by Garry Spoor
Kile hesitated, fearing to move. With each step she took, she brought death to the forest, and yet there was someone in need. Reaching up, she pushed a low-hanging branch out of the way. As soon as her fingers touched it, it withered and turned to dust.
-Help me.-
Taking a deep breath, she ran. She was hoping that maybe if she could get through the forest fast enough and didn’t prolong her stay, the destruction she created would lessen. Sadly, that was not the case. The faster she ran, the more the death fanned out. What once started as a three-foot-wide strip of decay was now ten feet wide, twenty feet wide. The faster she ran the wider the devastation.
“Stop it,” she screamed, but it was no use. It was too late. The forest died before her eyes. She watched as the last of the trees withered and crumbled to dust only to be blown away by a stale wind. What had once been a lush green forest was now barren desert.
-Help me.-
She turned as the black wolf casually walked up behind her.
-Thank you, for helping me.- He laughed.
~~~***~~~
She could still hear the laughter even after she woke up. It echoed in her head, staying with her long after the visions of the wolf faded. Sitting up, Kile brushed the hair from her eyes. It was still dark; dawn was still a few hours away. She looked over to where the others slept. Three bundles around a dwindling fire. They were cold and she was sweating. Getting to her feet, she made her way to the river’s edge. Kneeling down, she splashed cold water on her face.
-Can’t sleep?- Grim asked.
“It’s nothing.”
-If you say so.-
Kile turned to look at him. It was difficult to read a mountain pony, but she felt he knew what she saw. “We’re going,” she told him as she rolled up her blanket.
-Should we wake the others?-
“No, they’ll be fine,” she answered without hesitation.
Tying the blanket to Grim’s harness, she climbed onto the mountain pony’s back and tapped Vesper to wake him up. The yarrow had taken to sleeping on the pony’s head.
-Breakfast?- he asked.
“I’m afraid not,” she said. “At least not yet.”
-Where to?- Grim asked.
“West, I suppose. We have to find Nilak.”
-West it is,- the pony said, starting off into the forest.
Kile looked back at the three figures around the failing fire. They’ll be all right, she told herself. The animals will watch over them until morning, and Mathew will lead them to Wooddale. Erin can start her new life as a Veller Hunter, although she should have told Mathew to change the name. Anything was better than Veller. There should be a spare Hunter or two to take Daniel back to Littenbeck or wherever his new job was. Whatever she thought of him at the moment, she silently wished him luck.
“Sneaking off in the middle of the night. That’s a little predictable, isn’t it?” Duncan asked when he emerged from the forest on his light bay mare.
“Sir? How? What are you doing here?”
“Please, Kile. I’ve been a Hunter longer than… well, let’s just say, I’ve been a Hunter for a long time. You think you’re the first one of my students to ever feel responsible for something they had no control over? I knew you were going to leave, probably before you did.”
“Don’t try to stop me, sir.”
“I have no intentions of trying to stop you. I’m coming with you. I figured you might need a little help,” Duncan said as he rode alongside her.
“But Erin…”
“She’ll be fine. I’ve told her to take Daniel to Wooddale.”
“She knew I was leaving?”
“We talked about it when you were arguing with your horse. I said you would try to ditch us. She wanted to come along, but I told her I’d watch out for you. Besides, she’s needed in Wooddale if we want to get those Veller Hunters up and running.”
“Yeah, about that name.”
“Not growing on you yet, huh?”
“Not quite.”
“Okay, I’ll work on it. Maybe we can have some kind of contest, you know, when we get back to Wooddale. The best name wins… I don’t know, an all-expense paid weekend at Baxter’s Bay. What do you think?”
“Yeah… yeah, when we get back to Wooddale.” Kile answered, but she already knew she was never going to Wooddale. “So, what’s with the Duncan face?”
“Oh, yeah. Well, you see, Mathew is supposed to be gone, probably for the better. His time has come, and besides, all my new clothes fit me as Duncan.”
“So, just like that, you can leave one life behind to start another?”
“When you’ve done it as many times as I have, it gets surprisingly easy.”
It must be wonderful, she thought, to shed her skin and become someone new. To leave behind her old life and start over.
“If you don’t mind me asking, sir. What do you actually look like?”
Duncan stroked his chin, a mannerism that was common for both Mathew and Colonel Barshed.
“You know, I don’t remember anymore,” he said with a chuckle. “I suppose I looked a lot like Luke, the mild-mannered stable hand, but a little more Alva if you know what I mean.”
“Mild mannered? You were always gruff and kind of ornery, if I remember right.”
“Yeah, well, look what I had to deal with. I had you for a student.”
“Why did you choose me, sir?”
“Because I knew. I knew you were one of the good ones. Remember? I told you the first day we met or at least the first day you met me as Latherby.”
“You also said I’d have my painting hanging in the Great Hall.”
“There’s still time.”
“I don’t think the Terrabin Hunters would go for something like that.”
“Oh, I see. You think they own the Academy.”
Kile gave him a curious look. “Don’t they?”
