Inside my lord Ricq al-Cricq’s beautiful palace, I was performing my usual rites of worshiping his masterful feet while he conducted some business with his merchants newly returned from China. By now, it was no longer distracting to them to see a young Roman soldier at his feet, massaging his pliant soles with rare aloes and myrrh and manipulating his luscious toes, while he conversed with his fellow Persians.

Indeed, the word had spread throughout the palace: “Pietro the Roman is Lord Ricq’s dog – he will lie at no other man’s feet. Leave him alone.” The Greek and Trojan slave boys echoed this sentiment: “Respect Pietro the Latin – he is the sultan’s favorite. Our lord’s happiness depends upon him.”

My lord Ricq had dismissed his merchants and was about to call for his afternoon bath to be drawn, when his chief warrior Bagoas entered the chamber.

“My lord Ricq,” Bagoas said urgently before prostrating himself. “An envoy has arrived from Marakanda, near the Khyber Pass. He wants to see you immediately.”

Lord Ricq frowned, for Marakanda was hostile territory to his sultanate. “What does he want?” he asked in a tetchy tone. “We have no discourse with his lands.”

“He would not say, sire,” Bagoas replied. “All he wants is an audience with you.”
Lord Ricq pondered this thought. I continued to kneel at his masterful feet, not looking up at him for fear that I would be a distraction. Instead, I lavished my attention on his crinkled soles and toes that twitched as he concentrated on the problem at hand.
At last my lord gave Bagoas an assent. “Please have this man brought in.”
Bagoas saluted and left.

I looked up at my master and tried to reassure him. “You know I have a soldier’s training,” I said as I got up from the floor. “I will defend you to my dying breath.”

My lord smiled and caressed my bare shoulder. “I too, my Pietro,” he answered.
Footsteps echoed on the marble floor in the palace entryway. My lord stood up from his plush throne, slipped his masterful feet into his satin slippers, and waited.

A swath of silk appeared through the door. A tall, solidly built man of dark coloring dressed in rich robes approached my lord. “Lord Ricq al-Cricq,” he acknowledged respectfully in clear though accented Persian.

“Yes,” my lord answered. “Who are you and why do you come to me?”

The man prostrated himself gracefully in the Indian fashion. “I am Oromedon,” he announced. “I come from Marakanda on my way to Egypt, and I am here because I wish to see the man of whom all Asia has been marveling.”

My lord Ricq seemed pleased. “They marvel of me?” he asked with a wry smile.
“Indeed,” Oromedon replied. “Your life stories have reached the furthest corners of Alexander’s empire. Men from as far away as China and India have longed to meet you, for everything they hear about you is revered and honored.”

My lord Ricq’s pleasure knew no bounds, but his modesty was just as deep. “I am merely the ruler of a wonderful land with excellent subjects,” he said. “I humbly choose to serve them; that is all. Others are more deserving of this praise than I.”

Oromedon was taken aback by Lord Ricq’s answer. “Indeed, my lord,” he entreated. “It is not just your benevolent rule that has men from far and wide longing to be in your presence. No, my lord Ricq al-Cricq, sultan of Susa! For I swear to you by all that is holy that all men in these lands wish to behold one thing: your masterful feet!”
I was utterly shocked. I stole a glance at my lord’s face. His eyes were wide with surprise and his mouth hung open. Neither of us could utter a word.

Oromedon watched us for a moment, and then continued on. “You did not know, my lord? All men who have passed through your sultanate have marveled at your beautiful feet, and poems and odes honoring them are known from here to beyond Marakanda! Men worship your feet and praise the faithful Roman slave Pietro who has the honor of keeping them beautiful and rare. Your feet are legend, o most noble lord!”

I was even more surprised, especially hearing about myself from this stranger. My lord placed an arm around my shoulder, and with great emotion he answered:

“I am moved beyond words. Please, allow me to entreat you to stay as my most honored guest, and my servant Pietro will personally ensure your happiness and comfort. He will treat you with the respect you are due. You have brought me great joy today.”

Oromedon smiled, showing strong white teeth like fresh peeled almonds. “I thank you…perhaps a few days’ stay would be refreshing. We have not stopped since leaving Marakanda for Egypt.”

My lord Ricq bowed in assent. “Egypt?” he asked. “You are a merchant?”

Oromedon laughed gently. “Oh, no, my lord,” he said. “I am a magician. My party and I are wending towards Cairo for an audience with Kheops, the pharaoh of Egypt, at his request. His son Amonasro will become a man and I have been asked to perform feats of magic for him.”
I was thunderstruck. A magician? Oromedon did not look like any of the magicians I had ever heard about while growing up in Rome. Magicians were supposed to be old, ugly men with white whiskers who cast evil spells. Oromedon was a tall, tanned, handsome man of Mallian descent, with emerald green eyes and rugged features framed by lush eyebrows and thick hair. He looked more like a warrior than he did a magician.

My lord Ricq must have thought the same thing, for he was chuckling. “A magician, Oromedon? What kind of magic do you do?”

Oromedon smiled. “Illusions,” he said softly. The word seemed to hang on air in my lord’s chamber.

Breaking the silence, I asked: “Illusions? What kind of illusions?”

Oromedon turned his attention to me. His eyes were as green as a cat’s as he acknowledged me. “Grand illusions, young Pietro. Feats of magic that will astound you and your master. I learned these illusions from Omphis, the Prince of India, who gave the great Alexander a magic potion. For this reason he has remained unconquered.”
My lord was impressed. “I would gladly enjoy seeing some of your feats,” he said slyly, as he glanced at Oromedon’s sandals. The man had long, beautiful feet with the tops of his hairy toes peeking through the mesh of his leather footwear. I was immediately taken with Oromedon’s feet – their size, their shape and their texture. I hoped to see more of them in the near future!

The word play was not lost on the magician. “I would enjoy that,” he said with mock gravity. “When would you like to see my feats?”

