The Toldar Series Box Set

by Matt Mememaro

  11

  Chasing Nightmares

  Abner and Gunthos left Hidden Valley in a pile of dust behind them and soon it was nothing more than a memory. They followed the tracks of both the Ghost and the Hunter’s horses in the grass, tracking southwest, back towards the Huntrey. The Ghosts had vanished once more and their silence kept Abner on edge.

  Another kilometer passed by underneath the rapid thundering of their horse’s hoof beats, and there was finally a sign of battle. The Ghost had turned dirt up with its paws, suddenly changing trajectory as it attacked a Hunter. Whoever’s horse the beast had taken down had gotten back up, but the Hunter who rode it had not.

  Blood covered the grass in a thick coating of bright red, the wolf tearing its prey to shreds in seconds. A severed limb lay stretched over several meters, chunks of it poking out from the grass like a defect in the otherwise perfect landscape.

  “They’re out of sight,” Gunthos said. “And the trail ends here. How do you propose we catch them?”

  “We can’t, but we should at least be able to track them,” Abner said.

  “Our Seekers have run off lad. Again, how do you propose we do that?” Gunthos asked.

  Abner smirked. “Vampire remember.”

  Gunthos rolled his eyes. “Of course, how could I forget?”

  Abner turned his focus inward, drawing on the blood he could feel running in his veins. He closed his eyes and began rocking, summoning the energy he needed to see the blood trails left behind. Instantly, he reopened his eyes, the world now colored in a haze of red. He saw the paths left behind by the Hunters and the wolves, side by side.

  One wolf had fallen to the ground, while another charged the fleeing Hunters. The fallen Ghost turned its head back towards the Hidden Valley before calling for the second to join. Both creatures had travelled to the north, their tails stretched out behind them, slinking from side to side.

  “Abner, what do your Vampire eyes see? Do we still follow them?” Gunthos asked as he watched Abner survey the surrounding area.

  “Two Ghosts ran to the north after we killed their brother. I dare say we use this as an attempt to find their lair,” Abner said.

  “Don’t lead us into any ambushes this time,” Gunthos said.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it,” Abner said.

  By the time the sun was beginning to set, Abner had continued to follow the Ghosts north. They hadn’t deviated from their path, and the Hunters encountered no other living creature for the entirety of the journey. Abner continued to search through the red haze looking for any sign that another sentient being had passed through the area. At last he’d found something.

  “Gunthos, we need to get underground. I’ve found a Vampire,” Abner said.

  “Just one?” Gunthos asked. “It’s unusual that one would be out here in the middle of nowhere, alone.”

  “It’s all I can see, Gunner. Want to kill it?” Abner asked.

  “Fuckin’ course I do,” Gunthos said. He unsheathed his crossbow. “How do we get down there?”

  “Follow me,” Abner said as he dismounted.

  They descended into the depths of the underground, the entrance to a small cave tucked away in a clutch of small trees. Water dripped down over the entrance, remnants from a passing shower, only hours before. Abner continued to follow the Vampire’s trial until it opened out into a much larger cavern, decorated with nothing but human skulls, no doubt taken from the monster’s victims.

  “I see you have come to kill me, Hunters,” the Vampire said from somewhere in front of them. The red haze of his blood trail stopped behind another enormous pile of skulls.

  “Come out so we can end you, coward,” Abner said.

  “You’re not here for me,” the Vampire said. “Leave me be.”

  “What are we here for then?” Gunthos asked.

  “I know the ones you hunt. You call them Ghosts because they seem to vanish before your very eyes. The Erdia Arrzara are what you seek. The half-breeds are more intelligent than you would could imagine, Hunters,” the Vampire said.

  “We’ve been well acquainted,” Abner said. “What is your name monster?”

  “That is no concern of yours, Hunter. If it is the Erdia Arrzara you seek, I will share what I know of them with you and you will leave me in peace.”

  “A Vampire that doesn’t want to tell us your name? Either you have a large bounty on your head or you wish to become a Lotu,” Gunthos said.

