Chapter 12 catching the scent

“Come here honey. You look strong, for you it’s half price.” A less than clean woman exclaimed from the street towards Tristran. Unfortunately for him this hunt was to take place in the entertainment district. Loaded with scoundrels, organized crime groups and a plethora of unsavory people of every race. The street was thick with an aroma of peyote, opium and a salty acrid scent only the dodgy sort of the slums would know, but this was where the monster hunted, thus he needed to hunt here.

The armor clad warrior strolled up to the woman. “No thank you miss. I am not interested in what you’re offering. However,” before the woman could turn away in disgust Tristran held up a coin purse, “i am interested in information and I’ll pay.” This area was filled with simpletons. All you had to do was shake a couple coins in front of them.

“Why hello there. What can i do ya for strong sir?” She reached to stroke his muscled arm, but he quickly pulled away.

“The murders. I need information. Can you tell me exactly where they occurred and when?” Tristran’s lip twitched a little in disgust.

The woman’s eyes grew wide as it finally struck her. This was no lonely warrior just back from a quest looking for a quick lay. The armor, the sigil on his armor…. This was a deathcaster. “Well um. Sir, I’m sorry i have to go, the babies won’t feed themselves ya know.” She started to turn as a black gloved hand reached into the purse and produced three platinum pieces. “Well… I suppose i could spare a moment.”

Tristran’s face soured, “that’s what I thought.” His fingers encased the coins in his palm as she tried reaching for them. “After the information, and more importantly after i know it’s good intel.”

“Well there’s been 5 attacks so far. 2 about a month ago, 3 more over the past 3 nights. All were closer to the mercantile district. That enough for yeh?” She said annoyed, crossing her arms. She wore a red tattered and torn dress once upon a time it was probably splendid and her pride and joy. She didn’t quite fill it as it hung loose upon her thin boney frame. Unfortunately in this city any race other than human was looked down upon, and she was a half-orc.

“One more question, there was a full moon when the first attacks took place?” Tristran asked sweat starting to bead his forehead in the summer heat and humidity from the heavily populated streets.

“I do believe it was. Yes sir, i can recall a full moon.” The half orc stretched out her hand.

“Thank you. That’ll do, this should feed you and your babies for awhile.” He dropped the three platinum pieces into her hand and strode away. When he looked at the city plans earlier he noticed the entertainment district was at the heart of the city meaning each district surrounded it. Time to go visit some merchants. “I wonder how Torrin is making out with shopping.”

After a few very long minutes Tristran finally made his way out of the stench filled streets and into the loud mercantile square. He could smell seasoning of all sorts, hear the toy and instrument merchants sampling their wares to prospective customers. The problem with hunting in cities was not collateral damage it was finding the person he was looking for. So many people, so many miles. “How am i ever going to find this damn thing in time?” At this point he was very sure it was a “thing” not a person. A werecreature. He found a quiet secluded area and sat, pulling out his pipe and scanning the area. Thinking of all the details he knew and formulating some kind of pattern.

“Well he attacks near the mercantile district, but if he was smart he wouldn’t attack near where he lives. Then again it could be new to the curse and not have learned. The missive i was sent said the previous deathcasters found him in the entertainment district near here as well, which means…. It isn’t too bright since it attacked three more times in the same place. An aversion to silver would be a sure way to find the thing, but how can i test all of these people?”

“Luckily for you my friend, you have us.” A pleasant confident voice sounded behind him.

“Hey Armon,” Tristran slowly turned a horrified look growing on his face as he saw Torrin in displacer armor. “You most certainly did not buy that Torrin did you?” Armon’s lips curved upward until he was grinning from ear to ear.

“Yes master, i think it makes me look like you. And look i got a spear and two axes as you asked as well!” Torrin was very happy and proud of his new armor and weapons.

“Armon, what did you do? How much did that cost?” Tristran was in disbelief, the silver tongued rogue played very harsh pranks.

“Well it didn’t cost you a thing yet. But overall one thousand and one gold pieces. I’d say well worth every cent. You can’t put a price tag on the boys health.” The grin turned into a roaring smile, after all how could Tristran argue against the boys health and well being?

