“Allow me to introduce Azurus,” Barros said fondly patting the horse.
“Yours?” Grayson asked. He put his hand out towards the horse.
Barros nodded briefly. “Jim looks after her for me, except he’s smarter and doesn’t need to go through the bog every day. The last five years have been tough on us, but we’ve managed. Luckily Sophia didn’t have me tailed everywhere I went, otherwise maintaining my supplies here would have been impossible.”
“What supplies? There’s nothing here,” Grayson said.
“Walk with me,” Barros said.
Grayson stopped, pausing, he looked at Azurus more thoroughly. His hand ran down its neck, all the way to its rear. Grayson looked into Azurus’ eyes, clicking his fingers right in front of the horse. “Five years, you say?”
“Aye, five years since we left the Huntrey. Why’s that?” Barros asked.
“No reason,” Grayson said. Without notice his fist flung out, smashing into the horse’s nose.
The horse reared back in pain and fright but did not run from Grayson. “Azurus!” Barros roared. “What the fuck was that for?” He rounded angrily on Grayson, drawing his sword.
“Your horse hasn’t been corrupted. Very strange,” Grayson said.
“I didn’t want him to be. Azurus was already perfect,” Barros said. “Now move. Do that again and I’ll have your head.” He sheathed his sword once more.
Barros turned and knelt down a short distance away, searching for something amongst the grass. There was a small patch, cleared of overgrowth; it looked maintained. Grayson looked on as Barros pulled the key from inside his cloak and pushed it into the ground. There was a loud clunk and slowly a door rose from its hidden location.
“You’ve seriously got a secret hideout?” Grayson folded his arms across his chest, his eyebrow raised, and a smirk on his lips.
“You said Hunters should always be prepared. This was my backup plan. If shit hits the ceiling, I planned to come here, stock up, and kill whoever I needed to,” Barros said. “Now, are you going to get your ass down there or do I have to throw you down?”
Grayson peered down the deep hole, looking slightly worried. “It’s a long way down.”
“Are you afraid of a little fall?” Barros asked.
“Just worried you won’t be there to break it,” Grayson said, laughing.
“You’ve got exactly three fucking seconds to get your ass down there, before I decide to kick you down.” Barros brushed his foot along the ground to exaggerate his point. “Three seconds, Grayson.”
Grayson sighed and lowered himself down into the hole. “How far is it?”
“No more than thirty feet,” Barros said. “If you’re a Hunter you’ll be fine.”
“And what happens if I’m not?” Grayson said.
“You’ll break your legs,” Barros said. He allowed himself a small laugh.
Grayson rolled his eyes and let go of the edges, quickly dropping from sight. Barros copied him. Lowering himself before letting go and descending into the darkness.
5
Not All Can Be Saved
Barros rolled as he hit the ground, softening the blow. Even for a Hunter, thirty feet was a substantial drop. Not only when Hunters drank blood did it give them enhanced abilities, it would also increase their bone density and endurance. Years of exposure made them almost as indestructible and as hardy as the Vampires they fought.
As he expected, Rusty Jim had not been down here recently. The old man had been out of service for far too long, retiring from the Hunters many years ago. It was only out of a favor for Barros that he continued work around the windmill.
No braziers were lit and from the damp smell, it had been months if not years since a Hunter had been down here. Aside from the small patch of morning sunlight that came through the open hatch, the entire cave was pitch black. Remaining in the light, Barros drew a dagger and held it out in front of him.
“What are you doing?” Grayson asked.
“Getting us some light. You don’t have night vision and neither do I, so someone needs to do something about it.” Barros stumbled into the darkness, heading towards a wall. “There we go, finally hit gold.” The brazier lit up, illuminating a small portion of the cave.
“How did you do that? You weren’t carrying a tinderbox,” Grayson said. A concerned frown rolled over his face.
Barros rolled his eyes in disbelief. “You’ve got to be shitting me; they literally didn’t teach you anything at Renor.”
