Rassek turned toward the Hunter, and tears filled his eyes. "But…Enarium…"
"Will still be standing a month from now, a year from now." He thrust a finger at Darillon. "His only hope of survival is going back."
Rassek scrubbed at his cheeks. "Our horses…"
For the first time, the Hunter thought to look for the horses. Ash stood a short distance away, next to Evren's nag. But he saw no sign of the mountaineers' mounts.
"What happened to them?"
Rassek jerked a thumb toward the boulder. "It crushed mine, knocked Darillon's off the mountain."
The Hunter's gut clenched. Darillon couldn’t survive the return journey to Vothmot on foot. Without a horse, the mountaineer wouldn't survive two hours.
The words left his lips before he realized it. "Then you will take ours."
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rassek stared at him wide-eyed. "What?"
For a moment, the Hunter couldn't believe what he'd just said. He and Hailen needed the horses to reach Enarium, so why in the Watcher's name had he offered them to Rassek and Darillon?
Realization hit him like a blow: he didn't want Darillon to die. Not that he had any great affection for the man, but he couldn't stomach the thought of another death added to his tally. Too many had died because of him. From Farida and the beggars in Voramis to Master Eldor in Kara-ket, the deaths had begun to weigh on him. He had no remorse for the lives he'd taken in self-defense or the guilty he'd killed, but there were other lives, innocent lives, snuffed out because of the Abiarazi and their machinations. He had grown tired of carrying the burden of guilt.
"Take him back to Vothmot," he told Rassek in a quiet voice. "Get him to the Sanctuary. Save him."
"Save him?" Rassek gave a sad little laugh, and fresh tears brimmed in his eyes. "He was the one who saved me, so long ago, he was. Even at the cost of his own soul."
The Hunter raised an eyebrow.
Rassek stroked Darillon's bald head and spoke in a halting voice. "Years ago, when we first started out, there was a client, a Malandrian nobleman, who…took a fancy to me. We needed the extra gold, see." He didn't look up. "But one day, the man turned violent, said he owned me. If I tried to resist, it only got worse, it did. He'd get his friends to join in the beatin’. I nearly died once. Until Darillon saved me."
The man met the Hunter's eyes now. "People die in the mountains all the time, they do. No one suspected, not even the nobleman's friends. Not even me, until we returned to Vothmot and he told me what he'd done. That's the day I knew he loved me, and that's the day I fell in love with him, I did."
The Hunter stood and placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "Then take him home. Keep him alive."
Rassek nodded. "I-I will."
The Hunter left them there—Rassek cradling Darillon's head and whispering soothing words—and strode toward Hailen, who stood beside the horses.
He drew in a deep breath. "Hailen, it's time to say goodbye to Ash."
"Why?" the boy asked. Surprise and sorrow flashed in his violet eyes, and his little brow creased to match the frown on his thin lips.
"Because Rassek and Darillon need them more than us right now." He crouched in front of the boy. "Darillon's hurt bad, and he needs to get to a healer. Elivast and Ash are going to help save his life."
Hailen's eyebrows rose. "They will?"
The Hunter nodded. "No one is faster than Ash, right?"
"Right!" Hailen grinned.
"So that means Ash is the best horse to get Darillon to the healer quickly."
"And Ash would be sad without Elivast," the boy said, nodding. "They're best of friends."
The Hunter smiled at the boy's innocent interpretation of the situation. "Exactly."
Hailen glanced at Ash, and his eyes went round with sorrow. "I-I'm going to miss Ash." He rubbed the horse's long nose.
"I know." The Hunter squeezed Hailen's shoulder. "Me, too."
He strode to where Elivast stood waiting. The horse's ears pricked up, and he gave a little whinny at the Hunter's approach.
The Hunter sighed. "Time for us to part ways, boy."
Elivast nudged him, burying his long nose in the Hunter's clothes in search of treats.
"Sorry, I'm all out of apples." The Hunter laughed and patted Elivast's face.
