Hunter's War (Legend of the Wild Hunter Book 4) (68 page)

It made a horrible noise, as it rolled around on the ground. She had no intention of making the same mistake twice and this time left it to its agony. She needed to find a place to hide, a place to rest before it recovered enough to pick up the hunt.

-Keep running, this way.-

A voice called out to her.

She didn’t actually hear the voice, not with her ears. It was inside her head, but she knew in which direction it was coming from. Now that she had a destination, she was getting her second wind.

She saw the light first, a faint glow on the horizon, but it was still some distance away. She didn’t know how she knew, but she knew if she could reach that light, she would be safe.

As the light grew brighter, another sound reached her ears. Someone was screaming, or was that screeching. Her rabbit instincts told her to move left, so she quickly rolled to one side as a large black shape dropped out of the sky, striking the ground beside her before flying away. She only got a glimpse of it, but she knew what it was.

-Great, now he’s an eagle.-

She cursed.

-Quickly, he’s coming back.-

The voice called out.

-I’m running as fast as I can.-

Kile shouted.

-Watch out.-

The eagle swooped down again, but missed her as she leapt to the other side. That one was way too close, she was sure she felt his talons brush the back of her leg. This must be why rabbits ran from side to side, she realized, and quickly started to randomly change direction.

As she got closer to the light, she realized what it was. The large oak tree she had seen in her dreams, but it didn’t look as grand as it once had. The bark was gray and whole sections of its crown were missing leaves as if poisoned by blight. Abandoning her zig-zag course, she ran straight for the tree.

The eagle dropped from the sky, a flash of light emanated from the tree, and everything went black.

***~~~***

29

“Sir.”

“What is it, Corporal?”

“I know you don’t want to be disturbed, but Sorto’s squad has returned.”

“Very well, wait for me out in the hall.”

There was a bit of noise, followed by a chair sliding and the sound of soft leather boots walking across the floor. Kile struggled to open her eyes, but she just didn’t have the energy, all she could do was lay there and listen to the conversation.

“Report, Corporal, what did Sorto find?”

“It’s what he didn’t find, sir. The Rojan.”

“No sign of them?”

“None. The Lutmorli pass has been completely sealed off.”

“Are you sure?”

“Sorto saw it with his own eyes. He said it looked as if someone pulled down the mountainside”

“I see. How long will it take them to get through?”

“It’s hard to say. If you have enough men working on it nonstop, you might see progress by late next year.”

“I see. Anything else?”

“There is one other thing, sir. Mystic Elmac reports, they may have found the command words.”

“Which command words, Corporal?”

“That’s just it, sir, he’s not entirely sure. The Alva have not been very helpful.”

“I didn’t really expect them to be.”

“Then why are we still dealing with them, if I may ask.”

“Because it’s all part of the game, Corporal.”

“As you say, sir. Still, I just don’t trust them.”

“I trust them as far as I need to. What of Captain Dotol?”

“He advises no earlier than Saven’s day. With winter coming, the journey would be too dangerous. Besides, Elmac has already expressed his desire to postpone until they have more information.”

“He’s not likely to find any more information… but perhaps it’s for the best.”

“Oh, sir, there is one more thing?”

“What is it, Corporal?”

“The little bard. He has requested several times if he may see… her.”

“Yes… yes of course. Tell him he can see her tomorrow.”

“Thank you, sir, I’ll let him know.”

The leather boots returned, crossing the floor again to stand at her side. He made no sound, but she knew he was there. How long he remained, she couldn’t tell. Time had no meaning at the moment, there was only darkness and silence, and she welcomed both.

“Has she awaken?”

“Not yet… Oh, your highness, I’m sorry I… I didn’t…”

“Easy there, son. Be seated. It’s Alex, isn’t it?”

“Yes, your highness, Certified Level Five Hunter, Alex Bartlow of the Callor province.”

“Yes, I remember you now. You performed for me at Forthbar a few months back.”

“After the breaking of the siege.”

“Yes, it was quite enjoyable; you’re very talented.”

“Thank you, sir.”

