Hunted

by Matt Mememaro

  “He has seen my power and knows that I am real,” Tal’davin said. “The Hunter will not harm the man his father and I appointed to lead Alilletia into a new golden age of prosperity under his rule.”

  “What does a man that left me at a Huntrey nearly two decades ago have to do with this?” Gareth asked. “I can’t be Graytooth’s heir!”

  “Unul will explain,” Tal’davin said. “Leave me.”

  The Caretaker led the Hunter through the chilling halls of the Citadel without a word. Mandel slinked along beside his master, taking slow well placed steps, the heavy padding on his paws muting any sound he made. Gareth kept his fist at the ready if Unul made any sign of attacking him. The Caretaker finally came to a stop outside a door that looked as if it had not been opened for many years.

  “This is where you will stay when you are here in Alilletia,” Unul said. “These chambers have been sealed off for eight years, since the time of your father’s death.”

  “And what do I want with a dead man?” Gareth asked. “I want nothing to do with a man that left me alone to die.”

  “He did not leave you alone. Until the Hunters found you, I watched over you and cared for you, always from a distance. It was always my intention to have you become one. I had a rough idea where their Huntrey was, so I knew where to put you. I knew you’d come back to me eventually here,” Unul said.

  He pulled a old rusted key out from his coat and pushed it into the lock. With a soft click the latch behind the door opened and it swung open with a gentle push. Unul gestured with a hand for Gareth to enter.

  The Hunter shook his head. “You first.” He drew his crossbow.

  Unul took a low bow. “As you command.”

  The Caretaker took a brazier from the wall, holding it out in front of him as he entered the blacked out room. Mandel went ahead of Gareth, his deep growl more visible than his body. Gareth turned as the door shut behind him and Unul beckoned him forward, heading towards the windows. There was a loud whoosh as he pulled back one of the curtains, light flooding the chambers.

  What Gareth saw was so vast it stretched beyond the reaches of the room that the light touched. Unul walked along the wall, drawing back each curtain as he went. The opposite wall was beginning to fill with portraits of men that bore a striking resemblance to the Hunter, each with blond hair and broad shoulders with a similar nose.

  Unul finally reached the last curtain and flung it open, sunlight glinting off two enormous battleaxes hanging above the dormant fireplace, a thick layer of dust clinging to the blades like a leech.

  “Those were your fathers, they haven’t been touched since his death eight years ago on the sands of the Renori arena,” the Caretaker said.

  “I was nearly ten when he died. I’m the Graytooth heir?” Gareth asked.

  “Your father was the last Councilor Graytooth. His heir, you, could not be located for years. Alilletia has fallen into disarray without the iron fist that you family governed it with. The Regents do what they can, but our home is worse than it’s ever been.”

  “You realize it’s not because my so-called father has been dead for eight years. That thing, Tal’davin, that’s the problem,” Gareth said.

  “Your willingness to not corporate is the issue, child. Tal’davin has shared with those he claims to trust the vision he has for Alilletia and all of Taagras, but without Graytooth’s rightful heir in place, his vision will not come to pass,” Unul said. He reached up for the axes, taking them off the wall one at a time using his forearm to swipe the dust off. “Did you learn of Graytooth during your time at the Huntrey?”

  “A little. I was told of his crimes and his death, nothing more,” Gareth said. “They told me his death was justified, but it was only recently I heard and saw what it had done to your people. Outside of Etia there is chaos. But nobody here living in their ivory tower wants to admit that.”

  “They were not crimes in our people’s eyes. He did everything for us, as must you. To become a Graytooth you need let go of your past life. I see now it was my mistake in letting you become a Hunter,” Unul said. He held out one of the axes. “Take it, if you are strong enough you will be able to use both with ease.”

  “You want me to take up the mantle of a man so I can bring a country I’ve had nothing to do with back in line?” Gareth asked.

  “Tal’davin owns you now, boy. You will do as he commands, one way or another. You best not forget that. I have something for you.” The Caretaker rested one axe down beside him, diving into the folds of his cloak to reveal a small roll of parchment.

