Chapter 6

“Init taierel na crato �" For the good of the people” 

Raphael Cline scoffed at the words. They were written with white letters on a granite stone at the entrance of the Calling Order. The plaque was enchanted to alternate displaying them in two languages, but he saw no use for it. Everyone these days knew the language of the dragons, so why they insisted on keeping the human language as well was beyond him.

            He stared at the building that went beyond the dark granite, and once again was filled with disgust. Every time he looked upon the Calling Order’s headquarters he saw nothing but pointless opulence. It was huge, made of dark grey stone, which was depressing if anyone asked him and housed around eight gardens, four training grounds, two smithies, an adequate armory, a large mess hall, a kitchen to match, chambers for the resident hunters and an enormous library all thrown together in a three story building. Still, why would a handful of old farts need a building that had over a hundred guest rooms was escaping his understanding. It’s not like they were throwing grand parties. Their duty was to maintain the peace in the world by making good use of the hunters and their skills, not keep everyone entertained. He scoffed once more at the thought. He was a hunter. He had many skills. Yet here he was playing delivery boy for this council.

Raphael proceeded past the large gates glancing at the metal symbols that decorated it and protected the estate from spell, curses, demons and almost anything you could think of that would be considered an enemy. He briefly wondered what protected their enemies against the Council. He frowned at his own bizarre though mostly because his gut told him it was a justified question as of late. The hunter stopped his motorcycle at the front steps killing the engine and dismounted, taking his time to hide his weapons carefully. This was not going to be an ordinary visit, he could tell. He pushed at the large door and stepped into a grand foyer, fitting of the building he had just entered, but the silence that followed hit him like a ton of bricks. In the old days this place would have been crawling with scholars, guests and other hunters, either escorting prisoners, reporting the completion of their mission or just getting ready for their next job. Now the only living creatures he could see were the guards standing by the grand staircase. These people were heavy megalomaniacs.

-          Name? One of the guards asked when he got to them.

-          Raphael Cline, he answered mechanically.

-          Status and purpose of the visit? Asked the other guard.

-          Hunter and I'm here to report the status of my mission.

The guards hesitated for a moment before nodding their approval of his passing. Definitely not an ordinary visit. He proceeded up the stairs to the first floor. Just like most of the building, this part was filled with unnecessary riches. He had to admit though that whoever had decorated the place had good taste. From the tall white columns detailed in vines, to the thick carpet that spread over the entire floor and even to the paintings of old battles or previous prominent council members, everything screamed elegance.

He finally reached the door to the meeting room only to find it slightly ajar and the council members in the middle of a meeting. He raised his hand to knock on the door and announce his presence.

-          What about the hunters?

Raphael stopped mid-motion waiting for the reply. He didn't recognize the man asking the question and he was not aware of any changes in the council.

-          They have been disbanded for the most part, Greyson the elf member of the Calling Order answered.

Not wanting to draw attention, but still hear the conversation, Raphael leaned against the wall adjacent to the doors making it look like he was patiently waiting his turn, just in case someone showed up.

-          That is not what I asked for, the stranger pointed out obviously irritated.

-          You have to understand it's not that easy, Ava a shifter who Raphael thought to be really loyal to her race spoke up. The younger ones can be persuaded but the veterans in the business have a lot of experience on their side. If we don't use caution and rush into things they will become suspicious.

-          Then maybe you should just get rid of them altogether, that voice said, a hint of joy into his tone at the idea.

-          They have survived so far for a reason. Their skills and instincts should not be underestimated.

Silence followed her statement, one that stretched to an uncomfortable length. Eventually Ava spoke again.

-          The disappearance of one of their own has them on edge. It's just a matter of time before one of them cracks and the rest are sure to follow.

-          That is not my concern, the stranger sneered.

-          You created the mess in the first place! What have you done to him?

-          If you would have done your job right, I would not have been forced to act. As it is, he was getting too close and had to be dealt with. He is no longer your concern. Now, it is time for the next step.

-          What next step? The human in the council questioned.

-          You shall see, came the amused answer, then nothing.

The silence that followed those words was short lived, because shortly after all the members present started speaking at the same time, some of them obviously angry.

-          Silence! The head of the council boomed and they all complied.