“They taught us to kill Vampires,” Grayson said.
“They should have taught you how to use the tools at your disposal,” Barros said. “Fyndfire, fire, do you understand the correlation or do you need a deeper lesson?”
“No,” Grayson sighed. “The Fyndfire on your dagger reacted with whatever was in the brazier and ignited the fire. I get it, Barros.”
“Good, shall we continue?” Barros turned away from the Renori Hunter, trekking deeper into the cave.
Carrying his brazier, he led the way through the deep passageways that made up his underground lair. It was large enough that an army of Hunters could be sheltered and remain hidden from the world and the Vampires.
Barros led Grayson through a dozen passages before a wooden bridge stood before them, leading down into what appeared to be a large open chamber. Black liquid churned underneath the bridge, swirling and frothing at a rapid pace, looking powerful enough to drag even the strongest man to his death. Grayson peered over the edge to gaze into the dark churning liquid.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Aye, Fyndfire in its base form. Impressive isn’t it?” Barros knelt down beside the river, keeping the flame well away from the liquid. He dipped in his forefinger and pulled it back out, holding his finger out so Grayson could examine it. “Hard to imagine that this is the stuff that kills Vampires.”
“How long did it take you to make it?” Grayson peered out towards the black mass that surged through the cave.
“Couple of months of hard work to fill the lake. I did nothing else day in and day out. Started in the early months of the summer, when I finished, autumn was almost upon me. No Vampire will be able to leap the chasm the moment you put a flame to it,” Barros said with a touch of pride in his voice.
“Fuck me, I can’t even see the island from here.” Grayson lifted his hand to his brow, to shield his eyes. “Would have taken you more than a few months to brew it all.”
“I had help,” Barros said. “Let’s get over there.”
The Hunters stepped over the rickety wooden bridge and found themselves once again on solid ground. The island was still shrouded in darkness. Barros remained near the edge of the Fyndfire lake. “Want some light?” he asked.
“Sure,” Grayson said.
“Alright then.” Barros tossed the brazier high into the air. “You asked for it.”
Grayson opened his mouth in protest. “Barros! You’re going to kill us!”
Barros laughed. “Unlikely. Where’s the lever?”
A second later as the brazier fell towards the lake, Grayson heard a metal clunk of something heavy being pulled back. The sound echoed around him as if he was being walled in. A second later, the brazier hit the Fyndfire lake, sending flames leaping up around the island. In the firelight Grayson saw metal structures rise from the earth as the fire licked higher. The steel blocks rose no more than a meter but it was enough to deflect the Fyndfire sending it into a volcano-like shape, connecting as a canopy high above the Hunters.
“Is this safe?” Grayson asked. “I’d hate for us to burn to fucking death.”
“It’s completely fine unless you’re a Vampire. The only way either of us will get harmed within the next hour will be if you try walking across the bridge. Once the hour is up the next layer of Fyndfire underneath the lake will become exposed unless I pull the plug. You should see how the Lotu made it,” Barros said.
“Wait? The Lotu did all of this?” Grayson asked.<
br />
“Aye, except for making the Fyndfire. They dug the cave and the lake out, put the metal layers into it and whatever else they did,” Barros said. “Like I said it took months to build. I’m grateful I was selected as one of the two Hunters to know of its location.”
“I don’t like this Fyndfire canopy though.” Grayson said. He stared up at the ceiling.
“You’ll get used to it.” Barros smiled picking up a strange object that looked like a small firework launcher. “Ah, just what I was after.” Barros tossed the object forward to Grayson.
“And that is?”
“A signal beacon. What else does it look like?” Barros frowned. “They really didn’t teach you shit at Renor, did they?”
“Apparently not.”
Barros laughed at his new friend. “Signal beacon, in the ground. Make sure you lock it in place.” Barros hit a lever on each of the beacon’s legs and placed it in the ground.