“You silver tongued fox, i ought to hang you for this Armon!” Tristrans face twisted as he grew red. Something the companions rarely saw, “if I wasn’t about to destroy the monster, it’d be you who would be hunted.”

Armon laughed, a little on edge, but enjoying his prank none the less. “Calm yourself Tristran. I’ll cover half. But given what you told me the boy needs a good armor, he may not be on the frontlines but that doesn’t mean he won’t be in danger.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Tristran’s face relaxed a bit as he caged the beast within with promises of release and satiation soon. “No I’ll cover it. I’m not a poor misbegotten soul anymore. I do carry a high rank after all. You are right Armon, the boy needs a solid set of armor.”

The whole while Torrin was watching the exchange of words confused and saddened that Tristran was upset. “Master, I’m sorry. We can return the armor, i didn’t know how expensive it was.” Torrin scuffled his feet a bit.

“No boy. You keep that armor, it should be worn with pride. Displacer armor is some of the rarest and best light armor you can get. Tell em did Armon or the armored explain exactly what your new suit does? Why it is so expensive?” Tristran was sitting again, puffing on the tobacco in his pipe and blowing rings. Perhaps a fresh state of mind was what he needed to continue searching for evidence.

“No master.” Torrin said trailing off at the end, a little ashamed he hadn’t thought to ask.

“A displacer cat, is one of the most fierce creatures in this wilderness. A large cat, they shimmer in and out of existence distorting their coat to throw off their prey. They are so skillful they don’t hunt to eat, they hunt for fun typically tracking an entire war band and picking them off one by one by one.” Tristran’s voice slowed as he emphasized the terror. “One thing is guaranteed, many souls were lost to slay the beast whose hide you wear. You should wear that with pride, in remembrance of them and to know you are now the hunter. As for what the armor does. Well, exactly what the beast can do. It distorts your bodies image making you almost invisible, throwing off your opponents. As useful in offense as it is in defense.” A slight smile curved around his pipe. “Right! Let’s go find some more clues shall we?”

“Thank you master. May I ask why we are searching for clues?” Torrin’s mind hungered for the answer. Perhaps it was the inquisitiveness of a child rearing it’s way to his foremost thoughts, or perhaps it was was an intuition of fear.

“Torrin, the time has not come yet. But I promise you will learn soon enough, nightfall to be exact,” Tristran said glancing up at the moon always visible during the day. “But I assure you, you will not be disappointed.”

Armon and endalmiir simultaneously rolled their eyes. “There’s that ego again,” Armon whispered to Endalmiir.

“Yep. It’s as if you doesn’t remember we always help.” Endalmiir knew all to well Tristran’s skill, but it wouldn’t hurt him to be a little more modest.

—————

“So you’re saying you haven’t heard a thing these past few nights?” The group was standing in a small shop that sold trinkets and wares. An elderly dark elf woman stood behind the counter glaring as they hadn’t purchased anything yet. Hadn’t even looked. Well except for Torrin, he was in enjoying the bobbles. They had visited about a dozen or so merchants with no lead. Torrin had received a gift from each stand, a cost he would pay dearly for when training finally started.

“No, what it old you is buy something or get out!” The woman started tapping her foot excessively.

“Master,” Torrin popped up. “Can i get this? I don’t know why but i really like it.”

“What if we buy this? Will you have heard anything then?” Tristran was getting impatient as he slammed a necklace on the counter, it had bright green beads all the way around with a totem in the same exotic green stone depicting a wolf, an Eagle, and a plains cat.

“One gold for that sir, and then you can find out.” She stuck out her hand, her voice was frail but still powerful.

Tristran had decided he’d pay the merchants with only silver, at the very worst it might root out any were creatures. “Here you are, 10 silver ma’am.” He looked on suspiciously as the woman refused to take his money. “What’s wrong, are you allergic to silver?” Tristran laughed a bit.

“Gold, I want gold.” She crossed her arms and scoffed.

“Ma’am I’m sorry i seem to be short on gold pieces right now. But ten silver has the same value as one gold.” Tristran’s suspicions grew as the woman didn’t say a word but just shook her head. “Fine. Here you are madame,” as he put a gold coin on the table. As she reached out to take it the warrior grabbed her hand placed a silver coin in her palm, looking her in the eye as she thrashed and pulled back as hard as she could not able to escape his grip as her skin started to smoke. “Gotcha!” His cloak billowing he hurtled the counter in a swift motion maneuvering into a choke hold.