  Gareth scowled at him, snatching the parchment away before unraveling it. A messy black scrawl ran across it.

  Gareth, if you are reading this my son, then I am dead. Regardless of what people say, I was losing hold of Alilletia long before you were born. I sold my soul to the devil and my mind deteriorated along with it. I’m not a man of many words, and I will keep this brief. Alilletia needs you more than it needs me. Take my axes and bring our home into a new age of prosperity. Unul if he yet lives will assist you every step of the way. He has saved my life countless times over. I wish you luck, Gareth.

  “He wished me luck?” Gareth asked looking up from the letter in disgust.

  “Graytooth was never the best with words. He left that to me,” Unul said. “Now take his axe and do what needs to be done.”

  Gareth looked at the enormous blade in the Caretaker’s hand. He seemed to struggle lifting one of the beautifully curved weapons. The Hunter shook his head.

  “Give it here,” he said.

  Unul complied stooping low extending the weapon before him. “As you command, Graytooth.”

  “My name is Gareth. Now hand me the second,” he said.

  Both weapons dropped to the cold black tiles with a loud clang as the Hunter attempted to lift them. Unul shook his head at the boy. “You are not yet strong enough.”

  “He needs more power,” Tal’davin’s voice rang down the hall.

  “I don’t need your help!” Gareth said. “I’m strong enough on my own!”

  “You do, child,” Tal’davin said as a gold wave of light engulfed the Hunter.

  Gareth was filled with energy, a feeling stronger than what Vampire blood had ever given him. With a roar he filled both axes above his head with ease, before spinning bringing both down behind him making sparks fly from the shattered tiles.

  “I am ready.”

  “Return to us, Gareth Graytooth. For now the Hunters require your presence,” Tal’davin said. “Act as if nothing has occurred here today. When you are ready, I can see you becoming more than what your father was.”

  6

  The Wilds Once More

  Where the fuck is Gareth?” Gunthos asked. He reached over the bar to grab another beer.

  “I told him to be back by sundown and it’s nearly time,” Abner said. He looked out a nearby window into the twilight.

  Gunthos grunted. “I’m happy to stay the night. The beer is still flowing.”

  There was an urgent knock on the door. The Hunters aimed their crossbows waiting for whoever was on the other side. The increasingly familiar dire wolf walked in first, followed by his Hunter.

  “Where the fuck have you been?” Lois asked.

  “I got lost in the Citadel. There were Shades I had to take down,” Gareth said. He looked worn out.

  “You took out two Shades by yourself when a Desire nearly got the better of you?” Abner asked. He raised his eyebrows underneath the brim of his hat.

  “Mandel killed once instantly and I managed to shank the other before finishing it off,” Gareth said. There was a note of pride in his voice.

  “We were back here hours ago,” Gunthos said. He staggered over to the boy, drunk, and placed his hand on his shoulder. “The Citadel isn’t that big for you to spend hours wandering its hall.”

  “I lied alright. I went to a whorehouse, had myself a good time and forgot myself,” Gareth said. “I’m sorry.”


  “And did the whores want your cock or your coin more?” Gunthos asked.

  “I’ll bend you over and show you if you like,” Gareth said.

  “Alright, come on,” Abner said. “We’re on a mission until we get back to the Huntrey.”

  “When have you been so uptight about missions, Ab? I know you and Lois get together pretty much every night,” Gunthos said. “And I personally wouldn’t mind the little man showing me what he can do.”

  “In your dreams,” Gareth said.

  “Oy! Enough!” Lois said. “Seriously you two cut it out. We’re done here. We’ve got the body count and we need to get back to Tyrain to cash in. The wolves haven’t been seen here for weeks and they’ve probably moved on. Do either of you two know when we last killed one?”

  “Two months ago,” Abner said. “That’s not enough. We’ve only killed three in the time we’ve been hunting them.”

