The Hunter's Apprentice (16 page)

-You did not kill him?, asked the old man angrily.

-I did not indeed, replied the hunter putting himself between them.

-Why?, he asked his face contorted by rage. He is a wolf now. You should have killed him like you killed my boy.

The hunter took a defensive stance.

-Unlike your son, he has not committed any crimes yet. Until he does, I will not lay a hand on him.

The old man let out a cry of rage and began to transform. The hunter gave him no time though and charged. His sword cut him just behind the head but it was not sufficient as he managed to dodge. He was severely injured though and blood was coming out at an alarming rate out of the cut. His face was covered with his own blood. Aerys then heard another growl and he looked towards the bridge. The old woman who was nearly on the other side was hurrying towards them. he knew that if she came here all would be lost. She could not transform yet for if she did she would probably fall as the bridge was not strong enough to support a werewolf weight.

He rushed to the bridge and began cutting the ropes. The old woman understood what he was trying to do and shouted at her man. The latter who had now successfully managed to transform growled and ran towards him. But the hunter intercepted him.

-Cut that bridge quick Aerys. I will delay him as much as I can. Just make sure that the other one does not make it here.

Aerys did not need to be told twice. His sword was sharp and the ropes fell quickly one by one. He heard both the wolf and the woman growl loudly. She was about to arrive when he finally cut the last rope. The bridge fell down with a deafening noise and he saw the old woman fall with it. It was the end for her. He turned back and saw the hunter lying on the ground lifeless. The white wolf growled and walked towards me with murder in its eyes.

He backed before the terrible foe. The hunter was on the ground moving feebly. The wolf growled but Aerys was no longer afraid of him. He had survived so many things during the past months that fear no longer paralyzed him. He was fuelled by hatred and revenge. Revenge for all the innocents who had died in Adlington for his mistakes. If they had not failed them, they would still be alive now. But they had failed miserably.

But now he had the chance to avenge those who had been murdered. He grabbed his sword tightly and it shone brighter than ever. The wolf did not look impressed though. After all it had just defeated the greatest hunter alive but Aerys knew that it was not the case. The hunter was tired. They had run for days and after such a long period of captivity, his body had probably given up. He would have too long before if he had not been contaminated. He felt the power in him. It was different from the power of the artifact. It was raw and brutal; pure physical strength and it was increasing day by day. It troubled him that maybe he would transform sooner than he expected but now was not the time to think about all this. If that power helped him kill the werewolf, he would gladly accept it.

He straightened up and waited for the werewolf to attack. He took the defensive stance that the hunter had taught him. It was one of the few that he had successfully learnt. There was no observation round. The werewolf launched itself upon Aerys but the latter parried it easily and counterattacked. However the speed of the werewolf enabled it to evade the attack and it retreated. It seemed less sure of itself and Aerys confidence increased. Perhaps he had a chance after all. The wolf attacked again and again Aerys managed to dodge its attack. This time however he predicted correctly where the wolf would go and his sword met flesh for the first time. The wolf let out a howl of pain and stumbled forward out of range. The cut was not strong enough though for the wolf had managed to move at the last moment but he had succeeded in touching it. That was something. The wolf licked its blood and turned to face him growling savagely.

It attacked and Aerys again tried to dodge but he failed this time. The werewolf attack was quicker than his previous one and he crashed against Aerys who fell on his back under the weight of the wolf. However he managed to keep his sword and he swing madly over him. The werewolf retreated unable to touch him. He stood up shakily. It had been a close call. If he had lost the sword, it would have been over. He grabbed it more tightly and readied himself.

The wolf prepared itself to attack again but to its surprise it was Aerys would did so. He dashed towards it more quickly than he had thought he was able to and in an instant he found himself in front of the werewolf. He struck with all his force but the werewolf again was quicker and it jumped to the side and counterattacked. Aerys reacted instantly and trust his sword with incredible speed. The wolf rolled down but it could not avoid the sword totally. It backed away with a deep cut over its neck. It stumbled a bit but soon returned angrier than ever. It howled loudly and attacked. Aerys tried to block it but he was too slow. The claws met his flesh and he stumbled down in pain. He rolled to his left as the wolf tried to bite him and he stumbled up. He was bleeding as much as the werewolf and he could feel his forces abandoning him. He was badly injured. The claws of the werewolf were truly piercing and they had done a lot of damage.

He backed towards the chasm and the werewolf followed him slowly. It was certain of its victory now. Aerys watched it approach with deep concern. He knew that it was his last chance. He had to finish it now. If the fight continued, he would lose eventually for he did not have the same stamina as the werewolf. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Emily though. She was trying to approach cautiously. She made a sign.

The wolf attacked. Aerys gave all he had and parried the attack. He turned and pushed the werewolf towards the chasm. He put in all his forces as he pushed. The wolf growled but it did not move. It had a direct opportunity to finish Aerys. The latter had lowered his defense trying to push it towards the edge. The wolf opened its large mouth and Aerys saw the frightening fangs closely. The foul smell that came out of it was unbearable. He let go and pulled back. The wolf attacked immediately and launched itself upon the now defenseless Aerys.

But it never touched him. Emily came crashing against it and it was sent flying over the chasm. It fell down with a desperate howl and they heard its howl lessened until it eventually died out. Aerys and Emily fell together on the ground.

