The Huntsman of Adamos (Quartet)- draft

CH DOUBLE LIVES

The Huntsman and the young Guardian led the group of King’s Guardsmen in a search of the islands for the Brigands. He took statements from all who had encounters with the thieves. Yurieth was surprised to find Banth living in Fleur’s house but pretended to be none the wiser. Kalen had stood in front of the doors of the Cat’s Soup and stared at them, then interrogated Finn and Bolton as to why the cafe was closed and where was the owner. They told him that the owner was a cousin of Captain Vole and often went out with the southern fleet to cook for the crews during the crabbing season. The explanation seemed reasonable.

Poor weather meant that communication with the fleet was audio only and through the broken signal, a female voice, who was not Fleur, told the story of rescuing the Woodsmith Rieth, Son of Riles. When they returned to Lumberton, the Guardian Kalen of Adamos tersely informed Protector Corbin that his investigation had been inadequate.

“Young Guardian, your father understood that the smaller settlements don’t have the manpower or special tech to...” Corbin had started.

“Being friends with my late father does not excuse you from filing the proper reports the Guardsmen Corps Command or Mariner Security Unit,” Kalen retorted coldly. “Now, we still need to speak with the Lumberman Paulos, son of Holcif, and the Woodsmith Rieth, son of Riles, about the attacks they endured. Since the travel information of several dozen migrant lumber workers has not been updated, might you have any idea where they went?”

The Huntsman Lord Yurieth strode into Corbin’s office; he had the arrogant swagger that all members of the High House of Adamos carried themselves with and Corbin had to bite his tongue to keep from snapping at the answer. “I can inquire.”

“I learned Woodsmith Rieth and Lumberman Paulos left Oceania together, with the Metalsmith Brie of Meridian 4, his brother, and a forester from Olympia, Siger, son of Sulu.” Yurieth intoned in a deeply hostile voice.

One of Corbin’s Guardsmen raised his hand like he was a student in school, “Begging the High Lord’s pardon, but Woodsmith Rieth told us that he and his brother were going with Paulos to return the remains of the dead lumberman to their community on Olympia, then he was going to Meridian with his brother who works in one of the mining communities.”

Kalen eyed the young guardsman who was perhaps a decade older than him but far shorter in stature. The man seemed to shrink on himself under the guardian’s gaze. “And how do you know so much about this woodsmith’s itinerary?”

The young guardsman held out a slip of paper with a shaking hand. “He... he always writes out his week’s plans, so if we lose track of him when we are supposed to be watching him, we will know where to find him.”

“And the reason for this undocumented surveillance on a citizen who seems to be in good standing, Protector?” Kalen asked. His eyes and the Huntsman’s eyes both glowed and Corbin knew they were talking in mind as only the royals with the magic to do. It was another reason he hated them.

Corbin held his ground against the intimidating warriors of the ruling family, calmly explaining, “Because the circumstances of his attack and the strange account of his survival aroused my suspicions. I thought he might have been in league with the brigands and trying to take advantage of the veterans who live in Soldiers Cove.” He ignored the shocked looks his guardsmen gave him.

“We spoke to the woman who saved him, it seems the brigands intended to end his life. But if you believe this Rieth person to be suspicious, I will send someone to interrogate him.” The young guardian looked at Corbin as though he did not believe him as he held the paper to the Huntsman, who took it without a word.

The look of contempt below the older High Lord’s hood reminded Corbin so much of the late Lord Kaleth that he wanted to spit on the most decorated warrior of the last war. The Huntsman informed them quietly, “I will be back in a few days, Guardian.”

“Thank you, uncle. Protector Corbin, I would like to have your men meet with the master-of arms of our group to be properly outfitted with armor and to test their weapons proficiency. Have them at the landing area of the Starship Wanderer at first light. I will leave you four of my men to stand in for them.” Kalen carried himself with all the confidence and assurance of a war-hardened veteran as he walked out with his uncle.

Yurieth took a deep breath as they lifted away in the flyer that brought them to Arbor isle. “You did well, nephew.”

Kalen’s jaw twitched as he ground his teeth. “Where do you think they hid mom?”

Yurieth shook his head, “She isn’t with Vole and the fleet, Yuli can’t sail anymore. If she were on the Isles we would be able to feel her. I’ll go to Olympia through the portals and send back a message as Rieth.”

Kalen scowled, “Why not just come back as Rieth? Noctos looks enough like you from a distance to escort you back, be seen with you, and then leave again. We have used that ruse before to throw Shadz off your track. You could act like you dislike him and say you felt harassed by the Huntsman.”

Yurieth nodded tiredly, he hadn’t slept well in days and he doubted he would anytime soon, “That is a clever idea, nephew. You’re learning to play the game well.”

Kalen snorted in disagreement, then responded, “It isn’t a game I enjoy or ever wished to learn.”

