The Toldar Series Box Set

by Matt Mememaro

  “You knew Malvrok?” Abner asked.

  “Course I did, he was a Hunter once. Good man, great Hunter. It’s a shame he left. I’m part of the reason how you came to be with him. Your mother and father couldn’t afford to keep you and I offered to find you a home.” Rowan grunted as he bashed the door with his axe butt.

  “Who were they?”

  “Oh your father was a Hunter, just like Malvrok and your mother was some noblewoman of sorts. They ran into bad times and had no other choice but to kill you or give you up,” Rowan said.

  Abner hung his head in defeat. “Can I at least know their names?”

  Rowan shook his head as the door clicked open. “Nope not right now, we’ve got a Councilor to kill.”

  The lobby of the tower was spacious and filled with darkness even in the middle of the day. Large pillars that supported the structure were spaced evenly through the small area that Abner could see. Each torch that burned was snuffed out and every window that was once open now closed. Abner saw a red light in the corner of his eye and turned to find Rowan’s turned red.

  “What the hell is that?” Lois said. She too had spotted the anomaly.

  “Night vision. I’m going on a hunt. Stay here. The Vanguard won’t be expecting an aerial assault in here,” Rowan said before climbing up a pillar, vanishing from sight.

  12

  Reiner

  Outside the tower, Barros was faring better. So far he had lost one knife to the giant structure and the wind held steady as he continued to climb upwards. The knife had been a gift and as agitated as he was, Barros pressed on. Just as he neared his destination he heard the sound of a crossbow firing.

  He turned his head, looking down onto the roof of the arena below that was filled with bodies to find two crossbowmen firing up at him. The sun blinded Barros, whiting out their faces, however the outlines of the soldiers bodies were clear. As the second fired, the first crossbowman panicked as he desperately tried to reload the weapon. Barros let go of his left knife, spinning his body so that all of his weight was supported by the one knife.

  The second bolt followed its predecessor bouncing harmlessly off the wall over a meter away. Barros had no more than thirty-seconds before another of the projectiles came his way. The wind began to pick up more, Barros looked out over the Renori wasteland to see clouds on the horizon. A storm was coming.

  Needing to end the threat from below, he swiped two more knives from their sheathes on his leg. Barros placed one gently in his mouth, stabilizing himself as much as possible. As soon as the first knife left his hand, Barros knew it was on target. He adjusted his aim, taking the second from his mouth before releasing. Both knives took the crossbowmen in the face. Barros continued climbing up the tower.

  His objective grew closer each time he moved a knife upwards. Minutes later he was dangling beneath Reiner’s personal balcony. It took all of his dexterity to pull himself upwards, grabbing the railing.

  Barros peered inside the floor that housed Reiner and his personal guard. Several stood nervously by the windows peering down into the arena below, awaiting the Hunters. The Magician stood by Reiner’s side another blue bubble wrapped tightly around the Councilor as he sat peacefully on his elaborate four poster bed. Barros needed to kill the Magician before he could move against Reiner and the second shadow the Councilor kept was nowhere in sight. The Hunter became to move once again, this time climbing the wall beside the balcony, to gain a prime position above it.

  Now crouched above it, Barros drew a small round device that looked like a simple steel ball before looking out over all that Reiner ruled. It was a pity to end the man whose family had done so much for their people in the last two hundred years. Yet progress had to be made. Barros twisted the ball three times and then stretched his arm out over the balcony, dropping the device.

  The ball seemed to take an eternity to fall coming to a halt after it bounced three times. Barros closed his eyes and began counting. There was a scuffle of activity from inside and half a dozen Vanguard appeared including the Magician. One man knelt to retrieve the ball before handing it over to the Magician. Barros flicked his eyes open and stopped counting.

  His device erupted sending fire and debris in every direction. No man on the balcony was left untouched by the bomb, each man having his flesh melted to some degree. Barros dropped from the ceiling, attacking those left standing, his sword a blur. Six more men inside fell before they realized what was happening.

