Gifted Hunter

By Nicholas A. Rose

An Ilvenworld novella of 27 thousand words, sequel to "Gifted Apprentice".

Sallis ti Ath is in Marka, driven to make a name for himself and be the best bounty hunter. The city's wealthy are plagued by a series of thefts and now the thief has committed murder.

Sallis claims he will succeed where all others have failed and swears to bring the thief to face justice. But the young bounty hunter quickly learns that, not only do some want to see him fall, but there is much more to his commission than he realized.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicholas A. Rose
• Release date: Feb 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466048140

Nicholas A. Rose

Nicholas A. Rose is the author of the Ilvenworld novels. He enjoys everything to do with the sea, the outdoors and the mountains, which he finds inspirational. Nicholas also enjoys the rather more sedentary pastimes of chess, reading, real ale and, of course, writing. There are two complete series: the "Gifted" novellas, which are a FREE introduction to my writing, and the "Markan Empire" trilogy. The first of a new trilogy, the "Flying Cloud Trilogy" was released at the end of February 2014 and work continues apace on the next two.

Book preview

Gifted Hunter

An Ilvenworld Novella

by

Nicholas A. Rose

Copyright 2012 Nicholas A. Rose

Smashwords Edition

Cover: Joleene Naylor

Editor: Stephanie Dagg

Other Novellas:

Gifted Apprentice

Gifted Avenger

The Markan Empire Trilogy:

Markan Throne

Markan Empire

Markan Sword

***

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Journey To The Mainland

Chapter 2 - Calcan

Chapter 3 - Marka

Chapter 4 - The Testing

Chapter 5 - Sandev

Chapter 6 - Settling In

Chapter 7 - The Commission

Chapter 8 - The Hunt Begins

Chapter 9 - New Clues

Chapter 10 - Chasing

Chapter 11 - Istwan

Chapter 12 - Taken

Chapter 13 - Reluctant Captive

Chapter 14 - Returning To Marka

Chapter 15 - A Question Of Justice

Chapter 16 - Meeting With Olista

Chapter 17 - Revelations

Chapter 18 - Threads

***

Chapter 1 - Journey To The Mainland

The ferry crossed the mila or so of choppy greenish-brown water that lay between Taura's quayside and the narrow channel leading out to sea with surprising speed. Sallis ti Ath found a quiet corner of the deck to stand and watch, well clear of the oarsmen.

He had spent two days enjoying and ogling the sights of Re Taura's capital city, waiting for the ferry to the mainland. Two days to Calcan, unless they ran into any storms, and then he must travel overland to Marka, the city everybody called the Jewel of the World.

The tide had begun to ebb and the expanse of water ahead gave the deceptive appearance of great width. But the channel was narrow here, marked by brightly-colored floating bladders. Rocky flats protruded far into the gap and lurked beneath the water at high tide, waiting to wreck the foolhardy or ignorant. A castle atop its own small island loomed far above, its turrets dominating the passage leading to the harbor.

Bells rang out from within the castle, urgent sounds of emergency. There must have been something in his stance, because another passenger smiled at him.

They test those bells every week, said the man. The Mametain's son is an inventive sort and likes to experiment. Nobody knows exactly what he's up to, but they say he had the bells installed, just in case.

In case of what? asked Sallis.

Precisely. The man smiled again. That's what we'd like to know. But at least Castle Beren's far enough from Taura for us to be safe.

I see. The wind freshened as the ferry left the shelter of the land and Sallis pulled his brown cloak tight around his shoulders. Those shoulders had broadened as Sallis the boy had matured into Sallis the man. He had grown tall too, and not just for his age.

Going to Calcan, or headed further abroad? asked the stranger.

Sallis had been warned to guard his tongue. For now, Calcan.

Me too. My family's in Calcan, so I ought to spend some time there. I'm from Re Taura though. Sounds like you're from one of the outer islands.

Sallis blinked and watched the sudden bustle as sailors readied the sails. As the ferry cleared the channel, the crew hauled on ropes and the sails began to drive the ship forward. The wind freshened further and oars were no longer needed. As cream-colored canvas filled the gaps between the masts, the ferry heeled and gathered speed.

