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

by Garry Spoor

  -Isn’t it obvious? He wants to control me.-

  “But I didn’t think anyone could control a dragon, except maybe for the Alva.”

  -The Alva? They couldn’t control us, so they tried to enslave us.-

  “How can you enslave a dragon?” Kile asked. The idea of enslaving a dragon, or forcing it to do something it didn’t want to do, seemed impossible.

  -There are ways.–

  Umingoth replied.

  -One of my brothers was enslaved by a vir using, what the Alva called, dragon stones.-

  “Dragon stones? What are they?”

  -Two small stones filled with your foul magic. One is consumed by the vir, the other is fed to one of my kind. This gives the vir total control over the dragon.-

  Dragon Stones? Was that what Eric tried to steal back at the Academy? They seemed small enough, although maybe not small enough to actually consume, unless you were desperate to control a force of nature. Still, she could see the drawbacks. If either the vir, or the dragon, ever passed the stone, the link would be broken, and the vir would probably be eaten.

  “It just doesn’t seem possible.” Kile replied.

  Umingoth laughed.

  -Funny you would say something like that.-

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  -You have dabbled with the same forces, have you not?-

  “Never.”

  -Lie to yourself all you want Orceen, but I have seen the real you. You have touched the corruption, and you liked it. Take care with it, Orceen, unless you wish to become it. The darkness knows you now, and it is looking for you.-

  “I don’t believe you.”

  -I couldn’t care less whether you believe me or not. It is your battle, it is your enemy, it matters little to me.-

  “My enemy? Who? Ravenshadow?”

  -Ravenshadow? He is only a finger of that which lurks in the abyss. He is but a pawn in someone else’s game, and yet he doesn’t even know it.-

  “Then who is it? Who controls Ravenshadow? Who is this enemy?” she asked.

  A light suddenly flared up behind her. Alex had somehow managed to fix the lantern. It was bright enough now to see Umingoth.

  He lowered his head until he was eye to eye with her. He was definitely a dragon. She had seen pictures of dragons and read stories about them in the books from Master Adam’s library. She learned all the myths and could recite most of the legends, but she had never dreamed she would actually stand face to face with one. Dragons were stories, told to delight children, or frighten them, depending on the story, but they were never real; at least, that’s what she thought.

  The light started to shake as Alex trembled at the sight. Umingoth was amused.

  “Alex, go back up to the tunnel.” She told him. “Let me know if you hear anything.”

  “Yeah… okay Ki,” he stammered and slowly backed away.

  She waited until she saw the light hovering at the very edge of the cavern before turning back to the dragon.

  “Explain.” She said.

  -What do you know about the darkness?-

  His voice trailed off into a whisper.

  “I don’t understand.”

  -Yes, you do. What do you know about the darkness?-

  The darkness? What did she know? The only thing she could say for sure, was that it frightened her. Something was hiding in the darkness. She didn’t know what, but she could still hear the cold, maniacal laughter echoing deep within the well and she could still see those yellow eyes staring back at her from the abyss. Whatever was hidden in the darkness felt all too familiar, it wasn’t much different from her.

  -Easy Orceen, do not lose yourself to it again.-

  Umingoth whispered.

  -Do not fight it, you cannot control it, you cannot defeat it, but you can name it.-

  “Name it?”

  -You may not yet fully understand what it is, but you know enough for now. Call it by its name.-

  The way he said it, it was almost as if he was challenging her.

  Did she know its name? Morgan told her. Kaza warned her. The old crow may not have known what it was, but he knew enough to fear it. Control, command, dominate, those were the words he used.

  “Maligar,” she whispered.

  -Maligar.-

  Umingoth repeated.

  -Yes, that was what they called it, but it has gone by many names.-

  “What is it?”

  -You are not ready for that, Orceen-

  “Kile, I think they’re trying to get in,” Alex shouted from where he was sitting beside, what used to be, the tunnel’s mouth.

