"I didn't know he was bringing a retinue with him. But I don't see a problem with it. We both thought you'd enjoy a hunting retreat with your uncle away from the stress of the palace." His father left him on the stairs as he followed after the others.
Grinding his teeth, Styxx wanted to curse them all. Did no one in his family know the most basic thing about him? How could he share a home every single day with people who knew so little about his personality?
He couldn't stand being around strangers. At all. Nor did he care for hunting.
How do I get out of this?
Maybe Galen could break my arm again....
But the worst part? He had a bad feeling in his stomach that something awful was going to happen. He just didn't know what.
August 19, 9533 BC
Styxx couldn't remember the last time he'd been so happy. As much as he hated to admit it, he was glad his father and uncle had done this for him. It was wonderful to be off without his father nagging him and Ryssa's constant bitching. No tutors telling him how stupid he was. No glancing down hallways to make sure his mother wasn't there before he walked them. No wanton maids or women grabbing for his cock.
Even with his head throbbing, it was great.
I could definitely live like this for a while.
"Here." Estes gave him a handful of dried meat as they hid near a brook, waiting for deer to sniff out the bait they'd left for them.
Styxx quickly ate it. "That's delicious. What's in it?"
"A special herb that's only grown in Atlantis. We have nothing like it here in Greece."
"You should import it. You could make a fortune."
Estes smiled. "So they tell me." He handed Styxx a wineskin.
Styxx took a quick drink then lowered it as he heard leaves rustling where they'd dropped bait. Pulling his bow up, he nocked his arrow then leaned to sight it.
Estes moved to stand behind him, so close that he could feel his uncle's breath falling on the back of his neck. "Steady. Hold the shot."
His head cocked, Styxx waited.
"Lift your elbow," Estes whispered in his ear. He gently pushed it up to show Styxx how to stand properly. "Hips straight." His uncle dropped his hands to Styxx's hips and twisted them slightly. As he did so, Estes's groin pressed up against his buttocks, letting him know his uncle was fully erect.
Styxx's eyes widened in shock.
"Release!"
Completely unaware of the arrow's trajectory, Styxx let it fly and quickly stepped out of his uncle's embrace so that there was some distance between them.
But Estes acted as if nothing had happened.
Had he imagined it?
Estes smiled. "You got him, little squirrel! Congratulations."
His thoughts still on the disturbing intimate contact, and whether or not it was intentional, Styxx blinked, not understanding what Estes had said.
Xan clapped him on the shoulder as he joined them. "Great shot, Styxx."
Only then did Styxx realize he'd made the kill. The other men were already at the deer, inspecting it. Noe had a small cup he was using to capture some of the deer's blood.
"What are you doing?" Styxx asked him.
"It's your first kill. You always drink the blood of your first." Noe held the cup up for him to take.
Grimacing in distaste, Styxx hesitated.
"It's all right," Estes said from behind him. He pulled out the wineskin and more of the dried meat. "I have this ready to banish the taste. But it is a rite of passage we all take."
Xan took Styxx's bow and smiled at Estes.
Not sure about this, Styxx lifted the cup of blood. Closing his eyes, he drank it then shivered in revulsion as the salty, metallic taste assaulted his taste buds.
Gah ... how could a god stomach drinking human blood?
"Here." Estes swapped the meat for the cup.
Styxx quickly shoved it in his mouth and chewed it then drank the wine. His uncle was right again. It thankfully killed the taste immediately.
"We'll all dine well tonight." Leon grinned at his friends.
Kastor winked at Leon. "Good thing, too, for I am long famished for the hindquarters of an unsullied buck. Even if it means sharing him with the lot of you."
They all laughed.
Frowning, Styxx didn't understand what was so funny about his comment.
"So who gets to clean our meal?" Nestor asked.
Estes tossed his dagger to land at Nestor's feet. "It's your turn to skin and cook the venison. And the five of you can draw straws for dessert." His uncle put his hands on Styxx's shoulders to guide him away from the others. "Come, Styxx. Let's get that blood off you."
"What blood?"
"On your chiton."
Looking down, Styxx cringed as he realized he'd spilled some of the deer's blood on his clothes. I am completely incompetent.
What else was new?
Estes grabbed his saddlebag and led him to where the brook widened to a stream. He handed soap and towel to Styxx. "You might as well bathe the day's sweat off, too."
While Styxx went to clean himself, Estes started a small fire. By the time he returned for his clothes, his uncle was sitting on a blanket, mixing herbs into a small clay pot.
"What are you doing?"
Estes motioned him closer. "Have you ever heard of Eycharistisi?"
Styxx shook his head. "What is it?"
"Another special plant they grow in Atlantis. Truly, it is a place of wonder and marvel. They have the most advanced medicine you've ever seen." Estes set fire to the herbs then blew the flames down to low embers. "Would you like to try some?"
Styxx hesitated. They didn't look particularly appetizing, but then neither did the meat, and it was exceptionably tasty. Kneeling beside his uncle, he reached out to take the herbs with his fingers.
Pulling the pot back, Estes laughed. "You don't eat them, dear boy. You inhale their fragrance." He held up a small cup that was attached to the pot. "Put this over your nose and mouth and breathe in deeply."
"Is it safe?"
"Very. You know I'd never hurt you. I love you too much for that."
You are definitely going to enjoy this, little squirrel....
Styxx scowled at his uncle's thought. "What does it do?"