lots of stuff and learn." Garrick chuckled. "That's my boy." Chores were always light on Mother Day, and the freshly plugged boys were excused from duties to attend the private talk and adjust to their new experience. Tarin was disappointed. He'd thought the private talk would reveal mysteries and be somehow exciting, but it was Gideon and Socorro explaining details, pointing at charts, and giving him his own jar of Boy Ease. It could have been fun, thought Tarin grouchily, but Gideon made cocks sound like something from a book. After the private talk, Garrick took his boy on a gentle stroll around the quad. Tarin wanted to run, but he believed Gideon that his foot should be rested. Even the slow walk made the plug shift, and, by the end of one circuit, Tarin was adjusting his crotch and asking to go back inside to their quarters. Garrick obliged and

stayed patient as his boy objected to sitting on chairs, squatting on the floor, standing, and even lying down. "It doesn't hurt, does it, boy?" "No," snapped Tarin. "It's just wrong!" "Here, have a honey sucker, and we'll play jump bean. Kenan says you were good at it." "Beat him," crowed Tarin. "Cadet Kenan has not yet completed his strategy classes," said Garrick rubbing his beard. "I won't be so easy to outwit." "Pft," said Tarin, and narrowed his eyes at his man's opening move. Tarin lost his first game. His man was sneaky. Tarin pondered just how sneaky as he set out the beans for the next game. Perhaps Tarin shouldn't win as many games as he could. Men shouldn't know all boy secrets, just like he hid his speed and endurance from Kenan. Tarin frowned as he made a move. But this was his man! He deserved to be beaten by his boy. Tarin grinned and jumped a bean. "Scat," rumbled Garrick, and hunched over the board. Tarin beamed. He wouldn't hide his brain from his man. That

would be thinking his man was like Bad Egg. "Jadon doesn't like boys learning anything," he said as he watched his man set a trap. "Nope," said Garrick. "Kenan told me you nearly winged beans at him." "He's mean. Perry is afraid of him." Tarin moved a bean to evade the trick his man was playing. "I thought Perry liked him?" "Has learned!" said Tarin. He stared at the grid. "Aw, scat. Double trap." Garrick laughed. "The obvious trap isn't always the only one, boy." "Second mouse," said Tarin, accepting the loss of that bean, and sliding another into position. "Huh," said Garrick, and took a long time before his next move. By the time that they had to report to bundling, Tarin had finally won a game, but Garrick was smug about his five victories. He chuckled into his beard as they crossed the quad. Tarin stuck his lower lip out and muttered, "Men can read, men

have learned, but boys are smart." "Oh, Mothers, yes," said Garrick. "That's why we are careful about what you boys know. Some men don't even want you playing games." He paused. "But they are fools and don't know that boys sing and tell stories." Tarin chortled. "Men don't listen." He scowled. "Scat." Garrick squeezed his arm. "It's okay, boy. Those who hear, understand." He paused. "But drop a hint -- that means be suttle, boy -- to the older boys -- Mart or Socorro -- that telling their Lizzy Strata story will get them into trouble. I know they are trying to help Aran, but it won't work." Tarin blinked. "Don't know it." Garrick nodded. "I know, boy. They told it in their boys' meeting today while you were with Jonas and Aran." He paused. "Boy, don't you join in with their idea. They excluded the new boys on purpose, so at least respect that." Tarin turned and met his man's gaze before they went inside. "Will warn. Won't join in." He toyed with his braid. "Help Perry and Aran?" "The community has rules, Tarin. Good rules." Garrick squeezed his boy's arm. "But I will do what I can."

Tarin tried not to stomp into the gym, but rules were making him feel as if he'd bumped into a bee nest. "How do you know what they are doing?" he asked. "Where did they learn the story?" "Oh hush," groaned Beak-face. "Boy, enough with the questions. A little bird told me what went on in the boys' meeting." He shucked off his puffy coat. The gym was already warm. "And Aran told them the story before Shortest Day. He confessed to reading an ant-log about great books. Now, boy, please, I know you've had a big day, but tomorrow I am going on a hog hunt and I need to focus on plans this evening and get a good sleep." "La-la-la," said Tarin. "Bacon! Am good!" Garrick rolled his eyes and sent Tarin off to beetle back with Kenan while Garrick met with Vel and Lowell and the other hog hunters. Although his butt plug gave him several surprising moments through the evening, Tarin stayed out of trouble, and was already snugged up, waiting for his man at lights out. Beak-face wormed his way in to his side of the honor roll and gave his boy a big kiss. "Good night, boy. I may be gone before you are awake for baking, so give me another kiss!" Tarin poked his tongue into his man's mouth during their second kiss. "Don't get eaten by the pig!" He paused. "Or tricked down a

chimney!" Garrick laughed. "Oh, boy, I'm no wolf." Tarin grinned. "No, Beak-face is my hunter. Am Twice-caught!" Garrick and Tarin chuckled together in the dark gym, and entwined their feet beneath the honor roll.

***

It was strange waking up without a man in his squashy bag. Tarin rolled over. And even stranger having his butt full! He stretched and hoped Edon would arrive soon. This was too much weirdness all at once. He dozed in the gray light and was more than ready by the time Edon cracked the door open and beckoned. He'd spent all the time dream-worrying about his man being tromped on by a pig and being unable to warn him because he had a big carrot in his mouth holding down his tongue. The kitchens were busier than usual, and Edon was grumpy about the cooks being there early. They were bustling around talking about pies and sausages and pork and jowls and ribs and

feet and… Tarin shook his head and pushed at his dough. It was too much. The men were waving paper around and sending the scullery boys dashing around for ingredients and pans and setting the kitchen boys to chopping and prepping. Eloi swirled by holding a big knife. He had a light in his eyes. Edon snorted. "Tarin, you'd better hope your man brings home that pig. Look at all this fuss. Eloi has never butchered anything so exciting. He's bored with deer, he says! And the cooks are already arguing about which cuts they get." Tarin shrugged. "Garrick will bring home the bacon." He shaped a loaf and felt bad for the pig. It was going to die, and the whole community was happy. He sighed, and then he frowned. "Killing pig, Edon? Not catching? Not a mother trap?" Edon nodded. "The officers discussed it, Tarin. Pigs don't have eggs like chickens. They are like deer. You catch and eat them." Tarin nodded. He didn't know why he felt strange. Pigs were animals, and Tarin knew animals were delicious! It must be because of the stupid divids confusing him. Making bread was not peaceful with lots of men and boys jostling around him. Eloi was sharpening a knife and glaring. Finally,

with a rattle of ear hoops, he actually addressed Tarin, demanding to know when the big table would be his. "Kneading space," said Tarin. "Chopping block," replied Eloi. Tarin stuck his chin in the air. "Bread is here now. No pig!" Edon came by and nodded at Eloi. "The baking is nearly done. I know you are impatient to plan out the pig cuts, but you have time enough." Eloi sighed. "The right cuts have to be imagined first! I don't just hack!" "I know, boy," said Edon. "It is an art." "And a science," added Gideon, as he arrived with Helem. Tarin huffed and started handing the trays of bread rolls to Edon. Why was everyone in his space today? "Eloi," said Gideon, "Helem and I would like to be the ones to carve up the pig head." Eloi frowned. "Titus and Sten know," rumbled Helem.

Tarin tried not to snigger at the sight of the two Colonels sweet talking a pheasant-strutty boy. "But why?" said Eloi. "The tongue," said Gideon having the grace to lower his voice. "We want to practice." Helem nodded. "We know the blood flow won't be the same, but I want to take the head to my forge and see how my hot irons seal the wound." Tarin dropped his last baking sheet of rolls, but Edon didn't rebuke him. Eloi gulped, but then said, "Well, don't spoil the cheeks. Cook has plans for the jowls." The whole morning was strange. Having breakfast without his man showing up was odd, and Tarin was at a loss for a task until Idris came and found him. Idris didn't talk much to a mere boy, but Tarin enjoyed the chance to throw things without being scolded. Tarin showed Idris all his different wrist flicks and angles and explained his slingshot as best he could. "Miss having it," he said. "Could get rabbits and squirrels." He paused. "And a groundhog! Oh and a goose!" He beamed. "Once, a duck when it started to fly!"

"Hmm," said Idris. "I wonder how I can scale that up?" He frowned and shook his head. "Show me your spoon thing again, boy." Tarin obliged, but wondered what cadets actually learned if they couldn't fling anything across a room with a spoon! How could someone about to be an officer not know this? That, he decided, was what happened when you had manners! He picked up an acorn and zinged it across the quad. "Oh scat," he said, as a noise like ice cracking bounced back. "Mothers!" groaned Idris. "Well, I'm responsible for you, boy. I'll report to the building and engineers about the broken window. Come over and see what the damage is." "Went too far," muttered Tarin. "Arm is stronger!" Idris nodded as he escorted Tarin over to the window. "All that civilized food, boy." "Kerr is friend," blurted Tarin. Idris blinked. "Well, uh, good." "Good," repeated Tarin and then stared back across the quad. "Pig!"

Idris turned and looked as well. The hunters were jogging to the center of campus, and Vel and Lowell had a big beast slung from a pole carried between them. Kenan and Micah followed with a big bag between them. As Tarin watched, Garrick peeled off and jogged away to the gym, Kenan and Micah toward the chicken rooms, and the others continued to kitchen building. Idris laughed. "All right, boy, let's go and see what a pig looks like." Chapter Eleven

Tarin stared at the pig. He didn't feel right. It was sprawled on his baking table. Eloi was circling it with his knife and reached out every so often to move a limb. The cooks poked and prodded. Tarin looked around. None of the hunters were there. Huh. When they arrived with deer, the cooks always plied them with hot treats and drinks. Deer were good, but not rare, so why were the hunters not hollering and hooting and accepting rewards and telling tales about the pig hunt? "I need to gut it," said Eloi. "The hunters didn't field dress it. Kitchen boys! Hang it up in the scullery. Corporal Lowell, will you help me please? I'm not as experienced with large animal guts."

Tarin snorted. Eloi was all polite to men now he needed something, but at least he was honest about his experience. Sergeant Vel nodded at the Corporal. "Go on lad, I'll go over and finish the report with the Captain." Tarin squinted. Lowell looked pale. "I should be there," whispered Lowell. "It was my fault." "Did something happen?" asked Sergeant Edon. Tarin held his breath. He'd seen his man return, but he could still be hurt. Vel grimaced. "It didn't go quite as planned. We'll tell you after Titus advises us." He turned to Lowell and clapped his back. "We'll face it as a squad, Corporal. Eloi, hang your hog. I'll send over another hunter to help you. I think you need to skin it as well or something. Have a man check the books. " Vel and Lowell left, and Eloi flounced a little, but then disappeared into the scullery to keep inspecting his pig. Tarin stared in dismay at his baker's table. Blood and dirt! Edon laughed. "This is why we scrub it each morning, boy. Who knows what the cooks have done during the day?"

"My table," muttered Tarin. Edon snorted. "You're becoming a baker all right, boy, but it's not your table. Not even mine." "Community," sighed Tarin, and set about scrubbing the table. He may have finished baking shift for the day, but he wasn't leaving his table in that condition! Edon stuck around and escorted Tarin over to the gym. "I want to know too, boy." The duty officer directed them to where the meeting was taking place, but suggested they not interrupt. Tarin and Edon sat down on the bench outside the room. Tarin stood again right away and sighed. "Woof! That was an angle." He gave Edon a rueful look. "Will be worth it?" "Yeah, boy. You've seen Mart, and you know you like your man's cock." Tarin nodded and paced the hallway. "Why do hunters need to meet with Titus?" "Tarin, you know exactly as much as I do."

The door opened, and Titus strode out. Tarin opened his mouth, but Titus was already moving fast. Tarin stuck his head in the door. His man was staring out of the window, Vel had his head in his hands, and Lowell was biting his lip. Tarin had never seen a man cry, but Lowell looked very close to tears. "Leave them alone," said Kenan from behind Tarin. He and Micah looked grim and marched on in to join their squad. Tarin turned to look at Edon, and they both shrugged. The men in the room stayed silent until Titus returned carrying a sheet of paper. He gave Tarin and Edon a distracted look as he passed, and he shut the door. "Scat," said Tarin, and tried sitting down for a bit. Titus stuck his head back out. "Sergeant, please summon Major Lorn, and send the boys Cory and Ofer to wait in the chicken rooms. And let General Sten know that there will be an emergency delivery from the Mothers. He needs to go to the western drop site in two hours." He frowned at Tarin. "You may as well come in, Tarin. Who knows what mischief you'll get up to on your own, even in a hallway." Garrick was sprawled in a chair now. He looked as ill as when

he'd first lost his fingers. Tarin knelt by his feet, held his hand, and kept quiet. His man petted his head a little and sighed. Titus ran his hands through his wrong hair. "Well, gentlemen, it's a bad business. The Mothers are displeased, but they are helping us. They've answered the emergency plea I sent. There's nothing to be done except to carry on. Squad, you will make an atonement plan and present it to the committee by the end of the week. You will give Major Lorn any assistance he requires in addition to your shifts." "Of course," said Garrick. "Sir, I led the squad. I should take the blame." "Indeed," said Titus. "But your men have already asked to support Corporal Lowell by having it be a squad issue." Titus smiled. "Captain, you and your men are a loyal team. I can commend you for that, at least." Major Lorn burst in to the room. "Seriously? General, really? This is fantastic news! Well done Garrick! We'll be able to…" He stopped and took in the faces. "Oh." Tarin twitched with impatience. Lorn began again. "What happened? I thought the mission was to hunt pig. I'm glad it changed--" Titus cut him off. "It was, but we had misunderstood the

Mothers' intentions. As we had deduced, this was a Mothers' Gift, not a wild pig, but they intended us to capture it, not kill it." "You killed it?" groaned Lorn. "You mean the piglets you delivered to me are orphans? Oh Mothers!" The squad hung their heads, and Lowell wailed, "I killed a mother!" Tarin's mouth hung open. "Pigs are mothers?" "Shut up," hissed Garrick. "You'll make it worse." Tarin squashed a huff and listened as Sergeant Vel told Lorn how the pig had rushed at them. They'd been surprised at how soon they had found her and how close to the campus she'd been. "We're not used to prey coming at us! Deer don't!" "And I couldn't see the piglets," whispered Lowell. "Of course not," said Garrick. "She was protecting them. You didn't know." Lowell shook his head. "She was tame! Traveling to us to find food and warmth. Not a wild pig. And we scared her." Fat Cadet Micah chimed in. "You did the right thing, Corporal. Why should it be different than a deer hunt? You'd have been hurt if

you hadn't fired. It was a great shot." "She wasn't wild," mumbled Lowell. "She was a gift. And we don't shoot does if their fawns are still spotted." "Enough," said Titus. "It's done. The Mothers are sending us special piglet food so they can be fed without their mother -- Tarin, don't ask! -- and Lorn, I am assigning you two extra boys so that they can be cared for. Ofer will now be shared between you and the library, and Cory between you and the laundry. The scullery workers have had enough of him. Lorn, the hunter squad will help you adapt some of your building area to a pig home. Garrick, please have all the pig books you checked out sent over to Lorn." "Mothers should send structions with gifts," suggested Tarin. Garrick's slap was a little sharper than an affectionate swat, but he tempered it with a grumble about boys needing to be what came with instructions. Titus nodded and added something about it being hard to tell whether boys were gifts or tests, so no wonder pigs had confused them. Lowell and Vel were looking a little less gray, and Garrick sat straighter. "Come on, men, we'll make sure we look after these orphan piglets as well as we look after our wild boys. The Mothers have forgiven us many things, and they'll help us through this."

Titus nodded. "Dismissed, gentlemen." Tarin kept as quiet as he could through the day. Away from his squad, his man brooded and frequently stared off toward the woods. Tarin was bursting with questions about whether the pig used to be a human mother and was transformed like in the divid or if it had said la-la-la and why it was making the men sad when killing deer made them happy and when they had planned to kill the pig when they had set off. "Mothers make everything wrong," he groused to himself as his man heaved another sigh. "Told Titus pigs were people like in divid." "Boy, whatever you are saying, be quiet, or I'll make my atonement involve celibacy." Tarin shrugged. "Means no gift sharing," clarified Garrick. "Honor roll all the time!" "Scat!" said Tarin. The whole community was already grumpy and frustrated with bundling. Men with boys were spending their off duty time freezing in their quarters to get some privacy during the day hours, and cadets were always being rousted from bathrooms. A few men seemed to enjoy making a game of having adventures in odd places,

but the fun was growing old. Ofer had confided in Tarin that he was so relieved not to be a communally available boy anymore. Last year he'd been pulled into more classrooms than he could count for quick and often rough fucks and sucks. He'd sighed, and said he didn't like to remind Edon of it, so he couldn't even express his gratitude for how much better his life was. Tarin and all the new boys had learned fast to peek around a door before entering even if they'd already knocked. The night times might be honorable, but days were full of secrets. "Celibacy sounds stupid," said Tarin firmly. "And won't help orphan pigs." He frowned. "What is an orphan?" "Something with no mother," said Garrick. "Like me!" said Tarin. "No," said Garrick. "Something with a dead mother." "Got no mother, so can't have a dead one," replied Tarin. "Mothers die?" Garrick snorted. "Of course they do, boy. Everything does. You've seen plenty of dead things." "People don't," said Tarin. "Never seen dead people." Garrick paused in his restless pacing. "Neither have I, boy, but it

must happen. Like we are with the Mothers before we are here, Titus thinks we go back to them. But we don't know. It's never happened." "Huh," said Tarin. He didn't like this conversation. It was reminding him of when his man went shopping in the mall. "Like being eaten by a monster. Back with the Mothers. Was I dead?" Garrick blew his cheeks out. "I think they stopped you from being dead, boy. Now please, stop talking. You're right that the atonement should help the piglets, so let me think about it." Tarin huffed. They had their precious private hours and all his man was doing was sulking. Tarin went into the icy bedroom, rolled himself up in the covers, squirmed until he found a tolerable position for his plug, and tried to nap.

***

The day stayed heavy and strange. The mood at dinner was unsettled. Some were excited about the pigs, others disappointed that it wasn't served that day, and others upset about the Mothers' Gift being killed. The hunter squad and their boys sat together in one part of the gym and were silent. They ate only bread and vegetables. Tarin wanted some chicken, but he took extra happy

lumps instead to show that he cared about his man. After dinner, the hunters did their best to join in evening activities. The cadets were over-excited and were rebuked at one point for chasing each other around the gym in a mock-hunt. Edon had to bellow at them, and finally sent them outside to run sprints on the quad. Gideon groaned as they hurtled out. "Scat! Socorro, get some water heated and salves ready. You know they'll still play hunt out there and someone will come back with a bloody something." Edon shrugged. "Cadets are beasts, Colonel Gideon." Lorn came in looking dazed from being buffeted by the cadets in the hallway. Titus had him come over to the hunters and others to make a report. Lorn sat down and all but bounced. He babbled about the piglets, and Linus frowned at him. Tarin watched carefully. Lorn was usually grouchy and focused. Today he was cheerful and almost scattered. Linus saw Tarin watching and flapped his hand. "So," interrupted Titus. "The piglets are safe and feeding well?" "Yes, all four. Three females and one male. Ofer and Cory are snugged up with them and feeding them." Lorn paused. "I don't really need more boys, Titus."

"Yes, you do. Daol and Damon can't be pig boys as well as chicken boys, and they can't be on barn duty all the time even if that's what they're happiest doing." Lorn reverted to his usual grumpy self. "We have a routine. Teaching two new boys…" "Is part of your job," snapped Titus. "And the piglets need care." "For the piglets, then," said Lorn. "But those new boys…" Tarin saw Linus' fingers twitch as if he wanted to flick Lorn. "Cory and Ofer will be good for Daol and Damon," said Titus. "They are still not communicating like civilized boys, and you've made no progress on getting them to work apart. I'm becoming concerned about their placements with officers." Lorn scowled. "They're good boys. They just like chickens and each other." "Well, they'll have to like pigs and at least two officers," said Titus with one of his friendly-stern smiles. "I'll do what I can," said Lorn. "I should get back. Lieutenant Linus, I have some of the pig books ready to go back to the library. Some of the ones the Captain had are primarily hunting ones. Perhaps you can come and get them and save me a morning trip?"

