Lucien leaped forward, following his father’s command, and aimed for the man’s legs. Hitting him at knee level with his shoulder, he rolled as the man toppled forward, knocked off balance. At the same time,Yulenbrought the pommel of his sword down on top of the man’s head. It was over within seconds. The others watched in stunned silence as their comrade slumped unconscious to the ground.
One person tentatively asked, his voice quivering, “Is he dead?”
Yulentwirled his weapon expertly. It was something he only did for show, and that was rarely. But in an instance likethis, it made the impression he was hoping for.
“No, but he’ll have a nauseating headache and some dizziness when he comes to. You’ll have to drag him back to camp.” He turned toJohna. “Now, unless there is some other reason why we’ll be delayed, take me to see thisHobron. Otherwise, leave us be and let me return to my men.”
Johnaglanced over at one of the otherswho still surrounded them. One man who appeared to be suffering some kind of spinal deformity gave her a nod.
“Let’s declare a temporary truce, Battle Lord,” the man declared. “Come.”
With the lone lantern to light their way, Lucien andYulenfollowedJohnato where a narrow path led them down the side of an embankment. The rest of the hunters followed, but Lucien sensedno ill will from them. If anything, he’d swear they were happy his father turned out to be whom he claimed to be.
As promised, a couple of hearty campfires could be seen on opposite sides of the flowing stream. Several people got to their feet from where they’d been sitting around the flames when the hunting party came into view. No one approached them or challenged them, althougha couple of men hurried over to assist in carrying the fallenMutahwho remained out of it.
JohnaledYulenand Lucien over to where one man remained seated on a large rock. His clothing was difficult to see, as he was also covered with a thick dark coat of body hair, so long that he could have been totally naked underneath and no one would have been able to see anything.The long-haired man watched as the unconscious man was taken away before examining the newcomers. He waited forJohnato introduce them.
“Hobron, this isD’Jacques, the Battle Lord of AltaNovis, and his son.”
Hobroncontinued to stare atYulenfor several long seconds, finally waving a hand to indicate a couple of nearby rocks for them to sit upon. “How do we knowfor certain that you are the realD’Jacques?” he demanded before they had the chance to take a seat.
“Why do you need proof? And why did you refer to me as the realD’Jacques? Is there someone else who claims to be me?”Yulencountered. Still, he removed his helmet as a sign of trust. Lucien followed his father’s lead and also removed his.
TheMutahstudiedYulen’sfeatures. He appeared unfazed by the quip and narrowed his eyes. “Where is your wife? TheMutahhuntress?”
“She and a fellow hunter have gone on ahead to check out the compound known asWhiterock.”
Hobron’seyes flew open. “That is a bad place. Abadplace. We’ve heard the maddening disease festers among those inside the walls. Is that why you’ve come here? To visitthat compound?”
“That’s whatJohnatells us,”Yulensaid. “And, in a way, that’s also why I’m here.Johnatells us that you’ve also come a long way, but in search of me. You tell me your story, and then I’ll tell you mine. And perhaps we can both benefit.”
TheMutahcouncilman scratched the back of his head. An invisible cloud of indecision seemed to swirl around him.Narrowing his eyes, Lucien tried to read the man’s intent. “You’re still doubtful we are who we claim to be,” he commented. “Why won’t you take our word for it?”
“Because, as you have so blithely remarked earlier, we previously encountered a man who said he wasYulenD’Jacquesof AltaNovis. And we suffered greatly at his hands before we miraculously managed to escape with our lives.”
