“And did you know what he allegedly did to those same Novices once they all became Hunters?” Gunthos asked. “Get ready boy, it’s about time we see how good you are.”
“No, what did he do?” Gareth slung his crossbow onto the ground, preparing to meet Gunthos head on.
“He trained for a day, the moment he got out of the infirmary, he grabbed a weapon and slaughtered the ringleader in his sleep. We can only assume it was him, but of course, nobody can confirm it. Razal had slashed the boy’s face through to the skull. He’s not someone to be messed with,” Gunthos said.
“Sound advice, Gunner,” a gruff voice said from behind them. “It’d be a shame if our newest inductee was to die prematurely, and not at the hand of a Vampire.”
“I won’t be staying long,” Gareth said. “I’ll be learning what I can from Toldar and then going on my way. I hear you can’t pay bounties to the full price, Razal.”
“What goes on in this Huntrey is none of your concern, outsider,” Razal said.
“It involves my friends making a living, so I’m pretty sure it does concern me,” Gareth said.
Ignoring the Renori’s last remark, Razal moved onto Gunthos. He shoved a handful of coins into his fist. “Your payment regarding the last Vampire killings. I’ll bring the wolf’s bounty to you later.”
“What the fuck?” Gunthos asked. “Is this it? That’s hardly enough to cover my food for a week!”
“Consider eating less then. Times are hard, Gunthos. More will find its way to your purse in due time,” Razal said.
“That’s bull shit and you know it, Razal. You have no intention of paying us in the future. How many other Hunters have you been short changing since we’ve been away?” Lois asked.
“That’s none of your concern, Behan,” Razal said. “The treasurer and the Board are the only bodies that should know of what coin is coming in and out of the Huntrey.”
“We’ve never had that policy at Renor. Why the sudden change?” Gareth asked.
Razal rounded on the young Hunter. “Tyrain is the first Huntrey to pass new changes. The rest will follow suit shortly.”
“Not if I have anything to do about it,” Gareth said.
“What?” Razal asked. His brow formed into a frown.
“Don’t worry about it,” Gareth said, backing away from his glare.
“So?” Gunthos said. “Do you have anything important for us to do, Razal or are you just going to piss off more with your presence?”
“No, my first purpose was to come and inform you that there has been another White Ghost attack not far from here, only a few kilometers to the north. We believe it was at a town just south of Scanor. The Board have requested that you gather what Hunters will go with you and investigate the threat,” Razal said. “I think they followed you home.”
Abner looked around at his comrades and nodded. “We’ll leave tomorrow as soon as we’re able to. The horses need to rest and a White Ghost will have long gone.”
Razal shook his head. “You leave now. The beast may still be in the area.”
“Not on your orders we don’t,” Gunthos said.
“If not his, you leave on mine,” Crix said. The old Hunter limped across the fields, a walking cane in his hand. “Get on your horses and get to that town now. I don’t want you back here until you’ve found out what happened.”
“Crix, with all due respect. Can’t you send another team? We’ve just hauled our asses back from the shit eating depths of Alilletia and you want to send us straight back out again?” Lois asked. “And without pay?”
“You’re Hunters,” Crix said. “I’m the head of the Board. If we request you go out, you go out. No questions asked. Is that understood?”
“How are we supposed to resupply if we haven’t been paid in full yet?” Abner asked. “That’s the way it has been, and that’s the way it should always be.”
Crix rounded on Razal. He jammed his walking stick down on the foot of the paymaster. “Toldar’s crew get paid, no exceptions. What they’ve brought in and what they’ve killed for us gives them that privilege. Short change them again, you’ll answer to me, personally.”
Razal swiped the walking stick away with his hand, glaring daggers at Crix. The paymaster limped over to Abner and shoved a small pouch into his waiting hands. He repeated the same process with Lois and Gunthos.
“You’re fucking lucky; you’ve got that much. Be on your way,” Razal said. “I expect a full report in less than a week.”
