“Lois, what the hell are you doing here?”
In the grandstands the Hunters watched on, confused at the exchange between the two combatants. Rowan shook his head, not comprehending what he was witnessing. “Your boy is a fool, Barros.”
“I dare say he knows the girl,” Barros said. “If he’s anything like me or his mother, Abner wouldn’t let her live if she wasn’t of use to him. That’s the only reason why he hasn’t cut her head off.”
“Do you reckon we came here seeking the wrong novice?” Rowan asked.
“Of course not, you idiot. Abner’s the right one, this girl is just a bonus. The way she uses that broadsword is lethal. There was at least a dozen times in that fight that she could have killed him. The girl should be paired with him as his Seeker,” Barros said.
“When was the last time you had a novice under you watch, Barros? Let alone two at the same time,” Rowan asked. “Be about fifteen years wouldn’t it back when you and Piero liberated Rhorn?”
“Don’t remind me of that place,” Barros said. “You can train the girl as your own if you want. I couldn’t care what you do with her.”
“She’s young enough to be my daughter, Barros. The risks involved if any sort of emotional attachment formed are too great. I’m the Head these days in any case and I won’t train her. Perhaps your son would oblige in solidifying the bond between Hunter and Seeker,” Rowan said.
“I’m sure we could let him,” Barros said. “That was an excellent fight. If these two are the first of the future generation, I hold high hopes for the Huntrey.”
7
Theft
There was nothing more refreshing than a friendly face and a good sword to watch Abner’s back inside the harsh environment around the arena. He had been skeptical with Barros, yet Lois was someone he knew he could trust. Now outside of the arena, the pair made their way towards the campsites that were situated on the field below the town.
Lois had made her camp as close to the action as possible, while Abner was located far off into the distance. They had both agreed to move him closer. The two warriors, Aksah both still in their hair made their way through the tent city, talking quietly between themselves about nothing of note.
Abner’s eyes narrowed as they came into site of his tent; something wasn’t right. He had pitched his tent in a rare sparsely populated ditch, one of the many that surrounded the arena. Abner shot a quick glance at Lois, signaling for her to draw her sword. He peeled back the opening and was rammed in the gut, sending him sprawling backwards.
Lois swung her smaller long sword at the intruder who sped underneath the blade. Not losing him, Lois flung the sword onto her hip immediately giving chase. As Abner recovered he saw the black hair of the running man and the blonde bob that was Lois not far behind. From the direction the chase was going it appeared to be moving south towards the main stables.
The only person that could want anything with Abner the day after Barros’ display had to be a Vampire. As he ran south, Abner fired a test shot with the crossbow, holding the weapon in one hand as he ran. There was a shortcut he knew of and headed towards as he sprinted up a stone staircase that led to the cluster of buildings that made up the town.
Abner pulled himself up a pair of barrels, leaping onto the roof of the closet building, looking out over Renor and what else he could see of the arena. Not only two hundred meters away, Abner saw the man Lois was perusing through the densely populated crowd. With his crossbow in hand Abner followed them, not willing to take the shot at this distance.
His roof shortcut was paying off, rapidly gaining on the pair as they dashed through the tightly packed buildings of the arena’s town. Tiles slid out from underneath his feet, falling onto the packed street below, causing many people to look up and point at the armored warrior that was racing across the rooftops.
Less than a minute later he was ahead of the Vampire and Lois, just short of the stables, running out of space. Abner came to a grinding halt, pausing, looking for a safe place to land and fire. The Vampire neared, and a second later Abner had made his decision. Leaping off the building, Abner hit the ground moments later, straight in the Vampire’s path.
His bones and armor crunched from the impact, the latter taking most of the force. Abner rose, steadying the crossbow in his grasp before pulling back on the trigger. A single silver bolt shot into the Vampire’s mouth at point blank range, tearing its inside to shreds. Abner ducked to the side as the fiend collapsed, its head turning a fiery orange within the blink of an eye.
