The Hunter's Apprentice

by Stentson, Mark

  It was then that he heard a growl and something moved to his left. He looked there immediately. His eyes met those of the old man as the latter emerged from the woods. He looked as terrifying in the darkness. But it was not him that caused the greatest terror in Aerys. The old man was carrying something in his right hand. Aerys could not see very well what it was but as he approached near the fire, the light illuminated it and he felt his blood freeze. It was a head… a severed head.

  The old man walked straight to him and knelt in front of him. A foul odor emanated from him. Aerys nearly vomited and turned his face away.

  -You don’t like my smell lad?, asked the old man with the same rasping voice. He laughed and grabbed Aerys face and turned it to face him. Look at me, he added threateningly.

  He held out the head. Aerys let out a shout of horror. He recognized the head even though it had been mutilated.

  -You remember him right?, said the old man. Yes… It’s him… that fool who brought you here. You should have seen his face when I tore through his door. He squealed to spare him…Offered me gold…like I could be bought…

  He spat and brought the head near Aerys face until they were only inches away.

  -Look at him well. This is only the start. More and more will follow until no one is left.

  He stood and tossed the head to the ground. He walked away and left Aerys alone. He did not dare to look at the head again. He breathed in hard as he tried to keep his calm. But he could not evade the fact that a man had died today. He had paid for contacting them and they had failed him. They could not take out the werewolves unfortunately. Slowly the darkness surrounded him and he collapsed under the fatigue and stress.

  He woke up the next morning feeling as miserable as ever. He looked in front of him hoping that everything was just a nightmare but the head was still there. It was starting to decompose and it was beginning to smell. Flies were already attending to it and they flew all around Aerys too. He wanted to push the head away but he knew that it was improper to do so. He looked to his left but the hunter had not awakened yet. Would he ever? Aerys sighed. He wondered what the werewolves had in store for them. They could have killed them any time since their capture but they had not. Whatever they were planning it was probably not something good.

  The rest of the day passed by really slowly. His stomach growled mutinously as he had not eaten since their capture. He felt restless and his forces began to abandon him. The heat only worsened his state and he had no place to shelter himself from the burning sun. He sometimes heard noises coming from the house and heard the girl cry in pain. Aerys wondered how they could hurt their own. Not that he pitied her. Far from that for he hated her. She had knocked him out. He probably had no chance against them but he could have hurt one of them. That would have been a satisfaction.

  Sometimes the girl came out to do different chores. She would fetch water from the well or chop wood with a big axe that looked far too big for her frail hands. However much to Aerys surprise, she could chop the logs so easily that he was certain that she was a werewolf. Only a werewolf could muster such inhuman strength. She looked at him several times though but Aerys ignored her royally. He had no intention of talking with her. She was one of them.

  It was a little before dusk that the old man came out of the house again. He walked towards them and went to examine the hunter. He kicked him but the latter did not react. He kicked him again and again but he obtained no reaction.

  -What’s wrong with this one? He asked turning toward Aerys?

  Aerys shrugged.

  -Maybe what you gave him.

  -I told her to be careful with that stuff, he said scratching his head. Let’s hope he wakes up then.

  Aerys looked at him incredulously.

  You don’t want him to die?

  The old man turned towards him and smiled.

  -No…I don’t want him to die like this. He does not deserve to die so peacefully.

  He walked towards Aerys.

  -I have reserved something for both of you and it would not do for him to die. I will make sure he suffers for what he did and you too boy. You too you will pay.

  He sat down and examined Aerys.

  -You are the same age as my son, he grunted.

  -Your son? Aerys asked.

  -Yes, my son. He was a lively young boy. My pride.

  -Where is he? Aerys asked wondering how many werewolves there were.

  His face turned sour.

  -Dead.

  A horrible feeling invaded Aerys. He was beginning to understand.

  -You killed him, he said in a calm yet angry voice. You wretched hunters.

  -He killed many innocent villagers too, Aerys retorted.

  He stood up and spat before him showing his fangs.

  -I will make sure that you suffer as I am now. Those villagers will regret ever calling your master here and when I am finished with them I will take care of you. I told you yesterday. No one will escape. I will bring back here everyone’s head for you to see.

  He transformed into the big white wolf and strolled away slowly. Aerys watched him go horrified. He was going to kill more innocents tonight and there was nothing he could do to stop him. He was helpless.

  He could not find sleep that night and stared emptily at the dark sky. There was to be a way to free themselves. He was thinking of nothing but that now. He could not let the villages be murdered one by one. He tried again and again to free himself but the ropes were incredibly solid. He looked everywhere for something to use to cut it but there was nothing, not even a rock that he could have used.

  It was nearly midnight when he heard a noise. At first he thought that the old man was coming back but the noise came from the house. He looked there and saw a shadow coming out. It was the girl. She hurried to his side and knelt down. She had a sponge in her hand which she held carefully.

