“Fuck! Our one chance, gone!”
All around the table Vampires hissed their displeasure, while some licked their lips in anticipation of the feast would now be bestowed upon them. Barros quickly dismissed the idea calling two Vampires to his side.
“Take him into the ritual chamber. I will feast on him later. The blood of my son must be returned to me. If I find a mark upon his flesh I will hold you responsible,” he said. “Not even the false gods would be able to save you from my wrath.” He addressed the rest of the room. “Those of you who created the weapon now need to examine it and create something that will not kill half-breeds. I want results! Find a new test subject. You’re dismissed.”
“Do not be so hard on yourself, Barros,” Sophia said. She watched as the other Vampires rose and left the room. “We could only guess as to what it would do to him. This isn’t an exact science.”
“Lois, leave us. Feel free to venture throughout these corridors. If you are attacked mention my name and that you are under my protection,” Barros said before turning to his wife.
“You have been gone from my arms too long, Barros Toldar,” Sophia said as she caressed him.
“And I from yours, my love. Our son is dead and it appears we need another half-breed to test upon,” Barros said, stroking her hair as she returned to her human shape. The broken yet beautiful face was a reminder of the brutal past.
“Could we go back, I would give you another in an instant,” Sophia said.
Barros shook his head in disappointment. He started to transform back into his human shape and looked back at his wife. She was broken, a result of his own doing. Out of respect for her he did not remove her hood. “We have to work with what we have. I have the amulets, but they will only help so much. Let us pretend we’re newlyweds, with more than one night left to share.” He pushed her backwards onto the table as their lips met.
17
The Huntrey
Rowan remounted and rode through the iron gate, not needing to duck his head. He beckoned for Abner to follow under the watchful guard of the Hunters that were now attempting to get a glance at the new novice.
“Don’t worry about them watching you. They’ll sate their curiosity later,” Rowan said. “Come here, let me take Nagor’s reins.”
“What do you need them for?” Abner asked.
“Don’t you want me to stable him for you? I find it a better learning experience if you find your own way to your accommodation,” Rowan said.
“Where are you going then?”
“You see that cluster of houses there?” Rowan pointed to the dozens of small buildings only a stone’s throw away. “You’ll want to find number twenty. Good luck, I’ll beat you to it.”
“Well, well, well,” a cool voice called out. “Who do we have here?”
“Ah, Elizabeth, I knew you could smell a novice from a mile away. What do you want?”
Abner turned to see a young brunette, no older than twenty standing with her hands on her hips looking straight at him. She had a wicked smile and dark eyes that the sun seemed to avoid. Her pale complexion marked her as an East Corian, and with a pixie like nose, overall the girl looked rather attractive.
“Thought I’d help him... settle into the Huntrey,” she said.
“Of course you did,” Rowan said. His voice was dripping with sarcasm. Don’t let me catch you up to your usual tricks, Elizabeth.”
“Don’t worry about that, Rowan,” Elizabeth said. “What do they call you?”
“Abner. I trained with Malvrok, Sword Lord of Tyrain and won the Renori Tournament only days ago.”
“Impressive, but none of your accomplishments matter here. You’re at the Huntrey now,” Elizabeth said as they began to walk. “Attractive and there’s no doubt in my mind that you’re good with that sword. I wonder will you have the sense to become a Hunter that won’t need a Seeker. I could do it for you.”
“Your attempt to try and sway me isn’t going unnoticed,” Abner said. “Weren’t you here to help me find my way to my cabin?”
“That was one of my reasons for being here. My second reason is completely dishonorable,” Elizabeth said.
“I’ve had dealings with dishonorable people in the past, and I killed almost every single one of them. With such a pretty face I’d hate to class you among them,” Abner said.
“Well, novice,” Elizabeth smiled. Abner tried to look away as she rounded on him. “You’ll find me to be one of the most honorable people you know. Once you get to know me. I’ll take it slow.” She bit her lip slowly, casting a glance at him.
