The Ranger: Apollo's Story (Tales of Welkinia Book 2)

by J. M. Ivie

  “Kill it!” Reid’s voice cracked.

  “I can’t kill it!” Flynn screeched, “Ain’t even alive!”

  It was at that moment that old woman Wicker barged into the room, slamming a giant glass orb over the child of mist. It screamed, then vanished as quickly as it arrived.

  “See? Now I has hurt me back, no t’anks to you two!” The woman scowled then left the room promptly.

  “Oi, Reid…” Flynn smiled after a few minutes.

  “Oh, no Flee…”

  “Yes, Reid.”

  Reid’s brows furrowed. He was dreading the words.

  “We are goin’ to be monster hunters!”

  Laramie clapped, and the scene melted away. I was once again in the dining room with the two brothers.

  “Enjoy dat story, eh?” Flynn raised his brow.

  “Aye, you know she did!” Reid chuckled. They were a pair of lanterns brightening up the home and bringing smiles to our faces. It was a wonderful time, and we had just finished the story when Laramie shot up from the table and hurried back into the kitchen. She disappeared for a moment, then reemerged with dinner for us all.

  “But… I don’t need any—”

  “Shush it, Apollo.” She raised her brow, looking at me. “You haven’t eaten all day. Eat the food and stop making me feel bad.”

  I couldn’t help agreeing. She had that way about her. She cared. When I looked at her in the light, my heart twisted. Her face was growing gaunt, and her eyes were losing their light. I knew I couldn’t keep her here on Dahkhall for much longer. I needed to get her somewhere else.

  Scout had become self-sustaining at this age. He would fly out at night, hunt, then sleep the rest of the day in the woods. He would come when I called for him, and it was about time I rode my beast again.

  F I F T Y - N I N E

  FLYNN, REID, AND I SAT AROUND the fire, talking as the night waned on.

  “You should be quittin’ that job. Sounds to me like yous need a better employer,” Reid muttered, eyeing the tea Laramie prepared for us. “What is this stuffs anyways?”

  “I can’t quit… I need to provide for the family,” I said, looking at the brothers.

  Laramie tapped the cup, “That’s called tea, Reid. It’s actually quite good.”

  Reid took a trepidatious sip while Flynn shook his head. “Ye need to get off of this accursed Isle. Go to Fiermont, Arclend, oi, even Lapp! It’s probably far better than here.” Flynn sat there, bobbing his arm on the armrest while snapping his fingers.

  “Well, I’m here mainly because nobody looks on Dahkhall for people…”

  Flynn shrugged, understanding, while Reid guzzled down the tea.

  “Why are you both here? I’m sure you could find jobs somewhere else.”

  Reid slapped Flynn’s shoulder, “Because, the Isle of Storms needs us. We can’t just be leavin’ the innocent people to fend for themselves, can we, Flee?” He laughed. “Besides, we enjoy what we do, eh?”

  Flynn barely smiled, a seemingly half-hearted agreement. His dark eyes clouded over. I wondered what I didn’t know.

  “Well, time to be goin’ don’t ye think?” Flynn yawned, scratching his dark beard. “We will be seein’ ye in the mornin’, Apollo. T’ank ye again for bein’ so hospitable and lettin’ us stay the night here.”

  “And any more nights ya want! Flee is a great laborer!”

  “Oh yes, I is built like an ox! Poor Reid can’t lift a single finger,” Flynn jabbed, apparently not happy with his brother volunteering him for work.

  I burst out laughing, shaking my head. “I should thank you both…”

  They both raised their brows as if they didn’t expect me to say that to them.

  “Eh, it was an honor!” Flynn shook my hand. “Ye’s a different breed of man. Glad we’ve crossed paths wit’ ye!”

  “Don’t you go forgettin’ the Princess!” Reid nudged Flynn in the ribs.

  “I dare say ye is obsessed! Did ye know he’s always wanted to meet a Princess?”

  “Oi! Don’t go spillin’ me secrets, Flee! T’aint civil!” Reid puffed, crossing his arms. I could have sworn his face tinged red.

  Laramie laughed, alerting me to her presence. Despite the late hour, she looked wide awake. “Well, I do hope I haven’t disappointed.”