The next morning, Corbin had brought his four novice guardsmen to the site where the Starship Wanderer was landed. He saw the Huntsman talking with the young Guardian and then leave through the portal to Olympia. He had sent his crew of brigands to the small island of Stonecliff to hide in the abandoned mining town there when the Southern Fleet had shown up early. Corbin had overheard Dosander, the son of the miner who was killed, telling Nick that Captain Vole’s Mariner SecUn officer had promised his Aunt Desa and Fleur that they would investigate the brigands. It was that luck which had his crew of thieves already safely hidden away when the Starship Wanderer had landed with a half-platoon under the command of the new Guardian and the Huntsman. Corbin had noticed the Huntsman no longer wore the crest of the House of Adamos, but with the King trying to revive the old houses, he guessed that High Lord Yurieth’s service in the war had been rewarded with his own house in addition to his own academy. Corbin felt a pang of jealousy at the bounty the king handed out to his family.

The Royal Guardsmen made efficient work of patrols and community relations. Their professionalism and the young Guardian’s intensely detailed investigation into the bandits did more to harm Corbin’s reputation as Protector than the murders had. All Corbin could do was rage silently as the mutterings of discontentment suddenly surfaced against him. He had known there were those who disliked him, but the tidal surge of negative opinions was completely undermining his plan to run for mayor or governor. More troubling was that Fleur would return from going out with her cousin’s fleet to find him in disgrace and under a peer review by the Guardsmen Corps, instead of his plans to be the hero who killed the brigands at the end of the summer.

The only good news he got was a copy of a message from the Woodsmith Rieth to Fleur and Veteran Banth.

Veteran Banth, son of Bolton, Soldiers Cove, Southern Star, Oceania

and Lighthouse Keeper Vinterfleur of Valent, Soldiers Cove, Southern Star, Oceania

I am being made to return with the Huntsman of Yophriel to the site of my attack. They are treating me suspiciously. Please ask Finn to hold my room for me as I have been instructed to stay in Soldiers Cove until the investigation is complete.

Woodsmith Rieth, son of Riles, Orevein Mines, Meridian 4

Two days later, a flyer skimmed over Lumberton heading northeast. It landed expertly at the place where the path to Soldiers Cove intersected with the Midcoastal road. Several Royal Guardsmen stopped anyone from coming near the area as a tall gray-blonde man wearing a huntsman’s hooded uniform walked around with a woodsmith they knew. Many left when the rain began. After nearly an hour in the downpour, the flyer left with the huntsman and guardsmen. The tired woodsmith trudged to Soldiers Cove. Rieth was shivering and soaked to his skin when he knocked on Fleur’s door. Banth opened it and hurried him into the living room by the fire. Finn was also there looking very worried. Stacy was cooking in Fleur’s kitchen.

“What is going on? Are Fleur and Yuli safe?” Rieth whispered as though his voice had not been partially restored.

Finn took his wet cloak and handed him a towel for his face and dark beard.

“As we told the Huntsman Lord Yurieth, Fleur and Yuli are out with the fleet. They talked to her via comm. The Royal Guardsmen are investigating the murders,” Finn frowned as he explained.

Rieth motioned for a tablet and scribbled rapidly, ‘Lord Yurieth acted like I was suspect. He asked many questions about my attack but more questions about Fleur. Is she in trouble?’

Banth and Finn exchanged a glance, then Banth suggested, “Vela sent some clothes from your shop. Lumberton is under martial law, the whole of the Isles is. You’ll have to stay here until it is;lifted. Why don’t you get a quick shower and change into something warm and dry? Then we’ll eat and talk.”

Rieth gave them a frown, but nodded sharply. Upstairs in the guestroom, Rieth used his magic to eavesdrop as he rinsed in the shower and changed clothes.

Finn was disagreeing with Stacy and Banth, “I think we should tell him. It is obvious he cares for Fleur.”

“Sometimes love isn’t enough. I think we should wait,” Stacy disagreed with her husband.

“Monastaci...” Finn started but she cut him off, “No, Finnian. It has only been a few months. I know you want her to have what we have, what she lost when he died... But we are talking about someone from the old kingdom; someone who grew up in a culture where the unhoused stepped aside and let the royals have and do whatever they wanted. We can’t be sure he wouldn’t give her up when faced with the king’s uncle. My grandmother did not spend her last years creating this place to keep her safe for it to be compromised.”

“Stacy is right, we will wait, and you and Bolton will not tell him anything more than we do,” Banth ordered. “We tell him what has happened here but nothing about her connection to the royals unless he asks, then Stacy or I will answer.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rieth could hear Stacy walking across the floor to the bottom of the stairs, “Rieth, dinner is ready.”

Rieth came down, and went straight into the kitchen where Banth and Finn were already seated. Stacy placed a large bowl of savory fish stew and some toasted potato bread in front of him. “I’m sorry they dragged you back. How is your brother’s family?” She sat down between he and Finn.

Rieth wrote quickly, then handed it to Banth before he took a bite of the warm meal, he could taste the truth potion hidden with spices. ‘My brother’s sealed one is pregnant with a son. His daughters are excited to have a baby brother. She gave me a gargle to help my throat but it tastes like Banth’s bait bucket smells. I think I would rather lick rocks from the beach.’