The thought of saying goodbye brought a stab of pain to the Hunter's heart. He and the horse had traveled a long way together. They'd left Voramis, journeyed north to the Chasm of the Lost, and crossed the Bridge of Ilyerrion before Sir Danna and Visibos had thrown him into the canyon. He'd been surprised at his joy when he found the horse in the Beggar Priests' stables. Elivast had gotten him across the desert, to Aghzaret, and back to Il Seytani's camp to rescue Hailen.
Though he'd never had much affection for horses in Voramis, the months of traveling with Elivast had changed something within him. The horse was more than just his means of transportation or a beast of burden. In a way, Elivast had become a friend—one who never judged him, just accepted him with the simple affection only a horse could feel.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, the Hunter unstrapped his pack from Elivast's back and removed a bundle of hard trail biscuits, dried meat, and nuts. After removing Hailen's pack from Ash's saddle, he took up the lead ropes and led the horses to where Rassek sat cradling Darillon's head.
"You'll need to travel slowly, else his injuries will worsen. The return journey will take a lot longer." He held out the bundle of food he'd taken from his pack. "You'll need this to get you home."
Rassek's eyes widened. "But yer food—"
The Hunter shook his head. "We've enough to get us to Enarium. This won't be enough to get you all the way back to Vothmot."
"’Tis more than we have now." Gratitude filled Rassek's expression. "Thank ye, truly."
The Hunter nodded, but could find no words. Instead, he simply dropped the horses' lead ropes next to Rassek.
"We'll keep them safe against yer return," the mountaineer said. "Ye know where to be findin’ us."
The Hunter nodded and held out a hand. "Watcher smile on you, Rassek."
"Same to yerself, Hardwell," Rassek said as he reached up and shook the Hunter’s extended hand.
When the Hunter turned, he found Evren already sitting in his saddle. "I'm comin’ with you," the young thief told him, his jaw set in a stubborn expression.
"No, you're not." The Hunter shook his head. "Rassek's going to need your help getting Darillon back to Vothmot."
"But—"
"I can't take you with me, Evren," the Hunter said, his voice harsh. "There is only death in the mountains for you now."
Evren's eyes hardened. "I ain’t no slouch. I can take care of myself. I can fight."
"I know. You're as capable and clever a thief as I've ever met. But out here, that's not enough to survive."
"But you're takin’ him." Evren thrust a finger at Hailen. "So why ain’t I--?"
The Hunter cut him off with a slash of his hand. "I'm taking him because he needs to get to Enarium. But there's nothing for you there. Your home is Vothmot. Go home, Evren."
"Home?" Bitterness laced Evren's voice. "You're sending me back to Vothmot to be snatched up by the Wardens and hanged for defending myself. I'll take whatever’s out here over that fate any day!"
"Then make your own fate."
Evren's eyes went wide and he flinched as the Hunter drew a dagger, but the Hunter simply slashed the seam of one of the invisible pockets in his cloak.
"Take these." He held out a handful of gemstones—stones he'd taken from the Beggar Priests' vault in Malandria.
"Why?" Evren stared at the gemstones with suspicion. "What's the catch?"
"No catch, no trick." The Hunter shook his head. "Leave Vothmot and see what the world has to offer. Or, stay and find a way to help others like you."
The thief slowly held out a hand, as if unable to believe what was happening. The Hunter placed the stones in the youth's palm.
; "Every man is given a choice," he said. "To stand by and watch while others suffer, or stand up and make a difference. The choice is yours."
He left the thief in stunned silence. Gathering up his packs, he turned to Hailen. "Come. We've a long walk ahead of us."
Without a glance at Rassek, Darillon, or Evren, he turned and strode up the trail, with Hailen trotting along beside him.
Despite the weight of his packs, the Hunter felt somehow lighter as he climbed. He didn't quite understand his actions, but in his heart, he knew he'd done the right thing. He'd given Darillon a chance at life, and Evren a chance at a future.
He had enough food to keep them going until they reached Enarium. The fact that they were on foot meant they would travel more slowly, but they had to be getting close. As long as they kept moving, they'd make it before the Withering. He had only a vague timeline, but he knew he had four or five days left. More than enough time.