  “Not in the least, me lady! I ne’er did think a Princess could be as sweet as you. Heart of a servant ya have! With all the dignity of a Queen! Are all Princesses like you?” Reid asked, again regaining his former excitement.

  “Unfortunately, no…” I laughed. “She’s one of a kind.”

  “Oh, stop!” Laramie’s pale cheeks burned bright red. She never took people fawning over her well.

  “Eh look at ye lot, embarrassing the wee bun.” Flynn’s chest rose and fell with his suppressed chuckle. “Come on, Reid, before we be embarrassin’ her any more than ye has already.”

  With that, the brothers exited the cottage and headed for the barn.

  She grabbed my hand, hurriedly dragging me from the room into the cramped kitchen.

  “Laramie, are you all right?” I grabbed her shoulders, searching her face for any sign of what was going on.

  “I’m fine!” she whispered, looking around the room. As if she spotted something, she scrambled toward a cabinet and pulled a small envelope. “I received this today… this afternoon.” She handed me a letter. It was addressed to me. The handwriting wasn’t familiar, although, the note inside was.

  “Jensen?” My eyes snapped up from the letter to Laramie. “How did this arrive—”

  “A man delivered it. I didn’t see his face, but, he was very tall. I don’t know how he knew were to find you. I thought our location was a secret!”

  I scowled. I read the letter carefully, though, the message seemed in code. I fought back the urge to crumple the note in my hand. “I don’t know who delivered this… but, it says Jensen is looking for me. To put it nicely? I’ve become a thorn in his side.” I leaned against the cabinets and released a long breath. After a few moments, I gathered myself back together and sat in the chair nestled in the corner. “This settles it.” I looked at her. “We are packing our things and leaving tomorrow. We are getting off Dahkhall.”

  ___

  The night ticked on. The moon shone through the slanted window, silhouetting the oak leaves as they rustled in the breeze. My chest tightened and my heart beat quicker. Something seemed off in the dark room. I sat up; the sofa creaked as I shifted my weight. My muscles tensed as they often were during my days in Siege Veil. The eerie feeling of being watched while asleep crept up through my memory, reminding me of all the nights I spent half-awake.

  The hairs on my arms raised as goosebumps spread over my body. I stood, peering out the window into the night. I heard only the wind whistling through the branches. The leaves shuddered in the breeze, and the limbs creaked. I walked around, checked the doors, windows, and opened the bedroom door. Laramie lay asleep on the bed, and the room looked clear. Breathing out a relaxed sigh, I went to shut the door. A chill ran down my spine, spreading over my back like a sickness. The distinct smell of smoke drifted into my nostrils, replacing the chill with raging heat.

  I spun, sensing the presence. Nothing. Still, smoke lingered. I scanned the living space, trying the best I could to spot anything. Nothing.

  The floorboards behind me creaked, edging into the bedroom. “Laramie, stay back. Something is in here…” I muttered, assuming she woke. There was no reply. “Laramie?” I tilted my head, trying to look behind me without breaking contact with the space in front of me. Despite not wanting to turn, I did.

  Something between a hound and a human hovered over her. Eyes, as red as a smoldering flame, shot my way. Smoke billowed from his back, rising in the surrounding air. His legs, torso, and arms were human, and as black as the smoke swirling around him. His feet and hands were likened unto a bird’s talons, curved and hungry for blood. His hound-like head, with ears that were thin and pointed upward, ti
lted my direction. His white teeth shown.

  Adrenaline built in my stomach. I rushed the beast, only to have it vanish before I could grab him. Smoke rushed up my nostrils and burned my throat, keeping air from entering my lungs. The sound woke Laramie who let out a startled yelp. I gasped, plastered against the wall and struggling for breath.

  I looked at her, seeing the creature reappear behind her. I coughed, trying to alert her.

  “Apollo?” Laramie sat up, just as the creature reached across the bed.

  I lunged and grabbed her hand, yanking her onto the floor. The loud thump of our bodies hitting the floorboards reverberated slightly.