My lord smiled broadly. “After the evening meal, of which I pray you should partake,” he replied. “You and your traveling companions are most welcome to refresh yourselves and stay in my palace for as long as you wish. We will see you tonight at sunset.” Lord Ricq clapped his hands and a beautiful Trojan youth appeared to escort Oromedon and his party to their rooms.

“We are most thankful, my lord,” Oromedon said. He prostrated himself again and with a smile, he turned and left.

I turned to my lord after the Mallian magician had departed. “I believe we are in for an enchanting time, my lord,” I commented. “Do you think he speaks the truth?”
Lord Ricq smiled and clapped my back with his soft hand. “I think so,” he said. “In any case, I think that the next few days will be adventuresome for us!”

The sumptuous banquet was served in the palace’s great hall as the sun set over the plains of Susa. A feast of roasted lamb, spiced vegetables, salads drenched in olive oil and lemon juice, and Arabian sweets were laden on the low table. The slave boys poured the cups full of rich wine from the valley of Sidon. Candles blazed in all corners of the room and in the window ledges overlooking the Arabian landscape in the dusk.
I had already escorted my lord to his usual place at the head of the table and helped him to recline on the fluffy, down-filled cushions. Lord Ricq smiled at me and gave his usual request: “Pietro… pleasure my feet, please.”

“Gladly, my lord,” I answered as I began the pre-dinner ritual. Kneeling before my master, I slowly caressed his soft limbs underneath his white flowing robe. I worked my strong fingers down to his crossed ankles and tantalizingly removed first his left satin sandal, then his right. Lord Ricq softly groaned as my nimble fingers felt his smooth, soft soles and slowly massaged his manly toes in the pleasing manner he enjoyed.

“Your touch grows more pleasing by the day, my Pietro,” my lord murmured.

“I exist solely for your pleasure, my sultan,” I replied. “And if what Oromedon says is true, then I am surely performing some sacred rites for your masterful feet.”

After a few moments, a young Greek servant announced the arrival of Oromedon. Without even stirring, my lord Ricq languidly announced: “Send him in, please.”

Oromedon appeared, freshly bathed and wearing a black silk jacket and trousers sewn with all sorts of jewels. His wavy hair had been scrubbed and his face was smoothly shaven, making his dark eyebrows and tanned chiseled features even more appealing. He wore a red sash around his waist and soft red slippers with open heels and toes. They looked as if they had been molded around his long, sensuous feet.

The magician prostrated himself. “Thank you for your hospitality,” he said.
Lord Ricq raised his hand in greeting. “Please join us,” he entreated. “Pietro,” he commanded. “Make our guest feel comfortable.”

I rose from my seat at my lord’s feet and escorted Oromedon to his place of honor at the low table. He smiled knowingly as I fluffed his cushions for him to recline upon.
“Thank you, Pietro,” he said graciously. “You are most accommodating.”

“You are welcome, my lord,” I replied with modest downcast eyes. I noticed that he has his jacket partly open, revealing a smooth yet muscular chest. I wondered what the rest of him looked like underneath the expensive silk jacket and trousers.

The servants filled our plates. We all supped at the delicious foods placed before us. The servants came and cleared the table, bringing bowls of orange blossom water to cleanse our fingers and mouths. More wine was poured and the air was peaceful.

Lord Ricq passed the ritual cup of wine to Oromedon, asking him to drink first. He raised the goblet to my lord and myself, and drained it. I took up the cup, refilled it and offered it to my lord Ricq. “Thank you, Pietro,” he said as he too downed the wine.
Oromedon sat with his legs crossed, as is the custom in India, his back reclining against the large pillows I had prepared for him. He smiled with pleasure as I went to my lord’s masterful feet and began massaging them. “You are most blessed among men, Lord Ricq,” he declared. “Your hospitality is matchless and your servant is mo
st accomplished. The legends of his beauty and your pleasure in him are most deserved.”
My lord Ricq looked pleased. “Pietro has brought me nothing but pleasure since he first arrived,” he announced. “Why don’t you allow Pietro to partake of your feet? It would be my pleasure to offer him to you for your enjoyment.”

Oromedon was visibly pleased. “I would consider that an honor,” he said.
Lord Ricq turned to me. “Would that be all right, Pietro?”

“Most definitely,” I replied. I bowed to my lord and crossed to the other end of the table. Oromedon favored me with a gentle smile. “I am indebted to you both,” he said quietly.

“It is my pleasure,” I said to the tall Mallian. He uncrossed his legs and I began to gently knead his legs encased in silk trousers. I was surprised at how muscular his limbs felt under my fingers. I proceeded to his calves, marveling at their strength and hardness.

When I got to his ankles, I extended his legs so that his feet were on another cushion just inches away from my lord Ricq’s masterful feet. Oromedon smiled and watched as I took command of his long feet encased in soft slippers of Persian wool.

“May I remove your slippers?” I politely asked Oromedon.

“By all means,” he replied. “I have been looking forward to your ministrations.”
Reverently, I removed first Oromedon’s right slipper, then his left. His long feet were soft to my touch. His toes were also long, almost as long as my lord Ricq’s seductive toes. Oromedon wiggled them, grinning as I slowly massaged his right heel and moved up his long foot to his firm sole. My lord Ricq watched intently as I massaged Oromedon’s left foot next, performing the same moves as I had on his right.
“Does my Pietro’s touch please you, Oromedon?” my lord asked.

“Indeed,” Oromedon exhaled. “I have never felt so relaxed and at ease.”

Lord Ricq extended his masterful left foot towards Oromedon’s right, and the Mallian magician gasped in pleasure as my sultan’s nimble toes stroked his long sole. Oromedon returned the favor by wiggling his left toes against my lord’s right sole. Soon both men were foot-stroking each other and moaning in deep ecstasy. It was hard to tell which one was having more pleasure!