“I haven’t seen number twenty yet, where is it?”
“Just up here, there’s a lovely fireplace we could lie beside if you’d like,” Elizabeth said.
“I’m only interested in beginning my training,” Abner said. “I’m not interested in whatever you have to offer me.”
Elizabeth’s smile turned into a frown almost instantly. “My god, you’re a virgin still, aren’t you? I’ve never had a man refuse me. I’ll see you around, Abner.”
Abner stopped outside the door marked with a golden twenty emblazoned upon it. He heard footsteps behind him, thinking Elizabeth had returned Abner stared straight at the door.
“I could have told you that was going to be a bad idea,” Rowan said.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Wanted to see how you’d handle it, and you surprisingly did better than expected. Elizabeth has fucked every novice of age to walk through those gates in the last two years. Male or female, she doesn’t care, but I’m surprised at how quickly she came onto you.”
“Should I be worried?” Abner asked.
“No lad, she only wants to please herself. She’s not dangerous to you,” Rowan said.
“What of her reputation, doesn’t she care?”
Rowan laughed. “Not likely. Right here’s your new home. Here’s the key. Here’s your gear, honestly, I don’t know why you carry so much. You’ll travel lighter when you become a Hunter that’s for sure.”
“Thanks a lot, Rowan. It’s nice to finally have a proper home again after so long,” Abner said clasping the Highlander’s hand. “What should I do until Barros and Lois get here?”
“Elizabeth.” Rowan laughed again. “I’m just joking around boy. Whatever you want to do within the walls. Go explore, talk to people. Just remember that all the food for novices is served in the main tower on the bottom floor. Anyway, I best be off, you go enjoy yourself for a while. You’ve at least deserved it.”
After inspecting his roomy new accommodation that reminded him of the Fortress and placing his belongings inside, Abner set off into the center of the Huntrey underneath the shadow of the tower. He stood transfixed gazing up at the magnificent structure, nearly falling backwards looking upwards at it.
“What’re you looking at?” Elizabeth asked walking up behind him.
“Oh nothing, just taking in the tower. It really is a beautiful piece of infrastructure,” Abner said. “I was just going to have breakfast.”
“You should spend more time taking in the figures of women, than buildings. When are you going to loosen up and have a bit of fun, Abner? Breakfast can wait,” Elizabeth asked sliding her hands around his neck in an attempt to seduce him. “Are you a betting man, Abner?”
“You could say I am, why’s that?” Goosebumps ran down his neck and he shivered.
“I want to race you, around the Huntrey of course. If you can catch me before I make it back here I’ll give up. If not, I get to have my way with you, virgin boy.”
“I’ve never seen anyone outrun me before, so this should be interesting,” Abner said.
“Give me a decent head start, lover,” Elizabeth said as she pushed him.
Abner stumbled forwards, quickly regaining his balance before turning to sprint after Elizabeth. She ducked into the crowd assembled near the gates, a mixture of Hunters and civilians all conversing with each other. Her brunette head bounced through the crowd
as she made for the steps leading up to the battlements.
Vaulting up them three at a time, Abner saw Elizabeth’s head. Picking up his pace he saw her speaking to a Hunter who turned to face him, blocking his path from the next staircase. He ran forward looking down at the ground below him. Without hesitating, Abner leapt down, rolling as he made contact with the ground, looking up to find Elizabeth only meters in front of him. The flash in her eyes told him he was close. She began to jog backwards, mocking him.
“Thought you said you were fast, Abner!”
She fell forwards in a heap as she ran into a black wall oddly placed in the middle of the courtyard. Or at least that was what it looked like until the Hunter turned around. He stood close to seven foot, and his skin was the same color as his enormous cloak. A solitarily red scar ran directly across his left eye to the point of his flat, broken nose. He glared down at Elizabeth, hoisting her up by her dislodged hood.
“Elizabeth,” he said. “I thought when I last saw you I made it clear I never wanted you to try your tricks again.”