Linus nodded and stood. Tarin smothered a snigger. That was a pretty thin excuse. Lorn glowered at him and tapped his own wrist. Tarin snorted. Edon had stood up and announced his intention to join them so he could see how his Ofer liked being a pig boy. Tarin rubbed his bruised wrist and tried not to smirk at Lorn and Linus as they left with the sergeant. Lorn was lucky, thought Tarin, that Garrick hadn't seen his boy's bruise. Tarin liked both Lorn and Linus -- they were both grumpy and snicketty about their jobs, but Tarin couldn't really hold that against them. Nonetheless, he would not have even tried to hide their secret if directly asked. Cadets burst back in, hollering and waving some bloody rags, Gideon and Socorro gathered their supplies, and the gym returned to its normal chaos of scuffles and industry.

***

Two days passed with no new surprises. Tarin and the new boys grew resigned to the increasing girth of their plugs, Garrick and the hunters became less morose as they figured out an atonement plan, Cory and Ofer were exuberant with their new roles, and the cooks were planning a feast for when Eloi declared the pig meat was ready. To the community's disappointment,

preparing a pig was a long process. The scullery boys had spent a miserable day under Eloi's directions scalding and scraping hair from the pig. The cooks were already doing scary things with all the innards and promising that sausages and pies would be worth the wait. Eloi was requisitioning all the knives he could find and had bargained with Helem for one of his armorers to be on duty in the kitchen to sharpen for him as he pieced out the pig. Helem agreed, since Eloi had kept his promise and already delivered the pig head to the forge where Gideon and Helem had spent a gruesome morning removing its tongue. Gideon and Helem's apprentices had dentistry practice on the jaw and then returned it to the kitchens. Aran and Jonas were even more withdrawn and spent a lot of time in their cold quarters. No one officially complained, but officers muttered to each about how disturbing it was hearing Aran singing. Fewer officers chose to spend their off-duty time in the Officers' Quarters. The unhappier Jonas looked, the more his brother strutted and bullied his way around the gym and quad. Perry was paler every day and his cries at night were harder to ignore. Jadon kept his boy close to him, but the other boys took every chance they could to comfort Perry or slip him a treat. Ofer let them know he'd learned through Edon that most men regretted voting to reinstate Jadon. Tarin lay on his back and beetle raced. His foot was nearly better, and Gideon said that tomorrow he could do some walking

circuits of the gym. His butt plug shifted constantly and made his cock bounce inside his trousers, but his brain was working furiously about all the problems and mysteries. He was almost glad his brain was so busy -- it meant Candle Day anxieties could be ignored just a little bit longer. His spine gave a buzz just to assert itself. Tarin huffed. That was another thing! He'd spent the morning with a new man, Sergeant Emerson, who was intrigued by his two bumps. The project committee had approved his idea for studying Tarin. Garrick had teased his boy in private and called Emerson an eager beaver for working on his officer project so soon, but he'd allowed his boy to be poked and prodded and questioned. Tarin had not enjoyed it at all. Emerson had ordered him to lie so he could observe his reactions. Tarin had finally shouted and yelled and panicked. His spine had been buzzing, and it was horrible, but he was freaked about what mistakes and truths he might say. He didn't know what his spine wanted anymore, and the idea of Candle Day was tearing his brain. Emerson had seemed quite happy to document Tarin's panic, and Garrick had finally intervened. "My boy needs a break! He takes his honor seriously." Garrick glared at Emerson. "Unlike some men, my boy finds lying and dishonorable behavior repellent. And distressing." Tarin gulped and gasped. He wasn't lying with his reaction, but he was making his whoops for air a little bigger than they had to be.

"I know," said Emerson. "That's what makes him such an interesting specimen. It's so curious, especially combined with his ability to cross the boy boundaries." Tarin moaned. Why couldn't men forget that? If his spine won on Candle Day and he left, then he didn't want men tracking him. His spine zinged harder than it had in a long time, and he gave Emerson a resentful look. Emerson was oblivious to Garrick's growl about "specimens" and burbled on about what usually happened to boys at the boundaries. "For example, when Ofer was found he was unconscious. He'd made it about ten feet further than any other boy, but he was still out cold. When we practiced last year with that community boy, Hollis, before he became Sten's Second Boy, he was crying after a few steps and wouldn't carry on. Your Tarin didn't seem to even know he was outside a barrier when you met him by the lake." "Enough!" said Garrick. "I don't care for this project. I regret giving my consent. After Candle Day, Tarin may, if he wishes for a trip, go with us to the highway barrier. Otherwise, I think you have enough to work on." Tarin beetled his legs faster. His spine felt warm with the memory of Beak-face's protectiveness. He squirmed. And his butt plug felt assertive! He had no idea anymore about why his spine wanted him to leave or why he was trying to fool it. He just knew it

was important to not disgrace Garrick on Candle Day. "Hey, boy," said Garrick, and sat down by his boy's head. He gave Tarin's braid a friendly tug. "Want to play jump bean? There's time for me to beat you before evening tasks." Tarin snorted and rolled around on the bench to sit astride it facing his man. He yelped as his plug shifted and then wriggled to tease Garrick. "Should play with raisins and honeysuckers and eat the losing ones." He grinned. "See how hungry your boy is to win!" Garrick chuckled, and Tarin beamed to see his man happier. Since the hunters had figured out their atonement, they were slowly recovering. They'd vowed to gather acorns for the pigs that year, since Lorn said they were a pig treat. They were also going to build an outdoor enclosure for the pigs for the warmer weather. The engineers said that would be harder than it sounded, as pigs were diggers and escapers. Titus had also announced that the hunters would not be allowed any of the pig meat from their hunt, but Tarin suspected that was a kindness in disguise as sternness. He wasn't sure he wanted any. Pigs might be people. The hunters might be happier, but the other officers were increasingly bad tempered. Even the kindest of ones were snapping at their boys and snarling at cadets who got in their way. Tarin frowned. Winter was hard, and bundling sucked. And it just went on and on. There had been fresh snow just last night. The torment of the delays over the promised pig meal might be the reason for

some tempers, but Tarin suspected it was being inside that made men insane. It wasn't natural. "Winter passes, morning comes," piped Ofer as he passed by an officer who was snarling at a tangled rope net. "Shut up, you no-balled pig-boy!" Tarin's mouth dropped open. Everyone was nice to Ofer these days! Even if he was ridiculously happy to be a Library stack mule and pig boy! Ofer shrugged off the insult and trotted on to deliver some hot honey water to Edon. "What's going on?" Tarin said to Garrick. "The Lizzy Strata," snorted Garrick. "It won't work. Titus won't reverse the decision, and it will just end with boys being beaten." Tarin gulped. He'd forgotten to pass on that hint, but he doubted it would have made any difference. "Still don't know what it is." Garrick rolled his eyes. "The boys with officers have made a pact. If Aran is to lose his tongue, then no man is going to get the benefit of boy tongues." Tarin frowned. "Oh! No mouth gifts! Even committee boys?" "Yes, even Eloi. Helem says if they mean it, then they should also stop talking as well, but that would be a bonus for men!"

Once again Tarin thought of how misleadingly friendly Helem's belly looked. His boy, Matok, seemed fond of him, though, and was always making him little presents from deer hide. "Pft," said Tarin. "Helem would miss his boy saying how nice his man's cock is!" Garrick laughed. "Indeed he would. He likes his little Matok's chatter." "Boys can say no?" asked Tarin. It had never occurred to him to refuse Beak-face, he realized. Not even on that first day in the ravine. He'd stabbed Beak-face to escape from being caught by a man, but he'd greedily shared gift with him. Garrick paused, and then said "Sort of. They -- you -- can refuse a man's cock but it will earn a refusal demerit. Of course, an honorable man doesn't cause a boy to say no in the first place or even issue a demerit if he's misread his boy's mood or needs." He sighed. "But Lizzy Strata is going to cause some demerits soon, boy. And if it becomes a battle of wills, there'll be some Mother Day beatings." "But how will boys win?" "They can't," said Garrick, his good mood entirely gone. "The theory is that their men will stay honorable and not beat their boys but will persuade Titus and the committee to change Aran's

punishment." Tarin looked around the gym. Everyone looked bad-tempered except for the youngest, oblivious cadets. The whole community was affected by the lack of officers' cocks being sucked. "The men won't ask," said Garrick, "because they know the committee won't change the sentence." "Scat," said Tarin. "Can't swallow Beak-face gift anymore." "Aw, Mons-Mothers," said Garrick. Chapter Twelve

"No," said Mart, "Tarin, you and the new boys are not part of this. You're not even meant to know about it! Who told you?" Mart glared around at the other boys gathered together by a bottom bleacher under the pretext of a grab bean contest. "Not them," said Tarin. They all shook their heads. "Who is the traitor?" hissed Mart. "Garrick told me," said Tarin. "He's not a traitor! He wanted me

to warn you that it wouldn't work." Mart snorted. "Oh, Tarry, you haven't changed! You're told something won't work, and you try to do it!" "Matters," said Tarin. "Boys stick together. Don't let men catch us." His eyes felt hot. Mart had let himself be caught so that Tarin could have his last year in the woods. And Aran had done the same thing for Mart. Tarin had done it for Stupid Cory, but he'd got himself caught anyway by trying to betray Tarin. "Matters," he repeated. "Anyway, already told Beak-face last night that I am a Lizzy Strata!" He grinned at Mart. "Have a demerit for licking honeysucker and not him!" "Mothers," said Mart, laughing even as he frowned. "It's not funny, Tarin." "I know," said Tarin. "Serious. And Jadon ignores the honor roll. He hurts Perry at night." The boys all nodded. "We need to save Aran and Perry." "Perry has the choice still," said Mart. "Tarin, one boy at a time, okay? And do not, Tarin, NOT, involve the other new boys. It's not fair. They are still learning their men and have their innocence. There are going to be beatings soon. Some of us are on our fourth demerits, so if we refuse one more time, we have a beating

tomorrow." Tarin shuddered. "With the knotty rope?" "Yes. Or if we really piss off the committee, we may end up on the punishment post." "Scat," said Tarin. His man had softened him up too much. Tarin had almost forgotten his terrifying day being dragged through the locker room, hung in a shower, beaten in the Officers' Quarters' recreation room, and threatened with the punishment post where any passing man could use his mouth. "Yeah," said Mart. "Tomorrow is not going to be a good Mother Day." He sighed. "Well, the whole thing will be out in the open when the demerit list is read, and no one can pretend they don't know then. Simeon says he thinks Titus is preparing a statement to make, and Matok and Socorro say that Helem and Gideon are ready to, uh, to, well, they've planned and practiced enough. They are moving some clinic materials to the forge tomorrow after the meetings." "And beatings," said another boy glumly. "I know I'll get one. My Captain is out of all his good temper. He's asking to get sucked every time we are alone just to make a point, and he gives me a demerit every time." "We have tongues to say no," said Mart.

"And we will say no!" whispered back all the boys in a fury. The group broke up in a scurry as a sergeant strolled close. "Grab bean!" babbled boys as they scattered. "What are you revolting boys up to?" said Titus wryly as Tarin skittered to a halt in front of his man and the General. Tarin shuffled his feet as Garrick dutifully chuckled at the joke. "Teasing, boy," said Titus. "I know about Lizzy and that you can't lie. You don't need to answer. I'm here to visit you and Garrick to make sure you are both ready for Candle Day. Tomorrow is the last Mother Day before your choice." Titus patted the bench between him and Garrick, and Tarin sat down. "This winter has been unusual, but, Tarin, I know your man and civilization are right for you." Tarin stared at his feet. His spine wasn't doing anything, and his brain was thinking too fast. Garrick coughed. "Tarin," said Titus softly. "Don't let this Aran business upset you. You are seeing the community in a difficult situation. This is not usual." Tarin shrugged. "What about Ofer? And Perry?"

"Again, Ofer was unusual. And Perry has a choice." "Choice!" said Tarin. "What choice? What happens if he says no?" "The formal option is between your man and the woods," said Titus, "but boys don't say no." "We have tongues to say no," whispered Tarin, and then yowled as Titus back-handed him hard. Tarin clutched his face. "Will you visit Perry and make sure he is ready for Candle Day? Will you listen to him? Not unusual. There's the same Bad Egg in all three. He should be…" "Be quiet, boy," said Garrick, but he had his arm around Tarin. "General Titus, my boy is insolent, and he has just earned another demerit, but until his punishment reaches community and committee levels, I will be the one to discipline him." Titus stood up. "Quite so, Captain. I apologize for touching your boy. Now, I will be on my way to visit all the one-band boys." Tarin sat next to Beak-face on the bleacher for a few minutes. Neither of them spoke, but his man's arm stayed around him. Tarin felt the weight of men and boys watching him. "Jump bean," said Garrick after a while, and Tarin nodded. They played a few games in silence.

Tarin won the third one but didn't crow. "Tarin, talk, boy. Don't deny me all your tongue!" Tarin cracked a little smile. "You're more to me than your mouth on my cock," said Garrick. "You're my boy. I like your company. The things you say and do. The trouble you cause. Your cold feet at the bottom of the honor roll. Your ass under my hand when I spank you." He sighed. "If you never suck my cock again, you'll stay my boy." He jumped several of Tarin's beans. "I like you when you lose and when you win. So listen, boy, be honest on Candle Day. And be careful with the Lizzy Strata." Tarin nodded and sprang a bean trap. He wanted to crawl onto his man's lap and push his face into Garrick's yellow beard, but he was well aware that a good portion of the gym's population still watched them after Titus' blow. Just before powerdown, Jonas and Aran came into the gym and lay down in their bag. No one commented that their honor roll was not in place or that they were blatantly avoiding the community hours. Aran looked more and more like a Lady Night Boy every day. He didn't talk much but would suddenly blurt out long speeches or would sing a sad song. He held Jonas' hand as much as

he could. No one made him show up for shifts but accepted he would be by Jonas' side. Only Bad Egg had made a crude remark about it not being as if he was going to die, and besides a silent boy with no tongue would be peaceful and would let a cock slip down nice and easy. The ensuing brawl had rebroken Jonas' nose and given Jadon a black eye to complement his cauliflower ear. Tarin snuggled in with his man. "Like you, too," he whispered as the generator thunked out.

***

Morning, Edon, and the baking came far too soon, and the fresh snow made the morning dash across the quad worse. Tarin was sure the buildings trapped the wind and snow. Edon gave Tarin a few sideways looks but said nothing. The Lizzy boys were treating Ofer as if he were a new boy, so he was officially out of the pact. Tarin had no doubt that Edon knew all about it, even if Ofer had been protected from knowledge. It was possible, thought Tarin, Ofer spent all day with the pigs and Stupid Cory or else in the Library with Linus, and Edon certainly hadn't told him. Tarin was sure Ofer would be a Lizzy Strata if he knew. "Pig at midday meal," said Edon after a while. "Finally ready.

Good Mother Day treat." "Yeah," said Tarin, twisting a few fancy rolls from leftover loaf dough. "Good Mother Day." Edon sighed. "Be careful, Tarin. There's a lot of good you could be losing." He took the tray of loaves and expertly slid them into the oven. "Ofer has seen the worst, but now he's on the brink of happiness. He's not a community boy in any way now. He loves his piglings and the library, and I know I will be his lieutenant. Can you trust us and the Mothers? Aran will be all right." "Ofer still has no balls," said Tarin, "And how will Aran be all right?" He thumped down the next batch of dough. "It should be Bad Egg suffering." "Can't argue with that," grunted Edon. "But boy, none of us are in charge, and we work with what we've got. My boy will never get his balls back, so there's no sense thinking about it, is there?" "Aran still has his tongue," muttered Tarin. He and Edon worked in silence until the bread was ready and they toted it to the meeting room. The meeting was subdued. The cadets shouted and yelled as usual, but many boys stayed silent during songs, and the men were lackluster in their responses. Jadon was bristling on the stage, and his shouty list of demerits went on and on. Every boy was on it

except for Ofer, Aran, Cory and Daol and Damon. The other new boys must have picked up some non-Lizzy ones, thought Tarin morosely. Even Eloi, Simeon, Socorro, and Matok were on there. Tarin couldn't remember a committee member's boy ever having a demerit. Even Second Boy had one. Titus held up his hand at the end of the list. "There are two announcements: One, Aran's punishment procedure is ready. It will be performed tomorrow so as not to interfere with Mother Day's rest or to infringe on the Candle Day celebrations. Two, there will be no Mothers' Plea today. Both because I know what it will be and have vetoed it." He nodded at Aran, and Tarin felt overwhelmed with hatred at how kind Titus looked and at how weirdly calm Aran was. "And because the Mothers granted an emergency plea earlier in the week." Tarin heard Corporal Lowell groan from somewhere in the men's ranks. "We are still grateful, and there will be a Gratitude Song for the Mothers’ care, the bread we eat, and for the commutation of demerits." There was a rustling in the boys' ranks as they speculated about what that meant. "Two boys will be chosen by lot," said Titus. "They will be flogged and left at the outdoor punishment posts for a day and for any man or final-year cadet to use. The other demerits will be erased." He paused. "Any demerit for refusing a man earned after this meeting will be an automatic beating or locker punishment."

"Scat!" bellowed Tarin. "Bad Egg idea!" Titus' jaw clenched. "Gratitude Song," said Titus. "Then the whole community will meet on the quad." Tarin sat down instead of standing for the Gratitude Song. "Foot hurts," he announced, but then the whole row of new boys copied him. Tarin tossed his head. They may not know about Lizzy Strata, but they knew what community meant. Sergeant Edon did nothing, but he was only mouthing the Gratitude Song. All the other boys were silent and the men's voices sounded odd alone. They certainly did not sound grateful. The cadets had finally caught on, and their song lacked its usual foot stamping energy. "Dismissed to the quad," shouted Titus. Tarin drew in his feet. The cadets still thundered out, even with a change in routine. Instead of the usual order, men started finding their boys to walk out to the quad with them. Tarin took Beakface's offered hand and held it tight. "I will be chosen." Beak-face shook his head. "It will be random." "Pft," said Tarin. "I feel it!" "They can't," said Garrick. "You still have your innocence, and when they punished you for blasphemy that's what saved you from

the public post." "Oh," said Tarin. "Titus remembers?" Garrick snorted. "Oh yes, boy. He remembers everything about you." The cold air whipped around in the quad, and the fresh snow was rapidly churned up by community all stamping around. Tarin shuddered. The cold of the punishment post might be the truly dangerous part. Jadon had his scat-eater grin on and was shaking a deerskin bag. "Gentlemen," called Titus. "The bag has the names of all boys on the demerit list who have lost their innocence." Tarin heard Bandar and Ossie moan in relief. It would have been unfair, thought Tarin, for a new boy to be chosen, even if he had earned some sort of unrelated demerit. He shook himself. The whole thing was unfair. "Don't do anything," hissed Garrick. "Please, boy." "Aran," said Titus. "Please draw out two names." "Waugh," said Tarin as Garrick's big left hand muffled his mouth.

