Taste of the Hunt

by Matt Mememaro

  Alexander nodded even though Abner could not see him as they continued further into the Blackmire with their crossbows at the ready. After half an hour of trudging deep into the Blackmire, Abner whistled and stopped to allow Alexander to find him. The trail had vanished, and the darkness was all but blinding.

  “I can’t see shit here, Ab, we need to go back!”

  “Yeah I thought about calling it a little while ago, but I thought I saw something. Just a flash in the darkness,” Abner said.

  “Hang on, don’t move. You hear that?” Alexander asked.

  Abner dropped low to the ground, raising the crossbow to eye level as he heard the crunch of a branch underneath something’s foot. Alexander raised his sword in kind, able to provide close range support if it was needed. Leaves rustled to the left of the novices and Abner pivoted opening fire.

  The Vampire burst into sight, leaping over both bolts, its red eyes glowing against the darkness of the Blackmire giving Abner a perfect target. Alexander rolled as the Vampire sailed overhead. He missed with a cut that would have opened the Vampire’s gut. Abner spun around again, making an attempt to fire. Before he pulled the trigger the beast was upon him.

  “Watch out!”

  Abner flicked the crossbow around, using it as a makeshift weapon, going toe to toe with the Vampire’s lightning fast strikes. Alexander charged forward with his blade, coated in Fyndfire ready to split the Vampire in two. He swung wildly taking its attention from Abner allowing him to retreat and draw his blade, the Dreyth in it hungry for blood.

  Upon seeing the weapon, the pale fiend hissed, its angry red eyes looking over its shoulder before fleeing into the darkness of the Blackmire. Alexander laughed, attempting to catch his breath.

  “Do we chase it? Holy shit, that was frightening.”

  “No, not in here without a Seeker. We need to get back to the Huntrey and tell Rowan. He’ll want to know about it,” Abner said. “Come on, let’s hurry.”

  After successfully having hacked their way out of the Blackmire, the novices sprinted back to the Huntrey to find Rowan outside, patrolling the walls as they returned. His face of confusion was present as the two boys caught their breath in front of him.

  He sat on a rise in the battlements, his legs hanging carelessly over the wall. Other Hunters continued on their assigned patterns as if nothing was going on around them.

  “Rowan, there’s a Vampire in the Blackmire!”

  “Are you fucking with me, lads?” Rowan leapt up from his chair. “That close to our home? We send weekly patrols in there to make sure they haven’t taken it over. Are you sure it was just one?”

  “Of course, we’re fucking sure!” Alexander said. “We thought it was a deer at first but then we got attacked! Fangs two inches long, pale white skin. What else do you want to know, Rowan? We have to do something!”

  “Yes, we do, but not you Alexander. You’re not ready to kill a Vampire, even if you’re using Fyndfire coated weapons. Before we let you make your first kill we have to be sure you’re ready to face any Vampire that walks the face of Taagras. Do you understand?” Rowan said.

  “I do, but since I was there I feel like I should be going with Abner. He might need help,” Alexander said.

  “He will have help, just not you. Abner go find Lois and tell her you’re going on a hunt. I don’t care what class she is in, but the two of you are ready. One Seeker, one Hunter. You’ll bring this one down and you’ll become Hunters in truth. Best of luck to you,” Rowan said. “Meet me here with her in ten minutes. We can’t delay.”

  “Can’t delay what?” Barros asked as he looked at the three of them in turn. “I think if Abner and Lois are going on their first true hunt under my instruction I should take it from here, Rowan. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Of course, old friend,” Rowan said putting a hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “Guess you’ve just scored some private tutelage with me, boy. Come on a good fight after a run does wonders for your body.”

  Barros turned to his son. “Abner, I’ve waited for this moment ever since I first saw you. Whatever you do, don’t fuck it up.”

  “I won’t,” Abner said with a fire in his eyes showing he was determined not to fail again. “I missed the first two times; this Vampire won’t see another dawn.”

