Chronicles Of the Ren-Ky Warriors (Book 1)

Chapter 7

As they travelled down the roads towards Stonebeak, Kyle couldn’t help but notice Hunters stiff expression. While they traversed the southern borders that ran against Grand Dale. Kyle leaned into Hunter’s ear. “So, what’s the plan when we reach Stonebeak?”

Hunter hit the breaks as he pulled the bike over. then lifting his goggles and turned to Kyle. “We just ask ‘nicely.’ Then we kill anyone who does not comply.” Hunter turned back around as he checked over the bike. “That is how we would usually do, but...” His voice faded before shaking his head. “Be this time, we need to keep a low profile. If Lovell or any of his friend's catchword, we are searching for him.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow as he leaned back. “Why is that?”

Hunter sighed before getting off the bike. “He might turn tail and—well—run and hide if he catches word that he is being hunted. That is why. You should know since we failed three times once before changing tactics.” His expression stiffened more.

“True, especially if he hears that a look-alike is causing him trouble.” Hunter glanced back at Kyle. “I hit the nail in the coffin, didn’t I?”

Hunter scowled at him before looking over a lake. Hunter had noticed there was a storm on its way in the distance. Kyle watched as Hunter got off the bike and walked to the back.

“Let’s find a place to make camp.”

Kyle watched at Hunter, confused as to why he wanted to set camp. “Why? We still have half a day of light left. Besides, we are only a day and a half away from Stonebeak. So, why set up camp here and now?”

Hunter glanced over at Kyle before pointing over to the lake. “Take a look over the waters. Can you see the storm approaching?  If we continued, we’d be caught in that storm and telling by the cloud we could end up dead if we continue.” Hunter lifted the gear off the back of the bike.

Kyle turned his attention over to the lake while his eye’s widened. “Oh s**t, that is right.  It is storm season around these parts.” Kyle hoped off the bike while Hunter went back for more. “I forgot that. It might be early spring, but the Southern areas have horrible storms from the Evermore coast and Herish straights,” Kyle walked over to help Hunter with carrying the last of gear.

“Start setting the camp up. I am going to go look for some firewood. With the possibility of some food from the forest.” Hunter's face was filled with concern but avoided Kyle on the matter.

Kyle went to ask Hunter what was bothering him so much. Kyle turned around to ask but found that he was too late. Hunter was gone. Kyle sighed as he turned his attention to setting up the campsite for the night.

A few hours passed as Hunter returned with firewood in one arm and two rabbits in the other. Kyle Finished covering the bike to weather the storm before looking over to see Hunter walking towards the fire pit. Hunter placed down the rabbits while he began to set up the fire. Kyle felt uneasy. While Kyle watched Hunter. Kyle took a deep breath and walked over to Hunter as he built up the k****e.

 “What has got you worried, Hunter?” Kyle was concerned about his friend’s unusual behaviour.

“Igneous, Flareous!” Hunter cast a fireball to light the fire. Hunter then turned to look at Kyle. “It this ‘Lovell’— Or rather that he seems an awful lot like me in his appearance. It makes me uncomfortable, somehow?” Sitting back while he stoked the fire. “I cannot ever remember much about him other than when Azoth took me to attack Morris. My memories betray me, and now things can get complicated if I don’t tread lightly.”

Kyle turned his head over to the approaching storm—now only moments away. “Well, it does limit your actions.”

Kyle turned back to Hunter, see that it made Hunter more uncomfortable. Kyle took a deep breath before he continued.

“Besides, it would be more of a hassle if Lovell was more like Fang.” Kyle remarket.

Kyle grabbed the rabbits and started to prepare them for roasting. While he sat down beside Hunter. Kyle glanced over as Hunter’s expression grew grimmer. Kyle closed his eyes before he looked back at his friend.

“But I could see your more concerned about tipping him off of him being hunted by some of the Faremin. To where Lovell scurries off before we find and capture him?” Kyle finished preparing the rabbits as he placed the meat over the fire. “Or is the fact that you might be his clone, and he is the original?”

Hunter stared at the fire as he leaned back. “Both fasts do, and I have no inkling to as why that would make me uneasy or even concerned? Yes, I’m a clone of King Terrance’s grandson—” Hunter shook his head. “Sorry, Master Azoth’s son— to where Master Azoth’s wife died long ago with their only son together. Yet the very possibility of Lovell being Lord Demora Grandson. Does make me concerned as well.”

Hunter shivered before he stoked the fire. Kyle stared at Hunter before turning to the rabbits and turning them over. “If Lovell is his Grandson? You would try to convince him to join us? Wouldn’t you?” Kyle conveyed as he looked at Hunter.