“Ab, what the fuck is that?” Lois asked, gasping for air. She looked from the body to the crossbow in Abner’s hands. “Ah, of course, that’s from the Hunter you were talking about.”
“Let’s get him off the street,” Abner said. “Grab his legs.”
The warriors searched the dead Vampire for anything of value, finding naught but the warm boots on his feet. Aside from the Fyndfire still burning in his head, the man looked normal, nothing marking him apart from the thousands of other spectators in attendance.
“Found anything on him, Ab?”
“Nothing,” Abner said. “But I think I know what he was looking for.” He pulled the amulet out from underneath his armor. The golden light that had surged from it when the two had been joined together had long faded.
“That’s from the Fortress and the thing that got Malvrok killed!” Lois said. “Why did you keep it?”
“I killed a man earlier who was carrying a second but not before he killed five Alilletians without a single use of a weapon. This amulet did it. When I picked the second one up they both joined together, and I don’t want anyone to combine more parts together if they are out there.”
“We need to get back to camp and keep it quiet,” Lois said. “You don’t want anyone else hunting you, do you?”
Darkness fell as they moved through the tent city and once Abner’s had been reached darkness had truly fallen. Lois immediately struck up a fire using wood Abner had gathered the day before while he ducked into his tent, stripping off his armor, piece by piece.
“What do you want, Hunter?” Lois asked. There was a ring of steel against leather as she drew her sword.
“I come to speak with the boy,” Barros said.
“Lois, what the hell are you doing?” Abner asked as he emerged from his tent.
“Ah Abner, can you tell your dear friend here to get her sword away from my throat? It really isn’t a good place to put a weapon,” Barros said.
“Actually, no,” Abner said. “I want to see more of what you can do, Hunter. Are you up for another fight, Lois?”
“Of course, I am,” Lois said. “I could take this old man any day. Draw your weapon.”
“I’m ready now,” Barros said. “I don’t need a weapon. Give me your best and we’ll see if this ‘old man’ can be beaten by a girl.”
“Fine, have it your way,” Lois said. She took a step back before swinging her sword forward.
Barros remained stationary until the last moment, nimbly ducking to the side with the speed of a leopard. Lois sailed past him and for the moment he did not retaliate. When she turned he simply bowed before ducking to avoid another vicious assault. Frustration grew on Lois’ face as she missed more and more strikes.
She circled around the campfire, flicking her boot into the coals, kicking the embers towards Barros. He laughed and beckoned her forward for another attack. Lois obliged, leaping over the small fire, throwing a lunge forward. The Hunter met her stroke, grasping her hand in an iron grip, spinning her away.
As she spun, Barros drew the broadsword from the sheath on her back, clasping the weapon in one hand as if it weighed nothing more than a feather. He grinned up at the weapon before striking. Lois thrust up her blade in desperation to meet the shattering blow that pushed her backwards. Barros stepped back preparing for a lunge as Lois moved, drawing a dagger from her belt, deploying the same technique Abner had used against her in the arena.
The f
irst deadly lunge was swept to the side, allowing Lois a quick jab into Barros’ side. His inhuman speed made Lois seem slow, the blade never making contact. As he turned once more, Barros laughed as he lashed out, the broadsword knocking away Lois’ second blade, leaving her only armed with the dagger.
She tried to retreat, fumbling for anything to assist her as Barros closed in. He dropped the broadsword behind him, his teeth visible in the firelight, underneath his hood. With a single kick, he knocked the dagger from Lois’ hand, knocking her to the ground. He stood over her before pulling her up placing his hands around her neck, a dagger visible underneath his palm.
“I win, little girl,” he said.
“I don’t think so,” Lois said. “How good are you at healing?” Barros followed her eye line down to his crotch, finding another dagger ready to split him open. “So many people think that their chest or head is the only way to kill them, yet they’re never concerned about what’s below. I would cut you deep before you broke me, Barros.”
