The human struggled in his binds, trying to break the rope tied around his wrists and around a thick wooden spear impaled into the ground. Sweat dripped over his naked frame as the cool night air kissed his tan skin. His muscles flexed as he moved, the toned canyons and valleys tensing and relaxing as he tried to break free.
A fine looking black hair trailed down his chest, abs, and crotch which glimmered in the moonlight that reflected off his body. Torches were lit all around him, the light illuminating the area and letting the human see the predicament he was in. Several beasts stood surrounding him in a circle of sorts on two legs, their bull-like appearance sending a strange recognizable fear, but curiosity.
They seemed to be just as curious about him, watching him squirm in his predicament. They each were different in size and stature, but looked healthy and comfortable. Some were brimming with masculinity, reeking of it off of their black, brown, and white fur. The human could tell which ones were the alphas of the group by the way they stood and remained silent, watching him with a hungry gaze in their eyes.
The younger ones were chatty, giggling amongst themselves as they pointed and gawked at the older, mature males. What stood out to the human was their body art; everything from the expressive piercing down to different dyes and paints that covered their furs in intricate patterns. Some had piercings looped around their nipples while others had rings wrapped around one or each horn. They seemed to be content with their barely covered bodies, each of their loincloths barely leaving anything to the imagination. The bull that was closest to the human seemed to be wearing the most; a ceremonial looking garb that covered his lower body only a tiny bit modestly then the others, but had a lively body paint that combined a sequence of different colors.
Scanning the environment, the human's blue eyes fell upon curious looking tents that had several different ornaments that clinked in the wind. The tents were not crude by any means, but seemed to be simple enough that they could be torn down and moved if need be. Some of the people stepped out of their tents to watch the spectacle that was going on, interest scrawled across their face.
The human could only describe the situation he was in as something primal and a celebration of some kind. He could only guess that the men that ransacked his master's caravan and captured him were a tribe of bull-people; minotaurs from the North making the transition to the Southern caverns to avoid the harsh bite of winter. The caravan was simply in their path. Being a hired arm to keep bandits away, the human was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and the next thing he knew, he was being led away in bondage.
Feeling a shiver down his spine as he felt the cool night air kiss his most sensitive parts, he hoped that his fellow brothers he traveled with did not receive the same fate as he did. He still remembered the warriors that surrounded him before pinning him to the ground and restraining him. He then remembered the strange chemical they blew into his face to knock him unconscious, the sweet scent still on his mind.
Hearing the hushed whispers between the different tribesmen, the human began to train his ears on the deep basses coming from the beast men. He knew that very few minotaurs born outside of the city learned the intricacies associated with the common rhetoric, but some managed to integrate themselves fully into modern society. In fact, his blacksmith that crafted his first sword was a stocky bull.
He was also his first love.
As the man's eyes fell upon the soft lips of the different men, his mind fell onto nostalgic memories. He could smell the scent of cooling metal as it was dipped into chilled mountain water and hear the tinging of a hammer as it clanged against steel. He remembered being pushed against the anvil, strong hands holding him gently as lips connected with his. He could still remember the hand caressing his face, the warm palm pressed flesh against his cheek and...
Opening his eyes, the human noticed the robed minotaur was stroking the exact same spot, a grin across his face as he spread his fingers and felt the soft skin gently before cupping his chin. Feeling a warmth across his cheeks, the human felt himself go stiff as the dark brown eyes looked into his. Leaning forward, the minotaur said in a deep booming voice, "What is your name, warrior?"
A look of shock flew over the human's face as he watched the minotaur's mouth stop moving. He remembered the stories of the different tribes his first love told him as he held him in arms in an instant, the explanation of how the blacksmith learned English from some of the most wisest and cunning among the tribesman. He felt a strange bit of respect move over him when he realized he was among one of the highest regarded members of the tribe; the shaman.
Gulping, as the hand began to trail lower over his neck, the restrained male said, "My name is Lucas. Why do you have me like this?"
Feeling the shaman's other hand trail over his and grasp it soothing, the shaman rubbed his thumb across the back of Lucas's hand and chuckled saying, "So naive of our ways...so ignorant of what is in store for you."
Forming into an irritated scowl at the taunting answer, Lucas said, "I have no time for some stupid game! Release me, now!"
Recognizing the words as hostile, the shaman began to trace his fingers along Lucas's spine. Giving a tremble in response at the gentle touch, the shaman replied, "No, the gods have blessed us with your presence. It would be a pity to deny them and you play a larger role in their plot then you think, warrior. We require a blessing from them, and you are going to play that role, buicha."
The last word sent another quiver down Lucas's spine. It was in the minotaur language. Although he was not familiar with the word, some of the males around the shaman become attentive quickly with ominous smiles across their face. The scarred alpha males looked at Lucas with the same desire in their eyes, watching his body like a hawk watches prey before it strikes.
"What if I told you your gods made some kind of error? What if fate has brought me to the wrong place?" Lucas argued as he struggled against his bondage, sweat starting to roll off of his body and drip onto the floor. "You barbarians attacked our caravan and carried me off," Lucas continued as the shaman began to get touchier, his fingers trailing lower over his chest and abs. "I had no say in this matter."
"So the gods willed it and much was done in preparation for this day," the shaman said as his fingers felt the muscles twitch and flex as he worked over Lucas's naked body, taking note at the spots that made the human tremble like a leaf. Noticing the worried anger still sketched across Lucas's face, the minotaur said, "What troubles you if the divines themselves have brought you to us?"
"You killed my companions," Lucas growled through clenched teeth. "They were innocent and you slaughtered them like sheep." Still hearing their screams of horror as the caravan was swarmed, Lucas felt his patience starting to dwindle.
"You did not see our compassion, fool," the shaman answered back as his fingers drummed along Lucas's treasure trail. "You did not witness your own brethren trading your capture for their escape with their profits. You were too busy defending yourself from our own fine warrior's blows to hear them beg for their own life like worthless animals."
Shaking a bit as the shaman's words cut him like a knife, Lucas shook his head and retorted, "You're lying! My fellow bodyguards would not gave me up like that!" Remembering of how he sat around the fire with his boss and other guards, Lucas recalled sharing jokes, fascinating stories, and having a merriment filled time drinking and laughing. He remembered his employer's wife and how she would give him the most subtle of winks towards him, giggling when he would become shy. The several nights that he spent among the merchants and warriors seemed like the life Lucas could get used to living and after a few weeks of back and forth traveling, Lucas felt like he belonged with the band.
Pulling out a beautiful ornate dagger from his side, the shaman held it up in the torchlight. A slight glimmer of light flicked off the end of the trim on the handle and the polished silver of the blade had many ornate patterns that cut through the metal in fine patterns. Many of the minotaurs around the shaman ogled the pristine metalwork, their attention captured by the craftsmanship. Lucas recognized it instantly; it was the same dagger that was part of their cargo into the Great Planes to sell to the gypsies.
"They paid us extra for the transaction because they were so grateful we spared their weak lives," the shaman taunted with a sinister smile as he watched Lucas's confusion turn into disbelief. "You, on the other hand, were the one fighting bravely and with valor against some of our strongest fighters. You are a magnificent specimen, human and a worthy person to participate in our celebrations for victory."
Stunned, Lucas dropped his gaze from the dagger, letting it sink in on how badly he was betrayed by his own people. He felt ill as the shaman began to massage the human's thighs teasingly. However, he also felt the anger sweeping away with every touch that the shaman applied to his most private of areas. His thoughts started to calm as he took in the situation and Lucas felt the familiar sensation of breath on his neck as the shaman leaned close.