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The Hassani and Kadal tribes coexisted in peace. Well, mostly in peace. Ok, if not exactly peace in a state of non-open hostility most of the year. I mean sometimes the hostility was quite open, mostly during the winter when food was scarce and the tribes competed for the best grounds. Each year the two tribes would hold a competition, each tribe put forth a champion and the two would compete to hunt and bring down a frost bear.

Whichever champion returned from a successful hunt first won much pride and honour for his tribe. They also won rights for their tribe to hunt in the Hintervale, the best hunting land. Making for an easier winter. For the losing tribe, it meant a winter of hardship.

Nural woke far before the sun rose in the sky. Today was the day, his day. In truth he had barely slept, and yet despite laying awake long after the sun had set, he still awoke at the same time as always. In the summer the dawn would be breaking. However, in the fall, it was dark outside. The young simian stretched his limbs, his fingers and toes curling as he woke his muscles. With a grunt he leapt to his feet, bounding up in one smooth motion.

He took a deep breath and stretched again, flexing his lithe form. In a few hours, he and the rest of the tribe would go to the meeting point. His name would be given as the Hassani Champion. His first time in the great hunt, and he needed to win. More than that, the Hassani needed him to win. Five years in a row their champion had failed them. Too many years of hardship.

"I am putting my faith in you," his father's, the chief's, words as he picked Nural to be their champion. In front of the entire tribe. The females had filled his hair with the last of the summer flowers and sang songs to the hunting gods. Nural had sat there, in his moment of glory and honour, utterly terrified. His fingers trembled as he picked up his best bow and began to attach the string. He wanted to make sure it was freshly strung and at its peak. Like he knew he needed to be.

"Hey, little brother," a voice from the doorway to his hut. In the slowly increasing predawn light, he could see his brother, Dural, standing in the doorway to his hut. The chill morning air rushed in where his brother had pushed the thick hides away from the entrance. Dural was slightly shorter and heavier set than Nural. Seven summers separated them. "Feeling nervous?"

Nural snorted, "no! I am ready, I will do what you could not." Nural paused as those words slipped out. He could see the pain in his brother's green eyes. They were similar to his own, in fact, if not for slight darkness to Nural's chestnut brown fur, they looked almost identical. Feeling guilt build he added, "sorry, I know you tried, and I know the hunt is not easy."

"Not easy is far from the truth," Dural replied and he stepped inside uninvited, but not unwelcome. "I thought I was ready too." The elder brother said quietly, reaching out to take an arrow from Nural's quiver and inspecting it. "Frost bears are the greatest challenge to bring down..."

"I know that!" Nural snapped, snatching the arrow from his brother. "I have hunted one before."

"Once," his brother replied. "And you did not hunt alone."

"The choice is made, brother. It is my turn, you had yours," growled the young simian. Putting his quiver on his back. "I will stand for our people and I will not fail."

"I spoke those same words, to myself, every year for the last three," Dural replied softly and Nural was sure he could hear more than a hint of shame in his voice. "However, I just wanted to say, it's ok if you fail. The tribe will not die, the world will not end. Our people may have to work a little harder, that's all, little brother."

"Not so little anymore, and I am out from under your shadow now," snorted the young hunter, slapping his chest with a muffled thump. "I will not fail and our people will eat well this winter."

For a moment the simian could see the pain and guilt on his brother's face. Then the elder monkey gave a sigh and drew himself to his full height, "then good luck, little brother. May the god's grant you victory. I will wait for your return. Watch out for Careth spiders, they live high up and this late in the year they are hungry, brave and always hunt in pairs. I will not be there to watch your back."

Nural opened his mouth to reply, however, a chill draught of air announced the opening of the hide doorway. His father stood there, in full regalia, ready to escort him. "Good morning, my son and Champion. Your people await. We must not be late on this of all days. The Kadal champion will start the hunt at first light, whether we are there or not." Looking much like his sons, the old chief had chestnut fur and green eyes. Only with whisps of grey on his muzzle and in his hair.

"Yes, father," Nural replied and left.

The chieftain turned to his eldest son, "you should not be here. He does not need you in his mind. The hunt is hard enough without such distractions, as you know better than any."

"I came to wish him luck," Nural replied defensively and then added. "And to tell him all would be ok if he failed."

"Stupid words, do not plant the seed of failure in his mind so early," snapped the elder monkey. "As a victorious champion seven times, I know best what he needs to hear."

"And I know what a losing champion needs to hear and I know that when the time came, you never said it!" Dural spat back bitterly. "You never said anything."

"I said nothing as a mercy, for I had nothing good to say to one who failed his people on so many occasions." Growled the chief. Then his eyes softened, "my son, please just play your part."

Dural hung his head and his shoulders slumped, "I tried father."

"Well, let us hope your brother plays his part better," snorted the old chief and then left.

Dural took a look around his brother's hut. He wiped away the tears that had formed in his eyes and forced a smile onto his face. "I will cheer for my brother, but for his sake and not yours." He muttered to the empty hut and then left.

