Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 23:40:32 -0800 (PST)
From: Allistair De pont <equstair@yahoo.com>
Subject: Gregor and the Hunter

Author's Note and Synopsis: The characters used in this story originally
appeared in a short bestiality story (Cyrkan and the Hunter) that I wrote
for a friend of mine. I liked these characters so much I continued their
story; this time sans the horse-sex.  Immediately preceding this chapter,
Gregor (the gorgeous, unassuming eunuch) had been dispatched by the Vizier
to deliver orders to the Hunter (a brooding, muscular man).  The Hunter had
cum on Gregor's face as the horse fucked Gregor from behind.  Then the
Hunter and his horse (Cyrkan) rode north and Gregor remained. Please email
me any thoughts or comments.




Heading to the northern plains meant a long grueling trek through the
Canbar mountains. One week's ride north of the Capital, the Canbar appeared
like jagged teeth on the horizon.  However, the Hunter knew that was just
the distance. Up close, the Canbar rose over two miles at most, and were
traversed by only a few narrow, rocky trails (that he knew about - seldom
did he or anyone travel north of the city).  The only pass still open this
time of year lead through the Tir Gap, up through the Tir River Canyon.
The Canyon was very steep; the grade of the trail, at times no wider than a
foot and a half was at times three to one. It wasn't an imperial highway
for the empire hadn't built it. Most travelers maintained that it was a
game trail that simply came into use.  The Hunter had his own theory.
Amongst his many secrets, the Hunter was literate and he had read once
about a great civilization that had flourished in the Canbar mountains.  He
believed that the Tir Gap Trail was one of their ancient routes.
	These were the thoughts that crossed his mind as he rode Cyrkan
slowly out of the city. Crossing the mountains would require supplies and
at least two weeks. He rubbed his hand over his scalp - that would be bare
enough time to grow his hair out and begin to try to fit in.
Unconsciously, even as he was planning the trip in his head, he brushed his
fingers over his lips.  He smelled his hand; it still had that lemon-sweet
smell.  Then he shook his hand away from his face and leaned into Cyrkan.
He stroked the horse's neck. The full, sweaty, horse-smell chased away
unwelcome feelings and he smiled as the wind blew grit into his face. It
was the beginning of the hunt.




	The eunuch made his way back to the palace.  The guards held their
nose as he walked passed them, but the three bells around his neck
guaranteed that they would not molest him.  He had hoped to sneak back to
his quarters and then quickly bathe and sleep but the Master of Eunuchs
intercepted him in the hallway.  The Master, as everyone simply referred to
him, was a dour old man, tall, thin and almost bald, except for a wisp of
grey hair he kept brushed up in the back. His eyes were wide as he pulled
the eunuch to the side.
	"Gregor, is that really you?" Said the Master. He sounded
awe-struck.
	"Yes, master." Replied Gregor.
	"You must see the Vizier, then. Before he learns from someone
else. Go, now!" Said the Master. Then he held Gregor in his gaze for a
second. The master squeezed his arm and then sent him on his way. Puzzled
as he was by this rare show of affection, Gregor didn't wait, he ran up the
three flights of chairs and presented himself, out of breath and still
covered in cum, in the chamber of the Vizier.
	In the center, against the far wall, stood the Vizier's chair, to
the left was his aide's chair and table and in the middle of the floor was
a beautiful, raven-haired girl dancing in a twirl of silk scarves.  The
Vizier was a small, unattractive man with high cheekbones, a small pointy
nose and wide lips.  At the first he didn't take note of Gregor but as he
squinted in Gregor's direction, recognition dawned like a thunderbolt.  The
Vizier sat up straight and waved to the aide.  The aide quickly clapped his
hands twice and the girl fled.
	"Are you the same one I spoke to earlier? About the message to the
Hunter?" He said slowly.
	"Yes, sir." Said Gregor.
	"What, didn't he like you?" asked the Vizier.
	"Sir?" Gregor was unsure how to respond.
	"Good God, you reek of horse and you're covered in semen. You did
deliver the orders, yes?"
	Gregor merely nodded. He was very confused.