“I’m sorry, Gunthos. I was running from him,” Elizabeth said pointing to Abner.
“Of course, another new novice. One that refused you? That’s interesting.” Gunthos’ voice was oddly calm and slow for a man from the Islands. “Who is your mentor, boy and why aren’t you wearing your uniform?”
“I arrived this morning and I don’t have a mentor,” Abner said.
“Bull shit, who was the Hunter that made you cut your hand at the gate?” Gunthos asked.
“Rowan did.”
“Havoc, grab him and follow me. It’s about time we let Rowan know what kind of riff raff he is letting into the Huntrey,” Gunthos said.
Another Hunter appeared from nowhere, clearly the brother of Gunthos. They looked near identical save for the several inch difference in height. He grabbed Abner by the shoulder, grinning at the boy flashing his white teeth.
“Toldar’s boy aren’t you? Rowan and Barros left for the arena to get you. It’ll be good to finally have some leverage against him, wouldn’t you agree, Gunthos?”
“Absolutely,” Gunthos said. “Do not attempt to flee otherwise you’ll find a crossbow bolt in your back.”
The brothers marched the novices into the higher floors of the Huntrey. Abner took in his surroundings as much as he could with Havoc holding him in a death grip. He thought it was best not to struggle. Their tower was similar to the one at the arena, however much larger, accommodating for living areas and what Abner could only describe as classrooms.
Nobody questioned the two Hunters and their captives as they moved at a rapid pace up the tower. The marble staircases never seemed to end until at last the highest floor they drew level with what was Rowan’s office. Havoc stood forward and knocked on the door three times. Rowan opened it a few seconds later, sticking his head out before sighing when he saw who was before him.
“Is there a problem, Gunthos?”
“As a matter of fact there is. It won’t take a minute of your time to sort it out,” the dark skinned Hunter said.
“Fine, come in,” Rowan said, opening the door.
Rowan’s quarters were almost as large as Reiner’s in the arena, however the balcony and windows were much more expansive, nearly covering the entire back of the area. Another Hunter sat at the desk, tapping a quill onto the wood in a slow, deliberate manner.
“Right, what’s the problem you lot?” Rowan asked.
“Your new novice is running around the Huntrey and interrupted an exercise with this one. Havoc could have been injured as my aim was thrown off when she ran into me. I demand they be punished!” Gunthos said.
“Oy, none of that in my office! Without a doubt your exercise was nothing important and if Havoc could have been injured it’s clear he needs to train harder. These novices are under my protection as well as Barros’. If you lay a hand on them, I will remove the hand. Am I understood?” Rowan barely raised his voice.
“You’re slowing down and getting older, Rowan. Regardless of your size, Gunthos will soon be able to snap you like a twig. The only thing you’re good for is administration,” Havoc said. “Watch your back.”
“You’d threaten me? Well, you better carry it out quickly. Barros will be back within a day or two,” Rowan said. “Besides, I’d welcome an attempt on my life. Might give me a bit of a thrill.”
“This is why you should be disposed as head of this Huntrey, Rowan. Piero was a much more stable and suitable leader than you,” Gunthos said.
“Gunthos, I would just like to ask you if there was a proper purpose to your visit aside from throwing slurs around trying to make me angry so I want to fight you,” Rowan said.
“You’ll get yours, Rowan. Come on Gunner, let’s go,” Havoc said.
The two brothers left storming out of the office, slamming the door shut behind them. Abner looked at Elizabeth who began to laugh, trying to smother her giggles with her hand to no effect. Rowan glared at the girl.
“This is no laughing matter. You two better keep a low profile in your cabins until Barros returns. Havoc and Gunthos may not seem like it, but they will be out for blood. Yours, specifically. I will bring your meals to you, and anything else you need. Elizabeth I will inform your masters of where you are and what has happened. I will escort you,” Rowan said.
