Thy Fair Youth

WARNING: NOTHING GRAPHIC (EXCEPT FOR A BIT OF BLOODY SCENES FROM FALLING OF HORSES, WHAT ALL RIDERS HAD TO GO THROUGH UGH) OR SACRILEGIOUS, HOWEVER THE MAIN CHARACTERS ARE DEFINITELY STRAIGHT MEN IN HISTORY, SO IN THIS CASE THEY’RE A BIT OOC, IF YOU REALLY SHIP FERDINANDO CARLO DI GONZAGA AND ALBINONI, IT’S PERFECT BOYS LOVE.

After one year’s training in horse riding, I was finally ready for my first hunt by the end of 1699, in late October. The Duke, along with the Duchess enjoyed hunting at its best, and after the state affairs of Mantua have stabilised, the Duke decided to take the entire court across Lago Superior to Marmirolo, where we would hunt mainly birds, but also small animals like rabbits; if we were lucky, we might be able to get our hands on a deer or a fox.

Marmirolo wasn’t far from Mantua. We set off early in the morning from Palazzo Ducale and got there within an hour. After a brief rest at Palazzina Gonzaghesca, we got on our thoroughbred Mantuan horses again and set off for the woods.

The Duke and Duchess were in front of everyone. The Duke rode on a palomino Lusitano stallion, while the Duchess sat sideways on a well-bred dapple grey mare, a gift given by her husband after their marriage. They were followed by courtiers, ambassadors from other sovereign states, and soldiers carrying shotguns. Antonio and I were at the back, as we were not too skilled horsemen compared to the rest.

The hounds were already off on patrol, searching for a bird or two. The others had their shotguns ready, while I clenched firmly on the safe of my revolver. Soldiers started laying traps around while Antonio played the hunting horn, signally the start of the hunt. Most people followed the hounds, who were running wild, following interesting scents, while I went in the opposite direction to a small pond; my horse needed a drink.

The horse that I was riding is a black stallion that the Duke purchased from the Low Lands, a Friesian. Although I had ridden him for a few rounds in Mantua to familiarise with his temperament and his strides, this was my first time working with him in nature. He was very docile, and unlike other Friesians, very sensitive to the commands I gave him. The Duke told me that as he was a new purchased horse, he still doesn’t have a name. He was hesitating between Obsidiano, Whisky or Marmo, when I suggested that maybe Liquirizia would be suitable, or Liquirizio, as he is a stallion. The Duke cringed at the name, but the Duchess liked it, and thus he agreed on Liquirizio.

I gave Liquirizio a long rein, while he drank from the pond. He is a smart horse, knowing not to drink too quickly and too much before the hunt, perhaps also feeling that I was excited.

I was about to follow the others, when two of the bracchi who stayed with me stood still and all gazed at one direction. I looked over, and saw that there was a quail on the fields. Liquirizio walked forward very softly, and the bracchi also pushed forward, slowly approaching the quail. They were directly behind it, almost touching its tail, when I gave the command for the hounds to flock the prey. I unlocked the safe on my revolver and pointed it over, and by the moment the bird flew up to a safe distance from the hounds, I pulled the trigger. The bird fell from the sky, and the hounds quickly ran in its direction, wagging their tails with joy. As I cleared the empty bullet, the bracchi had returned to me, one with the quail in its mouth.

The hunting horn sounded again, this time a bit distant, and I cantered through the field, following the sound. The Duke looked at my direction, and pulled over to figure out what the bracco had in its mouth. He looked very content after noticing, and whispered,

‘With just a revolver? No help from traps or nets?’

‘I am Venetian, Your Most Serene Highness.’ I beamed proudly, then raising an eyebrow, ‘one can never question my accuracy.’ I spun the cylinder of my revolver, pushing it back inside and making sure again that the safe is locked.

‘Tsk, in this case you want to join the first field? This young gentleman seems very confident.’

‘My admiration and loyalty to you tells me not to be so humble and reject this divine invitation.’ I lifted up my chin a little, grinning at him.

‘The young gentleman may follow me. Liquirizio knows the limits. If you feel uncertain then just hold on, ready?’

‘As always, I am ready for any commands from you, Your Serene Highness.’ I nodded at him, quickly sat straight and glanced around the field, observing the landscape. The Duke trotted towards the Duchess, who was about a hundred yards away from me. I glanced at his direction, and after a brief thought of showing my horsemanship, got Liquirizio up to an extended canter while smirking in confidence. I got myself in two point, leaning forward a little, putting all my weight on the stirrups when I heard a noise coming from the ground. Then I felt the saddle leaning towards the left a bit, as I did my best to hold on to my horse’s manes, but in vain. Before I could grab on, I fell unto the ground; a sharp pain zipped through my left arm after my instinctive move of trying to support myself. I collapsed, and passed out…

Sorry this got too long, will have to divide the entire smut to 3 parts, I wrote 16 pages of this weird thing, and even after digitising it, it's still 7 pages long... so yeah I'll post the second part tmr.
I'll also put some insights and research on after I finish publishing all the parts (or if I can figure out how to insert footnotes with my small and smooth brain, I'll come back to it tmr).