Hunter's Bounty (Veller)

by Spoor, Garry

  “Where do you live?”

  “Not far ma’am, just down the road a ways.”

  “Then you better be off.” She said “Knowing my brother he’s not one to pay overtime.”

  “No ma’am.” The boy replied and even allowed himself a slight chuckle. “I will as soon as I take care of Road Dust.”

  “Road Dust?”

  “Mr. Wints’ horse.”

  Kile turned her attention to the soft brown stallion that waited patiently in the stall, and she thought Hunter’s had strange names for their mounts.

  “I can brush down… Road Dust if you’d like.”

  “You ma’am, but… you’re a… a Hunter, aren’t you?”

  “Well, yeah, but I use to work in the stable at the academy, one of my jobs was to take care of the horses.”

  Tad forced himself to look at Kile for a moment, and then turned to the horse.

  “Go on, get home, I’ll take care of the horse. If my brother has a problem with that, you tell him to come and talk to me.”

  “Thank-you ma’am.” Tad said as he handed the brush to her. He was almost out the door when she stopped him.

  “One moment.” She called, “You said you knew what Windfoil was.”

  “Yes ma’am. Windfoil is the old name for Waltair Castle, where the old kings use to rule.” Tad replied and was out the door before she could ask him anything else.

  Waltair Castle, it was one thing to walk into Littenbeck where the Hunter’s Guild was located, or even to come home where she was bound to be noticed, but to walk up to the castle’s front doors and ask to speak to a Mr. Saybela, now that was going a little too far.

  ***

  Kile pulled the straw from her hair as she stretched the kinks out of her back. She didn’t dare go back to the house last night. She couldn’t bear to see the terrified look on her brother’s face. Instead she found one of the old horse blankets and had taken the empty stall beside Grim. That was after she had taken care of the horse with the unfortunate name of Road Dust. He had the name for so long that he had forgotten his real name. Something that she thought was rather depressing. Keith had come to reclaim his horse latter that evening, and although he called out to her, she made it a point not to be seen. She watched him from the hay loft as he made a quick search of the barn, but eventually gave up looking for her and departed.

  As the sun’s light streamed through the slits in the wall boards, she knew she should be on her way. Leon would be up soon and she wanted to apologize for last night and then take Grim north, to the Waltair Castle, otherwise known as Windfoil. What she would do there she wasn’t sure, but she had to take it one step at a time.

  Folding up the blanket she set it back with the others, then ventured out of the barn. It was strange being home, mainly because it wasn’t home. It wasn’t home back then because she never felt wanted. Maybe that was why it didn’t feel like home now. She walked across the front yard and up the steps to the pouch, making sure to avoid the otherwise squeaky board. She stopped by the window when she heard the voices inside.

  “But she’s my sister.” She heard her brother exclaim, although she could tell that he didn’t put much heart into that statement.

  “I don’t care Leon, you saw her last night, and you saw what happened.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Her eyes Leon, you saw her eyes, that's not normal. I don’t know what they did to her at that… that academy, but it’s… not normal.”

  “It was… it was just a trick of the light.”

  “Don’t give me that, you saw it.”

  “I don’t know what I saw, all I know is she’s my sister, she’s family.”

  “We’re family Leon. I’m your wife, this is your son. We’re your family. Where was she when your father died, where was she when your mother was too sick to leave her bed.”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “That's exactly the point.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “I want you to get rid of her. I don’t want her around our son… I don’t trust her Leon.”

  Kile wasn’t sure what Leon’s reply was as she quietly moved away from the window and stepped off the porch. So much for staying as long as she needed, not that she had any intention of doing that. What hurt her most wasn’t Leon’s lack of conviction in his support of her, but that Jenny actually believed that Kile would harm their child, that she was some wild animal barely under control. What was even more disturbing was that Kile started to wonder if it was true. She didn’t feel much like she was in control last night, not when the fear of being captured took hold of her, but would she have actually harmed a child, could she even trust herself to answer that question honestly.

  She found herself walking up to the fields and watching as the rabbits were making an early meal of the vegetables.

  ***

  It didn’t take Leon long to find her, and she waited in the field as he climbed the hill. The rabbit had other plans and quickly scattered when the heard him coming, leaving Kile alone to defend herself against the dreaded farmer.

  “What are you doing up here?” Leon asked as he pushed open the gate. He looked down at the crops that had been invaded by the rabbits and ran on hand through his thinning hair. She was surprised at how much he looked like their father at that moment.

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” She said as she got to her feet, dusting the soil from the seat of her pants.

  “Look Ki… You see… It’s like this…”

  “I have to be leaving sooner than I thought.” She said as she moved past him. She couldn’t bare to listen to him stammer an excuse.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Keith relayed a message from Garth last night. It would appear that my dead end wasn’t as dead as I thought it was. Rothershire mentioned something about… Grover’s den.”

  She wasn’t sure why she thought about Grover’s den at that moment, the place where Gerald Treeman died, the start of this impending war. She wasn’t even sure why she lied to her brother. Was it to keep him safe, or was it so he wouldn’t worry about her?

