Hunter's War (Legend of the Wild Hunter Book 4) (37 page)

As she got closer, she was able to see more detail, but it wasn’t the city she was focused on, but the road. Someone or something was heading west, and moving at a fairly decent speed. If it kept to this course, it would reach the scouting party within minutes. Breaking the connection, she quickly returned to her own body. Fortunately, she was still riding Grim and hadn’t fallen off the mountain pony when she zoned out.

“Kile, what’s wrong?” Larks asked. The urgency in his voice, could only mean, that this wasn’t the first time he asked her that question.

She didn’t reply, instead, she quickly turned Grim off the road and cut across the open field. Looking up, she found the eagle she had shared the vision with. He was already answering her call.

It was a large white tailed eagle, larger than even Lindear, the vulture from the wastelands. With a wingspan wider than Kile was tall, he flew over her head and landed on one of the branches of a large oak tree. She could hear the wood creaking as it bent under his weight. Grabbing Vesper, Kile quickly shoved him into the satchel. It wasn’t worth taking any chances. Most birds had a tendency of viewing the yarrow as a light snack.

“Show me, please,” she said when she reached the eagle.

Closing her eyes, she fell into her Edge, and the eagle showed her what he wanted her to see. He took her down through the mountain valleys, across the open plains and over the tall city of Forthbar. There was quite a bit of activity going on in the streets. People were running around, shouting and waving, but there was no fear, or sense of danger. It appeared to be a celebration of sorts. Was the war over, she wondered? That would be too much to hope for. As the eagle circled once more, she saw a line of riders, moving through the streets. They were carrying the banner of the kings. Was the King in Forthbar? After one more circle, the eagle passed over the western walls, and took her along the road leading out of the city. It was there, she spotted the rider, and knew it had to be the figure she has seen moving west along the road. Only when she got closer did she realized it couldn’t be a rider, mainly because he had no horse.

“Steele.” She said when she came back down to earth. Steele was on his way with news of the King’s arrival, and he was moving fast. “Thank you, my friend,” she said to the eagle.

Spreading his great wings, he took to the sky. Kile watched him go and wished she could follow him. She was about to return to the road to inform the others, but didn’t have to go very far. The other Hunters had gathered behind her, a safe distance behind her, but behind her nevertheless.

“What is it, Kile?” Erin asked.

Folkstaff was watching her very closely. Was he eager for news, or was he looking for some sign she was going to go feral again? Lark was staring at her in awe, and Cort and Rien just looked confused.

“Steele is on his way,” She told Erin. “He’s brining news of the Kings arrival in Forthbar.”

“Are you sure?” Folkstaff asked, he couldn’t hide the skepticism in his voice. “The King isn’t expected in Forthbar.”

“Well, he’s there,” she replied. “Whether he’s supposed to be there or not, that’s his problem.”

Why did everyone always question her information? Was it the source, or was it her they distrusted?

Cort rode forward and turned to Folkstaff. “I haven’t heard anything, sir,” he said.

“Steele’s still some distance away, but given his speed, he should be here soon,” Kile replied.

“Either way, we keep moving,” Folkstaff said, turning his horse back to the road.

Why did she even bother?

When they reached the road, they spread out again. Cort and Rien took the lead while Larks and Kile followed up the rear.

“So, did that eagle really tell you the King was in Forthbar?” Larks asked.

“Told me, showed me, he would have drawn me a picture if I asked him too, but I doubt if anyone would have believed me, even then.”

“Well, I for one believe you.”

Kile smiled. “Thanks,” she said.

“I mean, I’ve heard most of Alex’s stories, and if even half of them are true, then you, getting information from a bird, is normal.”

“Well, don’t believe everything Alex says. Most of his stories are exaggerated.”

“Someone’s coming.” Cort shouted.

Folkstaff held up his hand, the riders stopped and waited. It was only a matter of time before they heard from Rien.

“I see him, it looks to be a Hunter,” he called out.

“Gee, I wonder who that could be.” Kile shouted.

Folkstaff looked over his shoulder at her, Erin held back a laugh.

It wasn’t long before the runner came around the corner. He kicked up rocks and dirt when he slid to a stop.

“Didn’t expect to see you guys here,” Steele said, catching his breath.