A chair was moved and the leather boots crossed the floor. They paused as the man took a seat.

“Have you eaten yet?” he asked.

“Um… well… sort of. I mean, I… I did kinda score a few slices of bread from the kitchen.”

“Bread? Well, that’s hardly a meal for a savior of the realm.”

“Believe me, your highness, that’s better than some of the meals I’ve eaten.”

“Well, let it not be said that anyone goes hungry in Windfoil. You will be my guest this afternoon, and I will show you a proper meal.”

“Thank you, sir, but… I should really stay here.”

“Yes. Yes of course. I’ll have something sent then.”

“Thank you, sir. I wouldn’t worry sir; it’s happened before, you know.”

“What has?”

“Her, being like this, it… it happened before, back at the Academy.”

“Can you tell me about it?”

“Well, there really isn’t much to tell. It was just after she led all the horses out of a burning barn.”

“Burning barn?”

“Yeah. Eric Rimes, you know, the son of Lord Rimes, he stole some things from the great hall before setting it on fire, then he tried to burn down the stables, to cover his escape. Luke, he was the stablehand back at the Academy, he couldn’t get all the horses out, so Kile ran into the burning barn to save them.”

“And how did she do that?”

“Well, I don’t really know, but they all followed her out. Including my own horse, who doesn’t even obey me. After the horses were clear of the fire, she just… collapsed. We took her to the halls, and she slept for like five days before she woke up.”

“So, you think this is the same?”

“Oh, I couldn’t really say, sir. I don’t know much about it. If Danny were here, he could probably tell you more, but it was our mystic who treated her back then.”

“Your mystic?”

“Yeah, sir. His name was Morgan, he was our mystic instructor back at the Academy. If anyone would understand, he would.”

“Then I will definitely send for him.”

“But they’ve locked themselves within the Tower and nobody can get in to see them.”

“There are advantages to being the King. I’ll send a message this afternoon. I believe there are still a few Hunters in Azintar who could deliver it quickly.”

“I’m sure there are, sir.”

“So, you’re saying this is similar to what happened back at the Academy.”

“Well, sort of. I mean the passing out thing, yeah. But the kicking and biting, that was… kinda new.”

“And where is she?”

“This way… sir.”

The door opened, chairs moved and something which sounded like a flapping flag crossed by the foot of her bed.

“Morgan?” Alex shouted. The sound of a chair being upended punctuated Alex’s surprise at seeing his old mystic arts instructor.

“Hunter Bartlow, isn’t it?”

There was a familiar voice.

“Ah, yeah… I’m kinda surprised you remembered.”

“It’s hard to forget the only cadet who tried to bluff his way through the mystic evaluation.”

“Oh, yeah… about that…”

“It is of no concern now. Besides, you passed, didn’t you?”

“Well, yeah, I guess.”

“Oh yes, before I forget. I have a… message for you.”

“For me.”

“From one, Emara Lons.”

“From Emara?”

“Ah, yes, here it is. I was instructed to bring this to you.”

“Sorry, sir.”

There was the sound of someone opening an envelope, followed by Alex laughing. He quickly caught himself.

“I’ll…”

“Yes… go… read it.” Morgan said with a dismissive tone.

Small, light feet moved swiftly across the floor. The door opened, but was closed quickly. Something jumped on the bed beside her and made its way up to her pillow. It was small and furry.

“I’m sorry about that, your highness.”

“Think nothing of it, master Morgan. Ah, to be young once again.”

“I prefer not to remember my youth. So, how long has she been like this?”

“About three days now.”

“And how did it happen?”

“We’re not exactly sure. We received word of a possible attack from the Lutmorli pass. The Rojan have been agitated as of late. When the company reached the pass, they found young Bartlow. And he led them to Miss Veller.”

“I see, and was she in this state when they reached her?”

“Not quite. The reports say she was incoherent, sort of in and out. When the men went to help her, she… attacked them.”

“Attacked them? Are you sure?”

“One man suffered a few broken ribs from where she kicked him, and a second soldier was bitten on the arm. After that, they said she tried to… hop away.”

“Hop… away?”