  “Both,” the Vampire said. “I am proud of what I have done in my life, yet I wish to repent and join your cause.”

  “What do we do with this one?” Abner asked. “Get him to talk then kill it?”

  “Sounds like the reasonable option,” Gunthos said. “Come out Vampire, and we will talk.”

  The creature stuck its head into view, watching the Hunters sheathe their crossbows, before it stepped out into the open. It wore nothing but a torn loincloth around its waist, the true form of the Vampire on display.

  “You two would make fine additions to my collection,” it said.

  “Take another three steps and we’ll put a bolt in you,” Abner said.

  “Your crossbows are on your backs, Hunters. I’d close this distance before you could take a shot.”

  Abner raised his eyebrow. “Don’t test us.”

  The Vampire closed its mouth, saliva dripping off its jaw. “Very well, what do you want to know of the Erdia Arrzara, Hunters?”

  “What are they, why have they been plaguing Taagras for the last eight years and where can we find them?”

  “I can’t tell you why they are here and what their purpose is, but I can tell you what they are. The Erdia Arrzara are monsters created from our own blood and set to wonder this world,” the Vampire said.

  Gunthos had taken to pace around the cavern, examining the skulls before moving onto the next pile. He picked up one and held it to his face, lost in thought.

  “You’re the one they all call the Butcher.”

  “A name I wish to shed. I go by Dravian now. You would do well to res- “

  Gunthos stormed over to Dravian and slammed his fist into the Vampire’s throat. “You slaughtered my family! I will end you!”

  “Hmm an Islander, I haven’t tasted your kind for many years. It would be a pleasure to fall by your friend’s hand if I got to take you with me,” Dravian said.

  “Tell us where the Ghosts are or I’ll crush your throat,” Gunthos said.

  “I can’t tell you where they are. They’re next to untraceable once they’re near their home. I will take you to their den,” Dravian said.

  “You slaughtered my family and I won’t forget that,” Gunthos said. “You’ll take us to the Ghost’s lair and I’ll consider giving you the life you want.”

  “When two Hunters entered my home, I expected nothing less,” Dravian smiled. “Please gentlemen, follow me. We are nearby.”

  12

  True Intentions

  Lois and Gareth travelled in silence, the kilometers passing underneath their horses hooves as the day dragged on. Her eyes were red, having drunk Vampire blood in order to track the Hunters that had been separated from them in the Ghost attack. So far none had come into their path and their trails ran dry. After a while Gareth began to become suspicious.

  “We’re not going south, are we?”

  “What?” Lois asked. She didn’t lift her head from its downward position. She continued to push forward, ignoring him.

  “You and I, we’re not going back to the Huntrey,” Gareth said.

  “What took you so long to figure that out?” Lois asked.

  “The sun, and the change in the wind. We’re starting to head north again.”

  “You’re right,” Lois said. She brought Mirabel to a stop and looked at her companion. “We’re not going back to the Huntrey. Abner’s run off being the noble idiot he always is trying to fix the world’s problems. I’m not letting him take them on by himself. We’ll still find the Ghosts this way.”


  “Then why not stay with them? Find another Hunter and send them back to the Huntrey instead?” Gareth asked.

  “I wanted to speak with you alone,” Lois said. “Away from Abner and Gunthos.”

  “Why?” Gareth asked.

  “Truth is, I’ve become bored with Abner. He’s changed from the man that I used to love. I hardly recognize him and the situation we find ourselves in is making him hard to deal with,” Lois said.

  “So you want to try your luck with me?” Gareth asked. “I’m not a pushover.”

  Lois laughed. She smiled at Gareth and licked her lips. “I don’t need to try anything, Gareth. Abner told me what form that Desire took back in the inn. It was me. As soon as I want something from you, you’ll give it to me whether you want to or not.”

  “And you have that power do you?” Gareth asked.

  “I know you met with Tal’davin whilst we were in Alilletia,” Lois said.

  The colour drained from Gareth’s face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “What did he tell you?”

