The Hunter's Mark

When I regained consciousness, I was lying on a soft bed, with no idea where I was. I winced, as I felt the wounds. My left eye was bandaged. I saw Alice sitting at the foot of my bed. She smiled as I raised my head.

''Where am I?''.

''You are in the Infirmary. So much for the great hunter'', she smirked.   

''I was outnumbered'', I retorted. 

''Sure, sure'', she said, patronizingly.

''How long was I unconscious?'', I asked, scowling at her.

''A whole day, since we brought you here''.

At that moment, the healer arrived. She was a middle aged woman, wearing plain white clothes and her dark hair was tied up in a bun.

''Are you feeling alright, sweetheart?'', she asked, giving me a kind smile.

''Yes. When can I leave?'', I asked eagerly.

''You can leave after a couple of days'', she smiled.

''But I am feeling great'', I lied.

''You need more rest. The wounds have not yet healed and you have lost a lot of blood'', she replied sternly.

I slumped back into the bed, disappointed.

The day passed very slowly. Alice kept me company. Alec and Damon came to visit and brought some food. We ate together, discussing our adventure in the cursed forest.

''What happened to Fendrell?'', I asked.

''He was sent to the council to face trial for murdering Vance and Belinda'', replied Damon. ''Their bodies were found in the forest, mauled by animals''.

''He should be hanged, that weasel'', Alice swore angrily.

''Their parents took their bodies'', said Alec. ''They will be buried in their hometowns''.

''What about the others'', I asked.

''Oliver and Nicole returned shortly after us and Jessika was found later wandering in the forest. Fendrell tried to kill her too, but she escaped'', Alec replied grimly.

''Something tells me he was not really interested in the test. He must have been after the sword'', Damon added thoughtfully.

''Where is the sword, by the way'', I asked.

''Its with master Kaiser'', replied Alice.

The healer returned and ordered them to leave. I sighed and closed my eyes, pondering about the events that had taken place, before sleep overtook me.

It was the day of the awarding ceremony. It was almost a week since I was discharged from the Infirmary. The wounds at my side had started closing and I had a scar on my left eye, a reminder of the test.

''How are you feeling?'', asked Alice.

''Never better'', I smiled.

We slowly made our way to the grounds, where the rest of the pupils had assembled. Everyone was wearing black to mourn the death of Vance and Belinda. The grounds fell silent as the head of staff, master Kaiser Frost, stepped forward on the dais.

''There is much I would like to say to all of you'', he said, ''but first we must acknowledge the loss of two of our best students. Let their souls find happiness in the next world'', he said.

We bowed our heads, paying our respects in silence for a few minutes.

After some time, he continued. ''Now it is time to award the winners. This year, some changes were made, owing to the circumstances and hence all four participants who came back with the sword will be given the mark. I now call upon the winners''.

I stepped forward along with Alice, Damon and Alec. The master touched each of our necks and started muttering a spell. I felt a prickling sensation as the mark started forming on my neck.

The end of the year feast continued into the night. Here and there, people sat on stone benches. The bards played their instruments and sung merry songs while the others danced. Campfires were lit and food was passed around.

The four of us were sitting on the lawn beside the hedge, watching the campfire. Suddenly, we heard someone whispering in low voices, from behind the hedge. 

I listened closely, trying to make out the voices. It was the head master talking to one of the staff. They were whispering, ''…........has been missing.............hasn't reported since yesterday........ keep it quiet for now. Inform the council. It is very dangerous in the wrong hands....'', the voice faded as they walked away.

''What was that about?'', asked Alice.

''Dunno'', replied Damon, stifling a yawn. ''Sounded like someone had stolen something dangerous''.

''Do you think it was the sword?'', asked Alice.

''Who cares, we got the mark'', replied Alec.

We argued for a while, about the conversation we had just overheard, before heading back to our dormitories.

The next day, once we had finished packing our things, we were on our way to the city. From there, Alice and I would be heading to Greenport, where my  mother lived. 

I had invited Alice to stay with me, since she did not have a place of her own. Alec's parents lived in the capital and Damon lived in Southshore, which was near Greenport.