"I know, boy. That's a cruel scat-eating thing to do. But no one will be able to say there was any favoritism involved if he pulls the names out." Aran seemed to have shaken off his daze from earlier, and he plunged his hand in, and pulled out two slips of paper. He defiantly held onto them and read them himself. "The sacrifices are Hollis and Socorro." He tossed the papers to the ground and stamped back to Jonas. Tarin wanted to applaud him, but he was overcome with shock. Both names were the boys of high ranking men. "Come forward, boys," ordered Titus. The crowd patted Second Boy and Socorro as they stumbled forward. Both boys had their heads high. "No man will touch them," reassured Garrick as Tarin twitched under his hand. "Bad Egg," managed Tarin under his man's hand. "They will be guarded," said Garrick. "I guarantee it, boy. An honorable man will stay with them at all times just in case a cadet doesn't understand the issue." Jadon was looking like his gift was shooting in his pants as he

marched the boys to the post where Helem was waiting. "There's no need to grab them, Jadon," said Titus. "The boys are behaving." Helem was gentle as he bound the boys' wrists and prepared to hook them up. "Wait!" A boy's voice quavered but was loud over the quad. Simeon hurried forward. He was shivering, but he knelt down in the snow between Helem and his brother. "You'll have to do me, too." He stared at his man. "Titus. I'm sorry." "So be it," said the General after a long pause. "I cannot allow rebellion simply because it is from my own boy." "I didn't expect you to," said Simeon. "Sorry, Helem," said Matok, and squeezed in by the post as well. Tarin gasped. All the committee boys were at the post either as a sacrifice or as a protest. Except one. There was a clatter of beads, and Eloi swept by. He stood next to Second Boy and frowned. He tapped his boot toe. "Oh, sorry, Eloi," said Second Boy and quickly scuffed a patch of snow clear.

Eloi tossed his head and knelt. "Thank you, Hollis." Garrick removed his hand from Tarin's mouth and allowed his boy's cheer to echo around the quad. "I told you Eloi looked after Second Boy." There was silence on the quad. The committee stared at each other and then at their boys. Jadon stamped around. Titus shrugged. "We will wait. Helem, stand aside. Our boys will tire of their display soon and get cold and hungry. If we must, we will have the midday pig meal here in front of them." Tarin muttered "Mother-licker," and Garrick did not rebuke him. The crowd broke up into small muttering groups, but no one left. "What will happen?" asked Tarin. His man shrugged. "Boy, I have no idea. The committee won't give in." "I don't think the boys will either," said Tarin. "Do you think Eloi has ever not got what he wanted from Sten?" Garrick laughed. "But this isn't wheedling, boy." Tarin shivered. "Cold. No coat."

Garrick put his arms around him. "We're not leaving to get coats, boy. Not while your friends are freezing." Tarin snuggled back against his man and felt all the warmth he needed. The standoff continued, and the kneeling boys started to shiver violently. Titus snapped his fingers and ordered the cooks to start bringing out food. "Hot pork sandwiches for all," he commanded. "Except for the atoning hunters and the boys at the post." The crowd groaned, and then burst into applause as several more boys marched to the post and knelt down. Garrick chuckled. "What?" said Tarin. "Ah, boy, you missed it. They all asked their men for permission to join in. They all received it as well." "Can I go?" "No, you are exempt, remember." "Can still go!" "Just wait," said Garrick. "If they are still there after midday meal, then you can join them."

Tarin sighed. He felt like a weasel to be here with his man and not with the boys. He looked around to see who was where. He frowned. Edon was standing alone, but Ofer wasn't with the boys. He couldn't see Cory either. He tugged his man's sleeve and asked. "Piglet duty," said Garrick. "They are over in the livestock rooms with Lorn." Tarin squashed a snort. Kiss-ass Cory and grumpy Lorn would be funny together. Perhaps he could ask to visit the pig room and see it. Ofer was almost as in love with what he called his piglings as he was with Edon. He drooled. What was that smell? Rich and juicy, and better than hot deer? A kitchen boy shoved a warm sandwich into his hand. The Mother Day loaves had been generously sliced and filled with meat. "Pork," said Garrick, averting his eyes. Tarin heard his man's belly growl. Tarin stared at the sandwich. It was best thing he had ever smelled. "La-la-la," he said sadly and handed the sandwich to his man. "Don't want it. Dead mother. And Aran's tongue." "Mothers," moaned Garrick, looking at the forbidden flesh. He

handed it to Edon. "Save it for Ofer." Edon rolled his eyes. "I doubt my boy will eat pigling either." All through the crowd, boys were handing their sandwiches to their men in imitation of Tarin, and a steady trickle of boys headed to the post to join the kneeling protest. "Is after meal," said Tarin. "Can join in?" "Yeah," sighed Garrick. "Go on." Tarin took a step forward and fell flat on his face. There had been a splosion! He rolled over. Splosions were just in divids! He flattened his hands against the ground and moaned. Not real! He opened his eyes. There was fire shooting from the sky by the chicken room. "Lorn!" Linus dashed by, his face distorted. "Lorn! O, Mothers!" "Stay here, boy," ordered Garrick. "No arguing. Let the men do their jobs." He turned and surveyed the crowd. "Squad! To me! Fast march! Master Sergeant Idris -- form a water brigade, Sergeant Edon, coordinate getting the new boys out of the way and into the gym." Garrick set off at a jog towards the fire with his men behind him. Tarin scrambled up. "Ofer!" He looked at Edon. "Edon, I will

get the new boys inside. You follow Garrick. Find Ofer!" He paused. "And Cory!" Edon only hesitated a second about which of the orders to follow before disobeying Garrick's. He ran to the fire. Tarin scurried off and found Kerr. Between them they marshaled the one- and two-band boys into the gym. Eloi and Simeon had the older boys lined up and following. Socorro had already sprinted to the clinic in Gideon's wake. The younger cadets were rambunctious in their fear and were shouting about monsters arriving and what they would do to a Dee Septy Con if they saw one. Tarin huffed but understood that they were more scared than the boys. The youngest cadets were so little, he realized, suddenly seeing them as the same age as new woodland boys. He turned to reassure Daol and Damon, who were wailing. "Chickens," said Daol managing an intelligible word. "And chicks," whimpered Damon. Tarin bit his lip. He wanted to say something kind, but they had all seen and smelled burning feathers floating down. He patted the boys and threw a squashy bag over them so they could bundle together. "Garrick is there," he said. "He will make it as good as it can be."

Some final year cadets came in to supervise the gym, but no men arrived. Tarin suppressed the urge to vomit. The foul scent drifted in each time a cadet came and went, but there was no line of sight to the outside. A roar! Edon, Kenan, and Micah burst in, carrying a coughing and choking mass. They rolled the sooty heap onto the floor where it wriggled into Ofer and Cory each clutching a wet writhing chicken feed sack. Ofer and Cory sat up and wheezed. Tarin hurried over with two beakers of water. Ofer gulped gratefully and then burst into tears in Edon's arms. Cory had no one to comfort him, so Tarin huffed and put his arm over Cory's shuddering shoulders. The bags squirmed, and Tarin jerked back as a funny pink face stuck out. "La-la-la!" he said as four piglets discovered their freedom and began to gallop around the gym. "My smart, brave boy," said Edon, holding Ofer close. Cory nodded. "Ofer put them in wet bags and held my hand so we could get out together." He scrubbed some gritty tears away. "It was loud!" Tarin squeezed him. Even Stupid Cory deserved some comfort, and he had been brave as well, especially for a weasel boy.

The cadets were distracted from their acting out by the piglets, and Kenan set about having the cadets focus on not simply chasing the poor pigs, but on building them a corral and herding them into it. Slowly, men began to join the boys in the gym. The fire was out, Lorn was at the clinic, and a squad was searching the building and investigating the explosion. The surviving adult chickens were being moved to a classroom. Jadon and a crew were starting to assess damage and make sure the structure wouldn't collapse. Idris came over. "Daol and Damon? Your chicks are all right. The incubator room wasn't damaged." The boys simultaneously wailed for the dead chickens and nodded happily over the chicks. "Thank you, Idris," said Kerr, giving his man-to-be an under the eyelashes look. "That was kind of you to let them know." Idris sighed. "Lorn was worried about his twins. He likes his funny paired boys. He insisted I find them and reassure them." "Is Lorn okay?" asked Tarin. "He's alive," said Idris. "And talking. Linus is with him." There was another awkward silence as everyone remembered Linus screaming Lorn's name and running to the building.

"He knew…" began Kerr. "Don't ask me…" blurted Tarin. Edon and Idris folded their arms, and the boys both shut up. "If you are asked during the inquiry, speak then," said Edon softly. "Until then, I think they have enough troubles." Nearly all the men were back, and Titus, Sten, and Helem were holding an emergency council. Different crews were already making sure the gym was in order, and the cooks had even reassembled the meal, and an assistant healer was dosing Daol and Damon with some calm water. Cory and Ofer were still coughing, but once they were wiped clean of soot, they proved to have no burns, only bruises and scratches. "Pigling hooves," said Ofer. "Scared little beasts kicked us through the bags!" He beamed proudly at his charges who were being petted by the youngest cadets. Kenan came by with a clipboard. "Head count, boys. We need to make sure everyone is accounted for. Master Sergeant Idris, General Sten has asked if you would inventory the men, and Sergeant Edon, the cadets." Kenan looked at each boy and made check marks. "Where is Mart?" "He is preparing a bath for the search crew to get the smoke off

them, and his two bathhouse boys are clearing up the water bucket brigade," said Kerr. Kenan made three marks. "And Matok?" "He is helping with the new chicken run." "And Aran?" No one answered. Kenan frowned. "Boys? Where is Aran?" "I don't know," said Tarin. "Scat!" said Kenan. "I've checked all the other boy groups, and he's not with Jonas." The buzz grew and spread through the room. Where's Aran? Where's Aran? Chapter 13

"Where's Aran?" Titus' morning inquiry to the community at breakfast had become ritual after only three days. No one knew. They really didn't. Garrick had lost his temper when Tarin was directly questioned for

the second time. "You know my boy can't lie. He doesn't know. He's as worried as anyone about his friend." Garrick had jutted his beard at the question squad that Titus had appointed to solve the mystery. "Want him safe," added Tarin, which wasn't a lie, but wasn't same as saying he wanted him found. The squad at least had the decency to not ask Jonas the question. Jonas was doing nothing except work. He paced the quad a little on his way to and from meals, but he was pulling double, even triple, shifts, and sleeping, he said, behind the Infer Desk. Titus had tried to make him come and sleep in the gym, but Jonas had said all the company made it worse. Titus had finally given him permission to stay in the library with a patrol lantern after Jonas had argued that his boy might find his way to the library if he were lost and confused. Garrick and his squad had searched all around the perimeter of the community and found no tracks. Tarin was relieved. He'd whispered to his man to not look too hard. If Aran had chosen to run during the splosion confusion, then Tarin hoped he was safely away in the woods. It was Aran's choice. But it was a mystery. Aran really was gone. He'd been nowhere near the explosion, but the squad had still combed the wreckage of the chicken run. There was nothing there except dead chickens,

smashed eggs, blasted grain, splintered wood, and peeled open copper pipes. Titus' wrong-hair flopped as he sat down at the senior officers' table. Tarin almost felt bad for him. Yesterday, the General had proposed a truce -- that the boys stop the Lizzy Strata with the understanding that it could be resumed if Aran returned, and in exchange he would expunge all the last week's demerits with no boy penalties at all. Although the boys had no leader, one by one their men let it be known that they were assured of their boy's acceptance of the deal. There were more smiles and chuckles between boys and men than there had been for a while. Mart winked at Tarin. "It's sparked quite a few conversations between boys and their officers. I think more things will change around here this spring. Little things, but I already know that Matok is going to be allowed to make jewelry after hours in the forge!" Tarin snorted. "Yeah, and Eloi is going to be boys' advocate on the committee. As if that will help!" Mart laughed. "Baby steps, Tarin." "No such things as babies," grumbled Tarin. Mart grinned. "You'd be surprised. Eloi is a superior snot, but he knows how to get what he wants -- whether from his man or a committee. And he does protect Second Boy."

Tarin sighed. He had to admit the splosion day had surprised him about several people. Not his man, of course; he had always known his man would run into danger to help, and that Ofer would protect someone -- or something -- weaker, but Eloi had been loyal to boys when he had no need to do so, Cory had been brave, and most intriguing off all, Linus had revealed his heart. Tarin poked at his shredded chicken and happy lumps. There had been chicken for every meal since the splosion. All the pig meat had been taken back to the kitchens until the dead chickens were used up. He and Edon had tried to discover what the cooks were doing with the pork by exploring the kitchens while their bread baked, but they still had no clue. All Eloi and the cooks would say was that there would be a Candle Day feast and some surprises later, but that they should forget about having fresh pig. Titus had announced that given the delay and their firefighting, that the hunters' no pork atonement was lifted. Chicken for breakfast felt wrong, and Tarin couldn't quite convince himself that it didn't taste of smoke. "Eat it, boy," said Garrick, plopping onto the bench next to Tarin. He winked. He and Tarin had enthusiastically declared their Lizzy truce just before community hours began yesterday. Tarin winced as his man's weight sent vibrations through his ass. The routine had returned enough to normal that Gideon had increased his butt plug size. He had, at least, also cleared Tarin for

gentle exercise again, and Tarin would resume his running after Candle Day. There was always a thorn with good berries, thought Tarin, because it also meant he could be stack mule again. It would be nice to work with Ofer, but the Library would be weird without Aran. He chewed some chicken and potatoes. Yum! Chicken fat made happy lumps even better. Sort of crispy and… Tarin stopped thinking and ate. Oh, the Library. It would be even stranger with Jonas living behind the Infer Desk and Linus moping around. "Is Linus a boy?" he asked before his spine could buzz. Garrick had to be banged on the back hard before he could answer. "No," he wheezed. Garrick drank some honey water and coughed more. "Mothers, boy, what makes you ask that?" "Lorn," chimed in Mart. "We all heard Linus shout." No," insisted Garrick. "He just cares about Lorn. His friend. His comrade!" Mart rolled his eyes. "Well, all the boys agree, Captain!" Tarin gulped, but considered that his man's question meant that

finally someone had asked him, and he could tell. "Saw Lorn kiss Linus in the stacks." "Really?" purred Gideon, inevitably arriving behind Tarin. "Well, that explains Linus' devoted bedside manner." He beckoned to Titus. "Twice-caught, repeat what you saw for the General." Garrick gave Tarin a disappointed look, but Tarin told the story of what he was not supposed to have seen in the stacks. Titus nodded. "Well, it explains why Lorn has been reluctant to claim a boy. And why Linus is refusing to leave the clinic." He rubbed his head. "Mothers! Something new every day." "We'll convene a committee after Candle Day," said Gideon. "We can consider Lorn's punishment for requisitioning extra chicken grain to make moonshine as well as destroying community property along with his and Linus'…" he frowned and groped for a word. "Perversion." He gave Garrick a quick nod, too. "We can pronounce on Captain Garrick's whole and healthy status, too, although since he has brought back pigs and led the explosion containment team since losing a hand, I don't think we really need to argue." "Will catch fish, too," pronounced Tarin, and beamed. "That'll do, boy," said Titus. "You should be focusing on your Candle Day. Tomorrow is Candle Day Eve!"

Tarin, for once, took the path of discretion. He shut up, lowered his eyes, and focused on his crispy potatoes. They were really, really good. The mood in the community was one of suppressed excitement. Candle Day might not be as exciting as Shortest Day, unless you were getting a boy or a man or being promoted, but, explained Ofer to the new boys that evening as they played grab bean, it was also the day when the Mothers told the men how much longer winter would last. "It could be ten more Mother Days," groaned Mart. "Or fewer!" said Ofer, happily. “The snow might be gone in eight!” "Pft," said Tarin. "How do they know? Silly." Ofer frowned. "It's not silly. The Mothers let us know how soon to plan starting seeds for vegetables. You won't complain when you have your first tomato." He looked dreamy. "Perhaps I can be a gardener again! The library is all right, but I loved making things grow." Tarin snatched the grab beans since Ofer wasn't going to take his turn. He tossed them and chanted the scurry rhyme. Mart and Ofer skooshed closer. "Um, Tarry," said Mart. "Do

you have any Candle Day questions? Tonight, the men let us gossip!" Tarin shrugged. "I say yes or no, then Garrick puts cock in my bum." Ofer gasped and snorted. "Oh! Tarin, it's more than that! You become truly his!" Mart patted Ofer. "Don't forget, Tarin has been Garrick's for a little longer. He might still have his innocence, but he knows his man better than other boys." Ofer nodded. "Boys should all be so lucky! They might not make my mistake." Tarin dropped the beans and turned to focus. "Candle Day question: what if Perry…" Ofer picked up the beans and rolled them in his palm. "Tarin, I don't know. But I hope." Mart and Tarin both nodded. "Can we Lizzy for Perry?" asked Tarin. "I think we've used that one up," said Mart. "At least for a while, or perhaps until we find Aran and make sure he keeps his tongue."

"Huh," said Tarin. "Wish Jadon had been sploded." Ofer clapped his hand over his mouth to muffle his mirth, but eventually he had to ask permission to step into the cool air of the quad. Edon gladly escorted him, and as they left, Mart and Tarin heard Edon start to guffaw as well. "Not that funny," said Tarin. "I think if you are Ofer and Edon it is," said Mart. "Listen, Tarry, Candle Day Eve isn't much fun, but use it to think about what you want." "What do you mean?" "You'll be on your own, Tarry, for the first time since you were caught. You'll spend the night thinking, and in the morning they will ask you to choose. It is a real choice no matter what some say. True, for most of us, it's just about appreciating what we are gaining." Tarin frowned. "Mart, I get it." He took his friend's wrist. "Mart? Innocence matters?" "Mothers," gasped Mart. "Garrick didn't--" "No!" said Tarin, insulted on his and his man's behalf. "I hear Perry crying at night. And Jadon makes a lot of noise. I just wondered…"

"Hmmm," said Mart. "If only we knew a laundry boy." He stared hard at Tarin. "You do know that you all get clean bedding for Candle Day?" Tarin scrunched his forehead. "Oh, for the Lady's Sake," snapped Mart. "We need to get Cory to give us Jadon's sleeping bag." "Oh," said Tarin. "You'd better ask him. He's skittish about me." Mart nodded. "Okay, but if I find evidence, will you show it to the committee?" Tarin grinned. "Try to stop me!" "Powerdown in fifteen," hollered Bad Egg. Mart and Tarin spat in their hands and ground their palms together. "Gift promise!" They grinned and then dashed off to their men's squashy bags. Tarin was shameless in trying to make his man reject the honor roll that night, but he was proud his man resisted. He'd have been disappointed if his man had betrayed his standards, and besides it was fun tormenting each other. Candle Day Eve started off no differently than usual. Tarin and

Edon worked in the dawn light on bread, Tarin served his shift as stack mule with an almost mute Linus and a disconsolate Jonas. Then, instead of his off duty time with Garrick, he was diverted to the baths. The other two-band boys were there as well, even Perry. Mart pointed them into the hot bath, but wouldn't talk. He just shook his head when Tarin tried to ask questions. Tarin shrugged and jumped in the pool. Hot water! Luxury! Gideon appeared in the steamy swirls of mist along with Socorro and Mart's bathhouse boys. If the boys tried to talk, Gideon ordered them to be silent. Soon they obediently fell silent and simply floated in peace in the fragrant hot water. One by one each boy was beckoned from the water, massaged with good rosemary-scented oil, his butt plug upgraded, and then led away. Tarin tried not to care that he was last by taking the chance to swim a few precious solitary strokes in the tub. All the boys and attendants had gone by the time he was summoned. Gideon attended to Tarin himself. Tarin moaned. Gideon was more expert than any boy! His fingers pressed deep into Tarin's back and butt muscles and wrung whimpers from Tarin's resistant will. Tarin whined as the old butt plug widened his ring and then left him empty. He lifted his rump for

the new one, and murmured in welcome as the new one slid in. "Tarin," said Gideon. "Listen, you're going to spend the night alone, just thinking; you'll be safe and warm. In the morning, you'll be taken out to the quad and offered your choice between Garrick and staying with a civilized community or leaving back into the wild. Do you understand?" "Yes," said Tarin. "But does Perry--" "Be silent, boy. Tonight is about you." Tarin struggled for a second as a soft cloth covered his eyes, and then his wrists were loosely bound behind his back. "You can break free if you must," whispered Gideon. "It's just symbolic. Now walk into the next room with me." Tarin stumbled a little, but Gideon led him away from the pool and helped him kneel on something soft. A warm blanket was bundled around him. He could smell some smoldering herbs. The space felt serene, and he was dimly aware that the other new boys were there as well, all kneeling blindly and thinking in the same space. Trust men to think alone just meant no men. It was warm, safe, perfect. "Tomorrow," said Gideon.

