“Hush,” Priest warned, and they quieted. He was still in a foul mood over the disappearance of the younger Hunters, hand constantly at the hilt of his sword. His eyes were focused on a thicket of trees ahead. “Derrick. Which way?”
“Through the trees,” said the messenger. “That’s the way I came, at least.”
“Well, we’re going a different way. Tell me boy, shall we go right or left?”
Derrick shook his head. “I wouldn’t know, sir. I only know the way I was told to go.”
“That may have been well the first time,” said Priest. “But the wolves are stalking us now, not chasing. These trees would give them the cover they’ve been waiting for to pounce on a slower group like ours.”
They needed to go north, which was to the right of the trees. But a rocky hill pinned them to the trees there, and merged with them as far as he could tell. They would be open to an attack from above and to the side there. Heading to the left would take longer, but they could walk between the trees and a small lake.
“We go left,” he said.
No one argued, and it must be said that most of them would have made the same choice. They had the best line of sight there, and the most room to spread out if the wolves did attack, which was, as Maurie had said, unlikely.
The going was tense at first, but they allowed themselves to relax—if only a little—after half an hour of walking without being disturbed.
“I wonder if Charlie and Lisa will be able to find us if we stray from the map,” Darcy whispered to Nash.
“I’m sure they’ll be okay. Charlie has his eyes, and Dräng’s with him.”
“You’re right. Between the two of them, they could find a needle in a haystack.”
“Only after Dräng poked himself on the needle.”
Darcy smiled at the joke. Just a moment later she caught herself looking at Nash, admiring his ability to be brave and light-hearted during such a dark time. She wondered just how frightened he really might be. If he was, she couldn’t tell.
Before Nash noticed her, she snapped her head to the front of the line and put her horse into a trot, leaving Nash behind…and her thoughts with him.
A howl, answered by another, and then two more, caused them all to stop and draw their weapons, everything else forgotten at the moment.
In a blur of brown, black, and red, wolves appeared from the trees. Darcy took aim with her crossbow, Nash with his R.I.G.G, but neither fired, waiting for the moving wall of fur and muscle to present its first target. The sound of hungry panting filled the air, the wolves’ version of a crow’s cry before a bloody battle.
The wolves slowed, but didn’t attack. They paced back and forth, pawing at the ground, slowly forming a large semi-circle around the group. And then the wolves stopped moving. They watched, waited, suddenly like statues. Out of reflex, the Hunters fanned themselves out to meet the wolves, their backs to the lake, discomforted by the wolves and their cold eyes, which flicked from Hunter to Hunter. A large splash made them jump and redirect their attention to the lake.
Priest cursed as he turned around. The wolves probably had a different plan for any route he would have chosen. He wasn’t sure if this was one of the better choices after all, or the worst.
What looked like seven hairy mountain men rose from the lake water. They looked old, but not the frail kind of old. The crooked, mean kind of old that made children and teenagers stay away from old houses. They were muscular and naked except for rags and soggy water plants, and they were easily seven feet tall. While their hands were blunt-nailed and dirty, their feet were like hooves, and their long faces, while human, reminded one of shaggy horses.
The Hunters turned back and forth between the small water giants and the wolves. It soon became clear, however, that the wolves had no intention of fighting, but of watching. They would let the water beasts kill the Hunters, making sure the prey could not run away.
Nash sighed, checking to make sure R.I.G.G. was loaded. “Sooo…I wonder how Charlie’s doing right now.”
Chapter 5: Consequences
“What news of the Hunters, Sagemistress?” a witch asked.
“Four have entered the woods where the blind spirit dwells. He blocks my vision there. The rest will be dealt with soon.”
From a dark corner of the room, Carman sighed impatiently. “If we would just let the goddess rise, we would not even have to worry about the humans.”
“You know I will not let that happen. We will deal with them by other means, some of which I have assigned to you. Are you dealing with it?” the Sagemistress asked pointedly.