  The remainder charged as one with swords in hand protecting their leader. Sheathing his sword, Barros dodged two blades, drawing both past his body disarming the Vanguard holding them. He lifted himself off the ground, using both men as leverage before knocking them off their feet. Upon landing Barros was stopped by a dozen swords pointed at his throat. Lord Reiner had finally risen.

  “Hunter, if you value your life, drop your weapons and come quietly with us.”

  Barros could only smile at the Councilor. “I should let you in on a secret, my Lord. I’m no Hunter.” As Reiner opened his mouth to issue a new command, Barros’ fangs slid out from his own and his flesh began to turn grey. “Die!”

  Abner and Lois remained at the entrance of the tower waiting for Rowan to reappear. Every few seconds there was a cry of terror and a heavy clang that signaled another dead member of the Vanguard. Moments later the black shadow that was Rowan strode out from the shadows, bloodied but uninjured.

  “Well, that was fun. I haven’t done it for a while. Come on, let’s keep moving.”

  Abner and Lois followed the Hunter deep into the tower, but before long another door blocked their path. Rowan looked through the glass and saw an armored Vanguard standing behind it.

  “When will these men learn?” He shook his head.

  With an almighty roar, Rowan smashed his foot into the door once, before sending it flying on the second kick. The Vanguard standing behind it was crushed against the base of the stair well.

  “I guess he won’t,” Lois said.

  There was a scream from above as a body came crashing down, smashing into the white tiles below the group’s feet.

  “Looks like Barros is busy,” Abner said. “We need to go help him.”

  “Aye, get up those stairs but don’t go in before me,” Rowan said.

  A minute later the group stood outside the busted door to Reiner’s quarters. The Vanguard that had been thrown had first gone through the door. Rowan quickly ran his finger over a part of the outline he had left before stepping cautiously into the room.

  “How is Barros that strong?” Lois asked.

  “The Bloodrush, I hope. And hopefully we can control him.” Rowan drew his crossbow, flicking a lever on it. “Let’s go.”

  The room was full of carnage, bodies thrown everywhere and torn to shreds by the destructive force that was Barros. Blood covered the walls and Rowan nodded as he saw the burn marks on the victims outside on the balcony.

  “Ah good, the Fyndfire bombs do work,” he said. “Barros! Come out!”

  “Fyndfire bomb? What did Barros do here?” Lois asked her eyes filled with lust.

  “That’s a dangerous look in your eye girl,” Rowan said. “It’s basically a device that we designed to kill multiple Vampires at once. Barros was testing it. I had no idea he’d use it on humans.”

  “By the gods, someone save us please!” came a scream from the next room.

  Rowan rushed into the next room, his sword drawn just as Barros impaled one final Vanguard on the edge of his daggers. There was a yell from behind him and a sword struck from out of nowhere. Barros leapt backwards as the shadow attacked him, diving underneath the black blade. Regaining his feet, Barros stood tall, leaping at the shadowy man taking him off his feet. Within seconds the shadow was unable to move as Barros bit open his neck. Covered in blood, Barros rose from the kill, the outside of his mouth stained with fresh blood. He growled at Rowan and snapped his teeth together like an angry wolf.

  “Get after Reiner!”r />
  Barros rose once more, bounding out of the room much like an animal. A few seconds of silence passed before they heard a high-pitched scream, seemingly loud enough to break glass. They could only look on as Barros emerged dragging the Councilor by the head. Abner noticed the red stumps that used to be hands on the end of Reiner’s arms. The second thing he noticed were the small red eyes of Barros darting from Rowan to Reiner’s neck.

  “Barros, no!” Rowan lunged forward, his crossbow ready to fire.

  The possessed Hunter dove for Reiner’s neck using the back of his hand to deflect the first bolt Rowan sent in his direction. Rowan shot again, this time the bolt was different with numerous prongs sticking off the main shaft and instead of the usual silver color it was jet black. Upon impact the bolt exploded into a net, wrapping itself around Barros, separating him from the corpse of Reiner. As Barros struggled, the rope separated, and four metal anchors dug their way into the floor securing the net in place.

