Minutes later the Hunters stood before the Board, their hands behind their backs. In the past eight years, two of the members had died and been replaced with younger successors. Talia’s familiar friendly face greeted them, smiling down from above, as Abner’s team bought forward the paw, in a heavy hessian bag.
“Abner, Gunthos, Lois, I see you have returned to us,” Talia said.
“Aye, indeed we have, and we bring news of another wolf kill,” Abner said, holding the bag over his head.
“Don’t you have a patrol heading out?” Gunthos frowned at his lover.
“Wanted to see what you had to say,” Talia said.
“Excuse me, we have business,” the gray-haired Hunter known as Crix said. “Show us your bounty.”
Abner dropped the bag, before kicking it forwards, sending the now rotting paw sprawling towards the members of the Board. Each of them looked at it in disgust from their high table above the cold, black floor. Crix assessed the mutilated part of the beast before glancing at his other Board members, a non-verbal conversation passing between each of them.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Toldar, but we just can’t accept this offering and give you full pay. We know the Ghosts are this Huntrey’s top priority, but simply put, we’re running out of money. The Tyrain Councilor is beginning to stop supporting us, due to actions taken inside his own court, and our other benefactors are beginning to dry up, as if they’re being targeted. We’ve offered protection to those that still support us but it comes at a cost.”
“Well isn’t it possible that a Vampire could be taking them down,” Lois said.
“Thanks for stating the fucking obvious,” Gunthos said. “Let me guess, Board members, you wish for us to stop tracking what wolves we can and take these Vampires down?”
“No, we need you to rest. I’m assuming you came back because you lost the trail of the Ghosts,” Crix said. “We’ll send you out as soon as anyone reports back with a location.”
“We came back, because we didn’t want to be killed, and because we found a new friend.” Gunthos gestured to Gareth. “An Alilletian that was having some trouble with a Desire inside a pub. Thought he could come back here and learn from the best.”
Gareth stepped out from behind the giant shadow of Gunthos, finally making eye contact with the Board. He took a deep bow, before stepping back.
“He’s young, barely out of the Huntrey,” Talia said. “I’m sure time with the highest grossing Hunters party would only help him.”
“The boy shows great promise. He’s athletic and with us should be able to learn more quickly. We know that Renor has not been the best with its training of late,” Abner said. “I take full responsibility.
“I don’t need you to take responsibility of me, Toldar. I’m capable of looking after myself,” Gareth said.
“Not what I saw back in Etia.”
“Enough!” Crix said. “Gareth, you will accompany Abner and the others as they hunt the White Ghosts. That is now decided. You are all dismissed.”
“Our pay, when will we get it?” Gunthos asked.
“Before you depart, until then, rest, and ensure you’re ready at a moment’s call. Now leave us.”
“So you heard about the Board not paying us in full now didn’t you?” Alex asked his question in a hushed whisper as his three friends gathered around the table alongside Gareth. In the eight years since the fall of West Anacore, Alex had only grown as a person and as a Hunter, his cold eyes once cold towards Abner and Lois now held a warm glow to them. “Rumor has it that Razal is the one behind this motion. Keeping more wealth for the Huntrey, and himself.”
“Keep your voice down lad, you don’t know where Razal’s supporters lie,” Gunthos said. He took a glance around the packed tavern.
The night was still young, but every Hunter and their Novice was inside the spacious tavern, with a drink of some kind in hand. Many didn’t wear their uniforms, merely a plain white undershirt and long black pants with a dagger visible on their belts. A fireplace roared alone in the corner of the room, spreading copious amounts of warmth to all.
“Crix wouldn’t lie to us,” Lois said. “If he says they’re going broke, they’re going broke.”
“And who controls the coin flow within the Tyrainian Huntrey?” Gunthos asked.
Lois bit her lower lip and looked around the table at her four friends. “How are we going to stop him then? He’s a Board member.”
