by Garry Spoor
There was something she was overlooking, something she was missing. When she linked with the reptilian wolves, she saw a vision, hidden in their minds. It was like waking up from a dream. She knew it was important. She just couldn’t wrap her head around it.
She glanced out the window at the rising of the moon. It was going to be a clear night. The guards were already spread thin, monitoring both the east and the west walls. Whatever was going to happen, it was going to happen very soon.
-Kile.-
Vesper called from a crossed the room and through his eyes, she saw Alex waking up.
“Vesper?”
His weak, but clear, voice was probably the most beautiful sound she heard in such a long time. Kile grabbed the candle from the table and quickly moved across the room.
“Alex.”
“Hey, Kile girl… is that you?”
“Yes, you idiot, what the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m delivering a message,” he said with a grin.
“You’re not qualified to deliver messages through hostile territories. You’re still a Level Five,” she said, setting the candle down on the table beside his bed. Pulling up a chair, she sat down and took his hand in hers.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Shouldn’t you have asked me that first?”
“Probably, but you had me worried. What were you doing out there? What happened?”
“Did you see them Kile, those weird dog things? They’re all over the place. What are they?”
“I don’t think anybody really knows,” she replied. “What can you tell me about them? How many did you see?”
“I don’t know. It seemed like there was a hundred of them, but it could have been just one really fast one.”
“Somehow, I don’t think so,” she laughed, pouring him a drink of water from the pitcher on the bedside table. She handed it to him and waited for him to take a sip.
“What happened?” She asked again. “Tell me everything, from the beginning.”
“About two weeks ago, we got the news Callor declared war on the throne. Master Folkstaff thought Lord Rimes must have gone mad. They pulled a few squads off the line as well as a few Hunters to join up with the King’s forces in the province of Lunvalt, in the hopes of putting down the rebellion as quickly as possible. Daniel and I were selected because we’re both from the Callor province. Maybe they thought we would know something they didn’t.” He said with a shrug. “Anyway, we were just entering Callor when Master Folkstaff was attacked by the large bird you sent. It nearly knocked him off his horse, it wouldn’t let up until he took the letter it kept shoving in his face, that’s when we knew you were in Moran. Master Folkstaff said we couldn’t do anything for you just yet and that you were on your own.”
Alex finished off the water and handed the empty cup to Kile. “We joined up with Lord Bollen’s men just outside of Norfrom,” he added.
“Lord Bollen?”
“Yeah, he’s Lord Rime’s second cousin. Everybody loves Lord Bollen, well… at least everyone in Procton does.”
“So, Lord Bollen has raised an army.”
“Yeah, you didn’t really think he was just going to let Lord Rimes drag the Callor province into a war with the entire country, did you? Lord Bollen would never do that. Well… anyway, I guess Lord Rimes has a few men of his own because he took control of Norfrom. That’s when a few Hunters, who were in Norfrom, discovered Lord Rimes was waiting for valrik, which were supposed to be coming through Denal at any time. Master Folkstaff told Lord Bollen the outpost of Moran was under Hunter control, but he wasn’t sure for how long.”
“Hunter control?” Kile laughed. “I wouldn’t exactly go that far,”
“Well, that’s what everyone was saying,” Alex replied. “You and your squad learned of Lord Rime’s treason and that the valrik were going to sneak into Callor through Moran, so you seized control of the outpost away from the Callor forces and are defending it from the Uhyre army.”
“That’s not actually what happened,” she said.
“Well, it doesn’t really matter what happened, that’s what people are saying. The whole camp was praising your name. Master Folkstaff knew we had to get a message to you as quickly as possible, but your bird didn’t hang around, and there weren’t too many Hunters familiar with the Callor province. Daniel volunteered, but Master Folkstaff said it wouldn’t be a very good idea, his skills were needed. Since I’m not as valuable as Daniel, they sent me.”
“Who said you aren’t valuable?” Kile asked, sitting up in her chair. “Didn’t Master Folkstaff say the message was important? He wouldn’t just leave it to anybody.”
“Well… I guess, but they did send me with Private Duntz. I could have delivered it by myself.”
“I know you could,” Kile said reassuringly. “But you have to think back to Master Adam’s classes. An important message like this, through such a dangerous area, you have to send at least two messengers. You know, just in case.”
“Well… I guess.”
“Besides, wasn’t it you who saved Private Duntz by creating your illusion. How many other Hunters could have done that? And that was after you were so badly injured.”
“Well… yeah… maybe.”
“How did it happen? How were you… injured?”
“It was those weird dog things. They just came out of nowhere. Before I knew it…” He said, touching the bandage over his right eye. He winced. “It’s bad… isn’t it?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Alex closed his eyes. “It doesn’t matter,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I don’t know if I’m really cut out to be a Hunter anymore.”