  “Right, that’ll hold him at least until it fades,” Rowan said.

  “What’s the Bloodrush and how long is it going to take?” Lois asked. “We can’t stay here forever.”

  “You’re right we can’t stay here, but we can’t go anywhere with Barros in this state. You’ve seen drunk men before? The Bloodrush is our version of that except it is ten times worse. When a Hunter drinks too much Vampire blood they become intoxicated and become savage. All we can do now is wait until it subsides. We shouldn’t be here past sundown,” Rowan said.

  “Rowan, do you have a spare crossbow? Someone needs to watch the door,” Lois said.

  “Naturally.” Rowan threw the weapon at her.

  Lois marched to the door, ducking outside into the stairwell waiting for a sign of any Vanguard approaching. She lowered the crossbow onto the railing and waited.

  “Hmm, why hasn’t the Bloodrush subsided?” Rowan asked. “He still shouldn’t be like this. Abner, come here and grab his arm.”

  The Hunter trapped in the net snarled as Abner approached him but became docile as his son reached out to touch him. Upon contact, Barros’ muscles contracted, stiffening, beginning to tremble.

  “Fuck, this isn’t what we needed. Hold that arm steady, boy,” Rowan said.

  Doing as he was bid, Abner wrestled Barros’ wild limb to the ground. Rowan pulled a tube out from his belt. Looking through the clear material, the Highlander raised the device, jamming it into Barros’ arm. It stayed implanted for several seconds before he withdrew it, the see-through color now black.

  Immediately Abner saw the red reduced in Barros’ eyes. The Hunter stopped shaking and weakly sat up. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head blinking several times.

  “Fuck, how long was I gone for?”

  “Not too long but we need to move. That Renori regiment could be here any minute. Let’s get you out of that net,” Rowan said.

  Rowan removed the net, cutting through the ropes with his blade. Barros picked himself up and dusted himself down walking over to the window to survey the arena below them.

  “Any minute, Rowan? How about now?” Barros asked.

  “Shit, that didn’t take long!”

  “Get down! They have cannons!” Barros said.

  As he spoke the first of three loud bangs resonated from the arena floor where the Renori regiment was assembled. Another three cannons lined up behind the first, taking their shots after the original volley fired once more. Each ball crashed into the tower sending it rocking, send rubble flying in every direction.

  “Down the stairs! Hurry! The infirmary should keep us safe for some time until we figure out what to do!” Rowan said.

  The group barged into the infirmary, Rowan leading the way with a massive kick that knocked the door off its hinges. A few seconds later the cannons fired again, one of the projectiles smashing through a window nearly blowing Barros’ head clean off.

  “We need some rope damn it! The stairs are blocked from here to the ground!” Rowan said.

  “Find some then,” Lois said. A few seconds later she called out again. “Got some!”

  “Good, that’s just what we need,” Barros said examining the inch thick rope. “Rowan we’re going to pull of what we did on the Islands.”

  “Fuck no, not a chance.” Rowan shook his head. “We don’t have a big enough base.”

  “You’ll have to do,” Barros said. “We don’t have to get to the ground, just far enough that we can land safely. Besides the novices don’t weigh as much as those women did.” He tied the end of the rope around his mid-section, tying it off with a quick constrictor knot. “Make it to that balcony about ten floors down and we can go from there.”

  “Do we have enough rope?” Rowan asked.

  “Only one way to find out,” Barros said. “You’ll be fine.”

  “Righto, see you on the far side.” With that Rowan vanished over the ledge.

  Abner watched the Renoir regiment with unrest, watching the small men dart around reloading their cannons as commanded. There was a creak from below him and the tower was beginning to lean.

  “Send Lois down!” Rowan called. “I’m stable enough!”

  The girl followed the Highlander’s path grabbing the rope by both hands before descending. Her face was pale white, her legs barely moving. Abner smiled his encouragement at her as his own mouth was drying out. Barros kept a stern face of concentration, moving closer to the edge.

