Gray hunters

Suspicions

When the gate was opened a lot of people shouted seeing them,"The hunters are back!" They rejoiced at their return. Orcaella was looking sad and left the party. The three masters came and congratulated them on their safe return. When everyone was unfolding the packages and listening to their stories, Master Lily called Calvus to a room personally.

 She told him,"Welcome home, Calvus." 

Calvus smiled and said, "Thank you, Master. So have you found anything?" 

She replied, " You are always sharp, Calvus. You know, we were confused at first as witches are similar to us. So we investigated further and found that a vampire family named Kurjayene are behind it. Though we do not know any particular reason. So we are again depending on you, hunters. Take a break and prepare for your next destination Rainbow city. It is also a place of many illegal work. You will understand by yourselves, I think. So best of luck on your journey and be extra careful this time."

 Calvus nodded, "We will, Master." 

After cleaning and a heavy meal, Calvus told them what Master Lily had told. Orcaella was not there.

 Calvus said, " Orca must be at Cloud's chamber. Anderiva, I leave Orca at your hand. I really can not handle her and above all she is sad. It is scary when woman are sad." 

 Anderiva said,"I will tell her everything. So do not worry about this." 

Ripple teased Calvus,"You always run away from task like this and burden my poor Eu who accept everything with a smile. Eu, just forgive this sinful soul." 

Manis said, "If you are that much eager to save her, then you must take responsibility of Orca." Ripple sighed," If I was that much capable, I would obviously help my poor Eu. But......"

 Anderiva interrupted, "It's okay. Let me handle this." After a few more words everyone head off to their respective rooms.

Next day was a busy one. Usually the people of this castle produced their own food and other necessary items inside the castle. Spring was the most busiest season. In this season they could produce most of the items to run the up coming year. So everyone was working hard.  They had to prepare for the "Spring festival" also. The children were running and playing. At evening Calvus told them that they would leave for their next adventure the day after tomorrow.

On their day of leaving they paid a visit to Cloud's chamber. He had a pair of beautiful crystal blue eyes which were closed then. His hair was jet black. He looked more paler in the dim light of the candle. Five frankincense were placed in shape of pentagon at the corner of the bed to lessen the curse. The curse was similar to sleeping beauty curse. The difference was that Cloud would not wake up by a true love kiss. No solution till then had not been found. Everybody  prayed for Cloud and left for their mission to save him.

The hunters took no carriages that time. They used their respective magic. Their magic was based on different species. By learning definite species behavior and shaping the characteristics into more advanced one was their magic. But all mages did not do so. Other types of mages also existed. For example Anderiva used forest magic and Ripple used water based magic. So the magic went like that:

Manis summoned a magic oversized pangolin.

Calvus summoned a magic oversized hawk.

Ripple summoned a water fairy Selkie.

Panthera summoned a magic leopard.

Orcaella summoned a magic porpoise.

Anderiva summoned a magic flying flower.

At noon they arrived at an inn. Orca said,"I'm exhausted. I'm going first. Ah, this world is so frustrating." and entered the inn. When others were prepaing to enter, a liitle boy came running towards them.

 He said, "Please, someone help. I saw a boy covered with blood in the woods." He was trembling as he was talking.

 Calvus said, "Anderiva, please look after this boy. I will go to check the boy in the forest."

Anderiva nodded and Calvus entered the forest. Ripple said, "Finally, he is taking a dangerous task. But still he left leaving a task to my poor Eu." When Anderiva was treating the little boy, a screaming was heard and it was from Calvus. They instantly ran towards the spot. They were surprised to see that there was indeed a boy covered in blood but he was drinking blood from Calvus. Calvus was not resisting as if he was hypnotized. As soon as they prepared to fight, the boy vanished into thin air leaving Calvus unconscious. They took Calvus inside the inn. Orcaella was also surprised as Calvus was intelligent enough to handle any situation. After arranging proper medication for Calvus, they then sat together to talk properly about their current situation.

 Ripple sighed and said,"This is really bad. Calvus is a tough guy. To think he was attacked by a stranger. Don't worry, Calvus. I, Ripple the hero of all man and woman....."

Manis cut off in the middle and said," Ripple, it isn't a fun time. Calvus was attacked by a vampire and we are going against a vampire clan. Who knows if he is from the same family."

Orcaella was looking angry and seemed to burst out in any moment. Anderiva was looking sad. Panthera did not talk much and was showing no expression.She suddenly said,

"If that particular family wanted a direct war then they would never use anyone from the first. According to my calculation, it was just a mere coincidence. The stranger was a vampire but he was hurt. A vampire heals quickly. So it is weird to see a vampire in such bad condition. I don't know what we will do next but it seems like we have to split."

Anderiva said,"It is dangerous to split but we have no choice. I will go ahead and rest of you may stay with Calvus. I will observe and make clear of any danger."

Ripple said,"I can not let you go alone, Eu. I will come with you."

Manis said," You will just cause her extra problem."

Orcaella said,"Manis, you should go with her. I am not good at managing my temper."

Manis hesitated and then said,"I think it will be better."

Ripple shouted,"I can not give my Eu to such a cruel person and also Eu, you can not leave me with a invisible wall and a demented woman. You just can't Eu......"

Orcaella said turning towards Anderiva,"Anderiva and Manis you can go. Wish you a best luck." and then turning towards Manis said,"If you don't shut your mouth I will punch so hard that you will never forget."

Then Anderiva and Manis left the inn for Rainbow city.