  -How are you feeling?, she asked anxiously.

  -I have felt better, Aerys replied angrily.

  -I’m sorry but I had no choice, she replied quickly with guilt. I had no choice really. They would have eaten you.

  Aerys remained silent. If what she said was true, she had saved me. But why would she do such a thing. Was she not with them? He was about to ask her about it when she stopped him.

  -Sheesh, she said as she pressed the sponge over his mouth. The water fell inside. It was refreshing and Aerys felt himself re-live again.

  She went to hunter’s side and lifted his head difficultly. She managed to pour some drops of water in his mouth. He did not react though and she walked back towards Aerys.

  -I have to go now or they might find me. I will come back when I can.

  Aerys grabbed her hand.

  -Is the hunter still alive?

  She nodded.

  -How can I trust you? Are you not with them? he whispered.

  She shook his hand off easily.

  -No. I’m not a werewolf, she said as she walked away.

  He did not smile for long though for the old man came back some time later and this time he brought three more head which he dropped before heading to the house without saying anything. There was no need to say anything.

  CHAPTER 13

  The girl came back several times the following days. Aerys had hoped that she would be able to help them quickly but he was wrong. He understood that the following night when she came again. She refused immediately when he asked her to bring something with which he could cut the rope.

  -I cannot, she replied trembling. They will kill me if they discover me.

  -You said you would help us, replied Aerys sulkily.

  -I did and I will do everything I can to. Trust me, I will find something for you to use but do not ask me to steal form the house. The old woman is terrible. She will kill me if she notices it.

  Aerys did not insist. He saw the fear in her blue eyes. Despite the dirt on her face, he could see that she was really beautiful. He watched her as she fed him with tiny bits of bread. His heart
started to beat uncontrollably much to his surprise. He did not understand why for he was not in immediate danger.

  -Why?, he then asked.

  -Are you really monster hunters?, she whispered as she wiped his mouth clean.

  He nodded.

  -The hunter is. I’m just his apprentice, he confessed.

  -If I manage to free you, will your master be able to kill the werewolves? She asked expectantly.

  -Yes. But why would you help us. Are you not with them?

  She shook her head.

  -No. I’m their captive, she said looking back towards the house with a frightened look on her face. Please help me.

  The moon appeared then and its rays fell upon her. Aerys held my breath. He had never seen someone so beautiful. Her silver hair shone in the light and when she looked at me with her innocent imploring eyes, he fell completely under her charm. He had never felt this way and wondered if this was love. It was such a fantastic feeling and he felt that he could do anything for her right now. But the ropes brought him back to reality. He promised her that they would help her. She smiled and his heart melted. It was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

  -How come that you are with them?, he asked.

  -It’s a long story, she replied sadly. I used to live in a village far to the south. I still remember the hills and valleys there. It was such a beautiful place. I was so happy there until they came.

  -They kidnapped you?

  She nodded.

  -Yes. They had planned everything and waited for me. They did not tell me why and they escaped that day itself. Since then, I have wandered with them as they came north. I have seen everything that they have done. They are terrible people. Really terrifying.

  She broke out in tears.

  -Don’t cry, Aerys said in a decided voice. Once you free us, we will take care of them.

  She looked at him with hopeful eyes and wiped her tears.

  -If I help you escape, will you help me get back to my homeland? She asked.

  Aerys nodded instantly even though he had never travelled to the south. But the hunter surely had.

  -I will, he promised sincerely. I give you my word.

  She smiled and touched his forehead with her finger. Something happened then. There was a blue light which quickly disappeared and Aerys felt sudden warmth on his forehead. Emily smiled.

  -What happened? Aerys asked. What have you done?

  -Nothing, she whispered back. It’s just a small security. Now I’m sure that you will carry out your promise.

  She went away leaving Aerys to ponder on what she meant. What had she done to him?

  There was then a sudden noise from somewhere in the forest and she stood up quickly. She ran inside and just after she closed the door behind her, a dark figure appeared in the clearing. The grey wolf walked towards us with something in its claws. Aerys shuddered. He opened his mouth and something fell on the ground just inches in front of me. Aerys closed his eyes shivering uncontrollable. It was horrifying. The old man had thrown a human head on the ground.

  The hunter woke up the next day. He did not say anything though much to Aerys surprise. He looked around and he saw the head.

  -What the hell is this, he said turning towards him. Where are we?

  Aerys explained the situation to him as quickly as possible. He did not react and looked at the head.

  -The head stinks, he said after a while.

  -He’s dead, said Aerys bitterly. He did not seem affected at all by what had happened.

  -I can see that, he replied matter-of-factly.

  -Do you have a plan? Aerys asked trying to contain his tears.

  He shook his head and looked away. What was that reaction? Aerys felt the anger burning inside him and he shouted back at him.

