The Hunter's Apprentice

by Stentson, Mark

  -So the hunter wants to forget something then. What is it? he asked with big eyes.

  Erasmus waved him off.

  -I won’t tell you as it’s not my secret and I would not ask the hunter if I was you. He does not like to talk about it very much. But trust me lad, it’s something everyone would want to forget.

  I remained silent wondering what it could be about. What had happened to him? A bunch of scenarios appeared in my mind. I knew that it did not concern me but I was determined to find out the truth. I then remembered something.

  -How come that he’s never drunk? I asked.

  Since I had met him, he had always been drinking wine many times aday. He never had a bottle very far from him but surprisingly he was always sober.

  Erasmus sighed sadly.

  -This is his curse, he said. Whatever the amount of wine he drinks he never gets drunk enough.

  -Why does he drink then if it has no effect on him?

  -oh it does have. It’s just that it takes time and when he finally gets drunk, it is pretty bad. He usually passes out for a couple of days at least. The last time, he slept for more than a week.

  -Really, I exclaimed doubtful. How is such a thing even possible?

  -This is what happens when you deal with magical beasts or monsters. You don’t come out of it unharmed.

  I stopped collecting the herbs and faced him.

  -You mean that … I too will become like him? I asked frightened.

  He looked away.

  -Not like him for it depends on many things and on what kind of creature you face. But its certain that you won’t come out of it without any … let’s say side effects.

  I shivered. I did not want to that to happen. What if I became like the hunter? This thought was not really appealing.

  -Now don’t get all worked up, said Erasmus hurryingly. There is also a chance that nothing will happen to you.

  His voice was not very convincing.

  -You know of any hunter like this?

  He looked away.

  Aerys had his first lesson with the hunter the following day. Since his arrival, he had only studied under the supervision of Erasmus but as the hunter pointed out, there were things that could not be taught in books. He followed him outside the house and they walked towards the lone tree where there were two wooden swords that rested against its trunk. Aerys felt uncomfortable.

  He did not like fighting that much. He never had. He was not a coward but he never had the desire to fight. He had fought once or twice back at the village and he had always lost. He just did not have it in him. The hunter did not know that though and he tossed him one wooden sword. He grabbed it agilely in the air and faced him.

  -As you have realized by now, we will start your combat training today. So tell me, did you ever hold a sword before.

  Aerys shook his head. The only weapon he ever held was a knife that Master Elric sometimes let him use to skin rabbits that they caught in the forest. He felt like it was just yesterday but yet it was so far away. The sadness invaded him again when he realized that he would never go hunting with him again.

  -Stay attentive lad, barked the hunter taking position. A hunter needs to be able to defend himself and kill when it is required. So open your eyes and ears.

  The rest of the day Aerys watched the hunter as he taught him different battle stances. Some were a bit ridiculous but he managed not to laugh. Drake ordered him to try each one and then narrowed the lesson down to two stances; an attacking one and a defensive one. They were the simplest positions but they were very effective. Aerys practiced for hours while Drake rested against the tree and drank. It was not until noon that he was finally satisfied. Aerys was sweating heavily by then and his clothes stuck with his skin and that it was very uncomfortable.

  He continued to train every morning from then. The hunter would come and watch his practice and correct him every time something was wrong. And it happened every time for he was inflexible. He wanted everything to be perfect for as he loved to say:

  -One mistake and you are dead kid.

  Aerys trusted him on that assumption for Erasmus had told him that Drake was the longest living hunter in the country. This had surprised him and scared him at the same time. If living up to his age was a feat, it was hardly appealing. He did not want to die so soon. Erasmus also told him about how many hunters died each year and how much more apprentices followed them. When he asked him about the reasons for such high number of deaths, he had laughed.

  -It’s a dangerous trade. The most dangerous of all. Do you really think that you can come out unhurt fighting dragons and giants?

  -But did they not train? I had asked surprised.

  -I will explain to you the factors why hunters die, he said. The first one is rather straightforward. They run into something strong and against whom their chances of survival are narrow.

  Aerys shuddered just from thinking about this. They were truly living n a terrifying world and his job was to kill those indomitable monsters. Would he be able to do so? He was less sure about being the right person as he learned more and more about what he would be facing.

  -The second cause of death is recklessness, said Erasmus gravely. Usually apprentices and sometimes even hunters underestimate the threat of a beast thinking it is not very dangerous. But even the smallest one is a threat. Take for example the imps. Like I said they are the least dangerous creatures of all and can be easily defeated. However this does not mean that they are inoffensive. Treat them lightly and you will be dead the next moment. I know of some experimented hunters who died at their hands and that is a very stupid way of dying. So remember this. Never underestimate a beast.

  Aerys assured him that he would never do such a thing and Erasmus continued.

  -The third cause of death is lack of knowledge. Yes, lack of knowledge, he repeated when he saw the incredulous look on Aerys face.

  -There are an outstanding number of creatures out there and each one of them had its own strength and weaknesses. Of course you could go the simple way and try to cut everything but what will happen if you cannot cut a beast like the Trixs.

