“She was here,” Vivian nervously confessed. “Perhaps Ivan helped her brake free?”
“Or the bargetier,” Rigst added. “Let’s hope it was Ivan.”
“We’ll continue.” Fin took the lead, heading deeper into the warren. “We’ll come back for the others, after we deal with the bargetier.”
The slayers all remained quiet, passing all the women embedded into the walls. They still looked at each and every one of them though, hoping not to see a loved one or someone they knew. The bargetier were brutal creatures, and once a woman had been tainted by one, they were never the same. Volk’s mother was the only example Vivian had encountered, but that was enough.
Vivian saw Donna again, she seemed a lot calmer now that she had passed out. He wondered if she would ever return to normality, or if she would remain insane. Silverton was much more advanced than Holtur, they had plenty of doctors to heal both physical and mental problems. Hopefully she’ll be back to her confident and optimistic self in due time.
Travelling deeper than where Vivian had been dumped, the warren forked into four tunnels. Fin divided up the group of slayers before delving deeper. “Don’t disperse into smaller groups,” he commanded sternly. “If the cave splits any more, pick a single direction and stick to it. If you hear any conflict, double back in case the bastard decides to flee. We don’t know if it has other warrens.”
Vivian wasn’t going further in. He, Rigst, Volk, and another slayer, named Bernard, were to stay at the entrance in case the bargetier was to try and escape. He watched the torches light up the four tunnels, hoping that everything would go to plan. It didn’t take long and the slayers had faded into the darkness.
“Had a bit of rough and tumble with it already?” Bernard asked. He was a bit old for a slayer, had short, rough, black hair and a thin, handlebar mustache.
“Sure did,” Rigst confirmed. “I didn’t do as much damage as the northerner though.”
Bernard laughed, his eyes looking up and down Vivian. “The outsider who dealt with the Eye of Desecration! I’ve heard about you. Honestly, you look smaller, and more armless than I expected.”
“Ugh…” Vivian looked to where his left arm should have been. “Fed it to the bargetier, figured it might be slower if it ate some fatty northern meat.”
“Fuck!” Bernard’s eyes widened. “You are a hard one aren’t you.”
Vivian was unsure on how to respond. He’d been running on adrenaline since awakening within the warren, but now things were slowing down, and the mass amount of pain became more apparent. “Not really.” He slumped to the ground, wincing in pain. “Good thing I didn’t go further down…”
“You’ll be fine,” Rigst spoke without looking at him. “Just hold up a little longer, and we’ll all go back to Holtur.”
“Commander Maver thinks I’ll crumple in front of it…” Volk seemed annoyed at the fact he was kept from descending further. “I’d annihilate that fucker if given the chance!”
“I have no doubt Red,” Rigst agreed, “but Commander Maver would have his reasons. He probably put you and Bernard with Vivian and I, due to the fact we are far from full strength.”
Vivian’s eyes flickered, he was staying awake, but it wasn’t an easy task. “We need you two.”
“You’ll have your chance Volk.” Bernard nodded. “Those things always flee when they know the odds aren’t in their favour.”
“Smart fuckers,” Vivian said through a cough.
“We can’t be sure,” Volk disagreed, “we could be standing around, waiting for the others to claim the glory.”
“Does it even matter?” Rigst intervened. “As long as we don’t have to deal with it any more I’ll be more than happy.”
“It’ll flee.” Bernard nodded confidently. “Trust me, I was killing bargetier while you three were still shitting your diapers.”
“Did you lose anyone back then?” Vivian asked.
“Only everyone.” Bernard calmly nodded. “mother, sister, wife, lover, it was fucked. The only thing I was happy about back then was the fact my two children were boys.”
“I guess that is fortunate.” Vivian looked up at the man.
“Might as well have been girls!” Bernard took a moment to laugh. “They can’t fight for shit, and one of them is a little, ah, you know?” He tilted his hand back and forth in the air.
Volk and Rigst both nodded their heads.
“Takes all sorts.” Vivian smiled through the pain.
