Hunter's War (Legend of the Wild Hunter Book 4)

by Garry Spoor

  -Fine, it’s not an egg. You figure out what it is then.-

  “It really is an egg?”

  -That’s what I said.-

  “What lays an egg like that?”

  Grim snorted.

  -What else. A dragon.-

  And suddenly the missing piece fell into place. Kile slowly turned and looked at the mountains. It wasn’t just any old dragon, it was the drake of the flatlands, the last of the class A open scripts.

  Eric’s unnatural interest in dragon lore, back at the Academy, his thief of the artifact associated with the two Hunters who were known to have interacted with dragons, it all made sense now. The two stones he tried to steal the night the great hall burned down. They had once belonged to Jamuson Flint, the only Hunter, who supposedly tamed a dragon. Was that what those stones were, a means of taming a dragon? Was that what they were planning all along, to find and tame the drake of the flatlands? Was that their secret weapon? They were planning on releasing the dragon to wreak havoc on the Kingdom of Aru.

  If it was true, she had unwittingly postponed a disaster by preventing Eric from getting his hands on both the stones. Was that why they captured her, was that why they wanted her alive, so she could tell them where the other stone was? The problem was, she didn’t know. She had given it to Master Latherby, and that was the last she saw of it.

  -Now you see why it’s going to get interesting.-

  The mountain pony laughed.

  Kile left Grim and headed back to the camp, but more importantly, back to the egg. She had to know if Grim was right, she had to know for certain, if what she feared was true.

  Daniel ran to catch up to her. “What’s going on? What’d he say?” he asked.

  “That we may be in more trouble than we originally thought,” she replied.

  “Why, what happened?”

  “I’ll tell you in a minute,” she said when she reached the place Taugh left the sack. She pulled out the stone and gave it a closer inspection, but it still looked just like a stone. Could it actually be an egg, she wondered? They had studied dragons back at the Academy, although, not in great detail, but she knew they laid eggs. She had always pictured them as looking like large chicken eggs, not round stones. Sitting down with the stone in her lap, she closed her eyes and fell into her Edge. She reached out with her consciousness and made a connection with the stone. There was something in there, and it was ancient.

  When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Daniel, staring at her. She carefully set the stone on the ground.

  “So, what is it?” he asked.

  “Go get Sandson,” she told him.

  Daniel quickly got up and ran back to the tent. Kile left the egg where it lay and put a little distance between her and the camp. She didn’t want everyone to know they were the custodians of a dragon’s egg, especially not the Ogre.

  “What is it now?” Sandson asked when he finally reached her.

  She motioned for him to keep his voice down.

  “I don’t want the others to hear, not just yet.” She told him.

  “Kile, what’s going on?” Daniel asked. She could tell he was getting impatient.

  “The sacred artifact isn’t just a rock.” She explained.

  “I know, I know, it’s a part of their rich, diverse, culture.” Sandson replied in a mocking tone. “I’ll try to be more respectful in the future.”

  “I’m afraid it’s a little more than that. It’s not just a rock, it’s an egg.”

  “What are you saying?” Daniel asked.

  “That sacred artifact is a dragon’s egg,” she replied.

  Wasn’t that clear enough for him?

  Sandson turned and looked at the rock. “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am now. There is something very old sleeping in that rock,” she replied.

  “Do you think Eric knew what he had?” Daniel asked.

  “I’m almost sure he did. I think that’s why they’re out here. You remember how interested he was in dragon lore back at the Academy? I think they’re looking for a way to control the drake of the flatlands.”

  Sandson let out a long slow whistle and turned to where Taugh and Ertgoth were sitting. “So, the Ogres worship dragons,” he said in disbelief.

  “No, I don’t think so,” Kile replied. “I don’t think they even know it’s a dragon’s egg. To them, it’s just an artifact of Zaheeg. You saw the crude statue in Sugorim’s cave. That's what they believe their god looks like.”

