The snare made a loud "SNAP!" and Mislav silently emerged from behind the bushes. The rabbit was struggling, piteous and desperate, its leg caught tightly in the handmade contraption. Mislav quickly and silently sliced the rabbit, immediately putting it out of its misery. He wasn't a cruel man, just an honest hunter, killing what he needed to feed the guests of Lord Verrieres, never slaying too much, respecting the ways of the wood.
He had been working for Lord Verrieres for more than a year. He had been approached by one of the lords men, and asked if he would assist in catching a boar for an upcoming feast. Once he had proven himself a worthy and skilled hunter, the lord had asked him if he would consider working for him, catching rare game for feasts, and stocking the larder for winter.
The pay was good, and Mislav readily accepted. The lord was a dark haired, stocky, brutish man. Heavily built as a man should be, yet lacking some of the wit and cunning afforded to others of his stature. His lack of wits would often make him defensive, prone to rages, and he would usually throw a jug of milk at the wall when he was frustrated - but other than that, Mislav enjoyed his company, and knew him to be a good man in general. His wife had died during childbirth to his only son Florian, who spent most of his life travelling the continent. Mislav sensed the lord had a some resentment towards his son, he felt he had abandoned him and would often make cruel comments about his selfishness.
It was a spring afternoon, and Mislav was returning across the bridge with his 12 rabbits, swinging on his pelts. He waved at Dieter, who was carrying a bale of fresh hay down to the stables. Dieter tried to wave back, but struggled with the hay, almost overturning it as he tried not to drop the bale.
Mislav helped to steady him, laughing.
"Sorry Mislav, I'm all fingers and thumbs today, got me some new horses comin' in!" he said with excitement.
Mislav raised an eyebrow. "Oh? A new horse ya say? Where from?"
Dieter gabbled excitedly. "The lords son, Florian. He has just returned from his trip overseas, and he brings with him two fine stallions!"
Mislav nodded, he had heard something about that. The lords son had been travelling over the last year, and now was returning home so his father could marry him off to one of the other lords daughters.
He waved goodbye to Dieter and made his way to the kitchens.
It was there, his life would change forever.
He stood, staring. The rabbits swinging limply from his hand. The cook gave him a prod with a wooden spoon; "You deaf boy?!"
Mislav dropped the rabbits in shock. In front of him, was the most gorgeous man he had ever seen. Tall, willowy and pale, with light hair and eyes.
"This here, is Lord Florian. You should find your wits, boy." said the cook as he scooped up the rabbits from the floor and scuttled away to the pot.
"Pleased to meet ye, me lord" Mislav stammered, still not taking his eyes away.
"The pleasure is mine." Florian gave a warm smile. "You must be Mislav. My father has told me a lot about you in his letters. You are quite the skilled hunter, yes? You must make time to teach me a few things - although I fear I lack the grace to hunt!"
Mislav couldn't move. He couldnt tear his eyes away. Luckily the cook was busy with his rabbits, he hadn't noticed.
Florian cocked his head to the side, and smiled again; "Well, I must see my Father, such is my punishment. Hope the old brute is in a good mood, though I doubt it. See you again, hunter." - then he turned and left the room.
Mislav couldnt remember the walk home. He couldn't remember what he ate for his supper, couldn't remember cleaning his hunting knives or setting his morning traps. All he could think of was Florian and his fair face, his delicate features and those clear, blue eyes. He must have gotten those from his mother, Mislav thought.
And so began a a Spring filled with wonder for Mislav. He spent his mornings catching the hunt for the Verrieres dinner table, and then the afternoons with Florian, teaching him to hunt. It was the best part of Mislavs day, helping Florian to hold the bow, feeling his soft breath and the way he moved through the forest, his eyes shining in the sunlight as they crept through the wood.
Alone in his hut in the evenings, when he groaned with release, Mislav didn't feel the shame and disgust he felt before. He pictured Florian, and everything felt...right.
One afternoon, as they walked up a hill, they came to a stream. Florian stopped to wash his feet in the water and his face.
"Up there is Cackler Bridge" explained Mislav, pointing into the distance where a large wooden bridge could be seen atop the hill. "The legend is, a woman went mad from unfulfilled love. After her heart snapped, she spent all her days running up and down this bridge while laughing hysterically"
Florian stopped washing and got to his feet. "Unfulfilled love...How awful it is to love another and not be loved in return." He turned to Mislav, who was looking at him intently. Florian had a droplet of water on his eyelash. Mislav couldnt help himself, he brushed it away.
Florians lips parted and they stared at each other, both breathing heavily, unsure what to do next.
Their eyes met and Mislav said; 'You are loved. By me."
Florian gave a sigh of what sounded like relief, and suddenly, they kissed. It was Mislavs first, and at that moment, his heart might burst. Florian tasted sweet and cool from the stream.
When they broke apart, gasping with the intensity of it, they looked around, jumping apart, checking they were alone.
Mislav suddenly realised what had happened and began to stammer.. "I..Im sorry..Lord.."
Florian put a finger to his lips and smiled softly. "Do not apologise, my love. I have wanted this from the moment we met. In the kitchens, do you remember? You stared at me so intently, I thought I had spinach in my teeth!" Mislav smiled, relief spreading through him.
"Aye, I do remember." He said, "Ive never seen ought so beautiful in my whole life."
Florian began to laugh. Mislav frowed, confused. "What? Whats so funny?!"
Florian could hardly speak, he was laughing so hard. He finally stopped and spluttered "I...dispise hunting! I only do it to be close to you!"
Mislav stared openmouthed, then began to laugh too. They both stood on the bank, laughing together, until tears came out of their eyes.
"Why didn't you say anything to me about your feelings?" Florian asked.
"Same reason you didn't tell me. I was afraid you would think I was a freak." replied Mislav.
As they walked back to Mislavs hut, through the wood as the sun went down, they could hear the waterfall nearby from the bridge. Pre-war, the woods were a safe place, and they held hands in the safety of the trees, breathing the fools parsley and enjoying each others company.
"I wish we could just make a camp here, in the wood. Nobody around, just you, me and the stars" Florian said.
"We can, one day. Ill show you how to pitch a tent and we can bring two roll beds, and make a fire." Mislav replied.
"Two roll beds, for appearances only. As if we are two friends camping... though... we would only actually use one bed roll."
Florian laughed as Mislav`s cheeks turned pink.
As the trees began to thin, they broke hands and walked a few feet apart.
Once behind the locked wooden door, they embraced, kissing, hugging and touching. Mislavs hut smelled of leather and wood. It was bare, yet functional and clean, with a hearth, bed and chest in the corner. Florian looked around in wonder.
Mislav shuffled uncomfortably.
"Do not be embarrassed. Its perfect." said Florian.
"Um.. no... it aint that.. ive never done this before..with...anyone" Mislav stammered uncomfortably, avoiding Florians gaze.
Florian sat them both down on the bed. "I have done this before. Many times, in fact."
Mislav was shocked. "With another...man?!"
Florian smiled and nodded.
"I knew I did not care for women from a young age. I have had the fortune to travel, which opened my eyes to new worlds. There are places, over the sea, far, far away from here...where you can meet other men.. and... well you know."
Mislav was open mouthed. He couldnt belive it. Florian laughed softly.
"I did not love them. Not the way I feel with you. This will be new for me, too. What we have is special."
He ran his hand over Mislav`s thighs, and they began to undress.