“If that is even possible.” Hunter reached out for a rabbit as Kyle smacked his hand. “besides, from what our sources say, a woman called Marie Kaya had raised him up until he was six or so. They lived in the Village of Blacklight, where the last report of Lunatica’s reincarnation was born and last seen before the attack to kill the infant, and those who knew of its existence were killed off. Marie was a human, to where Azoth’s wife was a beastman. Plus, from what we know of Lovell, he shows no beastman traits.”

Hunter reached out once more before Kyle gabbed one of the cooked rabbits and handed it to Hunter. Hunter grinned as he took the rabbit and took a chunk out of it. Kyle then grabbed his share. And stared at it for a while.

“That is true, but it is said that theyan-beastman crossbreeds don’t show their beastman heritage out in public.” Kyle took a bite before continuing. “Besides, if Lovell is their son—he would only be a quarter beastfolk, and besides,” Kyle lowered his cooked rabbit as he stared into the fire. “Lord Azoth is only half theyan, half-human after all. So, Lovell would only be half theyan, quarter human, and quarter beastman.”

Hunter scowled at the thought before glancing back at the storm. “Let us just finish eating. That storm is almost here, and I would rather eat a warm meal and not a cold and wet one.”

Kyle nodded as they finished their meal before heading to their tents. Kyle laid back as the rain started to pelt his tent walls. He began to think if they would find him fast or would have to gain help from other members of the Faremin to aid in Lovell’s capture. Kyle’s eyes grew heavy from the long trip as he settled in for the night.

As dawn came, the storm had passed by only moments before Kyle awoke. Kyle restarted the fire, then prepared some food with some coffee. Hunter dragged himself out at the smell of food. Kyle then handed him some coffee. Hunter grabbed the coffee, and he sniffed it.

“I am glad that the storm passed before we woke. It was worse than Vann’s lectures.” Kyle commented as Hunter slowly came back to the world. “Did you slept well?”

Hunter took a sip of his coffee. “Like a log. It was so soothing that sound of thunder overhead.”

Hunter pulled out a holographic map while he took another sip. Hunter scanned over the map as he put his coffee down. Kyle moved closer as Hunter pointed to the map.

“If we cut through the forest, we should reach Stonebeak by lunch,” Hunter explained as Kyle raised his brow.

Kyle expressed his displeasure at the thought. “What is there a landslide on the road?”

Hunter closed the map while he picked his coffee back up and took a sip. “Yes, at the junction. It is better to cut through the forest, overtaking our chances with a five-day landslide. The storm would have caved the area. Like it always does after a heavy storm.”

Kyle glared at the thought of going through the forest before sighing, “Fine, but no stunts where our lives are at risk.”

 Kyle got up and started to pack up camp. Hunter finished his coffee to help Kyle, as the ground was wet and muddy and hard to pack everything onto the bike's back. Once the young men finished packing. They readied themselves for the rough ride through the forest. Kyle sat behind Hunter as he revved the engine. Kyle held on tight as Hunter took off. Within hours they reached the backwater town of Stonebeak. Hunter pulled up to the outskirts and parked the bike. Kyle placed a cover over it, and the cycle was hidden from view.

Hunter and Kyle walked closer to town as they scanned the area. Kyle turned to Hunter, seeing that he was just as worried as yesterday night. Kyle reached out and grabbed Hunter's shoulder before fixing his glasses.

“Let us try the pub.” Kyle glanced down the street to see an elven woman talking in the distance with a huntress. Then turned back to Hunter. “There might be something that the locals might know. Plus, a drink or two won’t hurt while we are here?”

Hunter agreeing begrudgingly, while he looked around seeing the Hunter society police force walking around questioning many of the folk. Hunter walked ahead of Kyle as they walked to the bar.

Once they reached the pub, Kyle noticed that men were carrying lumber in and out. Kyle turned to Hunter as Hunter glanced at the men coming and going before they entered the establishment. They could see a massive amount of damage as if a nasty bar fight broke loose recently. Kyle and Hunter stared as the bartender walk out and noticed them.

“May I help you, men?” The man raised his brow as he looked over them.

Hunter turned to the bartender as he grabbed a glass and started to wipe it.

“Yes, but first, what happened in here,” Hunter asked as if he really cared for the man’s establishment.

Kyle glanced around and walked over to the bar with Hunter as they both sat down. The man put the glass down, poured them a drink, and handed it to them before looking at the workers fixing his pub.

 “Well, about a month ago, a gang boss in town—a demon—picked a fight with a young man. Because he looked like a woman. The young man attack and most of the damage was superficial until the gang boss went wild doing the rest of the damage. The Hunter Police were involved, and the young man—the demon pestered—ended up being killed. Though—” The bartender began.

“Who was this young man?” Hunter cutting him off, now interested in this revaluation.

The bartender was grabbing his chin in thought. As he started to think about that day more. Hunter glanced around to see that many of the tables were piled off in the corner. With many other pieces of furniture piled on top.