“You won’t be getting one,” Abner said. “If we go out and the Ghosts were there we’re going to track them. This time we aren’t running. I’m going to get a team together big enough to take on multiple Ghosts. We’ve killed one in the past week and we’re not going to let that opportunity slip past us again. Who’s here?”
Razal turned and looked over his shoulder at the Hunters on the training fields. Dozens of the green – black cloaked men and women all sweated under the temperate sun.
“You can have the Toretti twins, the Alaurins and the entire Harawar family, should they accept,” Razal said.
“You’re giving us ten Hunters to possibly go after the White Ghosts with?” Lois asked. “Are you trying to fucking get us killed on purpose?”
“That’s all we can spare at the moment. Not all of our efforts can be focused on the White Ghosts,” Razal said. “Vampires are still killing as many people as they were before. In fact, in recent months we’ve seen a surge in Vampire activity across Taagras.”
“Yes but the Ghosts are killing too many Hunters,” Abner said.
“Which is why we’re only sending a few of you out after them,” Razal said. “I’m not going to throw away the lives of my men just for a few rabid dogs that have outgrown the rest of their pack.”
“Have you ever seen or fought a Ghost before, Razal?” Gunthos asked. “The beasts terrify me to the core, and you know that’s not an easy thing to do. They’re smarter, faster and bigger than any fucking wolf I’ve seen before. You better give us more men, because we’re going to end this right now. Once this menace is gone you’ll have Vampire corpses filling this yard once again. Give us the men to take them down.”
“Fine!” Razal said. “I’ll give you Kamal. That’s it.
“The smallest game Hunter within the entire order? You’ve got to be shitting me,” Gunthos said. His eyes were full of rage. “He’ll be of no use to us.”
“He’s brought us more than you have in the past two years. I wouldn’t call that small,” Razal said. “Take the offer or leave without him. Kamal is more than capable.”
“Fine,” Abner said. “We’ll take him. Now that that’s settled can you leave us alone to prepare? I know it’s a short journey, but we’re tired and not well rested.”
“Of course, Toldar,” Razal said. He ducked his head and bowed. “Please leave when you are able to.
10
Hidden Valley
The men and women for the most part that Razal had supplied the hunting party with were more than exemplary. The Toretti twins were small, pale Sauriaans, both with short blond hair, that hailed from the far reaches inside the Wilderness. Both men were in their late thirties, scars strewn across their faces like the thorns that grew in their homes, their mouths sealed shut many years ago. Their only way of communication was nonverbal.
Beside them rode the Harawars, comprised of their father, Liate and their mother Lou. The three sons and one daughter who’s name Abner hadn’t learnt rode in silence behind them. In front of him the three Alaurins rode in a staggered line, their oldest brother Tavion scouting a few hundred meters ahead. The lanky Hunter sat awkwardly on his horse, a redwood bow hanging from the beast’s side.
Tavion beckoned to the party, from atop a small rise that looked out onto the plains below. He held up an arm as a caution from them to be quiet. The Hunters caught up with him within seconds and slowed their horses to a stop.
“What’s the problem?” Abner asked.
“Down there, in the tree line, look,” Tavion said. He pointed into the distance across the plain to the base of a large mountain that sheltered the town from the elements. “Is that a Ghost?”
Abner narrowed his eyes and stared at the beast, it’s snow white fur standing out against the bright green of the lush undergrowth. His muscles tightened and he took a deep breath, assessing the height of creature he saw.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Gunthos said. The Islander stopped his horse just behind Abner.
“It’s a Ghost. We need to take it down now,” Abner said. “I’ve hunted them for too long to let another slip out of my grasp.”
“Not happening,” Gunthos said. “We’ve got one patrol mandate and one only. Investigate the village and report back with what we find. Nothing more. I want to wipe them out just as much as you do, but this is what the Board has instructed. Let it go.”
The other Hunters all reeled in their horses, spotting the enormous white beast’s hide, stark contrast against the greenery of the plains. Each member of the party reached over their shoulders for their crossbow and without a word began to spread out.