“Yes, Master Morgan. That is how they described it. After that, she just collapsed. They brought her here as quickly as possible.”

“I see. Have there been any strange… incidences, since she’s been like this?”

“Incidences, I don’t think I quite understand…”

“Anything out of the ordinary, anything which may be contributed to mystic energy. A floating orb or things bursting into flame, maybe even animals acting strangely or… you know… things out of the ordinary.”

“No, not that I’m aware of.”

“Good… good, that’s good to hear. You can leave now.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You can leave. Your presence here is no longer necessary.”

“My presence? Master Morgan, I have no intention of leaving…”

“Your highness, I understand your feelings toward the young lady, I really do.”

“My feelings… now wait one moment…”

“But if I’m to do a thorough examination, I must ask you to leave.”

“A thorough…”

“Yes, a thorough examination.”

“Oh… yes of course. I’ll leave you to it. If there is anything that I can get you…”

“No, just leave. I will let you know of my findings.”

The soft leather boot moved across the floor once gain. The door was opened and there was a long delay before it closed, followed by a few minutes of silence.

“You might as well open your eyes, child. I know you’re faking it.”

Kile opened her eyes and looked over at Morgan. The old mystic hadn’t changed much, since the last time she’d seen him. He was still draped in his yellow robes, with his wired rimmed glasses perched on his long crooked nose. He studied her with a quizzical look.

“Your bedside manner has improved,” she said as she tried to sit up. “And for the record, I wasn’t always faking.”

Vesper climbed up on her shoulder and she stroked the yarrow’s head.

“No, I didn’t think you were.” Morgan replied. “Not until I came in.”

“It’s complicated.”

“I see.” The mystic said, removing his glasses. He started to clean the lens with the cuff of his robe. “Could this have anything to do with the King’s feelings toward you?”

“Absolutely not. There is nothing there.” she shouted, and then asked, a little more quietly. “Why, what have you heard?”

Morgan laughed. “Let us just say your friend, Mr. Bartlow, has been keeping our young Emara up on the local events.”

“Wonderful, I can only imagine what he’s been telling her.”

“I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Simple gossip, I suppose. But enough about that. How are you feeling?”

“Like I’m slowly losing my mind, or maybe I’ve already lost it.”

“You seem quite lucid at the moment.”

“You heard what they said. I kick one soldier, bit another and then I tried to… hop away. That’s not exactly the actions of sane person.”

“No, this is true. Do you remember any of it?”

“Well, not exactly. I mean. I don’t remember fighting with soldiers, but I do remember…”

“Yes?”

“I remember being a rabbit,” she admitted, but saying it out loud didn’t make is any more real, it only made it more embarrassing, and it didn’t help when Morgan gave her that look.

“A rabbit?” he asked.

“I know, I know, I sound insane,” she replied.

“Let us put aside the insanity label for now, and tell me what happened.”

“It’s the Maligar, it’s not what we thought it was.”

“I know you are not very fond of that particular skill, but with all power…”

“That’s just it, it’s not just a skill. It’s alive.”

“Alive? I don’t understand.”

“Neither did I at first, but the more I’ve used it, the more entangled with it I’ve become. I’ve seen it. It’s been calling to me, from the dark places of the world. I can hear it.”

“Can you hear it now?”

Kile closed her eyes and listened. Somewhere deep in the back of her mind, on the very edge of her senses, she could hear the whispering, and the laughter.

“Yes,” she replied. “It’s far away, but it’s still there, it’s still calling. And I’m not the only one who hears it. Vesper hears it too, so does Grim.”

Getting up from his chair, Morgan started to pace the floor. He looked worried. Kile knew it was never a good sign when a mystic looked worried.

“Why do I have a feeling this isn’t entirely new to you?” she asked.

“Because it’s not. The Maligar is a perversion of nature, of the natural world.”

“You knew this? You knew this and you made me use it.”

“No, you have to understand, Kile. This skill you have, it is unique. Even the Alva, who were supposedly gifted with these abilities, never showed the same level you have. You are Orceen, but you know that already, don’t you?”