Fear the Old Blood

The Hunter's Journey: Part 6

The Escape 

"Auna," a voice called in the darkness. "Auna, wake up."

Auna opened her eyes; an intrusive flickering light caused her to blink. Crouched before her, Arianna jostled her arm, holding a candle light in the early hours of morning

"What's wrong?" Auna croaked. Her neck and back were stiff and she realized that she still sat on the floor, feet tucked beneath her.

"Something vile," she whispered. With an effort, she helped Auna to her feet. "It is not safe, we have to find my father."

Arianna took a knife to the stained corset, slicing it down the back. While Auna climbed out of the crusted underdress, her friend brought her hunting gear. She dressed while Arianna looked cautiously out the door. "I knew my mother was up to something but I couldn't imagine something this terrible."

"Arianna, what happened?" Auna pleaded, pulling on her boot.

"Stephen didn't bring a miracle. He brought poison," she replied, looking gaunt beneath the light of the candle.

"The blood?" Auna asked, still feeling the sticky substance on her chest and face.

"Yes, something awful. They are acting strange," she said and for the first time Auna noted fear in her voice. Whatever had happened was enough to make Arianna show emotion.

"What about Logarius?"

"He didn't take any but he collected his fellow hunters who followed his lead. It's a small number but they weren't affected," she said, reaching for Auna.

"What about Stephen?" Auna asked. She wondered what happened when Arianna took him away last night and if he had returned while she slept. The thought made her quiver as she licked her lips for any sign of blood.

"I'm not sure. I checked his room but he was not there," she replied.

The two crept down the corridors of Cainhurst, looking for signs of life. The halls were eerily quiet, devoid of even servants. Arianna led the way to the library. They spotted several hunters moving about, weapons drawn.

Arianna clung close to the bookcases, blowing out the candle and feeling her way. Auna held her hand as they went. Eventually, they arrived at a large window looking out over the cliffside that Cainhurst sat upon. She unclasped the window latch, swinging it open before stepping out onto a thin ledge. Auna paused at the opening looking down at the stone balcony below. It was covered in a sheet of grey snow. As she looked up she saw it falling from the sky. It wasn't cold like snow. It was ash. Something was burning and she could smell it. She stepped out onto the ledge and clung to the wall. Arianna had already shimmied down to another window where she knocked softly on the glass. It opened and Logarius's head popped out.

When Auna arrived, a hand reached out to pull her inside. It still looked like the library but was closed off, hidden from the rest of the castle. Inside were seven other hunters, all covered in blood.

"Auna. Thank goodness we have another hunter with us. We are the few that didn't drink that poison." Logarius looked different, dressed in his hunter's attire, a scythe in his hand. "We will rally against those demons who dare to destroy my halls."

Logarius explained his plan of attack, giving each hunter a job to do. Hunters Simon and Hestia would go through the passages to the east and come up into the great hall. Nobert and Celina would come from above in the west. Gilbert and the Madaras Twins would come in through the front of the hall and distract them.

"I will go through the back. That is where...my wife will be. If I can kill her, we may be able to destroy the head of the snake," Logarius said, looking forlorn at Arianna. Auna could see her go pale but she did not argue.