“You’re outvoted it would seem,” Abner said. A smirk spread across his face. “We’ve got a hunt.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Abner?” Gareth asked. He reeled his horse in beside the two Hunters, a frown upon his face.
“You’re going to question me?” Abner asked.
“No, not at all, I just assumed you’d listen to reason,” Gareth said.
Gunthos shot Abner a glare and proceeded to follow the rest of the party out, taking up an area wide enough that would box the Ghost in. Even though they were clearly visible, the giant wolf seemed not to care. The Hunters didn’t need to say a word. They rode forward, crossbows trained upon the Ghost and when they were within range, Tavion was the first to open fire.
The wolf sprung into motion, the docile, almost peaceful expression changed to one of fury, it’s fangs snapping angrily as it charged the young Hunter. As the Ghost barreled into Tavion’s horse, one of the pale Toretti twins unloaded two bolts, both taking Tavion’s horse in the side.
Both Hunter and horse fell in a cry of screams. More bolts flew after the wolf but it was long gone, it’s tail now lost in the tall grass at the base of the hill. The Hunter’s attention was on Tavion. Abner shook his head and looked around at the others.
“You and you!” He thrust his finger out at Toretti twins. “Get after the Ghost and track it down. Do not engage it until we arrive!”
“Don’t fuck up,” Gunthos said.
The Toretti’s quickly vanished into the distance and Gunthos took up a guard stance where they had been. He stood with his crossbow raised, his eyes surveying the surrounding area.
“How bad is it? What’s happened?” Abner asked.
“My fucking leg,” Tavion said. “It’s broken! I heard the snap.”
“His horse is dead,” Lois said. “We’re falling apart even before we’ve begun this mission.”
“Can you ride?” Abner asked.
Tavion looked up at him and let out a grunt. “Pick me up and put me in a saddle. I can ride.”
“Are you sure, brother?” Tarl asked. His face wore a grim expression. “I will take you back to the Huntrey if you need it.”
“I’m fine, little brother. Get me up,” Tavion said. A look of annoyance was beginning to creep onto his face. “Now would be good. I’m sick of the dirt.”
“Yaron, give me a hand,” Tarl said reaching down to hoist Tavion onto his remaining good leg. “Why did you send the twins away?”
“Someone had to track down the Ghost,” Abner said. “You weren’t up to the task.”
Yaron lifted his brother up onto his shoulder, doing what he could to support the dead weight. Tavion slid his good leg over his brother’s horse while his injured leg hung limp to the side. He grimaced and shuffled on the saddle to get comfortable. “Let’s get on with it then.”
The town was quiet when the Hunters circled the outskirts. No blacksmith could be heard working and no guards stood watch over any entrances. Trees grew up around it, concealing most of the buildings in a thick layer of leaves behind what appeared to be a wall of vines.
“Ah, I’ve been here once before,” Gareth said. He ran his hands along the vines, as the Hunters rode to the entrance. “The locals called it Hidden Valley. We’ll be going in blind, Abner. I couldn’t tell you what’s behind those walls.”
“We have Seekers, Gareth. We won’t be going in blind,” Abner said.
“Of course, I’m so accustomed to having Mandel by my side. Can you sense anything Lois?” Gareth asked.
Lois lifted her head from the ground, her eyes red, filled with blood for Seeking. She sniffed the air like a primal Vampire and turned to the rest of the party. “No movement has passed through these gates for the last three days. Either everybody is locked up inside or they’ve all been killed by something from more than a week ago.”
Abner frowned and quickly assessed the walls, looking up and down at them. “Gunner, Yaron, take up a position on the vines, Lois and Gareth will come with me. The rest of you hold out here. If you can find another entrance into the town, take it.”
“Are you sure, Abner? If there’s been a disturbance here, wouldn’t it be better to go forward with our full force?” Gareth asked.
Gunthos laughed softly as he began to climb the vines. “You’re a fucking idiot, boy.”
