Altered Creatures: Hunted

Hunted

Santorray's Privations

A.G. Wedgeworth

Anthony G. Wedgeworth

Copyright © 2019 by Anthony G. Wedgeworth

Written by A.G. Wedgeworth

Front Cover Artwork by Jamie Noble Frier

Illustrations by Steve Ott

Editing by Deborah Murrell

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Altered Creatures

Epic Fantasy Adventures

Historical Date 4.0648.0817

Series: Santorray's Privations

Book 4, Revision 2.0

Hunted

www.AlteredCreatures.com

Contents

MAP

CAST

Prologue

1.Fallen

2.Taken

3.Tavern Plans

4.Prison Mines

5.Matriarch’s Plan

6.Prison Grada

7.Current Environment

8.Flooding of the Mines

9.Aftermath

10.Rumaldo

11.Blox and Lucian

12.Freedom

13.Blothrud Hunting

14.Lill Myth

15.Crown’s Stone

16.Exposed Power

17.Hidden Valley

18.Brutal Reality

19.Hurt and on the Run

20.A New Prize

21.Changing Direction

22.Lill’s Capture

23.Backup Plans

24.Grave Site

25.Caged

26.Last Stand

27.New Orders

More Stories...

Prologue

Post-War Provinces

It was an uneasy time for civilization. The Brothers of War had divided the seven provinces and pitted them against one another until a final civil war destroyed the infrastructure that held them united. Both heirs to the throne had lost their war and were no longer the rulers of anything.

Due to the vacuum of leadership, each Province became its own sovereign state. Decades later each settled in with its own rulers, laws, and culture.

Woodlen’s northern lands grew into two distinct classes. In order to keep the lower class from revolting, the upper class held events to entertain the masses, such as gladiator fights in their coliseum and propaganda plays in their theaters.

Doven was the heart of the old Kingdom and retained the majority of the military strength. Centrally located and at the mouth of the Volney River, it was the primary trading location between the north, the south, and the east.

Eastland became a military outpost that dealt with the daily risk of the Altered Creatures taking advantage of the broken Kingdom. They were the first line of defense.

Rivers Edge was all but destroyed by the war, which left it submerged underwater. The final battle had taken place there as a massive wave washed its way up the river. The great Luthralum Lake rose nearly four yards that day and never lowered afterward. All cities in this low land province are still flooded.

Pelonthal was hidden away behind the Mythical Forest. Its scattered little cities along the lake’s coastline grew into individual communities with their own relaxed rules and conduct. They enjoyed the freedom of not being controlled by any government or ruler. They even allowed Altered Creatures to live among them.

Greensbrook continued to be the primary crop growing and harvesting location as they shipped their needed produce to all the other provinces in trade for the supplies they needed for their people.

Southwind, however, turned dark after the fall of the Kingdom. Infighting within the government opened the doors for underground leadership which led to an increase of loansharking, gambling, prostitution, extortion, political corruption, and murder. The Matriarch used the chaos to her advantage to become the most powerful unofficial leader in the Southwind Province. Her reign of terror grew large enough to control all of the mines and the military. Her goal was to unify all the provinces back together under her control.

Chapter one

Fallen

Several roars echoed across the jungle from a six-headed Hydra standing at the top of a hill. Blood coated its heads and necks from a mighty battle that had ended with the creature knocking its opponent over a short cliff and then down a steep incline. However, once alone, the Hydra faded from existence as though it was never there.

Santorray tumbled down the jungle’s muddy hillside, destroying small trees and large ferns along his way. Larger tree trunks cracked and shredded apart upon impact along his path down into the water at the base of the ravine.

The large bone spikes across his back drove deep into the stream’s mud adjacent to the shoreline. Acting like anchors, the bone spikes prevented the current from washing him downstream. His wolf-like legs and paws floated in the fast-moving water like a flag in a mild wind. However, his red muscular Human torso was locked into place, while his dragon-like muzzle leaned slightly to one side.

Santorray coughed up blood from internal injuries. He had barely enough strength remaining to lift himself up, let alone continue to run. Because of this, he took a moment to rest as he looked up at the wavering palms of the trees and graceful clouds sliding across the sky.

