"That's what I'm—"
Master Eldor's cane cracked against the youth's shoulder. "Heed my advice, boy. It will save your life." He returned to his seat and waved for them to continue. "Now, the Stonemason. Again!"
He settled into a low stance, sword at the ready.
Aerden stood with a vacant expression, eyes fixed on empty air. Words spilled from his mouth in an unintelligible mumble. The twitch in his fingers ran up his arm.
"Aerden!" Master Eldor's cane cracked against the wooden arm rests of his chair. "Focus."
The blank stare retreated, and the intelligent Aerden returned. "Bet you can't throw me again, Rivan."
"You're on."
The setting shifted, and the Hunter no longer stood on the training field.
With a groan, he reclined in his sleeping roll. His ribs ached, and his head throbbed where Aerden had cracked him.
Aerden stumbled into the tent and thrust a wineskin toward him. "After the day we've had, Rivan, you'll want some of this."
The thin wine slid down his throat, washing away the dust from a day spent training. "Where did you get this, Aerden?"
The young man grinned. "Everyone's too busy with the temple feast to pay attention to the stores. Easy for clever fingers to make off with one sling."
"You know what your father will do if he catches you drinking, right?"
"Makes it all the more fun!" Aerden took a long pull from the skin. "After a day like today, I need it." A scowl creased his brow. Then the youth's eyes took on a blank look, his features growing slack.
He hated seeing Aerden like this. The young Elivasti's condition had grown worse lately. "He pushes you because he cares, you know. You're his son."
"The son of the last Elivasti blademaster? You have no idea how tiresome it is to hear people remarking how alike we are." The young man glanced at him from the corner of his eyes. "You wouldn't know. You're his favorite."
He snorted. "He just likes me because I don't whine as much, Aerden."
Aerden's scowl deepened. "I can't wait until the Expurgation. Once I've received the opia, I'll finally be free of this place…free of him! I can go wherever I please."
"Your father casts a large shadow, Aerden." He rested a hand on the youth's arm. "But you'll make your own mark. Just give it time."
With a grimace, Aerden emptied the skin. "If only it were that easy."
"Better get rid of that thing before he catches you." He grinned. "You're no use as a sparring partner if you're black and blue."
Returning the smile, Aerden hurried from the tent.
Time flashed by in a heartbeat, and the Hunter found himself in a familiar memory.
He lay in bed, too exhausted to move. The day of training had taken its toll on him.
And yet, he forced himself to rise. He rummaged in the darkened tent until his hands closed on his pack. Slinging it over his shoulder, he stepped from the tent.
He glanced over his shoulder, staring at the empty cot. Master Eldor had tried to give him a new partner to share the tent. He'd have no one else but Aerden.
A cool midnight breeze washed over him. He shivered and pulled his pilfered cloak tighter about him. No fires burned in camp this night. No guards stood on watch. The Elivasti feared no attack; none knew they were even camped here.
Anger flared bright in the Hunter's chest at the sight of Master Eldor's tent. He pushed aside his sorrow; he had no time to feel remorse for leaving the Elivasti camp. Not after what had happened.
His fists clenched until his knuckles whitened, and he whispered into the darkness. "You were his father. You were supposed to protect him! You failed, Master Eldor."
Without a backward glance, he turned and fled the Elivasti camp.
The memories faded, leaving the Hunter caught between two realities. Anger twisted in his gut, and he couldn't be certain it was not a remnant of his past. His eyes fell on the Serenii symbols etched into stone, and the torch flickering on the floor. In his lap lay the dying form of Master Eldor.
He struggled to make sense of what he'd seen in his memories. He'd known Master Eldor's son Aerden. According to the old Elivasti, the two had been as close as brothers. Opia had killed Master Eldor's son. The Hunter had taken the loss of Aerden hard, and fled the Elivasti camp. More than that, he'd blamed Master Eldor for Aerden's death.
That explains why I left Master Eldor in the first place. Frustration bayed in the back of his mind. The glimpse into his past had only left him craving more answers. He wanted to know how he'd ended up among the Elivasti in the first place, and what he'd done during the years he'd spent with them.
