The Toldar Series Box Set

by Matt Mememaro

  “Sometimes I wish I could put my axe through his head, but the man is just something else,” Rowan said.

  “I know, my friend,” Largos said shifting back to his human form, placing the corpse back inside the bag. “It is time to lay the illusion.”

  “You will have to carry it out yourself. I need to return to the Huntrey before dawn and set off on this hunt. I also need another favor,” Rowan said.

  “You’re wearing thin with the amount of favors you ask of me. But speak it any way,” Largos said.

  “I subdued a pair of wolves out in the forest with Vampire blood. Remember what we did with the horses not too long ago? I was thinking that we do the same with the wolves and begin breeding them. They’d make the perfect companion for a Hunter if they could sniff out Vampires. That way we could phase out Seekers all together. Then all of our resources can go into training just one type of Hunter,” Rowan said.

  “If they prove easy enough to train and breed, you may be onto something. I’ll have Balzac collect the beasts and build an enclosure,” Largos said, extending his hand.

  “A pleasure as always, my friend,” Rowan said.

  “Aye, and I seriously question why I maintain this friendship with you,” Largos said with a grin. “Good luck on your hunt.”

  21

  Cavern of Darkness

  Rowan rapped on Barros’ door and was greeted by his friend’s tired, but friendly face. He pushed past, searching for the jug of water Barros always kept in his room.

  “How did it go?” Barros asked. He closed the door.

  “Good. Largos fixed Piero up before taking him north, just as planned. It’ll look like a Vampire ambushed him while he was returning home. I got distracted with something that I’ve now handed to the Lotu. I also had to kill Piero’s horse to make it look like he had gone,” Rowan said. “All in all, a rather successful night.”

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “No,” Rowan said taking a huge gulp of water. “We should have left ten minutes ago and I’m running on zero sleep. If we want to reach the Caverna de la Oscuridad before sundown we had better hurry.”

  “The what?” Barros looked confused.

  “Old tongue for the Cavern of Darkness. Largos mentioned it, he also told me how no human has ever walked out of there alive,” Rowan said.

  “Good thing I’ll be running then,” Barros said. “I’ve already got our things packed.”

  The Hunters exited the room, slipping down the stairwell unopposed at this early hour. While they primarily hunted Vampires during the night, Hunters when not on a hunt, Hunters were not ones to rise before dawn. As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the stained windows, the pair reached the ground floor and headed for the stables.

  West Anacore’s stables were amongst the biggest in Taagras, accommodating up to several hundred horses at any one time. True to his word, Barros had loaded both horses with rations, weaponry and other possible useful equipment.

  “You really did think of everything,” Rowan said.

  “Somebody had to and it wasn’t going to be you,” Barros said.

  “You did at least remember to pack a spare crossbow for yourself this time, I see,” Rowan said..

  “I wanted a challenge on that hunt. I didn’t forget,” Barros said. “It’s not like we we’re going after a Count or anything.”

  * * *

  With many leagues behind them, nightfall neared as the Hunters found a level crossing in the Delta River. The majority of the river was a wild mess, white rapids covering most of its surface, the currents far too strong for any land animal to traverse. But here the river bent sharply, becoming shallow. At no more than three feet it was easily crossed.

  Once over the other side, the mountain that housed the cavern came into view. Night had truly fallen by the time the Hunters reached their destination.

  There was a small hole that a man could climb down in order to reach the caverns.

  “You expect me to climb down into that?” Rowan asked peering into the darkness.

  “No, you’re going to stay here and look after the horses,” Barros said. “I’ll barely fit myself. I packed enough rope if you need to lift me out of there.”

  “Where? I didn’t see any on your horse.”

  “In your crossbow. Your next shot will use it all. Don’t waste it, I don’t feel like climbing out of there with hundreds of hungry Vampires on my trail,” Barros said.

  “You’re telling me you packed several hundred feet worth of rope into our bolt magazine?” Rowan asked examining the new round drum that Barros had attached to one of the crossbows.

