Tamerlane's Boys 2

By Pueros

Chapter 2 – Retributions

(Erivan, Armenia, June 1387)

For Tamerlane’s castrator, the gelding of boys only formed a very minor and occasional part of his work.

Eunuchs were limited to non-Muslim races, as Tamerlane was a respecter of Islamic tradition in deference to his late revered pious father. They might not have existed at all amongst the conqueror’s closest retinue if it had not been for his acquisition of a taste for certain aspects of Persian, Turkish and Arabian culture.

The castrator’s main work was to try to mend wounds suffered by Tamerlane’s soldiers, sometimes involving the amputations of unsaveable or gangrenous limbs. Ear piercing was another sideline and was the reason why Arman had been brought to his tent because, as someone who shared the conqueror’s religion, the boy would not be emasculated. However, this also meant that the lad would be introduced to his captor’s bed sooner rather than later.

(Isfahan, Persia, September 1387)

Tamerlane had turned south after his victorious and bloody campaigns in Georgia and Armenia in preference to advancing north, over the Caucasus Mountains, into the vast territories controlled by the Mongol Khanate of the Golden Horde [now basically much of southern Russia, Ukraine and western Kazakhstan]. The conqueror headed first for Isfahan, a rich and cultured Muslim city in central Persia, one of the great metropolises of western Asia.

Tamerlane had already subdued the east of Persia, a country weakened at the time by division amongst rival warlords and consequent constant dissension. He was now intent on adding central and western Persia to his domains.

On approaching Isfahan, both Vissarion and Arman were fascinated at the stark difference between the great deserts, bounded by the mountain chains which enclosed the Persian plateau, from which they were emerging and the sight of the wide basin at the bottom of which slept the ancient city. The most striking aspect was the sudden termination of the seemingly endless expanse of rock and sand and its replacement by the huge walled green oasis that lay ahead, with big trees bearing lush, verdant foliage. The bulbous domes of the Mosques showed above the canopy of vegetation glowing turquoise-green in the sunshine, with the cool blue tiles of many of the buildings, and the city’s majestic bridges over the River Zayindeh, contrasting perfectly with the hot dry barren Persian countryside around it.

The two resplendently dressed 11 years olds, both riding nice ponies, were in the mounted entourage that formed the vanguard of Tamerlane’s army. Despite being from traditionally rival peoples, the young Georgian and Armenian, sharing recent similar familial disasters and new roles in life, had become good friends, whenever possible platonically enjoying each other’s company, aided by mutual speedy acquisition of the Turkish dialect spoken at the conqueror’s court. They even compared experiences of their times in their master’s bed, which were frequent as he enjoyed novelty and had promoted some of his other older catamites to non-sexual service.

Vissarion and Arman observed amongst themselves how tender and courteous Tamerlane was in private, a side of him unknown in public where he always displayed a fierce uncompromising visage, expecting obsequiousness from everyone he encountered. The conqueror’s consideration extended to his bed. Although their master would not forego penetrative sex, he conquered the boys’ virginity slowly and carefully, attempting not to cause his new young catamites unnecessary distress, in stark contrast to his other invasion activities. The first act of sodomy perpetrated on them had still been agonising but not as excruciating as it could have been if conducted more selfishly, and the lads were well cared for afterwards by their emasculated attendants, both former members of the travelling young male harem.

The anuses of Vissarion and Arman had since become more accustomed to the intrusion of Tamerlane’s large cock because of the frequency of occurrence, although the conqueror’s intrusions still remained painful. The young Georgian and Armenian now comprised half of the boy harem, with the former the only eunuch. However, the conqueror was on the lookout for a few more recruits as he considered a different young body every night of the week most desirable.

The terrified people of Isfahan opened the gates of their city to Tamerlane’s notorious army, not wishing to anger the man. The conqueror and his entourage were accommodated in the magnificent palace of the deposed ruler whilst negotiations proceeded in respect of the final terms of the city’s surrender. He was reclining on a couch, enjoying an evening meal with some of his closest advisers. As usual, the remaining four members of his boy harem were present to taste their master’s food and drink and present the ornate silver dishes and goblet to him whenever required.

Arman was aware that it was his turn to share Tamerlane’s bed later but it was not this knowledge that caused the young Armenian to vomit after tasting some grapes. It was the conqueror who was first to appreciate what had happened and he immediately sent for his trusted personal physician, with instructions to bring the strongest purgative. Luckily, the boy had not consumed too much of the poison and the doctor’s medicine performed its function well. However, the lad was to be poorly for a few weeks and had to be left behind when his master and most of the army left to subdue other parts of central Persia.

The attempt to kill Tamerlane was not the first to be made and would not be the last. Enquiries were made as to possible culprits but no leads were found. As the conqueror did not know whether he had brought the assassins with him or they hailed from Isfahan, he took no punitive action other than have some servants beheaded for incompetence in allowing the fruit to be served in a poisoned condition.