And it was tomorrow. Hard hands pulled him from his safe place, stripped away the blanket, and dragged him out into the cold crystal air. The dark was stripped away and he was kneeling in the snow. Naked. Except for the butt plug. In the quad. Blinking in the bright light. He squinted. All around him were men, but leading to the gap in the buildings and the way to the woods was an open path lined by men. Tarin looked around wildly. Where was his man? Where was his yellow-bearded beak-face? Titus stepped in front of him. "So, twice-caught Tarin, what do you choose? The woods? Or civilization?" Tarin panted. He looked over his shoulder. There was a simmering pot of stew. He hadn't eaten since mid-day meal yesterday. Huh, he thought, in the wild, one good feeding each day

was living well. Where was his man? He moved his head more. There was Socorro holding a big warm squashy bag. Tarin moaned. Food and warm wasn't why he rejected the woods. Luxury wasn't what he traded freedom for. His spine buzzed at him. "Choose," said Titus, and pointed behind Tarin. There was his man! "Garrick!" wailed Tarin. "Choose!" He stumbled, naked, through the snow, to his man. All his ideas of waiting in order to tease his man were gone. His spine stood no chance. It zinged at him as he ran, but he knew who he wanted. The world was dark again and then light. He was in the squashy bag, held by his man, and tasty hot stew was being spooned into his mouth. The men were roaring their approval. "My boy!" said Garrick. "My boy!" Tarin gulped some food and struggled upright. "Hush," said Garrick. "The others are still to come." Tarin leaned back. Food, warm, and his man. Hmm, and outside! He was sleepy and hyper-alert all at once. Focused and floaty. Like waiting for a jump bug or fish to just be in his hand.

"Yours," said Tarin. "Oh, yes," said Garrick. "Look, it's Kerr's turn." Tarin blinked. "Idris is lieutenant?" Garrick chuckled. "Yes, we did the promotions this morning while you boys were still in seclusion." Scat, thought Tarin, what was wrong with his awareness? He should have noticed that it was afternoon already. "Big rock throwing thing?" Garrick muffled a laugh. "Shhhh, watch Kerr choose." Tarin watched his friend not hesitate for even a second before he dashed over to his man. Garrick took the minute of applauding and shouting to tell Tarin that Idris had presented a working model of his throwing machine, and that the promotion committee had accepted it. "Although," whispered Garrick. "If it had been a normal week, I think the board might have bounced it back for more work, but they are also the ones investigating the fire, so they are distracted." Tarin nodded. He wanted to sleep. He floated through Bandar and Ossie happily choosing their men. Something seemed unfair

about the choice. He yawned. It was nice to be snuggly after being naked and cold. The crowd fell silent. Jadon had taken his position. "Colonel," said Titus, stressing the title, "do you undertake to protect and care for the boy Perry?" "Asked you?" hissed Tarin. "Yes," replied Garrick. "Titus asked all the men. You're not paying attention." "Woozily," said Tarin. "Bring out the boy," ordered Titus. Garrick checked Tarin's forehead. "You're okay. The meditation smoke is still in you." "What?" murmured Tarin. The outside air was making him hazy instead of waking him up. "Oh, hungry." Garrick spooned some more stew into his boy. "Shh, here's Perry." Perry was shaking even before his blanket was removed, and he moaned when his eyecover was pulled off.

Tarin forced himself to focus. Why were there no other boys watching? "They're inside," said Garrick. "Hush, Tarin, you're talking, not thinking. Your friends are watching from windows." Titus took a deep breath. "Perry, do you choose the woods or civilization?" Perry swayed on his knees and took several ragged heaving breaths but said nothing. "Choose," said Titus pointing at Jadon. Perry stood up and took a faltering step towards Jadon. "Bad Egg," blurted Tarin and then yelped as his man swatted him. "Don't make me demerit you on Candle Day," said Garrick. The crowd of men roared. Perry was running, naked, and hollering down the path of men and towards the gap leading off the quad. "No!" he screamed. "Mothers!" said Garrick.

"Woooh!" hollered Tarin. Jadon took a few steps after his fleeing boy but then stopped. Titus walked to the spot Perry had run from and looked down the aisle of men. "Gentlemen! Candle Day Emergency Protocol." His voice carried, and the men at the end of the quad took several paces toward each other. "Scat eaters," screamed Tarin. "Close up!" ordered Titus. Perry wailed, and tried to dodge through the narrowing gap, but he was surrounded by a circle of men. "Said real choice," hissed Tarin at Garrick, struggling free of the squashy bag and standing naked in front of his man. "Men lie!" Perry was carried back, held high above the men's heads. His chest heaved and his breath was whistling with effort. A few men shook their heads, and Tarin took a grim pleasure in seeing that Perry had pissed on them. Tarin swatted at Garrick, who was re-bundling him in the squashy bag.

"He did choose," said Garrick. "We never said you would be returned to the woods." "Hate you. Unchoose you." "Be quiet, Tarin." Garrick held him tight to stop him fighting. "Tarin. This has never happened before, but the rules say we don't reject a boy who says no to his man. He is still civilized." He furrowed his brow. "I remember that the protocol book says we care for him until he is found a suitable man." Tarin panted for a moment. "Not Bad Egg?" "No, not Jadon. A boy never has to be with a man he has not chosen. That's the choice, Tarin. The woods part is symbolic." Tarin snarled. "Bolic!" He kicked his man. "Should tell Perry no Jadon." Poor Perry had screamed himself hoarse, but he was still bucking and fighting. The men were merely controlling him, realized Tarin, not hurting him or fighting him. Garrick coughed. "Yeah, that's a good idea, boy." He paused. "You tell him. He won't hear a man." Tarin squirmed out of his man's grasp and strode naked into the melee of men.

"Put my friend down!" He elbowed a man and repeated himself. Enough men heard him and were startled enough to obey that Tarin could reach out and pull Perry from the others. He caught Perry's face in his hands and looked into his eyes. "Perry, it's me. Tarin. No Jadon. You can stay civilized and no Bad Egg." "Men are bad," croaked Perry. "Yeah," said Tarin, ignoring all the men surrounding them. "They are. But I don't lie. You know that. Garrick told me: no Jadon." Perry slumped, and he and Tarin fell to their knees together in the snow. Tarin held his exhausted, terrified friend until Garrick and Gideon wrapped them in blankets. "Take Perry to the clinic," said Gideon. "Bring Tarin, too -- it will help the boy stay calm." Titus nodded as they left, and Tarin heard him resume the ceremony. "Once again," said Beak-face as he carried Tarin, "you are missing your cohort's usual experience. We'll make sure your wristband is removed later." "Just a ritual," mumbled Tarin.

Garrick squeezed. "Rituals make things real." "Pft," said Tarin. He clung on to Beak-face as they entered the clinic. Just in case Garrick was right, Tarin reconsidered. "Don't unchoose you." "Good," said Garrick. "Because we are together now, no matter what." "Bonded," said Tarin. "Yeah," said Garrick. "We are." He deposited his boy on the clinic exam table next to Perry. The two naked boys sat side by side with their feet dangling. Socorro hurried in with socks and blankets and bundled them up. He gave Tarin an exasperated look, but stroked Perry soothingly. "Let's get Perry calm before Titus arrives," said Gideon. "How did he manage to resist?" said Socorro. "On my choice day I was so stoned I could hardly walk." "Ah, memories," said Gideon, and swatted his boy's ass. "Perry was terrified, and I suspect he may have been the boy furthest from the smudge pot."

Tarin narrowed his eyes. "Real choice, pft." "Hush," said Garrick. "The meditation smoke is only meant to make you relaxed and receptive, not make you do anything you normally wouldn't. We don't want boys being too scared to enjoy their Candle Day." Perry wept softly as Gideon tended to him. "Socorro, find out who gave Perry his massage last night. Ask them why they didn't report these bruises to me." Socorro blushed. "It was me. And I thought you saw them. All the boys know that Jadon hurts him, and we've all seen men ignore it or say that Perry has a choice. So we've stopped telling you. You can see him in the day and hear him at night as well as we can." Gideon clenched his jaw. "True," said Tarin. "Bad Egg doesn't hide." Garrick groaned. "I think we have failed our boys, Gideon. We need to examine ourselves." "Indeed," said Titus, coming in quietly. "The last few weeks have shown many flaws in our community." He smiled at Perry. "Are you feeling better, boy?" "Jadon," whispered Perry.

"He is not pleased," said Titus. "However his moods are no longer your concern. I've consulted with Sten and Helem about how to proceed. Perry, since you are still an innocent boy and one who deserves civilization -- as all boys do -- we are not going to remove your wristband. You will join the new one-band boys and spend another year with them. Perhaps an officer will select you. If not, you will become a community boy, or perhaps a Second Boy." He smiled at Perry and patted his shoulder. "Smile boy, that's good news." Perry moaned and shook his head. "Not innocent." Titus snatched his hand away and covered his mouth. Tarin was sure he heard a smothered M-word. Garrick's good hand was balled in a fist. "That scat eater." "The discipline committee meets tomorrow," said Titus when he regained his composure. "The matter of Jadon will be added to the agenda. Gideon, please be ready to present corroborating evidence." "Laundry," said Tarin. "Jadon ignored the honor roll." "Socorro, see if you can retrieve the sleeping bag before it is cleaned. Gideon, I regret that it is necessary, but you will still need

to examine the boy." Titus nodded at Perry. "We believe you, boy, but a committee needs more than a boy's word against a man's honor." "Honor!" snarled Tarin and Garrick in unison. Chapter Fourteen

Titus stood up, and nodded at Perry. "Perry, I'll have you stay here in the clinic until after the committee has met. I'm sure Gideon can find you some simple tasks to keep you occupied. Gideon, you are still heating a room here for Lorn, correct?" "Yes, he can't be moved. Perry can sleep on the floor. He won't need a supervisor." Gideon paused. "Since Linus is there already." Titus frowned. "Let's try and keep that quiet, shall we? Lorn and Linus may be an open secret, but until we've determined anything, let's not shut down any avenues that may let them keep their honor. I'll visit them now. Is Lorn available?" Gideon nodded. "I sedated him a few hours ago, so he's probably conscious again. There's a pretty small window of awake and pain-free though." He tapped his fingers together. "Titus, we're low on the strong painkillers. I've started using the ones we'd set aside for Aran's operation."

"I'll prepare a Mother's Plea," said Titus. "Try and stretch out the supply with calm water if you can or leave a smudge pot near him." Gideon sniffed. "Don't teach me my job!" He caught Tarin and Socorro's startled looks. "Scat. Sorry, Titus. This has been a Monsanto of a week. And a burn case…" He shuddered. Titus nodded. "It's a grim business. We'll factor in Lorn's injuries when the committee meets." "Come on, Tarin, I'll take you to see Helem, and he can clip off your wrist band. You're not a new boy anymore. We'll see you at the Candle Day dinner, sirs." Tarin squirmed. "Plug goes?" Gideon laughed. "No boy. Your man will remove that in bed tonight." "Bed?" said Tarin. "Not bundle?" "Wait and see, lad," said Garrick. "Helem and dinner first! We have dining hall after dark power today as a celebration." Tarin looked around for his boots. "Aw scat, boots are still in bathhouse." "I'll carry you, boy. Socorro, did Mart's team send the boys' clothes to their Officers' rooms?"

"Yes, Captain. Tarin, your boots are already there." Garrick scooped up his boy. "Good thing you are a nice fat man," said Tarin, cheerfully grabbing hold of his man. "I am heavy now I am civilized." "Woof," said Garrick. "You are indeed." Tarin waved at Perry as his man marched out of the door. He snuggled close as Garrick hurried him to the far side of the quad and around the back to where Helem's workshop was located. Even with all the snow, Helem kept the door open. The forge roared, and Tarin shuddered to think of those irons on Aran's tongue. He gave Helem a cautious look. "Ah, Tarin, a special case as always, eh boy?" Helem rumbled and shook his belly. "Sit down by the anvil, boy. This won't take a second." Tarin sat and squirmed. This last plug was wide! He squirmed again as he recalled that it was nowhere near as big as his man. He caught his breath -- Helem had big metal pinchy things in his hand. Tarin clapped his hand to his mouth. "Now, Little One, it's not my tooth puller! It's my metal cutter.

See?" Helem slid the metal between Tarin's wrist and his band and squeezed. There was a snick, and the band fell off. "Naked wrist," chirped Tarin, feeling suddenly light-wristed. He waved his arm and giggled. "That was some strong meditation smoke," said Helem, beetling his bushy eyebrows. "Garrick, do you want the cut-off band?" Garrick shook his head. "No, you can melt it down again. But you can put these on him." Tarin twisted to see, but Garrick had his hands on Tarin's shoulders so he couldn't move. His man's part hand was getting strong! "Owie!" said Tarin as Helem made his ear lobe thunk. "Oh hush," said Garrick. "You remember getting your ear hoop before. Don't be a baby." "Stay still," said Helem. "Other ear." "Waugh!" said Tarin. "Lucky boy," said Helem, "Getting a pair! You'll be as jangly as Eloi, if Garrick keeps spoiling you."

Garrick and Tarin both snorted. "Three ear holes," crowed Tarin, already over his indignation. "Other boys have none!" "They have one now, Tarin. They all got their man's mark today." "Oh," said Tarin. "Still got two more!" "No one likes a braggy boy," said Garrick mildly. "Three!" trilled Tarin. "Spoiled," repeated Helem. "Now, Colonel, it's his Shortest Day present as well as his Candle Day mark," said Garrick. "It's not really extra. When the mall squad went to the boy-decorating store for the other officers, they managed to find a duplicate of what was lost with my fingers." Tarin's eyes felt hot. Shopping was dangerous, and his man had done it for him. He hid his face then blurted, "Need mirror. Want to see present!" "Garrick, my friend, I hope you are happy with your bargain," said Helem, shaking his head at Tarin. "Pft," said Tarin. "You love Matok!"

"Cheeky little beast," said Helem. "Get on out of here before I throw a branding into the deal!" Tarin yelped and jumped out of chair. Matok had proudly shown several boys the burn mark on his bum that Helem had given him at Shortest Day instead of more ear studs. Back in the dining hall, food wasn't ready. Eloi firmly said that everyone was eating at the same time tonight -- no just wandering in and going through the line. It would be a shared meal, and Titus would make a speech! Tarin huffed. He was so hungry and so restless. He was sure he could smell pig! Today was so strange -he hadn't made the bread that he could see waiting to be served. Edon had teased him about Candle Day bread when all along he had known Tarin would be in seclusion that morning. Owie! His ears twinged. He pestered his man until Garrick took him to a bathroom so he could see his ears. Tarin craned to see and inspected his head from every possible angle. "Vanity," said Garrick. He ran his fingers through his hair and fluffed his beard to make his boy giggle. "Like my tree," said Tarin turning his head from side to side. He wanted to see both ears at once, but it was hard. "Yes," said Beak-face. "I thought of you when I saw them."

Tarin gulped. "Before Shortest Day?" "Yes, boy," repeated Garrick. Tarin's belly clenched to know that all that time ago his man had cared enough to remember that his boy's special tree was an oak and to get him oak leaf ear decorations. Somewhere in the mall, thought Tarin morbidly, were three of his man's fingers and another pair of silver oak leaves. He turned around and shoved his face into his man's nice fat chest and held on tight. "Don't die!" "What the!" said Garrick. "Everything dies! You said so! Pig died! Lorn nearly! Aran might be!" "Hush, Tarin. It's just too much meditation smoke and too much excitement. You're crashing." Garrick patted and rubbed his back. "Hush, boy. We'll have dinner and go to bed. You'll feel fine once you've had food." He paused. "And my cock in you!" Tarin crowed again, and tugged away from his man so he could scamper back to the dining hall. He wanted to show Kerr his oak ears!

The room was almost full now, and newly senior cadets were standing to attention ready to act as waiters. The brand new privates, including Kenan and Micah, were sitting rigidly at a table with corporals and sergeants and looked terrified. The new lieutenants were hiding their anxiety somewhat better at a junior officers' table. The officers with new boys were grouped together on a single table, and poor Idris looked ready to panic at the double whammy of being an officer and having a boy. "He's talented," said Garrick, quietly to Tarin who had giggled at his friend's man. Kerr looked as proud as an over-ripe berry. "He's got a boy so soon because we think it will settle him down. His rock thrower is too ambitious but brilliant in its way. Cale was the youngest officer to get a boy before, and he was in his second year as lieutenant." "Huh," said Tarin. He squinted at Kerr and Idris. He wasn't convinced. Kerr's man still seemed hardworking but dim to him. All that time in the Library and he still didn't know how to use a spoon as a catypult! Titus and the committee marched in with their boys except for Gideon and Socorro who were on duty in the clinic, and Eloi who could be heard having a tantrum in the kitchen. Tarin beamed. Second Boy was with Sten. "Men, cadets, and boys!" shouted Titus. "It is Candle Day, and we celebrate promotions and unions!"

The room roared and stamped and clattered. Tarin covered his ears and yelped as he squashed his fresh piercings. Sten read aloud each promotion and each new pairing, and cheers and hollers met each one. One of the biggest roars was for Edon becoming a Master Sergeant and Ofer being designated as a one-band boy already spoken for. Tarin whooped as Edon held Ofer's arm in the air to show his band, and Ofer shook his head to show that now the empty holes in his ears had one hoop back in them. There were no surprises -- all of these had been announced as approved back on Shortest Day. There were omissions, but no one was tactless enough to mention Jadon and Perry or to wonder about Lorn's promotion to Colonel. Tarin used his not-being-seen skills to look around the room. He knew Lorn and Linus were in the clinic with Perry, Gideon and Socorro, but he was glad Jadon was also absent. Jonas was on the end of a table near the door. He looked as if he were really somewhere else. The boys were all flushed from double-strength honey water by the time the names were all read. The waiters were twitching with readiness to deliver the plates of meat that Eloi and others were dishing up. "The Mothers," said Titus, "watch over us and love us very

much. They want what is best for us. They have sent us many gifts this year. Medicines, flour, grain, and piglets." Tarin squirmed as he noticed Titus didn't mention the mother pig even though all could smell her. "They have sent us new boys who will be helpmeets to their men and boons to the community as well as our duties to continue to civilize." Tarin's belly growled. "Hot pig?" he whispered to Garrick. "Quiet, you little beast," growled Garrick giving his boy's thigh a squeeze. "We have disappointed the Mothers in many ways," continued Titus, "and we will do better this coming year. We will treat our boys with honor and respect the gifts the Mothers have given us. Both will be used as intended." Tarin huffed. He didn't like the word used, but he had to agree that not killing the Mothers' gifts, not exploding them, and not beating your boys were good things. "So," continued Titus, "it only remains for me to give the Mothers' Shadow Sighting report." He paused dramatically. "Winter is over! The Mothers say it will be Spring in eight Mother Days!" The room roared and pounded fists on the table. "Thanks, Mom!" yelled Titus, "and let's EAT!"

"Thanks, Mom," chorused the community, and Eloi burst from the kitchen with a tray held high. Tarin yelped. The poor pig's head was on it! Eloi paraded to the committee's table, and Tarin saw the pig had raisins and apples pouring from its mouth. It looked scary and delicious. Another boy followed with a great hunk of steaming flank with the most insane smell coming from it. "Pork and stinking rose!" announced Eloi. Then "ribs and honey." The room whimpered as the committee was served, but not for long, as waiters were circulating with more and more pig dishes -"sausage," "bacon," "lights and liver," "kidelies," "trottings," "cracklies," shouted Eloi -- and soon the committee dishes were passed down, too. Garrick passed Tarin a dish of bacon-wrapped sausages, and Tarin nearly choked as he ate. His face was smeared with grease. He growled when Kerr tried to take the serving dish. "Share the blankie-piggies," said Garrick sternly, and Tarin let go of the dish but snatched one last treat. "Man has shiny beard," grunted Tarin munching on his sausage. "Uh-huh," said Garrick, gnawing on a chop. "More piggies," said Tarin. "Don't say that around Ofer," said Garrick. "His piglings have to grow up yet."