  “Tal’davin is dead,” Gareth said. “You might have lost most of the amulets when the West Anacore Huntrey fell but there’s no way he’s coming back.”

  Lois laughed and patted Mirabel as she slid down from the saddle. She walked over to where Gareth sat in his saddle. She grabbed his leg and wrenched, pulling him down over her shoulder. He hit the grass with a thud.

  “What the fuck are you doing?”

  Lois’ hand snapped up to his throat, closing around his windpipe. “What did Tal’davin say to you boy? Don’t fucking lie to me!”

  “Alright, fuck!” Gareth struggled to get free. His words came out, but barely a whisper due to the force being applied on his throat. “What do you want to know?”

  “Told you you’d give it to me,” Lois said. “What did Tal’davin say to you?”

  “Can you let me go?” Gareth asked.

  “No,” Lois said. She kept the pressure on his throat. “Speak or I’ll crush you. There’s nobody out here and there’ll be nobody but me to hear you scream. Tell me!”

  “He didn’t tell me much. A man called Unul told me most of what I needed to know. He told me that I was vital to Alilletia’s future. Tal’davin told me that he was alive and he intends to rule Taagras under an iron fist,” Gareth said.

  Lois raised her eyebrows. “Did he now? What else did he tell you? And why would he entrust this to a pathetic little boy that so happens to be in a body too big for him?”

  “I’m Graytooth’s heir.” Gareth raised his hands up in the air and tried to shrug. “That’s all there is to it. I didn’t know my parents and that is the reason why. My father left me in the care of Unul and he placed me so that the Hunters would take me in. And according to Tal’davin I will be a part of their downfall.”

  Lois lowered herself down to his level and stared for a moment deep into his eyes. Gareth felt a bubble rise in his chest as her eyes returned to their normal colour. Before he could protest she had pressed her mouth against his. He stopped struggling and gave into the embrace. Lois was tight around his body just like the Desire had been back at the inn.

  A breeze graced his groin and Gareth felt his pants being tugged down. He hadn’t even felt his belt coming undone. Lois’ hand was already guiding him into her. He could feel her warmth and a moment later he was inside her. She threw her head back and moaned, the sun shining off her hair as she moved around. She pushed herself up, now sitting on Gareth.

  Free from her grasp, her wrapped his hands around her back and thrust inside her. She placed her hands on his chest and tried to tear open his tunic. He grunted and reached up, now grabbing her by the throat. She moaned, and her nostrils flared as he started to cut off her air supply. A moment later, just as fast as it had started, Gareth felt himself coming to a climax. He held his breath, but it was too late. Lois felt him finish and she collapsed in a heap on top of him.

  “Is that it? Pathetic. I don’t know what Tal’davin saw in you.”

  “You caught me by surprise,” Gareth said.

  Lois climbed to her feet and adjusted herself, pulling her pants up to her hips. “All I’m hearing from you is excuses. Tal’davin got them from me when I was fifteen. I quickly learnt he doesn’t tolerate them.”

  “You’re working for him as well?” Gareth asked. “Then what the fuck was that?”

  “That was real, what I said was true. But you really need to learn how to last longer,” Lois said. “I would have hoped he picked someone that was better at fighting and fucking.”

  “I’ll learn,” Gareth said. “I have time to take over Alilletia, as Unul said. It doesn’t have to be in a hurry.”

  “So he didn’t tell you everything,” Lois said. “A child could see there’s more to his plan than just installing you at the head of Alilletia.”

  “Then what are we going to do?” Gareth asked.

  “I have a responsibility to tear down the one true last defence that Taagras has against him. Tal’davin ordered me to get close to Abner. I had to fall in love with him and I’m going to be the one that ultimately destroys him, leaving the path wide open for Tal’davin.”

  “But you’re a Hunter, why are you turning you back on your own?” Gareth asked.

  “He got to me before I even knew the Huntrey existed,” Lois said. She climbed back up on Mirabel. “Now we’ve got wolves to hunt. Are you coming or not?”