The procession to the meeting spot was loud. The females were singing, children were playing. Nural was surrounded by the entire tribe. His face was adorned with blue paints, lines and marks designed to earn the favour of Grasiitou, goddess of the hunt. It was unsettling because it was exactly how he imagined it would be. Only Nural had expected to feel joy, to be confident and happy with this honour. Instead, his stomach was filled with roiling worms that seemed to spit their venom and upset his constitution.

All too soon they reached the meeting point. The Kadal were already there and Nural got his first glimpse of their champion. His true rival, Nestor. He towered a good head, or more, taller than Nural, a great bull. Two long curved horns adorned with summer flowers. Red paint stained his black fur in similar markings to his own. A stockier build, with a bit of bulk to go with it. Unlike him, the bull wore only a simple loincloth. That was summer wear, and foolish, in Nural's opinion, for a hunt up into the frozen regions of the mountain. Where the frost bears lived.

His eyes were brown, Nural found they were staring right back at him. His jaw dropped a little to see he was smiling. Not a nasty confident, prideful or smug smile. Just a gentle welcoming one. This was the bull who had beaten his brother three years in a row and their previous champion before Dural. The monkey guessed he must be almost thirty summers old. That would give Nural an edge, the bull was leaving his prime while he was just entering his.

He gave the bull a cocky grin. Or what he hoped was a cocky grin. Despite his words to his brother, doubt was beginning to claw at his mind. As the light grew and the great mountain lay before him, dominating the skyline. It would take a day or more of travel just to get to the snowline. Once more he looked over his opposition. The girth and muscle would give the bull an advantage if it came to a fight. However, his much more slender body would lend itself well to the run.

Fingering his bow, he ignored the words as speeches went on around him. Speed had always been his plan. However, seeing the bull he was more certain it would work. He would be back with proof of the bear's death possibly before the bull was even halfway to the treeline. Another glance at Nestor and he found the bull was watching him. Just as their eyes met, Nestor winked.

Nural was so taken aback that he did not move when the priestess called the champions forth. Not until his father nudged him slightly. Then they both stepped forward and knelt down.

"So, you are to be my opponent this year?" Nestor's voice was deep and rich, even with his words whispered they seemed to boom slightly.

"Yes, and I intend to win," the monkey snorted back.

"All champions intend to win, Little One," there was an amusement in the bull's tone that made Nural's blood boil.

"I will remember you said that when you return to find me already here with the fangs of a frost bear as proof of my victory," whispered the monkey fiercely.

"The sun rises, Little One, no more time for boasting It is time for doing," was the calm reply. Nural lifted his head and looked to the east. The light was growing by the moment and as soon as the sun peeked out on the world the race would be on. With nervous energy, his heart began to pound in his chest, the blood rushed through his ears. His entire body tingled with nervous energy as he prepared for the run. Nural's eyes stayed locked on the horizon.

Golden sunlight suddenly broke through the horizon and the Priestess lifted her voice in song to welcome it. The notes had no sooner hit Nural's ears than he was off, like an arrow shot from his own bow. He darted away from both tribes and into the trees. His simian feet were covered only in a thin hide wrap. That allowed his feet to grasp and push. It gave his species an edge over rough terrain and helped them climb steeper slopes and banks.

Clashing through the underbrush he started the long ascent up into the mountains. It was not long before he began to slow, his muscles burning from his initial sprint and the adrenalin of the start wearing off. He settled into a slower and more sustainable pace, yet one that still pushed his muscles. While the sun slowly crept higher in the sky.

As midday hit he found himself at the foot of a small hill, one he knew well. It was roughly halfway to the treeline. Deciding that he needed some form of break, he paused in his run. Part of him wanted to climb to the top, as he usually would. The view of the valley was spectacular. However, that would be a waste of both time and energy, he wanted to preserve both. Pulling some dried meat and fruits from a small pouch he sat against the hill to eat.

He had just finished a few mouthfuls when the sound of a breaking branch caught his ears. Reaching down he placed his palm on the grassy hillside and closed his eyes. The vibrations of a big creature's footfall hit his fingers and a moment later a large black bull broke through the underbrush. Nural gasped in surprise, he had been sure he had outpaced his opponent and would be an hour or more ahead of him.

The bull gave him a friendly smile and a nod, "Hello, Little One," his deep voice rumbled and Nural bristled with anger. He may be small to the bull, but among his own people, he was not considered small, although not overly large either. The hulking bull sat down nearby and began to get food from his own pouch.

"Goodbye, Large One!" He replied with a snort, putting his remaining meal back into his pouch and getting to his feet and starting his run again. His stomach grumbled at both the lack of a full meal and at the sudden return of the bumping pace. In fact, Nural pushed himself even harder. Knowing that the first to the hunting grounds would have an advantage, the sooner the hunt started the sooner he could track one of those beasts.

Sweating and panting Nural ran on, as the sun continued on its way across the sky. The way ahead grew steeper and steeper as he ran on. By the time dusk started to arrive, Nural's pace had slowed to almost a walk. Had this been a normal hunt he would have stopped and looked for a spot to camp for the night, maybe even got a fire going. A fire was not just good for heat, but it kept the more dangerous creatures away. It was often useful in keeping a hunter from becoming the hunted.

Nural finally let himself stop, panting heavily and pulling a handful of food from his pouch. He leant back against a tree as he ate. He knew it was late and he would need to work fast to set up a camp. It would also need to be close too. There was just enough light left to search for some wood and get a fire going.