Barros brought his eyes back up to her face. “I don’t bleed.”
“Every man bleeds,” Lois said.
“Rowan,” Barros said. A crossbow bolt flew out of nowhere, bouncing off Lois’ armor, landing in the fire pit. “I wouldn’t need to break you, my dear. That’s the lesson for the day; always have someone to watch your back.”
“For the love of whatever gods, you believe in! Could this day possibly get any fucking worse? How many times do I need to get beaten?” Lois said.
“As many as it takes you for you learn,” Rowan said.
With a savage yell, Lois turned from Barros, raising her arm flinging the knife at Rowan, hidden in the shadows, faster than Abner’s eye could follow. The Hunter remained stationary, snatching the knife out of midair, an inch before it buried itself into his nose. Lois’ jaw looked ready to hit the floor.
Barros chuckled at Rowan before turning to her. “You’ll never beat a Hunter, or a young man that shows such promise to becoming one. As for you, Rowan, get your ass over here and stop being so dammed anti-social.”
“Those are fine words coming from the man who spent the better part of six years locked up in his bedroom reading books all day,” Rowan said.
“You know what I was doing in there. Research and being a social tart don’t go hand in hand,” Barros said.
“Yes, yes, of course you were,” Rowan said rising from his hiding spot, walking over to present the weapon to Lois, handing it back. “I believe this is yours.”
Before she uttered another breath, Lois threw herself at the Hunter, another savage cry, torn from her lips. Rowan blocked her attack, catching her strike, twisting her wrist and forcing her to drop the knife. He darted around behind her, holding the twisted arm in a chicken wing. Lois begged for release, tapping on Rowan’s muscular arm. He held it in place for several seconds before finally letting go.
Barros let out a laugh. “Well, this isn’t the first time we’ve had to confiscate weapons from children.” He tucked the dagger away in the folds of his cloak.
“Who are you girl? I know about Abner but I have not the faintest idea who you are,” Rowan asked.
“They call me Redjay, but my real name is Lois Behan and I come from Tyrain, same as Abner. We’ve known each other since we were children at Malvrok’s fortress,” Lois said.
“And Malvrok trained you as well? That much is clear from your aggression. Also, Rowan, isn’t Redjay a name used in the Blood Brotherhood?”
“Yes, although there hasn’t been anyone to hold that name in over one hundred years. What makes you so special, Lois?” Rowan asked.
“Nothing, I was trained by Malvrok and that’s it. When the Fortress burned to the ground, a man took me to the Blood Brotherhood and they trained me. I asked for work once I completed my trials and they gave it to me,” Lois said.
“I still don’t trust you,” Rowan said, “You’re wild and unpredictable. The only person here that can vouch for you is Abner. However if you prove yourself trustworthy, we might allow you to come back to the Huntrey with us. The life of an assassin is not a good one to be in servitude to.”
“I know the risks of my career, Hunter, as I would assume you know yours,” Lois said. “You shouldn’t lecture me on my life.”
“If you’re an assassin why did you come here, Lois?” Abner asked furrowing his brow. “Surely the pay was good enough so that you wouldn’t have to compete in a tournament.”
“It’s more than enough, the Blood Brotherhood sees that all their members are well taken care of provided they kill targets they are assigned. My reason for coming here was simple, Ab. I had to kill you,” Lois said. “I’m sorry.”
8
Scars of Barros
“Well, I didn’t see that one coming,” Rowan said blowing out his lips. “Definitely complicates things a little bit.”
“Why would you take that contract?” Abner asked.
“When I said kill you, I meant Malvrok. That’s who the contract was for, but we saw him executed so I knew it had to be an imposter. You and I both saw him executed at the Fortress, Ab. It was only logical I kill the man that assumed his identity,” Lois said. “Anyone that dishonors his memory has no right to live.”
Barros laughed. “You’re one to talk about honor. You’re the one that works for the Blood Brotherhood. Abner was merely protecting his identity.”