  The creature appeared in front of us, hissing like a piece of moist wood in a fire. One talon stretched out toward Laramie, his eyes flitting with a demonic rage. I spun, shielding Laramie as the creature recoiled from my body. Why does it want her?

  A loud crash beside us jerked our attention to the window. A rock, roughly the size of a man’s fist, rolled on the ground, surrounded by pieces of broken glass. The creature hissed, tumbling toward the rock. The smoke became more intense, puffing around its body like a fire out of control.

  “Oi! Bugger!”

  I heard Flynn’s voice from outside. He popped his head through the window, grinning.

  “Ye get away from the wee bun, got it? Ye won’t be snackin’ tonight.”

  The creature hissed, looking away from Flynn and back at me and Laramie. The splintering sound of the front door being kicked down crashed in my ears. A familiar blond head popped around the corner, a red knife in his hand. “We needs to lure it outside…” he mouthed. The beast noticed him in a second. “Oh, boy…” He turned his heel, jumping into the kitchen as the creature leapt his way.

  “Get the bun outside!” Flynn yelled, “Reid and I will distract it in the meantime!” He clambered through the window, ignoring the glass that cut his forearm as he entered.

  I nodded, pulling Laramie up by the elbow.

  “What is happening?” she sputtered, finally finding her voice amidst the strange situation.

  We darted through the living area, making a mad dash to the door. We tumbled out just before a loud, hissing noise resounded in the hut.

  “Run!” Reid grabbed my arm, tugging both Laramie and me away from the building. Before we were twenty paces away, the entire cabin erupted in flames. The heat of the building rose around us, licking us with its angry fire.

  Seconds ticked like minutes. The fire slowed; the debris shot by as if it was in water. Everything felt slower.

  Reid didn’t hesitate. He picked up his knife and bolted into the home. I wasn’t sure what was going on. Blood pumping. Head throbbing. Muscles tense. Laramie shivered beside me, alerting me to the damp rain falling on us.

  The demon flew like a raging bat on fire from the hut, gripping the ground with all four claws. It hissed at us, then barked like a hound. Its pointed ears flattened against its neck as nostrils flared in anger.

  I pushed Laramie behind me, scared of what the thing would do to her. A shadow blotted the light of the moons for a second. There wasn’t a sound—not till he landed. Scout’s broad frame shook the slippery earth around us as his massive talons gripped the mud. His back was to me and Laramie while he faced the creature. His every feather unfurled, making him look three times his normal size.

  “Scout, no!”

  My command did nothing. Scout’s frame lowered more as he inched closer to the creature. His flight wings dragging along the muddy earth as he stepped.

  From beyond Scout’s feathers I saw Flynn and Reid exit the home. They both held red-bladed daggers in their hands. There was a twisted grin on Flynn’s face. “Oi! Bugger!” he shouted, pulling something from his pocket.

  The creature snapped its head backward, looking at the brothers. Flynn chucked strange dust across the ground, sprinkling some on the beast.

  Reid pulled a small metal box from his pocket, lifting the lid. Once lifted, a flame flickered from the square. He knelt down, blowing on the fire. Sparks, like small firecrackers, burst as it got closer to the creature. It hissed, yet it didn’t move. A horrible mistake on its end. As soon as one spark landed on its body, an orange glow emanated from its chest.

  “And the Billow goes…” Reid muttered, crossing his arms. As soon as he spoke, the orange glow beat faster than my heart. Faster. Faster. Until it pulsed so quickly that it didn’t even appear to pulse any longer. “Boom.”

  And, just as Reid said, the Billow exploded.

  S I X T Y

  BARAK

  DARK SMOKE DRIFTED OUT of the drooped doorway of the tavern. The man I took captive said Anarchists often visited here, though, the means in which they conducted their business raised my nerves. These were the parts of Welkinia I wished to burn in fire and bury the ashes. This—the place where creatures of slime and ale slithered in and made their bed—deserved to be destroyed completely. The mud of the street coated my boots. I didn’t bother to wipe my prints when I entered. They would blend in to the hundreds of other similar prints spotting the gray floors.

  “Welcome, stranger.” The barkeep rested his long, white arm on the countertop. “What can I get you?”

  “A room.” I placed the turrett on the counter as I had been instructed.