Oromedon sighed happily and withdrew his foot away from my lord Ricq’s. “That was truly a rare and thrilling sensation, my lord,” he breathed. “I thank you for your indulgence.”
My lord smiled. “You are most welcome,” he replied. “And I, too, thank you for your prowess as well. I would like to spend more time with you this evening to show my appreciation.”

The invitation was not lost on Oromedon. He bowed his head to my lord and said: “I would enjoy nothing greater. But before that time, per your earlier request, I would like to show you and your servant Pietro some of my most incredible illusions.”
“That would be a privilege to watch,” Lord Ricq replied. “We thank you.”

Oromedon put his slippers back on and stood up. He clapped his hands loudly.
Four of his muscular servants carried in a large upright cabinet painted in black and red. It stood at least six feet high and was rather bulky. The servants placed the cabinet in front of Oromedon, bowed and silently left the great hall.

The magician opened the large door in front of the cabinet. The inside was pitch-black. “Pietro,” Oromedon said. “Be kind enough to look inside this cabinet and tell us what you see.”

I got up from my place at my lord’s feet and peered inside the darkened cabinet. “It is empty,” I said. “There is nothing in here.”

“Are you sure?” Oromedon asked.

“Verily.”

“Thank you, Pietro. You may withdraw.”

I returned to my lord Ricq’s side. Oromedon waved his arms in the air and said a strange phrase in Arabic: “Allah Kazham!” He clapped his hands quickly three times.
Oromedon knocked three times on the door of the chamber. Three knocks answered back!

Lord Ricq and I gasped in disbelief. Oromedon smiled broadly at us and opened the cabinet door with a flourish.

Out stepped a tall, handsome, tanned Sogdian man from northern India. He was dressed in what appeared to be green Indian pantaloons with an open sleeveless vest, showing his smooth muscular chest. His feet were encased in yellow velour slippers.

“My lords,” Oromedon said proudly. “This is my assistant, Kalanos.”

Lord Ricq and I applauded Oromedon’s illusion. Kalanos smiled and bowed his head with his hands pressed underneath his chin in the manner of Sogdiana.
“Thank you,” Kalanos said in clear though accented Persian.

My lord was still astonished at the illusion. “Oromedon,” he breathed. “That was a remarkable piece of magic! That cabinet was empty, and you produced this marvelous specimen of a man.” He looked over at Kalanos with an appreciative glance.

“Oh, you two have seen nothing spectacular as of yet,” Oromedon said brightly. “My next illusion will definitely stretch your imagination!”

Oromedon clapped again. Another of his servants brought in a low stool. Oromedon placed the stool inside the cabinet. He turned to us and said: “Would you two like to assist me in this next illusion?”

Lord Ricq and I looked at each other inquisitively. I shrugged and deferred to my lord. He turned to Oromedon and said, “Yes, of course. What would you have us to do?”
Oromedon bade Kalanos to seat himself on the stool inside of the chamber. “Pietro,” the magician said. “Please remove Kalanos’ slippers.”

Immediately, I crouched on my knees and took off the Sogdian man’s footwear. Kalanos had broad, shapely feet with toes shaped like luscious grapes. I spent a few extra seconds admiring them before standing up to face Oromedon. “Now what?” I asked.

Oromedon produced a black silk screen that had been brought to him by another one of his servants. He slid the screen in front of the open cabinet. Both my lord and I noticed that the silk screen had cut open seams up, down and diagonally.

“Kalanos,” Oromedon intoned. “Are you still in there?”

“Yes,” a voice came from within the cabinet.

“Well, stick your head through the seam so that we can see you,” Oromedon said.
Kalanos’ head emerged through the middle seam of the black silk screen. He looked at all of us and smiled. We couldn’t help but laugh; it looked funny to just see a head through a screen. Kalanos and Oromedon laughed as well.

“Now, Kalanos,” Oromedon instructed. “Where are your hands?”

Kalanos thrust both of his hands through the cut silk cover. They were exposed from the wrists down.

“And now, Kalanos,” Oromedon concluded, “show us your feet.”

We looked down towards the bottom of the black silk screen. Sure enough, each of his manly feet poked out of the screen, the toes wiggling in an enticing fashion.

It was rather erotic for my lord Ricq and me to see just this man’s head, hands and feet exposed through the black silk. Kalanos just sat there and smiled at us, his hazel eyes darting back and forth from my lord to myself.
“Would each of you like to examine Kalanos’ hands and especially his feet?” Oromedon inquired.

We didn’t need any further prompting. I shook Kalanos’ right hand and knelt to touch, sniff and tickle his right foot. Kalanos did not appear to be ticklish, not even when my lord Ricq started sucking his left toes and stroking his meaty sole.

“Are you comfortable, Kalanos?” Oromedon asked with a mischievous smile.
“Verily, my lord.” By then, Lord Ricq had finished playing with his left foot.

Oromedon turned to us with a sly grin. “Remember when I said that this illusion would definitely stretch your imagination?” We nodded. “Well, I meant that I would be stretching Kalanos here!” And with that, the magician took a hold of Kalanos’ exposed head and pushed it up the open seam to the very top of the cabinet doorframe!

Lord Ricq gasped. “Oromedon!” he exclaimed. “What are you doing to this poor man? He will be maimed for life!”

The Mallian magician laughed kindly. “My dear lord Ricq,” he said gently. “Do not be alarmed. This is merely an illusion. Kalanos is quite all right!”

Kalanos laughed from the top of the silk screen. “I am fine, my lords,” he said. “In fact, I want you two to help stretch me out!”

Oromedon turned to me and said: “Young Pietro, why don’t you take his right hand and foot and pull them in opposite directions? It’s all right. Kalanos enjoys this!”
I hesitated, but Kalanos’ smile and wiggling fingers and toes beckoned me to do what the magician said. I gently grabbed his right hand and, with Oromedon’s assistance, pushed it into the top left corner of the cabinet door. It moved easily and when I was done, the fingers wiggled at me.

