As Spring turned into Summer, Mislav and Florian fell even more deeply in love.
Mislav would catch the game required for the feast in the early hours of the morning, and then spend the rest of his day "hunting" with Florian, which was mainly bathing in cool streams, lying in the lush green grass, and talking. They would discuss their hopes and dreams, and then share a hot meal in the hut, before spending the evening making love, before falling sleep in each others arms in Mislavs creaky, small bed.
They were careful, of course. They often had a day or two apart from each other so Florian could be seen around the fort, and spend time with his father.
Florian, although he loved his father, felt no connection with the man; "We just don't have anything in common. He wants me to be a leader, and I'm just not made that way. I remind him of my mother too much, I think it hurts him to look at me. He blames me for her death"
One evening, they sat sharing a meal by the hearth. The were naked, laughing, enjoying a hearty stew after hours of lovemaking. Mislav had never been happier in his whole life.
He noticed that suddenly Florian looked downcast. "Whats up my love?" He said.
Florian put down his spoon and sighed. "Im so happy here with you. But..its my father. He is becoming more and more persistant in his hunt for a wife for me."
Mislav froze, his heart stopped in his chest for a second -"And you...want this?"
Florian looked annoyed; "You know I do not want this! I am at a loss what to do. My father has arranged a meeting with 3 lordling daughters and the thought makes me sick. Mislav, what am I to do? I cannot live a lie... but my father will never accept me any other way.." He bit his lip to stop from breaking down and looked away into the fire.
Mislav touched his cheek and said "I don't much. But I know we are meant to be together. We love each other, don't we?"
Florian turned to him and smiled, a solitary tear fell. "Of course we do. But, I fear we must leave here. We cannot live a true life together, not in White Orchard."
Mislav nodded.
"I am a hunter, I can find work & food anywhere. I will go with you Florian."
As the weeks wore on, they prepared themselves. Mislav began buying supplies from the Inn. Slowly, so not to arouse suspicion from the innkeeper, Elsa. She was a kindly woman but had a knack for gossip, and she could turn on you when she was full of gin. Mislav didn't need her questioning him.
As he left one evening, his bag full of supplies on the walk back to his cottage, he bumped into Claer, a local girl whom his mother had tried to set him up with 2 years before.
"Evening Mislav!" she chirped. Mislav didn't trust Claer. She was nice enough, true, but she often had too much to say for herself for a woman. She was bossy and could also be stubborn.
"Evenin Claer." he smiled politely. "How are those snares working for your mother?"
"Good thanks" she tossed her dark hair back off her shoulders. "I'm getting married next spring!"
"Congratualtions."
"His name is Volker. Dunno if you know him. He and his brothers moved here a few months back. You would know him better if you came to see us more! Why don't you move into the villiage, it cant be easy walking back and forth all this way? You must get terribly lonely" she probed.
"I like the quiet. Plus, its closer to the forest" he said, politely trying to move away.
"Its not too late you know. My mother would still let you court me, if you wanted." Claer said, licking her lips and smiling.
Mislav shook his head, his private thoughts of Florian brought a blush to his cheek. "You sre quite lovely Claer, but Ive no interest in takin a wife just now."
Claer gave a sly smile. "Well, looks like you've run out of time! Ill shall marry Volker in the Spring. I do hope you find your elusive woman soon." As she walked away, Mislav frowned..had he misheard, or did she stress the word woman?
He was to meet Florian that evening to discuss their plans. Florian would travel ahead, to find somewhere safe for them to be together. When Lord Verrieres found out, he would be furious, and Mislav would be able to console him and throw him off the scent.
"Tell him I got a servant girl pregnant in Vizima and we have run away together." said Florian as they made their way across the courtyard and down the stone steps to the stables.
"Doubt he will believe that!" Mislav said, "Better it be someone local, from White Orchard."
"What?! He will burn the entire villiage to the ground searching for her and her family? No, better be somewhere larger, like Vizima, or Novigrad."
The smell of fresh bread and garlic filled the evening air and the servants were lighting the torches for the evening meal. They walked through the huge stone arches, the sound of the lake lapping the shore.
As they reached the stables, they looked around, but it was deserted. Everyone was in the hall for dinner. Mislav pulled the beam across the door to secure it, and stroked the snuffling horses in their boxes.
"Which one will you take?" He asked Florian.
"The swiftest, the black one, over there. Shes a beauty. I daresay Dieter will miss her."
Mislav turned from the horse and made his way to Florian, his eyes brimming. "Stay safe love. I know its only a few weeks but I will miss you."
They embraced, then kissed. Their kiss became more passionate, hungry, and urgent.
"We.. cant.." whispered Mislav... "not here...someone might..." but he was interrupted by Florians swift removal of his breeches, his mouth on him, warm, soft and inviting. He closed his eyes. It would be weeks before he got to do this again.
He leaned his head back on the wall, pushing his hips foreward, arching his back, biting his lip to stop from crying out. But then Florian stopped.
Mislav's eyes flew open... and he was surprised to see Florian, naked now, arching his back on the hay.
Mislav groaned and pushed himself foreward, the warmth from Florians eager mouth acting as a lubricant, he pushed deep inside and felt the familiar warmth, of which he had become so accustomed. They had done this so many times now, they knew the intimate rhythms required to maximise their pleasure, the low, slow strokes, the way they liked to be touched.
They were sweating now, grunting, trying not to make any noise as they reached the peak of their climax...then, they heard a door bang.
Mislav spun round, to see Dieter, standing open mouthed in horror. He had used a stick to push the bar up from the stable door from the outside...and had dropped his lantern to the floor in utter shock.
Mislav pulled away from Florian, so hard he stumbled backward into the wall, knocking over several rakes and tools so they clattered to the floor. He tried to stammer...but Dieter was already backing out of the door.
"The..horses sometimes..close the door...by mistake..I..." He turned and ran.
Mislav looked at Florian, who was pulling on his clothes. Mislav pulled up his own breeches, the feeling of utter terror seeping into his bones as the magnitude of what they had done began to sink in.
"Florian...I.."
"Hush!" Florian snapped, his eyes scanning the floor for his missing boot - "and pray we can bribe Dieter before he reaches my father. Go to your home, await me there. Do not leave until I come for you." - he stalked out, before Mislav could say anything.
Mislav stood among the fallen rakes, shaking.