“We can’t, he’s got too much power and too many supporters within the Huntrey, that would no doubt be on his payroll. We’re stuck with Razal,” Abner said.
“I could get a knife in his throat,” Gareth said.
“You what?” Gunthos asked.
“I’m new, nobody knows me here, and I’d never have to come back. To most Hunters I’m nobody, just another face in the crowd. If you can get me close to him, I’ll do it,” Gareth said. He folded his arms over his chest.
“What you’re talking about is treason, Gareth,” Abner said. “And I won’t act against Razal until we have gathered enough evidence to suggest that he is guilty of these crimes that the rumors have circulated around.”
Gareth leaned in across the table. “You heard the Board, we’ve got time to rest. If we go out on another hunt, we can find someone to continue the investigation.”
“I don’t need to go on a hunt for a while, I’ve been paid enough in recent months. I’ll ask around, discretely of course, to see if anyone else is being short changed. Being raised as a Lord’s son had its advantages you know. If I could get a look at Razal’s books, I’d be able to see what’s going on.”
“You need a distraction then,” Gareth said. “I’ll give you a hand.”
Alex smiled around at the rest of the group. “I like this guy already. Where are you from?”
“Renor, here or there. The Huntrey took me in when I was a child.”
“Ah, of course,” Alex said. “The land of the either dried up or tough bastards.”
Gareth’s upper lip began to curl at the last word. One glance at Gareth told Abner all he needed to know. He slammed his fist down on the table, grabbing Gareth’s attention. “Right, after all that travel I know I need a long sleep in my bed. Let’s finish our drinks and get out of here.”
9
The Pack
The sound of steel clashing together rang out across the Huntrey underneath the temperate winter’s sun. Its warming rays filled the training field with much needed heat as Hunters began to emerge in great number from their lodgings. Abner and Lois were among the first out in the field, sparring while they waited for Gareth to awake.
They spotted the Alilletian stalking across the field as the first horn sounded that rallied the Novices to their classes for the day. Gareth carried his entire arsenal of weapons over his shoulder, except for the broad smile that spread across his face like a virus.
“What are you so happy for?” Lois asked.
“Well I had a late night last night, but it was rather productive,” he said.
“Well do share, don’t hold back on us,” Abner said. He raised his eyebrows in anticipation. “Based on how your luck went in Alilletia I’m surprised it’s changed here.”
“If you must know, I did not lie with a woman, but rather spent a few hours this morning digging into background information on our mutual friend, Razal. Did you happen to know he originally wasn’t meant to be a Hunter? It was only when he was nearly beaten to death by a couple of Novices that he pissed off, did they accept him,” Gareth said.
“And did you know what he allegedly did to those same Novices once they all became Hunters?” Gunthos asked. “Get ready boy, it’s about time we see how good you are.”
“No, what did he do?” Gareth slung his crossbow onto the ground, preparing to meet Gunthos head on.
“He trained for a day, the moment he got out of the infirmary, he grabbed a weapon and slaughtered the ringleader in his sleep. We can only assume it was him, but of course, nobody can
confirm it. Razal had slashed the boy’s face through to the skull. He’s not someone to be messed with,” Gunthos said.
“Sound advice, Gunner,” a gruff voice said from behind them. “It’d be a shame if our newest inductee was to die prematurely, and not at the hand of a Vampire.”
“I won’t be staying long,” Gareth said. “I’ll be learning what I can from Toldar and then going on my way. I hear you can’t pay bounties to the full price, Razal.”
“What goes on in this Huntrey is none of your concern, outsider,” Razal said.
“It involves my friends making a living, so I’m pretty sure it does concern me,” Gareth said.
Ignoring the Renori’s last remark, Razal moved onto Gunthos. He shoved a handful of coins into his fist. “Your payment regarding the last Vampire killings. I’ll bring the wolf’s bounty to you later.”
“What the fuck?” Gunthos asked. “Is this it? That’s hardly enough to cover my food for a week!”
“Consider eating less then. Times are hard, Gunthos. More will find its way to your purse in due time,” Razal said.