  “You’re up boy, grab on and go down,” he said a few seconds later.

  Abner faced the edge and wrapped his hands slowly around the rope feeling very insecure. He tried to shuffle forwards but was frozen to the spot. Sweat flowed off his brow and his fingernails all but dug into the palm of his gloves.

  Barros sensed his hesitation. “Fuck this, we can’t wait any longer! You’re not going so you’re coming with me!” He ran forward, collecting Abner in a tackle which sent both Toldars into a freefall.

  13

  Escape From The Arena

  Captain - Commander Laksha of the fourth Renori regiment had led her men into the arena at the call of the Councilor’s tower warden. Her Councilor was under attack and it was her duty to save him. It was rare for one of dark skin, with such striking eyes, hailing from the Galasos Islands to rise so high in a foreign society, let alone Renor. On the outside, all one could see was the silver armor of the Renori Vanguard and the red and gold four stripe insignia that befitted her rank.

  Over a long and taxing career in the Renori armed forces, fighting numerous battles in the Rhorn Pass, Laksha had eventually gained enough merit to rise from Sergeant to Major and then to her current rank, only five short years later.

  As the regiment took formation within the arena, Laksha carried the look of concern realizing the enemy had breached the tower. Many of her comrades, torn from the third regiment lay dead around the either, many above or below it according to the people fleeing the death trap.

  “Mercer, how long until the cannons are ready to fire?” she coldly asked her second in command, Lieutenant Mercer, who was short of breath having run from the rear lines.

  “Not long, ma’am. We only have three more to make it through the gates. I’ve also had a report that the men are Hunters and they are here to kill Councilor Reiner!” Mercer said. He gave her a stiff salute. “It is believed they are inside the tower! An explosion was seen just before we arrived.”

  Laksha fondled with the singular leather vambrace she wore, a gift given to her by the Councilor himself before turning to Mercer, considering her orders. “Hunters, you say Mercer? Here to kill the Councilor?”

  “Aye, ma’am. Four of them in fact. Two competed within the tournament, a young man and woman, said to have bested warriors many years their senior,” Mercer said. “The explosion came from the Councilor’s quarters.”

  Biting her lip, Laksha frowned at her Lieutenant. “If they are Hunters, I fear for the Councilor’s life if he isn’t dead already. Then again, I’ve always wanted to face a Hunter in co
mbat.” With a smile Laksha yelled at the top of her lungs. “Bring the cannons to bear on the tower and bring it down along with all those that would see Renor harmed!”

  “You wish to fire upon our own arena, Commander?” Mercer asked.

  Laksha replied with her smile still upon her lips. “Aye, indeed I do. If the Councilor is dead, all we can do is avenge him and bring his killers to justice. Fire at will!”

  The first cannon fired, its ball striking the tower sending out rubble in every direction. Not far behind their leader’s call the second and third cannons fired their shots. Finally the last three cannons rumbled into position, loading and taking their shots after the first volley.

  “Fire all!” Laksha said as the second volley smashed into the tower. With a sick pleasure, Laksha watched on as the Hunters emerged from just below Reiner’s quarters. “There they are! Kill them now!”

  Her cannons reloaded while the Hunters stood outside on the balcony, two of them quickly descending several floors. The remaining two lingered a while longer until suddenly both of them were plummeting towards the sand. Laksha held her breath as she watched two potentially dangerous foes fall to their deaths.

  Abner plummeted towards the earth with nothing but Barros to save him from certain death. Surely the Hunter had a plan? There was no look, save for the face of that of concentration. Without a word, Barros flipped himself so that his body would take the brunt of the fall. He’d survived worse in years past.

  They hit the ground with a sickening thud with enough speed to smash any normal human to pieces. Barros grunted as he took the force, Abner still wrapped up in his cloak. The boy rolled off, coughing, clutching his ribs before looking down at his father, who slowly sat up, selling the injury.

  “By the gods, Barros! What in the hell was that for?” Abner asked. “You could have killed us. How did we survive?”