“I did what I had to do. Now that I know Abner took up Malvrok’s mantle, I won’t be fulfilling the contract,” Lois said.
“That might be so, but what about the others in the Brotherhood? As long as a contract is open you jackals won’t rest until it is completed. What’s going to make this any different?” Barros asked.
“I’ll protect Abner,” Lois said.
“How will you protect him from blades in the darkness or poisons in his food?” Rowan asked. “You’re good with your own swords, but you can’t protect him.”
“She’ll do what she can,” Abner said.
“Of that I have no doubt,” Barros said. “Now tell me, how exactly do you plan of becoming champion in this tournament?”
“By killing anyone in my way, my sword will cut them all down.”
“You’re more confident than you were when we first spoke, boy. What makes you think you can do it now?” Barros asked.
“I have a friend and a reason worth fighting for. I’ll make it out alive,” Abner said.
“Of course you will. By that statement I assume you wish to join us. While we’re here do you want to know anything in particular?” Rowan asked.
“Tell us something about your what you do, Hunters,” Lois said. “I’m curious for one how you know so much about the Brotherhood. I would know about you.”
“We can hardly trust you with details, but there are a few things we can tell you I suppose,” Rowan said returning to the shadows. “Barros, I’ll let you do the honors.”
“Of course you would,” Barros said. “Right then, Abner, Lois, as you’ve probably gathered by now, us Hunters are warriors like yourself. However few of us are lucky or good enough to reach my age. Each day we are pushed to our limits. It is usually a short life, yet one worth living in the servitude of humanity.”
“Why choose us?” Lois asked. “Why not use your Hunters that are in active service?”
“Because we need more to join our cause. The two of you will be the first of a new generation of Hunters, leading the fight against the Vampire hordes that sweep across Taagras, if you would join,” Barros said. “We ask you to become Hunters, because you are chosen.”
“When we join you, where do we go? If we are to come with you we will need a roof over our heads,” Abner said.
“There is a place we have known as the Huntrey. That is where we train, rest and live. They are scattered across Taagras, one for each country. Without the protection we have behind its walls or other means we have, the Huntrey would have fallen long ago. Councilors either aid us or try to destroy us. As of right
now, only Renor and Alilletia oppose our operations,” Barros said. “The other five countries will often fund us through food we can’t grow ourselves and coin to buy steel.”
“So how do you tell who a Vampire is and who isn’t?” Abner asked. “I was looking all throughout the arena and everyone seemed human. There was also one that attempted to rob my tent. Until he came into contact with the Fyndfire I couldn’t tell the difference between him and me. He was human, Barros.”
“It’s all part of the fun. As a Hunter you’ve got to be ready for anything even if that means their claws are raking against your neck as you draw your sword. But luckily for you two, in recent years we’ve finally learnt what sets them apart. For a start their ring finger is often the longest digit and their eyes are diluted that constantly change in the smallest ways. Both are very subtle and easily miss able to the untrained,” Barros said.
“I would have liked to have known that earlier today,” Abner said. “That way I wouldn’t have put Lois in danger by having her chase one.”
“She’s an assassin and a Sword Lord, same as you, boy. No matter what you choose to do in this life you’ll be in danger,” Barros said.
“Every man I’ve killed so far I’ve killed with ease,” Abner said.
“So you call that ease with what you did to the Alilletian in the first round?” Barros laughed. He threw his head back forcing his hood to fall down for the first time, revealing three long white scars running from his eye to his lower lip. “Like them?” he laughed, again lowering the hood. “This is what happens even when you’re the best in our business.”
“What happened?” Lois asked.
“A Vampire got me only five days ago on a hunt down in Sauria. Nothing out of the ordinary really, it was just a Count that’d been making a name for himself and began to amass followers. Naturally whenever that happens, we go and sort it out. But anyway, Rowan was there as well. I’ve got to stretch my legs,” Barros said.
The Toldar Series Box Set Page 26