  “How can we be sure of any of this?” Sandson asked. “Let’s say this is a dragon’s egg. It doesn’t mean there’s a dragon in those caves.”

  “Yes, it does.” Daniel replied.

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because, it spoke to Kile,” he added.

  The two of them looked at her.

  “I… didn’t consider that,” she replied.

  A whistle from the camp caught their attention. Anurr was pointing to the sky. At first, Kile thought she would see a dragon flying in to claim his egg, but instead they saw about a dozen black spots on the horizon, and they were getting closer. Bakara, and the ravens, had returned. Running back to the campsite, they stopped and waited until Bakara landed. The old raven was preening his feathers when Kile approached him. The others stayed back and watched.

  “What did you learn?” she asked.

  -Your friends have been captured.-

  He replied.

  “Show me.”

  She closed her eyes and let the raven take her on a flight over the wastelands and through the cannon. Flying low over the stone city she headed toward the foot of the mountains. It was there she spotted the mouth of a large cave, where the valrik had gathered. Tullner, Carter and Marcus were on their knees with their hand bound behind their backs, two brunrik watched over them. Eric stood off to one side, and didn’t appear to be in a very good mood as he paced back and forth, kicking at the ground. Kile landed on the branch of a dead tree and waited. She was too far away to hear what Eric was complaining about, but she did hear her name mentioned a few times, and it wasn’t very flattering.

  “Calm yourself,” Ravenshadow said as he emerged from the darkness of the cave, his black robes dragging the shadows out with him.

  “I had her, sire. I had her,” Eric shouted.

  “Yes, and you lost her,” he replied, but there was no anger in his voice. It was almost as if he expected his servant to fail.

  “Give me the Valgar and I will find her for you,” Eric pleaded.

  “There is no need for that. She will be here soon enough.”

  “Why would she come here?”

  “Unlike you, she is honorable. She will not abandon her friends.”

  “So, we set another trap for her?” Eric asked.

  “Why, so you can fail again. Besides, it would be pointless.”

  “How so?”

  Ravenshadow turned and pointed directly at her. Or was it Bakara he was pointing at? “Because, she has been watching us,” he said in an exasperated tone. “Isn’t that right, Miss Veller? If you wish to see your friends again, you will bring the stone here, and come alone. I assure you. No harm will come to you, or to them, if you comply.”

  -Trust not the raven-

  When Kile opened her eyes, she saw the other watching her carefully. It always took her a while to come down to earth. Flying had that effect on her.

  Sandson was the first to step forward. “So, what happen? Did they find the others?” he asked.

  “Ravenshadow has them. They’re at the foot of the mountain, near a large cave entrance. They want me to bring the stone to them, and they want me to come alone.”

  “Wait, how did you figure this out?” he asked.

  “Ravenshadow spotted Bakara and gave him the message.”

  “Well, you’re not going, are you?” Daniel asked.

  “Of course I am. It may be the only chance we have of reaching them.”

  “I don’t know.” A
nurr replied. “It sounds a little dicey.”

  “That’s for sure.” Sandson added. “Maybe…”

  But before Sandson could say anything more, Kile stopped him. She turned to the ravens, who were listening to everything that was being said.

  “I need you and your kin to scout the area. Keep an eye on anything that moves. Meet me at the mouth of the cave.”

  -As you wish.-

  Bakara replied, and quickly took to the air. The rest of the ravens followed, and Kile said nothing until she was sure they were far enough away.

  “So, when are we going?” Daniel asked.

  “We’re not, I am.” Kile replied.

  He stepped forward to stand beside Sandson. “You can’t be serious. You can’t go alone. It has to be at trap.”

  She slowly looked at him. “Of course it’s a trap,” she replied. “That’s why I won’t be going alone.”

  ***~~~***

  26

  Kile rode Grim through the streets of the stone city, they appeared deserted. Although the valrik had cleared a path for her, she couldn’t help but feel she was being watched. There were a lot of building and a lot of windows in which to spy on unwary travelers. She clutched the sack tighter, pulling it to her chest.