  “If we can load it with several thousand of the pellets that become the full-size bolts, I don’t see why not,” Barros said.

  “So the Lotu did actually make them like they’d planned to? That’s bloody impressive we have something so small that can hold so much ammunition. How did they manage to make the bolts transform?” Rowan asked.

  “Probably just smothered the whole crossbow in Fyndfire. When in doubt, assume that’s what they’ve done,” Barros laughed. “I tested it and the rope should work as if you’re shooting a bolt. Personally, I still prefer the old magazines that we have to reload, but I know how you like to shoot everything in sight,” Barros said. “It’s amazing what the Lotu have come up with in the last six years.”

  “Aye, the Lotu have served us well. Maybe they’ll invent something that makes the Vampires drink their own blood saving us the trouble of hunting them,” Rowan said.

  “Doubtful, but maybe you should see Largos about that. Besides, you and I both live for this shit. What would we do if we didn’t have Vampires to kill?”

  “Kill humans, I suppose. Now get moving, I don’t like it here. Get the amulet and get out. That’s your job,” Rowan instructed.

  “I know my role, friend. You just worry too much. Keep an eye out for me,” Barros said straightening himself before leaping down into the cavern.

  Barros hit the floor with a loud thud that echoed off the walls around him. The cave felt damp, a small dripping sound echoed around him. Aside from the dampness, the cavern stunk like rodents had rotted there by the thousands. Barros drew his sword, calling on the Vampire blood in his system to activate his night vision. As the darkness turned to red Barros was confronted by a Vampire, frozen, staring at the Hunter that had dropped into its home.

  “Hunter,” the Vampire said, flicking out its tongue, slowly taking in the taste of Barros.

  “Vampire,” Barros said back, seeing the creature in its natural form through his red eyes. Here the Vampires had no need to blend in with humans.

  “Ah, it speaks. Why are you here?” the Vampire asked.

  “I have come to take what resides within this cavern,” Barros said. All he received was a blank stare. “I honestly don’t know why I do this job when I have to put up with imbeciles like you.”

  Without warning, the Vampire swung at Barros, its fist displaying the deadly claw he was all too familiar with. Instead of turning the claw away, Barros stepped up, catching the dead hand in one of his own. The Vampire looked down in shock.

  “Slow and stupid.” He turned the fiend’s wrist and its body so it was facing away from him. “It really amazes me how you haven’t fallen to the Hunters before now if you’re all this way.”

  “What are you?” it asked.

  “More than you could possibly imagine,” Barros said. He drew one of his daggers.

  “No, not the Fyndfire! Keep that away from me!” the Vampire said.

  “Keep your mouth shut and this will end painlessly for you.”

  “Hunter!”

  Barros glared at the Vampire before ramming the knife into its throat. “That’s what you get for not listening to me,” he said.

  A low growl from behind him sent Barros spinning around just in time to find another Vampire leaping towards him. He ducked, throwing the knife upwards, catching the fiend in the stomach as it sailed overhead. Two
more avoided their falling kin as they made their way towards the Hunter. Barros drew his sword and the Vampires howled, running towards him. He ducked, sweeping the legs from under the closest Vampire and thrusting his sword into the chest of the second. Barros waited for the first to recover and once it had risen to its feet, his sword entered its skull.

  “Bravo.” A voice rang out in the darkness accompanied by slow clapping. “You dropped into my home and killed four of my kin. That is an excellent effort, Hunter. And rather foolish.”

  “I’m here to slaughter more of you if you don’t give me what I want,” Barros said.

  The unknown Vampire chuckled, finally stepping into Barros’ field of vision from behind a cluster of boulders. “Of course, they sent you, Toldar. I know of you and you are not in the position to be making demands.”

  “Who are you?” Barros asked holding his sword out in front of him.

  “Crotorus, and I’m the one you seek. You will not kill me this night, Barros Toldar. I have had my kind seeking you for many years ever since you murdered my brother six years ago.”