Reaching back the monkey pushed himself lightly off the tree. However, as he did so he felt the fur on the back of his neck stand up. His hand pulled away from the tree surface slowly and he felt something sticky on his palm. Nural paused and took a slow breath as he listened carefully. As he brought his hand back in front of himself slowly, the other hand slipped to the knife on his belt. He prayed that what he had felt was just some tree sap or other normal secretion.

A moment later he saw it, white strands dangling from his fingers; Careth silk. It was unmistakable and in a split second, the exhaustion of the day was gone. His heart was pumping and his blood was rushing in his ears. The tingling down the back of his neck told him he was being hunted. Drawing his knife he stepped forward, moving away from the tree. It was not his first encounter with such creatures. In truth, they are not too dangerous, when you are not alone.

Before his nose, a single leaf floated down. Every instinct in his body screamed at him and he listened. Looking up as he stepped to the side. His eyes spotted the spider a heartbeat before it leapt. The orange carapace was slightly translucent, showing blue veins beneath the surface. With a well-trained eye and hand, the leaping spider never made it to him. It hissed and screamed as Nural's knife struck true avoiding the venomous mouth and striking the softer abdomen.

The foul thing landed at his feet and Nural gave a gasp of relief. At over three feet across it was the largest spider he had ever seen. The monkey lowered his trembling hand and gave a laugh of relief. He stepped away and was just looking for some leaves to wipe his knife clean when he felt the fur on the back of his neck stand up again. His brother's words came back to him, this time of year Careth spiders always hunt in pairs.

He did not have time to turn before the creature was on him. His voice screamed out in the night as it bit into his thigh and a moment later, his knife slipped from his fingers. Careth poison works fast. Nural's legs failed him and he fell to the floor helpless. The only small mercy was that his body was numb and soon he would slip into unconsciousness, so he would not feel it as the spider began to feast on his helpless form.

Nural struggled to breathe and to stay awake. His mind was spinning, as he tried to think of something he could do. He thought of everything his father, brother and every other hunter had taught him on Careth spiders. They all said the same, once you were bitten it was over. As he felt the weight of something climbing onto his back he closed his eyes, wishing he had listened more carefully. Just as he felt himself slipping away he heard a hiss and squeal. Then all was black.

A crackling sound roused him for his slumber and dark dreams. Nural opened his eyes and groaned softly. Then he gave a gasp, he was alive! His body was warm. As his eyes began to focus he realised he was looking up at a rock ceiling. Glancing around he found himself in a cave. His clothes had been stripped and used to form a bed, upon which he lay. Not far away in the mouth of the cave, he could see a large fire burning merrily away.

Pins and needles seemed to burn in every part of his body. Even his tail felt strangely numb and weak. Nural struggled to get up, pushing himself up onto his elbows. As he did so a dark figure entered the cave. He recognised it instantly as his rival, Nestor. "Ah, you are awake. Good." The bull said, and the bull looked him over. Nural was suddenly very aware he was naked.

"You... you saved me?" Nural asked a little shocked.

"Of course, I heard your cry and arrived before the spider began to feed," Nestor replied and then pulled out a leather water skin. "Here, you should drink, you have been asleep all night and day."

Nural gasped, it was already getting dark outside. He had slept an entire day. "The hunt..." he began to ask before the bull pressed the waterskin to his lips. Cool water started to flow and utterly parched the monkey put aside his burning curiosity on the hunt and swallowed gratefully.

"Well, I could hardly leave you in such a state to go hunt a frost bear, now could I, Little One? I am sure you would have done the same for me," the bull replied softly and Nural felt a pang of strange guilt in his stomach. Would he have left the bull to die? No, he was sure he would have killed the spider. However, to stay for an entire day or more to see to his wellbeing afterwards? Probably just a few hours. Then he would have felt he had fulfilled all that honour required and went on to claim his victory and make his father proud.

"Thank you," he whispered as the waterskin was pulled from his lips. The cold water helped wake him up. His eyes fell on a small leaf dressing on his leg. "Is... is it bad?"

Nestor leant over him and his huge two-fingered hand pulled the leaf aside so he could see a mossy poultice on his leg. "You are lucky, the spider had just injected venom to put you down. Just a couple of fang marks. I checked the rest of you, it had not... started."

Nural knew that the spiders injected other kinds of venom after they had their prey down. Turning the muscles and organs into a meat soup slowly. Shuddering he knew just how close he had come to a most gruesome and slow death. Shaking his head, "they hunt in pairs, I knew it and I still...stopped after I got the first. Stupid, stupid, stupid..."

"Hey, go easy. It is a mistake many have made. It is why we hunt in groups," the bull replied soothingly. "Plus, you are here and it is dead. That is all that matters. As for the hunt, it lasts until one of us wins."

The monkey winced at that thought, "Now that I am awake, your hunt can resume." He tried not to, but could not help but put a little accusatory tone in his voice as he said 'your'. The spider venom would keep him weak at least until morning and Nestor would be able to get a good lead on him while he would struggle to even walk.

With a shrug the bull sat down next to the fire, "it's late, maybe tomorrow if you are up to it."

