Notes on Monster Hunting

by Chad Retterath

“Palon, Beatrice, bring the garganalces head straight to town hall. I’ll meet you there in a moment,” said Cremn. He dropped his bags on the floor and approached the counter.

  Groose leaned over to Palon and loudly whispered, “Jenn’s in trouble.”

  Palon and I stepped outside again. I wasn’t excited to walk back out in the snow, but I enjoyed helping with the more official business.

  “How heavy is the head?” I asked. We walked the short distance to town hall and stood below an overhang from the roof.

  Palon moved his shoulders a bit. “Not bad. My shoulders are numb.”

  Ice stuck to the fur on the face and frozen blood covered small parts of Palon’s tunic. I yawned and patted the nose.

  “Think Cremn will collect or wait?”

  Palon kicked at the snow and looked at the town. It was a quiet place. The garganalces obviously caused quite an uproar when it ran through.

  “He’ll probably wait for the captain,” said Palon.

  I nodded. Cremn and Skrale are close. They like to discuss things together before coming to any decisions. I leaned my head against Palon’s shoulder and closed my eyes.

  The night was cold and pleasant. A small breeze blew between the buildings and stirred my hair. It didn’t bite at my skin or cause any shivering. It was quiet. It was peaceful. Palon set the head on the ground and leaned against the wall. I leaned against him again.

  It only felt like we were there for a few moments, but it was a while longer when the inn doors opened. Cremn led a man of equal stockiness with an unkempt beard. The captain, Skrale, smiled when he saw us.

  “Palon, Beatrice, how are you?”

  “We’re good, captain,” said Palon. “It was an easy hunt.”

  Skrale crouched beside the head and examined it. He looked at its eyes and opened its mouth. “Easy, huh?”

  “It was,” I said.

  Skrale stood and nodded. “I’m happy to hear that. It doesn’t look like it should’ve been. That beast looks big. Even for a garganalces.”

  “Biggest one I’ve seen,” said Cremn. “Odd to see one this far south too. It seemed confused and didn’t fight much.”

  Skrale placed his hand on Cremn’s shoulder. “I can always rely on Fourth squad.” He smiled at me. “Now, let’s go get our payment. Beatrice, Palon, go get something warm to drink. On me. You have rooms upstairs so you can dry some clothes out.”

  “Thank you,” said Palon. He walked back to the inn. He cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders.

  “Skrale.”

  Cremn and Skrale both stopped as they were opening the door to the town hall.

  “Yeah, Beatrice?”

  “Is all of First Squad here?”

  He stepped to the side and gestured for Cremn to enter.

  “Yeah, they are. Kelper, the leader of the other company you might’ve seen, took the holvul slug hunt. Second Squad went with to help Third. In exchange, he told me about a string of hunts down to the South-East. His company is heading North for the summer, so he passed on all the hunts.”

  “So we’re going to go after them?”

  Skrale nodded and combed his fingers through his beard. “Might as well. We have nowhere else to be. The kingdom is called Tullinbran. Not far from here. It runs along the coast.” He paused and sniffled. “Doesn’t that sound nice?”

  “It does.”

  “Head back to the inn, Beatrice. We’ll join the rest of you for drinks after our negotiations.”

  I went back and sat in a small spot between Groose and Kully. Our squad often chose spots in the corners or against the wall. Ralet handed me a large mug of light yellow ale. Its hoppy flavor was almost too much.

  “Strong, isn't it?” said Kully.

  I nodded. We all had the same drink.

  “So, it was a success?” asked somebody behind. I didn’t need to look to know it was Teke, sergeant of First squad. His voice is oddly deep and nasally. Teke is abnormally tall and lean and his hair is always cut very short. He’s also the lead medic in the company. A pure genius when it comes to saving lives. And Skrale’s best friend.

  Palon raised his drink. “Easy, hunt.”

  “Join us, Teke,” said Ralet.

  Teke grabbed a stool and pulled it up to the end of our table. He held a mug of steaming wine in his pale hands.

  “You look cold,” I said.

  He looked at his hands and wrapped both around the mug. “This cold could disappear forever. I would find no reason to miss it.”