The trail grew steeper and steeper, until even the Hunter began to feel the strain. Hailen gasped for air beside him, and though his little face was set in a determined grimace, the Hunter could see tears of exhaustion forming in the boy’s eyes. He wanted to take the boy's hand, but didn't dare touch him. Hailen's bleeding fingertips would attract the attention of the Stone Guardians. That was one fight he couldn't hope to win right now.
He glanced up at another patch of the red-and-purple mushrooms growing above him. Their bright colors taunted him. They hung high on the cliffs, out of reach, yet still within sight.
They continued the climb, pausing when Hailen grew too tired to continue—something that happened more and more frequently as the air grew thinner. Hope surged within the Hunter as he saw the trail level off a short distance above him. Perhaps the climb was almost over. Perhaps they would reach Enarium--
Ice chilled the Hunter's veins as he saw the cliffs rising ahead of him. Once again, the trail led into a circular hollow surrounded on all sides by unbroken stone walls.
No! Frustration and anger roiled in his gut. This can't be happening!
He dropped his packs and searched for the sapphire lilies he’d gathered from the lake, but found only lifeless petals. Whatever strange magick or alchemy had caused them to shine had faded and left them as dull as any regular bloom. Even if they had glowed, in the full brilliance of the afternoon their dim light would do little to help him.
Maybe there's another way in. He fumbled in the packs for the Taivoro books. I just have to read the passage to see…
But the book wasn't in the packs. His heart sank as he remembered giving it to Evren the night before in hopes of finding more clues. With a growl, he drove his fist into the stone wall.
"Hardwell?" came Hailen's quiet voice.
The Hunter glanced down. Concern and worry filled the boy's purple eyes, and he reached for the Hunter's hand.
"I'm okay," the Hunter said, moving away before the boy made contact. The last thing he needed now was to draw the Stone Guardians' attention while he was trapped here.
His mind raced as he tried to figure out what to do. He had to be so close to Enarium, yet these cliffs stood in his way. He had only one hope: he'd have to climb. The smooth stone faces would prove a daunting challenge, and his fatigue and worry would only make it harder. Yet he had to find a way to get himself and Hailen to the top. Maybe he could fashion some sort of harness to pull the boy up.
He had just begun uncoiling the rope from his pack when he heard a sound that sent a stab of fear through him. Hoofbeats pounding on stone, growing louder quickly. Panic tightened in his stomach as armed and armored figures rode up the trail, through the cliffs, and into the circular rocky hollow.
Sir Danna rode at the head of the column. She’d lost her helmet on the trail below, and new dents, scratches, and scuffs pitted her battered armor. None of the men behind her appeared in better condition. Of the eighteen he'd seen on the trail below, only ten remained. He felt a hint of relief as he saw a tired-looking Kiara riding behind Sir Danna, with six Warrior Priests and two Cambionari trailing.
Sir Danna’s eyes brightened as she spotted the Hunter and Hailen. "Get him!" she shouted in triumph and set Pathfinder galloping toward him.
The Hunter had seconds to act. He turned to Hailen. "Get down, close your eyes, and cover your ears. Whatever you do, don't move until I tell you."
Hailen complied, sitting and burying his head between his knees. He clapped his hands over his ears and squeezed his eyelids tight.
The Hunter slipped his pack—the one containing the Swordsman’s iron blades—over the boy’s shoulders, then turned to face his enemy. Drawing his weapons, he bared his teeth at the ten men and women that surrounded him with drawn swords and daggers.
"You're trapped, Hunter." Sir Danna snarled, staring down the length of her greatsword at him. "There's no escape this time."
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Hunter smiled. "Ten against one? Is that the best you can do?" Despite his outward confidence, he couldn't help a pang of apprehension. The enemy he faced bore weapons that could kill him and the skill to wield them. With Hailen to protect, he couldn't risk a fight.
His eyes went to Kiara.
"I tried," she said with a shrug, her tone apologetic.
"Your comrades have abandoned you and taken your horse and supplies. You have nothing and no one to shelter you now. Throw down your weapons, Hunter, and surrender without a struggle." Sir Danna's voice was hard, flat. "You have my word that you will be allowed to live until the Sage is eliminated."
"Allowed to live?" The Hunter bared his teeth. "How magnanimous of you."