The last part caught Nural's attention. He wondered if the bull truly would wait for him to be fully recovered. No one of either tribe could blame him if he chose to leave a little early. "Thank you for that as well, Nestor."

"Call me Tor, Little One. I never much cared for my full name." Tor replied with a smile. Then he pulled his knife out and picked up something from the ground, a dead rabbit. "I hunted this earlier while you slept. I thought a little fresh cooked meat might be welcome." As he spoke the bull began to work skinning the rabbit.

"It would. My name is Nural, and I prefer it," the monkey answered and then he lay back down before his tired arms could give way. "Why am I naked?"

"I needed to check you for bites. Plus your hides were covered in ichor. Careth bile stinks and does not wash clean. Trust me on this, I speak from experience," chuckled Tor as he put the freshly skinned rabbit over the fire. "Your fur will protect you from the cold, just keep moving. Or you can stink so bad the frost bears will smell you coming from a mile away."

Nudity was not something Nural or his tribe were afraid of. In the warmer summer months, most switched to loincloths or simply went nude. He had dressed in thick hides more for the temperature up in the mountains. The monkey could see the practicality. Though he knew the bulls of the Kadal tribe had thicker fur, giving Nestor an advantage. It was just another obstacle he would need to overcome.

Silence fell between them. The cave echoed softly with the sounds of the fire burning and the rabbit cooking. Soon the smells made Nural's mouth fill with drool. His stomach growled deeply. It had been more than a full day since he had eaten a handful of his provisions. His hunger was clear and when Tor took the cooked rabbit from the fire, he tucked into his half like a starving man.

Though he finished the meal still hungry, he knew he had eaten well enough. Tor did hand him the waterskin and let him drink his fill. "There's a small brook nearby, I will refill the skin in the morning. Careth poison tends to give a person a thirst."

"Thank you," Nural replied, as he drained the last drops from the skin. "You have had much experience with this."

Nestor shrugged his huge shoulders, "no and yes." He replied cryptically and Nural stared at the bull hard as he tried to divine the meaning. It seemed like his eyes were questioning enough, for the bull answered his unspoken questions soon after. "Did you think you were the only hunter to ever get bitten because he was stupid? Recklessness is not just a trait of young Hassani hunters. Though just the once, so I have only experienced it once, but I would say that was a lot of experience."

"How did it happen? If you are willing to tell the tale," Nural asked settling back into the fur bed. It was clearly Tor's bedroll, many hunters carry them on long expeditions, rather than sleep on the ground. Nural had chosen to forgo his, to help speed his passage, hoping his thick winter hides would suffice.

Tor remained silent for a moment, as he chewed thoughtfully on the last of his half of the hunt. Then he gave a shrug, "there's not much to it. I was young, around your age. Up in the mountains hunting, at the beginning of winter. I chased my prey right into a nest of Careth. Fortunately for me, they chose to start feasting on the deer I had been hunting and my brother Tornes was able to come to my aid."

Nural smiled a little to hear that. It was good to know he was not the only one. "What did your brother say when you woke up?"

"Oh he told me how angry he was, and just how difficult it was to drag my unconscious body to someplace safe," laughed the bull. "I suppose I now have a fresh appreciation for how he felt that day."

"I'm glad I could help you gain perspective. Although I would be grateful if you did not share this story too widely," Nural said with a soft chuckle. "My brother warned me about the Careth and I think I would rather have been eaten than listen to him tell me how right he was."

"Ha! Tornes was much the same. Though, I would that he was still able to hear how I played his part today," Nural could see the bull's shoulders suddenly slumping and hear the longing in those words. He was certain Tor's brother no longer walked the lands of the living. "He would laugh so."

"I am sure his spirit is watching you," the monkey whispered, feeling the desire to reach out to one in pain. Though also feeling far too weak to stand and offer comfort in anything but words.

"I hope so," whispered Tor and then he took a deep breath and the sadness seemed to fade. "You should sleep more. In the morning you should be able to stand and walk."

"Where will you sleep?" Nural asked, knowing he was in his rescuer's bedding.

"I will be fine by the fire," the bull replied with a shrug.

"Your bedroll is big enough for more than just me," the simian replied, moving himself to the edge of the small bundle of furs. "It will help keep away the cold when the fire burns low." It would not be the first time Nural had shared a night with another hunter. Often he and his brother would share bedding, which made for a warmer and more restful night.

For a moment the bull did not move, and Nural wondered if the Kadal tribe might have rules against such things. He knew little of their customs or ways. The tribes interacted infrequently at best. The history between the two tribes was long and at one point had been violent and bloody. Two great chiefs had created the hunt to stop the bloodshed and help the tribes live in peace.

Nestor grunted softly as he stood up. Not speaking a word the bull stepped over and lay down on the furs behind him. Back to back, they lay sharing the bedroll and their warmth. Exhaustion soon overtook the monkey and he slipped off to sleep quickly.

The sun had not yet peeked over the horizon when Nural woke. There was a warmth around him that in his half-conscious daze he snuggled up against instinctively. Then a soft snort and a huff of warm breath brought him to full consciousness. His eyes shot open to see the serene face of Nestor sleeping before him. Arms as thick as logs were around him, holding him close. Clearly, they had both rolled over in their sleep.