  “Sure we’ve got just under two hundred Vampires in the bag from this little expedition and that will keep us going. The Huntrey put us out in the field first against the wolves and now there are more of them than ever. We have a job to do,” Lois said.

  “Of course,” Gunthos said. “We need to focus and get the job done. Ready to go?”

  “I’m sure we could stock up on whatever is left here and take it with us. The horses can always carry more,” Abner said. “Bring your beer if you want, Gunthos.”

  Gunthos walked around checking each of the caskets on the wall, tapping each one until he found one that was full to the brim. “This’ll do me,” he said.

  “Right, are we all set now?” Abner asked. “Good let’s go.”

  Abner was happy to see Etia behind him. In the eight years he had been traveling he wished to never again be inside its walls. It was inevitable that he would one day return to the snow covered, black capital of Alilletia. He longed to return to his home, the Tyrainian Huntrey that lay almost a week to the south.

  “Miserable bastards manning the walls back there,” Gareth said trying to brighten the party. “Wouldn’t let me pass through the gates with Mandel, or at least until the Captain came out and told them to leave me be.”

  “No time for talking, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover,” Abner said.

  “Do you ever stop to think, Toldar? About all those people you’ve left behind or not been able to save?” Gareth asked. “Family you could have held just a little longer or a little tighter?”

  Abner paused, bringing Nagor to a halt. The other Hunters all reigned in around him. “Can this wait until we back to the Huntrey? I’m not in the mood to talk.”

  “I think there’s no time like the present,” Gareth said. His blue eyes sparkled with anticipation of Abner’s next move.

  “I have no need of you, Gareth. You had potential; I wanted to take you under my guidance and train you further. You delaying us is not only delaying our mission, but your training,” Abner said. “Now can we move on?”

  “Forget the boy, Ab, he’s nothing to us,” Lois said.

  “Aye, Lois is right,” Gunthos said.

  Abner frowned taking in the advice the two people he cared about most had given him. “We’ll make camp here tonight. We’re far enough away from the city.”

  “Have you gone mad Ab?” Lois said. “There’s nothing here, no cover, no food or water.”

  “We’ve survived worse. Remember the storm going out to the Islands? We survived that didn’t we?” Abner asked.

  “Waves over fifty meters high roaring over the sails, crashing onto the ship, of course I remember Ab,” Lois said. Two Hunters had perished on the journey. “I won’t forget something like that so quickly. I thought I was going to die.”

  “You’re both weak. Those storms were nothing compared to what we usually see on the Islands,” Gunthos said.

  The Islander was right. His dark skin told the story enough of what he had been born into. Even though he had long since been removed from his homeland, the moment he stepped onto the ship, the Islander had been more than ready to take up a post and see them through the voyage. Lois had almost been swept overboard once, only to be saved by their large companion.

  “Stop rubbing it in Gunthos, you were bred for those storms,” Gareth said. “Islanders all think they are the god’s gift when it comes to the seas. What you did was nothing special.”

  “You little fuck; I’ll hang your head by the sails if you insult my skills at sea once again!” Gunthos said.

  “Gunthos! There will be no killing of the novice!” Abner said.

  “You started this shit first, black man,” Gareth said.

  “Oh that’s it,” Gunthos said. He drew his crossbow and pointed it at Gareth.

  “Oy!” Abner said drawing is crossbow, pointing it at Gunthos. “He insulted you, grow the fuck up and get over it.”

  “Of course you defend him,” Gunthos said.

  “Everyone needs to calm down here!” Lois said. “Gareth, stay the fuck away from Gunthos. Gunthos stay the fuck away from Gareth and everybody will be happy.”

  “Thank you,” Abner said. “Weapons down. Gareth I want you to gather firewood. Gunthos I want you preparing the food.”

  “And what will you two be doing,” Gunthos asked when he realized Abner hadn’t given either of them tasks.

  “Pitching our tent, testing it out and making plans for the remainder of our journey,” Abner said with a straight face.