The memory had etched a name into his mind. Rivan. They called me Rivan. Could that be his true name? He spoke it aloud. "Rivan." The name was a comforting sound; it felt…right.
"You called me Rivan, Master Eldor." He looked down. "Is that my…"
A lump in his throat cut off his words. Empty violet eyes stared up at him, and the body in his arms hung limp.
"Master Eldor." He shook the man. "Answer me!"
Silence met his question. The chest no longer rose and fell, and the lifeless featured had grown slack in death.
A wave of sorrow and anger crashed over the Hunter, overwhelming him. A roar of rage burst from his throat, but his voice cracked. Tears slid down his bloodstained cheeks to fall on Master Eldor's white and black robes.
Unfamiliar emotions warred within him as he stared at the silent corpse cradled in his lap. The loss of Farida had nearly torn him apart, and though he'd known Bardin for but a few days, the man's death had hit him hard. But this…this had to be the greatest loss of all.
Images of the old Elivasti tore into his mind. Sitting around a campfire while Master Eldor told of his travels. Smiling at Aerden's clumsy attempts to charm a woman, laughing when she chased him around the camp to “box the little lad's ears”.
With the return of those memories came a rush of emotion. Contentment as he trained beneath the Elivasti's watchful eye. A sense of belonging, of acceptance. Happiness in the simple routine of the blademaster's instruction. Peace, companionship…family.
Master Eldor had been the closest thing he'd had to a true father. The old man had treated him like a son. The Hunter hadn't experienced something like that. Not in this lifetime, at least.
He stared, wide-eyed in horror, at Master Eldor's pale face and slack features, at his own bloodstained hands. Master Eldor had died so Hailen might live.
Bowing his head, he closed his eyes and placed a hand on the Elivasti's head and heart. May the Watcher have mercy on you, my friend.
Ignoring the brimming tears, he placed Master Eldor gently on the stone floor. He had no idea how the Elivasti buried their dead; he only knew the old blademaster deserved better than a cold, silent grave at the heart of a mountain.
As he climbed to his feet, a weight settled on his shoulders. Guilt, sorrow, and fury warred within his mind. Master Eldor had given his life so he could save Hailen. He wouldn't let the old Elivasti's death be in vain.
Retracing his steps, he donned his packs. They felt far heavier than they had, and dragged on him. Dropping the bags, he withdrew his coin-filled purse, his secret stash of jewels, and the Swordsman's twin blades. He had everything he needed; the rest, he could replace anywhere. Now, he couldn’t allow extra weight to slow him down. He would run until he caught up with the Sage and put an end to the bastard once and for all.
A pulse of anger set his head throbbing. Soulhunger pounded in his mind, sensing blood yet frustrated at being denied.
The demon screamed in his thoughts. “Fool! Letting a good death go to waste. You needed that power if you hope to face the Sage and his Elivasti.”
The Hunter slammed the force of his fury into the voice. He deserved better. I will feed Soulhunger, but his soul remains intact. He turned his attention inward and focused on building the mental barrier as the Sage had taught him. Brick piled upon brick, until the demon's voice no longer filtered throug
h the wall in his mind. He needed a few moments of peace.
Find him, Soulhunger!
Closing his eyes, he focused on the gentle throbbing in his thoughts. The Sage's heartbeat thumped in the back of his mind. A faint, distant sound, but there. Grim satisfaction sent ice trickling into the Hunter's veins.
Got you now, you bastard. Gripping his sword tighter, he sprinted down the tunnels. Hailen was somewhere in these tunnels. With him, the demon who had caused all his suffering. You won't escape me this time!
Chapter Fifty-Eight
The Hunter's legs protested, but he refused to slow. He had no time to waste on exhaustion. If he stopped, the Sage would escape. He had to keep running!
How long ago had he left Master Eldor's body in the darkness? An hour? More? Grief, anger, and hatred fueled his mad dash through the tunnels. He had nothing but the alchemical lantern and Soulhunger's throbbing to guide his way. It would suffice. Anyone who stood between him and his quarry would die.
Voices echoed through the passages. The indistinct sound seemed to come from all around him at once, but he trusted Soulhunger to guide him. The dagger pulled him down one tunnel after another, seeking the Sage's unique heartbeat. The stench of rot and decay grew stronger with every passing minute.