  “You’re Namzal’s little brother? Barros asked. “Fitting how I will end your family.”

  “So intent on killing me? Yet all I want to do is exchange nothing but words before I take your life. How do your fellow Hunters live with you, Barros? You seem to be a menace to all those you come across,” Crotorus said.

  “You mistake my intent. I will exchange words with you in private. Do you have a place in this shit hole that you call a home?”

  “Aye, we do. This way,” Crotorus said.

  Crotorus led him into the depths of the cave where the air began to become thin. Countless Vampires would bar Barros’ escape should he need to flee. They glared at him as he passed, their red angry eyes following him through the tunnel. Barros had no doubt, over the years, killed many of their kin.

  They came to an area that had been expertly dug out by Vampire claws. A square room that was nothing more than rock and dirt. Crotorus turned to Barros, speaking for the first time since they’d began their journey.

  “We shall not be interrupted in here. We are alone.”

  “Very well, to business then,” Barros said.

  “Veera, shut the door if you could please,” Crotorus said to an unknown woman.

  There was a shuffling of feet on the dirt and the entrance that Barros just came through was sealed off from the rest of the cave. He peered over the Vampire’s shoulder and saw a small raven-haired woman behind him.

  “Veera? I thought you just said nobody would interrupt us,” he said.

  “Be at peace, Barros. She is mute and not of my kind. We ripped her tongue out many years ago when she first came to us,” Crotorus said.

  “You keep a human slave here?”

  “Slaves,” Crotorus said. “This is only the beginning. In time, humans will kneel before me.”

  Barros drew his crossbow and fired before Crotorus could react. The bolt hit with a loud thud sending the woman tumbling to the ground. “Humans will one day bow before me, not you, Crotorus. I will be the one that indulges in that pleasure. You do not keep human slaves.”

  Crotorus recoiled as if he had been struck. “You’re a Hunter. Why would you want your kind to be in chains and shackles thrown at the feet of Vampires?” Crotorus asked.

  “The world will be mine in the future. I and only I shall control all that live on the land and that which swims in the sea.” Barros said. “And my world will be free of the filth that call themselves Vampires!”

  “I will forgive you once for an outburst like that. Human insolence is why I chose to be a Vampire. Their weak minds are why Veera willingly came into my bed.”

  “You and I both know that is a load of shit. Humans do not willingly slip into bed with a Vampire!” Barros said.

  “So you’re the only exception to that rule are you, Barros?”

  A chill of cold fear shot down Barros’ spine. “Who the fuck have you been talking to?”

  “Oh a few of my kind, but mostly the Countess. It seems that you two had quite the relationship from what she’s told me over the years. Sophia is a regular guest in my home,” Crotorus said. “Yes, she still looks worse for wear after what you did to her all those years ago but she’s still looking for you. She wants her revenge.”

  “I will hold Sophia in my arms once again and she will be at peace. She will not be the one that returns the favor of what I did to her,” Barros said.

  “Barros, your hatred for Vampires runs almost as deep as the Hunter blood that flows through your veins. It consumes you. Hating Vampires is what you were born to do. But I hardly think the business you had in mind was killing my body slaves and discussing your past. What are you really here for?” Crotorus asked.

  “I assume you are familiar with the treasure of your greatest father,” Barros said.

  “Aye, we all are. My only wish is that Tal’davin will one day grace these lands again,” Crotorus said. “And since you know of his power, you know this could quite possibly happen.”

  “I also know that you have an amulet. The gold chain around your neck gives it away.”

  “This? It’s just a trinket,” Crotorus said.

  “Crotorus, you and I both know that is bullshit. I refuse to believe that your kind chose this cave to inhabit by chance. You know that Lars put one of the amulets here. Now show it to me. If it’s not what I have come to claim, we can go our separate paths,” Barros said.

  “That won’t be necessary,” Crotorus said.

  “Show me the amulet and I give you my word as a Hunter that you will not be slaughtered here and now,” Barros said.