Next came the foot. I gingerly placed my hands around Kalanos’ right foot, pausing to admire it again. Then I pulled it easily to the bottom left corner of the cabinet.
“Now, Lord Ricq,” instructed Oromedon. “Do the same with his left hand and foot. Push them to the upper and lower sides of the silk screen.”

Carefully, my lord took Kalanos’ hand and pushed it to the top right corner of the cabinet, and then took his meaty left foot and moved it to the bottom right corner.
He stood back and we all looked at the illusion. It appeared as though Kalanos was stretched in all directions!

“Kalanos,” Oromedon said in a proud tone. “How do you feel?”
“I’m fine, my lord,” the assistant replied. He looked at us and smiled. “Would Pietro and Lord Ricq like to play with my feet?” In each corner, his feet were waving back and forth, the toes wiggling furiously.

My lord and I did not hesitate. We both knelt at opposite ends of the cabinet and began to stroke and lick his beautiful feet. Kalanos let us have our way with his feet just sticking out of the black silk screen.

After a minute or two, Oromedon announced: “And now, we’ll restore him to his natural self. Let me start with his head.”

And with that, he gently moved Kalanos’ head back to where it was before the illusion began. The Mallian magician then moved his right hand and foot back to their proper positions along the screen, and then moved the left hand and foot.

“All right, Kalanos,” Oromedon directed. “You can remove your hands and feet now.”

Kalanos smiled and his two feet withdrew from the silk screen. Then his two hands disappeared behind the black façade.

“Go ahead and pull your head out of there, too, Kalanos,” Oromedon instructed. “Then we’ll let you out.”

“Yes, lord.” A quick whoosh and Kalanos’ head was back in the cabinet.

Oromedon then swiftly pulled the black silk curtain away from the front of the cabinet, and there on the stool sat Kalanos, as if nothing had happened to him at all.

My lord and I were overcome with awe and we applauded loudly. Oromedon offered his hand to Kalanos and escorted him out of the cabinet, closing the door behind him.

“Oh, that was marvelous, Oromedon! Simply marvelous!” my lord Ricq gushed. “You are truly a master of illusion!”

“I agree,” I said enthusiastically. “That was a wonderful display of magic!”

Oromedon bowed and accepted our thanks. “But here is my final illusion,” he announced.

He turned and faced the closed cabinet again and waved his hands. “Allah Kazham!” he pronounced, clapping his hands twice. He knocked twice on the cabinet door. Two sets of knocks answered him!

I was dumbstruck. I turned to look at my lord, and he was just as shocked as I was.

Oromedon opened the door with a flourish. Two young Sogdian men dressed in matching harem outfits, stood inside the cabinet. They looked almost exactly like Kalanos, but younger and not quite as muscular. The men stood there smiling at us.

The magician escorted both men out of the cabinet, who bowed to us. We applauded enthusiastically and saluted the magician. “Wonderful! Magnificent!”

Oromedon smiled and introduced the two handsome young men: “This is Khalid and this is Walid – they are Kalanos’ twin nephews.”

I saluted both men in the Roman fashion with my hand over my heart. My lord Ricq nodded to them. Walid and Khalid greeted us in Sogdian fashion and walked over to where Kalanos stood smiling proudly. When all three men were together, you could see that muscular good looks ran in the family!

“My, Oromedon,” my lord Ricq breathed. “You are thrice blessed with such good looking men! I would like to have all of you join me for refreshments…in my inner chamber,” he added. He looked at me and gave me his own mischievous glance. “Both I and Pietro would like to get to know you all better!”

Oromedon, Kalanos and the twins all smiled. “We would be happy to visit with you in your bedchamber,” the magician purred. “You will indeed get to know us better!”

I led the way to my lord’s bedchamber. The young slave boys had already prepared the large bed with fresh linen and perfumed pillows, and a full pitcher of wine and six golden goblets stood on the table next to the plush bedding. Lit candles and sheer curtains around the bedposts completed the effect.

My lord Ricq eased himself onto the low soft bed while I poured the goblets full of strong Greek wine from Sparta. Besides helping my lord relax, this wine was also considered by none other than the great Alexander as an aphrodisiac. It was no surprise then that our palace stocked this wine in vast quantities.

Lord Ricq raised his goblet to Oromedon, who also raised his to us. All of us in the inner chamber drank heavily of the wine.

“Oromedon,” my lord said. “Please do me the honor of reclining with me.”

“Gladly, my lord,” the magician replied. He settled onto the bed next to Lord Ricq, placed his goblet on the low table next to the bed and turned to us with a smile.

My lord set his goblet down as well and beckoned me to his side. “Pietro…” he said softly. “Remove our footwear and pleasure our feet, please.”

“With utmost pleasure, my lord,” I responded warmly. I first approached Lord Ricq and gently eased his satin slippers off first his right foot, then his left. My lord wiggled his toes in anticipation as I softly began to caress his masterful soles. When I began to gently lick his instep and bury my nose into his toes, he let out a contented sigh and soft moan that aroused the rest of the men in the chamber.

“Ah, Pietro,” my lord murmured as the rest of the men gathered to watch and enjoy my ministrations. “Your touch is like a god’s.”

Oromedon, lying next to Lord Ricq, was entranced by the display and squirming with anticipation at his turn being next. “Pleasure me too, Pietro,” he requested. “Please take off my shoes and pleasure my feet.”

Smiling, I turned my body towards Oromedon’s long feet and gently removed his red slippers. His feet were long and broad, the heels slightly toughened from weeks of traveling across the rough terrain of Asia. His soles were soft and aromatic. His hairy toes flexed and wiggled in desire of my tongue and lips. I gently stroked his firm sole and a low chuckle escaped him; Oromedon was slightly ticklish in that area.

Turning to Kalanos, Walid and Khalid, Oromedon said: “Join us here on this large bed, and remove your slippers so that Pietro can pleasure all of our feet.”

