Hunter's Night

by Melinda Kucsera

  But in the years since, he'd become disillusioned when nothing he’d done had changed anything. Each disappointment had only brought out more of the qualities her parents had warned her about, culminating in that last fight.

  That evening hadn’t even been the first time he'd hit her. Robin hadn't counted the slaps, but she should have because they'd escalated to punches and kicks. Had she not been nine months pregnant, she might have held her own better and given as good as she'd gotten, but that had been a moot point.

  A strange calm had settled over Robin as she'd risen from the mud that morning followed by a feeling she and her baby would be just fine. That feeling had been so strong, it had left Robin no choice except to believe it because it had pushed out all other doubts, leaving only surety behind.

  Her body had seemed to bear that out. None of her bones had been broken during that fight. Robin had been one long bruise from neck to knee, but she’d walked away from it.

  If Ison could beat his pregnant wife for discovering his infidelity, what would he do to a defenseless baby? That thought had driven Robin back to their empty home to grab clothes, supplies, and her bow. She'd only been certain of one thing. If she'd left right then, no one would know for hours. She could disappear in that time and ensure she and her baby were safe.

  “But we weren't safe, were we girl?” Robin mumbled still lost in the recent past. Her fingers played over the necklace made of someone else's power, a nice someone if the power she touched was any indication.

  All those months of running and putting as much distance as she could between her and the husband she’d left without a word but leaving him hadn’t saved her baby. No, that decision might have damned her.

  Now, Rosalie’s life hung in the balance again, and this time it was her fault for camping in the mountains instead of the enchanted forest where she’d have some protection. If only she’d pushed on instead of letting the storm trap her on that mountain, Rosalie would still be in her arms.

  “Find a Ranger. Worry about everything else later,” Robin reminded herself, not caring if Strella heard her over the wind’s sudden need to fling snow into their eyes. That had become her mantra.

  Robin touched the Queen of All Trees’ leaf in her pocket, and that calmed her. It was tangible proof her quest to save her daughter wasn’t futile. If Strella had caught a stray word or two during Robin's mental hiatus, she wisely didn't comment, and Robin was grateful because she was just barely holding it together.

  I’ll get her back. Robin gripped the rope and pulled. It was time she took on her fair share of the load. Strella’s longer legs tended to eat up the distance while Robin lagged behind but no more. It wasn't fair to let Strella do all the pulling.

  Robin rubbed her arms as the wind cut through her snow-caked garments. She squatted down to examine several sets of tracks that had caught her eye, but none offered up a clear print—damn it. Maybe that had been too much to hope for.

  “Those are probably from horses. You can see the ruts made by some type of wheel. It was probably made by a cart. That would be my guess.”

  Strella pointed, startling Robin. She’d forgotten the tall muscular black Shayarin woman was still with her. She might not be for long. This arrangement had been born out of convenience since they had both headed in the same direction—the nearest settlement, Mount Eredren in this case. And they’d almost reached the point where their quests must divide.

  Robin shifted to examine another set of prints. They were smaller than the first and definitely not man-made, but they could be made by any number of animals. Not all of the enchanted forest’s four-footed denizens hibernated or hightailed it to warmer parts for the winter.

  Robin would be sorry to see the duo go. Cat and Strella had been good traveling companions for the days Robin had spent in their company. But all things ended eventually. Nothing lasted forever, not even love; she reflected bitterly. Robin banished all thought of him. He'd preyed on her mind enough today.

  “What are you looking for?”

  “I hoped I’d find some proof that the Wild Hunt had passed this way, but I can't tell a moose track from a deer’s right now.”

  “Do you really think that henge let them pass?”

  Robin opened and closed her mouth for a moment as words failed her. “You’re right, and I’m being a fool. I want so badly to find a trail that leads to my daughter. I’m looking everywhere for it even in places it can't exist.”

  Feeling suddenly exposed, Robin rose from her crouch and faced Mount Eredren. Its peak, like all the inhabited mountains in Shayari, glowed faintly against the clearing sky. Did that glow mark the doors into the mountain?