For a moment the monkey sighed, secretly enjoying the feeling of being held. However, in the back of his mind, he could hear his father asking him why he was laying with his competitor. A new day was dawning and the hunt was waiting. His tribe was waiting for him to bring back their honour. To give them a winter of full bellies after a lustrum of hard winters.

Telling himself they had made no agreements or promises. Only that the hunt would resume in the morning. The primate gently began to slip away from the bull's warm embrace. Untangling his tail from the bovine's and eventually getting back to his feet. His clothes were by the cave entrance, as was his bow and quiver. Nestor had spoken truly about the ichor. His furs had a thick black and sticky, foul-smelling ooze on them.

Taking just his loincloth and foot coverings he dressed as quietly as he could. His knife was gone. Presumably, it was still on the forest floor where he had dropped it. His stomach gurgled unhappily at him and he told himself that it was simple hunger. His mind was on the kindly bull who had saved him and shown such kindness.

The monkey stood in the cave entrance staring at the sleeping bull. He could not deny there was a longing to go back to that warmth. Nural realised he was wishing that Nestor would wake, and then he could explain and the two could start their hunt on even terms. However, in his mind, he could hear his father saying, "this is a gift, a chance to regain your lead. The gods are blessing you, do not throw such a gift away."

Worse, he imagined going back a failure, looking his father in the eye and admitting he had a chance to get a significant advantage and he let it slip through his grasp. All because his opponent looked sweet as he slumbered. His father would never let him take part in the hunt again. No hunter, no warrior of the Hassani puts his own personal honour, his own wants and desires ahead of the needs of the tribe.

So he turned his back and softly crept away. As soon as he was out of earshot the monkey broke into a full run. Once more heading up the steep mountain. Only things did not go smoothly, he had been running just a few seconds when he felt a burning in his legs. He yowled in pain and stumbled to the floor. Cramps began to spread through his legs and up to his abdomen. His chest and arms were next and the simian curled up into a whimpering ball. Nural's fingers and toes curled and uncurled, as he gasped and ached, having to fight for every last breath.

"Careth poison really does hang around," a rather angry voice announced. Nural looked up to see Nestor standing next to a tree nearby. The look on the bull's face hurt far more than the spasms of pain he was feeling.

Nural had just a moment to think and a body spasming in controllable agony made making a smart decision impossible. "I was..."

"I know what you were doing," Nestor cut in sharply as the bull strode forward. His black fur and massive body blotted out the dull dawn light. Two strong two-fingered hands grasped the monkey and he was tossed painfully over the bull's shoulder. "You and I are champions of our people, lies and deceits do not become us."

Those words burned into the simian's brain and they seared painfully on his very soul. The truth of them cut far deeper than Nural would ever admit. However, he said nothing as the bull carried him back down the hill and to the cave. Nestor said nothing more, as Nural was dumped far from gently on the furs they had shared that night. The bull's scent clung to his fur and he found it strangely compelling and soothing.

Nestor grabbed Nural's left arm and began to press down hard, massaging firmly with his thick fingers. At first, it hurt, but as the bull worked, Nural felt the cramps in his limb fade away. "Did the same myself, the first day after I woke up. Wanted to prove I wasn't some stupid young hunter." The bull grunted, his voice showing that his ire had not faded.

"Thank you," Nural whispered softly, his stomach still burbling. "I... I am sorry. The hunt... it means so much to my people, to my father. We have had too many hard winters." The feeling in his stomach began to fade as he spoke. "I promised myself that I would win."

Silence followed and Nural at least felt some peace. The look in Nestor's eyes seemed to soften. However, the bull said nothing just continued to massage down his limb. Then he reached out and took his other hand, breaking the silence after what felt like a full season of waiting, "the poison lays in the muscle for a while, running wakes it and brings great pain. I know, as someone who has felt it myself. So I accept your words of contrition." The bull gave him a warm smile, "I might also know something of the pressures of tribe and fathers."

There was a slightly sad look on the bull's face, but only for a moment. Then he resumed his work. Nural gasped gratefully as the bull's magic fingers pressed down on his chest. The muscles unclenched and the pain ceased, making breathing a little easier. Laying back the monkey closed his eyes, as Nestor continued to work. Moaning softly at the strong touch, if not for some of his muscles still clenching and unclenching painfully, it would have been pleasant.

He tensed a little as the bull's thick fingers grasped and massaged his buttocks under him. Moaning a little too. Nural had been training for many months and it had been a long time since he had found any time to enjoy some closeness with his fellow hunters. However, he was sure Tor's touch was intended to help and not arouse. Those hands moved on quickly down his legs, right to his feet.

Nestor took one foot in both hands, pressing his thumbs firmly around the soul. Nural's fingerlike toes clenched down around the hand and he heard a chuckle. Nural opened his eye to see what was so amusing, giving Tor a quizzical look. The bull shrugged, "we have hooves, I can't imagine what it's like walking around on basically a second set of hands."

"And I can't imagine walking around on hooves," the monkey replied with a chuckle. The two's eyes met as Tor's fingers continued to work. Nerves and sensations tingled down Nural's spine and his fingers grasped the furs beneath him tightly on instinct. Suddenly Tor tensed as he squatted above him, the bull's fingers stopping in their massage.

