Seconds after leaving Ziliena’s, Aria spotted Aerodar circling overhead.
What now?I’ve found something you should see. Follow me.
The falcon angled his drift toward the quadrant of forest they would hunt in next week. C’mon Hunter, let’s check it out.
Within a few yards of crossing the treeline, Aria felt a sense of uneasiness - a presence of Malorian darkness she’d never experienced before. Do you feel it too, Hunter?
There are an unusually high number of them somewhere near. And, they’re angry.
Aerodar landed just ahead of them. The source is a cave. Stay this course until you reach a cliff, then follow it to your right.
Thanks, Dar. You’ll keep watch?
Always. With two beats of his wings, he took his post in the air.
Aria and Hunter continued on, treading lightly and alternating which of them was in the lead.
The dog came upon the cliff first, and paused to wait for his human. Aria peered over the edge, and looked over to the right. I think I see it.
Do you feel it, though?
She closed her eyes, and listened with all of her other senses. The dark presence was stronger, closer than before. It’s like there are hundreds of them together, and close.
Are you sure this is a good idea?
Aria turned and started walking along the cliff, to the right. I’m sure it’s not. But, we’ve come this far-
A sound froze them both in their tracks. Human footfall approaching. Hunter, go lead him away, but don’t be seen, and circle back to me. She climbed up a tree, and used her powers to camouflage herself among the branches.
The man who appeared was among the higher ranking hunters from the night before. What is he doing out here? Aria wondered to herself.
Hunter made some noise in the brush ahead, and the man drew an arrow, hurrying in his direction.
Moments later, Hunter was back sitting at the base of her tree. He’s gone, you can change back now.
Oh, right. Aria willed her pigments back to their natural state as she climbed back down. Shall we?
They continued, sensing the Malorians even closer as they approached the entrance to the cave. They could hear and smell what must have been dozens of Malough’s subjects. Aria sensed they were somehow contained. What do you think this is?This is where he went to get his kills last night. And where he’ll be again tonight. And-
Next week. Right. Let’s get out of here before he comes back.
***
At the end of the trials, only eleven of twenty tributes were still standing. Though for ten of them, it was only just barely. The eleventh still held her head high, seemingly unscathed by the ordeal.
With a nod, the High Shadoar gave the order to release them from their bonds. The male servants unshackled them, as the crowds erupted in cheers, then chants of praise to Malough.
The servants each picked up one of the tributes, to carry them back inside the temple for healing. Except for the eleventh. She led the procession
***
Wake up! Hunter nudged Aria’s head with his snout, again. And, again. Malorians. Hunt. Kill. Win.
“Ummmph,” she groaned. “Not yet.”
We need to see Taura and Ziliena so you can tell them what the bird found. We need to eat, too.
She sat up. “Ah, ha! Your true motive is revealed.”
I’ve never concealed it. He sniffed the air, then cocked his head to the left. Oh, they’re coming up right now.
“Then, you’ll have your dinner that much sooner, I suppose,” she teased.
Taura and Ziliena came through the door, surprised to see Aria already up. She told them about the cave.
“Are you sure you’d recognize the man you saw?” Ziliena asked.
“Of course.” Aria replied.
I can confirm by scent, Hunter offered.
Aria translated, “Hunter also knows his scent.” She added, “We can avoid him tonight, see what he turns in, then decide how to proceed.”
“What if he recognizes Hunter at the gathering?” Taura worried.
“He never actually saw you, did he?”
I don’t think so?
Aria sighed. “Well, even if he caught a glimpse, what’s he going to think? The dog tattled on him? I really don’t think it matters.”
"Still, let's have Hunter show us who he is before you go out there tonight."
"Right. Why don't you three head there now? I'll get ready and meet you."
***
Greetings, Dear Reader! For the last couple of weeks, I've been basically living on Isiterra again, and this time it's paying off. Somehow, in this most recent whirlwind of work on Quest, I finally managed to get through the "new" chapters I needed to add, and weave the ends of those chapters into the next existing chapters in a way that actually works! I think? I also chopped up the way too bulky remaining chapters into more chapters of a manageable size - the original was 20 chapters, it's now 54. It's still a mess, but the rest is all clean up.....
Thank you for stopping by, and reading! Wishing you a beautiful day, night, or some time in the between....
∞ Roari