Poseidonia was the most beautiful city in all of Atlantis. The huge ornate houses stood far apart, separated by lush and beautiful gardens. The headquarters of the Atlantian council stood in the middle of the city. In front of it was a huge fountain, on which stood the statue of Lord Poseidon, the patron god of Atlantis.

''You two must come to Greenport sometime'', I said, looking at Alec and Damon.

''My father works at the naval base in Southshore, maybe I can convince him to take me with him'', replied Alec.

''I will definitely visit'', winked Damon.

After exchanging hugs, Alice and I headed towards the outskirts of the city. We walked for some time along the road leading out of the city.

''Finally!'', exclaimed Alice, waving at the approaching wagon.

''Wher'ee you headed'', asked the coachman in a gruff voice.

''Greenport'', we replied, at the same time.

''Get in'', he said, gesturing at the back of his open carriage. We sat on the rough wooden bench at the back. It was going to be an uncomfortable ride back home, but it was better than walking all the way.

The coachman was quite friendly. We exchanged stories as we traveled. After a couple of days we reached a small village named Ostfield. It looked like it had been recently fortified with wall made of wooden logs.

It was nearly dark and the coachman stopped the carriage near the gate, which was closed. He went up to the gate and knocked. A small window opened beside it and a head peered out.

''Who is it?''.

''Travelers from capital, headed to Greenport''.

He suspiciously peered at our carriage. Once he was sure that we were just travelers, his head disappeared from the window and the gate opened.

''Come in, make haste'', he said, glancing around nervously.

As soon as we were in, he locked the gate behind us.

''Where can we find an Inn?'', asked the coachman.

''The seventh building to the right'', he replied, pointing down the road.

We headed in the direction he had pointed. The streets were empty and the doors were locked. 

''Something must have happened here'', whispered Alice.

''In that case we mustn't stay long'', grumbled the coachman.

We found the Inn at the corner. A lamp was hanging over the door, below which swung a signboard that read ' The Anxious Goose '.

The coachmen tied the horses to a post outside the Inn. As we walked inside the door, I noticed that it was almost empty. A couple of travelers sat huddled in a corner. The innkeeper waved at us from behind a counter.

''What can I do for you, my good travelers'', he said, giving us a slight bow.

''A room fo' these two ladies, and supper for three'', replied the coachman, handing him some coppers.

''Right away, sir'', said the innkeeper, before disappearing behind a door at the counter.

''What about you?'', I asked the coachman.

''I don't like sleepin' indoors'', he replied. 

We sat down at a table in the corner. The innkeeper returned after sometime with three plates laden with  food and some ale.

''Wha' happened to this village? It was more cheerful, last I was 'ere'', asked the coachman, looking at the Innkeeper.

''Strange things have been happening, my good sir. Some dark creature lurks beyond the walls, terrorizing the villagers. People go missing in the middle of the night. The ones who go to search for them never return. We do not dare even step out of the gates. We had sent a messenger to the capital. He has not returned still. We will just have to wait'', he said, glumly.

Suddenly, his eyes widened, as they fell on the marks on our neck. ''You are hunters!'', he exclaimed. ''You can help us capture the creature. Please! You are our only hope. It will be days before the council sends hunters from the capital'', he begged.

''We are still apprentices, but we will do all we can to help'', I replied. Alice nodded in agreement.

The innkeeper looked relieved. After answering some of our questions, he decided to show us to our rooms. 

''This is yours'', he said, opening a door at the top of the stairs. ''Make yourselves at home. If u need anything, I will be downstairs'', he said, handing us the key, before he walked out of the door.

There were two small beds in the corner and a table. We were so exhausted that we directly crashed into the beds, without bothering to undress.

''Do you think the creature is a vampire?'', asked Alice, looking at me nervously. ''Or a werewolf?''.

''In Atlantis? I doubt it. It would be mad to enter a country full of hunters'', I said.

We debated about the attacker for a while, until we finally fell asleep.