"Would you rather be cut down where you stand?" The knight raised an eyebrow, and an eager look filled her eye as she leaned forward in her saddle. "If that's your preference, I'd be happy to oblige. I permitted your wounded companions to return to Vothmot, but I will make no such allowance for you."
"You're welcome to come and try," the Hunter growled. He leveled his sword at the men surrounding him. "You saw what I did to your comrades on the road below. Do you really think you can defeat me?"
Sir Danna snorted. "The Warrior Priests serve Derelana, delivering her holy vengeance. Falling in the goddess' service is simply them carrying out their priestly duties." She motioned around her. "And Cambionari do not cower in the face of demonspawn."
"Last chance, Sir Danna." The Hunter fixed her with a hard stare. The knight knew the way; she could make his journey to Enarium easier, if only she would stop trying to kill him. "Let me go, or join me in my mission. Help me bring the Sage down and save Einan."
"We will deal with the Sage," the knight said. "We will send him to the fiery hell, and you along with him."
He raised Soulhunger. "Then may the Watcher have mercy on you all."
The Hunter slashed the dagger along his right forearm. Sir Danna's eyes went wide, and Kiara gasped in shock as the Hunter held out his arm to let the blood drip onto the stony ground.
"The Stone Guardians will be here any second,” he said. “Try and fight me, you'll have to face them. Ride away, and you live another day."
For an answer, Sir Danna swung her greatsword at his head. The Hunter ducked the blow and darted around to her left side, but a mounted Warrior Priest pressed in toward him. The Hunter blocked a downward slash, twisted out of the path of Sir Danna's awkward cross-body strike, and drove Soulhunger into the Warrior Priest's thigh. He ripped the dagger free before it could consume the man's lifeblood, but crimson pumped from the severed artery in his leg.
Soulhunger cried in protest at being denied the blood it craved, but the Hunter was too focused on staying alive to care. He could feel the wound in his arm healing, the bleeding slowing and stopping. But the scent of the Warrior Priest's blood would be drawing the Stone Guardians. He grunted as a Warrior Priest's sword carved a line of fire along his right cheek as he dodged a strike. He just had to hold on for a few more seconds until—
The cliffs amplified the roar of the Stone Guardians
a hundredfold. The Warrior Priests cried out and fell back as three of the massive creatures appeared at the top of the cliff.
A sliver of hope formed within the Hunter. He whirled, darted toward Hailen, and scooped up the boy.
"Hang on!" he shouted as he shifted Hailen onto his back. The boy wrapped his arms around his neck as the Hunter scrambled up the cliff face.
"Don't let him escape!" Sir Danna shouted.
A moment later, the ground rumbled beneath the impact of the first Stone Guardian landing. The wounded Warrior Priest cried out as the massive creature lunged for him. An audible crunch of crushed metal, shredded flesh, and pulverized bone echoed from the rocks, followed by a dull thump of a body striking unyielding earth.
The arrival of the Stone Guardians bought the Hunter the moments he needed. Before the Warrior Priests or Cambionari could stop him, he'd climbed out of their reach. He struggled to find hand and foot-holds on the smooth surface, yet forced himself to keep moving steadily upward, taking risks he’d never consider otherwise. Hailen's weight pulled him backward and added to the strain of the climb. The Hunter's arms and legs trembled from exertion and sweat streamed down his face. The shouts of pain coming from behind and below him were all the encouragement he needed to keep going.
He risked a single glance over his shoulder. One Stone Guardian stood over the corpses of two Warrior Priests, its massive jaws crunching through steel armor and the man beneath with revolting ease. Its spittle sizzled on the stone and ate through flesh. A second swatted at a Cambionari with a hulking arm, sending the man hurtling across the clearing to crash into the stone wall. The Cambionari fell and didn't get up.
Sir Danna battled the third enormous, spine-backed creature, with two Warrior Priests and Kiara by her side. Rage twisted the knight's face as she hacked at the massive creature with her greatsword. The Stone Guardian seemed to flinch from her weapon, as if afraid of the iron.
Suddenly, he realized why the creature looked so familiar. He'd seen one just like it in the tunnels beneath Voramis.
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