Carman shook her head, but answered obediently. “Those within the Blind Boy’s forest are doomed as well. My sons have sent a powrie in. They tell me the girl is still separated from her friends in the woods. The goblin will kill her first, and then move on to the others. It would be easier to dispose of that group if you would let my son Dub go to—”
The Sagemistress held up a hand, sensing the beast that paced outside the wooden door, waiting for her permission.
“Enter.”
A small scouting wolf slunk into the room, bowing her head to the Sagemistress.
“Come,” the witch beckoned, and the wolf stood in front of her. The Sagemistress placed a hand on her head, experiencing everything that the wolf had to relay.
“The larger group of Hunters are surrounded at the kelpies’ lake. A pity. I hate to throw away such fine warriors. Thank you,” she said and dismissed the wolf. Then, turning back to her coven, “The humans are but a distraction. Even if they survive long enough to make it to Drakauragh by the full moon, what could they do against us?”
“And what of my son, Dub?” pressed Carman. “Shall I send him forward?”
“No. No, not yet. Let us see how much force is necessary before they surrender to their fate.”
As they faced the lake, the sun set to their left, casting long, eerie shadows of wolves and horse-like men all around them.
“It’s strange,” said Priest. “I’ve never seen so many kelpies live in one body of water.”
“They may not be attacking right now, but don’t forget the wolves as a threat,” warned Maurie.
“I know. Even without them, the numbers aren’t in our favor.”
Darcy held up one of her explosives, a small pipe bomb. “I can help with that.”
“Wait!” warned Maurie, but Darcy was already off. Before anyone could debate strategy, she had dropped her pack and sprinted for the seven hideous kelpies. The Hunters watched as one of the water monsters tried to grab Darcy, its great big hands grasping at the air as she slipped through them. She laughed, drawing a fist back and punched the kelpie in the gut.
Nash cheered as the water monster fell to the ground in pain, but Priest and Maurie both cursed.
They watched as a look of fear came over Darcy’s face. She straightened and began to walk back toward the group, her movements looking sluggish and painful. To their horror, she lit the pipe bomb in her hand, holding it to them.
“Somebody help me!” cried Darcy. “I can’t control myself. Help.”
Nash began to run, but Priest held him back by the shoulder. “What’s wrong with her?”
The elder replied with a grimace. “A kelpie catches its prey with enchantment, but can only do so through touch. Instead of dragging her to the bottom as it usually would, though, this kelpie is using Darcy like a puppet.”
“Let go of me,” Nash warned, still struggling to get to Darcy. “We have to do something.”
“Hush, boy!” Priest scolded.
Nash settled just long enough to see Maurie walking calmly but quickly to Darcy. Her gloves were not present on her hands.
“Wait, what’s she going to do?” asked Nash, concerned.
“It’s alright, girl,” said Maurie. She placed a black-blue hand on
Darcy’s forehead, quickly grabbing the bomb with her other hand and throwing it away. It exploded near the kelpies as Maurie caught Darcy’s falling and suddenly unconscious form, and then slipped her gloves back on. “Just sit this one out.”
Nash jerked forward, but Priest held him back again.
“Relax, lad. She’s just saved the girl’s life. Let Derrick watch over her. You and I, however, have business to attend to.”
The younger Hunter looked up to the elder and nodded. Though he was concerned about Darcy, Nash knew they had to take care of the kelpies and the wolves, or no one would be alive to be concerned about.
And now, with Darcy out of the game, their odds were even worse.
Maurie handed Darcy off to Derrick, then took her gloves back off, stuffing them in her coat. She waddled over to stand next to Priest.
“We can handle this,” he said, seeing she meant to fight.
“Bollocks, you can. Don’t coddle me because I’m a woman. And let’s not have anyone else run off to save the day again, shall we?”
Priest raised his eyebrows at Chen, who grinned. Neither argued.
“Hey, Derrick,” called Nash.
The poor messenger was sweating bullets. “Aye?”