	"So he didn't fuck you.  I suppose he's grown noble with time. How
unlike him," the Vizier mused, then he continued "How did he react to the
news?"
	At first Gregor was about to reply, that there had been no
reaction. But when he paused to think about it, there indubitably had been
one.  The Hunter had kissed him. What did that mean?
	"Your grace," began Gregor slowly, "I believe the Hunter acted like
one receiving a new posting to a far-away position. I don't believe he
thought he'd return." The Vizier took this in with a shrewd nod and then
pulled his lips back in a ghastly smile, no less mocking.
	"Good, very good." Murmured the Vizier to himself, "Perhaps they
didn't cut away your brains with your balls then. You may leave, you lucky
fool, indeed, before you make my chamber stink like a stable."
	Gregor stepped out and made his way back to his chambers.  He
peeled off his sticky, sodden clothing and made his way to the baths.  At
this time of evening they were cold, so he washed quickly.  He was suddenly
aware of how drained he felt, both physically and emotionally.  He wrapped
in his towel and quietly stepped back to his chamber.  There he found his
sandals were missing from under his bed. He looked under the other three
cots, but didn't see his shoes.  He was too exhausted to worry about it and
just crawled onto his little bed and fell asleep.
	Someone nudging him wakened him hours later.
	"Hey! Wake up!" whispered Simon, one of his roommates. "You're
here! The master told us you'd been dismissed, but you're back! What did
you do wrong? You're so bad!"
	"He's not bad, he's just stupid," whispered another roommate,
Hervil.
	"Where are my sandals?" asked Gregor suddenly. Simon jumped up and
ran to the chest at the foot of his bed.
	"Sorry," said Simon, "I swiped them because I thought you were
gone."  Simon placed them beneath Gregor's cot. Gregor lay back down and
then Simon jumped on top of him.  He started kissing Gregor's neck and
dry-humping him. Even through the tunics, Gregor could feel the size of
Simon's rapidly-growing cock. For a eunuch, Simon was pretty large.  He
turned his head as Simon zoomed in for another kiss.  Unfazed, Simon then
jumped off the bed and started humping Hervil. But Hervil shrugged him off
too.
	"Go to bed, you never-ending erection," commanded the fourth and
oldest of the quartet, Arturo. He glided into the room, long hair black
hair flowing gracefully with his motion
	"Aw, come on, Turo, I never get to fuck anything at those parties."
Said Simon. But Arturo waved his hand dismissively.  Gregor immediately
fell back asleep.





	They were a week out of the city when Cyrkan smelled something on
the wind.  He drew to a stop and sniffed the air.  The Hunter immediately
became alert.  He looked all around him and squinted at the road in front.
It was just a day's ride from Canyontown, where they would get provisions
and news about the Tir Gap, but so far they had seen very few travelers on
the road.  He fitted his telescope to his eye and adjusted. Column after
column of foot soldiers filled his vision.  Riding at the front was a high
ranking officer, a colonel judging by the plumes coming out of his hat.
Then he saw a glint in the officer's hand.  The man had a telescope
too. Swearing, the Hunter urged Cyrkan off the road.  The last thing the
Hunter needed was to be recognized by someone in the Imperial guard.  They
quickly trotted a half-mile off and hid behind some bushes.  There was
still a good chance that either the colonel or one of his scouts had seen
him, but from this far away maybe they would not bother with him.  Both
Cyrkan and the Hunter held their breath as the soldiers steadily
approached.  Silently the Hunter counted, 3 centuries of soldiers, 10
columns thick marched past.  He let out his breath explosively and nuzzled
Cyrkan. What were 300 imperials doing this far north? And why were they
heading towards the capital?
	They waited until the last of the soldiers had disappeared over the
horizon and then continued on their way.  They reached Canyontown the
evening of the next day.
	Canyontown had once been just a small farming community, but it had
grown with the trade coming through the mountains and the emperor had seen
fit to station a small garrison of troops there. Now the town boasted an
inn with a tavern.  The Hunter and Cyrkan stopped there.  The Hunter bid
Cyrkan good night at the stable and then went inside to get some news.  He
ordered a pint and then motioned the barkeep over.
