Abner roared savagely, taking the head of the Vampire directly in front of them. Two bolts each from Gareth and Gunthos saw the others dead. “Lois! Follow the trail. We’ll be right behind you,” he said.
The inside of the Citadel was as miserable a place as it’s underground. It was crafted purely of steel that had been painted black, commissioned by the first Graytooth. Ever since then the Citadel was constantly expanded until it took up a large portion of Etia. Over the years, the Citadel had never fallen to any attack and that was not likely to change.
The Hunters followed Lois, sniffing the air constantly for the Vampires she was tracking. With the Citadel having numerous scents throughout it, the Vampires were hard to find. Sniffing and tasting the air for them helped when her eyes were unable to follow their path.
“They’re close,” she said.
Two men burst out of nowhere, dropping down from the ceiling. The Vampires had numerous places to hide inside the Citadel. One attacked Abner, kicking him down to the ground, quickly turning his attention to Lois. Her favorite jeweled dagger appeared in her hand as she cut its throat. Mandel had latched onto the other, ripping it to pieces.
“Five more!”
“Where?” Abner asked.
“The entrance!” she said. “No, the main hold, there’s two more!”
“I’ll go to the hold, Abner. I’ve been here before,” Gareth said.
“Go. I want you back at the inn by nightfall otherwise I will assume you are dead,” Abner said. “Kill them and any others you find along your way, and then get out of here.”
“Understood, Toldar,” Gareth said. “Come, Mandel.”
Gunthos frowned as Gareth sprinted off in the direction of the hold. “Are you sure that’s wise, Abner?”
“He has to learn and prove himself, Gunthos. Just as much as any of us did. Now let’s get out of this place. If he makes it back alive he’ll be better from the experience. Now let’s move,” Abner said.
Gareth slowed as he approached the main hold of the Citadel. He lied to Abner when he had said he’d been here before. Never before had he ventured this far into the Citadel. Mandel was slowly becoming more and more on edge. He could smell the Vampires nearby.
“Where are they boy?” he asked scratching the dire wolf’s ears. Mandel raised his snout into the air, trying to sniff out the Vampires. “That’s it, keep it up. They’re close, tell me where they are.”
Mandel looked across the hallway into a room barred by a heavy wooden door. These appeared to be one of the rare things inside the Citadel not made from the black steel. The Hunter and his wolf banged on the door twice.
“What’s in there, boy?” Gareth asked.
Mandel growled, swiping with his enormous paws at the base of the door. Only the Vampires could be inside. Gareth turned the handle not knowing what to expect, going before Mandel. He swiveled his crossbow to either side of what appeared to be a large cabinet, filled with cleaning supplies and other assorted goods.
The bodies of the two dead Vampires greeted him, even uglier than they were in the life they had one lived, if that was even possible. Gareth took note of what they looked like and how they had been killed. The only problem was there were no clear Fyndfire markings upon them.
“Hunter!” a harsh voice lashed across the air from behind Gareth. He turned to find a small, old, gray Alilletian standing behind him, a large dagger in hand. “Oh bless the Larchi, it is truly you!”
“Who are you, what is the Larchi?” Gareth pointed his crossbow at the old man.
“The Larchi is our word for Sun God, Gareth, or have you forgotten that?” the Alilletian asked.
“How do you know my name?” Gareth asked.
“All in time my dear boy. I am Unul. Behind you are Welles and Cordus.” Gareth turned to see who the Alilletian was talking about. The two Vampires were rising again.
“Do not harm them unless you wish to see the daylight once more. Tell your wolf to calm himself. There is somebody who wishes to speak with you,” Unul said.
“Who?” Gareth asked.
“We do not speak his name. Only allow me and the Vampires to escort you to him. I promise you he is very civilized,” Unul said. The man was in no rush.
“Tell me who, dammit”! Gareth was angry at the complacent old man in front of him.