  She hoped not. That light must be shining from thousands of feet up. There had to be a door somewhere lower down on one of the mountain’s flanks because Robin really didn't want to climb anything right now.

  A flicker of movement caught her eye, but when Robin turned, there was nothing there. She touched that necklace again, but nothing happened. Was she jumping at shadows now? She'd better not be. She had to hold it together for Rosalie’s sake. She could shatter into a thousand pieces when they were both somewhere safe and warm but not before that.

  Strella didn’t say what she was thinking as she passed Robin by, but she didn’t have to. The fear nibbling away at the edges of Robin’s heart asked the same question with every beat—what if Rosalie was lost forever?

  No. Robin could not accept that. She’d spend the rest of her life searching for her daughter if she had to. She wanted to scream in frustration and fear, but a banshee wail shattered the silence first. Robin spun on her heel seeking its source and almost landed on her butt when she slipped on a patch of ice.

  Strella caught her arm and steadied her. “Easy there. Go slow and watch your footing. It’s more slippery here than in the forest. I think there’s ice mixed with the snow. So be careful. We don’t need to add broken legs to our list of injuries today.”

  “Thanks. I’m okay now.”

  Strella threw her a look that questioned that, but Robin waved her concern away. It was just fear and worry making her careless and stupid. She would do better. She must; Rosalie was depending on her, and she couldn't fail her daughter.

  Without a word, Strella pushed on, dragging the sled behind her as if it weighed nothing at all. The Queen of All Trees’ visitation had wrought some improvement in Cat, but it was hard to tell how much. Cat was still as pale as snow except for a purpling bruise around her left eye, but so was everything thanks to the snow whiting out the world.

  As the sled slid by, Robin bent and touched Cat’s chest. It still rose and fell with slow breaths. The swordswoman was still alive, and that gave her hope.

  Robin straightened and winced. A dull ache throbbed in her back. Was it from being stepped on earlier by a member of the Wild Hunt or just a general pain from carrying her rucksack and pulling the litter? Robin felt like a pack horse. Strella had refused to leave any of their weapons behind, so a small armory was also secured to the sled.

  A hilt slid past her hand as the sled passed Robin. She kneaded the muscles of her back. At several points during their trek through the mountains, she’d had to take an end and carry the sled over rough terrain. It could be just overwork making her back hurt. Or the Queen of All Trees wasn’t as much of a healer as she’d hoped.

  After all, she was just a giant, magical tree. Perhaps a full healing was too much to expect. Still, that worthy had brought them closer to their goal, and she was grateful for that small mercy. Robin caught up to the sled again and squeezed the swordswoman’s shoulder through the canvas covering her in thanksgiving.

  If Cat could survive her wounds in this awful weather, then Robin could find her daughter. During the long hike, the two events had become linked in her mind even though the one wasn’t dependent on the other.

  “Where is this stronghold?” Strella rubbed her shoulders through her layers.

  “Let’s ask him.” Robin pointed to a dim s
hape striding away from what must be a trail up the mountain’s south face. She waved Strella to stay put.

  “I’ll get directions.”

  “And I’ll just sit on that boulder over there and try not to freeze. I need a rest break especially if there’s any climbing in my immediate future.” Strella gave the mountain's dark shoulder a baleful glance.

  “There might be. I'm pretty sure they live inside the mountain instead of on top of it.”

  “Why would anyone in their right mind want to do that?”

  “Because a magic race carved up the inside of the mountain?”

  “You mean the Litherians?”

  “I guess. They’re the only race of stone-mages I can think of right now.” Robin was too cold and tired to call up the Litany to check which race had done what to where. Nor did she care right now.

  “You know they built a dozen ‘residences.’ Some are purported to be quite grand. I wonder if Mount Eredren’s one of those.” Strella nodded to the brooding mountain. It had a wide base and a crooked peak, and plans formed in her dark, speculative eyes as she regarded it. Strella was already working the angles, seeking her next paying gig. Good for her.

