Hell's Bane (COMPLETED)

Chapter Eighteen: King Gather and Storm Come

They left as soon as the storm cleared, with last words of thanks and nothing more. Elise clearly wished to be left out of the war, and so the explorers bid her farewell and went on their ways. Drea had written down the first set of the password on the map that Davis drew, and although Joss could've memorized it, they weren't taking any chances.

The grass was still wet as they found their way out of Fael-Anon and continued to the Karlin Circle. The first day of their journey was rather easy, with nothing to bother them as they continued on their path. Fate, if it really was real, seemed to have been leaving them in peace, in rest as they prepared for whatever obstacle once again would block their path. The news of Digby's death had unnerved them, but as the surprise wore out, it was replaced by new determination – and grim, desperate hope.

By the second day, they went on refreshed, with no sign of the Scavenger in sight. The spies were still out there, but what if, Hugo hoped... what if they would discover that Davis had won the siege, and Kazim had been executed? All their troubles would be over then, with the Scavenger dethroned. But it was never too easy.

I'm starting to sound like Susan, the explorer told himself, shaking away the thoughts. But they persisted. He couldn't have his hopes too high, and all he knew was that the Scavenger was still somewhere out there, loose and discovering the two more sets of the password.

They quickly stopped at a small village in the afternoon, using their newly-stocked pile of gold to buy the finest four horses they could find. Meadow after meadow passed after that, the sky clear above them. Darkly, Hugo had the notion that even the weather was mocking him, and in the end, all the sunshine and bright days would quickly be cut off by one swing of a sword or trigger of a bullet that would end his life.

What's happening to me? Hugo suddenly wished that it was raining once again – at least it seemed suitable for the circumstances they were in. Only after the war was over, if it ever was, and if he ever lived to see the end, would he enjoy the peaceful surroundings, with the grass bristling with the calm wind and the birds flying in the sky.

As they rested for another day, Hugo wondered how Davis felt. Being hunted for years by the Scavenger and knowing that you had lost everything that you'd treasured... and all that time, Hugo was ignorantly working in the Claimant, oblivious to the carnage around him.

Just let it end, Hugo thought as he lied on his tent floor, struggling to fall asleep. For better or for worse, let all the destruction just go away.

Then Kazim cannot win. Should he die or not, he cannot win.

And then there was his father's voice, saying: You must be the hunter, Hugo. Life for another life, it'll balance the scales either way.

Hugo gave a violent shudder.

* * *

They reached the town of Alinain the next day. The Karlin Circle was close by, no more than two more day's walk from the civilization. Hugo admired how the password-bearers were positioned close together, yet far enough. Cunning and convenient.

"Why are there so many people?" Susan asked, looking around. "Over half of them have to be foreigners from the province."

Hugo nodded, also noticing the extreme diversity in the crowd around them. "There have to be at least a few hundred people down this road itself. I can't imagine how overbooked the inns are, or how crushed the entire place is."