“Ah so this is what your fire is like up close. I believe congratulations are in order for you two. Will there be a wedding invite?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Lois said levelling her crossbow.
“Lois, please. Zarazenih please show us what you can do,” Abner said.
Zarazenih rose to his feet, and he appeared taller than Lois on horseback, almost reaching the height of an Alilletian. He shrieked and bent forward as if regurgitating. After two convulsions, he roared. His skin flushed a shade of gray, and fangs shot out of his mouth.
“A Vampire wolf, how fascinating,” Lois said. Her voice was moist with sarcasm.
“The only one in existence. I was tasked by our father, Abner, to hunt Hunters and destroy them. I was made to be the perfect killing machine and for over eight years I have been successful in my mission. But what you did at his request to my family and to my home was inexcusable.”
“How could we have done it at his request. Barros died before the first time we met?”
Zarazenih let out a cackle, something half wolf, half human. “Ah brother, Barros has been alive and well for all these years. He has control of more than you can possibly know. I was on my way to Etia to kill him personally.”
“He lives in Etia?” Abner asked.
“Of course, where else do you think he’s been all these years. He’s a wealthy man in the city and I intend to bring his world crashing down upon him in a storm of hell and fire.”
“We’re hunting one of our fallen brothers that appears to be heading to Etia. Would you like a hand in stopping Barros?”
Zarazenih flashed a toothy grin. “Two fallen Hunters to be taken down in the same city. Something that I was born to do. What trouble did your Hunter cause?”
“Fell to the Bloodrush and we were unable to contain him. He’s dangerous,” Abner said.
“Not as dangerous as me,” the Ghost said. “And don’t say anything Lois. You’re the most ineffective of your regular group.” Zarazenih paused. “Speak of the devil himself, where is your retainer, Gunthos? I would have liked to have snapped his neck for the amount of my brother’s he’s killed.”
“If I remember correctly, he had one of your brothers rip out of the throat of his first,” Lois said.
“He stayed at the Huntrey to take care of other matters there,” Abner said. “We assumed we’d only be a day at most, but our friend has been very elusive.”
“That is a shame, brother,” Zarazenih said, completely ignoring Lois. “I shall have to look forward to tasting his blood another time. As for now should we hunt down my father and make him suffer for what he has done to the both of us?”
“I thought he was dead.” Abner shook his head. “Eight years and this is what I get. I can guarantee you one Hunter, Zarazenih, if what you say is true. None if you’re lying.”
Zarazenih flicked his hair back and smiled. “Let’s getting hunting then.”
20
Etia Again
Etia stood before Abner and Lois once again, the black walls of the citadel an ominous sight in the distance. Lois had begun to track their target again and the faint scent had led them to the city as per their suspicions. Zarazenih sat beside them in his wolf form, as big as one of the horses. Now they had spent time in his company they had become accustomed to him.
The Ghost now shifted to his human form to be able to communicate with the Hunters, his body writhing and twisting as he made the changes.
“We need to enter the city and I need to reach the citadel. Do you know where your Hunter lies?”
“Somewhere in the city,” Lois said. “I’m not entirely sure due to the amount of foot traffic going in and out of the walls.”
“Have patience, you will find him.” Zarazenih said. “I will find my target in the Citadel. If I find yours first I will slaughter him too.”
“Fair enough, just let us know when your job is done,” Lois said. “I don’t want to waste anymore time here than necessary.”
Zarazenih then crouched back to one knee and back to shift back into his wolf form. “Until we meet again Hunters, when I will get to kill you myself,” he said. Moments later he ran forwards and vanished into the snow.
“Such a cheerful fellow,” Abner said. “It’s almost a shame we’ll have to kill him at some point.”
“Shame your father turned him into what he is today, otherwise we could all be one big happy family,” Lois said.
“The Hunters are my family now, Lois, including you.”