“You are in no position to bargain, Gareth. The Vampires will kill both you and your wolf right here. They are both Shades. You have no chance,” Unul said.
“Mandel, stand down,” Gareth said.
“Good choice, Hunter. Now if you would please come with us,” Unul said. He gestured with an open palm.
Gareth looked back at the Shades wondering if he could take them down. They stood ready for any sign of offensive movement from the Hunter. Mandel would only be able to take one down and Gareth had struggled more than enough with the Desire back in the tavern. “Lead on,” he said.
The mismatched party of Vampires, humans and the dire wolf moved quickly through the Citadel towards its upper levels where only the most prominent people of Alilletia held position unopposed. Clearly Unul held a high position within the Alilletian society. Gareth stole a glance out of the huge glass window that ran adjacent with the stairwell. From here he could see every snow-covered roof in Alilletia. They spread out for miles below him and he wondered where amongst them the tavern sat.
Unul walked them to the end of a hallway, high above the city and waited patiently at the bend where it turned into another. Their steps echoed around them, bouncing off the walls. The highest floor in the Citadel had no expense spared to make it seem larger than life. Footsteps echoed from the other end of the corridor and Gareth turned seeing an Alilletian approach.
“Unul, he thanks you for your efforts,” the big blond man said.
“I live to serve him and his cause,” Unul said.
“Of course you do.” The stranger took a coin purse from the insides of his animal skin coated and handed it to Unul. “Share it amongst yourselves. He does not care how much you receive. Your job is done here. He will call on you when he requires your services again. Follow me, Gareth.”
“There’s a lot of gold in there,” one of the Shades said.
The other Shade shrugged. “More for us if there are only two shares out of the three.”
“No, don’t do this!” Unul said. “Councilor Graytooth appointed me to be the boy’s Caretaker! You cannot kill me!”
“You’re the Caretaker?” the strange Alilletian asked.
“Of course, who else do you see around here cleaning up after your mess?” Unul said.
“Leave him,” the Alilletian said. “He needs to remain alive at all costs.”
“Yes, Cordus.” The Shades backed away from Unul and awaited their next instruction.
“Gareth, Unul if you could follow me. You are both expected,” Cordus said.
They walked in silence to the end of the hallway, turning right into an open room that was completely blacked out. Several small fires sat in each corner of the room, contained by a brazier. They provided the room that smelt like death with the only light. In the center of the large room stood what could only be described as a throne, lion-like paws were carved out of the stone or wood as hand rests. From this distance it was hard to tell.
“Come no further,” a voice said from within the room. Gareth hadn’t even seen someone in the room with them. “Do not fear, Gareth. I am a friend. I am Tal’davin.”
5
Sins of the Father
“Tal’davin died thousands of years ago, imposter!” Gareth shouted at whoever was in the room with them, drawing his crossbow.
“Yes, I have been dead, but now as you can see I have a new body. I stored my conscious inside my amulets until I found one suitable enough to hold me. This body provided for my needs more than adequately,” Tal’davin said.
“Why, what made it so worthy?” Gareth asked.
“It was a Hunter,” Tal’davin said. “The more
amulets he began to possess, the more I entered the world once more. I am still missing two parts however. They are within the city. I can feel them and I am drawn to their presence.”
“Who holds them?”
“You have met. He can have them for now, I have other plans that are being set into motion. As long as I have this body, my thousand years of waiting has already been successful. Abner Toldar will have what is coming to him,” Tal’davin said.
“Abner might, but what about me? It’s clear you wanted to see me for something, yet I hardly know who you are and what you want with me,” Gareth said.
“You were raised in the Renori Huntrey, were you not? Never knew anything about your parents or heritage except for the fact you are more than likely Alilletian,” Tal’davin said.
“That’s correct. But how would you know that?”
“Caretaker!” Tal’davin called.