  -What are Trixs?, asked Aerys. He had never heard of this creature before.

  -Trixs are big cat-like creatures. They are very destructive creatures whose skins are so thick that no sword can cut it. The only way to kill them is to ignite their body with fire. They will burn to death as their body is highly flammable because of its oily composure. So you see that if someone faces a Trix and does not have any information about it, his sword won’t be of much help to him.

  He lifted his finger and said;

  -Knowledge is power. If you want to become a good hunter, then you must study and study again. Remember that.

  CHAPTER 6

  About three weeks after Aerys arrival, an eagle arrived carrying a message. He was just about to finish his breakfast of eggs and beacon when it flew in and crashed against the wall. He rushed to help it and put in down on the table where it rested.

  -That’s the clumsiest eagle I’ve seen, said Erasmus appearing by my side. He took the message off the shaken eagle.

  -I’ll take it to him, Aerys offered as he took it from Erasmus hands and headed towards the door of the study room.

  -Alright. I’ll take care of that poor thing in the meantime, said Erasmus examining the eagle.

  Aerys grinned as he walked away. Every time an eagle arrived, he tried to open it secretly. He managed to do it a few times before the hunter finally discovered him. He received a few blows with the stick and a lot of scolding but it did not hinder his curiosity. He opened the door to the study room and found that the hunter had not descended yet.

  This was his chance and he hastily closed the door behind him. He opened the letter carefully. The handwriting was barely readable as if someone had hastily written it. It said:

  Master Drake

  We really need you here in Adington. The situation is out of control and we really need the help of a hunte
r. Please do come as quickly as possible.

  Innkeeper Leerod.

  The blow came down too quickly. The paper fell from his hands and he retreated quickly towards the desk. The hunter stood near the door with a little smile on his face.

  -I thought that I told you not to read my letters, he said as he walked to pick up the letter. He opened it and read it silently. Aerys kept a reasonable distance between us. The stick hurt like hell as always.

  -Well this could not have come at a better time, he said as he beckoned Aerys to come forward. He did so reluctantly for he did not particularly like the idea of receiving another blow.

  -Pack your things up lad, he said. We have some work to do.

  Aerys smiled excitedly.

  -You are taking me with you? he asked eagerly.

  The hunter nodded.

  -It is time that for you see what a hunter’s job is all about. This seems to be a fairly easy one so you won’t be much of a burden. And also, he added darkly, this is the occasion for you to acquire your artifact.

  Aerys swallowed.

  They set off later that day and took the path that led towards the road. It was a beautiful morning and it felt really good to be out on the road. The birds were singing lazily in the trees around them invisible to their eyes and the frogs were croaking loudly after the heavy rains of the past night. The atmosphere was refreshing and cool. Aerys thought that it was an excellent day to start a journey.

  They arrived at the road and followed it towards the east. It ran along the forest for some time until it eventually moved away from it to a more south eastern direction. They arrived at an intersection a little before noon. The hunter stopped and took out his stick and looked at Aerys.

  -What’s the direction of Aldington?, he asked waving the stick threateningly.

  Aerys knew the answer luckily as Erasmus had made him study the maps of Amestris intensively until he was knew every part of it. He pointed to the north. He thought that he would receive some praise or acknowledgement of his improvement but the hunter said nothing. He put the stick away and took the northern road. Aerys followed him a bit disappointed. If he wanted him to say a kind word, he could wait forever.

  They walked on for the rest of the day and stopped near an abandoned farm near the road for the night. Aerys was sent to inspect it and after that he ensured that it was safe they established their camp. Needless to say that they had salted meat for dinner. Aerys did not mind it so much for it was a long time since he had last tasted it. After he finished eating he leant against the wall and watched the stars in the dark sky. The roof had fallen down and he was glad that it did not rain tonight. The hunter sat on the opposite side of the fire and drank as usual. Aerys was tempted to ask him about the reason he drank so much but then he remembered Erasmus’s words. It was probably not the right time to do so.

  They did not spoke that much that night and Aerys went to sleep as usual while the hunter took the night guard.

  The next day, they continued their journey at dawn as always. The landscape started to change a bit and the weather became colder. It did not rain but the sky was clouded and the sun was rarely seen. The wind rose and blew hard. Unfortunately it came from the north and hence it hindered their progression. Aerys lost a great deal of energy trying to follow the hunter along the deserted plains. There was not a soul all around and the only thing he could see was green stretches that went on and on for miles.

  When they stopped to eat, he put on the coat that Erasmus had given him. It greatly diminished the coldness he felt. The hunter did not bother with one. Aerys guessed that the wine was enough already. They ate quickly and Aerys drank from one of the rare streams that they found. The water was really cold and he could not drink more than a couple of mouthful. He shivered when the liquid went down his throat. It was really unpleasant and many times he was tempted to ask the hunter for the bottle of wine but he refrained from doing so.

  They covered just a couple of miles before nightfall. Aerys did not particularly like the idea of sleeping outside in such weather as the wind had gained in power. Luckily they saw some light some time before dusk a little way off the road. It was an old inn known as the Greenfield inn. A fitting name he thought as they entered inside. The cold air followed them as the hunter opened the door and the innkeeper rushed towards them shouting at them to close it. Aerys did not get the chance to do so for he pushed him to the side roughly and closed it himself. He then turned towards them with a warm smile on his face.