"Without their tasty mom," said Idris, and laughed. Tarin hesitated, frowned at Idris, then licked his fingers, and sighed with repletion. "Bread," said Garrick and took a loaf from the center of the table. Tarin admired the four-strand braid. He knew how hard Edon had worked. "Officers, men, cadets, and boys. Mothers watch over us all," said Garrick as he pulled a chunk free and mopped up all the pig grease from his plate. Everyone was groaning and sopping up last tasty bits. "All gone," said Tarin sadly. "Just bone soup now," agreed Garrick. Bandar and Ossie burped. "What a sausage fest," laughed Bandar. "Civilized," said Tarin and leaned against his man. The dining hall lapsed into a post-food haze. Desultory conversations kept a low buzz of noise going. At last Titus stood up and clapped his hands.

"Men! We have six officers who have new helpmeets tonight! The boys have chosen civilization, but in exchange they lose their innocence." "Rarrrrrr!" bellowed the men somewhat sleepily. The boys and men at Tarin's table were significantly more alert. "Their rooms have been prepared. The helpmeets' bounty is in place. Who will escort the unified ones?" "We will," roared the room, now rather more awake. "Hold tight," said Garrick and grabbed onto Tarin's hand. "Waugh!" wailed Tarin as he and Garrick were lifted aloft and carried out of the dining hall. From his side vision, he saw the other new couples being hoisted up. Lights bobbed around them as they crossed the quad to the Officers' Quarters, but there was barely enough time to feel cold. Tarin was more worried that his tasty pig might return and spatter the escorts' heads. "Lady," moaned Tarin, reverting to his first year in the woods as the escort jounced up the stairs, hooting and hollering. It was only a small comfort to see his yellow-bearded Beak-face being jolted along next to him. Their hands were still entwined, but

the mob carrying them had barely respected their bond despite their mission of delivering them to their room. "Woof," said Tarin, as he was tossed onto the bed. "Gar!" hollered Beak-face as his elbow connected with the bedframe. "Innocence be gone!" "Fuck that boy!" Tarin covered his freshly pierced ears and lay face down on the bed until the noise stopped. He rolled over. Garrick was sitting on the edge of the bed rubbing his elbow. "So," said Garrick. "Here we are alone at last, boy!" Tarin sat up. "Warm!" Garrick nodded. "The Candle Day fires! Look!" Tarin gaped in amazement at the glowing box. "Tonight we are private and warm." Tarin looked around the room. "With light!" Garrick chuckled. "Yes, tonight we have everything." He pointed to the side of the bed. "Including a jar of Boy Ease."

"Huh," said Tarin. "And new bed stuff! Fresh squashy bags." "Yeah," said Garrick. "There is the helpmeet bounty for you. We have some new linens, bed covers, two sets of clothes for you, and water jugs." "Ooh," said Tarin. "New top. Green like leaves." "Stop it," said Garrick. "Get into bed, boy!" "Nice bounty," said Tarin, petting the new trousers he had been given. "Bed," said Garrick. Tarin picked up the water-carrying set and pretended to examine it. "Oh," he said, surprised. "Warm water!" "Use it," growled Garrick, jerking his head to the bathroom. "Plug out?" "Oh yes, boy. Take your plug out, and I'll stick my cock in." Tarin scurried to the bathroom with the jug and came back fast. Naked. "Empty bum!"

"Bed!" roared Garrick. "Woof," said Tarin, and dove under the covers. He pulled the covers up to his eyes and watched his man strip off his layers. "Beard!" hollered Tarin. "Cock sticks out, too!" Garrick's teeth shone white as he crawled, naked, up the bed to his boy. "My man!" crowed Tarin, looking at Beak-face's nice fat chest covered with bee-fur. "My boy, my boy is going to roll over and show me his rump!" "Strong thighs," crooned Tarin, looking at his man's muscles flex and the purple-silver line move. "Boy scar! My mark!" Garrick laughed and growled. "Yes, and my boy sticks his hole in the air!" "Yeah!" hollered Tarin and shoved his ass up. "Lady!" he bawled as something hot and wet shoved into his hole. Something bristly rubbed his cheeks. "Man eats me!" Garrick's tongue writhed and withdrew. "Kisses, boy. Sweet ass. Give me the Boy Ease." Tarin fumbled the jar back, and then keened as the cool, slick

salve filled his hot hole. "Cock?" said Garrick. "Fill your empty hole?" "Waugh," wailed Tarin. "Yes!" His aching, yearning ass was teased by the massive firmness of Garrick's prick pressing and then retreating. "Fuck me," sobbed Tarin. "Are you sure, boy?" "Oh, Mothers! Fuck me!" screamed Tarin and then wailed as his man's cock stretched him wider than he had been trained to take and went deliciously, dementedly deeper than any plug had gone. Garrick said nothing except a long moan, which was followed by a long pause as he stayed deep in Tarin's ass. "Walnut," moaned Tarin, and he and his man set about some rhythmic grunting and humping. "Need it," sighed Garrick, after a while of pounding. "Lady, lady," answered Tarin. "Please, please!" "Gift," said Garrick. "Gift right inside you. Gift deeper than in your mouth."

"Yes!" sighed Tarin. "Please, please, fill me with gift!" "Here!" roared Garrick. Tarin humped the air and fell forward into the bed. His gift spurted up his belly as his guts felt the hot spray of his man. "Mine," said Garrick and Tarin. "Mine," they repeated as they collapsed forward and slept.

Chapter Fifteen

Tarin stretched and yawned. He was warm and comfortable. And not innocent! "Bum hurts," he grumbled as he rolled over and sprawled on to his man. He butted the top of his head into Garrick's beard. "Wake up, man!" "Bossy boy," muttered Garrick and kept his eyes closed. "We won't get a bed at night again until the snows go, so relish it! We have the morning off."

Tarin paused. "Am relishing!" "Ow," yelped Garrick. "Relish doesn't mean nipple tweak your man!" "Wake up and fuck me," demanded Tarin. "I thought your bum hurt?" Tarin squirmed. "Wants cock, too. Fall out of a tree, climb it again." Garrick flung out an arm and patted around until he found the Boy Ease. "Climb me then, boy." "Will!" declared Tarin. "Man lies still. Is my oak." He straddled his man as if he were going to scramble up a branchless trunk. He wiggled and bounced as he got Boy Ease into his hole and slathered on his man's cock. Beak-face put his hands behind his head and grinned. "I told you having a wild boy on my cock was going to be good." "Wild, wild," said Tarin and positioned his hole over the shining slick head of his man's cock. "Am civilized," he said he lowered his ass onto Garrick's prick. "Mothers," he moaned, and stayed very still.

After a long pause, he let his thigh muscles lift and drop him, slowly at first, but then faster. "Look at those pretty brown balls bounce," said Garrick. "Their boy should stroke his cock. Make a civilized display for his man." The air whistled between Tarin's teeth as he shimmied on Garrick's cock. He wasn't sure he could take having his prick touched too, but he palmed himself. His protection skin had already rolled back, and his slit was oozing with early gift. "Sweet slut," said Beak-face. "Work your ass, boy." Tarin bounced and caterwauled as his man's hardness stirred up his insides. "All of you is mine," hissed Beak-face. "Inside and out!" "Yes!" screamed Tarin and spurted gift into the air. It arced and spattered down on his man's chest and beard. Garrick roared and made a mighty hip thrust upward, and Tarin simply held onto his feral, bucking man. "Waugh," said Tarin as his shudders slowed, and he flopped forward onto his man and lay there. "Snooze," said Garrick, and held his boy to him.

Tarin woke up when his man's cock finally slid out. "Empty," said Tarin. "I can replug you," offered Garrick. "No thank you," said Tarin super-politely. "But I am glad you consented to the preparation. Perry…" Garrick nodded. "Yes, indeed boy. Although the Officers' Baths have no secrets, and I doubt Perry would have needed so much preparation." Tarin snorted and then grimaced. "But he was still hurt." "So he was," said Garrick. "We should find some food, boy. The discipline committee is this afternoon. It will meet during our usual project time, so you can still do a library shift." "Work, work, work," grumbled Tarin. He rolled out of bed and admired his still sprawled man. "Garrick, I hurt you." He pointed at the scar. "We are going forward as man and boy. You said we would have to set things right." Garrick nodded. "We will think about this, boy. I bear your mark. Perhaps you'll bear mine." Tarin shivered. "Like Matok?" "Maybe. We will plan it together. When it is a year from the

wound-at-the-ravine, we will mark you." Tarin wriggled into his new clothes. Green! He could be notseen in that! Well, once the snows went. He laced up his boots. He was allowed to run again tonight! "Was safe with you. Am safe. But, men didn't think a boy with the man he stabbed was not safe?" Garrick snorted. "Well, a man like Jadon might have taken it out on his boy's hide, but, no, boy, whatever blunders the committee has made, they've been right about you and me." He paused. "In fact, I think they were more worried about my safety, not yours." "Wild boy," crowed Tarin, admiring his oak leaf ears and his new green top in the bathroom mirror. He patted his hair. Scruffy braid, but he didn't want to be too sleek and shiny. "Food," said Garrick. "You vain, wild boy. And then discipline." The food hall was empty since they had slept and played so late. Eloi and a kitchen boy were tending some soup pots. "Pig bones!" said Garrick. "Fine feast last night, Eloi." Eloi actually accepted the compliment gracefully and said Edon had helped a lot and had researched and read him ideas about pork.

"Was yummy," said Tarin. He stared hopefully at the pots. Eloi laughed. "Not ready yet, Tarin. Tela, start a batch of scrambled eggs for the Captain and his boy. Stir in those bacon scraps. Make a big pan -- the other unified officers will be along soon, if these two are here." "The hens are laying again, then," said Garrick. "Got over having their sisters exploded?" "Must have." Eloi shrugged. "I avoid animals while they're still moving." He shuddered. "So glad I'm civilized." He actually winked at Tarin. "Nice earrings, Twice-caught." Tarin did a fair imitation of Eloi's earring-clattering headshake and was pleased to see Eloi and Tela both laughed. Wobbly eggs with crispy pig bits was almost enough to make a boy cry! It certainly made a big man snarl when his boy tried to sneak some from his plate. The discipline committee had agreed to meet at Gideon's clinic, both so that he was on hand in case Lorn worsened, and so that the committee could talk to Lorn and Linus. Perry was also still staying there. Gideon was sitting at his desk, writing, when Tarin and Garrick arrived. Perry was on the floor next to him, looking pale but happier than he had been in a long time. He was playing a solo game of grab

bean. "Ah, Garrick. Good afternoon, my friend. Tarin, how is the bottom?" Tarin waggled his ass. "It's happy!" Perry looked at him as if he were sun-poisoned, and Tarin felt bad that his friend's innocence had been taken with no pleasure. His mood soured, and he felt a fresh wave of hatred for Bad Egg. "Titus asked that you two serve as the community witnesses again, since you are already involved, and also for the Linus and Lorn case. Garrick, your whole and healthy certificate has already been prepared, and it should be just a formality for us to sign it at the end of the meeting." Garrick nodded. "Testify," giggled Tarin. "He is whole!" "Silly boy," said Garrick and ruffled his hair. "How is Lorn, Gideon?" "In a bad way. He'll survive unless any infection sets in, but he's in a lot of pain, and I can't dose him as much as he needs." Gideon sighed. "He won't be whole and healthy, that's for sure." "Well, he doesn't care about boys anyway," sneered Jadon,

stamping into the room. "Nor do you," piped Perry from his sanctuary by Gideon's legs. Tarin muffled a cheer and tensed his body ready to spring at Bad Egg if he tried to hurt Perry. "Major Jadon," said Gideon, stressing the rank. "Please knock before you enter a superior's office. And recall that you are here on a disciplinary charge." He looked down at Perry. "And I'm glad you are so resilient, boy, but kindly speak when spoken to while you are in my charge." Jadon's neck bulged, but he did nothing but glare at Garrick and Tarin. "Sten and Titus are just finishing interviewing Lorn. I don't want him to face a whole room of people. If we have other questions for him, Linus will speak for him or one of us will visit Lorn." Jadon snorted and growled something about so much consideration for a filthy crime. Tarin's thighs bunched, ready to spring, and then he squawked. Garrick had wisely taken his boy's braid in a firm grasp. "The major's crime," said Gideon coldly, "is using the Mother's Gift of grain for the chickens to distill a forbidden product."

"And destroying half a building and half the chicken flock," added Garrick. "To be fair!" "And nearly sploded Ofer and Cory and the piggies," muttered Tarin. "Indeed," said Gideon, "and that is being considered too, but it was an unintended consequence of a deliberate act. The disrespect of the Mothers is the real issue." "Pervert," snarled Jadon. Gideon sighed. "I happen to agree, Major, but that's not part of the discipline committee." "Well, it should be. I demand it be added!" The door to the clinic bed area opened, and Titus stepped out. "We've had enough of you demanding things, Jadon. Look to your own behavior and conscience, if you will, and leave Lorn to us." Titus sat down next to Gideon's desk. "Sten and Linus will be out in a moment, and I believe Helem is on his way with the evidence collected from the laundry. Seemingly the boy Cory had set your bedroll aside from the rest of the Candle Day cleaning project."

Perry smiled at Tarin, and mouthed "thank you." Tarin squirmed and promised himself he'd pass that on to Mart and be nicer to Cory. "I'm being framed," said Jadon. "Those scatty little new boys…" "Major Jadon," snapped Titus. "Be aware that the committee has already agreed that you are guilty. This meeting is to present the evidence to the community, as represented by Captain Garrick and his boy, and to determine a punishment." Perry looked ready to pop with pleasure, and Tarin grinned at him. His old friend was coming back! "Why should Linus attend my hearing?" growled Jadon. "Mothers!" said Titus. "What did we do wrong with your cadet training, Jadon?" "Bad Eggs shouldn't hatch," suggested Tarin. Titus smothered a snort before turning to Tarin and suggesting that he sit on the floor with his friend and shut up. Tarin scooted down next to Perry and gave him a friendly hip bump. They whispered together by Gideon's feet until Helem arrived and Titus summoned in Sten. "Let Linus know he can keep sitting with his friend until we have

finished with Jadon," added Titus with a sideways look at Jadon. "There's no need for the Lieutenant to have to hear about boy abuse." Jadon didn't look repentant as Gideon reported on Perry's condition and Helem displayed the damning bedbag. Socorro stepped in from his duties tending Lorn and repeated his statement about all boys knowing and assuming men knew. Tarin took Perry's hand. His friend was whimpering as he heard the words about his suffering, and Jadon's callous responses. "The boy plainly did not like it," rumbled Helem. "He said 'no' -something unprecedented on Candle Day. And we have all heard his testimony. He is already not your boy. He has no reason to lie." "Further," added Sten. "Even if he did like it, you still took his innocence before Candle Day. A dishonorable act." "The little slut seduced me." "You are a man. You protect boys from their own actions. Especially the uncivilized ones. They do not know. We do. We have honor." Sten looked grim. Titus took over. "This is the second boy who has left you, Jadon. We allowed you to try again, and you pissed away your second chance before it was even fully taken. We can be glad Perry had the courage to act early. He is still a salvageable boy. Ofer paid

a high price for being your first victim, and he is lucky that Master Sergeant Edon cares for him." Jadon rolled his eyes. "What kind of man takes damaged, leftover goods?" "What kind of animal creates them?" snarled Garrick, his halfhand curving into claw. "Enough, gentlemen," snapped Titus. "Jadon, you are an anomaly. Why the Mothers saw fit to place you as a cadet…" He shook his head. "Well, the Mothers are wise, if mysterious." "Brother is Lie-Berry-talent," blurted Tarin. "Jadon isn't colony material." Scat! He had that everyone was staring at him feeling again. He looked up. He was right. "Was Mothered," he said. "Remembered. Mother said in utevee to crackle box." "Well," said Titus. "That is, uh, interesting, Tarin." Garrick sneered at Jadon. "Always riding on your little brother's skills right from the start, huh?" He hastily sidestepped, and Jadon's blow hit the wall. "Captain Garrick! Enough!" said Titus. "You are here as the

community witness -- not to provoke the major." "Sorry, sir," said Garrick, still smirking at Jadon's bleeding knuckles. "As I was saying, you are an anomaly. You seem to have no conscience or sense of honor. We are puzzled about what to do." Helem spoke. "But we are agreed: no more boys ever. Not even a community one should we have another one. And as your division commander, I do not wish to consider you as an officer. You have none of the qualities of a leader, and even the scholarly requirement was faked." He paused. "You are a good builder. I will keep you as a Sergeant, but you will not supervise boys." "You mother-licker," said Jadon and then sprawled flat as Helem's big paw cuffed him hard. "Lady," gasped Perry, reverting to wood-boy talk as he stared at his tormentor lying on the ground. "He is impossible to help," said Helem. "We have never done this to a man," said Sten slowly, "but perhaps he needs a spell in the lockers?" Jadon sat up and yelled the M-word. "I don't think he'll fit," said Titus, "but there is something to the

concept. Colonel Helem, please review the building plans for a secure space. Sergeant Jadon will be confined on short rations. When we officially declare Spring, he will be released. Captain Garrick, please let the warriors know they have an added duty." "With pleasure," said Garrick. He stuck his head out of the clinic door. "Corporal Lowell, Sergeant Vel, please escort the Sergeant to the duty room and guard him in the Think About Wrongs corner until a suitable, more permanent space is found." "Yes, sir." Vel looked back and forth. "Uh, Captain Garrick, sir? There's no sergeant here." Lowell nearly imploded with a suppressed guffaw as he saw Tarin and Perry gleefully point at Jadon. Jadon's angry shouts could be heard for some time after he was marched away. Gideon wrote for a while as the men talked in low voices and Tarin and Perry chattered. There was a strange noise, like the Mothers' Plea moan, but no one commented. "Done," said Gideon. "I have the black mark details recorded. We can sign the Captain's Whole and Healthy certificate, if we are all agreed." He passed paper around the committee, and Tarin clapped his hands happily.

"My man is Holy Elf!" Gideon chuckled. "The committee should note that the certificate says nothing about the Captain's sanity." "Pft," said Tarin. "Our next disciplinary chore," said Gideon, losing his smile. Sten opened the door to summon Linus, and Tarin's belly lurched. The Mothers' Plea chant was Lorn constantly calling "mom." Linus hurried out, his face as gray as library dust. "The last dose has worn off, Gideon. Socorro has fed him calm water, but it's made no difference." Gideon nodded. "I'm sorry, Linus. I only have two doses of Mother’s Medicine left. We don't have an answer from the Mothers about more." Linus gnawed at the skin on his thumb. "I understand. But, oh, Mothers, it's bad." Tarin rubbed his row of baker's burns. They were rotten when they happened. Socorro had puked and wept after his first evening on duty with Lorn, and had moaned that it was like the Major's back had been cooked. Now that Tarin thought about it, Socorro

had stayed away from the Candle Day Feast, saying he was on duty. "Sit down, Linus," said Titus gently. "You are not being disciplined, but you are here as Lorn's voice." Titus furrowed his brow. "I understand that it's appropriate that you should speak for him." Linus' face flushed a dying rose color under the gray. Gideon handed him some calm water. "Sip it, Lieutenant. This must be very difficult for you." Linus swallowed some water, and sobbed. "I told him to start easy. To try saving raisins from our desserts and not…" He choked. "And I showed him the stupid book in the first place." He sniffed. "I'm guilty too, sirs. I knew what he was doing. And I knew he was worried that the newly-assigned boys would say something about his project. Or see us…" He gave Tarin a quick look. "We were so used to Daol and Damon only talking to each other." Linus gulped more water. "He was distracted by the piglets and worried about how to feed them. He told me he was careless with the still with all the new changes." Titus and the committee buzzed at each other for a few minutes. "No excuses," said Linus, pressing his face to the glass of calm water. "Just reasons."