“Funny, we were kind of expecting to see you,” Erin replied. “What’s the report?”

“The King has made an unexpected arrival in Forthbar.” Kile replied.

Steele looked over at her. “Yeah, how did you know?”

“He was riding a white and black horse. Two men, wearing dark robes, rode on either side of him, six of his house guards rode behind him…” she continued.

“I get the point.” Folkstaff replied. “Sorry I doubted you.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear.”

-You are getting devious-

Grim added.

“Well, there is something more.” Steele said, looking around at the others Hunters. “Although, it’s not official.”

“What is it?” Folkstaff asked.

“Those two men, who rode on either side of King Roland, rumor has it, they aren’t men at all. They’re Alva.”

There was a moment of silence as the Hunters exchanged looks. To each, that news meant something different.

“How reliable is this information?” Folkstaff finally asked.

“Not very,” Steele said.

“Alva? There hasn’t been an Alva around here since before the Mudd Wars.” Erin added.

That wasn’t entirely true, Kile knew of at least one.

“As I said, it’s not very reliable.” Steele replied.

“Yes, but if it’s true, what do they want? And why now?” Erin asked.

“I suppose, we’ll just have to wait and see.” Folkstaff said. He took off his hat and brushed back his hair. “I, for one, am not going to speculate on something which may not even be true,” he said, turning to Steele. “You better get on to Lord Bollen, he’ll want to know about the King’s arrival.”

“And what of the Alva?” Steele asked.

“I wouldn’t pass that information around, not yet, not until it can be verified.”

“Then I better get on my way.” Steele said. He turned and pointed at Kile. “And you, young lady, are you trying to replace me?”

“No one can replace you, Steele,” she replied.

“That's what I want to hear.” He said with a grin, and then he was gone.

It kind of surprised her on how fast Hunters, influenced by the sphere of air, could move. One moment he was standing in front of her, the next, he was but a small spot of the horizon.

They pushed on, for the rest of the afternoon, stopping only once for a light meal of hardtack and water before setting off again. There were no more visitors, save for Bakara, who delivered updates of the surroundings. When the raven came to report in, the other Hunters would stop and stare. It was a little uncomfortable, being watched, while she surveyed the area. The information was always the same, nothing on the road, nothing ahead. Strangely enough, she kind of felt guilty, she didn’t have anything more to tell them.

By late afternoon, the walls of Forthbar came into view. It was not as large as Azintar or Littenbeck, but larger than most of the cities Kile had visited. When they approached the gatehouse, one of the soldiers came out to greet them.

“Major Folkstaff, Lady Silvia, it is good to see you back, did you have any troubles on the road?” the old guard asked.

He was a stout man, with a good-natured face, round and likeable. He had tufts of gray hair circling a bald head and a bushy mustache which concealed his mouth.

“No more than usual,” Folkstaff replied. “So, word has it, the King has arrived in Forthbar.”

The soldier looked surprised at first, and then shook his head. “I should have expected the Hunters would know of the news before anyone else. The King arrived just this morning. He is waiting for Lord Bollen at the keep.”

“His Lordship should be arriving by evening, if he stays a good pace,” Folkstaff added. “So, tell me Warden, what is this rumor I’ve heard about the Alva.”

There was another look of surprise on the guard's face. “It is true, what they say, no information escapes a Hunter’s ear,” he laughed.

“I’m afraid my ears have not heard much on this matter,” Folkstaff replied, “What do you know about it?”

The guard looked over his shoulder, and then carefully approached Folkstaff’s horse. “You have not heard it from me, sir,” he said in a whisper, “But it is true, two Alva have accompanied the King to the city. It is said, they bring news of a great Alverian army, which is coming to aid in the destruction of the Uhyre. The war should be over before the first snow falls, or so they say.”

“That would truly be a blessing,” Folkstaff replied. “But, if I was you, Warden, I would not lay down my weapon just yet.”

“This is true,” the guard laughed. “It is often the news, which flies fastest, files false.”

The old soldier turned and headed back to the guard house, he waved to the gate and the great doors slowly opened.

“Good watch, Warden,” Folkstaff said to the guard, before leading the Hunters into the city.