  Kile paused to listen. She could clearly hear the sounds of scratching, and it brought her back to the mines of Coopervill. The Valgar were wasting no time in trying to get through the cave-in, but then, they knew where she was now.

  -Tenacious,-

  Umingoth laughed.

  -I’ll give them that.-

  “We have to get out of here,” Kile said as she looked around the cavern, but she could see no other exit. They were sealed off with Umingoth.

  -There is still time.-

  He said in a calm voice, but then, why wouldn’t he be? He’s a fifty foot dragon. What did he have to fear from the Valgar?

  “What are they?” she asked. “What are the Valgar?”

  -Ah, now you’re asking the right questions. But, you already know the answer, don’t you?-

  “They’re part of the corruption. They’re part of the Maligar.”

  -And here I was, worried you wouldn’t get it.-

  Slowly the pieces were coming together, but it didn’t get her any closer to understanding what the Maligar was, why she feared it, or what its intentions were.

  “Kile, they’re getting closer,” Alex called out.

  “Is there another way out of here?” she asked Umingoth.

  The dragon looked up.

  -Only one other way.-

  Although she couldn’t see the ceiling of the cavern, she had to believe there was another exit, one large enough to allow for Umingoth’s use.

  “Kile, they’re almost through,” Alex shouted with his update.

  “Will you help us?” she begged.

  Umingoth paused for a moment studying her.

  -Why should I? What’s in it for me?-

  He finally asked.

  “I saved your egg,” she reminded him.

  -And then you gave it to the Ogre. Try again.-

  “I… I don’t have anything,” she said, throwing up her arms. “I doubt if you’d do it out of the goodness of your heart.”

  -Not quite, Orceen. I like you, but not that much.-

  “Then what? What do you want?”

  -A boon.-

  “You want me to do you a favor?”

  Now she was on dangerous ground. One does not deal with dragons carelessly.

  “Anything. Name it,” she said reluctantly.

  -Be careful, Orceen. Do not make bargains so quickly.-

  “I don’t have much of a choice. Do I?”

  -This is true.-

  She knew the dragon was grinning, even if she could no longer see his face.

  “What is your favor?” she asked.

  -In time. We are not finished here.-

  Umingoth replied.

  “What are we waiting for?”

  Alex came running toward them, holding the battered lantern aloft. The light cast dancing shadows over the cavern walls, which made Kile nauseous. He ran past Umingoth without even looking at him, clearly the Valgar scared him more than the dragon.

  “They’re almost through,” he told her.

  But they weren’t almost through. No sooner had Alex made the statement, then the rocks fell away from the tunnel, and the accursed howling of the Valgar grew louder. Their noise was defending, as it echoed in the subterranean cavern. Kile drew her Lann and, grabbed Alex by the arm.

  “Stay behind me,” she told him.

  Six Valgar exited the tunnel as it
lit up behind them. They waited on either side while a man, fully engulfed in flame, stepped into the cavern.

  “Is that… Eric?” Alex asked.

  “Looks like he learned a few new tricks.” Kile replied.

  She had heard of mystics who could take on the physical traits of their sphere. She had seen Murphy perform a similar feat during their survival test back at the Academy, but then, he only turned his body into stone. The idea of actually setting oneself on fire was a bit more impressive.

  He was in no hurry as he slowly advanced, mainly because he knew she was trapped. There was no other way out of the cavern save the way Umingoth suggested, but without the dragon’s help, it was useless.

  “Congratulations, Kile,” Eric said, stopping some distance before her. “It would appear you have outlived your usefulness. Ravenshadow now believes you’re too much of a liability. I’ve been telling him that from the beginning, but he had high hopes for you.”

  “For what? What did he want from me?” she asked.

  Even though he was still several yards away, she could already feel the heat radiating off him.

  “If you had given him the chance, he would have told you. Now, it no longer matters.”

  “What did he want me to do?”