Abner rolled his eyes and turned to face Gareth. “Stop questioning my authority. You’ve been out on your own for a long time. Now it’s time to fall in line or see yourself out. What’s it going to be?”
“I’m not going back to the Huntrey. I’m coming with you,” Gareth said.
“Good, then get your crossbow out. You’re probably going to need it,” Abner said.
The three Hunters rode into the town in silence; the only sounds they made were the gentle sounds of the horses hooves as they crashed down into the dirt. A damp aroma filtered through the nostrils of the Hunters, growing more constant as they approached the center of the town. The horses neighed and shook their heads in protest. Abner gave the signal to dismount.
“Come out where we can see you!” Abner said.
“Don’t shoot, I’m not here to harm you!” a voice said from inside one of the simple stone buildings.
“You’ve got five seconds before we come in after you. Hurry it up,” Lois said.
“Alright, alright, here I am!” An old graying man stumbled out from a building behind them with his hands raised and his head lowered. “Please don’t shoot me.”
“We have no reason to,” Abner said. “What’s happened here?”
The old man didn’t reply to the Hunter’s question. His eyes darted from Abner to Lois and then to Gareth, before dropping back to the ground.
“Answer him, old man,” Gareth said. “What happened here?”
“Death came, descending from the forest,” the man said. “And it now comes for you!”
A howl came from outside the vine walls and Abner heard the shout of alarm from the Hunters on the outside. There was the sound of a crossbow firing and the old man groaned, falling to his knees.
“Abner, take cover!” Gunthos called down from the wall. His crossbow sung out again and again, the howls of the wolves coming closer and closer. “Get the fuck out of here, Tarl! Take him and go!”
Lois grabbed both Gareth and Abner by the arms and dragged them into the building the old man had emerged from. Dust filled air welcomed them, a thin coat covering the plates and cutlery set out on the main table.
“Nobody’s been in here for a while,” Gareth said.
“They all left in a hurry,” Abner said. “Upstairs, now.”
Lois bound up the stairs first with her crossbow drawn. Gareth went next, copying her movements, while Abner lingered on the first floor for a moment longer. When he entered the next room he found Lois and Gareth with their cros
sbows trained across the clearing at the entrance to the vines.
“The others have taken off!” Gunthos said. “Here comes a Ghost!”
Seconds later the white fur of the hurled into the town, a savage howl escaping its jaws as it looked up at Gunthos. The dark Hunter unloaded with his crossbow, a second later the rest of the Hunters buried the Ghost under a storm of bolts. The wolf tried to run, but the unrelenting hail of fire upon it, brought the beast down within a matter of seconds.
“Is it dead?” Gareth asked. He shot one more bolt into its eye for good measure.
“Looks like it,” Abner said. “Where are the rest of them?”
“Gone, followed the other Hunters by the look of it. A couple took off towards the north, however,” Gunthos said.
“Fuck why would they do that?” Lois asked. “Even with two groups following the others back to the Huntrey, they won’t be able to catch them. Nothing but more rough terrain lies between here and the Bulldrag.”
“Maybe they’re not hunting,” Aber said.
“What do you mean?” Gareth asked.
“They’re going home,” Gunthos said. “We’ve got our lair. What’s to say they don’t have theirs?”
A smile lit up on Gareth’s face. “We could trap them there, kill them.”
“Are you volunteering to go on such a dangerous journey, boy?” Gunthos asked.
“I would like to scout them and find where they make their home. I would just prefer it if I wasn’t to go alone,” Gareth said.
“I’ll go with you,” Lois said. “You’ll need a Seeker to track them down.”
“No objections, Ab?” Gunthos asked.
Abner shook his head. “Lois can hold her own. I have faith. We need to report our findings to the Huntrey immediately and find who’s still alive after that attack. Does anyone care to do the honors of removing its head?”
“Gladly,” Gareth said. A small smile passed over his face as he drew his sword.
The Toldar Series Box Set Page 48