A roar echoed, vibrating off the various corridors within the warren. Then Sonja appeared out of one of the tunnels. “Here it comes!” She winked at the others, turning around to ready herself for the oncoming beast.
“Glad to see you are alright.” Bernard gave her a warm smile, then readied himself beside her.
“Ivan freed me,” she said, unsheathing her large claymore. “Crazy bastard!”
A worried roar erupted from the tunnel that Sonja had just emerged from, following up with the psychotic scream Ivan released when chasing his prey. Vivian couldn’t understand the man. He had figured Ivan and Sonja didn’t see eye to eye before, but here they were fighting in perfect harmony. “Crazy bastard alright!” Vivian pushed himself up against the wall. He couldn’t fight, not anymore, but with several well trained slayers by his side it shouldn’t be an issue.
“Rider, stay behind us. If it gets past us, don’t let it escape,” Sonja said to Rigst, then pointed to the older man. “Bernard, we’ll take out the legs, we can’t let this thing escape. Volk, you burn the fucker. Vivian…” She looked at the one-armed mess of a man slumped against the wall. “You just stand there, maybe throw it some insults.”
“Should be able to manage that.” Vivian nodded, watching as the slayers positioned themselves. He started to feel delight in watching the way Sonja organised the slayers. It showed power, knowledge, respect, and skill. Traits he’d love to earn himself some day.
The roar and scream concerto grew louder, indicating the pair were about to appear. Upon emergence, its beady red eyes were wide with fear. The bargetier was galloping on all fours to try and escape the mad man. With perfect synchronisation, Sonja and Bernard swirled their large blades through its forelimbs, splattering claret all over Vivian’s already bloodied face.
They readied themselves to attack again, but it had already bound past them. Keeping its wounded front limbs close to its body, the beast was now bouncing along on its hind legs. Volk was frozen, with fear, guilt, or possibly something else.
“You’re not getting away this time!” Rigst had lowered his centre of his gravity. The hilt of his sword held firmly in both hands, the blade pointed towards the oncoming bargetier. It charged right into him, throwing him to the ground, taking the sword to the chest. Despite having the blade embedded within itself, it continued to run towards the light.
“Fuck!” Sonja cursed as she chased after it. “We can’t let this thing escape!”
More slayers had reemerged from the deeper tunnels. They were all racing after the beast, not wanting to allow its escape. The most notable was Ivan, half naked, running and screaming like he was invincible.
Vivian hauled himself up and began following the slayers. It hurt, but he really wanted to see how this was all going to end. Looking up the tunnel, the bargetier had a clear lead into the open exterior. Even when running on its hind legs it was still much faster than any human.
It gave one last roar, glancing behind itself before making its final step into the clearing. It was about to be free, when a shadowy figure appeared from the outside. The figure swung a large club into the face of the bargetier. “Knock, knock!” the shadow said in a somewhat dopey tone. “You don’t mess with Knoch!”
The bargetier may have tried to respond, but no sound other than a thud could be heard as it fell to the ground. It began rolling back down into the warren, the slayers all giving it a taste of their weapons as it fell. It stopped right before Vivian, bleeding freely from lacerations and gouges. He k
icked the creature’s head, it just wobbled with its tongue dangling out of its skull.
The slayers all began to cheer the death of the bargetier, awakening the women who had previously been captured. The females didn’t know what was going on, but it was obvious which ones had been trapped for longer. Their terrified screams clarifying that this was not a happy situation for all.
“We need to get these women out,” Sonja urged. “We don’t know what kind of trauma they have endured.”
“No, we don’t know.” Volk still seemed distant.
“I want them taken directly to the Bristrunstium,” Commander Maver interrupted. “We must be completely certain this doesn’t happen again.”
Sonja gave him a disagreeable look. The women had been through a lot, and the comfort of families would help them far more than anything someone in a lab coat could offer. But he had a point, had they taken a more strict approach to the incident that almost destroyed Holtur, this bargetier would have never emerged in the first place. “Yes Commander,” she eventually acknowledged.
Sonja, along with a few other slayers, began trying to comfort the women. They broke apart the dirt that bound them, then slowly walked them out of the tunnel.