In no time, the three Sogdian men had taken off their shoes and lain next to their master on my lord Ricq’s large bed. It was quite fascinating to see the array of five pairs of feet from one end of the bed to the other. The twins, Walid and Khalid, had round, milky-white soles and luscious toes. They captivated me and they knew it. They smiled as they flexed their tanned feet and rubbed them up against each other’s feet. Their hands busily explored each other’s bare chests.

Kalanos lay between his nephews on his right and Oromedon to his left. His feet were almost identical to his nephews’ feet, except that his soles were a bit firmer and more creased. They were so luscious! You could easily tell they were all related.

Kalanos smiled as Walid and Khalid caressed each other and turned to me with grins of excitement. I don’t think that all three men had ever been together in this type of situation. I could see that Kalanos was tempted with the thought of playing with his handsome nephews and even more excited at the thought of my playing with him.

Before I could get started pleasuring Kalanos’ feet, I heard Oromedon say: “Verily, Lord Ricq, your servant Pietro is very accomplished. I hate to bear the thought of his hands leaving my body for even an instant!”

My lord chuckled. “Yes, Pietro is wonderful,” he agreed. “And he has changed my life for the better. Although I could never relinquish him for anyone at any sum, it would not bother me if you wanted to satisfy your lustful urges for this one night.”

Lord Ricq turned to me. “Pietro, would you like to be alone with Oromedon?”
I answered confidently, “For sure, my lord…if Kalanos could join us. That way, I could have two men and you could have the two youths, Khalid and Walid.”

My lord was impressed with my erudition. “Ah, you see, Oromedon?” he said proudly. “Not only is Pietro an accomplished servant, he is also wise and resourceful. He knows what makes me happy. Go, therefore,” he said turning to me. “Take Kalanos and Oromedon to your private suite, and leave me with these young men on my bed. They will be enchanted with my masterful feet.”

My private room was just beyond the wall away from my master’s bedchamber, not ten paces away. Without another word, I led Kalanos and Oromedon off of the bed towards my room facing the courtyard, shuttered with latticed harem windows so that nobody could intrude into my privacy. I had a three-quarter-size bed, much smaller than my lord’s bed but just as comfortable and scented with jasmine perfume. The marble floor was covered in bright Persian rugs to guard against the coming cold weather.

Both men stretched out easily on my bed. Their feet were still bare and slightly dusty from the walk from my lord’s chamber to my own. I dipped a clean white cloth into the bowl of orange blossom water next to my bed and began to cleanse their beautiful, manly feet.

Oromedon was first. Holding his hairy ankle with one hand, I delicately scrubbed the bottom of his left foot with the wet cloth. After washing his other foot, I used another clean white towel to dry them. His expression was one of pure rapture.

“Oh, Pietro,” he purred. “How can I repay you for that sensuous feeling?”

“You can take off your clothes,” I said immediately. “For, although I am the servant of my lord Ricq al-Cricq, here in this chamber I am in command. You will disrobe completely and let me satisfy my lustful urges.”

Even though he was slightly taken aback at my forcefulness, Oromedon smiled and began to comply. He removed his open black silk jacket so that he was naked from the waist up. His smooth chest was lean and muscular; his nipples were large and they stood erect from his chest. I wanted to suckle them right then and there.

I smiled craftily. “Good, good,” I said. “Now the trousers.”

Immediately, Oromedon stood up from the bed and untied his red sash. His black silk trousers slid seductively to the marble floor. He stood in all his unabashed glory in front of my eyes – haughty, proud yet subservient to my every whim. As I stood up from the bed, I locked eyes with this Mallian magician and felt my own stirrings in my hot loins. My cheeks were flushed with unbridled enthusiasm.

“It is not often that a magician can put a manservant to the blush,” I noted.

“It is not every day that a magician can be captivated by a Roman soldier,”

Oromedon answered back. “And then be told what to do like a common servant.”

“Lay back on my bed,” I ordered softly.

Oromedon slowly did as I wished. He crossed his ankles, his manly feet flexing tastily. He lay back with his hands behind his head. Slowly, his phallus grew erect on its own accord, as if someone were blowing it up with a pump. After a few seconds it pointed towards the ceiling. Oromedon’s hands hadn’t moved from behind his head.

I then turned my attention to Kalanos. “You’re next,” I said.

The Sogdian man smiled winningly. “First you must cleanse and pleasure my feet,” he said seductively. “And I too will do as you say.”

“Indeed,” I said curtly. “You will serve me very well, Kalanos.”

I got the wet cloth and proceeded to scrub his left sole. Kalanos began to giggle. “Pietro, that tickles!” he exclaimed. “My foot is sensitive.”

I paid him no mind. After rubbing down his left foot, I moved to clean his right one. Again, more giggles. “Stop it!” Kalanos insisted. “I am very ticklish.”

Something seemed a bit unusual to me. I mused for a second as to why I felt so confused, but I decided to proceed with my pleasuring. “Take off your clothes,” I said.

Kalanos stood up and removed his yellow harem vest. His chest was not as muscular as Oromedon’s torso but definitely handsome nonetheless. His arms were very well defined and his abdomen was firm.

He then let his yellow pantaloons fall to the floor. Kalanos’ body was smoother than Oromedon’s and was virtually hairless. He did not eye me as frankly as Oromedon did when he was naked, but was rather hesitant about being unclothed in my presence.
“Are you afraid of me, Kalanos?” I asked brusquely in my soldier’s voice.

“No, young Pietro,” the Sogdian man replied. “I am merely humble in your presence. For you see,” and here he raised his gaze to me, “nobody has ever been able to command my lord Oromedon in such a forceful manner. For that you have earned my utmost respect. I most willingly await your next command.”

I did not know what to say except: “Then recline on my bed, noble Kalanos. And avail yourself to satisfying the pleasures of my flesh – and those of your master as well.”

He did as I commanded. I surveyed both men, both dark and handsome and well formed. They were here to do my bidding, and even though I was committed to my lord Ricq al-Cricq and bound to him until death, I felt my urges rising uncontrollably. I wanted these men. With the god Cupid as my witness, I wanted to indulge in my deepest fantasies right then and there, with the Mallian magician and his Sogdian assistant.

