Hunter's War (Legend of the Wild Hunter Book 4) (36 page)

She turned her mind toward the camp and could sense the waking of the vir. It was not nearly as majestic as the natural world. They groaned, stretched and stumbled their way out of tents. Not all the men were asleep, there were a few standing guard, and then there were those who readied the hoses. They were probably Hunters, preparing to ride ahead of the column. A day’s ride and they should reach Forthbar by evening, and then what?

One of the vir was heading in her directions, probably attracted by the fire. Inhaling deeply, she smelled peppermint and herbs. Slowly, she returned back to herself. Her mental trips through the forest where surprisingly restful. Opening her eyes, she proceeded to get dressed. Her clothes were still damp, but she couldn’t do anything about that now.

The wolves suddenly went on alert. They detected an intruder within their midst.

“It’s all right Danny, you can come closer.” She called out while pulling on her boots.

Daniel emerged from the forest, looking rather nervous.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” he asked.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because, I don’t usually go walking into the middle of a pack of wolves,” he replied.

“Hey, I was nice to your family.” Kile laughed. She got to her feet and stomped her boot on.

“You seem to be in a better mood,” he said.

“I think I just needed to get away,” she replied. “Sometimes I feel like I’m in control, but sometimes I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

“So, you’re in control now?” he asked.

“For the time being,” she replied with a grin. “Why are you out here anyway?”

“To let you know the Hunters will be leaving soon.”

“Thanks, but I already knew,” she replied. “I just wish I had more time to dry my clothes.”

“I can help you with that,” Daniel said, taking a step forward. Two wolves quickly looked up and he stopped dead in his tracks. “Are you sure it’s safe?” he asked.

“As long as you don’t do anything to annoy them or me, you are perfectly safe.”

He swallowed hard and slowly walked toward her, never taking his eyes off the wolf. Taking a deep breath, he places his hands on her shoulders.

She looked at him curiously.

“You did say, you were going to help dry my clothes, right?”

“What? Yeah… of course… what… what did you think?” he stammered.

She laughed “I was just asking.”

He closed his eyes, and fell into his Edge. She smelled the magic first. It wasn’t the same smell as when he tried to save Captain Jax. Instead of an ocean, she was reminded of the old lake back home, if it could be called a lake. It was more like a pond, but everyone called it a lake. Then she saw the blue strands slowly flow from his fingertips, and wrap themselves around her. She wondered what he would do, if he could see all the places his magic touched. She thought about teasing him, but refrained when she started to feel the effects. The water was being drawn from her clothes, all of her clothes. It was a bit invasive but at least she was dry. The magic faded when he removed his hands from her.

“That was interesting,” she said with a mischievous grin.

“What? What’s so funny?” he asked.

She laughed. “As if you didn’t know.”

“What? Know what?”

“Nothing. Just tell them I’m on my way,” She said as she started to clean up her campsite.

When she exited the forest, the wolves remained behind, but the ravens followed. They took to the air around her, circling the sky. The soldiers watched her carefully, as she approached the camp. They didn’t say anything, but then, they didn’t have to. She already knew what they thought of her. Ignoring them, she headed toward the paddock where Grim was already waiting.

-You’re looking better.-

He said.

“Feel better,” she replied. “Ready to go riding?”

-As long as we’re not heading into a pack of those damned dogs.-

“Let’s hope not. I didn’t sense any around, anyway, so I think we’re safe, for the time being.”

-Saved you something-

Grim said, motioning to his feeding trough. When she looked in, she saw the carrots he had pushed to one side.

“You know you should be eating these,” She said when she retrieved them. “They’re good for you.”

-I hate carrots-

“Fine, when we get to Forthbar, I’ll see if I can’t score you an apple pie,” she said as she pulled herself up onto his back. Leaving the campsite, they headed to where the other Hunters had gathered.

-So, why are we invited on this little trip?-

Grim asked.

“Because I’m that good,” she replied.

-Wonderful, now she’s having delusions of grandeur.-

“Actually, I think they just want to keep an eye on me.”