“Doesn’t feel like it when all we’re doing is riding and fighting,” she said. “But that’s ok I have you by my side.” She shifted over to kiss him. “Ok, let’s find ourselves a rabid Hunter.”
Abner waited patiently whilst she processed the thousands of trails that had passed through the Etian gate in the past two days. She looked up from her work after a brief few seconds.
“He’s in there.”
“Can you track him?” Abner asked.
“Of course,” Lois said. “I can follow anybody. Come on.”
The two Hunters had stabled their horses at the first inn they could find, as darkness was beginning to fall under the shadow of the mountains. They went inside and sat down at the first table they saw to be approached by a serving girl, somewhat reminiscent of their last visit to Etia. As far as Abner could see she wasn’t a Vampire and was delighted by her pleasant manner.
“I’m picking up that Gareth entered the city earlier today and that he’s not too far from here,” Lois said. She rested her knife and fork on her plate and whipped her mouth with her napkin. “He’s entered the city as normal and raised no suspicion otherwise there’d be guard patrols everywhere or a lot of dead bodies.”
“Is he still alive?” Abner asked.
“Of course, the trail runs out completely at the Citadel. I can see him entering and leaving once or twice, but that’s where it ends,” Lois said. “It’s like something is preventing me from seeing where he’s going.”
“Then we start there,” Abner said.
“But Ab, it’s the Citadel. If we’re found trespassing for whatever reason we’ll be hung.”
“We haven’t been caught before, what’ll be different?”
“I could see everything going on inside there if I had a scent to follow,” Lois said. “Now I can’t even tell you if a Hunter, who I should be able to track is in there or not. That’s why I’m worried. Something has changed. Someone or something incredibly powerful is acting like our shields at the Huntrey. We need to find out what.”
Abner was already rising from his seat as the last words fell from her mouth. “Well come on then what are we waiting for?” He held out his hand. “It’ll be a lovely night time stroll, just the two of us.”
“How could I possibly refuse, kind sir,” Lois said.
They stepped outside into the night and were immediately met with a blast of freezing cold air. Abner lifted his hood up to conceal his face, but the harsh wind of the Alilletian winter still cut through his coat.
“Perhaps a night run would be better?” he said.
The Hunters made good time to the Citadel on foot, the fortress that had once been the base of Councilor Graytooth’s operations towered overhead. Guards patrolled its entirely, their furs blocking out the cold wind that ripped through the city. The front entrance would not be an option, a small company of Alilletians patrolled it, the giant men Abner’s only real concern for capture.
The Citadel’s battlements were similarly populated, each of the five hosting at least five guards who could be supported from above. Between each level there was a sheer rock face and at least fifty meters of open space.
“How many can you take?” Abner asked.
“At least four,” Lois said. “Anymore and they could get lucky.”
“Alright, I’ll lead them away, you need to get in there and find what you can. Come here.”
Lois fell into his arms and they embraced, their lips locking
before she straightened and coughed. “If I find him I’ll kill him.”
“You ready?” Abner swept his crossbow off his shoulder and walked towards the Citadel.
He opened fire, bolts flying across the square in front of the Citadel. Two Alilletians went down with bolts in their shoulders, another tore through a thigh. The Alilletians realized what was happening and saw their target across the square. They started after him.
Abner shouldered his crossbow again and turned, taking off into the night. Lois waited in an alleyway as the Alilletians surged past. They’d left two men behind to take care of the wounded. She stepped out of the shadows, with her own crossbow drawn and shot down the two men before they could raise an alarm. Five more bolts fired in rapid succession completely silenced the injured men in the square.
She sprinted across the square, going from shadow to shadow, avoiding the watchful eyes from above. The Citadel door was watched by someone on the inside and Lois dragged one of the massive Alilletian bodies into cover. She drew her sword and in a single strike beheaded the man. His bushy red beard covered his entire neck. Grudgingly, Lois rammed her fist into his neck and lifted it above her like a puppet. His eyes were still open, his mouth shut.