The monkey looked confused and he heard a slight tremor in the bull's voice as he said, "I... see you can... grab things with your feet too." He watched as the bull gulped. The simian lay confused for a second and then he noticed something. The massage had not just made him grasp with his hands. Toes that were made to cling to branches and for climbing trees, were currently around a rather soft and yet rapidly firming branch.

Nural's jaw dropped and he forced his foot to let go, blushing heavily and noticing just how much his body had not wanted him to release that special 'branch'. "I... I'm sorry... it was an accident, you hit a sensitive spot and I just had to grab..."

Tor's face held a shy smile and the huge brave black bull suddenly could not meet his gaze, "that's ok, it... was not unpleasant. Quite interesting really. I never thought you could... with feet."

The monkey's eyes slipped down the chunky bull's torso and noted that his loincloth seemed to have developed a significant lump to it. Feeling his confidence rise the monkey replied, "oh yes, we do that all the time. To ourselves..." the simian's eyes locked on the lump he could see as he added in a slightly huskier tone, "and to each other. Especially while hunting, it is accepted custom to help each other relieve stress especially on long hunts."

The black bull seemed to be frozen with his eyes fixed on the monkey foot in his palm. Nural got the feeling the bull was studying the simple appendage, and he could see that lump only continue to grow. "We have no such... customs. We are expected to take care of ourselves." Tor mumbled, his voice sounding a little distant as if his mind were somewhere else.

"I... could show you... if you would like," Nural replied, keeping his voice calm and reassuring. "I owe you as much for everything you have done. Plus, in honesty, I would also enjoy it."

"If that is your custom," Tor replied and Nural could see the desire burning in those gentle eyes. "I could use some reliEF!" His last words came as a desperate yelp. Nural, ever one to push his advantage, had taken the permission and returned his foot under the loincloth. This time he grasped no soft branch, but a full hard log, warm and throbbing against his toes. The monkey moaned deeply to feel the hot length throbbing against his toes. He knew that he was just as hard and he could see Tor glancing at his pink meat from the corner of his eye. He hoped the bull might want to try and return the favour. Though he reminded himself that he would not press the issue. First and foremost, he needed to pleasure the bull.

That was something he seemed to be succeeding at. His palm-like soul stroking up and down the drooling cock. "You are big, if you let go of my other foot, I would be able to use both to pleasure you." Tor's eyes went wide, and the bull's fingers suddenly dropped the foot like it was burning hot coal. Nural's other foot slipped under the loincloth and grasped the tip of the bull's length. Drumming his toes over the flared ridge that he found. Loving the deep rumbling moan of pleasure that escaped the hulking bovine.

Smiling to himself, Nural basked in the feelings and sounds. Loving that he was so easily in control of a male two times, or more, his size. Also enjoying the sounds of pleasure he was drawing out of his new lover. He stroked one foot down the full shaft and slipped down lower, stroking over a leathery sack. Hefting them in his foot he gasped, each giant fruit could fill his entire foot, "you really do need some relief, don't you?" He cooed softly, letting his toes drum faster, " do not fear, Tor, I will not stop until you have released all you have been holding back."

He felt the bull's hips suddenly move, the thick meat between his toes thrusting. Smiling the monkey grasped down firmly, noting just how wet his toes had become. He wondered what the bull's meat tasted like. His own cock was aching and leaking as he worked the bull's length. Reaching down with his hand he grasped his own cock, moaning softly as he started to stroke his own shaft. Feeling the bull thrusting back and forth between his feet, and hearing the deeply pleasured sounds Tor was making. Nural basked in the moment, loving the sensations of cock stroking the sensitive souls of his feet. A sudden pressure around his hand and cock made him open his eyes and look down. His green eyes met Tor's soulful brown eyes and then looked down at his own crotch. Where a black hand had clasped around both his cock and hand. Nural could see the need in those brown eyes, the desire to bring pleasure. He knew it well and welcomed it with joy.

Pulling his hand free he let Tor grasp his needful maleness. Gasping at the strength in those thick bovine fingers. Just two fingers and a thumb on the hand, but each one was giant in comparison to the monkey's. He gasped louder as the bull began to jerk his length. The bovine's eyes shone as they fixed on the monkey's drooling shaft. Nural cried out suddenly, the pleasure rising a little too fast. He had to bite his lip to force back his need to orgasm. Instead, he focussed on the cock between his feet.

"For a male... who has never done this... you seem to know your business," the monkey moaned with a smile. His toes worked faster and faster. Smiling to hear the deep grunts and groans of pleasure his actions caused.

"I have at least... ohh... my own for... mmmm... practice," the bull gasped and Nural delighted to hear the pleasure he was bringing was getting too much. Deciding that it was time to see just how much those huge leathery nuts held, Nural picked up the pace. Working his feet much faster, squeezing and drumming on the hot throbbing flesh. He heard Tor's guttural bellows of pleasure and knew he was pushing the bovine over the edge. As if he needed confirmation he felt the powerful throb between his feet and then suddenly the cave was filled with a deeply musky scent as his toes were being coated in warm thick fluids.