  A short while later, Abner was laid on his back outstretched watching and waiting for the flap on the tent to peel back and reveal Lois’s fine figure. He didn’t have to wait long. She ducked into the tent and smiled quickly at him.

  “Are you ready?” she asked.

  “I’ve been waiting all day,” he said.

  He was already naked and waiting, gently touching his shaft, preparing himself for her. His fluids already glistened over the tip as he thought about her naked body sliding over his. Each time they lay together, the smoothness of her skin and touch always aroused something deep inside him. Their love making was slow as Lois gently rode Abner to her climax. Her hands ran through his short hair, gripping on where they could, pulling his mouth into her chest as he began to thrust into her.

  “We should do this more often,” he said.

  “You always want us in the saddle,” Lois said.

  “You know I’m always eager to try new things, Lou,” Abner said.

  Her only reply was to sigh as she sunk back down onto him, filling her insides completely. She shuddered, releasing all of the built-up tension between her legs, digging her fingers into Abner’s chest.

  “Fuck, Lois!” he said.

  “Keep it down in there, you two!” Gunthos said. “If I’m cooking your fucking dinner, I don’t need to be disturbed.”

  Lois grinned wildly and fluttered her eyes, pushing herself harder onto Abner increasing her pleasure, forcing an even louder moan from her.

  “Alright, fuck it you can cook your own tonight!” Gunthos said.

  Both Abner and Lois laughed. There was even a small chuckle from Gareth. “Sorry Gunner,” Abner said. “I’ll get her to stop.”

  There was one louder moan as Lois reached her proper, full climax.

  “I’ve had enough!” Gunthos said.

  “On your back,” Abner said.

  “Yes, Abner,” Lois said. She rolled off him, making sure to tease him with her body along the way.

  “You do that so well,” he said.

  “I know.” Lois rolled onto her back spreading her legs wide open. Abner pressed himself in between her drenched legs, sliding in gently. “Harder.”

  “But Gunthos,” Abner said.

  “You know he doesn’t give a fuck. Hurry up and fuck me like you mean it,” Lois said, grabbing his ass pushing him in further. “Harder, now!”

  “No!” they heard Gunthos complain from outside.

  Abner placed his hand over Lois’s mouth as he thrust quickly inside her. Her eyes widened with each quickening thrust, bu
ilding to his own climax. Lois’s muttered groans filled Abner’s ears, not spreading out to Gunthos and Gareth.

  “Are they always like this?”

  “Yep,” Gunthos said.

  Abner pushed faster, eager to finish, but not ahead of Lois. She quivered with every heartfelt thrust that sent waves of pleasure coursing through her body that was only intensified when he touched her lips roughly with his.

  Their bodies withered and hammered away at each other, seemingly in time, both desperate for Abner to reach his climax. He felt it building further, deep within him, ready to bust from him at any second.

  “Lois!”

  Panting, Lois gripped tighter urging him to finish completely, until satisfied she released, letting out a huge sigh.

  “Food’s ready,” Gunthos said a few minutes later.

  “Smells good, Gunner,” Lois said. She emerged from the tent once again fully dressed in her armor having pulled it on hastily. “What do we have?”

  “Took some beef from the tavern and Gareth managed to find us a bunch of berries,” Gunthos said.

  “Better than what we usually manage to find,” Abner said. “You’ve done well Gareth, thank you.”

  “I cooked the fucking thing didn’t I?” Gunthos said.

  “You did well, Gunner,” Abner said.

  “Thank you; it’s not hard to get a little recognition around here is it?” Gunthos asked.

  Abner studied the older Hunter that had long since become his friend in the last eight years. It had taken time for him to come around to both Abner and Lois; hopefully he would be the same with Gareth.

  The small group ate in silence, the horses tethered to a nearby tree. Gareth had allowed Mandel to hunt in the mountains for whatever he could find. With the dire wolf’s keen senses he would be able to easily find prey even in this desolate place. The food was excellent, even by Gunthos’s standards. All children in the Galasos Islands were taught to make food out of almost anything, well before they were allowed to leave the Islands.