  “What you’ve been doing. Talking to this oversized lizard. Not that I think he has the brains to understand anything. But, they say, you have a way with dumb animals. I believe that by the company you keep.”

  “Hey!” Alex shouted, pushing Kile aside as he stepped forward.

  Eric laughed. “Why look, it’s the little one eyed Hunter.”

  “Yeah, well, with a face like yours, I’m glad I can only see half of it.”

  “I was going to let you live, you know, for old time’s sake. But I’ve changed my mind.”

  “Really, you’ve changed your mind, does this one work any better.”

  “Don’t get smart with me…”

  “Am I getting smart with you? How would you ever know? I mean, I’m not saying you’re stupid or anything, I’m just saying you have bad luck when it comes to thinking. Fact is, I’d go as far as to say you didn’t just fall out of the stupid tree, you were dragged through the whole dumbass forest.”

  “Why you little….”

  “Come on, do your worst.” Alex shouted. “You might have those saladogs, but we have a dragon.”

  Eric stopped, and at first Kile thought he was actually intimidated by Umingoth’s presence, that was until he started laughing.

  “Please, that beast is defenseless. Or, haven’t you noticed the chains? They’re enchanted, meaning he’s useless.”

  Kile hadn’t noticed. She had heard the chains when Umingoth moved, but now, in the light of Alex’s lantern, not to mention Eric’s unearthly glow, she could see them. Four thick chains bound the dragon to the walls. Even if Umingoth wanted to help, it didn’t look as if he could.

  “Now, if you’re finished.” Eric said, as he waved the Valgar to advance.

  The dragon said nothing during the exchange, and almost appeared entertained by Alex’s ranting. Only when the Valgar began to move did he turn to Kile.

  -Are you telling the truth, Orceen? Is my egg truly safe?-

  There was a soft, but dangerous calmness, to his voice.

  “Yes.”

  -Good, because I’ve been waiting a long time for this.-

  Umingoth turned toward Eric and, opening his mouth, vomited fire. For one brief moment it was like standing in a furnace. The temperature of the cavern was raised to a level where the stone floor began to melt. Kile grabbed Alex and pulled him back, behind the dragon and away from his fury. When the fired subsided the ground was glowing white, the Valgar were nothing but ash, and Eric stood, unharmed, among the flames.

  “How? The chains... you can’t…” he shouted.

  What he could or couldn’t do didn’t seem to bother Umingoth. With the speed of a serpent striking, he ate Eric in one bite.

  “NO!” Kile cried.

  -Oh, I’m sorry,-

  The dragon replied with a wicked grin.

  -Were you hungry?-

  “How could you?”

  -Please, Orceen, do not fool yourself. Do you think he would have shown any mercy toward you?-

  He was right, she knew he was. Eric would have killed her on any number of occasions, if it wasn’t for Ravenshadow wanting her alive. But to do it so quickly, without hesitation or remorse, that’s what surprised her.

  “I suppose interrogating him is out of the question,” Alex added.

  Umingoth laughed.

  “I like this one, I might not eat him,” he said, looking down at the small Hunter.

  “Thank you… I think,” Alex replied.

  Kile looked up at the dragon. “Wait a minute. You can speak?”

  He just cocked his head, and if she didn’t know any better, shrugged it off.

  “Of course I can speak, I’m a dragon for crying out loud. You think you’re the only one who stands between worlds.”

  “No, but, why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

  “Why should I? Besides, if they knew I could speak, they wouldn’t have needed you, and they wouldn’t have brought you to me,” Umingoth replied.

  “Brought me to you? I don’t understand.”

  “There is nothing to understand, Orceen. For centuries, I have been held here, trapped by these accursed chains, forged from the very earth you stand upon. They could not destroy me, so they tried to enslave me. When they could not control me, they left me here. Long have I waited in this prison, until Ravenshadow found me. He spoke of freedom, but he demanded my servitude. He was no different than those who put me here. It would not be said, I did not listen, but I did not speak to him, either.”

  “But why?”