  “Look Ki, you don’t have to leave so soon.”

  “Yes I do.” She said as she turned to face him. At least the terror that she had seen last night was no longer lingering in his eyes. She couldn’t say the same about Jenny. She was sure her sister-in-law had her doubts about Kile the minute she stepped into the house last night. Was it a mother protecting her child? She gave Leon a weak smile and started down the hill, Leon caught up.

  “About last night…” He started, but she wasn’t in the mood to discuss it. She couldn’t explain it, and she was sure he would understand if she could.

  “You’re going to need to fence off about a quarter of an acre for the rabbits.” She told him.

  “What?”

  “The rabbits, they have agreed to leave the rest of the farm along if you give them a quarter of an acre, of course you’ll have to plant the stuff they like. Lettuce, carrots, you know.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Look, it's simple. The rabbits have agreed to lay off the rest of the crops, but only if you supply them with at least a quarter an acre where they can feed. Most of their natural habitat has been taken over by the vir and their food source is scarce. They don’t want to steal from you, but they don’t have much of a choice. If you agree to plant food for them and separate it from the rest of the crops, they’ll leave you alone. If you don’t, they’re going to keep raiding your plants.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “Never mind how I know, just do it.” She said as she headed for the barn, but before she could even reach the old structure Grim had pushed the doors open and was walking towards her, Tad was right behind the big horse looking a little embarrassed.

  “I’m sorry ma’am, he just… got away.” The young boy called out.

  “It’s alright Tad.” She assured
him.

  -We are leaving now, aren’t we?-

  Grim’s asked.

  “Yes, we’re leaving.” She told him as she came to his side. He was her reassuring strength when she needed it.

  “Look, Leon, about last night…”

  “You’re right, there’s nothing to say.”

  “Yes there is.” She said as she turned toward the house. Jenny was standing on the front porch holding Andrew in her arms, probably making sure that Kile was actually leaving. “I never meant to put your family in danger. If everything had worked out as planned, I would have been in and out of Riverport without you even knowing, it if hadn’t been for Keith...”

  “Then I have something more I have to thank him for.” Leon said with a grin. “Kile, you’re still my sister and I’m the only family you have now.”

  “Yes, but I’m not the only family you have.” She said as she pulled herself up onto Grim’s back. Vesper was watching from between the Mountain Pony’s ears. “Look Leon, they will be coming for me, maybe in a day, two if I’m lucky, but they’ll be here. Tell Erin that the answers are in that book, that those four men did have something in common and I have to get ahead of this if I’m to have any chance of clearing my name. There is also a hunter involved, someone by the name of Garret B. She may have a better idea of who that is.”

  “Ki, what are you planning on doing?”

  She looked at her brother, and she could tell that Leon knew she was going to do something that was completely stupid, she also knew that he wouldn’t try to stop her.

  “Good by Leon.”

  “Kile, this is your home. You know you’re always welcome here.”

  She looked past her brother and stared into the eyes of Jenny. The young woman flinched and held her son closer to her chest.

  “No… no I’m not.” She said as she steered Grim toward the road once again, now she truly had no place to call home.

  ***~~~***

  16

  It was actually four days before Erin Silvia rode into Riverport. The loss of their supplies had cost them time, time that Erin was willing to spend. Any excuse to give Kile a little more freedom and to decipher the meaning of the strange little book that the girl had left her was worth it, but no matter how much she tried to stall, she would never dissuade Grey from the hunt. Grey was even more determined then ever to bring Kile in.

  Erin passed through the center of town and was now heading up the road she had traveled almost ten years ago. Nothing had changed, it would appear that every tree, every stick, every rock, every blade of grass was exactly the same as it was back then, back when she came through Riverport looking for a lost nine year old girl.

  All the pieces of that day came together now, now that she knew what that girl was capable of, and now she had to find her again, but this time it would be different.

  As the Veller farm came into view Erin saw the red haired man walking across the yard with a grain sack on his back. He stopped when he saw the riders coming, set his load down and waited. He didn’t seem surprised to see them, which meant he must have known they were coming, which meant somebody must have told him, or warned him. Grey spurred his horse forward, out pacing Erin and quickly dismounted.

  “Where is she? Where is the fugitive Veller?” He shouted as he came within inches of the red haired farmer’s face. Erin knew this must be Kile’s brother since the red haired farmer stood his ground before this irate hunter without flinching. Stubbornness must run in their family.

  “Back off Grey.” Erin shouted as she rode into the Veller farm. “This is not how I run things.”

  “This is how I run things.” The big man said, striking his chest

  “Yeah, but I’m in charge.” Erin replied as she slipped from the back of her horse and came to stand between Grey and the farmer. It wasn’t until Folkstaff dismounted and stood beside Erin that Grey finally backed down.

  “Fine, we’ll handle this your way… for now.” The last two words the hunter mumbled under his breath, but she heard them loud and clear. She was going to have to keep a shorter leash on Grey if she wanted to bring Kile back in one piece.