Lois rapped on the door, four times, smashing her free fist against it, to sound as loud as a normal Alilletian knock. The guard flicked opened the door shutter and Lois moved the head into position, careful not to expose anything else of the Alilletian. Behind the door she heard a grunt and then the sound of the door moving inward. She pulled the dead man’s head off her wrist and drew her sword, waiting like a cobra ready to strike.
A look of shock crossed the first guard’s face when he saw her standing before him. He went to draw his axe but found her sword at his throat before he could bring it to bear.
“I don’t want any trouble, my partner killed your men. I’m merely here to talk to the Councilor.”
“Where have you been girl? We haven’t had a Councilor in charge of all affairs since Graytooth was executed in Renor.”
“I have it on good authority there is someone new taking the reins, a long-lost son of Graytooth that has recently returned to the world,” Lois said. “He resides here in the Citadel and I need to speak with him immediately.”
“Gentlemen, please stand down. I will take it from here,” a familiar voice called from down the hall.
“Who’s there?” The guards all stood now, axes in hand.
“Let her pass, men, otherwise you’ll fall where you stand.” The sound of longbows being drawn filled the hall. There was at least half a dozen. “Lois please join me in the darkness, I’m so glad you’ve finally arrived. We have much to discuss.”
21
Bestial Rage
Below him the Citadel loomed in the darkness and the only visible targets were not Barros. Zarazenih had climbed to the peak of Mount Etia, the mountain the Citadel was partially buried under. The mountain served as a natural wall to outsiders, the terrain too rugged to bring much needed siege items such as trebuchets or scaling ladders.
The climb down was even worse, a twenty-meter drop that would be enough to kill most men or a wolf of his size. Zarazenih smiled at the thought of the challenge. There was a gap between the mountain and the rampart this high up, further deterring attackers from making their advance from above.
No longer in his wolf form, Zarazenih kept only his claws and his teeth ready for the assault. He wore a loincloth around his waist, the only attempt he would use to look respectable in the presence of his father. He didn’t feel the cold, his body heat was more than enough to keep him warm in the snow. Zarazenih took five steps back from the ledge and ran forward. His powerful legs launched him well clear of the gap, and second later he hit the ground, rolling to break his fall.
The nearest guard turned, hearing the mass of humanity hitting the battlements. He started to yell, but Zarazenih had closed the distance, putting his fist through the Alilletian’s throat. The cry was cut off in a gargle of blood spilling from his mouth. His friends heard the cry and one ran to ring the alarm bell.
He had too much of a head start for Zarazenih to catch him, so instead the wolf turned his attention to the guard trying to ready his crossbow. The gap was closed between the two before the man could even raise it to his eye level. Zarazenih ripped the crossbow from his hands, the guard falling to his knees. The wolf delivered a swift kick to the Alilletian’s head knocking him flat, and raised the crossbow with one hand, firing into the back of the retreating Alilletian.
He rounded again on the downed Alilletian and rammed the butt of the crossbow into his skull. Blood fresh on his hands, Zarazenih smirked and headed inside off the battlements. He descended the massive stairwell until he reached Barros’ level. Even with the blood on his hands and the noise he had made, no guards approached at this late hour. Two guards stood outside Barros’ door, both with their axes held at their waist.
“I wish to speak with my father,” Zarazenih said. He was still approaching the door.
“Your father isn’t here boy, go home,” one guard said. He stood forward.
“My father is behind that door,” Zarazenih said. “Step apart or be torn apart.”
“Threatening us, runt?”
“Not threatening you. You’re dead men walking!”
Zarazenih leapt into the air, kicking one foot behind the other, bringing his fist down, slicing through the face of the first guard. He grabbed the axe as he landed and spun, swinging it around into the breast of the second Alilletian with such force he split in two, his shoulders departed from his body. The rest of his torso slumped to the floor.