“Well, we’re stuck here now,” Abner said. He was frustrated with Rowan’s attempt to keep them safe and only minutes into their imprisonment, Abner was growing bored. “One or two days with you, in our cabins. This couldn’t get any worse.”
“I quite like the company, maybe we should talk and you might as well,” Elizabeth said.
“No, I told you I’m here to become a Hunter. I’m not going to fall victim to your charms like every other novice has!” Abner said. “What do I have to do to make that clear to you?”
“If I remember rightly, you agreed to a bet. And you didn’t catch me,” Elizabeth said. “I made it back to the starting point and you didn’t touch me.”
Abner felt his face going red. He was caught. “I don’t want to do this.”
“I’ll be gentle. First timers are my specialty. Come take a bath with me, relax, Abner,” she said raising her arms over his shoulders, her gaze burrowing into his.
“I want someone else,” he said.
“She’s not here. I am.” Elizabeth fell quiet as she drew closer to Abner. “Kiss me and give into your base desires.”
He could feel her breath on his face, and her smell was overcoming his senses. He hesitated for a moment before he closed his eyes and felt her press against him.
18
Enemies and Mysteries
Abner awoke the next day to find himself in the arms of Elizabeth to the sound of tapping on the door. They were sprawled across the bear rug in front of the fire, covered in a thin blanket. Grunting he rose, shaking Elizabeth awake, her straight hair from the night before now turned frizzy. She looked at Abner with hazy eyes motioning for him to embrace her once again. Abner refused, pulling on his pants before opening the door.
Expecting Lois and Barros, Abner was surprised to find a blonde youth standing before him. The boy was no older than fifteen and wore the elaborate multicolored robe of a nobleman. A hooded Hunter appeared behind him.
“You are Abner, are you not?”
“I am, who’s asking?”
“Good, Alexander, this is your new roommate,” the Hunter said.
“My name is Realla. Lord Alexander Realla. You may have heard of me.” The boy spoke in an arrogant manner and despite his name, Abner’s face did not change. The Reallas are an ancient family with ties to the Old Kings.
“Abner, who’s this?” Elizabeth asked walking to the door wrapped in the blanket, which barely covered her breasts.
“A Lord, if you’d believe it. He’s come to train with us instead of following the ways of his family in the kidnapping and murder industry,” Abner said.
The noble’s smirk slid st
raight off his face, meanwhile the Hunter outside chuckled. “Don’t you dare compare me to the rest of my family. I am the one that came here to change and do some good in the world. Where did you come from? A sewer? Don’t you dare think you are better than I am!” Alexander said.
“Don’t worry Ally, I won’t think about it. If you like we can go out on the field, grab our swords and everyone could watch me beat you in five-seconds flat,” Abner said. “I’m better than you because I had to fight to survive in this world, while you got everything handed to you on a silver platter!”
“You shit! How dare you insult me?” Alexander’s arm came up in a flash.
Abner walked straight into the punch, grabbing Alexander’s arm, pulling the blow past his body. The Lord was off balance, unable to control the fall of his body. Abner brought his elbow up, smashing it into the nose of Alexander. Blood splattered everywhere and Alexander hit the wooden floor, becoming instantly unconscious.
“Well, fuck me, they told me you were good with a sword but I didn’t expect that. Rowan was right putting him with you, couldn’t stand his constant smugness on the trip,” the Hunter said closing the door. “Have fun with him.”
“Well, what do we do? He’s out cold,” Elizabeth said.
“We’ve got to clean him up. Help me take him into the washroom.”
They found a cloth to hold over Alexander’s nose stopping the blood flow. Abner’s hand had become covered in blood sticking to the cloth. Elizabeth dropped the blanket, working on cleaning his face with a wet rag they’d found in the cabinet underneath the sink. Once Alexander was clean, they carried him back out to the main living room before sinking into the bath in each other’s arms.
“I really enjoyed all of yesterday,” Abner said as he cupped a breast.
The Toldar Series Box Set Page 32