A split second later the beacon exploded; sending the vessel the blood was in sky high. It rocketed through the Fyndfire canopy, finding a hold on the bottom of a rock. There was a brief pause before black Vampire blood pulsed from the small tube spreading out in all directions.
“What now?” Grayson asked.
“Can you feel the pull? The Lotu designed it so we can know its exact location. You and I both know the difference between Vampire and human blood. Other Vampires will stay away and humans can’t smell it, but hopefully Hunters will flock to it. The earth amplifies its reach. Barros picked up a crossbow and a small velvet bag that he hung on his knife belt. “We head up to the windmill and wait. With any luck it’ll be a couple of hours at most before another Hunter arrives in the area.”
“I’m not walking through Fyndfire,” Grayson said.
“Of course, easy to fix,” Barros said.
He strode over to the lever and swiftly booted it to the floor. The clanging of metal echoed throughout the chamber as the barriers that kept the Fyndfire at bay began to sink back into the island.
“Are you mad?” Grayson asked.
Barros yawned. “Give it a second,”
Grayson was astonished to see the Fyndfire disappear underneath another layer of steel that covered the surface of the lake. Within seconds it had sealed off the Fyndfire, instantly cutting off the canopy above the Hunters. The cavern went dark, leaving only the braziers Barros had lit when they arrived.
“So aside from restocking, what was the point of all that?” Grayson asked.
“To show you that if shit goes south when we get back to Rhorn, this is the safest place for you. Now.” He started towards the bridge. “Let’s get top side.”
Azurus stood patiently beside the windmill, lazily chewing a mouthful of grass as the Hunters approached. From here there was a more than generous view of the morning sun reflecting off the stone walls of Rhorn. Barros pulled an apple from inside his cloak and took a bite, relaxing on the pillar of the stables.
“Uh, Barros, we’ve got company.” Grayson slid his crossbow off his back.
“Where?”
“They scurried into the windmill. Don’t know if there is more than one,” Grayson said. “Do you want to take point?”
“I’ll be more than happy to let you venture in first,” Barros responded with a smile.
The Hunters took position on either side of the door, their crossbows loaded, ready to fire at the first thing that moved inside the windmill. With a nod from Barros, Grayson gently turned the doorknob. Easing the door open, he stuck his crossbow inside before following it. Barros stepped through a second later.
With his eyes narrowed, Barros began to search for the intruder that Grayson had spoken of. The possibility of the intruder being a Vampire was slim, but Barros was still taking no chances. He headed straight up the stairs, ignoring the bottom floor, entrusting it to Grayson.
At the end of the long corridor, Barros saw a dark cloak vanish around the corner, heading up the second flight of stairs towards the observation level he had built so many years ago. He leapt after the intruder, his powerful legs driving him forward in another burst of speed. Within seconds, Barros climbed the stairs four at a time. As he rounded the corner on to the balcony the intruder was once again in sight.
“Hold it!” Barros shouted.
The intruder shot a fearful expression over her shoulder and placed her hands on the black railing. Barros lowered his crossbow and slowed to get a better look at who he was facing. A young girl of no more than sixteen stared back at him, her eyes watering, a strand of long red hair visible underneath her hood.
“What are you doing?” Barros asked. “Get away from the ledge.”
Without saying a word, the girl turned from Barros and put one leg over the edge, as she prepared to jump. Barros dropped his crossbow and ran for her, hoping to catch her before she leapt but he was too late. The girl plummeted towards the earth not uttering a sound; silent in the face of what was to be sure death.
Barros turned away, cringing as he heard the sickening crunch of the girl’s bones breaking on impact. He heard her scream and closed his eyes, not wanting to see the carnage that was below. The windmill door burst open and seconds later the girl was silenced. Barros peered over the ledge and saw Grayson with his crossbow pointed at her, one silver bolt through the girl’s heart.
Grayson looked up at his friend and shook his head. “You could have jumped, Barros, it wouldn’t have done any harm to you had you tried to save her. Then this whole thing would have been avoided.”