I was woken up by Alice in the middle of the night. Someone was shouting from the streets. I walked towards the window, just as alarm bells started ringing. I saw people walking towards the gate. 

''Is it the attacker?'', I asked, looking at Alice.

''Probably'', she said, belting on her sword.

I grabbed Shadowfang and dashed out of the door, followed by Alice. 

Almost half the village was gathered near the gate. I squeezed my way through to see what was going on.

''What happened?'', Alice asked one of the villagers.

''Another attack! The Watchman was patrolling the streets when he heard a scream, but by the time he reached here, the gatekeeper was already dead'', replied the villager, pointing at the body lying in a pool of blood.

I got down on my knees and examined the body. It was still warm. I pulled out a towel and cleaned the blood off his neck and sure enough there it was! Two small holes, fang marks of the blood drinker.

Suddenly, a woman came running from one of the nearby houses. Her face was ashen and she was trembling with fear. ''My son!'', she sobbed. ''He is nowhere to be seen. Please someone help me find him'', she begged, tears falling down her cheeks.

''Stay here. We will find him'', I assured the woman.

I looked at Alice and whispered, ''You were right''.

We grabbed a couple of torches from the brackets near the gate and searched the outer perimeter of the village.

''Scar, here'', called Alice, from the edge of the forest.

There was a trail of blood leading into the forest. We informed the villagers and set out into the woods, followed by the watchman from the village.

The forest was dark and strangely silent. We followed the trail, deeper into the woods. Moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves. We walked in silence, our eyes fixed on the ground and our ears strained for the faintest sound.

''What if it attacks us?'', whispered the watchman. 

''Shhh! Quiet''.

As we went deeper and deeper into the forest, the trail started getting fainter. Suddenly we walked out into a clearing. A lone battered cabin stood at the center.

''What is that?'', Alice asked the watchman, pointing at the cabin.

''A family of trappers used to live here, before they relocated to the north. It is abandoned now'', he whispered, glancing around nervously.

''A good hiding place for the creature'', muttered Alice, as we started walking towards the cabin.

The roof had almost caved in and was covered with vines. A foul stench hung over the cabin. The door had fallen off and the inside was in even worse shape. The furniture had decayed and the ceiling was covered with cobwebs. 

I saw a fresh set of footsteps on the dust covered floor leading to a door at the other end of the room. It was slightly ajar. As I pushed it open, I saw a set of stairs leading down into the basement. 

I cautiously walked down the stairs, gripping my sword in one hand and the torch in the other. I gestured at the others to follow me quietly. 

When I reached the foot of the stairs, I saw a pile of dead bodies lying in the corner. I gagged in revulsion, as the sickening smell hit my nose. 

In front of the pile, stood a small boy. His clothes were stained in blood. He was staring at me with wide eyes. I handed the torch to the watchman and started walking towards the boy.

Suddenly, I heard a low growl and something crashed against me, throwing me onto the floor. I lost my grip on Shadowfang and it skidded out of reach.

A hideous vampire stood over me, Its lips smeared with blood. It was dressed in rags, its body was covered with bruises and cuts. 

It opened its mouth, baring a set of sharp fangs. Without warning, it lunged, aiming at my neck. I was ready. I grabbed its face and gouged its eyes with my thumbs. It screamed in pain and jumped back on its feet.

The watchman was trembling with fear, cowering against the wall. Alice jumped forward, driving her sword through the vampire's chest, but that did not seem to have any effect. 

It snarled and grabbed her neck, lifting her off the floor. But she was quick. She caught the handle and pulled upwards, ripping through its flesh. It wailed in agony, dropping her to the floor.

It removed the sword from its chest and looked at Alice with hatred. Its wounds were already closing. I crawled towards my sword, which was lying in the corner. 

Before it could regain its composure, I picked up my sword and jumped back to my feet. I lunged at the vampire and drove Shadowfang into its heart. The vampire looked down in horror at the blade protruding from its chest.

''No!....It cannot be....'', it whispered as its whole body started smoldering, before dissolving into a pile of ashes.

''How did you do that?!'', asked Alice, shocked.

