Hunter's Bounty (Veller)

by Spoor, Garry

  It wasn’t until a gentle hand nudged her awake that Kile opened her eyes and found herself staring up in the face of the kindly Mrs. Undack.

  “Sorry to wake you dear.” She said with a sympathetic smile.

  “Are we in Azintar?” Kile asked.

  “No, not yet, we should reach it by nightfall, but it’s supper time and I figured you would be hungry.”

  It was funny how a simple word could affect one’s appetite. She had not realized she was hungry until Mrs. Undack mentioned it.

  She rolled out of the warm cot and followed Mrs. Undack out of the carriage. The air was damp but not uncomfortable and a cold wind was coming down from the mountains. The carriages had been lined up around a clearing on the side of the road where a large crackly fire now blazed and the air was filled with the aroma of food.

  It would appear that the Undack Merchant Line employed quite a few people besides their own family members as men and women moved about the fire, filling up their plates, drinking, talking and eating. It reminded Kile of her first winter’s feast back at the academy. Mrs. Undack led her to one side of the fire where a thin, dark featured woman was ladling out a hearty smelling stew and handed a bowl of it to her, she took it rather reluctantly.

  “Is everything alright?” The woman asked in a thick eastern accent.

  “Oh… no… it’s fine.” Kile replied looking down at the stew.

  “I assure you, it’s edible.”

  The loud booming voice of Mr. Undack almost made her spill the stew as he came up behind her, probably seeking another helping.

  “Oh, I’m sure it is, it's just that… I’m a vegetarian.” She heard herself say, and then silently scolded herself.

  What was it that Master Folkstaff told her about survival? The two biggest obstacles where complacence and the desire for comfort, this was definitely the latter. One cannot afford to turn down food because it doesn’t meet with one’s expectations.

  “But it's okay.” She quickly added.

  Mr. Undack laughed.

  “Child, we are all vegetarians, that is the way of the Toreen.”

  “The what?”

  “The Toreen.” Mr. Undack repeated as he guided her off to one of the benches that had been set around the fire. “We are the Eastern Folk, not of Baala, not of Aru, but a nomadic people. We are the children of the land and the wind.”

  “So you don’t actually have a… a home.”

  “A Home, of course we have a home. Our home is where the caravan stops. It is the only home that I know. I have been traveling all my life. In fact…” He paused and turned to look at the round barrel wagons that lined the road. “See that wagon there.” He said, pointing to the second one in line. “That was the wagon I was born in. I spent most of my youth it in it. I met my Helen on the caravan. We had our children in that very same wagon that I was born in. When my father passed away some thirty odd years ago now, I took over the caravan, and when my time comes, Tobin will take over where I leave off.”

  “I was born on a farm. Farming was the only thing I knew.”

  “That would be a difficult life, to be traveling farmer.” Mr. Undack laughed. “But your family wasn’t always farmers.”

  “As far as I know they were.” Kile replied sampling the stew. “My father was born and raised on the farm as was my grandfather before him. The farm has been in the Veller family for generations.”

  “What about your mother, surely she was one of us.”

  “I don’t really know, my mother never spoke much of her side of the family, but why would you say that I was one of you, I’ve never heard of the Toreen before.”

  “Well, you might not be of Toreen blood, but you are definitely Orceen.”

  “Why? Why do you say that?” She asked, a little too quickly.

  “Birds of a feather my child. The Toreen, the Voseen and the Orceen have often traveled these lands together.”

  “But what happened to them? Who are they?”

  “I’m afraid that was even before my time. As far as I know the Voseen settled down in the south, abandoning their nomadic way, as for the Orceen, they just disappeared, probably headed back west to where ever they came from. The Toreen are the only ones that still travel the old roads, but we are few in number these days, and I fear that soon none of the nomadic tribes will be remembered.” Mr. Undack sighed and stared into the fire, but then shook his head and smile. “May I be long gone before then.” He laughed. “But these are happy times, and we should not think of sad things.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” Kile said, although happy times might be too strong a phrase.

  “Of course I’m right.” Mr. Undack replied. “But I should warn you, if you are to use a false name in your travels, you should be more careful.”

  “What do you mean?” She asked, as she tried to remember what she had said that would have given her away.

  “You mentioned your farm had remained in the Veller family for generations, and seeing as you are not married, I must assume that your family name is Veller.”

  “Please sir, not so loud.” She said as she looked around the clearing, but the people of the Undack Merchant line neither heard nor cared who she was.

  “It is my belief that you are in trouble.” Mr. Undack said, thankfully lowering his voice to just above a whisper.

  “You might say that.” She replied. “I’m kind of… wanted for something that I didn’t do, and in order to clear my name I have to get into Azintar and find a man by the name of Saybela, if he’s still alive that is.”

  She wasn’t sure why she was telling him this, it could be his jovial face or the fact that he and his family had been so kind to her for no reason that she could think of. To pick up someone on the side of a road and make them feel so at home was a rare quality in this day and age, but for whatever reason, she had told him. Now she had to hope that she didn’t misjudge him.

