The Dragon Hunter

3

Nyx awoke to the sound of someone throwing stones against the window. He sat up and looked around. The rest of his family was still sound asleep. He knew what was coming as he walked over to the glass and peered outside.

"Nyx!" A muffled voice sang happily. "Come out and play!"

He threw the window open to see Luna standing by the corn field, her straw hat tilted at an angle. Beside her stood a small child.

"Luna, I thought I told you to stop stealing kids!" He shouted down. In the back of his head he was dimly aware of the fact he would probably wake up everyone else sleeping in the room.

"What do I say?" The child's faint whisper only just registering.

"Tell him to shut up and come down." She replied, whispering loudly just to make sure he heard.

"Shut up and come down!" The kid shouted back, the expression on his face a mixture of confusion and joy.

Fifteen minutes later he was walking around the back of his house. Luna was sitting down with her head in her hands but snapped to attention when she saw him.

"Ready?"

"Ready for what?"

She shrugged. "I thought we could show Quin around the usual places."

"Quin?"

The kid waved happily. "Hi!"

"He's my new apprentice," She explained. "Charlie's idea."

He nodded, that statement needed no further explanation. Charlie was a bit...unpredictable.

"We can introduce him to Oki!" She beamed. "I brought some money so we can go to the market and then you," She bobbed him on the nose. "Can tell me why you and that guy appeared at the Pit last night."

He froze as her face fell and she stared at him with cold grey eyes. He held up his hands in defence, suddenly she seemed much, much bigger.

"Listen, that wasn't my fault. It was a member of the Hunter's society. He was looking for you," Suddenly Nyx remembered what Axel had told him the night before. "He said something about your great uncle."

"Great uncle?" She frowned. "I didn't think I had any family left..." She trailed off. "Did you say the Hunter's society?"

He nodded and she turned away, grabbing her bag from the dusty ground. She walked off towards the farm gates, leaving him and Quin standing there awkwardly for a moment before they chased after her.

They didn't say anything for a while, instead strolling down the maze of streets, cutting through the market place as they made their way to the east gate. Occasionally Quin would try and strike up a conversation but each time failed miserably. Around them people were chatting and laughing, the aroma of spices and fresh dough thick in the air. Luna led them down a quiet side alley, only a few people using it to get to the market place. Each footstep echoed slightly, bouncing off the red brick walls. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the buildings, warming the surroundings and making the puddles from the night before sparkle and shine. Finally, Luna spoke.

"Sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that," She apologised, rubbing the back of her neck. "I guess I've just been a bit on edge lately."

He shrugged. "It's ok. So, Quin, did Luna kidnap you because you can run anytime if she did."

Quin looked up and shook his head. "I'm not even from this town."

Nyx was about to ask when he caught sight of a black mark on the child's neck.

A three pronged trident, a black snake winding its way across the weapon. The mark of the captured. He glanced at Luna who just mouthed 'leave it'. He gulped; Quin wore the mark of an illegal slave. He made a mental note to stop making kidnapping jokes.