First Day starts with the Hunt King rounding up the men to go back to their homes. The women wake at their leisure alone in the forest to eventually make their way home as well. Some never know the man or woman they spent The Hunt with, many are masked. Some were already couples, some find new love. There is no shame from The Hunt. It is a time of celebration, enjoyment, firsts, womanhood, fertility and magic. Most of the virgins from Seed Day no longer virginal. Many childless women gifted with babes. There are no accusation or jealous spouses. It is they way of our people. Of course I doubt many discuss the intimate details with their spouses.

The Hunt coupled Amy and Jayce, which of course was my hope. The news traveled that it also couple Tal with a girl we did not know, but had no doubt we would soon meet.

Now it was First Day a final day of relaxation before everyone’s normal routines began again. While shops opened, other work halted or slowed to a minimum. Raven and I spent the day in bed.