...When the night of Initiation arrived, it was with as much regret and sadness as excitement and anticipation for Alonzo.

“This is it, newblood,” Squire said as Alonzo knelt at respectful attention in the hut. Squire slowly circled him, seeking any minute flaw, then came to stand in front of him. “You’re ready to enter service, and tonight beneath the full moon you will be inducted through ceremony and will advance to the next level. Have you anything to say before I bid you good-bye?”

“Don’t leave, Squire,” Alonzo implored. “What will I do without you to guide me?”

As usual Squire didn’t soften—he never did. Not once in these last months had Squire broken a smile or relented in any way. His dark eyes surveyed Alonzo. Those first weeks had been hard. Naked service on a lush southern island such as this meant sunburned skin in places that had never been exposed. And muscles not yet honed and sculpted as befitting a member of the Man Society. At least for Alonzo those long weeks working aboard the Starry Night had mitigated some of the soreness the others had experienced with the long hours of physical labor expected of newbloods.

Squire had provided him with a special lotion to help alleviate what aches and twinges he did experience and he and the other newbloods spent many a night applying it to each other in a most excruciating, and sometimes arousing, manner. Even as they exchanged stories of work detail and sensual service to their squires, now, just like Squire, Alonzo’s flesh was deeply tanned head to foot without one mar of imperfection, nor a speck of unseemly pale skin to break the creamy luster of golden, glowing flesh. Muscles well toned, abs flat and firm, a body sculpted to perfection.

“You’ve taken to your new situation remarkably well, newblood. Not many adapt as quickly as you. And as you’ve seen, some fail quite miserably and end up being sent back to the mainland. But not you. Soon, you will have more masters vying for your service than you can possibly accommodate. But as you seem to maintain a voracious appetite, I sense you will adapt quite well to the Society.”

A wash of pleasure flooded Alonzo at Squire’s words of praise. But the next moment he felt overwhelmed with emotion at the thought of losing this closeness that had developed over the last months in service to Squire. His mentor and teacher had pushed Alonzo to his limits, broken him to his hand and…and now. He dropped forward and wrapped his arms around Squire’s legs, pressing close.

“I love you, Squire. I love you,” he sobbed, losing every speck of self-control so prized by Squire. For in that moment he couldn’t imagine his life without serving this man.

“Control yourself, newblood. Have I not taught you better?” He unwound Alonzo’s arms from around his legs and shoved him away. “I am but your trainer, and you are but one newblood among many. I am a teacher, a molder of behavior. It is my calling. You will distinguish yourself this evening. Tonight will be just the beginning for you. Service to me is not the end for you, but merely the beginning. Now that you know the way of it, you will serve others flawlessly as you have been trained to do. Do not dishonor me. You will soon come to love them all, as they shall love you.”

As Alonzo lay sprawled on the ground, Squire turned and strode out of the hut. Alonzo, panicked, crawled to one of the windows, but Squire was lost quickly in the dense jungle that lay just beyond the perimeter of the huts. Alonzo finally picked himself up and brushed away the sand. He also wiped away his tears, ashamed of his loss of control. Squire was right to be angry with him, to be disgusted by Alonzo’s unseemly display of emotion.