''Do what?''.

''A vampire cannot be killed by inflicting physical injury, except with fire. So, how did you kill it?''.

''It must have been my sword'', I said, holding up Shadowfang, even the vampire blood on its blade was evaporating. ''Here'', I said, offering my hand to Alice.

''I knew your sword was not normal. It is imbued with magic'', she said, as I helped her up. ''Thank the gods for that. For a moment I thought we were dead meat''.

''Our first hunt'', I smiled.

I picked up the small boy who was cowering in the corner and made him sit on the stairs. His neck was still bleeding. I tore a piece of cloth from my tunic and bandaged his wound. He seemed to have lost a lot of blood.

''We should burn it down. Especially with all these bodies rotting in here'', I said.

Once we were outside. Alice grabbed a torch from the watchman and set the whole cabin on fire. We headed back towards the village, as the cabin burned to the ground along with the creature.

''Thank you'', said the watchman. ''Without you, we would've been doomed''.

As soon as we reached the village, the boy's mother ran towards us. She grabbed her son from my arms and thanked me, crying out with joy. The two men recounted the events to the villagers who had assembled at the gate. Everyone started cheering as they came to know that the danger had passed.

We set out at noon. The villagers had given us free food and other supplies for the journey. We were in a cheerful mood, proud of ourselves.

''I wonder where it came from'', said Alice, thoughtfully.

''Probably escaped from one of the prison ships'', answered the watchman.

''What prison ships?'', I asked, surprised.

''The most dangerous criminals are taken to the Iron tower of Astaroth on the island of Dragontooth. Sometimes the prison ships from Aria stop in Southshore to gather supplies''.

''How do you know this?'', asked Alice.

''I was a sailor once, when I was younger''.

''Wait a minute'', said Alice. ''You mean those ships take them directly to Dragontooth? Isn't that too dangerous''. 

''Yes, very dangerous. The ships stop at a small island halfway between Atlantis and Dragontooth, where the prison guards come to collect the prisoners''.

''What if the vampire escaped from the prison itself?'', I asked. 

Alice looked at me as if I had lost my mind. The coachman burst out laughing. ''Escape from the Iron tower she says!''.

On the third day, it was still noon when the sky started getting darker. Storm clouds were rolling in from the coast. It started drizzling after a few minutes.

''Can't you wait till we get to Greenport'', complained Alice, frowning at the sky.

We reached the next village at sundown. The rain had stopped and the sky was clearer. Unlike the last village, here the gates were open and travelers were coming in from Greenport and other nearby towns. The streets were bustling with activity.

We managed to find an Inn at the end of the street. It was nearly full. We took a table near the door.

''Fancy, seeing the two of you here'', said a familiar voice from behind us. I turned back in surprise.

It was Julian Le Cordier, one of our masters. He was standing at the door with a broad grin on his face.

''We were on our way to Greenport'', replied Alice. ''What are you doing here?''.

''What a coincidence. I was headed there myself'', he said, delightedly. ''Maybe I can accompany you''.

''That would be great'', I smiled.

He joined our table and we ordered some food. After we had finished eating, we talked for some time before Alice and I headed to our room. I was so exhausted that I  fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

We headed out before the sun's rays could break through the horizon. Julian followed us on his horse. We reached Greenport the next day around dusk. 

''Home, at last'', I sighed, breathing in the salty air.

The sprawling port city was surrounded by an outer wall, fifty foot high, with walkways on top and equally spaced watchtowers. The three entrances were at the east, west and the south side, guarded by iron portcullis. The walls were designed to guard the city against pirates.

As we neared the gates, the guards came forward and stopped us. They let us in after inspecting the carriage.

The coachman stopped near the market. We paid him a couple of silvers. He thanked us and continued on his way.

''Well, I guess I will see you around'', said Julian, as he headed to the northern part of the town.

''Such a beautiful day'', commented Alice, as we started towards my home, which was located on the other end of town, near the beach. The clouds had already cleared out and a cool breeze sifted through the city. ''I love this place''.