  Orkin, Widdy, and Trennor from First Squad came down the stairs and settled at the table beside ours. Widdy pulled out cards and wiggled them in front of Groose’s face.

  I took my beer and went upstairs to my room. Everyone, including myself, likes it better when I’m not part of the card games. I forget rules, then make new ones, then forget those ones. I hate the game and it hates me.

  There’s just other things I’d rather do.

  I wrote instead because it's hard to find time to get all of it done. Maybe there’s no reason to record all of this. Cremn and Skrale have both expressed interest in reading specifics, but apart from them, who will ever read it?

  Maybe nobody, maybe everybody. I think our hunts are special. I think our company does some amazing things. And I’m going to keep a record of all of it.

  Cremn got me after they finished negotiations. Apparently, they negotiated both hunts at the same time. We’ll have to wait until the other squads get back for any payment.

  Skrale and Cremn had no interest in games either, so the three of us sat at a table near the counter. Skrale ordered some stew and bread. Cremn bought a bottle of wine and poured some for the three of us. It’s not often that you get treated to dinner and drinks.

  “This bread is seasoned with something,” Skrale said with his mouth full. “Right?”

  Cremn and I both had our mouths full too, so we nodded. I couldn’t tell what it was, but something was different.

  “I baked chives into it,” said the innkeeper.

  All three of us nodded, like we knew that all along. It was odd on its own, but great with the stew. I wasn’t experienced enough with food to guess what everything was, but the stew definitely had pork and beer in it. Maybe some milk. It was delicious, warm, and filling.

  The innkeeper came over and asked to join us. Skrale happily offered him the other chair at our table.

  “So, what’s it like hunting monsters? It’s scary isn’t it?”

  Skrale looked at me and Cremn. Neither of us said anything.

  “Can be,” Skrale finally said. “Depends on what you’re hunting. Or why.”

  Skrale poured some wine into the innkeeper’s mug.

  “What do you mean with why?”

  Skrale finished his mouthful of stew, took a drink of wine, then cleared his throat. “The reason an animal needs to be killed varies. A pack of wolves is an easy one. Not scary. Rarely does anything to worry about, but it needs to be exterminated. Now take the garganalces Fourth squad just killed. This animal killed a young boy.”

  “Harley,” said the innkeeper.

  “Yes, Harley. My apologies. The animal now becomes more of a monster in the minds of everyone around because it has killed a human. A child even. There are few animals I would consider monsters under normal circumstances. At least, for animals I’ve come across.

  “What would you consider a monster?”

  Skrale leaned back and took a long drink, then went to pour more wine. Nothing came out of the bottle. The innkeeper immediately ran to the counter, grabbed a new bottle, and ran back. Skrale thanked him and topped off mine and Cremn’s mugs, then his own.

  “Have you heard of a witch?” asked Skrale.

  The innkeeper nodded and leaned forward. He was hooked.

  “A witch is a disgusting creature. Nothing can survive around it. It is the ultimate apex predator. Luckily, we don’t see them often in this area. Further northeast, they mostly live in woods. Many aren’t large, but some
can grow to the size of four or five men. A witch is always a monster.”

  “Have you fought a witch, sir?”

  Skrale nodded. “Hardest hunt I’ve had. I’d do it again if there was a good reason.”

  The innkeeper looked at me and Cremn. “What about you two? What’s the hardest hunt you’ve had?”

  Cremn squinted and got lost in his thoughts.

  “I had one that was tough,” I said. “But it wasn’t the hunt, exactly. We were hunting an eagle that had grown very large and very aggressive. While we were in the woods, a bear jumped on us and injured a few squadmates.”

  “But you all came out?”

  Cremn nodded. “We did. Just a few scars. And some new bear skin.” Cremn lifted his sleeve. The claw marks from the bear were still clearly visible. The massive scars covered his bicep.

  The innkeeper stood up and shook Skrale’s hand.

  “Thank you for sharing your stories with me. That bottle is on the house. Enjoy your time in Alvan.”

  “Thank you, sir,” said Skrale.

  Cremn and I nodded.

