by Garry Spoor
“What did you say to him?” Kile asked.
“I told him we needed a Level One Hunter to lead an expedition into the wastelands to search for a missing colleague.”
Kile dropped her head on the table. “I should have warned you,” she said.
“Why, what’s up?”
“Nothing, just tell him I’m here and I want to talk to him. He owes me that much.”
“But he’s not qualified.”
“Just tell him I want to talk to him.”
“Okay.” Daniel said with a shrug. Getting to his feet, he ventured back onto the crowded floor.
Alex picked up the autograph. “You think it’s worth anything?” he asked, looking it over.
“Hardly,” Kile replied.
Mable returned with their drinks, setting two large pints of foaming ale down on the table along with a simmering cup of tea. Alex thanked her and passed her a few coins. Kile was rather impressed. She really didn’t think he could make a decent living telling stories in a bar, but Alex appeared to be managing quite well. It wasn’t that she didn’t think he was talented, she just didn’t think there was a market for it.
She took a sip of the tea. It wasn’t bad, although it had a bit of an aftertaste. She regretted not getting the name of the blend served to her back at the outpost.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the wili,” Marcus laughed when he emerged from the crowd ahead of Daniel. “I heard about you and the siege of Moran. Nice bit of work there, girl.”
“Thanks,” Kile replied, setting her cup down. She watched him closely. “And I heard I had you to thank for me being assigned to Perha Squad in the first place.”
“Oh, yeah, well, you know how it is.”
“No, please, tell me.”
“Hey, look, no hard feelings. I’m sorry about that. You know I would have gone if I knew they were going to drag you into it.”
“Yeah, I’m sure, but now you can make it up to me.”
“Anything,” he said, with a big grin.
“Oh, good, because you’re going to lead an operation into the wastelands to search for a missing contact,” she told him.
“Now wait a moment there. I am not the Hunter you want. I am not qualified for such a mission,” he said. His gray eyes shifted to a bright blue. It was only for a moment, but Kile saw it.
“See, Kile, I told you, he’s not the Hunter we want. He’s not qualified,” Daniels said.
“Yeah, Kile, he’s not qualified, he’s not the Hunter we want,” Alex added.
“Well, I better be going,” Marcus said, pushing himself up from the table. “I have a few young ladies over there who are vying for my time,” he said with a wink.
“Sit down,” Kile ordered.
Marcus turned to look at her, his eyes shifting to a brighter blue. “I’m not the Hunter you’re looking….”
“And you can knock that off while you’re at it,” she told him.
“Oh, yeah, I forgot. It doesn’t work on you, does it?” he replied, sheepishly.
“No, it doesn’t. Now sit down.”
He reluctantly took a seat.
“Now, you owe me, Marcus. You said if there was anything I ever needed, all I had to do was ask.”
“Well, yeah, but I meant like a loan, or helping you move some furniture, but going off into the wastelands, that’s asking a bit much.”
“A friend of mine went missing, and he is supposed to have valuable information for command. We have to find him and find out what he knows. He was supposed to meet up at a predetermined rendezvous point, but he never showed. I’m going to find him, but I’ll have a better chance if I have Command’s approval.”
“So, you’re really going to do this. You’re going into the wastelands to search for this Hunter?”
“That’s the plan,” she told him.
“What information does he have?” Marcus asked.
“We don’t know. He said he was onto something, but no one’s heard from him since.”
“You know, he’s probably dead.”
“I don’t know, not until I see it. And if there’s a chance he’s not, I have to help him.”
“Why you?” he asked.
“Why not me?”
Marcus leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Say I help you, what’s in it for me?”
“If this information is as big as some people think it is, you may never have to work for a drink again,” Kile replied.
The big man grinned. “Now you’re speaking my language.” He said. “Yeah, I can see it now. The great white haired Hunter brings an end to the war.”
“And I’ll be the first to spread the story,” Kile added.
He pondered it for a moment before extending his hand. “Then you’ve got yourself a deal.” He said.
“Well, I guess that’s a start,” Daniel replied. He was still a little unsure of what just transpired. “But is it enough?”
“Didn’t that guard say we’d have to bring the military in on this?” Alex reminded her. “We can’t go it alone, they’ll never sanction it.”
“That’s where we come in.”
Kile turned to see Sandson taking the seat beside her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“What everyone else is doing-- trying to forget the war,” he replied.
“They have us doing some menial tasks around the city.” Tullner added from behind him.
“So, did we just hear what we thought we heard? You guys really going into the wastelands?” Sandson asked.
Kile glanced around the room. How many other people heard their conversation? This was not the best location to conduct a secret meeting.
“That’s pretty much the plan,” she replied.
“Well then, Commander, when do we leave?” Tullner asked.
“We?”
“You are still the commanding officer of Perha Squad,” he reminded her.
“Look, I can’t ask you guy to do this.”
“No, but you can force me.” Marcus grumbled.
“You’re not asking, we’re volunteering,” Sandson explained.
“Look, Commander, after Denal and the siege of Moran, I’d follow you anywhere.” Tullner replied. “And the rest of the squad agrees.”