  “Because he needed a way to control me, and he found it. His vermin dug their way into my inner chambers. They found my nest and they destroyed my young, all but one. They stole him from me. If Ravenshadow knew I could speak, if he knew I could understand everything he said, he would threaten me with the destruction of my species. That’s why he needed you, and that’s why I waited.”

  “But how did you know about me?” Kile asked.

  “Because I heard you calling, once, a year or two ago. I tried to speak with you then, but you were not completely awake. Your mind was still young and clouded, and then you were spirited away. Far beyond my reach.”

  “But, you don’t need me anymore,” Kile replied. “The Ogre have your egg, and I’m pretty sure they’ll return it to you, if you ask them.”

  “Yes, but that is not the boon I wish of you. This is what I offer you, Orceen. Do me this favor and I will help you defeat your enemies.”

  “I can’t just agree to a favor, without knowing what it is,” she replied.

  “Even if it meant the destruction of your enemies?” he asked.

  “I’m sorry, Umingoth.”

  -Very well-

  He said, and he was now speaking to her from within his own world. His voice was sad, but it was honest, and she knew the favor he asked was a difficult one.

  -I am dying, Orceen. It is the burden of my kind to carry such awareness. We know when the time of our death is near, although we are not granted the knowledge of the hour, nor do we know the nature of our death. When one of my kind dies, their young hatches, and their brood is taken into the clan and raised. I am the last of my kind here on your world. I fear no more of my brothers or sisters are coming. When I die, my egg will hatch, but he will have no clan to watch over him as he grows.-

  “I think I understand now.”

  -Then you know what I am asking of you?-

  “Yes, I think so,” she replied.

  -Then you will do this for me? You will watch over my young?-

  “Yes, Umingoth, I will do this for you.”

  “So be it,” he said, bowing his head to the ground. “Get upon my back, and we will be gone from this place.”

  Kile made
sure Alex climbed on first, for fear the dragon might leave him behind. She was the one who made the deal with the Umingoth, she just didn’t know how far that deal extended. When Alex was finally situated, Kile joined him.

  “What about the chains?” Alex asked.

  Umingoth laughed. “The chains are nothing, little vir. They no longer bind me here. Ravenshadow saw to that, although he did not know it.”

  “And how did he do that?” Kile asked.

  “An elixir, brewed from the remains of metal, rusted by magic. He could not help, but gloat about it. When he poured it upon the chains, it broke the enchantment, but not the metal.” Umingoth lifted his back foot and pulled the chain taught. It didn’t just break, it snapped, but before the links could fall to the ground, like one of Alex’s illusions, they simply faded out of existence. When he had broken the last of the chains, he turned his face skyward. Standing upon his hind legs, he grabbed the wall of the cavern and began to pull himself up. Kile and Alex held on the best they could, clinging to the scales upon his back.

  “You could always ride in my mouth, if you think it would be easier.” Umingoth laughed.

  “We’ll pass,” Kile replied.

  Fortunately, they didn’t have to hold on for very long. When the dragon reached the top, he pulled himself over the lip and stood upon solid ground once again. They could now feel the winds, off the wasteland, blowing through the tunnel. Umingoth followed the path to the mouth of a large cave and out into the light of an early dawn. Spreading his massive wings, he took to the air.

  The valrik stared at him.

  “We come in peace.” Daniel repeated.

  “I don’t think they understand,” Sandson replied.

  “I don’t suppose you can speak valrik?”

  “It would have been a good thing to consider before we walked all the way out here.”

  The valrik looked among themselves, they appeared to be as suspicious of the vir as the vir were of them. One did finally step forward, or he might have been pushed from behind. He held up his hands, mimicking Daniel’s gesture of peace, and said something in a language that wasn’t anywhere near the King’s tongue.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.” Daniel said, leaning in.

  “He says no fight.”

  Daniel quickly turned around to see the Taugh towering over him. He didn’t hear the Ogre, coming up behind them.