“Good thing you were in the area Knoch.” Rigst patted his fellow scout on the back. “Bastard would have gotten away if it wasn’t for you.”
“I saw the smoke from the location I was scanning.” Knoch nodded. “Thought you must have been in trouble or somethin’.”
“I could have caught it.” Ivan shrugged, then gave a grin.
“You still alive there Vivian?” Rigst questioned.
Vivian was standing, barely. His blood-covered face and body, along with his missing arm, was a sorry sight. “Will take more than a fucking bunny-bear to stop me!” Vivian laughed. “But I think it's about time I return to Silverton.”
“Think you’ll be ready for this war on serpents?” Rigst grinned. “You could stay here and fight with us if you’d prefer.”
Vivian thought for a moment. He was unsure what would be worse, but he knew where he belonged. “Silverton is my home. I just hope I can find a bunch of crazies like you lot up there, people willing to put it all on the line to save what they find sacred. You Holtur folk are good people.”
“Thanks Vivian,” Rigst said, he wrapped an arm around Vivian to support him. “You northerners aren’t so bad yourself!”
Vivian smiled as they made their way out of the warren. Holtur had changed something within him, and he realised the approaching serpents could be defeated. The road ahead of him would be difficult, more so than anything he had ever endured, even here in Holtur. But now, he felt saving his home was no longer beyond his grasp.
Chapter 11: Going Home
Vivian hadn’t really spent all that long in Holtur, but he had begun to feel the place growing on him. He hadn’t gained any slayers to take back to Silverton with him, but he had the Neidos silk, and something inside him made him feel ready for the serpents. It was knowledge, knowledge that people will do what is needed to overcome the struggles nature throws at them.
The merchant wagon would be heading out soon, and he had already loaded most of his things. It wasn’t all that much, but it had taken him a while. Only having one arm, a bunged one at that, kind of limited your ability to lift things. His assistant, Donna, was still with the Bristrunstium.
Like the other women who were taken, Donna had to be scrambled. It had to be done, to make sure anything the bargetier put inside her was destroyed. It sounded like a painful and disgusting process, but an apothecary had assured him that it was far from it. He tried not to think about it too much, whatever they did, it couldn’t be as bad as a repeat of Volk’s mother.
“Vivian!” Volk approached the wagon. “Before you go, I have something for you.” He handed him a red, leather satchel. “A gift from the flame wyverns.”
Vivian took the satchel with a smile. He flipped the lid open to see a bunch of small meaty flame sacs inside. It seemed fitting that a devout Aesterus follower would offer such a gift. “Wow, thanks Volk.”
“No, thank you,” Volk responded. “You may not think it, but you helped us quite a bit with the Eye of Desecration, the bargetier, and, you know, my mother.”
“You figured that out?” Vivian was going to tell him, he just hadn’t found the right time to do so.
“Yeah, when I saw what was left of your smoke signal, I knew.” Volk appeared upset, slightly angered, but it didn’t seem to be directed at Vivian.
“Look, I’m sorry, real sorry Volk,” Vivian apologised. “I had no choice.”
“I know Vivian.” Volk’s eyes grew moist. “I just wish I could have done what you did sooner. I should have known what was going on. In a way, I’m kind of glad that it was something I gave you that enabled her end, and the end of the bargetier.”
Vivian carefully placed the satchel down, then put his arm over Volk’s shoulder, giving him a side hug. “Everything is going to be alright.”
“Yeah…” Volk sniffled, holding a strong face. “Just remember all this, if it ever comes to it, don’t let your intuition be clouded by fear.”
“Lesson learnt.” Vivian felt he had taken in quite a few lessons here in Holtur.
“Anyways, have a safe journey home.” Volk smiled, then turned back the opposite direction.
Vivian picked the satchel back up, then looked to Orad, the merchant who was in charge of the wagon. “Hey Orad, put this with my stuff would you?”
The large merchant reached his chubby fingers towards the satchel. “Looks like quite a delicate item!” Orad appeared to have two smiles, a large one on his lips, and an even larger one where his neck creased his chin.