“That’s bull shit and you know it, Razal. You have no intention of paying us in the future. How many other Hunters have you been short changing since we’ve been away?” Lois asked.
“That’s none of your concern, Behan,” Razal said. “The treasurer and the Board are the only bodies that should know of what coin is coming in and out of the Huntrey.”
“We’ve never had that policy at Renor. Why the sudden change?” Gareth asked.
Razal rounded on the young Hunter. “Tyrain is the first Huntrey to pass new changes. The rest will follow suit shortly.”
“Not if I have anything to do about it,” Gareth said.
“What?” Razal asked. His brow formed into a frown.
“Don’t worry about it,” Gareth said, backing away from his glare.
“So?” Gunthos said. “Do you have anything important for us to do, Razal or are you just going to piss off more with your presence?”
“No, my first purpose was to come and inform you that there has been another White Ghost attack not far from here, only a few kilometers to the north. We believe it was at a town just south of Scanor. The Board have requested that you gather what Hunters will go with you and investigate the threat,” Razal said. “I think they followed you home.”
Abner looked around at his comrades and nodded. “We’ll leave tomorrow as soon as we’re able to. The horses need to rest and a White Ghost will have long gone.”
Razal shook his head. “You leave now. The beast may still be in the area.”
“Not on your orders we don’t,” Gunthos said.
“If not his, you leave on mine,” Crix said. The old Hunter limped across the fields, a walking cane in his hand. “Get on your horses and get to that town now. I don’t want you back here until you’ve found out what happened.”
“Crix, with all due respect. Can’t you send another team? We’ve just hauled our asses back from the shit eating depths of Alilletia and you want to send us straight back out again?” Lois asked. “And without pay?”
“You’re Hunters,” Crix said. “I’m the head of the Board. If we request you go out, you go out. No questions asked. Is that understood?”
“How are we supposed to resupply if we haven’t been paid in full yet?” Abner asked. “That’s the way it has been, and that’s the way it should always be.”
Crix rounded on Razal. He jammed his walking stick down on the foot of the paymaster. “Toldar’s crew get paid, no exceptions. What they’ve brought in and what they’ve killed for us gives them that privilege. Short change them again, you’ll answer to me, personally.”
Razal swiped the walking stick away with his hand, glaring daggers at Crix. The paymaster limped over to Abner and shoved a small pouch into his waiting hands. He repeated the same process with Lois and Gunthos.
“You’re fucking lucky; you’ve got that much. Be on your way,” Razal said. “I expect a full report in less than a week.”
“You won’t be getting one,” Abner said. “If we go out and the Ghosts were there we’re going to track them. This time we aren’t running. I’m going to get a team together big enough to take on multiple Ghosts. We’ve killed one in the past week and we’re not going to let that opportunity slip past us again. Who’s here?”
Razal turned and looked over his shoulder at the Hunters on the training fields. Dozens of the green – black cloaked men and women all sweated under the temperate sun.
“You can have the Toretti twins, the Alaurins and the entire Harawar family, should they accept,” Razal said.
“You’re giving us ten Hunters to possibly go after the White Ghosts with?” Lois asked. “Are you trying to fucking get us killed on purpose?”
“That’s all we can spare at the moment. Not all of our efforts can be focused on the White Ghosts,” Razal said. “Vampires are still killing as many people as they were before. In fact, in recent months we’ve seen a surge in Vampire activity across Taagras.”
“Yes but the Ghosts are killing too many Hunters,” Abner said.
“Which is why we’re only sending a few of you out after them,” Razal said. “I’m not going to throw away the lives of my men just for a few rabid dogs that have outgrown the rest of their pack.”
“Have you ever seen or fought a Ghost before, Razal?” Gunthos asked. “The beasts terrify me to the core, and you know that’s not an easy thing to do. They’re smarter, faster and bigger than any fucking wolf I’ve seen before. You better give us more men, because we’re going to end this right now. Once this menace is gone you’ll have Vampire corpses filling this yard once again. Give us the men to take them down.”