“What’s left of it,” Sandson added, hoisting his drink.
“We haven’t gotten the go-ahead yet. We have to meet with Colonel Barshed first.”
“How are you planning on convincing him?” Daniel asked.
Marcus grinned. “Leave that to me.” he said.
“Let’s see what he has to say first.” Kile replied.
“Sure, if you want to do it the hard way.”
***~~~***
22
They spent the whole evening sitting and talking in the Wet Frog, although, most of their plans were becoming more and more abstract as the night wore on. Marcus was getting them free drinks, and sometime during the night, Kile’s tea turned into a strong pink concoction which had no name. When someone came up with a plan to sneak into the wastelands on a schooner pulled through the air by a flock of eagles, Kile called it a night. She woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, and wasn’t even sure how she managed to get back to her room.
Stumbling out of bed she went to the lavatory to splash cold water on her face. She was staring at herself in the mirror, wondering if she should just crawl back into bed, when she heard someone knocking. Quickly tying back her hair, she rushed to the door and pulled it open. Daniel looked just as bad as she felt.
“You look terrible,” she said, stepping aside for him to enter.
“I feel terrible. I know I didn’t drink that much last night,” he replied. “It had to be the Frog’s Brew.”
“I don’t know, the others were knocking them back pretty good.”
“Yeah, but I think they’ve had more experience,” Daniel said, falling face first on the bed. “They’re waiting for us downstairs.”
“Who are?” she a
sked.
“Those soldiers of yours, Tullner and um…”
“Sandson,” she replied.
“Yeah, that’s him, and another guy. Big guy, with a scarred up face.”
Kile thought for a moment, but the only person she knew with a scar across his face was Sir Oblum, and he definitely wasn’t downstairs.
“Come on then,” she said, helping Daniel to his feet. “We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
“Hey, I gotta ask you something.”
“What?” She replied, grabbing the satchel from the table. Vesper was already inside and ready to go.
“It’s about that Hunter, Marcus.”
“Yeah, what about him?”
“What’s his Edge?”
“Daniel, you know I can’t tell you that.”
“Come on, Ki, he used it on us, didn’t he? Or, I should say, he used it on Alex and me, and probably the waitress. There’s no way we should have gotten that many free drinks.”
Kile laughed. “Yeah, I’m afraid so,” she said. “Marcus is a miscellaneous, like me. But his Edge is a little harder to explain. He can persuade people to do things or believe things, just by looking them in the eye, or at least that’s what he told me. There may be more to it.”
“I don’t get it.”
“When you first talked to him, he used his Edge on you to convince you he wasn’t qualified, and you believed him. He probably used it on the waitress, convincing her we already paid for our drinks or the drinks were on the house, or some such nonsense.”
“But that’s an abuse of power. A Hunter can’t use their Edge against another Hunter. It’s against the code.”
“Danny, since leaving the Academy, I’ve come to the conclusion that nobody cares about the code.”
“Yeah, maybe, but that still doesn’t explain why he didn’t use his Edge on you.”
“Oh, he did, more than once. It just doesn’t work on me.”
“Why not?”
“Well, it goes back to what he said when I first met him. He told me his Edge doesn’t work on animals. He tried to use it on his horse, but it didn’t get him anywhere. As near as I can figure, I’m closer to an animal, than I am to a vir.”
“That’s not true, Ki.”
“Lately, I’m not so sure,” she said with a shrug before venturing out into the hall.
For whatever reason, the guard was no longer posted at the top of the stair. She wondered if the man had gotten into trouble for letting her sneak out yesterday, although she really didn’t do much sneaking. It could be that someone doesn’t think she needs to be guarded any longer, and she was pretty sure she knew who that someone was.
Stepping out into the courtyard, she was approached by three soldiers. Tullner, Sandson and…
“Private Browne, it’s good to see you back on your feet,” she said.
“It’s good to be back on my feet, Commander,” he replied with a grin.
He was a big, solid man who once had a kind, gentle face, but that face was long gone. The damage done was not something which could easily be remedied. He had gone with Sergeant Wargner into Coopervill and was counted among the dead. He only managed to get back to the campsite with Corporal Duffy’s help. From there he was tied onto Grim’s back and sent on ahead to Moran. Kile never saw him after that.
He touched the side of his face. “I know, it’s not pretty,” he said. “But I can still fight.”
“I don’t doubt it, so, you’re on board then?”
“If you’ll have me,” he replied.
“Any member of Perha Squad is always welcome. I’m sorry I never visited you in the infirmary,” she told him while they headed toward the stables.
“From what I heard, you had your hands full.”
“Still, I should have made time. How are the others, Renop and Hilnn?”
“Ah, you know Renop. He’s actually doing quite well,” Browne said with a smile, “although his leg still pains him. Word is, he may be going home soon. He wanted to come along on this little expedition, but was afraid he’d be more of a hindrance than a help. As for Hilnn, he’s up and about, but um… he’s not quite right.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The damage was pretty bad. There are times he doesn’t even remember who he is. The healers don’t hold out much hope for him to make a full recovery.”