  -Welcome…welcome to the ‘Greenfield Inn’. What can I do for you?

  He turned out to be an excellent host and after taking bags in our rooms he came back to their table with food. The inn was nearly empty except for them and a couple of men who did not care much about us. They were talking around the fire and I noticed that they did not seem too joyful. Aerys asked the hunter about it but he merely shrugged and ordered a bottle of elixir. The innkeeper brought his finest bottle, according to his say, and sat by in an empty chair.

  -What brings you here?, he asked.

  -Business matters, replied the hunter ignoring the glass that the innkeeper provided and drinking from the bottle itself.

  -You are not from here, so I should warn you, said the innkeeper in a low voice. You are probably heading towards Adington right?

  The hunter nodded.

  -That’s what I was thinking. Well if I were you I would not venture there. (He moved his chair closer and whispered.) It is a dangerous place.

  He watched our faces for any reactions but we had already received the message from Adington and hence we were not really surprised. In front of our lack of reaction he continued more loudly this time.

  -You heard what I said? It is a dangerous place. There are w...

  -Wolves there finished the hunter absently taking a small pouch out of his inner pocket. He tossed a gold coin at the innkeeper who grabbed it agilely in the air and bite it. Satisfied he put it away safely.

  -We have to get up early tomorrow. So be sure to prepare breakfast for us.

  He got up and beckoned Aerys to follow him. They went upstairs towards our rooms. The hunter stopped by his and whispered.

  -Do not close your door yet. I will go in mine and come back soon. Take your dagger out.

  -Why? What’s...

  He put his hand on Aerys mouth.

  -Don’t discuss. Go inside and wait for me. I won’t be long.

  Aerys obeyed and went inside his room. It was very simple with just one bed and nothing else. A single candle was burning on the floor and its light was barely providing any light at all. He closed the door and waited. He could hear voices downstairs. The men they had seen probably. There was a knock on the door but he did not open until I heard the hunter’s voice. He let him inside and he closed the door quickly. The hunter put his bag down and sat on the bed.

  -What’s happening? Aerys whispered.

  -Bandits, he replied. If you were more attentive you would have noticed it too.

  -How can you be sure that they are bandits?

  -There are several small things that gave them away, he explained. First they were armed which is odd for villagers. Secondly they were talking of everything and nothing. Tell me if you lived here, what would you have talked about?

  -The wolves, Aerys replied instantly.

  -Exactly but they were not. Thirdly I noticed the gleam in the eyes when they saw my gold. It was brief but I saw it.

  Aerys listened impressed. The hunter was clearly an incredible man.

  -So what do we do now? Will they attack us?

  -I think so but not until they are sure that we are asleep. We will wait for them here and deal with them. It should be rather straight forward.

  -But why did you not attack them down? Aerys asked puzzled. We would have had the element of surprise.

  -We will not attack them before they do so first. If we had attacked first, it would have been called murder while now it will be self defense. Use your head someti
mes lad.

  Aerys was about to reply when he heard footsteps on the stairs. They were coming for them. He waited nervously and held the dagger tightly. There was a knock and someone whispered.

  -It’s me, the innkeeper. Please let me in quick.

  Aerys looked at the hunter. Was it a ruse? The hunter thought for a second and then went to open the door. The innkeeper ran in and Aerys noticed that his pockets were unusually filed. The hunter closed the door and turned towards the innkeeper with a cold face.

  -Are you with them?

  -No, replied the poor man trembling. I did not know that they were thieves but as I was taking their plates to the kitchen, one of them let slipped that they wanted to wait for you to sleep. They had a bit of a discussion and I acted as if I heard nothing. I went in the kitchen and took all my gold and ran up here using the other stair

  -But why did you not run away? Aerys asked.

  He sat down and Aerys heard tinkling sounds and a coin rolled off his sleeves on the floor. He grabbed it quickly and pocketed it again.

  -I don’t really fancy meeting monsters all alone at night boy and I know who you are, he added looking up at Drake

  -Sheesh, cut the hunter.

  They all listened and heard the voices of the bandits down. The voices grew louder and louder. They had discovered the innkeeper’s disappearance. There was a rush and they heard their footsteps as they rushed on the stairs towards the rooms. Aerys waited near the bed with the dagger in his hands. His hands were moist and he was sweating heavily. The fight was imminent. He heard them as they walked towards the hunter’s room and they heard the door being forced. There was a cry and they rushed out towards the door of his room. The door was locked fortunately.

  -Open this door and surrender, said one of them loudly.

  The innkeeper who seemed to have found some courage because of the presence of the hunter replied angrily:

  -You’ll never get my gold you dogs.

  -As you wish, replied the man coolly. Open this door lads.

  Someone bumped into the door but it held. For how long? Aerys thought trying to gather his courage. He cast a look at the hunter who seemed pretty relaxed. He was swinging his sword idly.