  Day turned into night and the pair found shelter by a creek bed. Lois didn’t bother with a tent, just setting up her rug meters from the running water. Gareth copied her and whilst she knelt to fill their waterskins he collected firewood. They set up their campsite like a well-oiled machine, no words passing between them, what had happened that afternoon, nothing but a memory. Darkness was truly set now and the two Hunters huddled beside the fire, both of their horses tethered steps away, the beasts looking out into the night with their red eyes.

  “So how are we going to do it?” Gareth asked.

  “Do what, kill Abner?” Lois asked.

  “Of course, that’s what Tal’davin wants us to do isn’t it?” Gareth asked.

  “He told me what I had to do,” Lois said. She drew a jeweled dagger from its sheath on her belt. “Abner’s never seen this before and it’s for good reason to. I keep it on me because when Tal’davin appears in front of both of us that’s when I do it. That’s when I stab him in the back and then Tal’davin will be reborn once again. Abner holds the last two amulets, but he won’t for much longer. That’s when I do it.”

  “And you haven’t thought about telling him?” Gareth asked.

  Lois shook head her. “The world is broken. It’s about time we had a change. Tal’davin is the best way forward.”

  A horse neighed behind them and Lois snapped upright. Alex approached them, riding down the embankment onto the sandy shoreline of the creek. He gave them a cheerful wave and dismounted, without missing a stride.

  “Fucking hell never thought I’d find you out here,” he said. “Did you manage to find the Ghosts?”

  “We did, but we’ve been separated from the rest of the group,” Gareth said. “Lois and I broke off when they attacked us. She thinks she can find their den.”

  “Good, when Razal told me you had already left I followed immediately. I’m here to help,” Alex said.

  “You came out on your own?” Lois asked. “What drove you to that madness?”

  Alex shrugged. “Got bored. But if you’re here and the rest of the group is hunting, why aren’t we out there with them?”

  13

  The Shrine

  The Shrine

  Dravian walked between the two Hunters, Gunthos holding his crossbow on his lap. The Vampire continually looked at both of his companions. Abner paid him no mind, however Gunthos hardly adverted his gaze. They rode into the night, the Hunters using their night vision to keep up with Dravian as he lead them deep into a forest.

  “Can yo
u slow down, Butcher?” Gunthos asked as Dravian began to distance himself from his captors.

  “The Erdia Arrzara are the only creatures on this planet that can keep pace with us of the old blood apart from you Hunters. I won’t remain here long, keep up,” Dravian said.

  “What are they?” Abner asked. “Why are you so afraid?”

  “They were an experiment, I told you. They were designed to hunt Hunters better than we hunt humans, but I have heard rumors that they are hunting and killing Vampires indiscriminately. They’re just as efficient as you,” Dravian said. “If not more so.”

  “Hmm, we’ve thought as much,” Gunthos said. “But we haven’t let that stop us. How many Ghosts have we killed Ab?”

  “Be about five in the last year or so I’d say,” Abner said. “Ton more Vampires, in case you were wondering, Butcher.”

  “Very funny Hunter, but what will you do when my kind take Taagras by force and turn the sky red with human blood?” Dravian asked.

  “I’m the son of Barros Toldar. I’m already a Vampire,” Abner said. “I’ll do what I always do and that is kill your kind. Unless Tal’davin himself raised a hand against me, I don’t think there’s a whole lot that can stop me.”

  “You’re his son? Born of the Countess? We have agents searching for you. The safety of your Huntrey must be impeccable. But what will you do Toldar? You’ll fight and you’ll die like the rest of the Hunters. We will win this war even if it takes another five hundred years.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up Butcher,” Gunthos said. “You don’t contribute to the amount of soldiers on your side of the battle.”

  “No, but I subtract from your number,” Dravian said. “And that’s the most important part.”

  The bolt was in the air even before Abner could open his mouth. Dravian simply stepped to the side and watched it sail past. He looked up at Gunthos and smiled again.