  -Having second thoughts, are we?-

  Grim asked.

  “You did say you wanted to see how this all turned out,” she replied.

  -I didn’t think I was going to get a front row seat.-

  “Don’t worry. It’s a foolproof plan.”

  -Oh, well, that’s good. All we have are fools.-

  “This plan was conceived by top military minds.”

  -Are these the same military minds who tried to drop an outpost on us?-

  “The very same.”

  -Someone is near.-

  Vesper said from his place on top of Grim’s head.

  Kile quickly looked around, and although she couldn’t see anyone, a quick sniff of the air told her she wasn’t alone. There was the unmistakable smell of burnt toast and garlic.

  When they turned down the main street and passed under a half fallen arch, the mouth of the cave came into view. It was much larger than she had anticipated, but estimating size was difficult while seeing the world through bird eyes.

  “You were supposed to come alone.”

  Kile turned to see Eric leaning against one of the crumbling walls. He pushed himself away and approached her. She could almost feel the heat emanating from him as he got nearer.

  “I did come alone,” she told him.

  “Then who were you talking to?”

  “My horse.”

  “Oh, is that what you call it.”

  Grim slowly turned and looked at him. She could tell he desperately wanted to stomp the vir’s head into the ground. Fortunately, he restrained himself.

  “Where’s Ravenshadow?” she asked.

  “He’s waiting.” Eric replied. “Give me the stone and I’ll take you to him.”

  “Right, like I’d just hand it over.”

  “I could just take it from you.” he said, and held up one hand which burst into flame. He was getting really good at that, she thought.

  “You could try, but I don’t think your master would appreciate it. He wants me alive and unharmed, if I’m not mistaken.”

  Eric flinched at the word master. Kile grinned. Being the servant of Ravenshadow wasn’t part of Eric’s master plan after all. It was more than he bargained for and less than he wanted. He extinguished his hand and dropped it to his side.

  “Follow me,” he said in defeat as he started to walk toward the cave entrance.

  “You know, you don’t have to do this,” she told him as she rode alongside him.

  “What else is there for me now? Should I go back and become a Hunter. I’m sure the Guild will take me back, no questions asked. Or maybe take up my father’s throne. Do you think the people of Callor will welcome me with open arms?”

  “Probably not, but then what did you expect? You stole from the Guild. You tried to destroy the Academy. You sent the Uhyre into your own homeland. Did you really think it would go unnoticed?”

  “I did what I had to do, I didn’t have a choice.”

  “You know, the strange thing is, I believe you.”

  Eric stopped and looked at her. It was difficult to read the expression on his face, but she would almost say, it was a look of regret. Did Eric really want to be a Hunter after all? Did he ever have a choice? She had the strange feeling this was all planned out years ago, maybe before any of them were even born. Did any of them really have a choice, or were they just being moved into positions, like pieces on a game board. Everything was based on an unseen hand rolling the dice.

  When they finally reached the mouth of the cave, they stopped. Vesper took his place on Kile’s shoulder as she dismounted. Holding the sack tightly in both hands, she followed Eric into the darkness.

  It was, by all accounts, a cave. Although, there appeared to have been recent excavation work done. Cartloads of stone were waiting disposal and digging tools were carelessly scattered about. The only thing missing were the miners, but then, why would they need miners if they already found what they were looking for. As she followed Eric deeper into the cave, she kept looking at the wooden supports. They were fastened together with a craftsmanship that went far beyond what the valrik could provide.

  When they reached a bisecting tunnel, Eric turned right, which led them to a staging area. It was a fairly large cavern with cots, tables and chairs, enough for probably thirty or forty miners. They wouldn’t have been living comfortably, but they would have been able to survive. Now the place was empty, save for a handful of valrik and the shadowy form of Ravenshadow as he moved between the tables.

  He turned when she entered and the first thing she noticed was Bakara, sitting upon his shoulder.