I'm coming, Hailen!
Light flickered in the distance. Heart thundering, the Hunter slowed and set the lamp on the floor without a sound. He gripped his sword tighter. No doubt the Sage had a squad of Elivasti with him. He'd kill every one of them to get to the accursed demon.
The voice in his head beat at the mental barrier. His inner demon wanted to break free, to fill his thoughts with its shrieks and protests. Clenching his jaw, he forced the voice back into its confinement. He couldn't afford distractions, not now. Two tasks demanded his full concentration: rescuing Hailen, and killing the Sage.
Hailen first. No doubt the boy would be guarded by Elivasti. He could only hope the Sage wouldn't bother with the boy himself. If he placed Hailen in the hands of his guards, the Hunter had a chance to pull him free before the fighting started. A slim hope, but it was all he had.
His soft-soled boots made no sound as he slipped down the tunnel, eyes fixed on the pinprick of light. He clutched his baldric to stop the sword from clanking. No noise.
The light drew closer with every step, and the voices grew louder. A child's sobbing echoed in the tunnel.
Relief flooded the Hunter. At least he's alive.
He stopped at a bend in the tunnel and peered around. A score of Elivasti formed a protective wall around the Sage. A small figure trotted near the rear of the party, his voice raised in a wail of misery and fear.
Hold on, Hailen. I'm coming. The boy stumbled and would have fallen if not for the firm grip on his collar. Rage twisted in the Hunter's gut as he stared at the man who held Hailen.
He studied the party. Only six Elivasti stood between him and the boy.
Rushing forward, he leapt and drove his knee into the spine of the rear-most Elivasti. At the same time, his sword darted out and took the man's companion in the throat. Even as the two slumped, the Hunter took another down with a vicious chop and drove Soulhunger into the base of a fourth warrior's spine.
The next two Elivasti whirled. Even caught by surprise, one managed to block the Hunter's attack while another lashed out with the metal-tipped staff. The Hunter's skin crawled as the iron tip slammed into his shoulder with enough force to knock him aside. He rebounded off the stone walls and dove forward. Metal struck sparks on the stone over his head.
He grunted as a blow collided with his spine, but he would not stop. Throwing his arms around Hailen, he drove his bulk into the one Elivasti that barred his way. The man went down in a heap, slowing the Hunter. A cry burst from his lips as a metal-shod staff cracked against his hip.
Staggering, wincing at the pain in his right leg, the Hunter stumbled up the tunnel out of the white and black-clad guards' reach.
Hailen's eyes widened in shock, which turned to relief at the sight of the Hunter. He clung to the Hunter's neck, blubbering incoherent words. The Hunter disengaged Hailen's arms and dropped the boy against the wall. "Stay!" Whirling, he raised his sword to meet the imminent charge.
The Elivasti hadn't moved. Though the cloth masks hid their features, the tension in their squared shoulders and crouched battle stances spoke clearly. Their violet eyes darted between their four fallen comrades and the bloodstained Hunter.
"Eldor, is that you?" The Sage's voice echoed in the tunnel, and the reek of demon grew stronger as the Abiarazi pushed his way through the ranks. He stopped, and shock registered on his face, replaced a moment later by a cold sneer. "So you're still alive."
"Surprise." Gritting his teeth at the pain in his healing leg, the Hunter took a menacing step forward and raised his sword.
Immediately, the Elivasti closed ranks around the Sage, weapons ready.
"You won't leave here alive, Demon!" An inferno raged in the Hunter's chest. He gripped his sword tighter to keep his hands from trembling.
The Sage snorted. "It's one of you against all of them." He gestured to the Elivasti surrounding him. "Not even you can survive this battle."
"I don't need to survive. I just need to kill you!"
The Elivasti tensed, but he made no move. Violet eyes watched him with the wary hesitation of seasoned warriors facing an unfamiliar foe. They stood with the confidence earned through years of training, but weren't foolish enough to underestimate their opponent—especially one covered in blood.
