Hunter's Ending (Legend of the Wild Hunter Book 5)

by Garry Spoor

  “Isn’t it?”

  Daniel grinned. “Well… maybe a little.”

  “Yeah, but look what he had to give up to get it? I don’t think it was worth it.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “Have you heard anything about Marcus?” Kile asked.

  “I had to report to the Guild house in Forthbar before returning to Littenbeck. They say he retrieved his horse, but I haven’t heard anything about him. You think he’s lying low?”

  “Probably. Either that or he’s gone looking for the Beast of Spine Mountain again.” She laughed.

  “You don’t think he’d go after Umingoth, do you?” Daniel asked.

  “I seriously doubt it. Marcus relies too much on his Edge, and Umingoth is way out of his league. To tell you the truth, he’s probably in some bar chatting up the waitresses and getting free drinks.”

  4

  The sun was already setting over the western ridge when the white towers of Azintar came into view. It was the greatest and by far the oldest city in Aru. An architectural wonder built along the lay of the land, it rose with the hillside. Tier after tier, the city was built on its own back, and that back was slowly starting to break. There never seemed to be a reason the city was laid out the way it was. Kile had often wondered if the same person who built the Tower had a hand in arranging the streets of Azintar.

  She had visited the city on two separate occasions. The first time was in the back of a supply wagon seven years ago. After she passed the entry examination at the Tower, they brought the cadets to the city, or more accurately, to the Academy. Since the Academy was located outside the walls of Azintar and not within the city proper, she couldn’t consider that a visit. In fact, during her three years in the Academy, she never once entered the city. So, technically, she had only visited the city once. That was when she arrived in the back of a merchant’s wagon when the Undacks smuggled her through the eastern gate into the Vetta. At the time, she was being hunted by Hunters. That was only three years ago. Now, she was being summoned to the city.

  Her life had taken a rather strange turn.

  “We should probably find a place to stay for the night,” Daniel said, catching her off guard.

  “Sorry?”

  “You know, get a room for the night, unless you want to sleep on the streets.”

  “I suggested we stop earlier but you wouldn’t have it.”

  “Yeah, right. I am not sleeping in the wild. I’ve had enough of that. I want a room with a bed.”

  “Are you sure you’re a Hunter?” she asked.

  “Come on, there’s a great inn up the road from here. They also serve a pretty decent meal, if we’re on time.”

  “We’ll stay at the Guild house.”

  “The Guild house? Why do you want to stay there?” Daniel asked, and by the look on his face, this suggestion was worse than sleeping out in the wild. “Nobody stays at the Guild houses if they can help it.”

  “Look, I don’t know about you, but I don’t exactly have the coin to spend on rooms at the inn,” she said.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it.” He pulled out his purse. She was surprised to see it had somehow healed itself from the wound it suffered back at the Black Hoof Livery.

  Where was he getting all this coin from, anyway? Were they truly paying academic Hunters that much? Daniel had often complained about his lack of funds, but now that was apparently the least of his problems.

  “You can stay at the inn,” she told him. “I’ll stay at the Guild house.”

  “Fine, we’ll go to the Guild house.” He shoved the purse back into his shirt. “I suppose it will be okay for one night.”

  It wasn’t difficult to find the Guild house. All they had to do was look for the familiar green banner that waved outside the front door. But finding the house and reaching it proved to be two separate tasks. It took them over an hour to navigate the winding streets of the city since most of their choices led them to dead-ends. It was almost as if someone had deliberately placed buildings in their paths to waylay them from their course. Kile was beginning to regret not taking Daniel up on his suggestion to stay at the inn when they had the chance. But now, would they even be able to find it again or find their way out of the city? In the end, the only way to get to the Guild house was to move farther away from it. It might have been the long way around, but they did eventually reach it.