Nash tossed R.I.G.G. II to him, as well as an ammunition belt. “Protect Darcy. Use this if the wolves get too close. It puts a good hole in just about anything.”
Derrick nodded, overcome by fear and nervousness. “Aye.”
“I was saving this for the Alpha Wolf,” said Nash as he put his other R.I.G.G. away and slung the hunting rifle from his shoulder. The short-barreled grapeshot gun was left in a place easily accessible on his back, and his long handled ax hung on his hip for when the fighting got too close. “But these guys look like they’ll need it.”
“Just remember,” Priest said as he walked forward, Nash and Chen at either side. “Don’t let them touch you.”
Nash lifted his leg, aiming the toe of his boot for the kelpie that had enchanted Darcy. “Not gonna be a problem,” he said, bringing his foot down as if to crush the earth. The bolt hit the kelpie more like a blunt object than a surge of electricity. The kelpie grunted and fell to one knee. Which bothered Nash. Nothing had ever taken his stormsteps like that.
The seven water monsters spoke among each other with a brutish, gurgling tongue, seemingly coming to a decision.
“Here they come,” said Chen.
Priest nodded. “Let’s meet them halfway.”
A little behind them, Nash took aim at the same kelpie with his hunting rifle. Fish had only been able to make about thirty rounds of his monster killing ammunition before the trip. While thirty might have seemed like a lot, Fish and Dink had both reminded Nash that they took forty to sixty rounds per rifle on a hunting trip…and Nash was on no hunting trip.
His first shot fired hit the kelpie in the shoulder. It was a little left of where he had aimed, but he was satisfied with it, smiling to himself as the monsters flesh started to dissolve in a sickly black and green, thanks to Fish’s special—and scary—recipe.
The kelpie stumbled backward several steps, until he was at the water’s edge, and fell back with a great splash.
“Good work, lad,” Priest called over his shoulder.
The other kelpies began to retreat to the water’s edge slowly, with Nash, Priest, and Chen advancing at the same pace. Nash took aim and fired again, and again, and again, felling three more kelpies. Chen began to spin his rope dart, building up the momentum to strike. The other side of the rope, where a large metal ball hung, remained in his left hand, inactive.
Then, a kelpie stood from the water. It was the same one Nash had shot first. His wound was healing before their eyes, the hole where the bullet penetrated filling up with water, then turning to flesh.
“Kelpies don’t do that,” said Priest. “The water. That must be why so many have chosen their home here.”
Nash shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s not a normal lake, lad. The water heals.”
“Then,” said Chen, “we must not let them get to the water.” Chen let the spike on his rope dart stop spinning, only to spin the half of the rope with the metal ball. Chen swung his left arm forward, high over the heads of his suddenly nervous companions. The ball arced and flew towards the legs of the nearest kelpie, wrapping itself around and landing with a loud crack against the kelpie’s shin. The monster’s leg buckled as Chen pulled it forward. It stumbled away from the water, but fell on its back, too heavy for him to pull any farther. Chen yanked the metal ball back and prepared to strike with the dart. When the kelpie started to stand, he thrust the dart forward. It would have landed in the kelpie’s nasal cavity, but the water beast placed his hand in the way, letting the silver spike pierce it. He smiled with teeth too big for a human mouth as the silver burned his skin. Then he grabbed the rope, pulling it—and Chen—closer and closer.
A gunshot sounded, and the kelpie jerked, his cheek missing. The wound spread aggressively, overwhelming the hideous creature.
Suddenly panicking, the kelpie let go of Chen’s rope, clawing at the silver spike in its hand, trying to get it out, pushing itself toward the water with its hoofed legs.
Maurie stepped forward, cracking her fingers. “Allow me,” she said, thrusting her arms forward. An unnatural frost spread over the kelpie’s legs and arms, slowing its progress to the water as the limbs started to change to a painfully blue color.
