Duck Lake sweet dreams

Neither his progression nor the glare had earned him a reaction from the stranger. It wasn’t until he’d spoken, in fact, that something had changed; it confused the boy just as much as the notion of a fee had taken Cam by surprise. How was it that words as simple as the ones that he’d said could have a greater effect than actions? It didn’t make much sense to him, but he’d gone along with it anyways. Yet, before having spoken again, the yearling paused and observed the others body. If Alexander had been capable of delivering compliments, perhaps he would have commented on what he saw, but he couldn’t and so he didn’t. Besides, the traces of fear that’d been picked up on were far more enticing, encouraging him to mess with the other. It was then with a false look of interest that he’d answer by saying, “The fee would be your services.”

Another step forward was taken before he’d continued, expression unreadable. “Have you ever been with another boy?” he’d asked, appearing to be serious for the first few seconds. No sooner had he spoken than his face changed to display amusement, betraying the nature of his query before he’d even the chance to say, “I’m joking.” Thereafter, any hints of his previous enjoyment were swiftly replaced by nothing more than absolute neutrality. It was at the water that he’d then glanced, nodding towards in an effort to make the stranger look over there. “You can pay your fee by fishing for me,” he’d said, recalling just how long it’d been since he’d last eaten fish. “Five fish, or three if they’re large ones.” Xan was no stranger to the art of fishing. His father had taught him how to do so early in life, for it was a big part of their culture. To catch fish and hunt for seals—the latter was something he’d yet to do, but the former he excelled at. Still, it was better to have someone else do the work for him whenever possible.