Before leaving, the concerned Tamerlane had secretly visited Arman daily to check on the boy’s progress. The conqueror also kindly left behind his physician to ensure his young catamite’s full recovery, as well as Vissarion. Tamerlane was aware of the close friendship between the two lads and thought that the young Georgian’s presence to nurse the young Armenian could only speed the lad’s recuperation.

Arman had recovered significantly within two weeks of the departure of Tamerlane and most of his soldiers, not least because of the gentle caring ministrations of his friend. The two boys and their adult attendants were preparing their own departures to rejoin their master when many heavily armed citizens of Isfahan raided the palace. The 11 years olds could hear the sounds of fierce fighting taking place outside their opulent quarters as the small protective force left behind by the conqueror was overwhelmed.

Tamerlane’s demands regarding tribute and control of Isfahan’s affairs angered many of the populace and unrest had begun to ferment after his departure, eventually breaking out into revolt.

The door burst open and Vissarion and Arman could see that the guards posted at the entrance to their rooms had been killed. A number of men, murderous intent obvious in their eyes, now advanced, bloody scimitars and knives in hands, towards the tremulous youngsters. The Isfahanis knew that the 11 years olds were bumboys of the hated Tamerlane and were bent on ensuring that none of the conqueror’s soldiers or servants was left alive within their city.

The unarmed servants of the boys bravely tried to shield their young charges from harm but were quickly cut down. Vissarion, exhibiting greater speed of thought than Arman, who was still weak in body and mind after his almost fatal experience, grabbed his friend’s arm, saying “Follow me!” The two boys then jumped through an open window leading to a wide garden courtyard. They fled to one of many doorways on the other side, not knowing where it led. However, the lads were fortunate in their choice as the entrance, used only by servants, led to a myriad of narrow corridors in which they could temporarily lose themselves from their pursuers.

Vissarion and Arman eventually came to a dead end marked by a bolted door. They unbolted the barrier and hurried through to find a path that led to a roadway at the back of the palace. Noisy mayhem was evident, with people, many armed, rushing hither and thither, and the boys used the chaos to camouflage their escape by rushing into the moving throng. However, although no-one took any initial notice of the young escapees, they knew that they could not risk being amongst the crowd for long as their dress was not that of Isfahan. The lads therefore eventually chose to run down a quieter side alley. On this occasion, their selection of escape route did not seem to be a good one when they came to realise that the lane was actually a cul-de-sac.

Vissarion and Arman were worried about turning back as their pursuers might by now be looking for them in the road from where they had come but were beginning to think that they had no other choice when they spied a man in a yard off the alley. The Isfahani had obviously seen the boys as well because he was beckoning them to him.

Vissarion and Arman looked up the alley to the busy road many paces away and dithered at what to do. They then looked back at the man, a stonemason judging from the impedimenta scattered around his yard, and it was something in his eyes that encouraged the young Georgian to lead the young Armenian into the craftsman’s workplace.

The stonemason, alarmed at what some of his fellow citizens were perpetrating and the likely awful consequences, was gathering some of his key possessions on a rather ancient horse in order to flee the city. He was unmarried and childless and lived on his own, but was also kindly. He had recognised from their attire that the boys, clearly frightened and in flight, were not of his people but could not leave them to their fate. He spoke some Turkish and, although not of Tamerlane’s dialect, managed to put the 11 years olds at ease regarding his intentions by making it known that he meant no harm but rather was prepared to aid their escape.

The stonemason abandoned his plans for his own immediate personal flight as he could not leave the city with the boys in their current costume. The craftsman also realised that they had to be hidden quickly before others ventured this way. He therefore gestured the lads towards the safest place of concealment that he could think of, a stone sarcophagus just completed for a recently deceased Isfahani noble, knowing that no-one would tempt fate by looking inside.

The stonemason slid the heavy lid back and indicated to the boys that they should climb in but the lads were very reluctant to comply. Vissarion and Arman were afraid of lying were only the dead should be and that the act could be construed as sacrilegious. However, they were eventually encouraged to overcome their doubts and inhibitions by the sound of men running down the alley.

Vissarion and Arman had to lie in each other’s arms in order to fit inside the sarcophagus and both could feel the other’s body shiver in fear as darkness engulfed them when the heavy lid above was closed. Their trepidation increased when they heard the stonemason talking to other men in his yard. However, the conversation was short and everything soon went quiet apart from the distant sounds of rebellious conflict around the city.

Time passed and Vissarion and Arman became aware that dusk was arriving as the little shaft of light, beaming through the tiny slit that the stonemason had left uncovered at a corner of the foot of the sarcophagus to allow air inside, dulled. The boys also realised that an eerie silence had descended over Isfahan.

It was whilst moving to try to remove some pins and needles that had developed on the arm on which he was lying that Vissarion’s hand brushed accidentally against Arman’s cock and discovered that the genital appendage was hard. The young Armenian had become excited by his intimate proximity to his friend, whom he liked not just for his personality. Realisation of this fact now dawned on the young Georgian eunuch who, happy to please his companion, close in all senses of that word, began to rub the erection whilst his rosy lips searched for those of his fellow 11 years old.