Not stopping or slowing down the simian just cooed happily, "that's it...mmm let it all out." He purred happily, his experience only slightly marred by the bull's loincloth being in the way. The bull's paw on his own needy length slowed to a stop as the pleasure clearly took control of his lover. Silence fell between them as they basked in the afterglow, or near afterglow in Nural's instance. The monkey was sure that Tor would finish him once he recovered, or at worst he would be able to deal with his own need for release.

Eventually, Tor broke the silence, "that was... interesting." The bull moaned and then Nural saw Tor's eyes glancing at the simian's cock in his hand. "I... would you... do you... mate with... other males?" The bull stammered, and Nural could not help but smile as he watched the huge powerful male stammering shyly after all they had just done.

"I do, though with a spear as big as yours I would need much preparation and some oils," Nural replied honestly. Part of him wanted to try, but the sensible part of his body reminded him that he still had a hunt to complete and at least a day of walking ahead of him. Doing that with a painful limp was not wise and despite his desires now was no time to rush headlong into something stupid. Even if the last time he had done so seemed to have ended up in some surprising, but very welcome fun.

The bull gulped and he felt those thick fingers squeezing around his cock as Tor replied, "I... was not... it would not... be you... needing the oil." Nural could not help but smile and his cock throbbed when he heard those words. Looking up at the bull, he noted those brown eyes were looking everywhere except at him. He reached up a hand and gently stroked the shaggy mane of hair around Tor's thick neck.

Just as Tor's eyes finally moved to his face he gave his response, "I would enjoy that very much." The monkey said, his voice and face filled with confidence. "Though, you might still wish for some oil."

"I am a hunter... I know how to make do," Tor's reply was slightly confusing, but only for a moment. The bull's hand left his cock and returned a few seconds later, and Nural groaned deeply in pleasure. While those strong fingers spread thick and warm bull cum over his length. Not as good as oils, but far superior to nothing. There was one thing that Nural was fairly confident of, he was not Tor's first lover. Or at least the bull had thought much of what he desired, to use such a solution so readily.

"Then I am ready, are you?" Nural knew there was not too much to be done to prepare the bull further. Though he pondered the possibility of using his tongue to moisten the way. The simian would love to spend the rest of the morning getting the bull fully prepared. However, by the time he had finished devouring such a fine bovine repast, the slickness on his cock would have dried in the heat of the fire. "I could help if you wish. However, we best be quick."

"You could? How?" Tor asked, and Nural could not help but chuckle at the bovine's naivety.

"Come stand astride my head," the monkey replied. The bull gave a confused look but complied after only a moment. Nural looked up and took a great delight in the beautiful view he was given. A firm muscular rump and a thick girthy cock dangling over him. "Now squat down."

"Oh?" Tor's voice was heavy with doubt, but the bull did as he was asked. As Tor lowered, Nural's hands reached up grasping that mighty rump and pulling it down, as he lifted up his head. Into a musky crevasse, the hunter pressed and he pressed his tongue to his target. "OH!" Tor's exclamation echoed around the cave, but he did not pull away, in fact, he squatted lower. Nural moaned in delight, pressing his face deeper, as his tongue delved inside. He heard the thumps as the bull's tail thrashed, while Tor writhed in unexpected pleasure.

Tor's puckered entrance was tight, but with some drumming of his tongue, and much licking. Nural helped the ring of muscle relax enough to slip his tip inside. He moaned at the musky taste, as his tongue wormed its way deeper. While above him the moans and gasps of pleasure were echoing around the cave. If slightly muffled by the huge bull's body. Nural was in wonderful musky heaven, but he knew he could not stay long, not this visit anyway. The heat from the fire would soon dry out his cock and that might make things painful for both.

So, with great restraint, he pulled his face from between those black muscular cheeks and said, "there, that should help."

"O...ok," the simian caught the slight disappointment in the bull's tone and made a promise that he would offer more thorough preparations later. However, right then his entire body seemed to be trembling with desire for what was to happen next. It seemed to be a mutual feeling, as Tor moved quickly, kneeling stride the ape's waist. Nural was happy to see the bull was facing him, he enjoyed watching the look on his lover's face as they mated. There was an intimacy he loved about seeing someone's face as he fucked or was fucked.

Nural bit his lip as the bull grasped his cock. A tingle of excitement ran right down his spine, as he felt his cocktip being guided. He gasped as he felt his tip pressing to Tor's pucker. He resisted the urge to thrust into the warmth. The weight of the bull slowly pushed down and for a moment he felt the puckered ring slowly stretching around his glans. Groaning louder the monkey began to thrust up, as he felt that tight ring sliding slowly down his length. Feeling that warmth spreading inch by inch, while he felt his own need to thrust growing.

Floods of pleasure ran from his cock, sending tingles down his spine to the back of his head. His fingers grasped tightly on the furs and then his eyes spotted the erect pink length bobbing over his chest. Licking his lips he waited, not wanting to startle the bull riding in his lap. He looked up and studied Tor's face, the bull had his eyes closed and his mouth was open. Nural saw those velvet lips move with each moan and with each inch of cock that he forced inside.