“I’ve played out this scenario before. The Guild doesn’t own the Academy. It’s owned by an Edward Miller. In time, one of his representatives will come forward to reclaim the land and give it to the Veller Hunters, or whatever we’re calling them at the time.”
“So, you are also Edward Miller?”
“No.” Duncan shook his head. “Edward Miller was… well, it’s a long story.”
Kile was amazed. This man, who she once thought was a few sandwiches shy of a picnic, had schemes within schemes. He didn’t leave anything to chance.
“May I ask you something, Miss Veller?”
“I suppose,” Kile said cautiously.
“Why were you so eager to leave Erin and Daniel behind?”
Kile thought about it for a moment and shrugged. “Because I think I’m being followed.”
“I see, and should we be worried?”
“No, I don’t think so. Not yet.”
“And why not?”
“Because I think I know who’s following me. I just hope I’m wrong.”
21
They traveled all day, mostly in silence unless Duncan was telling one of his stories. He seemed to have an endless supply. If only Alex could tap into the old Hunter’s repertoire, he would be set for life. Most of the tales were about the early days when cities like Azintar and Littenbeck were simply little towns struggling to survive and the forests were wild and dangerous. He spoke about his adventures and the people he met and the friends he lost, but it was only when he talked about Risa Ta’re, Kile listened. He didn’t say much about her, only mentioning her in a story or two, but when he did, it was with a deep sense of loss. It was almost as if he went out of his way to avoid any stories about the Alva. Kile wanted to tell him about meeting her in Fthak’thun, but she didn’t have the heart. Besides, she wasn’t sure if any of it was even real.
Kile called a stop when they reached a large clearing in the middle of the forest.
“We should probably camp here for the night,” she said after dismounting.
Duncan groaned while straightening his back. “I’m getting too old f
or this,” he mumbled while surveying the surroundings. “So, is this honestly where you want to spend the night?”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“It’s a little out in the open for me. I feel like I’m on display.”
“That’s the whole point,” Kile said.
Duncan was the easiest person she’d ever traveled with. He was competent, he was skilled, and he simply went along with anything she suggested. Although he questioned some of her choices, it was not to challenge them—it was simply out of curiosity.
Pulling his pack off Linthoria, he let it drop to the ground before rummaging inside.
“Are we starting a fire?” he asked.
“If you want.”
“In my day, they were essential. They kept the wild animals at bay,” he said, clearing a space for the fire. “We also used to keep to the roads and the paths. Traveling through the forest was too dangerous. You never knew if you’d run into a bear.”
Kile rolled out her blanket and sat down. “That’s what I’m hoping for, sir.”
She closed her eyes and fell into her Edge.
“Why do I have a feeling you’re setting a trap and we’re the bait.”
She grinned. “Because you’ve been a Hunter for a long time.”
A couple of branches and a few of drops of liquid kindling later, Duncan had a fire burning. Searching through his pack again, he pulled out a small metal pot and filled it with water from one of the canteens.
“I hope you’re in the mood for road stew.” He started to cut up a few vegetables.
“What is road stew?” Kile asked.
“Oh, so you can hear me when you zone out.” Duncan laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s something we used to do back in the day. As you travel along, when you see anything on the side of the road, you pick it up and stick it in your pouch. At the end of the day, it all goes into the pot.”
“That sounds disgusting.”
“I’m not talking about dead animals or anything. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, things of that nature.”
“Oh. Well, okay, it doesn’t sound too bad.”
“Why? What do you usually eat when you’re out in the wild?”
Kile shrugged. “Usually whatever the locals recommend.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Duncan mumbled, adding more twigs and leaves to the pot. “Wait until you taste this.”
Waiting wasn’t a problem since she wasn’t hungry, or maybe she was too apprehensive. Closing her eyes again and falling into her Edge, she sent her consciousness out into the forest. She needed to play this one carefully, otherwise, it could all go terribly wrong. The world came alive and she reached out to it. It recognized and accepted her. It was the only place that ever did. She called to it and it answered. She asked it and it agreed. She knew where every living thing was in the forest, what was supposed to be there, and more importantly, what wasn’t.
“Bowls,” Duncan announced after rummaging through his pack again. “Bowls are an essential piece of camping equipment. I learned that pretty quickly. Ever have six people sitting around a campfire, sharing stew from a single pot? It’s not fun.” He dipped a small wooden bowl into the pot and scooped out a serving of stew, handing it to Kile.
“You have another one of those bowls?” she asked.
“I carry a set of four. Why?”
“I thought Carter might be hungry.”
Without saying a word, Duncan scooped out another serving of stew and held it out to the vacant spot on the other side of the campfire. He didn’t even flinch when unseen hands accepted it.
“When did you figure out I was here,” Carter asked as he slowly shimmered into existence.
It was nearly a year since she’d seen him last, but he hadn’t changed much. His hair was shorter now, cut in the same military fashion Master Boraro often sported. He also had the beginnings of a little beard, which was so popular among the Terrabin Hunters. Probably the same style Terrabin D’al wore back in his day.
“You’ve been following us for the better part of two days,” Kile said, taking a sip of her stew. It was actually pretty good.