  The sack she carried, gasped.

  “Ah, Miss Veller, you honor me with your presences,” Ravenshadow said in a whisper, which was still quite loud in the empty chamber.

  “I doubt that,” she replied, setting the sack down against the wall. “How about we finish this little transaction as quickly as possible?”

  “Why the rush?” he asked. “Sit and share a drink, I seldom have anybody intelligent to talk to these days.” he said, directing her to an empty chair on the opposite side of the table.

  His long black robes covered every inch of his body. She could see nothing of his face, only his two white hands were visible and appeared to be floating in an inky shadow.

  “I don’t’ think so,” she replied.

  Ravenshadow shrugged. “Fair enough,” he said. “I assume you brought the stone.”

  “I have it,” she replied and reached into the sack. When she turned around, she held the stone up for him to see.

  “Wonderful, and by now, you figured out what it is.”

  “I have.”

  “I had no doubt.” Ravenshadow replied. He turned and motioned for Eric to fetch the stone, but Kile stopped him.

  “Not so fast,” she said, holding the stone away from him.

  “I thought you were in a hurry.” Ravenshadow replied.

  “I am, but I want to see my friends first.”

  “Oh, I assure you, they are quite safe.”

  “That’s not good enough,” she said. “I want to see them for myself.”

  “And you will, but first, you have to do something for me.”

  “That’s wasn’t part of the deal.”

  “Deals change, but don’t worry. It’s a minor thing really, for someone with your talent. Do this for me, and you and your friends are free to go wherever it is you wish to go.”

  “Is that what you told the people of Coopervill?”

  “Coopervill?”

  “Yes, the mining town in Denal. The one you destroyed, all because of what? You needed miners. You needed real miners to find you this,” she said, holding the stone up. “That’s why you invaded Coopervill?”r />
  “I told you she’s a slick one.” Marcus said as he stepped into the cavern behind her.

  Kile turned and faced him. She wasn’t surprised, but she was disappointed. “I was wondering when you would show up,” she said

  “What gave me away?” he asked.

  “Little things,” she replied. “I didn’t want to believe it at first, not a Hunter, but it was the only thing that made sense. You were the one who led me here, not directly, mind you. That would have been too easy. It was you who told Alex about Carter’s disappearance, knowing he would tell me, and that I would want to go find him. You weren’t nearly as difficult to persuade to join us as you should have been, and when we weren’t given the go-ahead by Command, you had the perfect opportunity to drop out. But you didn’t, not then. But it was when you actually volunteered to enter the city and steal the stone, that I had my suspicions. As I said, just little things which were out of character. How long have you been Ravenshadow’s lackey?”

  “Lackey?” Marcus exclaimed in mock offense. “I never considered myself a lackey. I’m just an average Hunter, doing my job. After my failed attempt to find the Beast of Spine Mountain, I came into the wastelands seeking the drake. The last class A open script. That’s when I stumbled upon Ravenshadow’s little expedition. I have to admit, I was a bit startled at first. But when he told me he had a job for me, an open script which would pay more than the drake, I had to listen to his offer.”

  “And betray everything the Hunters stand for?”

  Marcus laughed. “You just don’t get it. I fear you are laboring under the false assumption that what I am doing is out of line with the Guild’s way of thinking. But you are mistaken. You know as well as I, Hunters don’t get involved in the politics of war.”

  “Between towns, between provinces, but this is different,” Kile replied.

  “Not really. I am only doing what any Hunter should do, and that is, keep my noise out of it and do the job at hand. That is all that is expected of us. This is just another job, another script, another bounty.”

  “Another script? Me?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Ravenshadow wanted you here, so I delivered you,” he said, stepping past her into the chamber. He picked up one of the pewter steins from off the table, swirled the contents around and gave it a sniff before drinking it. “I must admit, when you got yourself assigned to Perha Squad, and then got caught up in that outpost, I was afraid I might have lost my script, and my bounty. But you proved to be very resilient.”