''Yeah'', I agreed. ''We can visit the beach tomorrow. It has been a long time since I felt the sand under my feet''.

As we walked up to the house, I felt a strange sense of foreboding. The house was dark and the door was open. 

''That is strange'', I muttered. ''Be careful!''.

I drew my sword and slowly walked inside, followed by Alice.

''Mama?'', I called.

Suddenly, flames burst into existence in the fireplace, illuminating the scene in front of me. There were two men standing on the threshold. One of them was holding a knife to my mother's throat. He was big and muscular.

The smaller one was a teenager, but he looked scarier, with multiple scars that covered the left side of his face. He had dark hair and wore a simple black cloak.

''Scarlett! Run!'', sobbed my mother.

''Drop your weapons and keep your mouth shut'', demanded the man holding my mother.

''Don't do anything to my mother. Please!'', I begged, as I placed my sword on the ground and took a step back. 

I had no idea who these men were and why they were here.

''It is a great honor, seeing you in person, Scarlett Ironfang. Your reputation precedes you. You will do as I say, or you will lose your mother'', threatened the scarred teenager, stepping forward. He spoke with unquestionable authority.

''I don't know what you are talking about. My name is Scarlett Hope. You must have mistaken me for someone else'', I said.

The burly man laughed and the scarred teenager smiled in amusement. ''We do not make mistakes. I am quite sure you are one we are looking for''.

''Who are you and what does your king want with me?'', I asked.

''He is Alistair Talbot of the Imperial Guard'', said a familiar voice behind me. I whipped my head around in shock, to see Julian standing in the doorway.

''You!'', exclaimed Alice. She lunged at him, trying to punch him in the face, but he sidestepped and caught her hand.

''Alice, as feisty as ever'', he chuckled.

''Enough with the pleasantries, Julian. Tie them up. We do not have much time. We must leave now'', said Alistair Talbot.

We were bound and gagged. Julian pointed at my mother and asked, ''What about her?''.

''Tie her up and lock her in the basement. We do not want her raising an alarm'', he said.

I started struggling against my bonds, but they were too tight. Alistair Talbot saw me and waved his finger.

''We still have your friend'', he said, pointing at Alice. ''So you better behave''.

Alistair Talbot led the way and Julian steered us behind him. The burly one walked beside us, his sword drawn. They mostly kept to the shadows. It was dark and everyone was in their houses, going on about their lives. 

As we approached the eastern gate, I saw that there was only one guard. He looked on as if nothing was happening. I watched in surprise and disgust as Alistair Talbot passed a fat bag of coins to his hands, which he slipped into his pockets and proceeded to open the gates.

As we passed through, Alice made a sound through her gag, staring angrily at the guard, who shrugged and patted his pocket.

We walked along the beach for some time, through the edge of the forest. Soon, the lights of the city were far behind us. 

The forest opened into a small cove, where a long boat was moored to the beach. We were forced on the boat and the rest of them climbed aboard. 

Julian and the other man started rowing towards the sea. As the boat turned around the edge of the cove, I saw a huge ship anchored at a distance. It was black, with white sails, bearing the crest of the Empire.

As we drew astern the ship, a rope ladder was lowered. Julian removed the ropes binding my limbs.

''Climb'', snarled the burly man, holding a dagger to Alice's throat. 

I started climbing the ladder. As soon as I was aboard, my eyes fell upon a huge figure sitting on a chair below the main mast, partly hidden in the shadows. Beside his chair was a gigantic scimitar. 

''Welcome aboard'', boomed his voice. 

''Who are you?'', I asked, in a trembling voice.

''I am Royston Stonearm of the Imperial Guard. You must be Scarlett Ironfang. You look just like your mother'', he said in a deep voice.

''We must leave now'', said Alistair Talbot, who had just climbed aboard. ''It won't be long before they find out''.

''Lock them in the brig'', commanded the giant, gesturing at one of the crew.

As we were taken below decks, I heard the captain's voice booming across the ship. ''WEIGH ANCHOR, HOIST THE SAILS AND SET COURSE TO BEACHCASTLE ''.

                                   ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

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