  “I see.” Mr. Undack replied rubbing his chin. “Then we will have to get you into the city without too much fuss, but until then, eat and be welcome.”

  He did a sort of salute to her before leaving, something with his hands that she didn’t quite catch, must be a regional thing she thought. Whatever he was planning now, it was out of her control. She turned back to the fire and continued to eat the stew. It wasn’t long before something crawled up her legs and made itself at home on her lap.

  “And where have you been?” She asked the yarrow.

  -Fun with vir.-

  Vesper replied and Kile was shown a vision of the yarrow as he rode with Leeta visiting the other wagons. At least someone was making friends she thought as she looked around at the other people. Even here she was an outsider. Even here she still felt she didn’t belong.

  The eating gave way to singing and the singing lead to dancing and Kile made herself scarce. If they did this every time they stopped for a meal, it was a wonder they ever got anyplace on time. She headed back to the round barrel carriage.

  “Not much for the festivities?”

  The Hunter was leaning up against the door to her carriage.

  “I guess I’m still a little tired.” She answered cautiously.

  “I’m not surprised. You’ve been running for quite some time.” The Hunter replied as he pushed himself away from the door. “I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself correctly. I am certified level three hunter Robert Swait, at your service.” He said and extended a hand, Kile hesitate before accepting it.

  “I am…”

  “I know who you are. I have to admit that I wasn’t one hundred percent sure at first, but I think the horse gave you away.”

  “I was afraid he would.” She replied, dropping all pretext. “Now what?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I’m being honest with you. The least you could do is to be honest with me.”

  “You do realize that if I bring you in now, I’m almost guaranteed a second level certification.”

  “And?�
��

  “The problem is, then I would be doing work for the sons of Terrabin, and I won’t play that game. Of course, if I actually through you were guilty of half the thing they have accused you of, I wouldn’t hesitate to take you back to Littenbeck.”

  “So, you think I’m innocent.”

  “Innocent is such a subjective word, who is truly innocent these days.” The hunter said as he stepped past her. “I don’t suppose I’ll be seeing you again any time soon. Good luck.”

  She watched the man go as a slight glimmer of hope stirred within her. Could there really be members of the Hunter’s Guild that don’t want to see her gone, that are still, in their own way, fighting the sons of Terrabin. She opened the door to the carriage and climbed in.

  ***

  It wasn’t long before the carriages were on their way again and with each bumping, rocking, minute, they were getting closer to Azintar. How close was Erin she began to wonder. How much did she know by now? She had Tally’s book, but had she started to put the pieces together? Was she having better luck at it than Kile, or did she abandon the puzzle for her duties? Kile had a feeling that Saybela may be her last chance to clear her name, and yet she still didn’t know if he was dead or alive.

  The door to the carriage suddenly opened, startling her from her musings. Leeta climbed in first, followed by Megan who closed the door behind her.

  “We are just outside the walls of Azintar.” Megan told her in a hushed whisper as she started to rummage through her clothes. “Father says you are to stay in here, no matter what.”

  “They don’t normally look in the round barrels.” Leeta said as she leaned out the window to get a better look at what was happing at the gate.

  “Who doesn’t, what’s going on?” She asked.

  “Tobin has just returned and informed father that the city guards are on high alert, they are looking for you.”

  “For me?”

  “The rumored is that you broke into Waltair Castle to assassinate the High King.” Megan said.

  “You failed, obviously.” Leeta added.

  “But I didn’t… I mean I did break in but I didn’t assassinate anyone or even try to assassinate anyone.”

  “Of course you didn’t” Magan replied calmly as she pulled a long blue and green gown from out of the trunk. “I would be a fine Toreen if I couldn’t tell the difference between truth and lies. Now put this on quickly.” She said, handing the gown to Kile.

  “The city guards don’t have much say over Merchant Guild caravans.” Leeta explained as she covered her own head with a pale blue scarf. “It will be the Merchant Guild guards you have to worry about, but seeing as you haven’t committed any crimes against them, they aren’t likely to get involved.

  “I haven’t committed any crimes against anyone.” Kile replied, although that wasn’t quite true.

  “But if the Merchant Guild gets a request by the High King, then they may detain you for the city guard or the Hunter’s Guild.”

  “Wonderful and they think I tried to assassinate the King.”

  “That may be a problem” Magan replied.

  The carriages began to roll again but soon stopped as the sound of talking could be heard just outside the windows. Leeta poked her head out for another look.

  “They’ve just finished with Mom and Dad’s wagon and are starting on Tobin’s. They don’t look as if they are very committed.”

  “They never are.” Magan added as she pulled yet another scarf out of her trunk and started to tie it around Kile’s head.

  “Hello.” Leeta called out in a sweet voice as she pulled her head back in. “Here we go.”

  Kile reached under the cot and felt the worn wooden handle of her Lann, Magan touched her arm.

  “Trust me, say nothing.” She said.

  The door to the carriage opened.