	"I saw a large number of imperial guard on the road yesterday. You
happen to know why?" the Hunter asked.
	"They've been trying to track down rebels in the mountain." The
Barkeep replied.  The Hunter nodded slowly, however on the fringe he lived,
this was the first he had heard of trouble in the mountains.
	"Is the pass still open?" he asked.
	"I'd assume so," replied the barkeep "that monk over there just
arrived from that direction today, he'd have the most current news." He
gestured to a hooded, brown-cloaked figure sitting off to the side.  The
Hunter took note of the green silky cord around his waist and the slightest
of bulges on the monk's left side.  This man was a Brother of History.
They tended to roam in these parts, supposedly collecting knowledge.  One
of the legends of the mountains intimated that they had a secret fortress,
hidden somewhere in the Canbar, which was a treasure trove of books and
ancient scrolls.
	However before the Hunter could make his way to the monk the doors
of the tavern swung open and in walked a beautiful, raven-haired
countrywoman. Everyone in the bar turned to look at her.  She had large
dark eyes, rosy cheeks and full red-lips.  She bowed her head slightly, as
if to greet the crowd and then looked out and started scanning.  As her
eyes passed over his, she stopped looking and made her way to him.  The
Hunter swore and turned back around to his drink. But she came and sat next
to him.
	"Good evening, stranger, how fares your health?" She asked. Her
voice was sultry and low. The tavern was deathly quiet.
	"Alright," the Hunter finally responded, "thanks for asking."  She
put her arm on his shoulder and felt muscle through the cloth. Her touch
was soft and pleasant and unconsciously he relaxed his posture.
	"You are so strong, you are a blacksmith, no?" Her voice was low
and melodic, yet somehow innocent and he found he was fighting the urge to
start talking. He could just start and not stop, the job he had to do, the
Vizier, the eunuch, Cyrkan.
	"Yeah, well I find things and I kill them.  Sometime I bring things
back and look lady, who are you?" He finally asked.
	"Excuse me," she chuckled, a deep throaty chuckle, "my name is
Lilit, I am the matriarch of Canyontown. And tonight is the spring
equinox."  The Hunter completely forgot about the rest of the tavern, all
he could see were her beautiful eyes. And her hair, how much would he like
to run a hand through it.
	She leaned in, so that he could feel her hot breath on his cheek
and whispered in his ear.
	"That means I choose the right man and ensure the future of my
village." The almost ignored the intent behind those words for he was about
to run one hand through her hair and use the other to toss her over his
shoulder and take her up to his room.  Instead, he pulled back.
	"Lilit, you are the most beautiful woman I think I've ever seen. I
know someone who kill to spend a moment in your presence." He paused and
took a long sip of his drink, "But not I. I fuck men. Find someone else for
your village."  The silence in the room suddenly became noticeable again.
She leaned back momentarily; her eyes wide with surprise. Then she smiled,
nodded and moved to a booth on the other side of the tavern. Whispers
slowly filled the silence.  He turned to visit with the monk, but the monk
was gone.  He slammed his mug down with frustration and strode out of the
common room to his quarters for the evening.




	"You've ruined another batch!" Hervil reprimanded Gregor.  Hervil
picked up the blackened loafs of bread and then with a curse dropped them
on the floor. They were still very hot.
	"Don't stand there, pick them up you dumb oaf! Throw them away. Now
I have start all over again!"
	Gregor mumbled an apology and hurriedly picked them up, burning his
fingers and tossed them to the rubbish container.  Then he moved quickly to
the mixing bowl as Hervil furiously began kneading other dough.
	"Who died and made you baking vizier?" asked Simon. He had an even
more unpleasant job; he was cleaning dishes.
	For the past three days the four of them had been assigned to the
kitchen, despite the fact that none of them had baking experience. Except
of course, Hervil.
	"I don't know what it is, that Gregor did, but I don't see why the
Master has to punish us." Hervil said and then stalked out of the
room. Gregor and Simon exchanged glances and rolled eyes. Simon came over
and kissed Gregor on the cheek, and then made a face and started washing
dishes again. Gregor reluctantly kneaded the dough and fit it into the pans
to go back into the oven.  He had no idea bread was so difficult.