Forthbar was a hub of activity, but not in a chaotic way. Stores and shops were open, while people went about their business, as if the war, just outside their walls, didn’t even exist. It was a strange sense of disconnection from the world outside. Kile watched it all and suddenly felt boxed in. She wanted nothing more than to turn Grim around and head back out into the wild. There were too many people, too many sounds, too many smells.

“What do you make of it?” Erin asked when they crossed under the wall.

Kile quickly look over at the Hunter, but realized the question was no aim at her.

“A great Alverian army?” Folkstaff laughed. “If there was such a thing.”

“So, there is no army?” Larks asked. There was definitely a note of disappointment in his voice. He was as eager as anyone else, to see the end of the war.

“I seriously doubt it,” Folkstaff replied. “I’m not even sure those men, who rode with the King, were Alva.”

“Men of Balaa, maybe,” Rien added. “I don’t suppose any guard here would know the difference.”

“And you would?” Cort asked.

“Of course I would,” Rien replied. “I could spot an Alva a mile off, literally.” He laughed.

“Rien, take Cort and Larks, and go to the hospital. Inform then there are more wounded on their way, then get over to the Guild house and tell them what happened. See if they have any more information on our visitors.”

“Will do, sir,” Rien replied.

“I’ll see you around, Kile.” Larks said before following the other two Hunters.

She watched them disappear down the streets, swallowed up by the masses. It was almost as if they drowned in a sea of faceless people.

“Kile?”

She turned to see Erin riding beside her.

“Everything all right?” the Hunter asked.

“Fine,” she replied. “There are just… so many vir.”

Erin looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“Forthbar is the largest city in the Callor province.” Folkstaff added. “So, stay close and try not to get lost.”

“Where are we going?” Kile asked.

“To see Colonel Barshed. He’ll want to speak with you.”

“To me, why me?”

“You are the commanding officer of Perha Squad.”

“Still?”

“Until Barshed says otherwise,” Folkstaff said as he led them onto one of the side roads.

The streets were fairly clean when compared to most of the cities Kile was unfortunate enough to find herself in. The buildings were tall, most of them over three stories, and, like walls of stone, they closed in on her. Vacant windows stared down, seeming to watch her ride through the narrow corridors. She felt she was back in the crags and found herself checking out the rooftops for signs of the Valgar. Erin rode alongside her and the worried look on her face was still there.

With all the twist and turns, Folkstaff led them through, Kile was sure she would never be able to find her way back to the gatehouse. It wasn’t until they came to a long, narrow building, surrounded by a tall fence, with guards posted outside, did the Hunter finally stop. There were no markings on the building, but with the sheer number of soldiers in the courtyard, it was easily identified as a military base.

Dismounting, Folkstaff handed the reins to Erin before approaching one of the guards. The guard, a tall, middle aged man, extended his hand in greeting. Kile couldn’t make out what they were saying, but the guard kept glancing over in her direction, and she didn’t like the expression on his face. Looking around the compound, she noticed a few of the other soldiers wearing the same expression. How many of these men spent their nights in the pub listening to Alex tell his stories, she wondered?

“Is there a problem?” Erin asked when Folkstaff returned.

“No, no problem,” he replied.

Kile’s old feelings of paranoia were starting to return. She thought she left those back at the Academy. Something wasn’t right, and by the way the guards were eyeing her, she had a feeling she knew what it was.

“What about the horses?” She asked when Erin dismounted.

“They’ll be fine.” Folkstaff assured her. “They will be taken to the stables.”

Kile reluctantly dismounted. Turning to Grim, she whispered in his ear.

“You be good, please,” she begged.

-If you need me, you know how to get a hold of me,-

He replied.

Vesper took his place on Kile’s shoulder as Grim followed the other horses to the stables. The soldier, who was supposed to be leading Grim, followed behind. Without the mountain pony beside her, she suddenly felt very vulnerable.

Folkstaff led them through the gate into the compound where they ascended a flight of stairs to the main building. It was an old, regal looking building with rows of columns along the front wall. Windows were hidden behind shutters as if the building was keeping secrets from the rest of the city. Kile felt completely out of place. This was not the same military setup as base camp Riley. Grim-looking soldiers, decked out in full field armor, stood on either side of the door. A square-headed man with a close-cropped haircut approached them.