The Sage stepped back, placing another rank of warriors between him and the Hunter. "Give it up, Bucelarii. You won't get to me before I make my escape. I gave every one of these men strict orders to kill the boy the moment they saw you. Try to reach me, and the boy dies." His smile turned vicious. "And I know you won't allow that to happen!"
"Then you'd better have your men kill me now and be done with it. No matter how far you flee, you will not escape me. Escape us." He slipped Soulhunger from its sheath and held it up. Lamplight glinted off the blade's edge. The dagger pounded in his mind, begging for blood.
The Sage shrugged. "You're not leaving here alive." His gaze went to Hailen huddled on the floor. "Either of you."
The Hunter tightened his grip on his sword. "Damn you! You'd hurt an innocent child?"
The Sage's emotionless, unblinking eyes met his. "I've done worse. And to think, you were so easy to convince."
Sorrow showed on his face. "My family…" His voice cracked, and a tear brimmed in his eye. He bowed his head. When he looked up, a cruel, mocking smile twisted his lips. "You Bucelarii were ever naïve. You think you were so clever, trying to manipulate me. Me!" He threw back his head and laughed. "I knew what you wanted the moment you stepped foot on Shana Laal! All I had to do was pretend to give it to you."
Horror coursed through the Hunter. He really had believed he'd tricked the Sage into revealing his plan, into giving him answers. Impossible!
The Sage's grin turned mocking. "Oh, not all of it was a lie. After all, every truly convincing lie has a grain of truth in it. You, so eager for answers, so overt in your 'cunning'. Predictable! Too willing to trust anyone with whom you felt even a shred of kindship."
A knife twisted in the Hunter's gut. "You bastard!"
"And you the fool! Emotions are for humans. They make you weak, vulnerable. Look around you." He gestured to his warriors. "You've committed yourself to a battle you have no hope of winning, all to protect some boy. You share no blood, have no reason to protect him. And yet you would die for him."
The demon retreated another step, and the Elivasti shifted to maintain their defensive shield around him.
"I had you watched from the moment you entered Kharan-cui. You were so protective of the boy, so hesitant to leave him." He thrust a finger at the Hunter. "Such weakness! You played right into my hands."
Rage set the Hunter's hands trembling. He'd thought leaving Hailen behind would keep him safe; it had only
left him vulnerable. The Sage had known about the boy from the very first moment.
"You fooled yourself into believing you could best me. I defeated you before we ever met. And now you've come to die."
The Hunter narrowed his eyes. If that's his plan, why aren't his men attacking?
Step by step, the Sage had retreated down the narrow tunnel, his Elivasti moving with him. Behind them, the passage opened into a wide, high-vaulted chamber.
Of course. The Serenii passages were too narrow for the Elivasti with their long metal-shod staves. The Sage had had every chance to flee. Twenty Elivasti could hold the Hunter long enough for him to escape. Yet he'd continued talking, all in an attempt to lure the Hunter after him. In the open space, the Elivasti would have room to attack from all sides. They would surround and overwhelm him with ease.
The Hunter stopped a few paces from the mouth of the tunnel, tightened his grip on his sword. I won't be trapped so easily.
The Sage's calm façade cracked, revealing a hint of frustration. He pushed through the ranks of Elivasti and stood before the Hunter, arms spread wide. "You have come for me. Well, here I am. Your moment of vengeance is at hand!"
The Hunter took a half-step forward, but caught himself. The Sage had manipulated him far too much already. He wouldn't be goaded into making a foolish mistake. A vicious smile spread his lips. "Nice try."
Rage glimmered in the demon's midnight eyes, and his features shifted in a gruesome wave of flesh and bone. For a heartbeat, the creature's true face peered through the human façade. "You know, I've changed my mind." Without taking his eyes off the Hunter, he spoke to his Elivasti. "Take him. Alive. And bring the boy to me. I want the Hunter to watch him suffer!"
Instinctively, the Hunter placed a protective hand on Hailen's head. "You'll have to get through me first."
The Sage's eyes dropped to the boy, and flew wide. "What?" Horror and shock flashed in his expression. "A Melechha? Impossible!"
Confused, the Hunter looked down. Blood trickled from the boy's fingernails and soaked into his breeches.
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