From Re Annan, Sallis eventually replied.

Not enough work? Or just want to see the world?

Sallis smiled. Both, he replied.

***

Sallis had spent most of the past four years working on his father's farm. Elvallon still visited and remained friendly, but a definite edge had crept into their relationship. It took Sallis a couple of years to realize that his old tutor was wary. His own return visits to Leynx, where Elvallon lived, grew less and less frequent.

That was a shame, because Lyssan always gave him a ready welcome, but it was rare for her to accompany Elvallon when he traveled north.

Sallis used his talents whenever possible, catching those who liked to steal other people's sheep, or those prisoners the Guard managed to lose. He had never worked out if the Guard suffered from incompetence or carelessness.

He had certainly amassed gold of his own, but his father Hayland always said the best work would be found on the mainland. And the most rewarding.

But who will help with everything? Sallis had demanded. Now his sisters were married, his parents would have the farm to themselves when he left.

We'll cope as we always have, replied Hayland. Neighbors and friends. And we can still call on Barten and his family when needed.

Sallis thinned his lips. When I can afford it, I'll send you sylphs, he promised. They can help. And if you have male and female sylphs, perhaps that'll be another way to make money.

Hayland waved a dismissive hand. We'll make the farm smaller, he announced. Fewer mouths means we need less money.

Sallis smiled. I'll send you the sylphs, he repeated. They're probably cheaper on the mainland than here.

More common, certainly, replied Hayland.

***

The number of sylphs on Re Taura opened Sallis's eyes. He had always imagined sylphs to be the preserve of the wealthy, but seeing so many about their errands he now realized most people here must have them as servants. He had not bothered to learn their cost. Once he'd paid his ferry fare, he had enough spare coin for a horse after he arrived in Calcan. Get established first, buy sylphs for his father's farm later.

Sallis now stared at the sylph hovering beside the steersman. He had no idea exactly what a ship's sylph was for, but she appeared to be a valued member of the crew. She even wore the same: canvas trousers, white shirt and a blue serge jacket with wooden buttons.

Elvallon had left Sallis's education concerning sylphs to Lyssan, the only sylph Sallis knew well. Lyssan claimed to be a proper sylph and never hid her vague contempt for infertiles, shaking her head whenever he referred to one as she.

Not she, she always said, shaking her head. I am a she. They are neuters who cannot breed. What use are they?

From what Sallis had seen in the past two days, infertiles filled lots of uses, and dashed about their tasks with an efficient air. Most servants he had seen running errands were infertiles, and that included the ship's sylph he now watched.

She stood with feet planted apart, earpoints slanted forward and twitching in excited curiosity, and her silvery eyes glowed with pleasure. More sylphs stood beside their owners, all with wilted earpoints, and all, Sallis suddenly noticed, looking landwards.

Bring much food with you? asked Sallis's new friend, looking hopeful.

No, replied Sallis. My meals are included in my ferry fare.

Ah. The other man nodded and looked disappointed at the same time. Probably sensible.

Sallis thought so too, and his attention returned to the ship's sylph.

There was little difference between her and the others. Skin and hair color the same, earpoints and vertically slit pupils... Shorter than Lyssan and certainly not as developed, but she clearly belonged to the same species.

As Re Taura grew smaller and smaller, and the unbroken horizon ahead widened, Sallis noticed the other sylphs vanish below one by one. An infertile began it, and before long the only one left on the upper deck belonged to the ship.

Why have they gone? he wondered aloud.

That's sylphs for you, said his friend, overhearing. They don't like being at sea.

Sallis nodded towards the ship's wheel. Doesn't bother her.

She's probably used to it.

Pushing the strangeness of sylphs out of his thoughts, Sallis leaned on the rail, stared into the green water and dreamed of Calcan.

***

Chapter 2 - Calcan

Calcan's harbor lay a good five milas from the city. Sallis was surprised a city could stand on the sea, or even develop as a city, and not have its own harbor. Instead, Calcan used the harbors of two satellite towns: one no more than a glorified fishing village, the other a trading port.

Sallis had no spare money - as far as he knew -