	"Hervil professes such intelligence yet continues to miss the
point, doesn't he?" said Arturo.  He was standing at the entrance to the
kitchen, dragging up another bag of grain from the basement. Gregor and
Simon looked up. Somehow, even covered in flour, Arturo looked poised and
harmonious.
	"The Vizier goes everywhere in this palace, nowadays. Except
where?" Arturo asked. Gregor and Simon both responded: "The kitchen"
	"Exactly. The master is doing his very best to make sure that the
Vizier forgets about Gregor. And lucky us for that matter to work with
him."
	"But I don't get it.  I never get called to the Vizier's
chambers. And I've got a nice ass and dick." Exclaimed Simon.
	"The Vizier has his uses for Eunuchs. And if he doesn't get
attached to them, they become conveniently expendable." Murmured Arturo.
He eyes centered on Gregor in a way that made Gregor very uncomfortable.
	He did his best the rest of the day, but still earned nothing but
rebukes from Hervil. That feeling, though, lingered and after washing up in
the evening he went to ask Arturo what he meant by his comments.  Arturo
wasn't in the Eunuch's atrium, nor was he at their quarters.  He was about
to wander the Palace gardens when he caught sight of long, flowing black
hair disappearing around a bend in the hallway.  He quickly hurried after
it.  He kept a good distance and succeeded in following Arturo to a dark,
narrow alley on the far side of the servant's quarters. Arturo slipped
through a small wooden door.  Gregor quietly stepped up to the door and put
his ear to it. Inside he could hear voices.
	"... the emperor will be away two days from now for the entire
week. Only the vizier with a half-century will remain." Whispered Arturo.
	"You must give me the names and locations of the guards. Do you
have them?" asked a deeper, gruffer voice.
	"Yes, of course, Erev... Haven't you missed me?" asked
Arturo. Gregor concentrated harder to hear Erev's response.
	"More than you can imagine." He whispered.  Suddenly Gregor heard
the sound of fabric on fabric and a slight moan from Arturo.  Gathering his
courage, Gregor nudged the door open.
	They were in a linen closet. In the lamp light Gregor could make
out two figures.  One was nearly nude.  That was Arturo. The soft light
illuminated his slender, cut body, highlighting his defined abs, his
Apollo's belt and his smallish, rosy nipples.  His immaculate white skin
shone like alabaster and contrasted sharply with his glossy black hair.
Standing over him, somewhat obscured, was a much more bullish
figure. Garbed like a soldier, his hair was close-cropped and his jaw, as
outlined by the dim light, was sleek and square.  He was kissing Arturo and
one strong hand was massaging Arturo's left nipple.  Arturo convulsed again
and leaned backwards against a pile of rugs and towels.  Erev slowly made
his way down Arturo's silky torso, kissing each abdominal and then hovering
right above the small thatch of pubic hair above Arturo's cock.  His cock
was thin, correctly proportioned and curved upward.  First Erev blew on the
head, then he gently gripped the bass and ran his tongue around the
glances. Arturo let out another moan and this time Erev completely
swallowed the head in his mouth.  He sucked on it, then bobbed, then licked
around the tip like it was a honey comb. He moved his other hand up and
down Arturo's slender thigh. He slowly pushed it up.  His face moved
beneath the cock, he gave a few more loving strokes with his tongue and
then started lightly lapping at the small scar at the base of Arturo's
erection. Gregor unconsciously pushed the door open to get a better look,
but neither Arturo nor Erev noticed.
	"Oh," murmured Arturo, "My place!" Arturo started to gently hump
Erev's hands. "Touch me in my secret place. Make me warm and soft!" Erev
ran his hand down the upraised leg to cup Arturo's small, tight, ass.  Then
he brushed his fingers past Arturo's crack. Arturo shuddered.  Erev deftly
spread the little ass cheeks apart and ran his fingers over Arturo's
rosebud, letting his middle finger massage it and gently press it. Then he
lifted both of Arturo's legs with his hands and leaned his face in.  Arturo
was freshly bathed, and smelled like almonds and sweet oil.  First he
kissed to the left of the rosebud, Arturo groaned. Then he licked to the
right of it and Arturo's fingers grabbed at the towels he was sitting on.