Another kelpie grabbed its shoulders, ready to pull it to the water, but Nash shot that one as well. It bought just enough time as what was left of the first kelpie’s head crumbled into nothingness. The wounded kelpie that remained standing watched them with malice in its eyes as it stepped back into the lake, the water rushing up to heal the shot flesh.
The six remaining kelpies grunted and huffed, fixing their slanted eyes on the four Hunters.
“I think they were underestimating us,” said Nash. “Now they’re serious.”
Priest nodded. “Aye, we’ve lost the advantage we had there.”
Chen coiled his rope back from where the dead kelpie lay, slowly disappearing. “Here they come.”
The six kelpies hoofed the ground and ran forward, their horse-like legs propelling them at a frightening speed. Nash barely had time to fire his rifle and missed his shot. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to load at this range, he threw the gun behind him, whipping out R.I.G.G. with his right hand, brandishing the long handled ax in another.
Two kelpies ganged up against him. He dodged under the first kelpie’s attack, a big meaty fist aimed right for his head, and only barely kept the second kelpie, attempting to grab him with both hands, at bay, slashing across the beast’s palms with his ax. The first kelpie he shot with R.I.G.G., creating several quarter-sized holes in its abdomen. Nash turned back to the other one, stomped and hit it with a lightning bolt. He knew it wouldn’t kill the kill the kelpie, but it would stop it for a second. He needed all of the time he could get.
The other three kelpies had divided themselves between the remaining Hunters; two against Priest and Maurie, one against Chen. All the kelpies had to do was touch the Hunters and the fight would be over.
“Are you alright, lad?” Priest called as his sword slashed a kelpie’s grasping hands away. It didn’t cut either hand off, unfortunately, but it diverted the beast while Priest dodged and parried the second attacker’s wild blows. Maurie raised a hand and something like cannon fire erupted from her palm, blasting the kelpie away. The other one came back as Maurie nearly collapsed, panting. A stray metal ball flew by as Chen danced away from his single opponent, striking the kelpie that was about to hit Maurie in the head.
The ball—which had unintentionally helped Maurie—wrapped around to tie up the feet of the kelpie that was chasing after Chen. As it fell like a cut-down tree, Chen brought his silver dart down hard, no
t penetrating but whipping the kelpie across the shoulders, leaving a steaming red line of a whelp.
“I’m fine,” Nash called back between gritted teeth, as the force of a kelpie’s palm against his ax pushed him backward. He fell on his butt, having just enough time to pump R.I.G.G. on his forearm and fire into the kelpie, salt clusters burning through its chest. It crawled away, heading for the water as the other two kelpies kept up their angry assault.
“Priest! Chen! Somebody needs to stop that thing from getting to the water.”
Chen rolled away from a stamping hoof, looking around and finding the escaping kelpie. “I will have it.”
He stepped back as the kelpie in front of him brought both giant hands down on the ground, trying to stamp on Chen like an angry bull. With his opponent bent down, Chen whipped the dart-side of his weapon up—lacerating the kelpie’s face—and let the rope fly over to where the other kelpie was crawling towards the water. The dart landed point first on its shoulder, driving the creature to the ground, unconscious.
Sensing the kelpie behind him, Chen spun around, narrowly escaping the creatures grasp…
…only to be grabbed from behind. One kelpie had left Priest for a surprise attack
“Priest,” Chen called. The other kelpie came forward, grabbing Chen’s head with one meaty fist.
Priest saw the problem and growled in frustration as the creature in front of him kept him from his friend. Maurie’s hand flashed out next to him, releasing another cannon-like shot of magic into the kelpie’s knee.
“Go,” she said. “I’ve got this one.
Priest nodded his thanks, turned and, in one clean movement, severed the spine of beast holding Chen. Still, it was too late. The second kelpie that had touched Chen released the Asian man’s head, grinning with its too-big teeth as Chen turned towards Priest, spinning both sides of his rope dart.
“Priest,” said Chen calmly, taking two steps forward. “I cannot control my body. You’ll have to make me unconscious.”
Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters: Witch Moon Page 10