-Why, in case you go bonkers, loopy, dodgy, nuts, spastic?-

“Will you knock it off?”

-Coo-coo, crazy, one foot short of a yardstick.-

“One foot… what?”

-I don’t know, I was running out.-

“Are you okay, Kile” Folkstaff asked, coming up alongside her. Ever since that night in Moran, her old survival instructor has been keeping a close eye on her.

“Yes, sir,” she quickly replied.

He looked at her carefully. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”

“Trust me. I’ll be better once I’m away from here.”

“Fair enough.”

There were five other Hunters in the scouting party, and although Folkstaff was officially in charge, they were taking orders from Erin. The only other Hunter, Kile knew, or at the very least, had previous contact with, was Larks. She had not seen him since her days at the Academy, and then, very briefly, during the breaking of the siege of Moran. The bandage was off his head and his hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He had striking features, more so than she remembered. The first time they had met, she tried to pull him off his horse. It was a simple misunderstanding.

She was surprised to learn he was still only a Level Five, since he was one of the better students in their class. She figured he would, at least, be a Level Four, possible a Level Three, by now. Since she was a Level Three, she technically outranked him.

-Oh, wonderful, company.-

Grim complained when Larks steered his palomino toward them.

“Mind your manners,” she whispered.

-It is good to see you again, Kile-

The horse said when she came alongside them.

“It is good to see you too, Lionora. How have you been?” she asked.

-I have been well, thank you.-

“He’s treating you all right, then.”

-Oh yes, he has been a wonderful master.-

Kile turned and looked at Larks. “Good, that’s what I want to hear,” she said with a grin.

“What has my horse been telling you?” Lark asked a bit nervously.

Kile laughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied.

“So, you really can… you know… talk to animals.”

“I don’t know where you heard that.”

Now it was Larks’ turn to laugh.

“It’s all over Forthbar,” he said.

“What is?”

“That you can talk to animals, that the dogs do your bidding, and you can use birds to survey the surrounding area.”

Kile stared at the young Hunter.

“How do you know this?” she asked.

“I’ve watched most of your stories,” Larks replied.

“My what?”

“Your stories. You know, the ones that Hunter puts on back in Forthbar.”

“What Hunter?”

“The little guy, I think he was in our class at the Academy.”

“Alex,” she replied, as if she didn’t know. Daniel had warned her about this; about Alex’s collection of new stories, but where was he getting his information from?

“Yeah, that’s him.” Larks said with a grin. “He’s really good. He creates these wonderful illusions and narrates the stores and everything. It’s his Legend of the Wild Hunter series, or so he says. It’s really something, if you get a chance to watch them.”

“Wonderful,” Kile replied. “I’m going to strangle that little gulrik.”

“Sorry?”

“Nothing.”

“Well, I wouldn’t worry too much. The hero in his stories doesn’t look much like you.” Larks said, looking Kile over. He was looking a little too closely. “The only reason I knew, was because he told one about the siege of Moran.”

“Figures.”

Lark’s laughed. “You know, it’s kind of nice to have someone to talk to for a change.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“This mission, it’s been rather boring,” he said with a sigh. “Back in Swanford, where I was sent before the war, I ran messages between towns and I got to know a lot of people. Back there, they liked seeing Hunters. Here, not so much. The military doesn’t really trust us, so we end up sitting around, doing nothing. I thought this mission would be different. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t really want to get into any battles or anything, and I definitely wouldn’t want to go through what you did back in Moran, I just wanted a bit of, I don’t know, excitement.”

-He wants excitement, what an idiot.-

Grim snorted.

Kile ignored the pony. “Well, you are traveling with other Hunters. That’s something, isn’t it?”

“You would think, but, they don’t really talk to me.”

“Why not?” she asked.

“I’m the junior member. I’m still only a Level Five. The only time they need me is if they want to send a message and Steele isn’t around.”

The way he said Steele’s name, Kile got the impression he was jealous of the Hunter. It didn’t really surprise her. Steele had a tendency to rub people the wrong way. In truth, he has a strong personality and sometimes lays in on a bit thick.

“Steele’s not all that bad,” Kile added.