I fixed them with my fiercest stare. “Pleasure yourselves,” I ordered.

Oromedon and Kalanos looked at me quizzically. “Pardon?” Kalanos asked.
“I want you two to pleasure one another,” I repeated. Giving them a faint smile, I added: “And once you start, then you will begin to pleasure me – together.”

Both men hesitated for a moment, but then Oromedon drew Kalanos towards him on the bed and began kissing him passionately. Kalanos’ mouth moved over Oromedon’s as their hands explored each other’s hard bodies. Both men became very excited as their bodies intertwined, their legs wrapped around each other’s and their firm torsos flexing as they embraced madly.

I slowly removed my Persian robe, wearing only my Roman undergarment – a white linen codpiece with thin straps holding it around my waist. My lord Ricq always salivated when he saw me wearing only that garment. Slowly, I began playing with my muscular chest as I watched the spectacle unfold before me.

Kalanos climbed on top of Oromedon and began passionately kissing him. The Mallian lay beneath his partner, his hands clutching the young man’s firm buttocks. Their legs became intertwined again, and I grew excited watching the two men’s feet brush up against each other sensuously. Both men gave moaning, almost animal sounds as their lips and tongues smacked against each other’s and their bodies writhed on my bed. They rolled onto their side, and Kalanos looked up at me with unbridled desire.

“We want you, Pietro,” he breathed. “Come and take us on your bed.”

Oromedon met my glance. “We are ready,” he exhaled. “Satisfy your lustful desires and do with us what you will. Both I and my partner are ready for your use.”

I extended my hands, and each man grabbed one and pulled me onto the bed.

“Unclothe me,” I requested. “Make me as naked as you two luscious men.”

Each man took a hand and pulled down my Roman codpiece to my ankles. Oromedon removed my codpiece and paused to admire my feet, while Kalanos occupied himself with my throbbing manhood. Soon both men were inserting parts of my body into their hot, willing mouths: Kalanos my member, and Oromedon my toes. I was enthralled beyond all measure!

“Kalanos…Oromedon,” I said. “Allow me to pleasure your feet and thusly, pleasure myself. For although I am overwhelmed by your attentions, I want your feet.”

“For sure, Lord Pietro,” Kalanos said with saliva dripping from his lips. He lay back on my bed and stretched out his beautiful, muscular legs.

Oromedon didn’t say a word; he merely gave my right foot a long kiss and lay back next to his partner. They both looked so good, just lying there!

In order for them to pleasure themselves as well, I stretched out with my feet on the pillow between the two men’s heads and with my face next to their feet. I grasped Oromedon’s left foot with my left hand and Kalanos’ right foot with my right one. In turn, Oromedon started lapping on my left foot and Kalanos my right.

I cannot describe how delicious it was for me to have each of their feet in my face! I turned from Oromedon’s long, hairy foot to Kalanos’ round, smooth one and paused to inhale their fragrances mixed with light perspiration from their bodies. Each man was now licking my soles and toes, and I started returning the favor to each one.

I first began to suck on Oromedon’s long, beefy sole, and started giving him very tender bites in his instep. He moaned as he sucked my toes and he turned on his side in order to allow me better access to his long foot.

Then I began to bury my nose and mouth into Kalanos’ broad, beefy foot. His round toes twitched with anticipation as his mouth engulfed my right foot. The young Sogdian made low moaning sounds of pleasure as I sucked his toes and used my right thumb to massage his sole. He too turned on his side to face Oromedon and me.

We continued on this way for some time, and then I asked them to turn over, facedown on my bed. “I want to see your beautiful buttocks,” I said lustily. “Show them to me and I will explore them.”

Both men turned over on the bed, their feet still in my face – except now I had Oromedon’s right foot on my left side, and Kalanos’ left foot opposite me.

I placed each of my feet between their warm, sweaty buttocks. Their holes were slick with perspiration. I started rubbing my feet up and down their buttocks, massaging them with my soles and toes. In turn, both men started stroking each side of my face with their manly feet. Their soles and toes felt wonderful!

Slowly, I dug each of my big toes into their rumps. Both men moaned loudly and began breathing heavily. Almost at the same time, each man’s toes curled and flexed as I inserted and withdrew my big toes from their hot, slick buttock holes.

While I kept their rear ends occupied with my feet, I grasped each man’s ankle and brought their feet on top of my face. I crossed them so that they were on opposite sides of my face. I watched in fascination as Oromedon’s long foot lightly caressed Kalanos’ broad one. I opened wide in order to get all ten toes into my mouth.

“Oh, Lord Pietro,” Oromedon moaned. “You are truly a god among men.”

“Verily,” breathed Kalanos. “Your feet and face are both too good to be true!”

We continued with our ministrations to each other – feet, toes, faces and buttocks – and explored a number of positions on the bed until we were all hot and exhausted. None of us had spurted our seed yet, though we were getting close. I suggested a cool bath to invigorate us so that we could continue our pleasure session.

“A grand idea, Lord Pietro,” Oromedon said.

Kalanos agreed. “Let my lord go first, and I will go afterward,” he said. “For my lord has worked mightily tonight!”

I smiled and reached out my hand to the young Sogdian’s beefy sole. “I will ask a boy servant to guide both of you,” I said tenderly as I gave Kalanos a light tickle.
“Ha, ha!” Kalanos chortled. “My lord Pietro, you love to play with my ticklish feet! I will come undone if you continue to tickle me!”

I frowned for some unknown reason. “Let me call the servant,” I said shortly as I rose from my bed and put on my Persian robe, leaving the two men to lounge on my bed.
After summoning a young servant and sending him on his way, I was about ready to return to my bed…and then it hit me: I knew why I was so confused about Kalanos.