Arman’s silk trousers and underbriefs had been pushed down to his knees by the time the gentle manual attentions to his genitals, and his own fondling of his friend’s superlative form, produced the first ever discharge of semen from his sexual organs, a feat that alas could not be repeated with Vissarion’s body. The boys’ embrace and kissing continued long afterwards until sleep finally overwhelmed them.

The moon was high in the sky and the stars were twinkling when Vissarion and Arman were woken by the sound of the sarcophagus lid being drawn back. The young Georgian hurriedly assisted the young Armenian to preserve his modesty by helping him to pull his briefs and trousers back up before eyes could appear above. The boys were apprehensive as to whom the eyes would belong but were relieved to discover that they pertained to the stonemason.

The craftsman helped a grateful Vissarion and Arman to climb out of their cramped hiding place and the latter blushed when he noticed that the stonemason had seen the patch of dried semen inside the sarcophagus. However, the man just smiled and said nothing about the evidence of boyish paramour. He instead encouraged the lads to stretch their lovely limbs and to toilet in a nearby gutter before inviting them inside his one-room living quarters, like the yard full of the tools of his trade. There, he had prepared his young friends a meal, simple but welcome.

After feasting, the stonemason encouraged Vissarion and Arman to discard their rich but obviously foreign clothing in favour of the rough tunics worn by Isfahani peasants and slaves, which the craftsman had acquired from a second-hand clothing trader. He tried to explain that wearing the garments would mean that the lads would not have to return to the sarcophagus as they could pass, despite their fair complexions, as slaveboys as long as they did not speak. The 11 years olds managed to gain the gist of his explanation despite the significant differences between the Turkish dialects each knew. They also succeeded in translating the bad news. Escape from the city was now impossible as the gates had been closed. No-one was to be allowed to flee as everyone was required to defend the metropolis from Tamerlane’s expected retribution, anticipated sooner rather than later.

(Isfahan, Persia, October 1387)

Tamerlane wasted no time in returning to Isfahan as soon as he had heard about the revolt against his suzerainty. The furious conqueror knew that an example had to be made of the city. He did not have enough men to leave behind large garrisons to guard his conquests and their compliance to his rule had to rest upon their fear of terrible retribution if they upset their overlord. He also wanted revenge for the murders of those he had left in the metropolis, especially his two radiantly beautiful young catamites.

Tamerlane’s army laid merciless siege to Isfahan and the conqueror, not one to wait to starve cities into submission, was soon launching vicious assaults against the walls with catapults and men. Several breaches in the defences were quickly secured through which the conqueror’s fierce avengers poured to reek havoc.

Thousands of the men, women and children of Isfahan were killed immediately and the rest were rounded up to await Tamerlane’s pleasure, including Vissarion and Arman. The lads’ attempts to explain their real status to their captors had proved fruitless as they were first beaten and then bound, their lies, of a type not uncommon amongst rightfully fearful prisoners, obvious by their dress and the fact that they were residents of the city. The stonemason’s efforts to save the 11 years olds from their fates also proved vain. His entreaties, whilst he was being separated from them to join, because of his valued profession, the group who were to be spared the conqueror’s terrible vengeance, were dismissed as mere pleas for a couple of favoured bumboys.

The tremulous Vissarion and Arman, hands tied behind their backs, were in one of many long lines of captives emerging from the various opened gates of the city, in front of each of which, where the queues terminated, were ever growing towers of decapitated heads. Only women prisoners with babes in arms were excused bondage. The looming frightful scene, slowly coming closer and closer, testified to the awful punishment that Tamerlane had decided to inflict on most of the 80,000 people of Isfahan for defying his will.

A number of soldiers stood before each gruesome tower, bare chests and scimitar blades dripping blood, waiting for the arrival of the next victims, who were swiftly and mechanically despatched regardless of age or gender. Other soldiers either helped to construct the dreadful bloody edifices with the freshly delivered gory building material or dragged the headless bodies away for disposal in vast pits, freshly dug nearby. Tamerlane, with his mounted bodyguards, rode from tower to tower to oversee his terrible retribution.

The appalled Vissarion and Arman eventually found themselves within the shadow of the grisly tower where their heads would soon be laid to rest. They could now clearly see the horrible expressions on the faces of many of those who had recently predeceased them to form part of the vile structure.

The aghast and acutely frightened boys’ arms were then grasped simultaneously by soldiers and they were dragged to two others carrying scimitars whose blades were covered with congealing blood. The lads were forced to kneel by the side of the men, who pulled the hair of the 11 years olds forward to expose their lovely young necks whilst the swords were raised in readiness to decapitate more challengers to the will of the all-conquering Tamerlane.

(To be continued in chapter 3 – ‘Tears’)