Vivian nodded. “Indeed, and be gentle with it, it’s full of flame sacs.”
“Flame sacs?” Orad’s eyebrows raised high as he caressed the satchel with one hand. “I’ll handle it with the utmost of care Mr. Patressi.”
“Your arm,” a worried female voice called out. “Oh you poor thing!”
Vivian turned to see Hilda waddling up towards him, Jansen followed behind. “Hilda, Jansen, I didn’t think you two came into town?”
“Occasionally we have to.” Jansen nodded to the merchant. “It helps to be in the loop with this lot.”
“And how are the kuhvi these fine suns?” Orad questioned.
“Glacious has been kind on us this year.” Jansen nodded towards Vivian. “Kind to this one, and Holtur too!”
“I made you something for your trip back.” Hilda went to hand the large dish to Vivian without thought, then laughed nervously upon realising he couldn’t take it. “Sorry! It’s a kuhvi gravy pie, full of protein and vitamins, will help your shoulder to heal.”
“The locals have taken to you quite well!” Orad’s belly wobbled with laughter. “I’ll be sure he gets it into him,” he said, leaning down to take the dish from Hilda.
Jansen smirked. “Like Glacious, we all see quite a lot in this man. He may not look like much, but I’m certain he will achieve great things.”
“Oh, I should have brought you some tea, that would have helped with your shoulder!” Hilda started fidgeting as Jansen climbed up into the wagon. Jansen began to talk business with the merchant.
“I’ll be fine,” Vivian said with a smile. “Hey, at least I still have this arm. I’d say I’m doing pretty well.”
“You’re doing better than that,” Rungel interrupted from nearby. “When I heard what had happened, I had to see for myself!”
“Heard what?” Vivian asked.
“About your arm,” Professor Rungel said. “Would you mind taking your coat off and allow me to look at the cut a little closer?”
“Oh leave him alone,” Hilda objected.
“It’s fine!” Vivian slid his arm out of the coat which he passed to Hilda. She seemed more than happy to help in any way she could.
“Remarkable!” Rungel exclaimed. “It’s a clean cut and you should have bled out. It
seems your axillary artery must have been flowing incredibly slow and froze up. Do you have any idea how lucky you are? You shouldn’t be alive!”
“Lucky I am!” Vivian pulled his coat back on with Hilda’s assistance. “Otherwise the bargetier would still be loose.”
“Oh I am thankful, don’t you worry!” Rungel shook his head, still in disbelief. “And the boys pulling it apart are even more so! The younger scholars have never seen such a beast.”
Vivian thought how that was actually quite a good thing. “And hopefully they never see another.”
“Agreed!” Sonja called out. She was walking up to the wagon with her brother and father. “I’d be more than happy if they are truly extinct now.”
“Thank you for protecting my daughter,” Kaine said. Probably speaking those words for the first and last time. She looked at him with an odd look, then just sighed.
“I must say I am grateful.” Sonja let her guard down and gave Vivian a great bear hug, lifting him off the ground. “Although, I don’t envy what the other women are having to go through now.”
“So it didn’t get to you?” Vivian looked at her hopefully.
“Didn’t have time!” She chuckled. “Some crazy one armed guy was too busy pissing it off! Didn’t stop the boys in white from having a poke around to be sure,” she said, then scratched at her crotch.
“They didn’t trust you?” Vivian asked.
“It’s not that…” Sonja sighed. “They just had to be sure. To be honest, I don’t mind them being so thorough, as long as it stops the bargetier from ever reemerging again.”
Kallum nodded in agreement. “As much as I do admire the specimen, I would be happy never to see another. More shroud however, I’d love to bag a dozen or so of them.”
“I’m sure your father loved the fact we were chasing those things!” Vivian’s eyes went wide upon remembering he still had Kaine’s coat. “Oh, here, I’m guessing you want this back?”
“Eh, keep it,” Kaine said with a shrug. “And with someone like you having my son’s back, I can’t get too upset over the whole shroud ordeal.”
The Holtur Enigma (The Holtur Trilogy) Page 13