He said he was ticklish. Yet during the stretching illusion, his feet were not in the least bit ticklish! In fact, I recalled that he had WANTED my lord Ricq and I to tickle him, after Oromedon had “stretched” his limbs.

Kalanos was not supposed to be ticklish. But yet he was.

An idea formed in my head. If I were to prove my theory correct, I would need Lord Ricq’s assistance.

Quickly, I padded to my lord’s chamber and knocked. “My lord?” I asked softly.
“Enter,” a weary but pleased voice replied.

I quietly entered my lord’s chamber. Lord Ricq lay naked on the bed, flanked by Khalid and Walid. The young Sogdians were also naked and pleasuring themselves with my lord’s masterful feet, using hands, lips and tongues.

“Ah, Pietro,” my lord said genially. “How goes it with Oromedon and Kalanos?”
“Quite pleasurable, my lord,” I replied. “I hope I am not disturbing you…but may I speak to you for a moment?”

My lord could tell by the look on my face that I meant serious business. With a hearty laugh, he motioned to the two young men. “Khalid and Walid, please excuse me,” he said nicely. “I will rejoin you in a moment.”

He got up from the bed, leaving the lads there. Meeting me in his private bath chamber just a few feet away, he turned to me quizzically. “What is wrong, Pietro?” he asked. “Is everything all right?”

“My lord, it has to do with the Mallian magician,” I began.

Before I could finish, my lord began to look angry. “Did he hurt you, Pietro?” he asked urgently. “For if he did, surely he and his party will be fed to the lions.”

“Oh, no, Lord Pietro,” I said apologetically. “Nothing of the sort. But I believe that we were duped by Oromedon into believing that he is truly a magician.”

Now it was my lord’s turn to look confused. “What are you talking about?”

“My lord, I have just come from my bed with both Oromedon and Kalanos,” I explained. “Remember the stretching illusion, when we tickled Kalanos’ feet?”

He nodded. “That was truly a feat of magic,” he said.

I plunged onward. “No, my lord, I don’t think so,” I said quietly. “Kalanos’ feet were not ticklish in that illusion, correct?”

“Yes, Pietro, we both saw that.”

“Then may I ask, my lord? Why was Kalanos so ticklish in my bed that he begged me to stop tickling his feet?” I asked ironically.

Lord Ricq grew silent and thoughtful. “There is no explanation for that,” he said finally. “If a man is ticklish, he remains so, doesn’t he?”

I played my final card: “Only if the feet aren’t his,” I stated firmly.

My lord stared at me. “How could that be?” he asked incredulously. “There was nobody else in that chamber! We both saw that. Whose feet could have been used?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “First the cabinet was empty. Then Kalanos sat on the stool and the silk cover was put into place. He stuck out his head – remember? Then he stuck out his hands and feet. We stretched him and he was restored. After the illusion, Oromedon produced the twins…” My voice trailed off.

Lord Ricq had a searching look on his face. “You think the twins would know?” he asked shortly. “After all, they all travel together and are part of the same magic act.”
I thought about it. The only way to get the truth from Khalid and Walid would be to entice it out of them. Then I had an idea.

“Why are you smiling, Pietro?” my lord asked.

“I have an idea,” I said craftily. “And you must help me with it. How do you feel about getting the truth out of the twins by putting something into them?”

Lord Ricq was indeed wise; he knew exactly to what I was referring. A big smile crept across his handsome face too. “You are a marvel, Pietro!” he exclaimed. “Both wise and beautiful! Come, let us get the truth out of those Sogdian youths.”

We entered back into my lord’s chamber. Khalid and Walid were lying on the large bed, waiting for us with big smiles. “Have you brought Pietro to play with us too, great lord?” Khalid asked saucily. “What will you have him do for us?”

My lord Ricq gave the man an evil smile. “Oh, I am sure that Pietro will find something to occupy your time!” he said. “Pietro, please play with their feet.”

Both Sogdian men lay back and stretched out their identical feet. I took one of Walid’s feet in my hands and began to massage it, and then I lightly ran my fingers along his sole. There was no response. Walid was not ticklish.

I caught my lord Ricq’s eye. He too had noticed.

Silently, I picked up Khalid’s foot and did the same thing that I did to his brother’s. Again, there was no response. My mind began to race with an explanation.
“Did you like that, my young Sogdian friends?” I asked nicely. “Or would you care for something more…intimate?”

Both men looked up at me. “Whatever do you mean, Pietro?” Walid asked.

I gave him my craftiest smile. “Why, that little massage was nothing,” I said. “Both my lord and I do not think you would appreciate my foot jobs, for you showed no response whatsoever.”

Khalid piped up: “Because we are not ticklish? That is not a fair reason.”

I had my evidence. I turned to my lord and he nodded encouragement.

“You are right,” I said shortly. “It is also not fair to try and fool Lord Ricq al-Cricq with alleged ‘feats’ of magic. Do you know what we do with miscreants who take my lord for a fool in his very own sultanate?”

Both young men were frightened now. “Pietro, what do you –” Walid began, but I hastily interrupted him.

“Silence!” I exclaimed. “You two are part of a collusion in Oromedon’s illusions, correct? Confess now, and maybe we won’t feed you to the lions afterwards!”

Their faces fell. Their silence was proof of my theory.

Then Lord Ricq spoke. “You two may redeem yourselves, and your master, by confessing to us and letting us handle it afterwards. I promise you mercy in my home.”

Slowly, the two youths looked up at us. Khalid hesitated, then said: “We are part of the stretching illusion. Our uncle Kalanos doesn’t move at all, except for his head. Our hands and feet are used to pretend to be his own limbs when we move them to either side of the cabinet.”

I savored my victory. Turning to Lord Ricq, I said, “They tell the truth.”

“Indeed,” my lord said gently. “I will spare them and their companions.”

Both youths broke into smiles. “How can we thank you, lord?” Walid asked gratefully. “We will do anything you say!”

My lord smiled his own crafty smile. “You will pleasure us until you cannot take any more,” he said jovially. “Turn over on your stomachs and show us your buttocks!”