  The Azintar Guild house was different from most Guild houses Kile had visited. For starters, it was larger. The main building was three stories high and had its own stables located in the rear. It also didn’t have a chapter number over the door, but that could have been removed as the numbers no longer served a purpose.

  She led Grim around back. Daniel reluctantly followed.

  The stables were a simple row of stalls with a common watering trough outside. It was not the most luxurious place to house a horse, especially in a city like Azintar, but it would do in a pinch.

  -You honestly expect me to stay here?- Grim asked. He seemed of the same mind as Daniel, that any place was better than the Guild house.

  “You lost your vote when you decided to destroy the last place you stayed,” she told him.

  Daniel seemed uncertain as he looked the place over. “It looks abandoned.”

  Closing her eyes and falling into her Edge, Kile let the feral side of her take over. She took a deep breath, calmed her mind, and opened herself up to the world around her. The water in the trough was cold and fresh. The hay in the stalls was new, and the stalls themselves had been recently cleaned. There were two people in the Guild house, along with twenty-some-odd rats and a lazy cat. There were also bats in the eaves.

  “It’s fine,” she said after she opened her eyes. “And it’s not abandoned.”

  -It sure looks abandoned,- Grim remarked.

  “Are you sure?” Daniel asked. “You would think a Guild house this size would have a few Hunters staying here, and yet the stalls are empty.”

  “You obviously haven’t been to too many Guild houses,” she said leading Grim to one of the stalls. She removed her pack from his harness and Vesper quickly took his place on her shoulder. “Come on, let’s get settled in.” She headed toward the front of the building.

  Pushing open the front door, it was like stepping back in time. The musty smell, the dim lighting, the bulletin boards, even the dust on the back of the chairs, it was all too familiar. It brought her back to Coopervill, the first day she reported to her Guild house. How could the outside look so different but the interior be exactly the same? The office door opened and Kile had expected, no, she had hoped, to see old Kane staring at her from the reception window.

  “Can I help you?”

  He was a young man, about in his thirties: round face, red nose, short black hair neatly combed back.

  “Sorry, I was kind of expecting someone else,” Kile answered.

  “I’m afraid there’s nobody else here but me. Well, me and Lichas.”

  “Lichas?”

  “Probationary Level Five Hunter, Lichas Sweet, started work this year.” He jerked his thumb to the ceiling. With the expression on the man’s face, it didn’t look as if he approved of Hunter Sweet.

  “We didn’t think anyone was here.” Daniel stepped forward. “All the stalls are empty and the place looked abandoned.”

  “No, not abandoned, not completely,” the man said. “There are forty-two Hunters currently assigned to the Guild house in Azintar, but none of them actually stay here… except for Sweet, and he doesn’t currently have a horse.”

  “Why? What happened to it?” Kile asked.

  Every Hunter was given a horse during their second year at the Academy, although none were anything like Grim. The mountain pony was a rarity that had somehow found its way in with the rest of the horses.

  “I’m afraid he lost it,” the man said.

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. How did it happen?” Kile asked.

  “We don’t know.” H
e shrugged. “He stabled him in one of the liveries on the other side of the city, and he can’t remember which one. It’s been two weeks now.” He sighed, shaking his head. “So, what can I do for you folks? You looking to hire? I have to warn you, with the war going on, delivery is delayed and prices are going up.”

  “Actually, we were hoping to stay the night,” Kile said.

  “Speak for yourself,” Daniel mumbled under his breath.

  “I’m afraid we only house Hunters. Those are the rules. If you’re looking for a cheap inn, there’s the Royal Legacy, down the road. Not the best place to stay, but affordable.”

  Kile stepped up to the window. “I am Certified Level Three Hunter, Kile Veller.”

  “Hunter Veller, of course, I’ve heard about you.” The man extended his hand. “It’s an honor ma’am. The names Kalk, Nard Kalk, Certified Level Three, retired.”