“No no! It’s not what you think I swear! Please let me go!” The woman was stronger than she should have, the second tell tale sign.

Armon and Endalmiir jumper to action. Endalmiir standing guard at the storefront, Armon scolding Tristran for such a public display. “Tristran! Let her go. Hear what she has to say, you know she isn’t a danger in the daylight.”

“He’s right, the noble is right. I’m no danger Reaper, i want nothing but a peaceful life.” Her eyes were wide with fear.

“Fine.” Tristran released her, quickly dodging away and towards the back door to block her escape. “Speak before you cannot.” Fjord breaker was drawn and glistening.

“I know why you’re here. The monster that haunts the streets on the full moon. The stain of my kind in this city.” She sat down at a stool, “we know of this man and his terror but we dare not lash out.”

“You speak as if you’re afraid. Tell me what does a were-creature fear more than a deathcaster?” Tristran said in a growling tone.

“A were-hybrid. Most of us are one beast. A wolf, a rat a bear. And few of us can take a beastly humanoid form, those who do are the elders of our sect. But tell me, what happens when two were-creatures of different beasts mate? What happens when you mix a bear and a wolf?” The woman sighed, “what happens when you mix magic and unethical science to create such a being?”

Tristran’s eyes grew in horror, “no. You didn’t.” He was slowly stepping towards the woman, shaking in anger. Or was it fear? “You created a hybrid? You. You tried to evolve your kind!” His voice was hoarse, “you elders deigned it fit to force the creation of a monstrosity!” He was yelling now, the leather amor groaned under his bulging muscles. “How did this come to be? Who sanctioned this? Who bore the idea?”

Armon knew what he was getting at as he looked on in horror. The queen of souls attempted something similar before meeting her end at the hands of their group. Glimpse’s of being thrown through hell flashed before him as he started shaking in fear.

“It was I and the rest of the elders. We created synthetic situations to make two of our children fall in love. Adam and Eve, named so for the race they would bear together.” She hung her head and continued. “My daughter died in child birth, and the boy grew too powerful his father unable to stop his first transformation. We thought it was safe since they lived in the mountains. Somehow he has found his way here, to hunt us. All those deaths, and even more that were not reported were our people. Now you’re here to kill my grandchild, and all i can do is ask the old gods for forgiveness as i help you end this nightmare.”

“You hairless fool! Perhaps i should let this beast slaughter your sect in this city! A warning to the rest not to attempt such an unnatural feat ever again.” Tristran’s twisted face, softened as he started to grin, “or perhaps i should i kill you all myself.”

“Sir reaper, i beg you. Help us with this and our sect will be in your debt. We are not the largest in number, but we all hail from powerful bloodlines. Some of us are descendants from the first.” The woman claymores to her knees, “please sir. We will be in your debt.”

It was Armon to speak up first, “Tristran, perhaps the benefits outweigh the negatives in this circumstance.” His friend was certainly torn, but he was right.

“Armon, you don’t do the deed. You don’t have to stare at the lifeless body of a boy.” Tristran turned toward his friend, a horror in his face rarely seen by anybody. “And for what? Because these pathetic, incompetent shit stains made a mistake! It’s a boy Armon. If it was a simple were-wolf on a rampage i could easily do that. But a boy? He didn’t ask for this.”

“I know Tristran. I know. You’re right i don’t kill, i don’t know the strain it puts you in. But i have seen death. Taken almost frivolously by your very hand. Perhaps we can capture it and send it off to the wild?” Armon’s words were hopeful, but he knew the answer.

“No. There is no other way. He was born, not made. We cannot remove the curse, we cannot release him into the wild to turn others. There is only one way. The song Bjarnhande sings tonight will not be a ballad, but a lamentation. And you!” The furious warrior turned towards the elder, “you will pay for this in blood. Mark my words, you will. But not before i find a use for you and your kind.”

“Sir Tristran,” the woman got down on one knee bowing her head, “I owe you a life debt. Do with it what you wish.”

“You. As well as your people.” Tristran turned and stalked towards the entrance, “meet me here tonight, you will lead us to the monstrosity.”