  “Good, I hoped you’d say that. It’s rare that a Hunter with your drive to succeed comes along. We need more like you, Abner. I just hope your Seeker is also up to the task,” Barros said.

  “She is,” Abner said. “Lois had my back all throughout our childhood and in the arena. I wouldn’t think she would abandon me now.”

  “Be careful in your certainty. Those that may or may not have loved us years ago could suddenly turn around and stab us in the back,” Barros said. “Trust yourself before you trust anyone else.”

  “She won’t let me down, Barros.”

  “If something happens don’t say I didn’t warn you. Ah, go get her and meet me at the gate in ten minutes. Fully loaded. You’re going to make your first proper kill as a Hunter.”

  22

  First Hunt

  Abner barreled into the room Lois was inside without even knocking. Remer looked up from his notes with a frown upon his face.

  “Excuse me, we’re in the middle of a class. What do you want, Abner?”

  “I need to borrow Lois, it’s urgent. There’s a Vampire in the Blackmire,” Abner said.

  With one look, between all three of them Remer acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. “Rowan requested you two are to take this hunt by yourselves?” Abner nodded. “Lois, take your leave. You won’t be needing any classes if you come back.”

  “What did he mean by if I come back?” Lois said as they bolted down the stairs. “He doesn’t think we’ll die does he?”

  “Don’t be nervous. It’s one Vampire. We’ve faced them before,” Abner said.

  “Yeah, but this is assessed and here, what we’re killing actually matters,” Lois said.

  “We’ll be fine. Grab your weapons, crossbow, broadsword, whatever else you need and meet me at the gate as soon as you can,” Abner said.

  As they walked out into the main yard, Abner could see Barros waiting impatiently under the gate, his hood wrapped over his head. Lois took off, heading towards her cabin while Abner proceeded to slowly walk towards the gate. Before he was within earshot of Barros, Lois came out of nowhere, almost knocking Abner over.

  She let out a nervous laugh. “Oh sorry, Ab, didn’t see you there.”

  “Oy, you two, stop fucking around and get over here!” Barros said. “Right, now you’re going to kill this Vampire, no matter the cost. There’s bonus points in it for you if you bring it back here alive. I’d imagine Rowan would love to interrogate it.”

  “How will we get it past the wall? Won’t it be killed when it tries to cross into the Huntrey?” Lois asked.

  “Leave that to me,” Barros said. “Your job is simple. Get into the Blackmire, find the fucker and do what you want to do with it. Just remember to be successful the two of you need to work together like you did with that one at the arena. That was a good effort. Lois, use the old method to track this Vampire. It’ll work better in the thickness and dark of the Blackmire.”

  “I could do this by myself,” Lois said.

  “No, you couldn’t. You don’t know what rank this Vampire is and if it has any friends with it. Abner is your best chance at survival here,” Barros said. “Don’t take any unnecessary risks. We want you here for the long run.”

  “Alright, Barros. Is there anything else to know before we go after this thing? We’re losing daylight and I’d like to be back before it’s dark,” Abner said.

  “No, that’s it. Get the job done and come back to us with its head,” Barros said. “Alive if you can somehow manage to capture it.”

  “And what if it disintegrates?” Lois asked.

  “Shit happens, bring back some of the dust it leaves behind. Either way we’ll know if you t
ry to fool us,” Barros said. “Now go!”

  Once again Abner stood in the embrace of the Blackmire, only this time with a different friend beside him. They both carried their crossbows in one hand, pausing to look up at the sun getting lower over the trees.

  “This can’t take too long,” Abner said. “We’ve got two hours, maybe three to get back at most. I’m not letting any Vampires catching us after dusk.”

  “I agree,” Lois said. “I’ll start seeking.”

  She pulled a vial of black Vampire blood from her belt and popped the top open. Abner drew one of his daggers from his own belt, handing it to her. With a quick flick of her wrist, Lois opened her hand and split the blood over the wound. She dropped the knife and began to shake violently before her eyes flashed red once and released a heavy breath.

  “Are you alright?” Abner asked holding her.