“Is this true?” Kile asked, turning to Daniel.
“I’m afraid so.” Daniel replied. “Physical wounds are one thing, but when the head is damaged, like in Private Hilnn’s case, there’s really nothing that can be done.”
When they reached the stables, they found Private Anurr with their horses, ready to go.
“Greetings, Commander,” he shouted from atop his horse. “I would have fetched your mount, but I’m not going anywhere near that beast.”
“That beast saved my life when I was unconscious.” Brown replied, “and unconscious is the only way I would ever go near that beast again,” he laughed.
“It doesn’t look as if either one of you will have to retrieve our Commander’s mount.” Sandson said, pointing to the stables. Grim was plodding his way across the courtyard toward them.
-Wonderful, we are in the midst of fools again.-
Grim said with contempt.
Tullner pulled himself up on his horse. “The Hunters are meeting us at headquarters,” he said, turning his mount toward the gatehouse. “We should probably get moving.”
He had taken over command of Perha Squad. The timid farm boy, who wanted nothing more than to return to his fields, was becoming a first rate soldier. Kile wasn’t surprised. She always thought he had it in him, all he needed was the confidence. Even Captain Jax thought he would make a fine officer one day.
They followed Tullner into Forthbar. She was amazed how anyone could remember the twist and turns of the streets. Granted, she had only been in the city on a few occasions and really didn’t have much time to learn the lay of the land, but she could learn more about a forest in a day, than she could learn about a city in a year.
When they arrived at Coronel Barshed’s headquarters, she was glad to see the horses and the dog had been allowed to return. Of course, they didn’t know she was coming, so they didn’t have time to clear out the animals. Riding up to the front steps, they dismounted. Tullner spoke with the guard who regarded Kile suspiciously over the young man’s shoulder. It was clear the guard was given no orders to confiscate anything or hinder Kile’s arrival, and he reluctantly ushered them in.
“It’s about time you guys got here.” Marcus said, getting up from the bench beside the wall. Alex was sitting next to him, spinning what looked like an ostrich in the air. It disappeared as soon as he saw them arrive.
“Have you spoken with him yet?” Tullner asked.
“Tried,” Marcus said with a shrug, “But he wants to speak with Kile first. I thought about pushing it, but there’s something about that man, I just can’t put my finger on.”
“I wouldn’t even try if I was you,” Kile replied.
“So, is this everybody?” Anurr asked, looking around the room.
“Not quite. We did pick up another Hunter,” Marcus replied.
“Who?” Kile asked. The only other Hunter she knew who was in the City was Master Boraro. Surely he didn’t want to come along. This was not the kind of group he would associate with.
“That would be me.” Larks said, stepping out from behind them. “I hope you don’t mind. I ran into Alex this morning and he told me about the mission.”
“I guess this isn’t a secret mission.” Browne replied.
“No,” Daniel said, shaking his head. “If it was a secret mission, Alex would have told a lot more people.”
“Hey, nobody said anything about this being a secret mission.” Alex replied defensively.
“That’s true, but we don’t really want everyone to know about it either.” Sandson added. “How about we keep this to ourselves, for the time being.”
; “First things first, we talk to Colonel Barshed.” Tullner said.
“I’ll talk to him,” Kile said, heading for the office door.
“You want me to come with you?” Daniel asked.
“I don’t think it will be necessary.”
Kile entered the office and found Colonel Barshed bent over the table filling out forms. She started to remember all the forms she filled out during her time as a Hunter and wondered where all that paper was now. Contracts, claim forms, reverse scripts, payment papers, even her waiver documents sat in some box in some building, never to be read again. It all seemed pointless.
“Oh, Kile, one moment please.” Barshed said and continued to scribble his name along the bottom of two more forms before he came up for air. “The paperwork is endless,” he laughed.
“I can see that. There’s also no shortage of from within the Hunter’s Guild either,” she replied.
“Yeah, that's true. I never knew where all that paper work came from. It was so much easier back in the day. They use to hand you your assignment, you would complete your assignment, and then you would get paid. Never had to sign my name to anything,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “So, I see you got a group together.”
“As you requested.”
“Marcus Taylor?”
“He is a Certified Level One Hunter, sir. That is who you wanted to lead the operation.”
“Yeah, but Marcus, I mean, he’s good at what he does. He’s a script Hunter. I’d even go as far as to say he’s one of the best, but to lead a mission like this. He’s always been a bit of a loner, much like you. I never saw him as a team player.”
“He owes me, sir.”
“Why, because he stole your thunder with the Minotaur of Calder falls?”
Kile laughed. “Hardly,” she said. “That’s the last thing I wanted to be associated with. Besides, Tullner and Sandson are more than qualified to lead.”
“I suppose.” Barshed replied. “Just… be careful. Keep an eye on him, and yourself.”
“So, is that it? We can get started?” she asked.
“Hold your horses, young lady, I just told you to be careful, I didn’t agree to anything. This isn’t quite how things are done. Soldiers don’t organize their own operations. That’s still done by Command.”