The Hunt

Chapter 1 - The Gathering

“My son,” my father greeted me on this morning with a serious expression as I returned from milking the herds. “This year you are to take part in the Hunt. I am indebted to Lord Sinep and have a choice – either sell the herds or allow one of my sons to be hunted.”

I nodded. As the youngest son, this was my duty and should keep my brothers free. Besides, I might even come home with the wealth to move us to a wealthier land far from here. “Yes, father. I have expected this, I will go to the Mustering.”

He smiled sadly. “Thank you, my son.” He hesitated. “I know that you will do your best, but I have not failed to notice that you favour the ways of the Lords rather than ours. If you are taken I hope you will find a kind master and if you succeed I will not hold you to a life you may not enjoy.”

I blushed, then smiled at him. “Father, I would not wish to put you to shame. If I succeed yours shall be the reward and I would hope you will use it to take mother and my brothers to Hetaria where they may find comfort and a better life. If I am taken in the hunt, you will still have enough to pay in full the debt?”

“Yes. There will be enough to pay both the debt and to send your brother to Hetaria to establish a small business so that we may move there in, perhaps, one or two seasons.”

“Then I can go to the hunt with an easy heart, father. Jake will do well in Hetaria and Arius will, I know, be an excellent partner to him in it. But he should take Kait as his wife before he does. She will keep his house and has a good mind to business as well, with her at his side, the venture will flourish.”

He nodded. “As usual, you have seen the heart of it. You are right, my son, and I will ensure that there is always provision for you if you are taken.” He smiled. “Sometimes the Lords release their captures after a few years.” He shook his head. “Though those they do are always changed and find difficulty returning to their former lives.”

I nodded. A few years previously an uncle had returned from service in Gaydar and though he had been well fed and dressed, the mode of his dress and his taste for the company of young men had made it difficult in our household. Especially when he had shown me his enormous penis and how to give it pleasure – something I had since found most enjoyable myself when I had privacy. “I know, father. I remember. I shall not impose myself upon you if I return the same.”

The annual Mundane hunt in Gaydar is a big event. The Lords of Gaydar gather in the wild forest hills of the north near the borders of Mundania and there follows a month of intense stalking and pursuit of their prey, the youths of Mundania whose families owe the Lords tribute, or who have need of a favour. Some of us even offer ourselves for the hunt since, if you are successful in evading capture, there are rewards which can provide for your future.

Mundania is a poor country, much of it mountainous and good only for grazing and some limited agriculture. The few towns are small and exist only as trading posts and places where the Lords of Gaydar may operate recruiting stations or trade with us. By contrast Gaydar is wealthy and powerful, but has few, if any, natural sons and daughters. It is a country in which all marriages are between those of the same sex and – according to our religious mentors – of unnatural sexual practice and tastes. I confess though, that the stories I had heard of these made me curious, and, as I got older, somewhat excited at the thought of being a party to them.

Later that morning I made my way into the town and thence to the Lodge where I gave my name and my father’s deed of debt to the Hunt Master.

“So.” He eyed me over. “You will make a prime capture, my boy.” He nodded. “Very well, your bounty will be six hundred crowns, of which four hundred will be paid to Lord Sinep in full payment of this debt. The receipt and the balance will be paid to your father. Is he with you? Or do you have a bondholder to whom it can be paid in his stead?”

“My brother is without, sir. He will take the money and the receipt to my father.”

He grinned. “Very well. Summon him and I will pay him.”

I did and my brother entered cautiously. 

“Hmm.” The Hunt Master acknowledged Jake’s salutation. “Sign here and here.” He offered a pen. “Take this bill to the banker in the Market Place and he shall provide the two hundred crowns of the balance. Here is the receipt for Lord Sinep’s deed.”

When Jake had gone he summoned an assistant, an said, “Take over here while I take our latest recruit to prepare him.” To me he said, “Come, it is time to make you ready for the hunt.”