  -So is that it then? You are not going to try anything?

  He did not reply. The door of the house opened then and the old man walked outside. His shirt was tainted with red marks which left no place for imagination. Aerys glared at him resentfully. He ignored him and sat down between them.

  -Good morning my dear friends, he said with a big smile. Ah I see that you are awake finally, he added to the hunter. I feared that you would die.

  Neither of them replied and he continued.

  -Such a shame that that innkeeper had to die. You should have heard him cry. It was so funny. He begged me not to kill his son. Like I would.

  -You are a monster, Aerys said angrily, unable to contain himself.

  He looked at him and showed his fangs. They were still quite long even if he was in his human form.

  -Indeed. I am a monster. Now are you saying that I should have spared that boy’s life?

  He did not let Aerys reply.

  -Did you spare my boy’s life? No. So I’m going to kill every little boy in this village in front of their parents before I kill them too. They will share my pain.

  He laughed madly as he stood up. He kicked the hunter in the face but the latter did not react.

  -Every night I will bring back someone’s head here for you to see hunter. You will see the results of your actions. This nothing compared to what I have prepared for you two though, he added looking at me. I’m sure that you will like the surprise hunter.

  He walked away into the forest and left them alone.

  -Have you heard? Aerys shouted at the hunter. He is going to kill more innocents. Will you not try anything?

  The hunter did not move. Aerys cursed loudly as he tried to free himself. He could not let them do such a wretched thing. He scorched his hands trying.. There was no way he could free himself like this. He had just one hope; Emily. If she held her promise they still had a chance to save as many villagers as they could.

  He kept harassing her till she ran off one night without a word. He thought that he had scared her off but it did not matter. She had said that she would help them. He sighed as he lay back against the wooden post and watched the sky above. It was filled with black clouds which hid the moon from their eyes. It was the perfect time. With so little visibility, she would have a better chance of skipping out of the house and freeing them. He looked back at the house door. Would she come back?

  Surprisingly, she did. He saw her getting out as cautiously as she could. She hurried towards him and knelt by his side.

  -Here, she said in a scared voice.

  She put something sharp in his hands.

  -It’s the only thing I could bring. You will have to do with it.

  Aerys nodded and thanked her heartily. A small smile appeared on her frightened face.

  -Just don’t forget me when you go, she whispered.

  She stood up and walked away as quickly as she came. Aerys smiled to himself. At last the wheel of luck had turned. He had the chance to free them now. He started to work immediately. But as soon as he tried to cut the rope, he knew that it would take longer than planned. The blade was blunt. It was a hard blow but still it was better than nothing. He worked on the rope as hard as he could but the fact that he was tied did not help.

  After some hours of hard and relentless work, he finally managed to cut through the rope. He looked towards the house but everything was silent there. He stood up cautiously and crawled towards the hunter.

  -Wake up, he whispered as he started to cut his ropes.

  -Why should I wake up when I am already awake idiot?, he whispered back. Aerys nearly cried in surprise.

  -I thought…

  -That was the aim, he said smiling at last. Act as vanquished and wait for them to lower their guard. It seemed that it worked. Pure luck that the girl helped us but still. Now give me that blade.

  Aerys obeyed and the blade changed hands. He sat near him watching the surroundings. He prayed that no one would walk out of the house. They were so close. There was no noise except that of the knife cutting through the rope. The atmosphere was tense. Everything was on the line. It was now or never.

  The hunter was half way through when what Aerys feared happe
ned. The door opened and he saw the old man walk out while grabbing Emily by her hair.

  -Buy me time, whispered the hunter.

  Aerys stood up and walked towards them. He knew that he had no chance against the werewolf as he was unarmed but against an old man he surely had the upper hand. He was determined not to let him transform. He attacked quickly his tactic surprised the old man who backed.

  -Stop, cried Emily as he was just inches from the old man.

  He stopped dead in his tracks and saw why she had said so. There was a long knife just under her throat. The woman was holding her tightly from behind too.

  -Move back lad, said the old man. And ask your master to stop cutting that rope if you do not want your little friend here to lose some blood.

  Aerys backed towards the hunter who had stopped his effort.

  -Toss that blade aside will you?, asked the old man. When the hunter did so, he walked towards him and kicked him. When the hunter looked up, his face was bleeding.

  -Did you really think that you could escape? That this little fool could help you? We are werewolves. I picked up her scent the first time she came to feed you here.

  -I wanted to wait a bit more but why wait any longer. There’s nothing left for us to do here.

  -What do you mean?, asked the hunter defiantly.

  The old man licked his lips.

  -Well I see no reason to stay now that there is nothing to hunt.

  -No. It’s impossible. You can’t have done such a thing, shouted the hunter

  The old man laughed and grabbed Aerys. He tried to resist but he pointed to Emily.

  -Kneel down lad, he said as he began to transform.