“Really.” Carter set his own bowl aside.
She couldn’t tell if he was surprised or annoyed she’d detected him.
“I tried to explain to you before. Your Edge doesn’t work on me.”
“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” he asked.
“It wasn’t the right place or the right time.”
“And now is?”
“I think so.”
Carter laughed. “I don’t know if I’d say this is the most advantageous place you could have picked. Right here, out in the open. It’s not exactly a defendable position. You didn’t leave yourself an escape route. I thought you were Master Adams’s prized student.”
“Who said I wanted to escape?”
“So, what? You’re challenging me?”
“Sorry,” Kile said, setting her empty bowl down. “No weapons.”
“Then you’re surrendering?”
“I didn’t say that either. Besides, what good would that do? Do you think your new Guild Council would go any easier on me than the old one did?”
“Things have changed, Kile. You would be a great asset to the Hunters.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m sure. They’d only want me so they could keep an eye on me or keep me around long enough until I suffer an unfortunate accident. No, I don’t think so. Besides, my Hunter days are over.”
“You’re retiring?”
“I think so. After this last mission.”
“And what mission is that?”
“To stop Elmac and the Terrabin Hunters from making a huge mistake.”
“Mistake?”
“They’re planning to release the Maligar back into the world, but they can’t control it. If they succeed, it could destroy everything.”
Kile watched Carter’s expression. He had no idea what she was talking about. It didn’t surprise her. Carter was always the good tin soldier. He never questioned orders. They wound him up and pointed him in the direction they wanted him to go, and in this case, he was pointed at her. Was he here to find out what she knew, try to talk some sense into her, or stop her?
“I could use your help,” she added. “Help me stop this before it’s too late.”
“And I’m supposed to believe you?” He laughed. “Come on, Kile. The last time we saw each other, you weren’t exactly all there. You were jumping at shadows and seeing things. You even ran off to hide in the Tower for four months. Who even knows what they did to you in there.”
“You’re right,” she said. “So why would you even want me to join the Terrabin Hunters?”
Carter shrugged. “Because I’m afraid it’s your only choice.”
“And if I say no?”
“Do you really want to try me?” he asked while his fingers lightly caressed the pommel of his sword.
Kile grinned. “You know I’m not going to fight you.”
“That makes it easier.”
“She may not want to, but it doesn’t mean I don’t,” Duncan said, getting to his feet. Carter turned on the older Hunter and reached for his sword. As much as Kile wanted to see if Duncan could still handle himself, she knew it was pointless.
“Sir, please, sit down. Nobody is going to fight today. Carter, go back to the Guild and tell them you extended your invitation, but I had to decline.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?”
“I have to tell you, Ki. I didn’t come alone.”
“Oh, I knew that,” she said, much to Carter’s annoyance. “There are seven other invisible Hunters, and they have the clearing surrounded. What do you call yourselves, the unseen squad?”
“It’s not a joke, Kile.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that.”
“So, you’ll surrender?”
Kile paused for a moment and shook her head. “No, I don’t
think so. Not today. I have too many things to do.”
“You’re leaving me no choice.”
“Oh, but I am. I am giving you a choice. I’m giving you the opportunity to walk away.”
“Or what?” he asked.
Kile sighed. “You never understood, did you? Think about it. Where are we right now? This is a forest. A living, breathing forest, and it will protect me. Look up.”
Carter hesitated before cautiously looking toward the sky. At first, he didn’t see anything, until a silent dark form, no bigger than his fist, flew past. It was followed by another, and then a third.
“Bats,” Kile explained after seeing his look of confusion.
“Bats? So what. I’m not afraid of bats.”
“I used to be, but not anymore, and neither should you. They’re harmless. But they have this incredible ability. It’s like seeing without actually seeing, and right now, they are showing me the exact location of each one of your men, and if I know where all your men are, so does the forest.”
The blood slowly drained from Carter’s face when the forest started howling.
“That’s right,” Kile said. “This clearing is also surrounded by wolves. It’s only a matter of time before they know where each of your men are hiding, and once they do, they will hunt them down. If I were you, I would head south, back to the road. You’ll find a clear path that way. Choose any other direction, try to go deeper into the forest, try to follow us, and the wolves will be the least of your problems. We’re heading farther north, into bear territory. So, in case you haven’t figured it out, this is the choice I am giving you. Leave now and live. Attack me and… well, I don’t think much of your odds.”
“This isn’t over, Kile.”
“It is today, Carter. I’m not scared anymore. Not of you, not of the Guild. Go back, explain to them why you failed. Tell them what happen here. Let them know that if they come for me, I will turn nature against them. There will be no place they can run, no place they can hide where I won’t be able to find them. I will tear their world down around them.”
Carter hesitated for a moment. Kile could tell he was weighing his choices. For a moment, she thought he was going to call her bluff. The problem was, she wasn’t bluffing. Even now, the woods were filling up with more wolves than seven men could possibly handle. If her old friend attacked her, if he even reached for his sword, there was no way he was coming out of this alive. All she could do was hope he made the right choice.