Just as the bull's rump pressed down onto his crotch, Nural saw those brown eyes open. A broad dopey grin of triumph spread across the bull's face. The monkey could sense the pride radiating out of that face and he wondered just how many others had sunk hilt deep in his lover. Before Tor could move, Nural reached up with both paws and grasped the bull's length in both. Groaning happily as the sudden sensation made the bovine buck in his lap. The tightness clenching around his cock sent strong waves of pleasure through his body and stoked the fire inside that burned to thrust and breed the bull.

Stroking that meat gently, the simian fought back the blaze not wanting to push the bull too far too fast. However, his paws did start to stroke that beautiful pink maleness. Running the full length of the mottled cock, stroking and teasing every lump as his eyes studied the bull's reactions. Locating every single sweet spot, the frenulum, the glans both obvious. He drummed his fingers lightly and with increasing pressure until he saw the looks of pleasure waiver and he knew he had the measure of the bull.

While, in his lap, Tor began to lift up. Moving slowly at first, but faster as the bull's confidence and desire probably grew. Nural felt warm drops of precum landing on his cream furred chest and he smiled to feel them. Knowing his lover was enjoying their time every bit as much as he did. Those fires in his head burning out of control, his hips began to give in to his instincts. Gently and slowly pushing up into those descending hips. Their voices lifted up as one as they learned the measure of each other.

Tor looked down and Nural found himself gazing up adoringly into those soft shining brown eyes. That black head, covered in shaggy black fur and the faint lines of the paints they had both wore to start the hunt. Nural lost himself studying the beauty of that face. So lost in study was he that he hardly noticed it moving and it was not until those velvet lips pressed to his that he knew what was happening. They kissed with a burning passion, tongues darting and dancing. While their bodies writhed and bucked as one.

Unable to hold back any longer, Nural began to thrust in earnest. Fucking up into that warm and tight bull rump, forcing his meat in with everything he had. Tor's hips matched his desires, pressing down hard into his thrusts, as the two worked to impale the bull just as far on his cock as they possibly could. Their moans of pleasure shared and the cave echoed with one sound, the sound of their passion.

Nural felt his orgasm fast approaching and he knew he could not hold it back. Nor did he want to. His fingers grasped tightly around the bull's cock and jerked it fast, milking that thick shaft desperately. Their kiss was suddenly broken as Tor straightened up and arched his back, lifting his muzzle to the heavens as he bellowed in bliss. The cock in Nural's paws began to throb and thick jets of bull seed began to erupt out. Spraying thick streams of cum over the monkey's chest, face and onto the furs beyond.

Around his cock, the bull's ass began to clench and squeeze and Nural could hold back no longer. With a desperate cry of joy, he fucked up into his lover, reaming desperately as fucked every last drop of his cum into the desperately clenching bovine ass. The two rutting together lost in their utter bliss for a few moments. Before Tor collapsed on top of the simian, they were both panting. While Nural's hips came to a rest, his cock softening inside that tight and cream filled ass and then popping free, followed by a river of spunk.

They lay, lost in each other's embrace, exchanging sweet kisses and sweeter words. The one thing they never mentioned was what would happen the next day. Eventually, they fell asleep, content and together.

This time when Nural woke, he did not think of leaving. Although he knew that the hunt was waiting. He found Tor had already wakened and rebuilt the fire. It was dark outside and the simian realised they had slept through the afternoon and evening, now they were awake in the deep of the night.

"Good sleep?" Tor's deep voice asked in hushed tones.

"Very good," the monkey confirmed with a smile. Getting to his feet the monkey moved to the fire. "Bit hungry now though, thirsty too."

Chuckling the bull pointed to a rock, upon which sat Tor's waterskin and half a cooked rabbit. "I woke earlier."

"Thank you," Nural replied gratefully and he drank his fill and ate every morsel. An awkward silence began to descend. Glancing outside he could see the stars between the leaves of the trees. "I will be fully recovered tomorrow, won't I?"

"You will," confirmed the bull and Nural was sure he could hear some sadness and reluctance in his voice.

"Then tomorrow, we must hunt," the monkey replied with a sigh. It was strange, he had lain with a few hunters from his tribe. Yet he had never felt like this afterwards. In his mind, he was thinking of a dozen different ways he might 'accidentally' cross paths with the bovine. However, most of them involved crossing into land his tribe had no right to be on.

"Yes, we must hunt," Tor replied with a nod. Suddenly the bull's body stiffened. "We must hunt." He repeated in a strange tone. Nural looked at the bovine confused, as he tried to guess what was going through the bull's mind. Clearly, it could not be such a surprise that they would do what they had climbed the mountain to do. "WE must hunt," Tor repeated, adding emphasis and pointing to Nural and then to himself. "Together." The clarification was not needed as Nural had finally realised what the bull was trying to say.

Could they do that? Hunt the bear together, claim a joint victory. Their tribes could share the Hintervale. A joint area for hunting, where he might run into Tor 'accidentally' as many times as they could arrange. His father would not be happy, but the tribe would have more food through the long cold and he would have some warm nights with Tor. "Pass my bow, we go together at first light."

I have just published a brand new anthology of sexy orc stories, please see the information in the journal below for links on where you can buy a copy.

Orc anthology

I published an Ebook of sexy orc story series, The books can be found at the links below.Thanks for reading

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