Chapter 3: The Hunt Begins

“So, what do we need to know about Domlur?” Quinn asked while we are eating our breakfast at Rendall’s house.

Last night, we decided to plan everything so that we can pull off this mission. It was supposed to be my mission but they used the word “our” and I can’t help but be thankful that I have them.

“Well, Domlur is where werewolves live.” Quinn and I scowled at what Rendall said.

That is common knowledge for god’s sake.

“I mean, they’re the nearest werewolf pack in our tribe.”

I nodded and take a sip of my coffee, he’s right about that, and the chance of these werewolves being the suspect of our mother’s murder is highly possible.

“Domlur has a dungeon that is rumored to detain humans,” I added.

Domlur according to my father is not a dangerous place, it was once great trading and marketplace. When the werewolves occupied the land, humans were either killed or chose to surrender and be their slaves.

Werewolves are not needed in the biological ecosystem concept, they’re just an intruder. Werewolves have no mercy, they’re filthy creatures who prey on someone’s fear. All the more reason to kill and abolish their whole existence.

“Well, the front phase of this old marketplace has a huge gate and of course, we will not go there.” I get a piece of paper and draw a mini-map to explain where we are entering.

“How about our weapons?” Rendall asked while staring at the map I drew.

“Don’t worry cousin, the great blacksmith is done preparing our weapons.” I winked.

“Okay, I’ll just prepare the medicines and poisons I can put in our weapons.” Quinn bid her goodbye as she need to go home for her medicinal herbs.

“You can stop waving Rendall,” he suddenly became embarrassed and started to eat his meal.

I smiled at the thought of Quinn and Rendall being a couple. I’ll plan a date for them once this mission ends.

“Rendall let’s go to Vol’s site for the weapons.” I stood up and picked up the plates and utensils.

“Can we at least take a bath?” I raised my brow at my cousin who is suspiciously conscious of his hygiene

“Just put on an item of new clothing, Quinn won’t get turned off.” I saw how his ears reddened at what I said.

“S-shut up!” Rendall marched until he reached his room and closed it.

Since Rendall’s still taking a bath, I decided to go out and look at the lake. Every morning, fogs come out and the lake looks mysterious with the fog on top of it. Today, the sun is covered by dull clouds and it can’t seem to find a way to make the world blind by its beam.

I was suddenly reminded of the day I first killed a werewolf. The atmosphere is the same and fogs are also everywhere. During that time, all I had in mind is to hunt and kill, bring fear and hear them plead. After that, a different kind of satisfaction came across me.

I enjoyed hunting these human hunters, thus, killing 10 werewolves and being the youngest and best werewolf hunter. Rendall killed 8 werewolves which are also not that bad, Quinn is setting poisonous traps and putting some on the bows granting her 4 kills. We make a great team.

“Let’s go, Raffi.” I turned and saw Rendall brushing his mid-length hair using his fingers.

“Are you going on a date?” I asked him as I scanned his clothes.

“No, this is how I usually dress.” He shrugged and started walking, making me run a little to be on the same stance as his.

“I think this is new pants and boot -”

“No, they’re old!” he insisted so I just laugh and didn’t add any comment about his lavender scent.

Vol’s workshop is located at the heart of the forest, near the smiths and the butchery. Vol is the best blacksmith we have in our tribe and he is passing down his legacy to his son, Coll.

Vol created our weapons and when I won the deer hunting competition, I asked him to create a new set of spears with a Fleur de Lis symbol, the symbol that has been passed down to Ambrose’s for ages. Some people in our tribe told me a story about how the werewolves feared the symbol.

“Thank you for these amazing spears and knives, Vol.” I traced the symbol as I scan the spears.

The shaft is made with lignum vitae, the strongest wood we have and it is furnished with black dye. The shoe of the spear is made with silver and an embedded symbol of Fleur de Lis.

I asked Vol to make two spears and two knives for me and Rendall. Quinn already asked Vol to enhance her arrows and change the string of her bow.

“These are awesome!” Rendall exclaimed as he scans the bowie knife that also have the Fleur de Lis symbol.

“I am glad you liked my work.” Vol bowed and we also bowed to show respect and gratitude for his hard work.

“We have to go Vol, till next time.” I carried the spear and knife while Rendall carried Quinn’s bow and arrows.

