The Winter's Hunt
Page 18
“No doubt the two hunters I mentioned,” Boswick answered, vitriol prominent in his voice. “Ryland and Kaito. If Lyle’s fallen, I can only hope Erik has the fence still held together and took down the jarl.”
Hackshot rubbed his chin in thought, then answered, “We need to be prepared if the worst happened. Worst-case scenario planning dictates we must assume and anticipate that they will indeed be after us too.”
“No doubt,” Boswick spat as his hand ran along the scar on his face. “So, they managed to take down my partner, huh? One way or another, I’ll pay them back.” Boswick then reached into his pocket and pulled out the talk stone he had and prayed that somehow Lyle wasn’t captured or had escaped. “Hello, Lyle, can you hear me? Lyle? Lyle?”
The silence on the other end confirmed Boswick’s greatest fears and pocketed the magical communication item.
Hackshot nodded his head and folded his massive arms over his barrel chest, then said, “If they do come here, we’ll avenge him. You both have been a terrific asset to me. I’ll send some men out to get word of what happened in Hjaalren to our fence.”
Boswick nodded and quietly said with deadly intent, “They had the option to walk away. Now they tussle with a group beyond their scope.”
“These Frontier Okami guys, are they really that much of a threat?” Hackshot asked, wisely weighing caution to the entities that took down Lyle.
“Initially I didn’t think so but given how the leader of the Frontier Okami rallied the others together, survived, got licensed, and made their way to Hjaalren to take down Lyle? I wouldn’t put anything past them now. If anything, they’re tenacious and strong-willed,” Boswick answered. “That other team here that has been putting away some of our people of recent is an issue too, but having personally seen the other two in action time and time again, they’re not to be taken lightly.”
“I see,” Hackshot concurred. “Then we’ll prepare accordingly. I have little doubt they are on their way here. Things are going to get interesting in coming days.”
Boswick turned to face the hallway entrance and muttered to himself, “Just you wait, you guys. You wanted a shot at me? You’ll have it yet.”