Titus nodded. "Committee members? Anything to ask Linus?" Gideon shifted awkwardly. "Linus, your, uh, man? Well, he's said some blasphemous things while he is dosed. Can you confirm or deny for me that he thinks the Mothers have abandoned men here and merely toss us scraps?" Linus chuckled ruefully and shook his head. "Colonel, Lorn says lots of things. He doesn't mean any of them. He's so used to talking scat around his chickens and the dark twins that he'll test out any idea aloud. Last week he told me bees can't fly and men can." "So deny?" said Gideon urgently. "Yes," said Linus. Gideon's relief was palpable as he made a mark. "So," said Titus, "the only charge is disobeying a Mothers' Mandate against making alcohol. It is, of course, compounded by the damage arising from that act. It was also a planned and ongoing act, not a momentary failing. Linus, you have admitted abetting him in this." Linus nodded. There was a long silence while the committee pondered. It was broken by a high thin whine from Lorn and then the "mom, mom, mom" resumed. Linus stared at the door.

"I should be with him." "Should you?" said Titus. "I think that may be the real issue." Linus gnawed his thumb hard enough for blood dots to bloom around the base of his nail. "The committee, and most likely the community, are divided on this matter, this relationship between, between, equals," said Titus, gamely trying to look Linus in the face. "I'm appalled by it, but I can find nothing against it in the Mothers' Guides. But a unified man and boy should complement each other; a boy is an officer's helpmeet and an officer is his guide and protector. How can…" He stared helplessly at Linus. "Does one of you play the boy?" Linus choked, and shook his head. "No, sir, as you say, we are equals." He paused and smiled. "Well, actually he's a Major and I'm a Lieutenant, and sometimes he tries to give me an order!" Helem and Sten chuckled, and Gideon tapped his black mark pen. Titus beckoned them closer and the committee buzzed some more. Despite the worry, Perry and Tarin grew restless and crawled out from by the desk -- they couldn't hear anyway -- and settled by Garrick's feet. He silently handed them down a honey sucker apiece. One of the many things Tarin liked about his Beak-face was that his jacket always seemed to have a bag of honeysuckers

stashed in it. "Linus," said Titus. "I am asking you to speak for you and Lorn. We have a disciplinary measure and what we hope will be a solution that lets the community and you adjust." Linus nodded. Tarin wasn't sure he was even listening properly - his attention was on the clinic door. Lorn's noise was wearing on everyone's bones. "Lorn will not receive his Colonel promotion that he was due on Candle Day. In consideration of his suffering, that is the only penalty." Titus stopped. "We do have a condition. Colonel Gideon tells me Lorn will need care for some time. You will receive training and supply that care. The faculty residence next to Colonel Gideon's will have its renovation completed by Spring. While the houses are usually reserved for Colonels or Generals with two boys, you and Lorn will live there. The condition is that you take the dark twins as your joint boys, and that you conduct yourselves with the utmost discretion." Titus paused. "The boys have only just become one band boys, but I am told their progress is a matter for concern. Preserve their innocence until next Candle Day, but I think they will benefit from having Officers focus on their training as soon as possible. This also allows them to have Officers without being separated. I've been reliably informed that it is unlikely that the twins will function apart from each other." Tarin wrapped his arm around his man's ankle. Scat! Wrong-

hair Titus was being really kind. Linus drew a deep breath. "Thank you." Sten smiled at him. "Many men will not like you and Lorn being together. The committee expects that the community will act honorably, but we also expect that you and Lorn respond to provocations in a dignified manner. We will act if any man is violent, but otherwise you fight your own battles." "Thank you," repeated Linus. "May I be dismissed to tell Lorn?" "Yes," said Titus. "Be strong, Lieutenant. I am having the Mothers' Fax watched for any message about new painkillers." Linus nodded, and returned to his man's bedside. The cries that came through the briefly open door made Tarin want to tear at his skin. "This committee is adjourned," said Titus. "Thank you for witnessing, Captain, Tarin. Perry, as soon as Jadon is in permanent custody, you may join the one-band boys. I hope your new first year goes well for you." "Up you get, Tarin," said Garrick. "I'll walk you over to the library. Jonas is very short-staffed without Linus. Next year's promotion projects are already starting! He'll be glad to have even your sneezy self on duty."

"Can Perry come?" asked Tarin. He saw how Perry shook every time Lorn cried. "No thanks," said Perry. "Tarin, haven't you heard? There's a Lady Night Boy in the Library! Even officers have heard it!" "Pft," said Tarin. "No such thing. Babies and Lady Night Boys and Flying Metal things. All stories!" Chapter Sixteen

Tarin tried to control a sneeze. The library was even dustier now that the sun was back and the world was sprouting. Tarin gave in and let a great honk-choo fly free. "Scat," he said, and wiped his nose on the special rag Gideon had told him to carry. "Sorry," he said to Emerson. "Colonel Gideon says I have a nalergie to indoor things in my nose! Invisible things!" "Uh-huh," said Emerson. "Look, boy, I know just got my master sergeant promotion, but I want to be a lieutenant next year, so will you please tell Garrick you consent to going to the barrier with me? I really think explaining your bumps will be a breakthrough, and I need to see what happens, not just interview you." "My bumps, my bumps, my wild boy bumps," caroled Tarin. The sunshine was making him insane with the need to exercise. He

and Kenan ran laps around the quad now that the horrible bundling was over, but Tarin itched for a run unimpeded by buildings. Emerson glared. "Did you ask Ofer?" said Tarin. "He said he went dizzy and fell over." "Yes," said Emerson, excessively patiently. "I have done everything short of sticking a knife in armpits to dig out bumps." "Owie," said Tarin. "Do you have a bump?" "Yes, you know I do. All men have two." "Is that why men and boys are different?" Emerson sighed. "It's what I'm studying. No, it's not the cause, but it is one of the differences." "Hairy split," said Tarin, looking up and down a stacks aisle to make sure it was safe. Perry was right. There was a Lady Night Boy in the Library. Tarin had heard his voice himself. "Barrier?" implored Emerson. Tarin looked out of the library window. The wind was making the freshly-green tree tops sway. Tarin closed his eyes. He could feel his oak branch under his thighs and the bark beneath his palms.

"All right," he said. "Barrier. But the mall one. I don't want to walk by the woods." "Yes!" cried Emerson, and galloped off. Linus drifted out of the stacks. "What was that cadet doing in the promotion study area?" Tarin flicked his braid. "That was Emerson, Linus, not a cadet. He's off to pester my man about taking me to the barrier." "Oh," said Linus. "I heard the song again last night." Tarin shivered. It was pretty song, but so sad. It made Tarin think of his old plan to swim to the island in the lake. "Let's get the re-shelving done," he encouraged. Linus was so exhausted by his new duties of caring for Lorn and training the twins that he was like a Lady Night Boy himself in the stacks. He had moved into their house last week as well. Tarin could hardly imagine having stairs of your own. And no one to listen when you were too loud in bed! Bundling had been bad, but last week, Cale had banged on the officers' quarters wall when Tarin had been riding his man. Tarin chuckled. No one would have to know that Daol and Damon slept in their nest of bed covers in their own room and Linus stretched out next to the bed that Lorn recovered in. Everyone

knew, but they didn't have to know. "Make sure you're not looking at the numbers," said Linus. "Tell me if you're learning the pattern, and I'll change the duties." "It's beetle legs," said Tarin cheerfully. "Spider fell in ink! Don't want to read. Sneezy! Boring!" He tromped off behind Linus carrying books. They worked in silence for a while, then Linus stopped in mid-row. "Listen!" Tarin sucked in his breath. It was daytime and the Lady Night Boy was singing!

The water is wide, I can-not cross o'er. And neither have I the wings to fly.

"Infer Desk," said Tarin. "Linus, I think we have to…" Build me a boat that can carry two, And both shall row, my true love and I.

They both tried not to hurry down the stairs, but they were panting by the time they reached the desk. They looked back and forth to each other, and laughed shamefacedly. "Silly…" "Cadets playing…" Jonas came out of the cataloguing room. "Do you need a request slip? Oh! It's you two. Finished with the reshelving?" "Not quite," said Linus. "But the boy's nose was getting loud." "Nalergie," said Tarin, and snuffled. It wasn't a lie. Jonas nodded. He did his duty these days but not much more. He only left the library to eat. Tarin frowned. There were crumbs behind the Infer Desk. He opened his mouth and then shut it. They were next to a blue and gold book. "Well…" said Jonas. "Why not just deliver this over to the cadet study hall and finish your shift? It's too nice to be inside." Linus and Tarin exchanged looks and nodded. Tarin was still reveling in the freedom of being allowed to move around the main

campus on his own in daylight hours, and Linus was always glad to get home early. When Linus was in the library, Lorn was attended by Daol and Damon, and it made all four of them antsy. Tarin picked up the bundle of books for the cadets and grinned at Linus. "Home early! Can read Hobbitses to Lorn!" Linus smiled. He and Lorn had raced ahead in that book as Lorn had healed. Garrick pestered them for spoilers, but Linus guarded the book closely and only read the community a chapter at a time. Even though bundling was over, the men had demanded dinner time be accompanied by the story. Linus hurried on ahead to his man, and Tarin sauntered along. Running was good, but strolling was better when you were on your way to another inside. Tarin tried whistling as he crossed the quad. It was hard. His tongue made things squeak. He sang instead.

But not so deep as the love I'm in And I know not if I sink or swim.

Scat! It was the Lady Night Boy song! In his head! He looked around anxiously. It was bright day. The breeze was real on his face, and his boots tromped firm on the ground. There was nothing

to be afraid… oh scat! Jadon! Tarin gripped his cadet book pile firmly and kept walking. Jadon had been out of his locked room since the last Mother Day. So far all he had done was stare for too long at boys, but Tarin was on the verge of prey-Tarin around him. Poxy man, spoiling his outdoors! Tarin refused to speed up. He was a civilized boy on an approved errand. His heart was trappedrabbit fast by the time he reached the study hall. It was so wrong to be glad to be stepping inside and thinking that seeing an officer was safety. He handed the books to the officer who had the thankless task of overseeing the cadets as they worked on assignments. Tarin waggled his braid at the studying boys as he left. It was bad enough carrying books, let alone having to stare into them for hours. The rows of cadets didn't look happy. Tarin was so glad he couldn't read. He frowned as he went down the steps. The Hobbitses book was good. But Linus could read it for him. And Aran had a favorite book, and look where that had got him! Tarin stopped dead. His brain was moving ideas around like jump beans. Where had it got him? "Move boy!" Tarin yelped. Skunk scat! It was Jadon. Stupid thinking. It had

lowered his guard. "Have whole quad," blurted Tarin. "Don't need where I am standing." Jadon snarled. "You are always in my way, boy." He spat. "I haven't forgotten that you tried to kill me. I'll still destroy your man." Tarin tossed his head in his best Eloi imitation. "Sorry that I only tried to kill you. Sergeant." Jadon raised his hand, and Tarin stood his ground. "You wait," hissed Jadon. "You'll have no balls before I'm done." He stamped off, and Tarin made a fart noise at him. He sat on the low wall at the edge of the quad wondering what to do with his free time. Spring was strange! He no longer had a man with him every single second. He'd finished his baking shift and his Library shift, and there was still daylight! Kenan would meet him soon to run, and then he'd work on lures with his man, have dinner and hear about the Hobbitses, and then, with luck, he could ride his man. He eyed a tree. He'd have to ask if he was allowed to climb them. Garrick had let him, but he'd been there to watch. He hadn't seen any other boys do it, but then most of them were what he'd used to call grounders. He gave his toes the best twitch he could manage and muttered, "monkey toes." None of them had dropped

off with the frosty bites, but they were still numb. He couldn't pick up pebbles and twigs with them as he'd used to do. Climbing a tree with boots would be just weird. He drummed his heels against the bricks, and then shot out his hand. "Tasty jump bug!" He scrunched it up and then frowned. Fish thought jump bugs were tasty, too. He'd have to suggest that idea to Garrick. He liked making the lures with his man, but the idea of never fishing again himself was scatty. Food was better when you caught it. Even if you did have to cook it on a stick over a fire. Tarin sighed. Wild food was not better. Food from the kitchen was much, much tastier, but he was not sure that keeping chickens and piglings just to eat them was better. Food should have their woodland time, too. His legs were twitchy. Where was Kenan? Garrick had said that now Kenan was a private, he was no longer required to supervise Tarin, but the two had kept running and playing jump bean together. Fat Private Micah sneered, but no one else seemed to care. "You have a grasshopper leg on your chin," said Kenan. "Savage!" Tarin grinned. "Am civilized. Will ask Eloi to fry some."

Kenan snorted. "We had some last year! They were our divid treat one night. Crunchy!" "Run!" said Tarin. "Am squirmy." He set off and let his boots pound the ground. Boots were good for hard places. "Fast!" said Kenan. Tarin snorted. "Candle Day is gone. Not being a slow bird any more…" Kenan paced him for a little. "Tarin? Were you sandbagging?" "Don't know that word." "Pretending to be slow." Tarin shrugged. "Didn't want civilized cadet to feel bad in front of men. Ow!" Kenan tucked his elbow back in and put on a spurt of speed. Tarin kept up. "Was it just me being promoted that made you stop being slow?" Tarin's spine tingled. He wouldn't lie to his friend even if he was a man now. "Might have had to run on Candle Day. Had to hide speed and how long I can run."

He jogged backward a little to see Kenan's face. Scat. His friend's face was annoyed. "Chose Beak-face. Not kill-deer bad-wing now -- catch me!" Tarin sprinted fast and hoped Kenan's anger would be worked out as they moved. A few circuits seemed to do it as well as a few arm punches and tussles as they passed and re-passed each other. "Garrick," puffed Kenan, as they did a cool down slower circuit. "You really would have left him?" Tarin shook his head. "Bonded. But might have had to go." He crinkled his forehead. His spine's logic puzzled him now. "It made sense then. And Jadon…" "What about him? Was there more the committee should have known?" Tarin gave Kenan a sideways look. He might be a friend, but he would still do his duty and report on boys. "No, well, yes. He said he'd destroy Garrick by using me." "You should have trusted your man to decide what to do." "Thought I was being good. Thought running would stop Garrick being destroyed."

"Stoopid," said Kenan. "If you'd run, Garrick would have been destroyed. His honor would have been ruined." He rolled his eyes at his next words. "And he'd have missed you!" "Scat," said Tarin. "Jadon double trapped me." "Don't feel bad," said Kenan. "You're a savage without strategy classes, and he's civilized." "Pft," said Tarin. "I will beat you at jump bean tonight!" He waved goodbye to Kenan and clomped up the stairs to his quarters, having another shot at whistling. It wasn't easy. Stupid Cory could sound like birds. He clattered into their quarters. "Mothers, boy, you are loud. What happened to sneaky and stealthy?" "Am civilized!" Tarin kissed his man, and poured them some barley-water. "Eager Emerson wants…" "Yes, he found me. And don't call him that or I'll slip and do it, too. We're going to the barrier tomorrow. My squad is scheduled to do a mall trip anyway. I'll let Gerd try out a command of his own, since it's just leaving boy supplies. We can peel off to the barrier." "Boy supplies?" Garrick had the grace to look awkward as he set out the lure

project they were working on. "Uh, yeah. We watch you boys venture across the bridge -- so brave! Ow! I'm not mocking you! It helps us know who the oldest ones of you are for the fall. The mall is dangerous." Garrick waved his thumb and finger. "So we collect up and leave care packages for boys to easily find. Backpacks and squashy trousers, for example." Tarin scowled. They had been his prized possessions. Well, except for the knife he had left in Garrick's thigh. "We are second mouse?" Garrick laughed. "No, boy! For a start, there was no first mouse, right? No dead boys in the mall." Tarin frowned. "Never seen a dead boy." Garrick rolled his eyes. "Don't start the dead thing again, boy. And, little beast, you tell men to die in the winter woods all the time." "People don't die. You mustn't die. Jadon should die in winter woods." "You are being silly," said Garrick, and used his two digit hand to expertly tie a hook to a lure. "We don't want to trap boys; chasing them is more fun. Besides, when you run, you good boys always show us who the oldest are, and we can catch the right ones. It's annoying to get the wrong one, like that little one we got

one year and had to throw back." "Gram!" said Tarin. "He's still little." He threaded a line through some feathers. "Catch him this year?" "You said he's still little." "He coughs in the cold." "Then he'll die in the winter woods," shrugged Garrick. "Bad Egg," hissed Tarin, using the worst insult he could think of without the M-word. Garrick put down his hooks and glowered. "Tarin! Demerit! And not a fun spanking one." Tarin snarled. "Said Gram should die!" "You said boys don't die." Garrick rubbed his beard. "Tarin, the Mothers Guides tell men this in their morning meetings, so listen carefully. The woods are the test for the boys who want a home and need protecting. They learn what it is to be alone and suffer so that they accept men and rules when they are offered them. The Mothers are kind and rescue hurt boys -- like Cory. That's why you've never seen a dead boy. A boy who 'dies in the winter woods' has just gone back to the Mothers." Tarin snorted. "Venient!"

Garrick sighed. "Tarin, even civilized life is hard. We can't waste resources. Every year some cadets go back to the Mothers. If they are badly hurt or ill, we put them on the edge of the campus and in the morning they are gone. Men have to be whole and healthy, and we can only have boys who survive the woods." "Mothers!" bellowed Tarin. "Indoor voice," said Garrick, and rubbed his temples. "Mothers are Bad Egg," hissed Tarin. "They let cadets and boys die!" "Two demerits," said Garrick, clearing away his project. "Pft," said Tarin. "They take them back," insisted Garrick. "If they can be healed enough for living here, they are returned like Cory and you." "Scat," said Tarin. "Ungood evening. Had surprise for you, too." "What?" said Garrick. "Jump bug!" said Tarin, proudly displaying his grasshopper on a hook. "Fish will bite!" Garrick softened his stormy face and thanked his boy. "Still two demerits though." He inspected the lure. "And there's still lots of

time to make this a good evening." And it was a good evening! There was an exciting chapter of the book at dinner, Tarin beat Kenan at jump bean, and Garrick changed his mind about one of the demerits and let it be a spanking one. The next day was not so much fun. Tarin was sure his Emerson duty should count as a shift, but somehow he was still told to report to the library. He let his brain jump around though as he worked the stacks. Men had heard the Lady Night Boy sing. Tarin abandoned Linus, who was sorting returned books into order, and did a loop of the stacks perimeter. He stayed close to windows all the time, just in case he was wrong and needed the daylight to protect him, but paused everywhere there had been a hearing of the boy. "Heh," he said and scampered off to the stairs. He took a deep breath and went up a level to the archives. No one was allowed up there except Jonas. It was empty. Lots of rows of boxes on shelves. Some rooms to the side with glass cases. A swing door still moving. Tarin pinched his nose against his nalergie and walked over to a desk. It wasn't dusty. He reached into his shirt pocket, took out some honey suckers, and put them down.

"Second mouse," he said. "Safe! Not a trap." He backed away to the stairs and did not linger. He wouldn't be like men and spy on anyone taking fortunate findings. Downstairs, Linus was still sorting. "Cheese, cheese, cheese," he muttered. "Who has been checking out all the cheese books?" Tarin smothered a giggle and scooted back to one of the spots he'd identified earlier. He wouldn't try whistling, so he would have to sing.

The water is wide, I can-not cross o'er. And neither have I the wings to fly.