-          Bolgar, I don't like this one bit. He is using us and you know it, Ava was the first and only to speak up.

-          You will keep quiet and do as you are told, he reprimanded his tone excessively harsh.

There was a loud growl and the screeching of wood on stone, then a moment later Ava stormed out of the room, not even noticing Raphael as she passed him by.

-          Ava , wait! A vampire came rushing after her, but she was already out of sight.

Unlike Ava, Serin’s vampire senses picked up on the hunter’s presence and he turned around swiftly.

-          What are you doing here? He snapped.

-          Waiting, the hunter shrugged.

-          Then why are you hiding in the corner? The vampire asked accusingly.

-          I am not hiding. I thought it would be rude to inter….

Raphael didn’t get to finish his sentence because Serin grabbed him by the throat and lifted him a foot above the ground, seemingly trying to squeeze the life out of him.

-          What did you hear?

The hunter quickly propped both his feet on the wall behind him and pushed off with all his might. Hitting the floor, shoulder first, Raphael rolled away before he was back on his feet.

-          I was not aware I was supposed to have heard something, he offered.

Serin had landed on his back, but given he was a vampire he used his speed to pick himself up and was now glaring at Raphael with crimson eyes. The vampire was ready to pounce, that much was obvious, but Bolgar and Greyson showed up in the doorway interrupting their short-lived conflict.

-          What is going on out here? Asked the leader.

-          This sneaky hunter was eavesdropping on our meeting, Serin spat throwing Raphael another nasty look.

-          I was and still am waiting my turn for an audience nothing more, the man shrugged of the accusation. 

-          Very well then, come in and tell me, how did your mission go? Bolgar asked and went back into the room clearly expecting the rest to follow.

Knowing that once inside there was a chance he wasn’t coming out alive, Raphael hesitated ever so slightly to enter, but ultimately it wasn’t like he had any other option so he filed in behind Serin, not missing the fact that besides the other three men there was no one else in sight.  Bolgar went to sit in his chair on the far end of the room, Greyson was already in his, with his back against the windows and Serin took the opportunity to approach Bolgar and whisper something in his ear. The hunter slowly walked to the window in front of him and, guided by his intuition, discreetly took out his communicator pressing the record button, then carefully concealing it he turned slightly to face the rest of the room, all three pairs of eyes set on him.

-          Well? Bolgar pressed.

-          It is done. The message was successfully delivered as ordered and the leaders of Ashra have been appeased, Raphael answered flatly.

-          Good, good. You are free to go. We will notify you if your services will be required again Bolgar nodded approvingly, his answer and tone implying that the conversation was over.

However, Raphael made no attempt to move. He focused on keeping his breathing even, not wanting to alert the vampire in the room to his present distress. With his superior hearing, Serin was sure to notice the smallest change in him and he was fairly sure all the vampire’s senses were focused on him.

-          Is there something else? Greyson asked raising a perfect blond eyebrow.

-          It’s just…, Raphael purposefully hesitated.

-          Yes?

Raphael took a deep breath. For Myra and Emily, he thought trying to give himself courage as he stared Bolgar right in the eyes.

-          You stated in that letter that the conflicts north of the city of Ashra have been taken care of but no hunters were ever dispatched to that area. Is it safe to have the city lower its defenses based on false assurance? He asked in one go.

-          We are well aware of the state of the conflict and it is merely an isolated incident that will die down on its own without any harm towards the city, Bolgar answered calmly.

-          You were not supposed to read the content of the message Greyson stated a malicious glint in his eyes.

-          I didn’t. The content of the missive was read by the leader in my presence, he clarified.

It was true. He never had any intention of opening the letter, but the advisors as well as the ruler of Ashra had insisted on him being present. He wasn’t sure if he felt entirely grateful, but the message had been the last drop. Now he only wished he could get out of this place alive so he could warn the others, but that could prove difficult.

- And have you shared your concerns over the matter with them? The elf pressed on.

- Of course not, it is not my place to do so, the hunter answered calmly.

Bolgar just nodded slowly apparently satisfied with his answer while Greyson kept glaring. Raphael watched the three men carefully, assessing his options as silence took hold of their surroundings. Suddenly he took a deep breath, his expression changing from neutral to a scowl. It was time to bite the dust.