“I would have been too late,” Barros said. “Why the fuck did you kill her?”
“Look at her legs, they’re a bloody mess and she would have died anyway. Not everyone can be saved, Barros. When we walk into that city a lot of good people will die, regardless of whether we like it or not. That’s the way of the world.” Grayson put the safety back on his crossbow. “The sooner you come to grips with that, the easier life will be. Sometimes it’s easier to put down a wounded animal than to let it suffer.”
“She was human, Grayson. Those are lives not to be thrown away,” Barros said.
“She’s moved on now, Barros. What more can I do? I can’t bring her back, I’m not a Vampire.” Grayson threw his arms up in the air in exasperation.
“There’s nothing more you can do except see that she’s buried properly behind the stables. You owe her that much,” Barros said. “I’ll remain here and keep watch. I have a feeling it won’t be long until we have company. Once you’ve dealt with the body, I want you inside and waiting in case we are discovered by someone we are not expecting.”
"How did she happen to be here?" Grayson asked.
"Chance, nothing more," Barros said. "Probably run away from home or something of the sort. We’ll never know.”
Grayson shouldered his crossbow, a look of disgust on his face. “You know something, Barros, you remind me of my brother.”
“Why because I’m leading the hunt and giving you orders like I’m supposed to be doing in my role of senior Hunter?”
“No, because you’re being a righteous prick. We’re Hunters, Barros. People and Vampires die before us, be it by our crossbows or our swords,” Grayson said.
“I understand, Grayson. Just get the body out of the way for now,” Barros said.
6
Rhorn Invasion
It was almost sunset by the time something, aside from the grass and trees, stirred in Barros’ vision. Grayson had long since grown bored inside the windmill and now sharpened his weapons and shouted randomly at the Hunter that remained on the lookout. Barros’ younger brother Malvrok had often taunted him as a child and he felt at home with Grayson.
Anticipation grew, as Barros kept an eye on three riders rapidly approaching the windmill. He took his crossbow and rested it on his shoulder, cutting an imposing figure as he stood waiting to greet their visitors.
At last the riders slowed and Barros could see each of them were Hunters. Who they were or which Huntrey they hailed fr
om, he couldn’t tell. The first noticeable difference, which set them apart from other Hunters, were their horses. As they began to slow down, Barros could see that the animals were much larger than Azurus.
“That’s close enough!” Barros called out when the strangers were no more than one hundred feet from the windmill.
“And by who’s order?” The Hunter mounted on the grey stallion said.
“I’m Barros Toldar, formerly of the Sauriaan Huntrey.” There was a collective intake of breath between the three. “Who are you?”
“Piero Raldfast,” the foremost Hunter said, throwing back his hood revealing a head full of short grey hair. He was in his late fifties and carried a natural air of confidence. The two crossbows on his back, added to his confident figure. “With me are my two novices. I decided to take them out on their first hunt. Rico and Maria Amberain.” The two young Hunters, who were too alike to be anything but brother and sister, bowed quickly.
“I’ve heard of you, Piero,” Barros said. “But I thought Davii was still the Head at West Anacore.”
Piero frowned. “How long have you been out of the Hunter world for, Barros?”
“A while,” Barros said.
“I’ve been Head of West Anacore for over a year now. Every Hunter knows that.”
Barros glanced over at Grayson who gave a nod to confirm the information. “What are you doing so far from home?”
“The twins and I rode into the city last night but we felt the beacon go off this morning and that’s why we’re here right now. We’re actually heading to Saur to see what the pickings are like. Last night, we killed a group of Vampires that were whispering about someone called Sophia. A Countess that’s rumored to be carrying an amulet of Tal’davin. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” Piero asked.
“I’m the one that started this whole thing. Remember that Hunter that was chased out of the Huntrey for treason about five years ago? That was me,” Barros said.
The Toldar Series Box Set Page 4