“If my memory serves me right, I think his name was Lovell or something along those lines?”

 Hunter’s eyes lit up, Kyle turning to Hunter. Seeing that their information was correct. The bartender snapped his fingers as he fully recalled the young man's name.

“Yes, it was Lovell! Though shortly after defeating the crazed demon, two young men rushed in, followed by some soldiers. I think they were taken to Grand Dale just to the south. Why do you ask?”

Hunter was enraged to find out that his quarry was in sitting in the Grand Dale Kingdom. Kyle could see that Hunter was upset at the fact he was no longer within the Faremin boarders. Kyle looked over at the bartender and smiled.

 “We were looking for some rumours about someone named Lovell.” Kyle treads cautiously as they were to not draw attention to themselves. “And we heard rumours that he was last seen out this way. We heard that he is a travelling mercenary. That’s all.”

Kyle glanced at Hunter, knowing if they said anymore, they might tip off the bartender.

“I see. Well, that’s all I know about him, sorry. I mostly hid away from the whole ordeal.” The bartender was looking at the damage. “I wish you the best of luck in finding him.”

Kyle was smiling as he nodded at the bartender. Before standing up and coaxed Hunter to come with him. Once outside, Kyle took a deep breath then turned to Hunter.

“We are heading to Mourn Fortress,” Kyle announced as Hunter turned to look at him with a soured face.

 “Why?”

Kyle took off his glasses and then cleaned them, “We need a new approach to finding him now that he’s been in Grand Dale.”

Kyle checked over his glasses before putting them back on. Hunter stared at him as frustration built. Hunter kicked a rock while Kyle sighed before leaning against a wall and staring at Hunter.

 “Plus, Lovell might not even be there anymore, and the men of the fortress might have heard of something. Like where he went from Grand Dale. It seems to me he’s not going to stay put or has moved on searching for our other quarry.” Kyle inquired as he looked down the streets

Hunter remembering that they had to let Lovell find Luna as ordered by their king. Kyle turns white as he dragged Hunter down the alley. Hunter went to ask Kyle what was going on, but Kyle covered his mouth. Hunter struggled to remove Kyle’s hand until he caught a glance of a silver-haired man with brown skin walk past the alleyway they were hiding. Hunter stopped then glanced over at Kyle. He could see that Kyle was visibly white from the same person as Kyle slowly removed his hand and looked out down the road.

“That was Fang, wasn’t it?” Hunter quietly asked as he moves to look out of the alleyway.

“Yes,” Kyle softly spoke, going into thought. “but why is he here?”

Kyle’s eye darted around, trying to see where Fang might go as he noticed he was heading towards the bar. A person walked out cloaked as Fang started to chat with them. Kyle could not hear what they were saying as they stared.

“Who is that he’s with,” Kyle asked himself, waiting to see if they would remove their hood.

The person was revealed to be a human woman with silver hair—like fangs—with ivory skin and visibly silver eyes. Kyle stood stunned at her beauty as she talked to Fang. Kyle noticed Fang grabbing her by the arms as he put the hood back up to cover her face.

“I don’t know, but he looks like he’s guarding her or something?” Hunter remarked as he braced himself against the wall looking down.

Then noticed Fang bowing at the woman. Her stance stern as she seemed to hide concern for something. Then they started to walk closer as Kyle and Hunter ducked back down their hiding spot. The pair stop short from where they were hiding. Kyle glanced back around to see the woman turning away from Fang.

“Lady Luna, we must be heading out. The champion you seek is no longer here.” Fang’s boomed as he reached to touch the woman.

Kyle froze as he heard Fang speak her name. Kyle watched as Luna turned away from Fang crossing her arms in discomfort.

“We will find him,” Luna spoke softly as she turned to Fang. “Even if I don’t know his name. I will find him with your help Master Krisnik.”

Kyle began to sweat as he knew Fang was Azoths oldest son. And questioned why he was there with Luna. Fang growled a sigh as he pulled away from Luna.

“Lady Luna, please just call me Fang. It makes me uneasy when others hear that last name.” Fang inquired before they left.

Luna started to ask why they left the area. Kyle watched as they walked back down towards the bar and turned down another street. Kyle placed his hand over his chest, feeling his heart race as he let out a sigh of relief.

 “By the heavens, they have left without seeing us.” Kyle turned to Hunter as he noticed him holding his chest and sliding down the wall. “Now we know that Luna is with Fang. This is not going to be easy. To get them apart. And if they find all of the Ren-Ky, we might have an even harder time getting her. But we must focus on getting Lovell for now.”

Hunter was glancing glanced up at Kyle as a grin dragged across his face. Kyle stared at Hunter, confused about what Hunter was thinking. While Hunter stood up and walked out towards the bike.

 “Yeah, and this mission just got hard,” Hunter answered as he turned back at Kyle. His grin larger than before, “and I like it somehow.”