  We finished our meal and started talking about the garganalces hunt. I got part way through the story before Skrale interrupted and asked to read the details of the hunt in here, so I let him.

  He smiled while reading it, then looked at me and said, “Doesn’t matter who reads it. Writing it is important.”

  We stayed awake late into the night waiting for the other squads to return.

  They didn’t.

  Day 55

  A whole day passed without any news. I felt anxious and assumed everyone else would too, but Skrale was completely at ease. He had First and Fourth squads do some basic drills and sparring. It kept us warm and busy. Ralet and I usually sparred together since we’re about the same size.

  Then finally, early this morning Yutt, one of the scouts with Second and Third squads, returned. He was exhausted. Had been running a long time. Skrale grabbed him a drink and some food and let him start his report when he was ready.

  “Rux and Urny both got their legs bit and clawed open. Henli and Lopuk took care of it quick. Traveling is slow, though. It’ll be a few more days before they’re able to return. Prenn stayed behind so he can come with any other news if something happens.”

  Skrale waited for him to finish a drink of water. “The hunt was successful?”

  “Don’t know. Heff and Lekk didn’t want to leave. I started running right after the attack.”

  “Were the injuries properly managed?”

  “I think…” Yutt took a bite of bread. “Looked like it to me. The bites were pretty deep, but it was all sewed shut.”

  Teke, who was sitting nearby, stepped over. “How certain did Lopuk and Henli look?”

  Yutt shut his eyes tight. Teke stepped closer and crouched. He was quiet, letting Yutt remember. Skrale tugged on his beard and took a deep breath. First and Fourth all sat nearby, within hearing range. We were all nosey, but would never admit it.

  Yutt opened his eyes and quietly said, “They didn’t seem happy. If that answers the question.”

  Skrale and Teke exchanged looks and both nodded.

  Teke stood and stepped over to our table. “Kully and Oitter, we’re going to travel out and meet with the other squads. If nothing else, we can relieve those escorting the injured. Kully, grab all medical supplies, and Oitter talk to Yutt about their location. We’ll leave at noon.”

  Kully and Oitter were away from the table and gathering supplies immediately. Cremn, Teke, and Skrale talked in the corner. I was curious, but I didn’t belong in the leadership group. Oitter returned with his bow, two long knives, and a short sword. He sat with Yutt and immediately started talking about the location. Scouts sometimes feel like outsiders in the group since they don’t often hunt the creatures, but they are amazing at what they do. Especially Oitter. I enjoy having him join our squad.

  They talked about landmarks and specifics for a time before Oitter patted Yutt on his bald head and left the inn. We waved Yutt over to our tables. He gathered his food and drinks and waddled over to us. His walk was slow and painful to watch.

  “Sorry, tired legs.”

  We knew. Ralet brought him a beer. He finished his water and bread first, then took a long drink.

  “That’s what I needed,” said Yutt.

  His eyes were bloodshot and he had dark bags below. The little hair he had started to grow back as well. He apparently hadn’t found time to shave during the hunt.

  “How was your hunt?” he asked.

  “Good,” I said.

  “It went well. Just the weather to worry about,” said Ralet.

  Yutt nodded. “The ice storm hit us as well. It was a nasty one.”

  I hoped Rux and Urny would be okay. The contract described the wolves as enormous. It could be an exaggeration, but that worries me. Yutt didn’t seem concerned. Teke, though, was in a hurry. Kully, Oitter, and Teke took off at a quick pace. Teke was a great doctor. The best, actually. So any problems would be solved when he arrived.

  Day 60

  I thought about writing the last few days. I sat down with a plan, and it didn’t happen. What was I going to write? That we trained, ate, and drank for several days just waiting to see if our comrades returned? Not what I want to include in here. This is for information about hunts and monsters.

  I cleaned every single sword and axe in our storage cart. Groose made some munitions and bought more yax powder. Ralet cleaned spare armor. It was a long stretch of days. Cremn kept us busy, but it didn’t stop our minds from wandering to worry.

  Heff and Lekk are incredible. They’re strong, kind, and ruthless. There never has and never will be a reason to doubt their abilities. Why did I worry? Because these people are my family and I couldn’t bear not seeing them again.