  The farmer said nothing as he watched the exchange, almost as if he was bored by the events.

  “You’re Leon Veller, aren’t you?” She asked.

  “What’s it to you?” He replied. He crossed his arms over his chest in defiance. It was possible that if Grey hadn’t been so heavy handed in his greetings that Leon wouldn’t be so defensive, but she doubted it. He was Kile’s brother after all and he probably knew by now that they had come to take her in.

  “Is she here?” Erin asked.

  “No.” Leon replied and didn’t look as if he was going to give her any more information than that.

  “Do you know where she is?”

  “No.”

  “Well, I see your way is getting us a load of information.” Grey commented.

  She shot a look at Grey that went unnoticed, or ignored. Grey was going to make this as hard as he could for her. She looked at Folkstaff and he just shook his head.

  “Do you mind if we search?” Folkstaff asked.

  “You’re going to even if I say no.” Leon replied with a shrug “Knock yourselves out, you won't find her, she’s already gone.” He said as he retrieved the grain sack and started across the yard again.

  “Take Grey and give the place a once over.” Erin told him, if anything it will keep the other Hunter occupied, maybe Leon would be more willing to talk under less hostile conditions. “I’ll take Daniel and see if we can’t get any information out of her brother. He may be more receptive if he knows Daniel was a friend of his sister.”

  “You may want to focus your search in the barns and the fields, anywhere there is livestock.” Daniel added before following Erin. Folkstaff nodded and made his first point of interest the old barn that stood off to the side of the field.

  Erin watched Leon as he filled the grain feed. There was some resemblance between him and Kile, they both shared the same red hair the same eyes, they even shared the same nose, but that was where the similarities ended. Leon was taller, broader; he would have made a fine Hunter if he had not chosen the life of a farmer, assuming that he actually chose this life and did not have it forced upon him. From what she knew of Kile’s father, that was more than likely what happened.

  “You care about your sister, don’t you?” She asked.

  “That's a silly question, of course I do.” He replied without turning around. It was clear that he wanted nothing to do with her, or maybe it was Hunter’s in general, but she couldn’t really blame him. If the guild was after her sister, she wouldn’t be very fond of talking with them either.

  “Help me find her.”

  “Why would I want to do that?” He asked turning suddenly as he dropped the sack, scatting a bit of the grain across the ground. That was another thing Kile shared with her bother, that lightning fast temper.

  “Because if you don’t, someone else might get to her first, someone that might not just want to bring her in.”

  “Wonderful, you turn my sister into a… a freak… and then you chase her across the countryside and you want me to help you. I don’t think so.”

  “She is not a freak.” Daniel shouted as he stepped forward. “She’s different, yeah, but that doesn’t make her a freak, and the academy had nothing to do with it.”

  “What do you know about it?” Leon asked.

  “Probably more than you do.” Daniel replied.

  “Listen, my sister was a normal girl before she set off to become a hunter. She had a normal life here with a caring family and…”

  “Normal, Kile was never normal, not in the way you see normal, if anything’s she’s unique, and as for having a normal life and a caring family, did you know she never spoke of her family or her life here. She was ashamed of it, or frightened by it. If you believe what you're saying, then you don’t know your sister as well as you think you do, or maybe you just choose to ig
nore those things that don’t fit into your little world. Either way you’re not helping her by stone walling our investigation.”

  Leon turned to look at Daniel. Erin was sure that fists would fly as she got ready to intervene but Leon just closed his eyes and sighed. He was defeated before he even started.

  “You’re right.” He whispered. “She never did… fit in. Not in this world and by the sounds of, not in your world either.”

  “Then help us.” Daniel pleaded.

  “I don’t know what I can tell you.” Leon said as he ran one hand through his hair and started back toward the house. “All I can tell you is she came looking for information.”

  “What information?” Erin asked.

  “She was looking for someone, a man, an outsider by the name of William Rothershire.”

  “Rothershire.” Erin repeated the name as she pulled the small tattered half burnt book from the pouch on her belt. She flipped quickly through the pages and stopped at one that had been marked by an oak leaf. This was one of the pages that Kile wanted her to read, the one she had deciphered. It was a list of names, and the third one down was Rothershire.

  “You’re Erin.” Leon said as if looking at the Hunter for the first time. “You’re the one that found my sister when she was lost. You’re the one that put the idea of becoming a hunter in her head.”

  “I’m sorry.” Erin replied.

  “Don’t be.” Leon said shaking his head. “I may have been a bit abrupt earlier, but I truly believed that going off to become a hunter saved my sister.”

  “Saved her from what?” Daniel asked.

  “From this.” Leon replied with a wide sweep of his arms as he embraced the Veller farm. “There was always something about my sister, something I could never put a word to, but she was her own self and had she been forced to stay here, I think it would have… destroyed her, not that I believe the Hunters are any better. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against the Hunters aside from the fact that they are trying to capture my little sister, but they are still an organization of rules and regulation and I don’t think she can fit into that world any better than she fits into this one. ”