  “Yeah, it stings a little, but I’ll be fine. Ok, let’s get going. Where did you first see it?”

  Abner led the way into the thickness of the trees checking over his shoulder to find Lois following him. He moved at a rapid pace down the trail retracing his footsteps from only an hour ago.

  Leaves rustled nearby. Abner dropped to one knee opening fire in the general direction of the disturbance. A small bird fluttered away narrowly avoiding both crossbow bolts. Abner ducked after the creature which appeared to be healthy. No Vampire could be present. He turned to find Lois pinned to the ground by the same fiend that had attacked him. Its hand was closed over Lois’ mouth, it’s free claw ready to remove her flesh from her bones.

  “One false move and she dies, Hunter,” it said. “This is your Seeker is it not?”

  “Touch her and you’re as good as dead, Vampire,” Abner said. He raised his crossbow. “Don’t do anything you’re going to regret in the near future.”

  “I don’t think I will, my good novice. That’s what you are, yes? I’m not like any Vampire you’ve faced before, if any. My Dreyth is pure and stronger than any others. The Fyndfire weapons will not work on me as I helped craft them for your order. Try your best to kill me. It will only result in both of your deaths.”

  “No, only one of us will die here today. You’ve seen your last sunrise, immortal,” Abner said.

  “Lower your weapon, Hunter! I will let both of you return to your masters and live to fight another day. Your choice.”

  “You’re a test for us,” Abner said. “No deal!”

  He let loose three bolts that sailed straight past the Vampire, the fiend barely moving to avoid each of them. Abner’s heart fluttered as he dove forwards to save Lois from the claw as it came down, the Vampire not expecting the Hunter to fire while he held a hostage. But Lois was trained and needed no saving. Her free arm came up and her gloved fist smashed into the jaw of the monster, temporarily knocking it backwards.

  Abner’s sword blocked the next strike and the Vampire looked up to snarl at the hooded Hunter. He swiped at the novice, this time Abner took the blow on his sleeve, the claws barely scratching through the surface of the armor. Knowing it was outmatched the Vampire hissed before turning and fleeing into the darkness as it had done before.

  “Lois are you alright?”

  “Of course, I’m fine. Let’s get after it!”

  They sprinted after the Vampire, Lois leading the way, her red eyes able to track the Vampire in the semi darkness. Even in this light Abner could have tracked it, following the fallen logs it had split in two and the branches snapped in half on passing trees. For some reason their foe continued to follow the trail which stopped abruptly where the forest was thickest.

  Abner kept his sword out in front of him as Lois gestured she would circle the surrounding area, her padded boots lessening the sound of the leaves being crushed underneath her foot. With his sword as the only real light available to him, Abner crouched low to the ground, ready to spring up at a moment’s notice. He was beginning to tire of being hunted like a mouse in this trap.

  “Come Hunter, test your skills against me,” the Vampire said in a voice that was larger than life, much like the one Reiner had used at the arena. Shivers ran down Abner’s spine. “I know your kind’s weaknesses and have killed many of your brothers. I know your secrets, you can hide nothing from me. You humans are weak, and I will crush you like a bug.”

  “Come then, Vampire!” Abner said. “I can’t see you doing any crushing. For all I know this is all a trick.”

  “No, this is not trick!” Behind him Abner heard the movement and saw the Vampire drop from the trees above. It clutched a long dagger made of bone in its left hand. Instead of the faceless figure he was used to, Abner stood looking at a human, still pale but with recognizable features. He hesitated. “Are you prepared, Hunter?” the Vampire asked.

  Remembering what Barros had said Abner sheathed his sword and instead drew the two Fyndfire coated daggers that rested on his belt. “I am, Vampire.”

  His upper lip curled, and the fight was on. The fiend threw itself forward, spinning with the dagger in hand, making it impossible to see where the strike would come from. Abner threw himself to the ground at the last second as the Vampire sailed overhead. It turned and growled seeing Abner had avoided it. The Hunter charged forward this time, swinging both daggers rapidly in order to catch his opponent off guard.