  They returned in the early afternoon. Heff and Lekk led the party, both jostling and insulting each other as they approached. Heff’s scarred face stretched into a grin and Lekk’s long hair billowed in the wind.

  Rexel, the massive man, carried Rux, who is also a large man. Honestly, the only way I can tell them apart is seeing Rux’s orange hair or Rexel’s longer black hair. If they had hats on, I wouldn’t know who is who.

  Skrale rushed out to relieve Rexel, who was walking on shaking legs. Kully and Oitter carried Urny. Both injured men were conscious. Urny even waved when he saw us. Cremn dismissed us and met with the other sergeants.

  I went in and bought about ten mugs of ale. I handed them out to Fourth and Oitter. Kully drained half immediately. Rux and Urny were stable enough to sit with us, but they used more room to keep their legs on the bench.

  “How’re the legs?” I asked.

  Urny pulled his pant leg up to his knee. His shin was covered in stitches and bruises.

  Rux pointed down. “Mine’s a bit too high to see appropriately. Unless you’re Kully. He saw plenty.”

  Kully shook his head and took another drink. “Just doing my job,” he mumbled into his mug.

  Iliun, after getting everything else settled, told the story in more detail. The pack of wolves was more vicious than expected. There were fourteen wolves total. More than a normal pack. The largest attacked Rux before Heff intended to start the engagement. He tried holding it off, but the crazed wolf ripped his armor apart and started biting his leg. Carner, the munitions expert of Second, tossed a tellick bomb into the middle of the pack, then followed it with an oiled bomb. The oiled bomb caused more flash and smoke than anything harmful, but the wolves scattered. Carner’s quick thinking saved Rux. Three wolves died from the tellick bomb, and Henli immediately started working on Rux’s leg.

  Heff ordered camp and assigned people from both squads to watch the perimeter. Shortly after, the wolves returned. Urny was working as a guard when one of the wolves ran at him and bit his shin. He managed to kill it and fight off another for a moment before a third wolf hit the same shin. Lekk, who had been relieving himself, tore one wolf off Urny and killed it
with his bare hands. He helped fight off the others until Urny was safe. As I record this, I haven’t seen Lekk’s arms, but it sounds like they will be in rough shape.

  Heff rallied everyone else and they fought off the attack. The wolves retreated back into the forest. Yutt left as soon as this attack had finished. Heff equipped everyone with oiled bombs to distract the wolves if the pack attacked again. It was down to eight, but he was still concerned. They shrunk their camp and kept the injured in the middle, apart from Lekk. He wrapped his arms in bandages and grabbed his broadsword. The wolves watched, and only prodded, until after Oitter, Kully, and Teke arrived. The two medics helped Henli and Lopuk stabilize Rux and Urny while Oitter led the group to track down the wolves.

  They found the wolves quickly and killed them even quicker. Heff and Lekk had no patience left. Ambush, then slaughter. The wolves died. The largest was decapitated. Those wolves were monsters, and Heff holds grudges against those who hurt his friends. Some small injuries were left after the fight, but nothing major. Teke ordered a night’s rest for all. His treatments needed time to work.

  That basically leads us to now. Day 60. Can’t believe it’s already almost spring.

  Garganalces Hunt - Day 51 of the year 546

  Cremn’s Fourth squad tracked an aggressive, oversized garganalces through the forest outside Alvan. The hunt was slowed by ice storms. After two days of travel and tracking, Fourth squad cornered the beast and slayed it with a volley of arrows.

  No special warnings. Garganalces generally keep to themselves. This was an anomaly.

  Payment: 120 gold coins.

  Notes: Taking a trophy for proof other than the enormous head would be beneficial for future hunts. Would need to discuss with contract provider prior, since heads are usually expected.

  Wolf Pack Hunt - Day 51-60 of the year 546

  Second and Third squads hunted a pack of aggressive wolves, numbering fourteen. Two members of Second squad received severe leg injuries from the wolves. The pack was eliminated over several engagements. Oiled bombs were used as distraction. About five wolves were killed from the use of tellick bombs. The rest were ambushed and killed with melee weapons.