Then with slow deliberation he licked a spiral straight to Arturo's
puckered little hole.  Arturo groaned even louder and started thrusting his
ass at Erev.  Erev for his part lost his restraint and dove into that sweet
orifice. First he licked, then he covered it with his entire mouth and
started sucking.  All Arturo could feel was those hot, soft lips, sealed to
his asshole, drawing him in and out and creating a delicious pressure on it
that caused him to jolt and spasm. Finally Erev licked one of his fingers
and brought it up to push into Arturo.  Arturo's ass clamped immediately
down on the intruder, but then relinquished it's grip and Erev's finger
slid in even more.
	Erev withdrew and caught his breath. Then he stood up and removed
the shirt he had been wearing.  The light revealed a trim, muscled back,
that rippled as his hands went down to untie his trousers.  Gregor found it
to be less wide than the Hunter's but youthful and beautiful. Once his
trousers fell to the ground, Gregor saw that he had a beautiful ass also,
with tight, muscular thighs and calves.  He suddenly understood Simon's
attraction to topping as he fantasized briefly what it might be like for
him to sink his cock into an ass like Erev's.  But then he was distracted
by the hot action, taking place in front of him.
	He saw Erev apply something to his penis and then lean in and bend
over Arturo.  Arturo for his part lifted both of his legs up and smiled at
Erev.  Erev's cock was longer than Arturo's, perhaps seven inches and of a
medium girth. But it too, was a thing of beauty.  He held it steady at
Arturo's asshole and then slowly pushed forward.  Arturo started exhaling
heavily and grunting, but Erev continued his steady assault, grabbing
Arturo's torso to steady himself and then push in even more. Gregor found
himself unconsciously rubbing his own penis, as it strained against his
loose pants. Erev then pushed all the way in; his crotch and trimmed pubic
hair mingling with Arturo's.  Arturo was whimpering softly and Erev leaned
forward until his body pressed into Arturo's and kissed Arturo's neck, then
suckled his ear. Arturo's body relaxed, his hands relinquished their grip
on the towels and he wrapped his arms around Erev's solid back.  Erev
kissed Arturo on the lips. Arturo hungrily leaned up for those soft lips
and Erev pulled his hips back and then thrust in again. Arturo caught his
breath and lay his head back.  Slowly, every so slowly, Erev built up a
rhythm.  His cock began to slide in and out of Arturo's hole.  Arturo moans
encouraged him and he began to fuck more forcefully.
	"Yes, my lover, take me, take me!" repeated Arturo over and over
again.  Sweat began to run down Erev's back, it glistened in the lamp
light.  Gregor started grinding his hand against his crotch in time to
Erev's heavy, sensual thrusts.  He was moments away from orgasm when his
ears detected something.  The steadily, growing sound of many, heavy boots
headed his way. He looked over his left shoulder and saw the dim glow of
approaching lamp light.  Without thinking he darted into the room.
	Arturo and Erev started in surprise but Gregor didn't give them a
moment to speak.
	"Be quiet and lie still!" He whispered. He pulled a few towels and
put them on his arm and then seized their lamp.  He paused for the briefest
of seconds to compose himself and then walked out.
	He went about five steps and ran into five imperials guardsmen and
the Vizier.  The lead guard was a giant.  His face composed of a prodigious
chin, an almost grotesquely large nose and thick hairy eyebrows. He held
his lamp up high and looked down at Gregor.  Gregor bowed deeply and then
made to move to the left of the group.  An enormous hand stopped him.
	"What is your business here, eunuch?" asked the guard. Gregor
trembled momentarily at the tone of his voice and then responded.
	"I am getting towels for the baths." Gregor responded.
	"You're out after curfew." Said the Guard.
	"I didn't know a curfew had been imposed." Murmured Gregor.  The
guard grinned and wrapped his hand around Gregor's throat. Then he
remembered himself and looked to the Vizier for permission.  The Vizier
rolled his eyes and waved the guard back. Then he addressed Gregor.