CHAPTER 16

-How did you do that?, Aerys asked her surprised. You sent it so far.

She smiled.

-I was lucky I guess, she said getting up. It slipped on the muddy ground and it was pushed further than it should have been.

-But still, said Aerys getting up too. You managed to push it down the chasm. That’s no small feat. Even I was unable to move it further than an inch.

She waved her hand evasively.

-Never mind that. We have more urgent matter son our hands, she said. We should take care of your injuries.

Aerys shook his head and pointed towards the hunter.

-Take a look at him first.

He watched as she knelt by the hunter and examined his injuries. Fortunately they were superficial and he had only been knocked down. Emily opened the hunter’s bag and had a look inside despite Aerys protests. He knew that the hunter would not be too happy about it.

-It’s for his good, said Emily as she rummaged inside. A smile appeared on her face as she took out a small box. She opened it and found inside countless of herbs.

-That’s what I was searching for, she said as she took out a long yellowish herb. She squeezed it gently and a strong odor emanated from it.

-What is it? Aerys asked as he watched her putting it just under the hunter’s noise.

-It is a Yiod leaf, she explained. It is renowned for its strong odor as you can smell. It helps in these kinds of situations.

And true enough, the hunter began to move. He opened his eyes and looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression on his face. He sat down and looked around.

-Tell me, he said turning towards Aerys.

The latter obeyed and narrated what happened after he was knocked out. The hunter listened attentively and when Aerys finished, he looked at Emily with deep interest.

-You are an intriguing young girl, he said getting up. Well…in any case, I guess I should thank both of you.

Aerys looked at him surprised.

-That’s the first time I hear you thanking someone, he noted with a smile.

-Well, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. So cast that stupid smile off your face and come here. Your injuries seem pretty serious. That werewolf did not miss you.

Aerys approached and he removed his shirt at the hunter’ request. He cried as he did so for the cloth had glued itself to his injuries and he had to pull it off. The hunter immediately took out rolls of bandages and he asked Emily to start a fire.

-Why are you lighting a fire?, asked Aerys troubled. He saw the hunter take out a long knife from the bag and put it near the burning fire.

-Don’t tell me you are afraid now, laughed the hunter as he beckoned him forward. It’s just to prevent infections lad. So come here and stay still.

Aerys backed instead. He had no intention of letting him put that burning knife on him.

-Come on lad, said the hunter annoyed. We don’t have time for this.

But Aerys kept his distance. Despite the pain, he was determined not to let the hunter cauterize his injuries. That would hurt a lot.

-I may have another solution, said Emily then smiling. Wait for me. I won’t be long, she added as she ran off in the woods.

She came back with a handful of white flowers in her hands and she beckoned Aerys to come and sit near her.

-What is that?, asked Aerys as he sat down.

-Its Lamia’s flowers, said the hunter. I see that you have a sound knowledge of healing young girl. Where have you learn all this?

Emily squeezed them and applied them on Aerys injuries. The latter winced as she laid them on him. It was painful at first but then he felt a coldness and the pain ceased.

-I had a good master, she said as she bandaged him.

The hunter observed her attentively.

-Where are you from?

-Haldar, she replied. It in the…

-South, finished the hunter. Yes I know. I’ve heard about this place. It is renowned.

-For what?, asked Aerys as he put on a new shirt which he took out of his bag.

-Vampires, said the hunter looking at Emily.

She held his gaze and smiled.

-Yes, Haldar is reputed for the large community of vampires that leave there but you should know that Haldar is divided in two parts and that there are humans who lived on the other side. That’s where I come from.

The hunter observed her with his piercing gaze. Emily smiled serenely and Aerys snorted.

-You Think she is one?, he asked amused. Why would a vampire help a hunter?

-Many things occur without a reason lad, replied the hunter letting down his gaze. Well, we have to go now anyway. You are most welcomed to accompany us. You can then travel south from there.

Aerys stood up.

-I’m afraid I will have to accompany her, he said.

-Repeat that, said the hunter shocked.

Aerys looked away.

-I promised her that I would help her return to her homeland if she helped us escape.

-but she did not help us, said the hunter. We escaped on our own.

Aerys shook his head.

-No…she helped us despite the danger. She provided us with the blade. I promised her and I cannot go back on my word.

-You can and you will, said the hunter angrily. In case you forgot, you are my apprentice and you are contaminated. I will not let you roam freely in the known world.

-Come with us then, said Aerys. You know the region. It will be quicker if we have you with us.

The hunter snorted.

-This is not going to happen. I am a hunter lad and I cannot go on a journey like that and I am not going to let you go too. That’s out of question.

-You will have to stop me then, said Aerys taking his sword out. He had regained some of his forces strangely. He could not tell if it was because of the herbs or because of the contamination. He knew that he had a chance against the hunter. He had still not recovered.

-put that sword away lad, retorted the hunter. Look, I know that you promised her but you cannot afford to do that. You will transform long before you arrive at Haldar. This is madness.

-There may be a solution, said Emily then. They both turned towards her. Have you ever heard of the queen of fairies?

The hunter smiled.

-this is all but a legend girl. There is no such queen of fairies.

-She is real, replied Emily. Every…one knows about her.

-So how come no one ever seen her then?, asked the hunter amused.

Emily shrugged.