The doors burst open again and Unul reappeared looking surer of himself. He strode into the room with a confidence that had been lacking only moments ago. Gone was the withered old man, in his place was a seasoned veteran of the political game.
“You called, sir?”
“Gareth needs an education on his family history. Until he knows what his purpose is he is of no use to me. Turn him into what he needs to be,” Tal’davin said.
“I am a Hunter,” Gareth said. “I already am what I need to be and I need to put a crossbow bolt through your throat.”
A bright golden light shot out from behind a large bookshelf engulfing Gareth. It swirled around him twice, caressing his skin like a lover before vanishing. Gareth reached into his belt for a vial of Vampire blood, something that would allow him to see in the darkness and find whoever was calling themselves Tal’davin.
“Gareth, come with me now,” Unul said.
“You’ve given me no reason, I’m going to kill Tal’davin and if you get in my way you’re next,” he said.
“Considering the last man to kill me couldn’t finish the job properly, I doubt a fresh-faced Hunter like you would be able to do so,” Tal’davin said. “Now, go with Unul, he will teach you what I want for you to know.”
Gareth frowned, considering the order for a second. Yes, the Caretaker was Alilletian, but the Hunter felt the man held no threat. Tal’davin’s presence pressed heavily on his mind, giving him and overwhelming surge to want to find out more. “Lead on,” he said.
Cordus who had remained in the room finally spoke from the dark corner. “Is this wise? Unul is only human, the Hunter may yet kill him.”
“He has seen my power and knows that I am real,” Tal’davin said. “The Hunter will not harm the man his father and I appointed to lead Alilletia into a new golden age of prosperity under his rule.”
“What does a man that left me at a Huntrey nearly two decades ago have to do with this?” Gareth asked. “I can’t be Graytooth’s heir!”
“Unul will explain,” Tal’davin said. “Leave me.”
The Caretaker led the Hunter through the chilling halls of the Citadel without a word. Mandel slinked along beside his master, taking slow well placed steps, the heavy padding on his paws muting any sound he made. Gareth kept his fist at the ready if Unul made any sign of attacking him. The Caretaker finally came to a stop outside a door that looked as if it had not been opened for many years.
“This is where you will stay when you are here in Alilletia,” Unul said. “These chambers have been sealed off for eight years, since the time of your father’s death.”
“And what do I want with a dead man?” Gareth asked. “I want nothing to do with a man that left me alone to die.”
“He did not leave you alone. Until the Hunters found you, I watched over you and cared for you, always from a distance. It was always my intention to have you become one. I had a rough idea where their Huntrey was, so I knew where to put you. I knew you’d come back to me eventually here,” Unul said.
He pulled a old rusted key out from his coat and pushed it into the lock. With a soft click the latch behind the door opened and it swung open with a gentle push. Unul gestured with a hand for Gareth to enter.
The Hunter shook his head. “You first.” He drew his crossbow.
Unul took a low bow. “As you command.”
The Caretaker took a brazier from the wall, holding it out in front of him as he entered the blacked out room. Mandel went ahead of Gareth, his deep growl more visible than his body. Gareth turned as the door shut behind him and Unul beckoned him forward, heading towards the windows. There was a loud whoosh as he pulled back one of the curtains, light flooding the chambers.
What Gareth saw was so vast it stretched beyond the reaches of the room that the light touched. Unul walked along the wall, drawing back each curtain as he went. The opposite wall was beginning to fill with portraits of men that bore a striking resemblance to the Hunter, each with blond hair and broad shoulders with a similar nose.
Unul finally reached the last curtain and flung it open, sunlight glinting off two enormous battleaxes hanging above the dormant fireplace, a thick layer of dust clinging to the blades like a leech.
“Those were your fathers, they haven’t been touched since his death eight years ago on the sands of the Renori arena,” the Caretaker said.
“I was nearly ten when he died. I’m the Graytooth heir?” Gareth asked.
