Hunter Slayer by L.T. Shaw

Author:L.T. Shaw [Shaw, L.T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Purely Wishful Thinking
Published: 2023-07-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter EIGHT

The muddy road that led out of the dingy town turned to gravel underneath Violette’s boots. Ahead of her, the weary Levings and the giant Blacksmith walked beside each other. Talking, looking over a map that Levings had taken out from his inner coat pocket and gesturing in different direction until they both ended up pointing the same way. Violette continued reviewing a spell titled ‘Whirling Flames’. On the page displayed two pictures of a hand motion: the first showed the hand retracting back with all the fingers grouping to the thumb. The second was the palm being thrusted forward, the fingers opened and stretched wide. She mimicked the motion without reciting the spell. She peered over to the horizon and saw dawn approaching.

“So, I heard you had something of a struggle dealing with a Stone Guardian? Getting a little old now, huh?” Moore chuckled, veering them off the graveled road and into the forest.

Levings smirked. “I wouldn’t say a struggle per say. I forgot to stretch for the fight, plus you know my knee has been actin’ up on me.” He looked over his shoulder to Violette, who was softly murmuring the incantation. “The girl back there helped a good deal.”

Moore reviewed her as well then returned to Levings. “I’ve been meaning to ask about that. What’s the deal with her? Is she lost? Are you just escorting her until you get to the next place?” He started ducking the branches as they entered the dense forest.

Scratching behind his ear, Levings shyly replied. “she’s actually my apprentice, unfortunately.” He braced for Moore’s reaction, to which he wasn’t disappointed.

The Blacksmith opened his mouth but couldn’t bring himself to freely speak his mind without making Violette uncomfortable. He simply whispered, “An apprentice? Why would you do that, Levings?”

Levings shrugged. “Seemed like the right thing to do, I suppose. Maybe. I don’t know. It didn’t feel right that the damn courts were punishing her because they couldn’t get to me. It was the quickest option to get her outta trouble but now I’m stuck with her.” His voice withered and his gaze dropped to the ground. Levings remained silent until they reached Moore’s campgrounds.

Unlike Levings’ ranch, Moore didn’t have a large estate but an open space, fitting for a dozen people to gather and frolic. In the center was a circle of stones and within that circle, charred wood and ashes from the night before; A stack of lumber laid just outside the camping grounds. Two large logs sat in front of the firepit, serving as benches. Several feet away, an enormous rectangular trap door that led down into the earth. Moore placed his hands on his hips, proudly smile ear to ear. “Mortals never lie when they say, ‘Ain’t no place like home’.”

Violette side eyed Moore then quietly stepped toward Levings. “He lives underground?”

Levings nodded. “Most of his kind does.” He tucked his thumbs behind his belt while the rest of his hand remained in front. “You want to grab the wood over there and I’ll make a spot for us to sleep on.

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