  Kile shook the man’s hand. She wasn’t sure what he’d heard about her, but he seemed genuinely excited by her presence, so it couldn’t have been that bad. Kalk looked over Kile’s shoulder at Daniel, who was still standing in the doorway.

  “That’s my traveling companion,” she said without turning around. “Certified Level Five Hunter, Daniel Leary.” She made a point to accent the word “five” in Daniel’s title if only to see him bristle.

  “So, what brings you here to Azintar? Are you on a mission?”

  “Just a simple assignment here in the city. Nothing important. Figured we’d spend the night at the Guild house, before seeing it through.”

  “Wonderful. Glad to have you. I’m sure you know your way around these places. Sitting and dining area on the second floor. Beds on the third. Pantry is stocked, so help yourself.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Kalk,” Kile said, stepping away from the window. “Oh, one more thing. Is there still a Hunter named Swait stationed here?”

  “Robert Swait? I should say so, although he’s not currently around. He’s still running protection for caravans in and out of Balaa, although who can say how long that will last. If the rumors about the trade negotiation are true, we may be in for some tough times. Why? Do you know him?”

  “He helped me out once. It was a few years ago. I never actually got the chance to thank him.”

  “I’m afraid he’s not due back for at least another fortnight, and he doesn’t always stop in at the Guild house before going back out. But if he does, I’ll surely pass on the message.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Kalk.”

  “Well, if that’s all, I still have some paperwork in the back office to get through, but if you need anything, let me know.”

  When Kile reached the bottom of the stairs, she turned and stopped Kalk before he could make it back to his office. “Oh, there is one more thing. There are two horses in the stables out back.”

  “Not a problem ma’am, they’ll be taken care of,” Kalk said.

  “I wanted to warn you not to get too close to…”

  “The mountain pony?” he finished for her. “Ma’am, that horse is as infamous as you are famous.” He laughed.

  “Thanks again, Mr. Kalk.”

  “Not a problem.” He disappeared into his office.

  Kile climbed the stairs to the second floor, which was one large space. The shutters were closed, so the place was as dark and uninviting as the downstairs lobby. There were a few old couches in the middle of the room, a bookshelf with three whole books on it, and a table with a set of six mismatched chairs. On the far side of the room was a small kitchen with a pantry. Beside that, a flight of stairs led up to the sleeping quarters.

  Daniel dropped his pack on one of the couches, which produced a small cloud of dust.

  “Doesn’t look like anyone’s been here for a while,” he said, waving it away.

  Pulling open the door to the pantry, Kile was surprised to see it fully stocked. Vesper leaped onto one of the shelves and helped himself to a few of the vegetables before she could pull him away.

  “Curb your appetite, you,” she told him.

  “Why? The man said to help ourselves,” Daniel said as he poked around the pantry shelves.

  She wasn’t sure who was worse, him or Vesper.

  “We should respect the house as well as our host,” she said. “Each house is responsible for their own stock. Since we are not paying, we should at least be courteous.”

  Daniel turned around with a mouth full of bread.

  “Why do I even bother?” Kile asked, shaking her head. “Try not to finish off the whole pantry before I get back.”

  “Wait, where are you going?”

  “There’s somebody I have to see. I won’t be too long.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  “You don’t have to. Get some sleep. I’ll be right back.”