- What of our fellow hunter, Blade? His voice came out determined, almost angry as he addressed Bolgar.

- It is also not your place to question this..., Greyson snapped.

- I was not speaking to you, Raphael's voice boomed interrupting and making the man in question flinch.

Bolgar raised an eyebrow, an almost imperceptible smile stretching his lips as a shade of red flashed in his eyes, both gone as quickly as they'd came.

- Well who knows? He shrugged.

Raphael tensed. They were on their way, his time was limited so his gaze fell on the window, taking in the landscape. Dark clouds were approaching as if they had sensed a grim outcome. The courtyard that spread below was deserted much like the rest of the place, the shadows cast by the scattered trees looking as if they were hiding terrifying secrets as well. The future seemed gloomy form this perch and not just for him.

- Is he still alive?

- Maybe, but I doubt it.

The amusement in the other man's voice infuriated him, but he refused to give in to his anger.

- So it is true then, you have betrayed us, he remarked through clenched teeth.

- Oh don't be overdramatic! Bolgar scoffed rolling his eyes and waving a hand dismissively.

- Then what would you call it? You knowingly sent one of ours to his death, you are leaving an entire city defenseless by assuring them with false claims, you benched every hunter under your commander and you treat them like your own personal couriers while the creatures we should be hunting are thriving in their wretched deeds. On top of that you sat by and did nothing while the city of Tama was destroyed and you treat your - our allies with such contempt that they would rather kills us then help us. What would you call that Bolgar, if not you selling us out? Raphael finished his breathing labored and his blood boiling with rage.

- Well when you put it like that it does sound a little bit cold-hearted, Bolgar acknowledged that hint of amusement still present in his voice.

Raphael turned his head and glared at him, the other two men completely forgotten.

- Oh be reasonable Raphael, every battle has its casualties.

- You wouldn't be so quick to throw that on the table if you were one of the said casualties, the hunter threw back.

- Alas, I am not. Don't look so angry, this is in everyone's best interest you know, Bolgar shrugged once more as if they were discussing dinner.

- Oh really? Then please enlighten me, how is being systematically wiped out in everyone’s best interest?

Bolgar smiled, that glint of red resurfacing in his eyes, just as the door blew open and chaos erupted. Serin hissed and backed away against the wall, Greyson was already running for the side door and Raphael took only a second to scan the creatures that had burst in. They resembled ghosts to some degree, their skin so translucent it was bordering on transparent. They barely held any flesh and what little they had seemed to be rotting away. Their eye sockets were dark voids, their cheeks hollow and their nose just a hole in their skin covered skulls. You never would have pegged these corpse-looking creatures that seemed ready to fall apart, as dangerous if it weren’t for their unnaturally tall height, sharp looking claws and the fact that they were Amshey Sec or Soul Devourers that literally fed upon your soul. As they advanced they made this weird noise, a combination of a wild boar’s grunt and chocked breathing, but it was their dreadful battle cry that was the worst and Raphael was not anxious to hear it.

   The hunter reached for his leather belt and pulled a hook from the side that he latched to the windowsill and a tiny metal disc that he threw against the glass. In the blink of an eye the window shattered and Raphael jumped out from the first floor mentally thanking humans and their practical inventions. The distance wasn’t indeed that great, but he doubted a broken or sprained leg would have helped in his escape. There was a very high pitched scream that nearly made his ears bleed coming from the room that he’d just left and he couldn’t help but smile at the idea that Serin’s ears, being so sensitive, were most likely in serious trouble. As soon as his feet touched the ground he looked back up only to see the Amshey crawling down the wall towards him. Without a second though he retracted the hook and ran towards the armory, realizing that to make it out alive he would need some serious fire power. 

Author's Note

NOT edited and I know I suck at punctuation (English is not my first language - it's my third to be exact) so try to disregard it.

Reviews

[MelissaAndres]

You have a very good concept here and, again, I say I cannot believe that English is not your first language! I know many, many people who attempt to write and English IS their first language. They couldn't do as well.

[RedMistress]

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my story and for commenting. I'm really glad you're enjoying it.

[MelissaAndres]

You are very welcome.