“Now Rendall, you’ll deliver Quinn’s weapon by yourself.” I stopped and pointed the way to Quinn’s house by pouting my lips.

“You’ll come with me!” Rendall hysterically said as he is looking at the path and back at me.

“I need to cook some meal for my father,” I excused, which is also a great idea.

“Ugh!” Rendall pouted before walking to the path that leads to Quinn’s house.

When I entered our house, I immediately look for different vegetables or meats that I can cook before my father wake up and I saw mushrooms and boar thighs. I already have an idea about what to cook so I started creating fire using some dried branches.

“Good morning, father.” I handed him a bowl of mushroom soup, a plate full of rice and smoked boar thighs, and his favorite black coffee.

“Wow, what’s with the heavy breakfast?” My father asked with a smile on his face.

“We’ll leave in less than 3 days,” I shrugged and pour myself a cup of coffee.

He stopped eating and turned his back at the table and go to his room. I know I didn’t say something strange; he knew about my whole plan and he agreed. All my thoughts cleared up when I saw him walking back to the table holding a small box.

“Take this and wear it always.” He took out the cover of the box and gave me a silver necklace with a fleur de lis pendant on it.

I take a closer look at the pendant; it is the symbol of Ambrose’s.

“This is beautiful,” I said as I thoroughly scan the pendant.

I managed to wear it by myself and my father gave me thumbs up.

“Never remove that, okay?” I nodded and sit to finish my coffee and let my father finish his meal too.

“Thank you, father.” I give my father a big hug which he also returned while chuckling.

“Why do I feel like you’re crying?” I sniff and smile, he knows me too well.

He taught me everything I need to know that my biological father never could.

After two days of preparing everything, we set our foot outside the tribe’s premises.

“Bring us some werewolf head!”

“Take care!”

“We will wait for your hunt stories!”

“I’ll give you guys a pint of beer after the hunt!”

Some of the people in our tribe cheered, some waved goodbye and some are screaming our names.

“Bring home the heads of the sly bastards,” Polo said as he bids Rendall a goodbye.

“We will,” I interrupted them and gently tapped Rendall’s shoulder.

“The necklace, Raffi.” I nodded as my father reminded me of the precious necklace he gave.

Quinn’s mother is with other hunters so she will not be able to bid her mother goodbye.

The three of us waved to everyone who is expecting us to bring home the victory, which we definitely will.

“We all know the plan and all we have to do is execute it.” Quinn and Rendall nodded as a response to what I said and we turned our backs and started walking.

“Domlur is three forests away so I think we need to make a stop at the first forest for replenishments and sleep,” Quinn said as she knows the first forest will have different fruits and vegetables, even meat from fishes and some deer.

After an hour of walking, we finally reached the entrance of Felom, which is the first forest Quinn is talking about. Tall oak trees welcomed us and butterflies swung around freely. The forest has also a big lake at the center which we are aiming for to catch fish.

We continued walking for half an hour until a fresh breeze of wind touched our skin, which is a reminder that the lake is upfront.

“Finally!” Rendall said as he put his baggage in a tree and ran to the lake.

I looked around and saw how leaves sway and how birds sing. The whole area is majestic because of the turquoise color of the water and the rays of the sun that was barely blocked by the branches above.

“Don’t be fooled, the whole area has a lot of poisonous fruits and mushrooms, consult me if you wanted to eat something.” Rendall and I nodded at Quinn’s warning, she’s like a strict parent who warns her kids to never eat anything new to the eyes.

“I am going to prepare the wooden rod for fishing, Rendall you go take a look at the surroundings.” I took the wooden rod we made for fishing and some bait.

“Alright, make sure to catch at least a fish.” I turned my back on Rendall who is happy in teasing my fishing skills.

Rendall’s heavy footsteps are not heard anymore so I looked back and saw him running far from the tree where our belongings lie. My brows furrowed when he turned around and ran back.

“G-guys!” Rendall said while panting.

“Did you forget something?” Quinn said while holding a mushroom.

“Y-you – h-have to see this,” he said and led the way, we followed him until we reached an area without any trees.

“What the hell…” My mouth was left open with what we saw.

“Oh my god.” Quinn dropped the mushroom she was holding.

Rendall is still on his knees panting but his eyes are still on it.

In the area with no trees, a huge number of werewolves lies.

By lying, I mean, dead werewolves who were stacked up.