They all laughed as Banth read then Rieth wrote something more serious. ‘Why would the Huntsman think I had something to do with the brigands?’

“Probably because Protector Corbin was having you watched by his guardsmen as a person of interest and told them as much,” Banth answered. “Only a few days after you left the Guardian of Adamos and his Uncle, the Huntsman of Yophriel, showed up with a half-platoon of Guardsmen to investigate the brigands and the two murders. They searched the isles and interrogated everyone who had encountered the Brigands, even radioed the fleet to talk to Fleur about rescuing you. They think the bandits slipped away through the portals when they opened. Someone must have warned them that there was a Mariners’ SecUn investigator coming. She was here two days then the Guardsmen showed up. I think the show of force is to try and get someone to come forward.”

Rieth frowned, he glanced at the three seated with him, then wrote, ‘Fleur told me something about her past. She said she was a concubine to a high house before she became a warrior and met Yuli’s father. Was it the Huntsman’s house?’

“Why would you ask such a thing?” Banth asked slowly as Stacy’s mouth made a thin line. Finn just looked away.

‘Because the Huntsman asked me about her repeatedly, more than about the brigands. He showed me a picture of a dark-haired woman with rich lavender eyes and demanded to know if she was the one who rescued me. When I told him no, he became angry then he showed me a picture of the Blind Oracle with her tattoos and several similar women with different styled and colored hair, one even looked like Fleur but with light purple hair and no scars. He claimed they were all the same person and asked again if I knew her or had seen her.’ He wrote what he would have done if he had found someone whom he thought was hiding his sealed one from him when he had first started looking.

‘He asked me many times, threatened me, used magic to make sure I was telling the truth. Then he told me I have forester magic, demanded I stay on Meridian 4 at his academy to train. I told him I prefer to live here and run my shop, I have no interest in magic or killing. So, he brought me back, made me tell him over and over what happened that night then told me if I had lied to him about her, he would forever kill me.’ It was very hard to resist the potion’s effects as he forced out his words with shaking hand.

They were silent, then Banth asked, “Are you afraid of him?” All had stopped eating, Rieth pushed his bowl away like he had lost his appetite.

‘Yes. Lord Yurieth was rumored to be the most deadly warrior in the King’s arsenal, now he seems almost insane looking for this woman. I am worried but more fearful he might hurt Fleur because she looks similar to this woman he seeks.’ Rieth wrote, he hesitated then handed the tablet back. He had written most of the truth, he had almost gone insane with his desperate need to find her when he realized she was alive.

“Shadz told us that Lord Yurieth has become unpredictable since they rescued the Remnant, something he saw when he went back with the king changed him. Then the War Oracle died, and he blamed everyone. He withdrew from public life, Shadz believes he had fallen in love with his brother’s widow.” Banth sighed, he glanced at Stacy who nodded slightly then the old veteran revealed, “You are correct about Fleur, she was a concubine for the House of Adamos. The War Oracle freed her to seek her own destiny as a free person and forbade the Huntsman from bothering her because he was obsessively jealous and possessive. He tried to forever kill her more than once after she left the House of Adamos. Yuriel hid her with his family on Meridian 3. Lady Asha made sure Fleur survived the attack on that world, and Lord Shadz brought her here when she recovered. They thought she would be safe in the Isles.”

“Because Huntsmen can’t sail,” Rieth whispered harshly, then he penned, ‘Now there are portals between here and other worlds to export the exotic wood, and he can seek her without sailing. Why has he not just come on a Starship before?’ It seemed a rational question to ask even though he knew the answer.

“The Isles were listed as uninhabited, he had no way to know anyone lived here until they started exporting the mineralized lumber,” Finn revealed.

‘Why is he seeking Fleur? Why not just find another?’

Stacy put her hand on Rieth’s arm. “The War Oracle is dead and the Huntsman had no chance to win her after his brother’s death, not that he could have. My grandmother told me many stories of how much Lady Daisy and Lord Kaleth loved each other. So, in the Oracle’s place, the Huntsman wants his brother’s concubine whom he treated very badly. It’s twisted, but Fleur looked very similar to the Oracle before her injuries. The Huntsman is trying to figure out what she looks like now. As you have seen, Fleur isn’t well, she was lucky to survive at all. She doesn’t remember many things and when she does, well, you’ve seen what happens...” She shook her head. “Lady Asha believes remembering too much at once could cause Fleur to have more seizures and die. If the Huntsman were to find her, it could make her remember and possibly kill her...”

Rieth breathed out harshly though his mouth to keep from defending himself which is what the potion made him want to do. To them, it seemed as if he was shocked speechless by the revelation. He was very aware that Stacy had lifted a dagger from her boot and knew his next words would determine if she tried to kill him or not. As he inhaled, he sat up straighter, he didn’t want to kill Fleur’s protectors for doing their jobs, but he would defend himself. He took a drink of water then forced words out of his damaged throat.

“I love her, tell me how to help protect her.”

He waited to see if they believed him, or if he was going to have to fight for his life.