“Why, because of one injury? You remember Sir Oblum. It didn’t stop him.”
“I don’t know. I really just want to go back to Baxter’s Bay. I was doing pretty well, telling stories in some of the local pubs. I had a really good following. People came in just to see my illusions and hear my stories.”
“I have a feeling, once this is over, you’ll have a few more stories to tell,” Kile said, getting up from her chair. “You should probably get some rest. I’ll leave Vesper here with you. If you need anything, you let him know and he’ll let me know.”
“Kile.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Have your eyes gone all weird, or is that something to do with my injury?” he asked.
“No, you’re fine. It’s my eyes.”
“Oh… oh, that’s good. I thought something got rattled loose when that dog attacked me. You know, made me go funny in the head or something.”
“No, you’re as sane as you ever were, which really isn’t saying much,” Kile replied heading for the door.
Captain Jax was waiting for her in the hall.
“How’s your friend,” he asked, falling into step beside her.
“As fine as someone can be who just got their face ripped off by a saladog.”
“Is it that bad?”
“I think his days as a Hunter are behind him.” She said, glancing back over her shoulder.
An injury like that, for someone like Alex, was usually a one-way ticket out of the Guild. Sir Oblum received a similar wound, but he was already a Level One Hunter at the time, and had other skills to fall back on. He managed to land himself a position at the Academy as the weapons master, and then went on to become the headmaster. They weren’t going to let him go so easily, but for someone like Alex, who was still only a Level Five, it was easier to just drop him. Mr. Wollery, the owner of the dry goods store back in Coopervill was another one. He suffered an injury to his leg, and even though he managed to get his Level Three certificate, he was still expendable. Where did that leave her? She didn’t exactly suffer a physical injury, but surely she must have suffered a psychological one. Lately, she felt as if she was just hanging on to her sanity by the tips of her fingers. They had been looking for a reason to get rid of her; this might just be it.
“Did he have an
ything more to say?” Jax asked, bringing her back to the conversation.
“Who?” she asked.
“Your friend in there, did he have anything more to say?”
“No, nothing that will help us right now, but you’ll be happy to know Lord Bollen raised an army and is resisting Lord Rimes.”
“Yeah, Duntz filled us in when you left, although I’m not surprised. I didn’t think Lord Bollen would sit this one out.”
“What do you think their chances are?” she asked.
“With half of the Callor province rising up against him, and backed by the King’s Command, I don’t fancy Lord Rime has a chance,” Jax chuckled. “Although, if the Uhyre forces managed to get through, that’s a different story.”
“I’m thinking, we should drop the kastelya. Close off the mainway,” Kile said, watching Jax’s expression. She could tell he didn’t like that idea.
It was a drastic step, but it was the only one she could think of which would buy Lord Bollen the time he needed. In some way, she always knew they would have to destroy the outpost, ever since Jax told her it could be done.
“You think it’s come to that already?” He asked
“I was hoping the King’s Command would come to our aid, but they have their own battles to fight. There’s no chance we can stand again the valrik now and hope for a victory,” she said. “The only thing we have on our side is time, and we have to use it to our best advantage. We move the refugees out at nightfall. Point them in the direction of the Fennel boarder and hope they meet up with the King’s forces. We drop the kastelya, close off the mainway and stand our ground along the Cliff Road, that way, we can bottle-neck their advance. We should be able to slow them down long enough for reinforcements to arrive, or at least give Lord Bollen enough time to retake Norfrom.”
“I suppose there’s some logic in that,” he said, nodding his head slowly.
“Unless the King’s forces get here first, I’m not sure what else we can do.”
“Very well, then we should get the refugees ready,” Jax said.
“We should prepare the wounded first, get them out as well… oh, and the deer of course, although, they may not like leaving their homeland. They should be able to find their way back when everything calms down a bit. Of course the horse should also go with the refugees, as well as anyone else who wishes to leave.”
“We should organize an escort,” Jax added. “A few of the guards who have families in Callor should be allowed to go with the refugees if they choose.”
“I’ll let you handle that part of it,” Kile said. “I’ll speak with the pack. We can send at least a third of the dogs to guard the civilians. That should give them more than a chance if they run into those reptilian wolves.”
“I think you and Perha Squad should also go,” Jax added. “Leave the protection of the outpost to the men of Moran.”
“Perha Squad can make up its own mind. If they want to leave, I won’t stop them. As for me, I have to stay,” she replied.
“And why is that?”
“Because, for the longest time, I felt I had forgotten something. Every time I connected with those wolves, I’ve sensed they’ve been hiding something. It’s been lingering on the very edge of my senses and now, I know what it is. Something from my past has finally caught up with me.”
“What past? You’re too young to have a past,” Jax replied dismissively.
“You can tell that to the Minotaur.”