“Barros! I know you can hear me, come out and face me!”
Zarazenih pushed the doors in front of him, slapping them open as if they’d been pushed by a hurricane. He stormed into the room, his nose flaring, sniffing for a scent of his father. There was nothing apart from the smoke from a small fire in the mantlepiece in the center of the room.
“Barros! Come out and face me!”
He heard a scream from the hallway and Zarazenih turned to find a woman frozen in shock. Her jaw hung open, her skin flushed pale at the sight of the bodies before her. She carried a plate of food with two cups of wine that could only be meant for someone of status. Zarazenih ran over to her, picking her off her feet by her throat. He could feel her blood pulsing through her veins.
“Where is the man that resides in that room?”
“I’m sorry. Who…”
Her eyes rolled back in her head, the tray slipped from her hands and clattered to the floor, spilling wine and food everywhere. A slow clap came from behind him back in the room.
“Well done my son,” Barros said. “I wanted to observe what you could do with your fury. I’m glad you did not kill the girl, but the wine has been split.”
“Barros.” A snarl rumbled from Zarazenih. “What lies have you told me? Come out and face me!”
“I haven’t told you any lie my son. I told you that you’d be faster, stronger and more powerful than any Vampire or human alive. I told you that you had an important mission to carry out.”
“Barros, your voice tricks, it does not phase me like it would mortals. Stop hiding in the shadows!”
“Or what, you’ll rip my head off?” Barros asked. “Zarazenih, my infected one, I’ve had plans for you in place since you were a small child. You were to be my ultimate successor.”
Zarazenih growled again. “Was it me, or was it your first son, Abner? Did you see him and dream that you could improve on perfection? I was nothing but a toy to you. What was your plan? To pit us against one another to see who would be left standing in the end? You told me I had no family, murdered by both Hunters and Vampires. You told me you were the only one left!”
“Enough of this illusion.” The mantlepiece opened and Barros stepped out from behind the fire in a fine gray fur robe. He looked at Zarazenih and smiled. “My child, you’ve grown since I saw you last. I’m so proud of what
you’ve achieved.” He held out his arms waiting for an embrace that never came.
“You lied to me, Barros.”
“Embrace me, son. I am your family. I am all the family you have ever needed and the only family that has ever loved you.”
“No, Barros. My family has been put to the sword by your beloved Hunters. The ones that you wanted us to seek out and kill wherever we went!”
Barros’ face turned sour. His smile became a frown. “Who did you run to when you lost control of that pack of mutts you called a family? Who did turn to when you started to lose brothers to the Hunters? Me every time, Zarazenih. You have been my tool, yes. But I have always wanted to ensure that would you succeed. We have a working partnership and we are family.”
“Why didn’t you tell me they were going to find the den? Had I been there along with the rest of my brothers, we could have destroyed Abner.”
“You think I ordered the Vampire there to show him the way? Zarazenih, like I have told you I wanted you to -”
“Enough!”
Zarazenih charged Barros like a bull, his claws outstretched, ready to rip his father limb from limb. Barros moved backwards and out the way. He was unarmed. His speed was his only ally. Even in his human form, Zarazenih, was stronger and just as nimble, but his extra height and weight slowed him down.
“I don’t want to fight you,” Barros said.
“You don’t have a choice, Barros.”
Zarazenih continued to rain blows down upon Barros, striking with all different combinations of strikes, but the smaller man was just too fast. Uppercuts followed straight jabs and grapple attempts followed knee strikes. The wolf punched out, and overstretched, not pulling his arm back fast enough. Barros sidestepped the blow and leapt at the exposed limb.
He latched on, avoiding more strikes from Zarazenih, and twisted around, folding the arm behind the wolf’s back. Zarazenih began to panic, clawing desperately at his back. Barros smirked and wretched the arm. A kick caught him in the side, that felt as if a cannon had exploded in his rib cage.
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