Khalid and Walid had no choice but to do as we asked. In no time, they were on their knees facing away from us. Their beautiful buttocks were thrust towards us, each one hairless and smooth. Their beautiful feet dangled over the edge of my lord’s bed.

My lord gave me a sly look. “Pietro, let us partake of this Sogdian feast!” he said. “We have two beautiful youths who will submit to us as they admit their wrongdoing!”

“It shall be as you declare,” I told Lord Ricq with savage glee. “Have at them!”

Instantly, we were on our knees behind the two Sogdians. First we inserted our tongues into their smooth holes and lapped until the youths groaned for mercy. We also licked their outstretched feet. Then after anointing our erect phalluses with scented oils, we eased them between their tight cheeks and rode them like fine Arabian stallions.

Oh, the sounds of pleasure emanating from my lord’s chamber! My lord and I pounded and thrust our members into Khalid and Walid, punctuating our motions with shouts of excitement and domination. The twin Sogdian youths cried out in both pain and pleasure, begging us to force ourselves upon them and to use their bodies as our own playthings. They were definitely beginning to see the error of their ways!

“Harder, my lord!” Khalid gasped as Lord Ricq pounded his rampant stallion into the young man’s hole repeatedly. “Please, do me harder! Use me as your whore!”

“You like this, boy?” My lord kept pounding away. “Tell me you like it!”

“I love it!” Khalid screamed. “Forgive me for deceiving you!”

My lord and I smiled at each other in mid-thrust. It was music to our ears.

Meanwhile, I was busy forcing my large manhood into Walid’s oil-slicked hole. Once inside, I began taking out my frustrations on his muscular, tight buttocks with powerful thrusting motions. In no time, I was pounding away on his hole just as my lord was doing to Khalid’s.

“Mercy, my lord Pietro!” Walid moaned. “You are so big and full of life!”

I kept pounding the youth like a man possessed. “And soon you will be feeling my spurt of life within you,” I promised. “But not until I am fully satisfied!”

After a few more minutes, we withdrew ourselves from the Sogdian holes and forced Khalid and Walid onto their backs, their beautiful feet dangling in the air. Then my lord and I switched partners and soon I was pounding Khalid’s opened hole while Lord Ricq took care of Walid’s.

Both young men moaned and groaned, pleasure overtaking them. Khalid was just as enthusiastic with my ministrations as he was with my lord’s. “Oh, lord Pietro!” he gushed. “You are indeed a dream come true! You are a master among men!”

Lord Ricq finally opened up Walid enough to where he started enjoying the situation. “Lord Ricq! Lord Ricq!” he kept repeating. “My lord Ricq! Use me all you wish! My body is yours, and yours alone!”

As the pounding progressed, my lord and I started licking and gnawing the men’s feet as they waved helplessly in the air. This sensation was thrilling for both Khalid and Walid, and their pleasure knew no bounds. They literally screamed with delight as both their buttocks and their feet received attention from a Persian sultan and his Roman slave.

We were growing a bit weary, and so I motioned to my lord to start stroking Walid’s phallus until it pointed to the ceiling. I did the same with Khalid and before long, the two Sogdian youths were close to their limits of endurance.

Walid started bucking like a wild horse. “He’s close,” my lord Ricq noted.

“Yes,” I replied. “He will spurt like a fountain. Keep doing it, my lord!”

Suddenly, Walid shouted loud enough to wake the dead. Ropes of semen came heavily out of his erect manhood, drenching him from chest to face.

Khalid was next. As I kept stroking him, I punctuated my thrusts into him and he too let out a roar. “AAUGH!” he cried. He shot just like his twin, and both Sogdians were covered with thick cream from hair to navel.

My lord and I could contain our passions no longer. Almost simultaneously, we both spurted our seed deeply into Sogdian bowels with twin shouts of ecstasy. From the look on my lord Ricq’s face, I knew that he had not had such an ejaculations in quite some time, maybe not even since I first came to live with him. As for myself, well, it was truly a heavenly experience!

We all collapsed on the bed, and presently began to collect ourselves.

“Khalid…Walid,” my lord murmured. “Go take a bath and then get some well-deserved sleep. Your subservience is duly noted and appreciated.”

The twin Sogdians kissed each of us and departed. I turned to my lord and washed him off with some scented water. We both put on our light sleeping robes.

“Lord Ricq,” I said. “Thank you for letting me partake of your bounty.”

He smiled gently. “It is the least I could have done,” he said. “Your wisdom and cunning helped to explain the mystery of the Mallian magician.”

“Speaking of which,” I replied. “He and Kalanos should have returned from the baths by now and are awaiting me in my chamber.”

“Indeed?” Lord Ricq was instantly aroused again. “I think we should pay them a visit comparable to the one with the twins, don’t you agree?”

I smiled as well. “First, we will need some reinforcement,” I commented.

I reached over to my lord’s night table and poured two cups of strong Greek wine. From the inner drawer, I pulled out a small stash of aphrodisiacs from India. My lord gratefully took a sip of the wine and swallowed the small herb that I handed him. I also took a deep drink of the wine and chewed on the Indian herb prior to finishing my wine.
“That was good,” my lord Ricq exhaled. “Shall we go visit the others?”

“Verily,” I replied. “I think we should get them to confess as well!”

We strolled to my chamber and sure enough, both Oromedon and Kalanos were reclining on the bed, freshly bathed and anointed with costly fragrances from Marakanda.

The Mallian magician looked up with a smile. “What a pleasure to be visited not only by the wonderful Pietro, but his masterful Lord Ricq!” he exclaimed. “To what do we owe this honor?”

My lord smiled craftily. “Oh, I thought Pietro needed some…company,” he explained. “He has captivated me with his tales of lust between you three, and since I have just now finished with Khalid and Walid, I am ready to sample your wares as well!”

Both men smiled broadly. They were lying naked on my bed, and their members started to&