“Fine!” Razal said. “I’ll give you Kamal. That’s it.
“The smallest game Hunter within the entire order? You’ve got to be shitting me,” Gunthos said. His eyes were full of rage. “He’ll be of no use to us.”
“He’s brought us more than you have in the past two years. I wouldn’t call that small,” Razal said. “Take the offer or leave without him. Kamal is more than capable.”
“Fine,” Abner said. “We’ll take him. Now that that’s settled can you leave us alone to prepare? I know it’s a short journey, but we’re tired and not well rested.”
“Of course, Toldar,” Razal said. He ducked his head and bowed. “Please leave when you are able to.
10
Hidden Valley
The men and women for the most part that Razal had supplied the hunting party with were more than exemplary. The Toretti twins were small, pale Sauriaans, both with short blond hair, that hailed from the far reaches inside the Wilderness. Both men were in their late thirties, scars strewn across their faces like the thorns that grew in their homes, their mouths sealed shut many years ago. Their only way of communication was nonverbal.
Beside them rode the Harawars, comprised of their father, Liate and their mother Lou. The three sons and one daughter who’s name Abner hadn’t learnt rode in silence behind them. In front of him the three Alaurins rode in a staggered line, their oldest brother Tavion scouting a few hundred meters ahead. The lanky Hunter sat awkwardly on his horse, a redwood bow hanging from the beast’s side.
Tavion beckoned to the party, from atop a small rise that looked out onto the plains below. He held up an arm as a caution from them to be quiet. The Hunters caught up with him within seconds and slowed their horses to a stop.
“What’s the problem?” Abner asked.
“Down there, in the tree line, look,” Tavion said. He pointed into the distance across the plain to the base of a large mountain that sheltered the town from the elements. “Is that a Ghost?”
Abner narrowed his eyes and stared at the beast, it’s snow white fur standing out against the bright green of the lush undergrowth. His muscles tightened and he took a deep breath, assessing the height of creature he saw.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Gunthos said. The I
slander stopped his horse just behind Abner.
“It’s a Ghost. We need to take it down now,” Abner said. “I’ve hunted them for too long to let another slip out of my grasp.”
“Not happening,” Gunthos said. “We’ve got one patrol mandate and one only. Investigate the village and report back with what we find. Nothing more. I want to wipe them out just as much as you do, but this is what the Board has instructed. Let it go.”
The other Hunters all reeled in their horses, spotting the enormous white beast’s hide, stark contrast against the greenery of the plains. Each member of the party reached over their shoulders for their crossbow and without a word began to spread out.
“You’re outvoted it would seem,” Abner said. A smirk spread across his face. “We’ve got a hunt.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Abner?” Gareth asked. He reeled his horse in beside the two Hunters, a frown upon his face.
“You’re going to question me?” Abner asked.
“No, not at all, I just assumed you’d listen to reason,” Gareth said.
Gunthos shot Abner a glare and proceeded to follow the rest of the party out, taking up an area wide enough that would box the Ghost in. Even though they were clearly visible, the giant wolf seemed not to care. The Hunters didn’t need to say a word. They rode forward, crossbows trained upon the Ghost and when they were within range, Tavion was the first to open fire.
The wolf sprung into motion, the docile, almost peaceful expression changed to one of fury, it’s fangs snapping angrily as it charged the young Hunter. As the Ghost barreled into Tavion’s horse, one of the pale Toretti twins unloaded two bolts, both taking Tavion’s horse in the side.
Both Hunter and horse fell in a cry of screams. More bolts flew after the wolf but it was long gone, it’s tail now lost in the tall grass at the base of the hill. The Hunter’s attention was on Tavion. Abner shook his head and looked around at the others.
“You and you!” He thrust his finger out at Toretti twins. “Get after the Ghost and track it down. Do not engage it until we arrive!”
Hunted Page 6