  “You staying long?” The barkeep took the piece between his fat fingers and eyed it for longer than necessary.

  “Just one night.”

  The barkeep nodded, took a box from below the counter, and handed me a key. “Last room. Can’t miss it. I’ll be sure to send her your way.”

  I nodded, slipping off the stool. I weaved through the crowd of drunks, men and women combined. The place smelt like a cesspool. The smoke stained walls and the pale yellow whites of the peoples eyes made me wonder if I were still standing on Welkinian soil, or I had stepped into the Otherworld. Women in dirty, wanton dresses laughed and stood in the corners or around tables. Men with soulless gazes had eyes transfixed to the glittering pools of measly coinage laying between their cards and opponents. They drank what looked like black sludge sloshing around in their flagons.

  Escaping the roar of the crowd, I slipped into the hall of the tavern and down to the last room. Every door looked the same, and the walls couldn’t mask the noises coming from the other sides. It would have been enough to drive me away had it not been for what brought me here. Mud covered the floor, and grime of various sources coated the handle of the door. Slipping the key into the lock, I turned the latch and entered the room.

  Gray. Just like everything else. Colorless and weak. The curtains were stained, the bedding seemed to cling to the bed in ways that made it seem like sleeping there would be a torture. I am glad I am not sleeping here.

  I placed the key on the worn bureau and looked at the clock that ticked away on the desk. I pulled off my coat and placed the mud-caked garment on the chair. There would be three knocks on the door—three knocks and I would open it.

  So I waited.

  I looked out the windows at the forest beyond the tavern. The mighty mountain of Bouldarcaven’s northern region lay clouded over by a thick vapor. After I finished here, there would be only one escape. This window. I walked around the room, placing one of my knives below the pillow, one behind the clock, and the last I left in my boot.

  Three knocks on the door roused my attention.

  She was early.

  I walked over to the door, giving it three seconds before I opened it.

  “You’re a sight,” the woman said. She slipped into the room, dressed far different than the others in this place. Almost Noble. “And here I thought I would have to deal with another one of the old curmudgeons you lot like to send me.” She circled me, her quicksilver eyes darting up and down my body. “You’re a looker, aren’t you? Is this my treat for playing so nice?”

  My skin crawled under her gaze. “I have questions for you.” I pulled a note from my pocket.

  “Ah, can’t read, hon. They didn’t tell ya?�
�� she snickered, lounging on the bed. If I hadn’t already said I wouldn’t be sleeping on that, it would have been made official now.

  “I am told you are in communication with one of my commanding officers.”

  “Which one, sweetheart?” She rolled her lips, still not bothering to keep her eyes under control. “I’m familiar with many of your kind. Though, this is my first encounter with a Fiermontian like you. You carry yourself different than the others—”

  “Han-Zul.” I took in a breath, trying to not lose my patience. “A regular here.”

  “Ahh, that one?” She rolled her eyes as she picked at the stray strings of fabric on the blanket. “Yeah, he’s a regular.”

  “When was he last here?”

  “About four days ago.” She tilted her head to the side, “Said something about needing to be someplace and left before he could brief me on everything. I already gave the letter to the next fella so you don’t need to pester me on that.”

  “Where did he say he needed to be?” I put my note back, looking at her.

  “A kiss and maybe I will remember.” The woman leaned forward. “Or coin. I’m not picky.”

  “I will pass.”

  “Then I can’t, for the life of me, recall where the old mudscraper went.” She smiled. “Why is this so important to you anyway? Don’t you fellas keep everything all neat ’n tidy?”

  “Something has gone wrong and we need to find Han-Zul before we cannot track him down.”

  “Then I guess you’ll be needing to butter me up,” the woman sighed. “I like games.”

  “I am not playing.”

  The woman let out a dramatic sigh.

  “Do not push me.” I took a step closer to her. “I need you to tell me where Han-Zul is.”

  “I need to gain something out of this.” The woman ran her fingers along her neck. “So, until you play along nicely, you’ll never know where the old fool ran off to.”

  “If I must…” I said as she laid her head down on the pillow. “I must.” I stepped closer, keeping track of every movement she made.