  “I trust your word about as much as I trusted my lying brother’s.” Crotorus drew a flintlock pistol from inside his cloak. “Now hand over your amulet, Toldar, or I’ll put a hole in your brain and turn you into one of us.”

  22

  True Identity

  Barros laughed at Crotorus’ swift action, despite the flintlock pistol being aimed between his eyes. “You think you can kill me? I’ll have this crossbow off my back with two bolts in the air before you can pull the trigger.”

  “I promise you, Barros. If you move, this bullet will go through your brain. Now show me the amulet,” Crotorus said.

  “So you’re assuming I have an amulet of Tal’davin? No human aside from Lars Hunter has ever held one before,” Barros said. “To claim that I have one in my possession without losing my mind, that would be an absurd idea.”

  “You may have done so already. Madness comes on many levels, dear Hunter, and you marching into the Caverna de la Oscuridad so brazenly may be a result of that madness.”

  “I am not mad, nor have I told you everything about what happened with your brother,” Barros said. “When I was there in the Highlander village with him, he did something to me. He was a Count was he not?”

  “Aye,” Crotorus said. “He was powerful.”

  “And he spoke to me about something called a Dreyth that I have inside me, unlike most humans. Whatever he did, changed me into what I am today,” Barros said.

  Crotorus sniffed the air, his tongue flicking out rapidly. “Yes, there is something strange about you, Toldar. You’re not human.”

  “You’re right about that,” Barros said. “What rank are you currently?”

  “I’m a Shade,” Crotorus said. He clasped his hands together around the pistol and vanished from sight. “You cannot kill me if you cannot see me, Hunter.” His voice had become distorted as part of the invisibility.

  The Hunter grinned, turning slowly around the room. “That’s a major setback for men, Crotorus, but I’ll think you’ll find that is no issue for me,” Barros said. Fangs slid down from behind his teeth, taking their proper position in his mouth. “Tell me, have you ever killed a Count before? Or even faced one in battle?”

  Crotorus let out a sharp breath, pausing for a moment before muttering to himself. He addressed Barros once again. “You’re a Hunte
r, there are no Vampires amongst your ranks. Let alone a fucking Count.”

  “I am the first,” Barros said. “You can thank your brother for what will now be your death. It was Sophia and Namzal that set me on this path towards you. I will have what I came for, and you will die, just like your brother.” He took a step to the right. “Shoot me, see if I die like a mortal man would.”

  The pistol exploded from out of the darkness, the bullet seeming to move in slow motion. Barros turned his head following the trajectory of the slug, his red eyes glaring hungrily at Crotorus. The bullet took him in the temple, forcing his head back around, but otherwise did not faze him. Crotorus vanished from sight once again.

  “I must say, Barros, I never dreamed of killing my own kind. However, one that pretends to be a Hunter needs to be put down,” Crotorus said. “You stalled my plans six years ago when you killed Namzal and now, I will make up for lost time. It will bring me great joy to behead the man that killed my family.”

  “You really think you can destroy me?” Barros asked. “Your brother failed, Sophia failed and every fucking Vampire before and after them failed. What makes you so different?”

  “I hold an amulet of Tal’davin, I am a Shade and I am more powerful than you could ever imagine, Toldar,” Crotorus said.

  “You forget, I am a Count, holding two amulets. This doesn’t end well for you, Crotorus.”

  “This will end with you dead and rotting in this cavern, while I take the amulets from your corpse. I’ve waited much longer than you have for this opportunity to unite all seven of Tal’davin’s amulets. I was old before you were born, Barros and I will have what is mine by right.”

  “Reveal yourself and fight me like the real monster, both you and I are supposed to be,” Barros said. “Then we can see how this will end.”

  “You said you could see through the shadows Barros, a setback for a mortal man. But you are not mortal. I see your fangs and I can taste the blood of my kin flowing through your veins. Now that it is clear what you are, the scent is unmistakable. You should be able to see me,” Crotorus said.