  With a savage hiss, the Vampire was forced back; deflecting each blow as it came forcing Abner’s daggers to slide down the length of its blade. It had been years since he’d had such difficulty breaking through an opponent’s defense. At last the fiend broke away, flashing a smile with his human teeth.

  “You’re skilled, Hunter, I’ll give you that. But that was only against another human. What would happen if I became the monster that I truly am?”

  “I’m here to collect your head, nothing more. That is what will happen,” Abner said.

  “It is a shame your bones will lie here for eternity then. Your masters should have sent someone more qualified to finish me!” The Vampire roared as it began to transform back to the gray skinned beast Abner as familiar with. “Now come!”

  The Hunter ran at the Vampire again; this time the fiend did not move. He saw a flash of movement coming out of the trees in front of him. Fearing the worst, Abner slowed down.

  “Get down!” Lois shouted as she pulled her crossbow up.

  Abner blinked and saw the narrow, almost invisible projectile hurling towards him. With a dive he avoided the bolt only to see another three flying towards the Vampire. Each bolt hit within an inch of each other, each hit making the creature roar in pain. It swung widely at Abner and the distraction allowed Lois to fire another two straight into its back.

  Spinning on its heel dropping the knife, the Vampire swiped all five bolts from its flesh before throwing them on the ground at Abner’s feet. It turned and fled into the darkness with Lois hot on its trail, firing more bolts at it as the Vampire continued to leap over more fallen trees as it scampered away.

  “I’m really starting to get sick of this hunt,” Abner said to nobody as he picked himself up off the forest floor.

  “Ab, we need to go now!” Lois said. “In this light I can still track him. Let’s find it and take it down!”

  23

  First Kill

  Abner carefully followed the trail the Vampire was leaving through the forest once again. This time however was easier as the black blood droplets stood out against the greens and browns of the terrain. The Vampire was injured, and it was only a matter of time before the Hunters caught up to it.

  He held his sword up as a light source, the red glow adding an even eerier feeling to the Blackmire. In his other hand Abner held one of the daggers still yet to draw their first drop of Vampire blood. The brush around him was thick with wildlife. Birds now chirped overhead making the slightest sound hard to hear. There was a sudden flash of movement in his peripheral vision that made him drop to one knee throwing the knife blind.

  Abner heard a squeal and saw a brown mass fall off a ne
arby branch. The blade took the possum clean through the middle slicing through its heart. He shook his head as he walked over and pulled the dagger from the animal.

  Up ahead a breeze began to shake the leaves on the trees, even though this deep in the Blackmire no wind should have been able to break through. Abner found himself in a clearing similar to the one in which Torvak had been killed over a year ago by Graytooth. He planted his sword into the soft dirt, drawing his crossbow once more.

  With a roar the Vampire dropped upon him again, its yellow and white fangs covered in a fresh saliva. Abner took one look at the beast that was now in the direct sights of his crossbow. His finger hit the trigger three times in rapid succession. The first bolt flew clear past its while, while the other two buried themselves in its torso. They didn't explode on impact as with Lois' bolts, but he wasn't deterred.

  Abner fired again, but now the Vampire was upon him, jaws snapping, eager to rip out of the Hunter's throat. He threw the crossbow into the face of the Vampire in order to give himself time to duck and retrieve his sword. The Vampire missed again with its clawed hand and Abner bought his sword up to block the next strike. It roared in pain as the Fyndfire on the Dreyth blade cut through its rock like skin.

  The familiar sound of a crossbow firing rang around the clearing as Lois opened fire, Abner ducked away again, with an attempt to cleave away the Vampires legs. Instead it leapt over the blow, resulting in it connecting with the crossbow bolts. Orange circles formed on the Vampire's skin with this volley, an inch around the point of impact. Seeing the fiend falling on his back, Lois came into sight, the crossbow casually held over her shoulder.

  Abner waited for the monster to regain its footing before taking a forward stance. The Vampire was beginning to look like he had taken some of his last steps with the latest volley now making him look like a pincushion.