Nothing. Not even a man grumbling. Tarin sighed. Perhaps he was wrong. He started off back to Linus. He stopped. Down the air vent came:

Build me a boat that can carry two,

And both shall row, my true love and I. Chapter Seventeen

Tarin hugged his secret knowledge to himself all afternoon. He knew he should tell Garrick -- Kenan's recent rebuke about trusting his man echoed still -- but he didn't have a chance. Eager Emerson was with them the whole time. Tarin was giddy with excitement at leaving campus. Not going toward the woods made it an adventure, not a torment. He tromped along next to his man at the head of his squad, was mindful of his man's honor, and stayed on his very best behavior. Gerd proudly took command and continued over the bridge, while Emerson, Garrick, and Tarin scrambled down the decaying ramp to the old highway. "Deep," shuddered Tarin. He stared up at the bridge. From below, it was high and very crumbly. He couldn't believe he had crossed it or that men still did. As he watched, loose chunks fell down as Gerd's men moved across. "Deeper than metal ravine." Garrick laughed. "Yes, boy, deeper than the old railroad track. I'm still thinking about that anniversary plan."

Emerson looked intrigued, but Garrick gruffly added that it was a private thing. "Pay attention to your mission, Master Sergeant. Where do your records say Ofer was found?" "Almost down to the next bridge." Tarin followed them along, and flexed his feet. He hadn't walked so far in ages, and to his shock he was feeling a little tired. He kept stomping. It must be the stupid heavy boots. "Wait, boy," said Garrick. Tarin stopped and frowned. Garrick and Emerson were a few paces behind him. "Didn't you feel anything?" asked Emerson, bouncing. "No. Didn't notice." "Tarin," said Garrick. "Men get a buzz in their arm at this point to let them know it's a boy boundary. Emerson and I both felt it." Tarin shook his head, and to make his point, took a few more steps. "That's where Hollis refused to try anymore." Emerson scribbled on his clipboard and then nodded at Tarin to carry on. Tarin kept walking. He felt as if he were giving up boy secrets,

but, he thought, it's only me that can do it. It's not like telling the men where the Before Times building was that the boys had hid in. "And that's where Ofer was found!" Tarin shrugged and kept walking. "Hold up, boy," said Garrick. "Nothing was said about seeing how far he could go, Emerson." Tarin waited. He felt very tired. His brain was fuzzing. Emerson protested. He could find out so much more! "No," said Garrick. "I still have my doubts about this project. I've only really agreed in order to give my boy a reward. I checked your proposal review this morning, Emerson. I didn't know before that it had a borderline blasphemy flag on it from Titus." "Colonel Gideon said the medical knowledge…" "Enough," said Garrick. "I saw that Gideon approved it. You've got the data you requested. Tarin, come on back, boy." Tarin blinked and returned. He was exhausted! The walk back took forever, and he tried not to mutter about it, but it was like a whole extra shift.

"Oh, hush," said Garrick. "It was an adventure. Don't be a baby." "Long walk," whined Tarin. "Hard ground, no trees." Garrick checked his forehead. "Emerson, you might want to record that the boy is a little feverish." "Tired," said Tarin. Garrick popped a honeysucker in his boy's mouth and started a marching song about some yorkie-duke to get them up the ramp. "Early bed for you, my boy." "Mmm," said Tarin. "Wait, no dinner?" "Hmm," said Emerson. "The subject displayed renewed energy and attention once back on the bridge level." "Pft," said Tarin, and let his legs stretch and gallop down the hill to campus. In Garrick's opinion, Tarin was positively frisky all evening as they listened to more Hobbitses, had some raucous team snatchball fun, in which Team Garrick defeated Team Cale, and finally a private session of ride the Captain! "Something to tell you," said Tarin and fell asleep.

***

He stared at his sleeping man. Being a baker boy meant early mornings, but it was fun to see his man fast asleep. Tarin was always careful not to disturb him, but he usually kissed his man's beak before he left. Even if it was honking. "Something to tell you," he whispered, and he left for his shift with Edon. He shoved some extra bread into his shirt as he went through the breakfast line, and then scampered across the quad to the library. "You're early, boy," said Jonas. "Linus isn't here yet." Tarin nodded, and let the bread peek out. "No food in the library," said Jonas. Tarin sighed. Men were very slow sometimes. He paused. Or perhaps Jonas was learning about being prey? "The water is wide," said Tarin. "He must be lonely." Jonas stared at him. "Use the staff stairs. Be back before Linus

realizes…" Tarin scooted up the stairs. Between Jonas and Linus both being distracted, the Library was getting a little slack in its discipline. The other librarians still scolded boys and cadets, but Tarin suspected he could hide in the stacks and take a nap for his whole shift before Linus noticed his assistant was missing. He wasn't quite confident enough to try it, as Linus had sudden bursts of grumpy efficiency. He put the bread down on the clean desk and wandered around a little. He took care to sing as he explored the archives. No answer. He headed back to the stairs. "Will come up again at end of shift." Aran appeared around a stack of boxes. "Hey Tarin." He looked like a Lady Night Boy as well. Pale, dusty, thin. But talking! "Thanks for the honey suckers and bread. It's hard for Jonas to smuggle in enough." Tarin grinned. "Especially since it's his own no food rule." Aran laughed -- it sounded rusty. "Has anyone else guessed?" Tarin shook his head. "Perry and some of the boys say there's a Lady Night Boy here. Linus thinks so, too, but he's so busy thinking

about Lorn that he's not noticing much." "It scared me when you sang back. I didn't know the air vents would let you hear." "You have to be right by them," said Tarin. "Otherwise, the nice quiet Lie-Berry would hear everything all the time!" Aran giggled. "I heard you sneeze!" "Nalergie," said Tarin wearily. "Lie-Berry has invisible things." "Can you come back?" asked Aran. "I'm so bored, even with all the books! And Jonas isn't very good at giving me the gossip. I need to know about Linus and Lorn! Jonas just says it's not for boys to know about such things!" Tarin snorted. "Will do shift and be back." He trotted down the stairs, and into the stacks, and slap into Jadon. "Scat!" hollered Tarin, not caring that he was in the library. "You made me drop my books, you foul little…" Tarin stuck his chin in the air. "Why are you in the stacks? Men are not allowed!"

Jadon growled. "I will be an officer again. I will have a new project. Pick up those books and carry them." "Men are not allowed," repeated Tarin, and flinched as Jadon raised his hand. "The boy is correct, Sergeant. Please leave the stacks." Linus stared at the jumbled and dropped books in exasperation. "Fill out a request slip, and I will supply your research needs." Jadon didn't move. "Which," added Linus, provoked into waspishness, "you would know if you had actually used the library the first time around." "You man-kissing -- ow!" "Sorry, Lieutenant Linus," trilled Tarin. "Book slipped." "An officer has given you an order," said Linus, biting his lip to unsuccessfully hide a smile. "Leave the stacks, Sergeant, and ask Major Jonas for his assistance in filling out a request slip." Jadon's veins bulged. "Not asking my Mother-licking brother for anything." "That's right," said Linus. "You're not allowed to talk to him. No wonder planning a project has been so hard for you."

Tarin got ready to drop another book. Mothers, librarians could be mean! And really bad at being prey, he added to himself, as Linus seemed to ignore the danger signs. Jadon snorted like a Before Times monster and stamped out of the stacks. To Tarin's dismay, he did not leave the library but slammed down into a carrel. Eager Emerson gophered up from his carrel and glared at him. Linus sighed. "Pick up the books, Tarin. Thank you for helping, but be careful around that one." "Pft," said Tarin. "Man-kissing is good. Boy-bullying is not." "I admire your moral clarity," said Linus. "Bring the books he muddled up to the sorting table, and then find an assistant librarian to help the sergeant." "Honk-choo," roared Tarin's nose, taking him by surprise. "Yes, Linus. Sorry. Lots of invisible bits!" His stacks shift was weird. He and Linus both took circuitous routes to avoid passing too close to the carrel with Jadon in it. He was like an indoor thundercloud brewing oppressive air, and Tarin noticed Emerson had moved away to a different area. Tarin bit his lip. Bad Egg was folding down pages! Jonas and Linus both hated that. Tarin decided to say nothing. He would not be a scat-stirrer.

His shift was nearly done, and Linus was at the far end of the carrels helping Emerson. He flapped at Tarin to silently dismiss him, and Tarin scooted to the staff stairs. He would make Aran giggle by telling him about Jadon trying to study. He popped through the swing doors and softly sang a line to let Aran know it was safe. "Waugh," he wailed and landed flat on his face, banging his nose. "So, you little Mother-licker, this is where you slack off." Tarin tried to elbow Jadon, but he was too heavy. "I'm off-duty," he snapped. "Am allowed to have free time now! Am bonded and civilized." "You need to be taught respect," snarled Jadon and lifted his hand to punch Tarin. "Get off him!" Aran leaped on Jadon's back and grabbed his ears. "Scat," moaned Tarin. Why had Aran revealed himself? Jadon wouldn't have dared really hurt Tarin. Would he? Jadon stood up and shook Aran off him. His smile was like summer suckground.

"So, a missing boy. Hiding out from your deserved punishment." Jadon grabbed Aran, and dragged him over to desks, and bent him over it. "No one will know what happens if you stay missing, boy, so keep quiet and I'll let you stay here." "You're not allowed to touch boys," said Tarin. He wanted to holler, but there was still a chance Aran could stay hidden. Jadon laughed. "All the better for me having a secret boy! Get your pants down, scum, or I'll turn you in, and you'll lose your tongue." Tarin slammed his fist as hard as he could into Jadon's knee and grabbed Aran as the sergeant buckled. "Get away from him, Aran, run." Aran sobbed. "Tarin, he'll report me." "Oh, scat," moaned Tarin as Aran's delay allowed Jadon to haul himself up. Tarin raised his fists again and then let out an involuntarily yell as Jadon grabbed his braid and swung him from his feet. "Waugh," moaned Tarin, as he slammed into a pillar and slid down. He tried to shake the stun from his head. It was worse than when he'd fallen from his tree when he'd climbed it as a first summer boy, banged his head, and made his right finger go wobbly. The room was hazy like summer-lake, but he saw Aran sobbing and walking over to Jadon. Tarin struggled to his feet and fell over.

He blinked. A Lady Night Boy stood behind Jadon as he prepared to pry Aran's ass cheeks apart. Tarin crawled a few feet and the Lady Night Boy resolved into Linus. Holding a very big book. A very big book indeed that made a satisfying whomp and crack when it slammed into Jadon's head. "I'll show you what a man-kisser can do," sniffed Linus and then swore at the torn binding on the book. Aran wriggled out from under Jadon, pulled his pants up, and hurried over to Tarin. Tarin stood and swayed. "Lieutenant Linus! Thank you!" "Bother," said Linus. "There's blood on the edges, too." Tarin and Aran cautiously rolled Jadon over. His cock flopped around. "Is he dead?" asked Linus. "No," said Aran. "Can you kill him?" asked Tarin.

Linus gave the book a lingering look. "Better not, boy. Hitting him twice looks too… deliberate. If he dies, we're all in the scat." "What can we do?" snuffled Aran. "O, Mothers! He'll report us. I'll lose my tongue, and Jonas will lose everything for hiding me. We won't even be together." Jadon groaned. "There no time," said Linus. "Escape, and then think of a plan. You just have to get away." "Where?" wailed Aran. "There's nowhere to run. The men can find us in the woods." Tarin rubbed his aching head. "I know where the barrier is that Ofer tried to cross. I can get through it. Aran -- I can show you the way and carry you over. It can't last forever. You'll have to wake up at some point. If I can get us out of sight of the boy barrier on the other side, they won't think you went that way." "Fine," said Linus. "But go now! There's no time for any discussion or delay. I'll make sure Jadon is found and doesn't die." "But," said Aran. "Just run," urged Linus. "I'll let Jonas know as soon as I can."

"Come on," said Tarin. "Down the staff stairs and out the backdoor. Don't even look at the Infer Desk." Aran gulped and obeyed. The two boys flew out the backdoor, and then Tarin grabbed Aran. "Slowly, we'll just walk to the edge of campus as if we are enjoying our free time. If we run without an exercise cadet, we're noticeable. The patrol will stop us. If we walk, we're just two boys. No one is expecting to see you." Tarin kept a grip on Aran's arm and could feel the boy's pulse shiver and flutter as they walked past the out buildings and toward the hill to the mall bridge. "We're off campus," moaned Aran. "We'll lose our balls if we are caught. Like Ofer." Tarin paused and let a wave of dizziness pass over him. His head hurt, and his balls had shuddered. "We won't be caught." He looked around and pointed to the bushes that straggled and invaded the path up the hill. "We are woodland boys, Aran. We don't march on a path. Remember how to do not-being-seen? Come on, we can cut through here to where the ramp joins the highway without going up to the bridge and down the ramp." Aran swallowed and followed Tarin into the undergrowth.

"Men will need to be better trackers than we are," said Tarin. "And once we get to the road, no one from campus can see us. We can run along it. As soon as you wake up again over the horizon, I can make it back. I won't lose my balls! I will tell Jonas where to find you if Linus hasn't sent him already." Aran squeezed his hand hard. "Thank you, Tarin." The leaf mulch under his feet and the scratchy branches along his body and the living green around him… Tarin inhaled. If only he wasn't so dizzy and terrified, he could enjoy prowling through the scrubland. "Miss the woods," he whispered to Aran. "I don't," said Aran. "I like books and divids and beds." "Pft," said Tarin. "Civilized." Aran giggled. "You like them too, Tarin. I've seen your face when Linus is reading." The boys emerged from the undergrowth where the ramp met the big road. Tarin gave a precautionary look up at the bridge, but he knew there were no missions that day. He always listened to where Garrick's men were going to be. A chunk of what his man had said was called concrete clattered down. Garrick was busy making plans for a major mall emptying project to last the whole

summer. He was convinced the bridge would not last one more winter. He'd even asked Lieutenant Idris what the range on his flinging machine was, and whether bales of durable goods could be shot across to save manpower. Idris had laughed and started designing a cable and pulley system to cross the highway instead. Aran was hyperventilating at having to walk on a Before Times road. It stretched on forever, broken only by occasional bridges. It was like something from a Lady Night Tale. "Jonas says this is where all the cars were. And the ute-vees." He shuddered. "Bad place." Tarin nodded. When he'd been here with Garrick and Emerson, he'd been focused on the adventure and enjoying being outside with his man. Being alone on the highway was entirely different. "Let's stay close to the edge. We can duck down in the grass if we have to hide. Tell me if you get a buzz in your arm. That's the barrier warning." "Can I hold your hand?" said Aran. "I'm really scared. What if we meet a Mother?" "Pft!" said Tarin. "I've met one." He took Aran's hand. "Really?" Tarin nodded. "Titus knows about it. I was Mothered on

Shortest Day! At least, that's what the men say." He frowned. "And I do remember bits of it," he admitted. "I was in a ute-vee, and they poked me with sharp things." He grinned. "They don't like Jadon either." He stomped along a bit more. "Oh, and Mothers use bad words!" Aran shuddered, and Tarin switched to giving him gossip about Lorn and Linus to make his friend feel better. Aran processed all the news as he trudged along. "Huh," he said, after hearing all about the scandal. "So did Lorn ever get more medicine?" "Yes, the Mothers delivered a special package for him. Medicine, and special cloths all sealed up, and salves, and other stuff. He nearly died, Linus says. He's still not well. Gideon says he shouldn't work near the animals yet, in case he gets fected, so he does projects at home." "Infected," said Aran. He clapped his hand to his arm. "Ow!" "Barrier," said Tarin. He scouted around. It all looked safe. "Emerson said Hollis cried and couldn't carry on, but that Ofer kept going and passed out over there." Aran moaned. "Well, Ofer was escaping as well, and Hollis was only being ordered." He smiled bravely at Tarin. "What if I run in as fast as I can until I pass out? That might not be so bad."

Tarin nodded. "I'll be right behind you. As soon as you pass out, I'll pick you up and keep going." "How will you know when we're far enough?" "You'll wake up," said Tarin and nodded hard. "Oh Mothers," moaned Aran. "What if there is no other side? What if I don't wake up?" "Jonas will find us," said Tarin. "I'll stay with you until he does." "Okay," whispered Aran. "Oh Mothers, I'm scared." He gulped. "See you on the other side." "Winter passes," said Tarin. "And morning comes," replied Aran. He backed up a few steps and sprinted for the barrier. He yelped as he hit it, but kept going. He started to yip and wail every few steps, but the boy kept running. Tarin jogged after him, his nails digging into his palms as his friend sobbed in pain. Aran gave a shriek and fell over. He writhed and then lay still. Tarin bent to pick him up, ignoring the wave of exhaustion that came over him, and slung Aran over his shoulder as he had seen Edon carry bad boys and bags of flour. He took a few steps. Oh Mothers, this was hard. And what was

that noise? Aran wasn't shouting anymore. Tarin staggered around and looked over his shoulder. "Scat!" he screamed. The roaring was Jadon bellowing with rage from the bridge. Tarin ran. It would take a man who didn't need to hide and wasn't affected by the barrier no time to reach them. Even if Aran woke up and ran too, what could they do? "Mothers," he bellowed. "Mothers!" His lungs were going to burst. He didn't care about Jadon fighting him, but if Jadon caught them, they would lose their toes and balls, and Aran would lose Jonas and his tongue. The air grew thick around him, and his thoughts felt feverish. He took a deep breath and dredged his memory. "Idaea! Hathor! Help us! Bad Egg!" He looked over his shoulder to what Jadon was doing and tripped. He raised his head and saw Jadon plummeting over the edge of the bridge surrounded by a shower of concrete chunks. Bad Egg hollered as he fell. Tarin closed his eyes.

Chapter Eighteen

"Wake up, boy." Tarin open his eyes. He was still lying on the ground, but Beakface and a Mother were looking at him. "Ungood," he muttered and shut his eyes. He opened them again. "Hello Hathor. My man!" "Yes, Little One. Your nice fat Beak-face." She snorted. "Sorry Captain Garrick, that's what he called you when we read him last time." "He says that to my face," replied Garrick. "Tarin, can you sit up? We have to get Jadon to a clinic." "Bad Egg," said Tarin and stayed lying down. "And Aran too," said Jonas, his face appearing above Tarin. "He's still passed out from the barrier." "Jonas!" bellowed Tarin. "Hurrah! Wait, we keep balls?" "Monsanto!" said Hathor. "No one is losing anything. Get up, Little One. Jonas and Garrick have already got Jadon into the back seat. Gentlemen, keep him secured. Try not to let his head move.

Tarin, you can get your friend into the front seat with you." Tarin got up and gasped. The ute-vee was right next to him, and Bad Egg was stretched out in it. He was bloody and dusty and very very still. "Dead," said Tarin. "Leave him here." "He's not dead," said Hathor. "You little beast. He is badly hurt, though. His back may be broken." Tarin lifted Aran into the squashy seat by Hathor's and got in next to him. He put his arms around his friend to stop him flopping around. "Hold tight," said Hathor. Tarin held his head high and refused to show fear. He had been in a ute-vee before. He heard Jonas curse and saw his man's hand was white-knuckled as he held on to the seat. His pride was punctured a little when Hathor reminded him that he'd puked last time when Idaea had found him. "Was ill!" protested Tarin. "Not at that stage," said Hathor. "That was all inhibitor malfunction and car sick."

"Pft," said Tarin. "Don't sass the Mothers," said Garrick. "Sorry, Mom." "Look out of the windows," said Hathor. "That can help." "Waugh!" cried Tarin. The world was faster than falling. Faster than diving. He looked out of the back. The bridge was far behind them, and the sides of highway were getting lower. There were more Before Times buildings. "The highway has to go through and over the old City," said Hathor. "Look all you want, we'll have to wipe you before you go back so it doesn't matter what you see." "Nightmare," said Garrick, staring at the tall broken buildings and the burned hulks. "Disaster," said Hathor. "We can't let this happen again." She sped through the city, never leaving the highway. Tarin got dizzy as the ute-vee seemed level with the tops of buildings. "Nothing lives here," he said. "Nothing wants to," said Hathor. "And nothing needs to either. Sometimes we see dogs in here, but they tend to stay out in the country as well."