***~~~***
15
Back when Kile was accepted at the Academy, there were four class A open scripts. These were the most valuable bounties the Guild wrote, which had remained unclaimed. They were also the most dangerous, which was probably what contributed to the prices on their heads. During her first year, the Troll of Blackmoore was defeated by the Hunter Marcus Taylor. The tales of his exploits were the stuff of legend, even if they were completely blown out of proportion beyond all recognition. In fact, his success over the Troll had more to do with how fast he could run, than how well he could fight. That, of course, left just three.
There was the Beast of the Spine Mountain, although, no one knows what it is, or what it looks like, or if it even exists, but there is still a bounty on its head. Then there was the drake of the flatlands, the last of the fire breathing dragons, or so the legends say. No one has ever seen the dragon, although, there were a few rather gruesome stories of Hunters who have tried their hand at bringing it in, none of them ending well.
That left just the Minotaur of Calder falls, the one Kile became all too familiar with during her probationary year as a Hunter.
It stood over ten feet tall, a massive brute of muscle and fury, half man, half beast and completely insane. It was an open script no Hunter in their right mind wanted to attempt.
It was now bound by chains and held by the valrik. It was either a prisoner, or a weapon, or maybe a combination of both. It was under their control, but for how long? Its rage was all- consuming, even more powerful than when she first encountered it. How could she have forgotten about that monster? The Minotaur of Calder falls. No more than a few weeks out of the Academy, on her first assignment as a probationary Level Five Hunters, and she had to run into that thing. If it wasn’t for Grim, pushing it off the edge of a cliff, to what should have been its death, she wouldn’t be alive now to relive her mistake.
It was out cold, at her mercy, and she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t bring herself to kill the beast while it lay there defenseless, so instead, she dragged it across the countryside to the outpost of Moran. There it remained imprisoned, and then, she thought, executed. But here it was standing outside the western gate of the outpost. Things just got a whole lot more complicated.
The message arrived at first light, demanding the doors of Moran be opened, and the outpost surrendered to Vadokk, or they would be torn down, and the Minotaur could do it. She had seen its strength in the mountains of Denal when it uprooted a tree and tried to hit her with it. She had no doubt in her mind, the Minotaur could pull the very walls of the outpost down around them.
Captain Jax sent Raf to parlay with the valrik messenger. Raf was very good at playing ignorant, especially when trying to interpret the messenger’s message, then again she wasn’t sure if Raf was actually faking it. The man thought she was wili the first time she had the misfortune of coming to Moran.
Raf would buy them the few precious moments they needed at the front gate, so they could quickly push refugees out the back. Most of Perha Squad agreed to stand beside Kile, only Corporal Duffy and privates Nasom and Tinny chose to leave along with the wounded members. That left only six soldiers of the original twenty she set out with.
“I’m not going, I’m staying here with you,” Alex shouted, throwing his pack on the bed. She had forgotten how stubborn he could be.
“You are going, even if I have to tie you to a horse myself,” Kile shouted back.
“But I can help.”
“Alex, look at you. You have more bandages on you than there are in the infirmary. You’re lucky to even be alive. You have to leave with the rest of the wounded.”
“You need me. Who’s going to watch your back?” he asked.
“You only have one eye. You can barely watch your own back. Besides, I have Grim to watch mine.”
Alex wasn’t that good in a fight when he was healthy. He may have made a startling recovery, even Sumsor was impressed, but with only one eye and his right arm in a sling, she couldn’t see what help he could be, although, she couldn’t actually come out and tell him that.
“Besides,” She said, grabbing his pack from the bed and ushering him out the door. “Who’s going to lead these people to safety if not you?”
“Private Duntz knows the way,” Alex replied.
“Seriously, you think I’m going to place the safety and well-being of these people in the hands of a soldier. They need a Hunter to lead them through Callor, somebody who knows the area and you’re it.”
&n
bsp; “The soldiers who are going with them are all from Callor, they should know the way,” he replied.
This wasn’t going as smoothly as she hoped.
“Are you or are you not still a Hunter?” she asked him.
“Well… yeah, I am but…”
“A Level Five Hunter, at that.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Well. I’m a Level Three, and therefore I must outrank you, and I am giving you a mission. You have to see these people to safety.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be fine, we have this all planned out,” she lied. “You just get these refugees back to the King’s Command and tell Master Folkstaff exactly what’s going on here. By the time he gets here, we’ll have the valrik running for the hills.” Kile said, handing Alex his pack. She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt.
“Well… if you say so,” he replied reluctantly.
“It’ll be fine. When this is all over, you, Daniel and me, and if we can find Carter, will sit around a campfire and tell our tales. Then you’ll have some real stories to tell those patrons back in Baxter’s Bay.”
“Yeah, the tale of the Wild Hunter and the fall of Moran,” Alex exclaimed, and his eyes lit up, or actually his eye lit up.