  “I don’t know. I’ve never been here before.” Robin averted her eyes. She should be planning her next move too.

  “Mount Eredren,” Strella rolled the name around, nodding as she found the corresponding reference in her memory. “I read something about this place. I think it’s the last city the Litherians built before they vanished. If that's the case, prepare yourself for an engineering marvel.”

  Strella let the ropes slide down her arms then she squatted in the snow beside the sled with her injured leg stretched out in front of her. “Let’s hope it comes equipped with a talented healer. You go square things with the locals while I check on Cat.”

  Robin nodded and let her numb feet carry her to the shadow striding away from the mountain. But as she angled to intercept it, the damned thing didn’t get any nearer. How far away was that mountain? It seemed so close, but her quarry was getting away. Didn't he hear her tramping through the snow?

  He didn’t appear to. Robin opened her mouth to call out but stopped when she heard a low, menacing growl. Those strange lupine creatures couldn’t pass the henge. She wouldn’t look back. She wouldn’t indulge in any more foolish thoughts, but the necklace she wore began to warm against her skin again. Could they pass?

  Robin started to turn then a bell sounded, and its sweet song distracted her. She gazed at the mountain as more bells pealed, marking the hour as the thirteenth of that day. A shiver tore through Robin. She felt her luck turning, but which way was it turning now?

  Chapter 16

  Rugira tumbled tail-over-snout in the snow and stopped at the base of an enchanted tree. She lay on her back, her paws in the air, and just breathed for a moment. The collar was gone. She turned her head, and there it lay, coiled like a green-glowing snake in the snow. She was free.

  A shadow fell over her. It was her mate, Onisway.

  “I’m free,” she told him in the language of wolves, through yips, howls, and grunts. She rolled onto her belly to greet him, but he backed away. “You’re still bound.”

  He nodded. Onisway still wore that damned collar and was still bound to the Huntress’ last command to kill the girl who’d freed Rugira. But that girl had passed beyond an invisible wall. Her pack mates hurled themselves at it, but it would not break.

  “Stop!” When they didn’t, she looked to Onisway who was fighting the same compulsion that was urging their pack mates into such reckless action. “Stop them. Let me try another way.”

  He nuzzled her then barked once, bringing the pack to a halt. Rugira nuzzled him back then crawled on her belly through the snow to the henge. She kept her head down, her tail tucked, her ears flat against her head and projected submissive vibes as she came to the spot which had repelled her pack mates just moments ago.

  I mean you and those you protect no harm, she said over and over in her mind as she crawled on her belly through first one ring of standing stones than the other. The air shimmered as she passed, but it didn’t stop her because she was no threat now.

  When she reached the other side, she pushed up to all fours and regarded her pack then Onisway then she howled. “Come to me, heart of my heart,” she said in that ululating call, hoping his love for her would override the anger of the collar.

  Without a yip or howl, Onisway dropped to his belly in the snow and crawled to her. The henge’s guardian let him pass and behind him, the pack followed his lead. When he reached her, he rubbed against her flank, delivering a full-body caress then licked her snout.

  She returned the gesture then they both checked on the pack. They’d all crossed over, and that bitch Huntress’ last command was already working on them, driving them into a frenzy the longer they stood there.

  Rugira caught Onisway’s eye. “Can you hold them back for a little while?”

  “Perhaps. What are you thinking?”

  “I saw that girl’s mind. I know where she’s going.”

  “To Mount Eredren, we can see that.”

  Onisway had never liked the dark side of their skin-changing powers. But a skill was a skill, and Rugira would use every one at her disposal to free her pack and fetch her pups. The Wild Hunt held them hostage too.

  “Yes, but you need time for that girl to do whatever she did to free me to you.” And there were Rangers here. Rugira feared nothing except an expert archer and his bow, and the Rangers were all expert bowmen. She had to distract them. The lives of her pack mates were at stake.