  Daniel grabbed his pack from the couch. “I’m coming with you.”

  ~~~***~~~

  The night had finally descended, and this section of the city didn’t seem to believe in street lamps as it was now cast in total darkness. The only lights were the torches high along the outer wall, where the city guard stood watch. Normally, trying to navigate the streets of Azintar at night would have been nearly impossible, but fortunately, Kile knew where she was going, or at least she knew what it smelled like.

  Falling into her Edge, she once more let her feral side take over. The smells of the city were not very pleasant, but they never were. With so many vir packed together in one place, it was bound to smell ripe. It was only a matter of sorting through the many unique odors until she found the one she wanted.

  “This way,” she said as she started off into the darkness.

  “Are you sure you know where you’re going?” Daniel asked.

  “Trust me,” she said.

  It didn’t take nearly as long as she figured before they reached the western gate. The gates were never closed. There was no reason to close them since they opened onto the Hunter’s Academy.

  “What are we doing here?” Daniel asked.

  “I already told you, there is someone I have to talk to,” she said.

  “But, Ki, everyone’s asleep. Can’t it wait until morning?”

  “No, it can’t wait. Are you coming or not?”

  “I’m coming.”

  “Then stay close and keep quiet. And whatever you do, don’t make any sudden moves.”

  The Academy hadn’t changed much, not that she expected it to. She always thought coming back would feel like coming home, but it never did. Even though she spent three years of her life here, there was no connection. It was merely another place on a long list of places.

  They kept to the shadows, along the eastern wall, and made their way as quietly as they could to the stables. If only Daniel didn’t sound like a herd of cattle tromping along behind her, she might have made it without being detected.

  “Danny, don’t move. Stay perfectly still,” she warned him.

  “Why? What is it?”

  She didn’t have to see him. She could smell him. He was behind them and he was stalking them. Kile waited until he came around the corner of the stables. A large black Shinar Mastiff, one she hadn’t seen before, walked slowly toward them, his eyes fixed on hers. Baring his teeth, he growled. Daniel quickly pulled her in front of him.

  “Kile, do something,” he said nervously.

  “Stay calm.”

  -I’ve been waiting for you,- the mastiff said in a deep, menacing voice, and yet there was a hint of excitement there as well.

  “You knew we were coming?” Kile asked.

  -What?-

  “Did you know we were coming? You said you were waiting for us.”

  The mastiff stopped and quickly looked around before taking a seat on the grass.

  -No, I didn’t know you were coming. I was waiting for anyone to come along. It gets dreadfully boring, patrolling the same area night after night.-

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I suppose it would.”

  -Well, yeah. It’s not like anyone breaks into t
his place. I mean, what’s here—a bunch of snot-nosed kids and he won’t let us bite any of them.-

  In his words, Kile could see Sir Oblum reprimanding the dog for something that he did. She felt sorry for him. He was clearly new on the job.

  “Maybe you can help me. I’m looking for—”

  The dog suddenly jumped to his feet. -Why should I help you? You’re intruders. You’re not supposed to be here.- He took a few steps closer.

  Kile tried to calm him down, again. “Well, yeah, that’s true,” she said. “Look, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kile. What’s yours?”

  -I ask the questions here,- the dog barked, then sat down again and cocked his head to one side. -I can’t ask you questions. You’re a vir. You shouldn’t be able to understand me, but you do. Don’t you?-

  -Of course she understands you, you nitwit.-

  That was a voice Kile recognized.

  “Hunar,” she exclaimed, turning around as the large female mastiff came into view.

  Daniel quickly moved back against the stable wall and pulled Kile in front of him again. Now he was surrounded by two large dogs.

  -Wait, you know this vir, Hunar?- the young dog asked.

  -Of course I do, and if you had heeded anything Gorum said, you would have realized you were speaking to the Wild Hunter.-

  That title got around fast.

  -She’s a Hunter.-

  -She’s a Hunter… and a friend.-

  When Hunar said the word friend, it didn’t hold the same meaning or feeling as it did between vir. It went deeper than that. Hunar considered Kile a member of her pack. The female mastiff was always a loner, so for her to consider Kile a pack member meant quite a lot.

  “Thank you, Hunar.”

  -It’s nothing,- the mastiff said, trying to brush it off. Kile could tell she was a bit embarrassed by the show of affection.

  -Kile, this is Rejer. He’s new here, so you have to forgive him… or not, it’s your choice.-

  “He was only doing his job.”

  -Was he? Don’t you think he should have picked up on the whole talking thing a little sooner? He’s not very observant and has a lot to learn.-