  “Do you mind?” Magan snapped at the guard. “Gentlemen usually knock before entering a ladies room.”

  The sudden change in Magan character startled even Kile. She went from the otherwise calm, carefree girl to something bordering a harpy.

  “M...my apologize ma’am.” The guard stammered taking a step back.

  “How crude these people of Azintar are.” Magan mumbled as she continued to fix Kile’s scarf and turned a rather frightening look onto the guard, a look that would have many a valrik running for cover. “Yes, what is it? What do you want?” She demanded.

  “We… we are looking for a fugitive.”

  “And, well, do you see one?” She asked, looking around the cabin.

  “Well no ma’am.” The guard replied.

  “Then there isn’t any need to bother us.” Megan said and dismissed the guard with a wave of her hand.

  “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. If you could remove your scarf miss…”

  “Her what!” Magan shouted, nearly lunging at the man, the guard stumbled backward. “You dare ask a Toreen to remove her Begal on her wedding day.”

  “Well yes ma’am… I… I mean no ma’am. It’ just…”

  “It’s just? It's just what?” She shouted. “You are not her husband sir, and only he may see me without my Begal.”

  “But the fugitive.”

  “Again with the fugitive.” Magan said, throwing up her hand in exasperation. “Who is this fugitive?”

  “She goes by the name of Kile Veller, and is wanted for crimes against the Crown, the Tower and her own Guild.”

  “And what Guild would that be?”

  “The Hunter’s Guild.”

  “Then ask a Hunter where she is, how should we know? Honestly, such foolish questions. Do I look like the type of person that would consort with Hunters? I only know of one Hunter and that’s the young man that has been traveling with the caravan. If your fugitive was here, he would know, wouldn’t he?”

  “We asked, and he has claimed not to have seen her.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “We have reason to believe that she will try to enter Azintar.”

  “For what?”

  “We’re not quite sure ma’am.”

  “Then isn’t it more likely that this fugitive will not enter Azintar since you already know she will, I mean only a fool would enter a place that they know is being watched.”

  “Well… yes I suppose...”

  “Well, there you go. Now, if you please, I must help my sister prepare for her wedding.”

  The guard fumbled with the clipboard that he had been holding.

  “Yes ma’am, I’m sorry to have troubled you ma’am.” He said as he closed the door. Magan collapsed on the cot.

  “You were wonderful.” Leeta laughed.

  “Thank you, thank you.” Magan replied taking a bow.

  “I can’t believe he fell for that.” Kile remarked shaking her head.

  “You would be surprised at the number of people that fear the Toreen. Many believe we weave spells and tell fortunes. It’s all nonsense but there you go.”

  “I don’t know how I can thank you or your family.”

  “Oh there’s no need too, what are sisters for.”

  The carriage bumbled along again and the noise outside grew louder. Kile could see from the open window that they had passed beneath the gates of Azintar and were now in the outer city. They rolled on a little further before coming to a stop once again.

  “This would be the Vetta.” Magan told her.

  “The Vetta, what’s that?” Kile asked.

  “It’s a place just inside the first walls of Azintar where the carriages wait to be searched by the Merchant’s Guild.”

  “Searched? Searched for what.”

  “Don’t worry.” Leeta replied. “They don’t usually look for people, only contraband.”

  “According to the Merchant’s guild, certain goods can only be transported by certain caravans, and only sold by certain merchants. It allows them to regulate the prices. If too many merchants sell the same things, it drives down the prices and the guild
looses its share of the profits.”

  “It sounds complicated.” Kile said.

  “Not if you live with it long enough. Hang around a few seasons, and you’d get the gist of it.”

  “Sorry, but I don’t think I’d want to. What if they find something that they’re not supposed to?”

  “If they find illegal goods in the caravan, the caravan line can have their certification pulled.

  Kile hoped she wasn’t considered illegal goods. She would hate to think she caused the end of the Undack Merchant Line.

  A knock on the door prevented any more question from being asked. Meagan pushed it open and Robert Swait leaned in.

  “Come on, we have to go.” He said, not quite looking at the girls but over his shoulder.

  “What’s the matter? What is it?” Magan asked.

  “Is it the Guild?” Leeta asked.

  “That would depend on which guild you mean.” Robert replied still looking over his shoulder. “Something’s happened, but I’m not sure what. It would appear that the Merchant’s guild is no longer looking for Kile.”

  “I don’t understand.” Kile said as she fastened on the old belt pouch around her waist. Vesper quickly climbed in.

  “From what I gathered, up until three days ago the Merchant’s guild was requested by the crown to search all wagons coming into and out of Azintar. Now it would appear that they have abandoned the search.”

  “By why would they do that?” She asked.

  “That I don’t know.” Robert replied.

  “Then if they’re not looking for me, what’s the rush.”

  “The Merchant’s Guild may have stopped looking for you, but he Hunter’s Guild hasn’t, and the entire House is on its way here as we speak.”

  “I’ve got to say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Undack.”

  “There’s no time for that.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You were assigned to one of the boarder houses, weren’t you?”