	"You have an erection, boy. Are you off to some midnight tryst in
the stables?" He smiled that sneering smile again.  Gregor looked up
startled. The Vizier recognized him!  Then he put his head down again.
	"I'm sorry sir, I am awed by your presence." He replied.  The
Vizier drew back, surprised.  Then he snorted.
	"I don't do eunuchs, boy." He said peevishly. Then he waved his
hand at Gregor, dismissing him and they walked on.  Gregor didn't look back
he walked slowly with the towels in his arms down the hall until he turned
the corner.  Then he ran all the way back to his room.
	When he entered he found Simon and Hervil already asleep in their
beds.  Arturo was just getting into his bed.  Gregor stopped in his steps.
Arturo merely smiled and said "Be careful, Gregor. There's a curfew now."




	Lilit stealthily stepped down the hallway.  She had removed all her
jewelry and if she held the hem of her skirt she didn't make a sound.  She
came to a stop outside the Hunter's room.  The barkeep had proven very
gracious in providing her with this information.  She pulled out a key and
delicately inserted it the lock. He had been even more helpful when he had
given her the key.  She carefully pushed open the door and tip-toed inside
and then shut the door.  The room wasn't very big, just a bed in the middle
with a washstand on the side and a window.  But there he was, illuminated
by the moonlight.  She made her way over to get a better look and her
breath caught.  In the soft, silvery light, he looked different from before
and a bit younger.  In sleep, his face had softened; many of the lines
caused by unknown worries, sadnesses and hurts had disappeared.  He looked
as handsome as before but also impossibly innocent. And vulnerable.  This
is the man he might have been had fate not decided differently.  She could
have stayed there, gazing at him forever - she never tired of seeing men in
these rare, unguarded moments - but he was starting to wake.  She
concentrated for a moment and then lightly brushed her fingers over his
forehead.  Now he would continue to sleep deeply.
	She undid her skirt and disrobed.  She wore no small clothes so
except for her cotton stockings; she was now naked.  She was truly
beautiful. One of those rare, lush, full-figured women.  Her belly was
smooth and taut, her breasts round and full and her hips and arms firm yet
pliant.  In between those smooth, warm thighs, protected by a soft, dark
triangle of pubic hair, was her pussy.  It was beginning to dampen in
anticipation.
	She pulled back the sheet and blanket covering him and caught her
breath again.  She feasted her eyes on his naked body.  His broad, muscular
shoulders, the shelf created by his taut pecs and then the raised rows of
his abs.  She put her hand on his chin and then slowly ran it down his
neck, the cleft in the middle of his chest and then lightly pinched his
erect nipples.  He had very little chest hair, but it was soft and oddly
blonde (in contrast to his dark hair and whiskers).  Then she drew down
further, caressing each ab muscle and feeling the suppleness of his waist
and the indent where his thick thighs met his torso below his belly button.
Then without hesitation she dove her fingers into his trimmed, luxuriant
pubic hair.  His large cock was just coming to life and for the moment she
ignored, instead paying attention to the big testicles cushioning it.  She
stroked them, then bent her head and ran her hair over them.  His penis was
growing now.  She gripped it with both hands and started pulling it with
long gentle strokes.
	It was so big and powerful. She smiled.  This man would give her a
good child.  He or she would be strong like him, a leader for her
community. A protector.  She reached one hand down and started rubbing her
pussy.  She was so wet and hot.  She knew she should be patient but she
wanted him now.  Wanted him to shoot his cum deep inside her and start a
new life.  She spread her legs and straddled him. With one hand, she mixed
some of her wetness with his pre-cum and got the tip of his now fully erect
cock all slick.  She positioned herself above him and then slowly lowered
herself onto him.
	She was remarkably deep, her but she was surprised to feel him hit
bottom in her with an inch left to spare.  It was a passing thought for
then she started furiously bouncing up and down on him.  She groaned, she
grunted and came to a screaming climax.




	Gregor didn't get a chance to get Arturo alone the next day.  But
he did find himself with a rare opportunity to talk to the Master.  The
Master was bathing at the same time as he, and they were the only ones
there.  He waded over through the warm water to the old man.  The Master
was obliviously attempting to wash his back and started when Gregor drew
his fingers across his shoulder.