“Oh no, Steele’s all right. He’s been great. He taught me a few tricks about my Edge that came in useful. He was also the one who talked Hunter Silvia into letting me join them for the first assault on Moran, but he doesn’t stick around too long. He’s always busy, always in demand.”

“He does what he does best, and he’s good at it,” Kile replied.

“Yeah, I suppose.”

Kile looked around at the other riders. Erin and Folkstaff remained on the road, but the other Hunters started to fan out. The group appeared to know what it was doing, and she was starting to feel like the odd man out again.

“So, you’ve been here before. What does one do in a scouting party?” she asked.

“Whatever you can. Master Folkstaff keeps telling me to keep my eyes and ears open, but it doesn’t do much good, not with those two around,” he said, pointing to two riders who were a few lengths ahead of them on the road.

“I don’t understand.”

“Well, you see that guy over there.” Larks said, motioning to the tall, lean, bald headed, Hunter who was riding a bay roan. “That’s Certified Level Three Hunter, Cort Sias. They say, with his Edge, he can hear a mouse pass wind ten miles away.”

“Sounds like a useful skill.” Kile replied.

“It is, when you’re on recon.”

“What about the other Hunter?” Kile asked, pointing to a dark haired man with a long braided goatee.

“Oh, that one, that’s Rien Bere. He’s a Level Two. He has the eyes. If Cort can hear it, Rien can see it.”

“Do they often work together?”

“As far as I know, yeah,” Larks replied.

The idea of partnering up with another Hunter did sound appealing. She could see the advantages, but would she really want to work with another Hunter? She enjoyed her solitude. Being on the road alone, not having to answer to anyone, not having to compromise or argue with anyone, that’s really the only way to travel. The last month, being a member of Perha Squad was an experience, but not one she would want to continue. Everything turned into a debate, and nothing ever got done. Being on her own, she never had those problems, of course, with Grim and Vesper, she was never alone.

“Do you enjoy being a Hunter?” she asked.

“Sometimes, I guess. As I said, it was better before the war. At least then, I felt useful, now, not so much. I just thought, you know, it was going to be… different.”

“I know what you mean,” Kile replied. This wasn’t exactly what she signed on for either.

“All in all, I guess it’s better than the family business.” Larks added.

“Why, what does your family do?”

“They’re rat catchers. My father is a rat catcher. My brother, my brother-in-law, my uncle, they’re all rat catchers.”

“Charming.”

“Tell me about it,” he laughed. “I couldn’t do it. Don’t get me wrong, I respect my father, but I couldn’t do what he does. So, when I turned fourteen, I took the entry examination. I thought, being a Hunter had to be better than being a rat catcher.”

“My family were farmers,” Kile replied. “My father was a farmer and his father before him. Now my brother has taken over the business, if you can call it a business.”

“And what? You couldn’t see yourself as a farmer?” Larks asked.

“It was more than that,” she replied. “It was… personal. Let’s just say, my father had other plans.”

“Don’t they all? My father didn’t really want me to follow in the family business, he wanted me to make a name for myself, go into a proper trade. I don’t think he really meant the Hunter’s Guild, but he was proud when I graduated.”

“I can’t say the same about my father. He…”

Before she could finish her sentence, everything shifted out of focus and she suddenly found herself staring down at the world around her. It was so quick, and so disorienting, she thought she had slipped out of her reality again, and fallen into the darkness. But it wasn’t dark. The sun was still shining as clouds rolled across the sky, and some of those clouds were rolling under her. She was flying, higher than she had ever flown before.

It took her a few moments to get her bearings, to see the world through a different set of eyes. But, once she realized what was happening, once she realized there was no danger, she quickly embraced her new found freedom.

Seeing Callor stretched out below her, the province didn’t seem nearly as big, or as powerful as people made it out to be. It was just another large plot of land, dotted with a few towns and farms. There was nothing to distinguish it from any other province. Even the road, she was riding on, was no more than a thin line drawn across the landscape. It winds its way through the hills and across the fields, branching out this way and that, unit one of those lines reached, what had to be the city of Forthbar.