The Northern Border. Duke Marcellus's Keep. Night.
The victory at the eastern camp had lifted spirits.
Soldiers moved through the courtyard, tending wounds, sharpening blades, speaking in low, excited voices. They had won. They had bloodied the Vargr. They had proven the enemy could be hurt.
William stood apart, watching the celebrations with cold eyes. Ben leaned against the wall beside him.
"You're not celebrating," Ben said.
William shook his head. "It was too easy."
Ben was quiet for a moment. "It was a raid. They weren't prepared."
"Or they were testing us. Seeing how we fight. Who our fighters are."
Ben nodded slowly. "The hunters."
"The hunters."
---
Lira found them on the ramparts.
Her bow was across her back, her face still. She had been scouting the pass since the raid, looking for signs of movement, signs of retaliation.
"The Vargr are pulling back," she said.
William frowned. "Pulling back?"
"Consolidating. The eastern camp is abandoned. The northern camp is reinforcing the main force." She pointed to the pass. "They're gathering in the center."
Ben stepped forward. "They're preparing for something."
Lira nodded. "A full assault. Or something worse."
---
The red lights appeared at midnight.
William saw them from the walls—small at first, then larger. Moving. Not torches. Not fires.
Eyes.
The hunters were back.
Ben drew his sword. "They're not attacking."
"They're watching." Lira notched an arrow. "They're always watching."
William turned to the guards. "Sound the alarm. Wake the soldiers."
The horns blared.
---
The hunters did not attack.
They stood at the edge of the camp, their red eyes glowing, their bodies solid. Three of them. The same three who had attacked the mages' tower.
William walked to the gate. Ben beside him. Lira behind.
"What do you want?" William called.
The lead hunter tilted its head. "The vessels. The artifact. The one who closed the portal."
"He's not here."
The hunter smiled. It was a thin, cold smile. "He will be."
The hunters faded into the darkness.
---
Davin appeared in the courtyard.
His teleportation flickered, his breath ragged. He had been at the portal camp, relaying messages, carrying reports.
"Grog says the first portal opens in four days," he said. "Ken is ready."
William nodded. "The hunters know."
Davin's face went pale. "They're here?"
"They were here. They left a message."
"What message?"
William looked at the pass. "That they're waiting."
---
Ken felt the clone dissolve.
He was sitting at the edge of the portal camp, his eyes closed, his mind reaching across the distance. The clone at the border had been his eyes, his ears. Now it was gone.
He stood. Walked to the pavilion.
Mirena looked up from her work. "The border?"
"The hunters showed themselves. They're waiting."
"For the portals?"
"For Aldric."
Mirena was silent for a moment. "We need to move faster."
Ken nodded. "We need to be ready."
---
Grog joined them.
He had been walking the perimeter, checking the guards, speaking with the adventurers. The camp was secure. The portal was almost ready.
"The first portal opens in four days," he said. "Ken will go through. He'll search."
Mirena looked at the artifact. "And if the hunters attack while he's gone?"
Grog's jaw tightened. "Then we defend."
---
Edward received the report at dawn.
He stood in the war room, looking at the map, the markers, the lines of supply and defense. The Vargr were consolidating. The hunters were watching. The portal was almost ready.
William stood beside him.
"The hunters know about the portals," William said. "They know we're searching for Aldric."
Edward nodded. "They'll try to stop us."
"Then we stop them first."
Edward looked at his brother. "You're suggesting we attack the hunters."
"I'm suggesting we don't wait for them to attack us."
Edward was silent for a moment. Then he nodded. "Plan it."
---
Ben volunteered.
He stood in the courtyard, his sword in his hand, his face calm. "I've fought hunters before. I know how they move."
William frowned. "You can't fight three of them alone."
"I won't be alone." Ben looked at Lira, at Tina, at Davin. "We'll hunt them together."
Lira nodded. "I can track them."
Tina raised her staff. "I can hurt them."
Davin stepped forward. "I can get us there."
William looked at each of them. "Then go. Find them. End them."