	"Master," Gregor spoke, "allow me." Gregor took the sponge and
started to gently scrub the old, delicate skin of the Masters back.  The
Master nodded and silently accepted the wash.  Gregor cleared his throat
and took a chance.
	"Master, no one expected me to return from my errand to the Hunter,
least of all the Vizier. Why? Is the Hunter a violent man?" Gregor asked.
The Master's body stiffened but Gregor continued to massage the sponge into
it. Finally the Master spoke.
	"No more or less than any other man. The answer to your question
lies in the past. You must keep what I am about to tell you to yourself,
for this is worse than palace gossip. This contains elements of truth."
Gregor spoke his assent and the Master continued.  "The man who was once
the Hunter was once a member of the imperial guard and when he was younger,
he and the Vizier were of approximate rank and held the same favor with the
Emperor. Before he became the Hunter, that man was very handsome, perhaps
the most attractive man in the Empire.  He was also smart and talented,
certainly as capable as the Vizier. Both were extremely ambitious, so they
became rivals. In one area only did they not compete: the Hunter preferred
men, the Vizier women." The Master lapsed into silence again, and Gregor
bit his tongue waiting patiently for him to go on. Finally he did so.  "The
Vizier, one day fell in love with the daughter of a powerful aristocrat.
You can imagine from what you know and see of the Vizier, that he seldom
received much attention from women. However, uniquely enough, perhaps
because she too was quite homely, she fell in love with him also.
	Because of who she was, their marriage would have guaranteed him a
successful and powerful life.  When the Hunter learned of this, he did
something he'd never done before to oppose it.  He went and seduced the
young girl.  You can imagine how difficult it would be to turn away someone
like the Hunter.  He came away victorious and informed everyone that he had
just fucked the Vizier's fiancé.  The girl, distraught, begged the Vizier
for forgiveness.  The Vizier had none, the light of love had been replaced
by ignominy and he spurned the girl.  She was sent away, far to the south.
The Vizier avenged himself on the Hunter by cursing him. As a result of the
curse, the Hunter was banished from the Imperial Guard. It was only the
kindness of the Emperor that kept him on, albeit in a much reduced function
as Imperial Hunter."  The master became silent again.
	"Master," pressed Gregor, "what was the curse?"




The Hunter woke up. He felt like he couldn't breathe, something was
smothering him.  It was hair, lot's of hair.  He pushed the hair away from
his face and looked to his left.  It was the countrywoman from the tavern,
calmly lying next to him; her hair was everywhere. He jumped and then
tumbled out of bed, closing and then reopening his eyes.  He ran to the
door and sure enough found it unlocked. He quickly locked it again and then
returned his gaze to the bed.
	"Oh no." He moaned to himself.  "Please, no."  He pressed himself
against the door shivering and rubbing his arms. Her eyes were closed, she
could still be sleeping. But she was still, so still. Reluctantly he
stepped over to the bed.  He reached one hand over and touched her face.
It was cold. Mechanically, he reached his fingers down to her neck and felt
for a pulse. There was none.
	"Damn't!" he swore. He slammed his fist into the wall. He lifted
the bed and threw it down again. "Damn you Cestis! Damn you!"  He kicked
the washstand and then collapsed on the bed.  "You fool!" he said to the
corpse next to him. "You silly fool! I warned you. I am death!"  He put his
face in his hands and ran one hand repeatedly over his scalp, "I am death,"
he whispered again to himself.
	Then he stood up resolutely and quickly dressed.  He opened the
window and crawled out.



	Gregor was the last one left in the kitchen that night when Arturo
unexpectedly came up behind him.  "Thank you for what you did," Arturo
whispered in his ear, "you have earned my gratitude.  There's a change
coming in the wind. I will make sure you are provided for."



	The sun's rays were just beginning to climb up from above the peaks
of the Canbar Mountains as the Hunter and Cyrkan chased the rapidly
retreating shadows out of Canyontown. Only the wind knew of the tear that
flew off his face as they raced away.