“Your father was the last Councilor Graytooth. His heir, you, could not be located for years. Alilletia has fallen into disarray without the iron fist that you family governed it with. The Regents do what they can, but our home is worse than it’s ever been.”
“You realize it’s not because my so-called father has been dead for eight years. That thing, Tal’davin, that’s the problem,” Gareth said.
“Your willingness to not corporate is the issue, child. Tal’davin has shared with those he claims to trust the vision he has for Alilletia and all of Taagras, but without Graytooth’s rightful heir in place, his vision will not come to pass,” Unul said. He reached up for the axes, taking them off the wall one at a time using his forearm to swipe the dust off. “Did you learn of Graytooth during your time at the Huntrey?”
“A little. I was told of his crimes and his death, nothing more,” Gareth said. “They told me his death was justified, but it was only recently I heard and saw what it had done to your people. Outside of Etia there is chaos. But nobody here living in their ivory tower wants to admit that.”
“They were not crimes in our people’s eyes. He did everything for us, as must you. To become a Graytooth you need let go of your past life. I see now it was my mistake in letting you become a Hunter,” Unul said. He held out one of the axes. “Take it, if you are strong enough you will be able to use both with ease.”
“You want me to take up the mantle of a man so I can bring a country I’ve had nothing to do with back in line?” Gareth asked.
“Tal’davin owns you now, boy. You will do as he commands, one way or another. You best not forget that. I have something for you.” The Caretaker rested one axe down beside him, diving into the folds of his cloak to reveal a small roll of parchment.
Gareth scowled at him, snatching the parchment away before unraveling it. A messy black scrawl ran across it.
Gareth, if you are reading this my son, then I am dead. Regardless of what people say, I was losing hold of Alilletia long before you were born. I sold my soul to the devil and my mind deteriorated along with it. I’m not a man of many words, and I will keep this brief. Alilletia needs you more than it needs me. Take my axes and bring our home into a new age of prosperity. Unul if he yet lives will assist you every step of the way. He has saved my life countless times over. I wish you luck, Gareth.
“He wished me luck?” Gareth asked looking up from the letter in disgust.
“Graytooth was never the best with words. He left that to me,” Unul said. “Now take his axe and do what needs to be done.”
Gareth looked at the enormous blade in the Caretaker’s hand. He
seemed to struggle lifting one of the beautifully curved weapons. The Hunter shook his head.
“Give it here,” he said.
Unul complied stooping low extending the weapon before him. “As you command, Graytooth.”
“My name is Gareth. Now hand me the second,” he said.
Both weapons dropped to the cold black tiles with a loud clang as the Hunter attempted to lift them. Unul shook his head at the boy. “You are not yet strong enough.”
“He needs more power,” Tal’davin’s voice rang down the hall.
“I don’t need your help!” Gareth said. “I’m strong enough on my own!”
“You do, child,” Tal’davin said as a gold wave of light engulfed the Hunter.
Gareth was filled with energy, a feeling stronger than what Vampire blood had ever given him. With a roar he filled both axes above his head with ease, before spinning bringing both down behind him making sparks fly from the shattered tiles.
“I am ready.”
“Return to us, Gareth Graytooth. For now the Hunters require your presence,” Tal’davin said. “Act as if nothing has occurred here today. When you are ready, I can see you becoming more than what your father was.”
6
The Wilds Once More
“Where the fuck is Gareth?” Gunthos asked. He reached over the bar to grab another beer.
“I told him to be back by sundown and it’s nearly time,” Abner said. He looked out a nearby window into the twilight.
Gunthos grunted. “I’m happy to stay the night. The beer is still flowing.”
There was an urgent knock on the door. The Hunters aimed their crossbows waiting for whoever was on the other side. The increasingly familiar dire wolf walked in first, followed by his Hunter.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Lois asked.
“I got lost in the Citadel. There were Shades I had to take down,” Gareth said. He looked worn out.
The Toldar Series Box Set Page 45