"Birds," said Tarin. "Yes, they nest here. I saw falcons once." Hathor looked over her shoulder. "Hold on gentlemen, we are leaving the city. You'll see the farms soon." Jonas simply moaned, but Garrick seemed to be adapting to being in a monster's belly. He was peering out at the landscape in fascination. "Crops!" he cried. "Wheat," said Hathor, proudly. "Isn't it wonderful? Later in the summer, it's as yellow as your beard." "It's beautiful, Mom," said Garrick in awe. "Grows in lines," said Tarin. "Wrong!" "Sorry, Mom," said Garrick. "The boy hasn't seen our gardens yet. He doesn't understand cultivation." "Clearly," said Hathor, and sniggered to herself. "Captain Garrick, please don't call me 'Mom.' I'm your age." Garrick's mumbled, "Sorry, Mom" was lost as Hathor turned off the highway and bounced the ute-vee down a trail to a sprawl of low white buildings.

"More Mothers," groaned Jonas as their vehicle was surrounded by urgent mothers. Jadon was borne away on a board, and Aran was scooped up and carried off. Jonas visibly gulped and followed his boy and brother. "Well," said Hathor. "Come on in, and catch us up on the news. Can't tell you how eagerly we read Titus' faxes, but he leaves out the juicy parts! We learned a lot from reading you last time, Little One." She paused. "Including about Ofer. Captain Garrick -- we had no idea what would happen to him when we returned him." She opened a door and waved them in. "We found him like Aran, but we decided to put him back after we'd made sure he wasn't ill. We thought he was just lost." She pointed to seats and waited while Garrick and Tarin sat down. "We've made sure to read every boy we've met since then." Idaea came in with two glasses. "Hello, Little One. I know you have not stayed out of trouble since I last you." Tarin took the drink from her. "Am good! Bonded!" Idaea and Hathor chuckled. "It's no good, boy; we know all about your exploits from Titus." "Scat," said Tarin. "He is good," said Garrick. "He's my twice-caught boy."

Hathor nodded. "Tarin is a brave boy. A loyal one." "Twice-chipped," laughed Idaea. "Tarin, have you stopped feeling dizzy?" Tarin nodded. "Since we last saw you, we've figured out how to turn off chips without removing them. We've zapped your malfunctioning one. You shouldn't get the spine tingles anymore." Idaea fidgeted. "Unfortunately, we also zapped your functioning one, too. Captain, your boy has no chips now. This means he won't even feel dizzy and tired across a barrier anymore. The lake barrier was a low strength one, since there are no other camps or colonies that way for days, so he was always able to swim there with no trouble. That's what our reading said anyway. Tarin -- did you ever feel strange by the lake?" "Sometimes felt like too much sun and happy sleepy," said Tarin. "Nothing bad. Was nice." Idaea nodded. "That sounds about right. The high strength one to stop you travelling to cities seemed to just exhaust him not zap him. Tarin -- we don't want to risk another inhibitor in you, so we are going to put a gypsy unit in you. It will show us where you are. If you get lost or stray from campus, we can find you." Tarin gulped. "Will hurt?"

"No, Little One. In fact, we'll make it pretty and put in your ear like another jewel. Is that all right?" "Only Garrick does that," said Tarin. "His marks. Mean things." "If we put it in, he and Garrick will wonder where it came from once they are returned," said Idaea. "I don't want my boy wandering off," said Garrick. "Put the jewel in my pocket. When we get back, I will think I meant it for him, and will have Helem punch his ear again." Tarin squirmed. "And it will mean something, boy, even if we can't remember. I'll know somehow what you risked for a friend." "Was coming back," said Tarin, suddenly terrified his man thought Tarin had chosen Aran over him. "I know," said Garrick. "Linus told us what happened. Jadon woke up and started fighting him. The whole library heard them yelling. He got away and set off after you. Said he'd kill you both." Garrick grinned. "Jonas came and got me, but I expect half the campus is combing the route to the mall looking for us all by now." Jonas came in, beaming, with a pale, but walking, Aran behind him. Aran flung his arms around Tarin and squeezed.

"His chip is off. Mothers, please leave it off. I don't want to go back while my boy is at risk. We'll set off together. Somehow." Aran shuddered in Tarin's arms. "Live wild?" said Hathor before Tarin had to pipe up that Aran didn't remember the woods fondly and that he doubted a librarian would survive. "If we must," said Jonas, and Aran bravely left Tarin's hug, nodded, and snugged up to his man. Idaea shrugged. "Let me check the database. There may be another colony with room for two librarians. It won't be a man-boy one though." "Two librarians?" said Aran. "Sure," said Hathor. "I'm sure Jonas can get a smart boy like you up to speed." Idaea was clicking away. "Here we are. The Angleside colony is a manlove safespace, but requires all members to be equals. Some women live among the men. Can you handle that, Jonas?" "Equals?" said Jonas. "Mothers?" said Aran.

Tarin giggled. "Linus and Lorn should move there." "Nah," said Garrick. "You know how Lorn feels about Mothers." "He would change his mind," said Tarin, seriously. "He would see we are not abandoned." "We can handle it," said Jonas, after whispering with his boy. "But why do you ask only men?" said Tarin. "If they are going to be equals there?" Hathor laughed. "You are far too smart, Little One. We respect the ways of each community. Your campus has men and boys -we don't interfere." "Sometimes we should," grumbled Idaea. "Come on," said Hathor. "I will show you two around, and point out aspects that are like the Angleside colony, and you can discuss the idea more." Jonas took his boy's hand and followed Hathor out. "Garrick," said Idaea, "I have questions for you about the campus. We can talk through some issues and prepare a plan together."

Garrick looked eager. "I have lots of ideas!" "Well, as you know, Captain," said Idaea, and giggled inexplicably to herself, "Every week Titus receives Mothers' Suggestions. I will include our plans in next week's fax." "Yes, Mom!" said Garrick, and grinned. "And, Tarin," said Idaea. "If you go out of that door, follow the corridor, and take the left turn, you'll find our swimming pool. I hear you miss the water. Have a swim while I interview your man." "Swim!" crowed Tarin. "Beak-face? Can go?" "The Mother said so," chuckled Garrick. Tarin barreled out of the door. He was pulling his green notbeing-seen top off as he went. "Take your boots off," yelled Garrick after him. Water! Not just a hot bathroom with other boys but proper cool water! Moving over his skin, and letting his whole body work. Water! Tarin kicked like a frog and dove like a duck. He swam and swam. The inside pool was strange -- no mud, no fish, no weeds, and the bottom was always there. He could stand up whenever he got tired. But Aran was safe, Jadon was hurt, his man was here, and he

was in water! Good! "Waugh!" wailed Tarin, swimming slap into something. Ungood! He stood up. "Scat!" He thrashed for the edge of the pool. "Lady Night Boy!" The Lady Night Boy was also screaming. "Boy!" Tarin jumped out of the water and so did the Lady Night Boy. They both screamed even louder. "Lady Night Boy OFER!" wailed Tarin. "Boy parts!" screamed the Lady Night Boy. Idaea burst in. "Oh, herbicides! Nalini, you are meant to be studying your agri-books. You have a test on the omni-book tomorrow. Stop screaming." "It's a BOY," wailed Nalini. "O! Cargill! Disgusting!" "No balls," wailed Tarin. "Lady Night Boy has no balls!" "Nalini! Get a towel. The boy is freaking out." "He's freaking out?" snapped Nalini, swishing her long black braid. "I'm the one who had to see a penis!" "Get him a towel too, then! Honestly, Nalini. Woman up!"

Tarin covered his eyes. Nalini also had jiggily bits. No wonder mothers in divids looked so squashy. Tarin felt himself bundled up, and he reached down and clutched the towel to himself. He'd never felt so naked before, not even when men had chanted at his bum on his first days out of the woods. Idaea guided him back down the hallway. "Tarin," said Idaea. "Open your eyes. Sit down with your man. I'd like you to meet your sister, Nalini." "What's a sister?" said Tarin, squeezing up next to Garrick for safety and opening one eye. "A brother who is a mother," said Beak-face, helpfully. "Your sibling," said Idaea. Tarin glared at the Lady Night Boy in a towel. It looked just like him, but taller and with jiggly bits. "No balls," he moaned. "Well, long live Freud," muttered Idaea. "Tarin, Nalini is a woman. She is your older sister. Gram, who is still in the woods, is your little brother. You are all siblings. Cory is your cousin." Nalini snorted. "Pft, Idaea. Good luck explaining cousins to the wild boy!"

"Am civilized! My sister is a mother?" said Tarin. "Not yet," said Nalini. "I have one more Mother Project to go." She gave Garrick a nasty look. "And you killed my pig, Polly! She was my best Mother Project." Garrick actually blushed at being addressed so harshly by a mother, woman, boy's sibling, whatever she was. "Sorry, we didn't know. We thought she was a test." "Well," snapped Nalini. "The fact that men think our gifts are a test is just proof that you are not ready to have livestock again. It should be obvious that you are meant to protect the livestock we deliver. The fact it's a puzzle to you about whether to eat or raise them is proof... well!" "Mothers don't eat meat?" asked Garrick. "Ew!" squealed Nalini. "Disgusting! Pigs are for manure for the fields and eating scraps. They make things grow better." "They're delicious," protested Tarin. "Idaea," wailed Nalini. "Make them stop! They ATE Polly." "That was barbaric," said Idea. "But calm down, Nalini. They are looking after Polly's piglets, and they won't eat them. Will you?" She gave Garrick and Tarin an exaggerated wink.

"No," said Tarin, and gasped. There had been no spine tingle, even though he was quite definitely remembering how good blankiepigs had been and wishing he could have them again. He had better confess to his man that he could lie now! "No, Mom," said Garrick. "Tarin and I will not eat them." Idaea snorted, and Tarin sighed. Scat. His man had promised. "This is why everything fell apart!" said Nalini. "I was studying for my quiz, Idaea, really. I read all about men eating cows!" "Before Times animal," said Tarin to Garrick, proud to show off his knowledge. "Dairy!" Nalini wasn't the only one who knew things! "They are extinct," snapped Nalini. "All destroyed." "No cheese?" said Tarin in horror. As they baked, Edon had expounded to him at length about what was needed to be able to make pizza. They had even practiced pizza bases, and Eloi had turned them into yummy bread plates for stews. "No cheese," confirmed Nalini, rather too triumphantly. "No," wailed Tarin. "Poor Ofer!" There was a babble and confused conversation, and finally

Garrick explained to Idaea and Nalini about Edon's promotion project, and how he and Ofer would be truly together if Edon was an officer. "Isn't that romantic?" sighed Hathor, who had joined them along with Aran and Jonas during the tale. "Doomed love," said Nalini with relish. "Don't be ridiculous," said Idaea. "You know very well we have goat cheese." "And that someone's final Mother Project is Caroline the Nanny Goat," added Hathor staring at Nalini. "They'll eat her," sulked Nalini. "Captain Garrick," said Hathor. "No promises, but we will strongly suggest to the Mother Project board that the goats go to your community. Don't fuss, Nalini, you know part of the Mother Project is letting go of the babies you raise. And this will help our colony atone for poor Ofer's mutilation." "Pizza," said Tarin. "We'll have pizza!" He looked at Nalini. "Won't eat goat! Promise." "Pft," said Nalini. Garrick didn't stop his silent guffaws until medics came in to

report on Jadon. The room was quiet. "Oh, scat," said Jonas. "He is still my brother." "He tried to rape your boy," said Garrick. "Never walk?" said Jonas. "No. He is lucky to breathe on his own." Garrick folded his arms and muttered, "Whole and healthy." Aran squirmed and tugged on Jonas' arm. Jonas listened to his boy's whisper. "Um, pardon the question…" "He can't fuck either," said the medic. "He can move his arms. He can be a useful person. He can read, plan, make things. He is still the same man." "Can hurt a boy?" said Aran quietly. "Yes!" said Tarin urgently. "He can lie, and bully, and be a Bad Egg." "Scat," said Jonas.

"The new colony will take him if he agrees to learn new work, and if you and Aran agree to supply his care and shelter," said Idaea. Aran paled. "It doesn't have to be personally," said Hathor. "They are a larger group, and it's possible to not interact with people. You won't have to see him. The colony barters labor. Anything he can't earn himself above the community-supplied shares of food, shelter, and medicine, you can trade for -- there are workers who will clean his quarters if you do something for them. They have wind and solar power, so they have more evening lighting. They're big readers there, so I think they will welcome someone who has figured out the catalog." She smiled at Aran. "Yes, we know, boy, who cracked the library code for your community." Aran beamed in pride, then turned to his man. "Jonas, if I never see him, and he is so hurt… well, how would we sleep well knowing your brother…" "Oh, scat, once again my brother rides on my back. Very well, boy. He comes with us." Jonas looked at Hathor and swallowed hard. "Our old community had severed the brother bond between us and forbidden us to speak. For good reason. However, I will guarantee he is never a burden on my new community if that old promise is kept and that my boy -- my partner -- never has to be in his presence or have his life interfered with by Jadon's actions. Aran

has lived through enough because of my un-brother." "I can't speak for them," said Hathor, "but that seems reasonable." Nalini was staring at Jonas. "Wow. Your brother is that much of a pesticide?" She looked at Tarin. "I guess you weren't so bad, worm." Tarin scowled. "Wait, you remember me?" Idaea chuckled. "Your NiNi cried for days after you went to woods training." "He was only ten," said Nalini. "He was little." "He had two more years learning survival skills," said Hathor. "It's not like we just dump them there. Not like those cadet lads. They're far too wild." "Brutes," said Garrick, nodding. "Well," said Idaea briskly. "The longer we keep these two, the more explaining they'll have to do. They'll already have to come up with some Lady Night Tale about what happened to Jonas, Jadon, and Aran. Tarin, roll up your sleeve, boy. I have a shot for you." "Told you they poked me," groused Tarin.

"What are you putting in my boy?" demanded Garrick. "Just an allergy shot." "No!" said Tarin. "Already have nalergie. It's horrible!" "It stops you sneezing," said Idaea, patiently. "You can work in the library without the dust bothering you." Tarin frowned. "No thank you! Might get transferred if no Jonas and sneezing! Linus will give up and return me to duty officer!" "That's a gamble," said Garrick. "What if they put you in the laundry?" "Scat," said Tarin, and chewed his lip. "Will gamble! Hate the books!" "Me too," said Nalini. "Poddy-peas," said Hathor. "Well then," said Idaea. "Say good-bye to Jonas and Aran, and we'll take you back." Jonas and Garrick clasped forearms, and Tarin and Aran clung to each other. "Ow," said Tarin and gave Hathor a cross look. "Bitey thing!

Garrick was giving Idaea a similar look. "Don't worry, lads. We'll drop you by the mall. Be good." "Thanks, Mom," said Garrick and keeled over. "I missed you, Tarry," said Nalini. "Look out for Gram, won't you? Our baby brother!" "Scat!" said Tarin, and fell asleep. Epilogue

Tarin curled his toes a bit tighter against the bark as he scooted his naked butt back and leaned against the tree trunk. His toes twitched. They could nearly hold on! The sun dappled gold through the leaves. He yawned. He could sleep here. "Waugh!" he wailed as he plummeted down. "Oh scat!" He splashed into the lake and huffed from the cold. "Mean man!" He beat the water at Garrick. "Me?" said Garrick. "I'm not the one scaring off the fish." Tarin flapped his wet braid at his man. "I do not fall out of trees. Was pulled."

"Caught," said Garrick, casting a lure past his boy. "Now swim somewhere else, or get out of the water." Tarin dove under the water and tried wriggle-swimming like a fish. It was hard, and he burst to the surface. He floated a little and then paddled back to his man. "Priv-lig," he said happily. "Am good." Garrick snorted. "Yeah, boy. Fisher-boy duty is a real privilege so don't mess it up. Now catch me some more jump bugs for bait and don't eat them all." Tarin stretched out on the grass and let the sun dry him off as he waited, hunter-Tarin, for the bugs to come by. "Bum!" he said jerking awake as something hard teased his cheeks apart. "Boy Ease in tackle box," said his man, and set about fucking his wild boy by the lake. Tarin wrapped his legs around his big fat man's waist and held on tight. He rocked and humped and made sure not to wail. He didn't want any woodland boys that might be peeking from behind the boy barrier being scared. "My man!" he shouted as their gifts flew.

Garrick let his weight rest forward a little as he recovered and Tarin lifted his face to kiss his man. "Man eats boy," he whispered. Garrick grinned. "Going on a boy hunt!" "Woof," said Tarin. "If the cadets don't stop singing that song soon, I'll show them who's scared!" "It's tradition, boy. All summer and fall before the new boys are caught, the cadets tease the boys with that song. Don't worry. Mart and Socorro will you teach you how to sing back the Lady Night Boy attack verse! See how scared the brand-new cadets are then!" "Going on a boy hunt," sang Tarin, "we're going to catch a cute one…" "Already got one," interrupted Beak-face, and kissed his boy again. Tarin squirmed. "Am going to wheedle!" "Again?" moaned Beak-face. "What is it this time? You're already a gardener and not a library boy, and have fisher-boy privileges, and somehow you have four ear jewels. You'll catch up with Eloi soon." Tarin snorted. "Eloi will run out of space! Sten will have to use

Second Boy's ears!" "Who says ears are all Sten will use?" Tarin shuddered. "Owie!" His brain involuntarily began to inventory all the places Helem's jewelry thunker could work. Garrick let his teeth show through his beard. "I don't know what you are imagining, but we still need an anniversary mark." "Waugh!" said Tarin. "Wheedle me, then, boy," said Garrick, rolling sideways off his boy so that his cock eased out. Tarin hissed as he emptied. "Hard to wheedle now! Man has his cock back and balls empty!" Garrick snorted. "Boy, you know I am yours to wheedle! Just help me get the catch ready to transport." Tarin helped make sure all the fish were strung securely and the lures packed up tidily. "When is boy hunt going to be?" "Aw, Mothers," said Garrick. "Not that wheedle again! Six or seven Mother Days yet. And no, he is too young."

"But he coughs so much. And it's important," said Tarin. "Please. I know he's too soon for even a two band, but he can't handle winters, please. Catch Gram." Garrick shook his head. "What kind of wild boy are you, begging for one to be captured?" "He might die in the winter woods," said Tarin, as pathetically as he could. "The Mothers will look after him," said Garrick. "Don't let the Mothers get him!" said Tarin in alarm. "Garrick, we have to look after him. Please catch him on the hunt." "I already have a boy," said Garrick. "Of course, he's pretty troublesome, maybe I should try a new one… Ow!" "Lure slipped," said Tarin. "Please, Garrick. It matters. I don't know why, but it does." "He'd be a three-band boy. And there's no such thing." "Was twice-caught," rebutted Tarin. "Huh," said Garrick, "by the time Gram would be ready for a man, I'd be a colonel. Now I understand. You want a Second Boy!"

"No!" wailed Tarin. "That's it," said Garrick. "A Second Boy to braid your hair and suck your man when you feel lazy." "Wrong," said Tarin. "Still kill Second Boy!" He picked up the bucket with little bait fish in it and got ready to dump it in the lake. He stared into it and looked at the minnows circling like boys in the woods not knowing they were just waiting to be plucked out. "Scat," he said, and poured them into the lake. "Lake is just a big bucket." "Aw, boy. Don't get all morose. We're all in the woods or the lake, just waiting for our fate. If we're lucky, we're the second mouse. Or a boy who doesn't die in winter woods." Tarin hung his head. "Please? Bring in Gram? Make him civilized." Garrick sighed. "If he crosses my path, boy, yes. Now come on. Let's go home. It's pizza and divid night!" Garrick hooked the string of fish into his part hand, slung his left arm over his boy's shoulder, and they walked together, bickering softly, along the edge of the woods.

End.

If you liked this book you might like: Out of the Woods and The Dr. Fell Series.