  Onisway chafed to be off. He could not hold the pack back for much longer. Maybe she should just go do what she was thinking of doing then tell him about it later. But that felt so unnatural. They were always of one mind on any plan. But they couldn’t be if she was free and he wasn’t.

  “Never mind. Hold them back until I get inside the mountain. Find me when you’re free.” She nuzzled him one last time then raced across the meadow to the trailhead, giving Robin and her companion a wide berth.

  Hopefully, they hadn’t seen her. Behind her, she heard her pack growl. It was a low, throaty sound that seemed to vibrate the shifting snow drifts under her paws, but she wasn’t sure if she imagined that as flat ground gave way to a switchback trail up the mountain’s south face.

  Rugira ran up it. She slipped and slid around bends and skidded to a halt mere inches from more than one precipice before she reached a wide apron of stone and glimpsed Mount Eredren’s golden doors. They were fashioned from large panes of lumir crystals, and they glowed a welcoming gold. Two silhouettes stood by those double-leafed doors and were dwarfed by them.

  Before either one saw her, she ducked behind an outcropping of stones and called up the change. Magic flowed through her, reconfiguring her body into a human woman’s. Rugira crossed her arms over her breasts, dug her nails into her upper arms and ripped her pelt off in one fluid motion. The two halves snapped together and reshaped itself into a fur cloak she draped over her shoulders and held closed with her hands.

  She didn’t mind nudity, but humans did, so she covered up as much as possible. With her close-cropped hair, her bare feet, hands, arms, and head, she should look quite pathetic. To emphasize that, Rugira let her shoulders slump and her steps drag as she walked up to the door wardens.

  “No blades, no bows, turn your weapons in here,” the one on the left said indicating an alcove just inside where people were supposed to check their weapons.

  “Help me,” she limped toward them as she watched concern transform their bored expressions.

  “What seems to be the trouble, Miss?”

  “This crazy woman is chasing me.”

  The door wardens exchanged a glance then one nodded to the other. “You’d better take her to a Ranger, maybe even a Guard too.”

  Rugira suppressed a smile as she was led into a dark tunnel. A light blossomed in the warden’s hand from the lumir crystal
he removed from his pocket, but she didn’t need it. She could see quite well in the dark.

  We’ll see what help you get now, Robin of Larkspur. Her pack’s freedom rested on that girl’s slim shoulders, and to get it, they needed Robin to be accessible. They couldn’t get near enough to her if she was surrounded by a small army of expert archers. So, no Rangers for her. Robin would have to search for the Wild Hunt alone.

  The solitude might help her hone whatever power she’d used. Rugira felt a twinge of regret and suppressed it. No price was too high to pay for her pack. No sacrifice too big. Robin was just a pawn in the Huntress’ game anyway. This would just toughen her up.

  Chapter 17

  Sarn opened his eyes then closed them and hoped no one had seen their glow. He lay warm and dry on a bunk in the Rangers’ barracks, but his last memory featured him and Nolo lying on a patch of ice. They'd both been soaked and shaking from the cold while waiting for the help running toward them.

  A lot had gone on between then and now. But what had happened to Nolo? Had he really saved the Black Ranger? Or had he only dreamed that? Sarn rubbed his eyes. He remembered pulling Nolo out of the frozen river, but everything after that was a white blur. How had he gotten here?

  How long had he been asleep? Sarn wasn't tired. Was this what rested felt like? Sarn opened his eyes as a familiar gray shape sat down next to him.

  “Shade, what are you doing here?” And why wasn’t his friend watching out for his brother, Miren?

  “I come like a winter wind, bearing ill-news on my snow-laden—gust.” Shade scratched his or her chin through the veil covering all but a pair of concerned brown eyes.

  “Shade came because you said I’m not allowed to wander around the mountain by myself.” Miren leaned past Shade to deliver that barb. “Other kids my age are allowed. I don’t understand what the big deal is. I turned eleven a couple of months ago.”