A ringing in his small ears overpowered the noise of the flowing water and the local jungle animals. It was a noise he had heard before when hit in the head during battle. This time there wasn’t a grand battle to be proud of. Instead, he was being hunted. The tracking abilities of theses predators were exceptional, but it was their use of an Alchemist’s high magic that had drained Santorray down to his current situation.

After clearing his head, he pulled his back spikes out of the river’s muddy base and sat up. This was a difficult task for him in his current condition. He had been on the run without water, food, or sleep longer than he recalled. His body was giving out, and his muscles shook from overuse.

Attempting to scoop up some water, he realized one of his arms was broken and unresponsive. It simply hung from his shoulder and flopped about in the moving current.

Using his other hand, he gained his stability enough to lean down and take a drink from the stream. Even this was too much for him; his biceps gave way, causing him to fall face first into the water.

Moving onto his back again, he sat up once more to assess his situation. This is your own damn fault, he mumbled to himself. I should have killed them when I had the chance. Stretching his back, he could feel and hear the cracking of his back as the ringing in his ears began to lower in volume. I deserve to be caught for such stupidity.

Rolling onto his side, he used his good arm to lift himself up to his knees. After spitting blood into the water, he watched the red trail flow downstream. Cuts and gashes contributed to the ongoing red path. Santorray was hurt and vulnerable. More importantly, he didn’t know if he had the ability to escape. Despite his physical challenges, his will was not broken, and he would continue to drive himself until his body no longer responded. Struggling, he shifted his shaking legs under him once again and stood.

Standing up within the river was brutal on his body as every muscle trembled uncontrollably from his extensive trek through the jungle. Removing a heavy bead from his necklace, he tapped it upon a talisman, which also hung from the same necklace. Gripping it as tight as he could, he repeated a phrase several times; Illume dula fara’du. Once light shined from between his fingers, he tossed the now-glowing bead as high as he could into the air.

The small bead flew higher than the tree palms before exploding in a brilliant collection of colors and falling back to the river valley.

Santorray stared up at the flickering lights as they rained back down. You’re my last resort, he mumbled to an old friend, but he knew the likelihood of his friend being nearby was slim to none. Besides, it was too late. The strength he used to stand and toss the item came at the price of him losing his balance and falling headfirst into the deeper water. Slapping the water hard, his face and chest crashed against submerged rocks before he drifted back up to the surface and began floating downstream.

His head, arms, and legs bounced off of boulders and fallen trees along his short journey before the back of his neck was grabbed and lifted upward by an unseen hand. Tossed out of the water, Santorray’s eight-foot tall, massive body rolled to a stop upon the shoreline like a rag doll. He was lifeless.

Save his life before this here entire hunt becomes a waste of me time, a growly voice said from a man struggling to make his way down the hill to the stream. The owner was a rough looking bald and full-bearded man outfitted with the finest of wilderness gear. His clothes were soiled from the months of hunting in the wet jungle, and the trek had taken its toll on his equipment. The jungle had also made its way into his wide beard that seemed to collect bits of every plant he passed by. However, the man was less concerned about his appearance than meeting his objective: capturing the blothrud alive. Natalya, do something!

Tilting her head back so she could look down past her long nose at the fallen beast, Natalya magically lowered herself through the air, landing near the fallen beast to assess the situation. She was tall and overly thin with slightly sunken cheeks and a gray hue around her eyes which gave off a mix of death and beauty to her face. She stood strong and sophisticated as she calmly took charge of the situation before her. Don't panic, Blox. We have him at death's doorway, which is exactly where we want him. Any less would cause us yet another conflict.

Blox grabbed his own arm at the very thought of their last encounter with Santorray. Agreed. I'd rather he didn't rip off any more of me limbs.

You’re fortunate that my master trained me how to attach an arm to a torso.

I know, I know. But that's what me be payin’ ya fer.

You haven't paid me nearly enough for my time and skills.

I will, blast it. Just make sure we ain't gonna lose the beast. He's the key to me fortune.

Our fortune.

As promised. I’ll be sharin’ twenty percent of da profits.

There will be no sharing. We split the profits evenly.

Hold on there. This here is my idea. I've paid for this trek. I have the contacts to make him profitable, and it be my winnings that I’ll share, as we agreed to up front.

You'll have nothing to share if he dies.

True, but you said you could keep him livin’.

For half the profits. Standing firm, she never wavered from her high and mighty attitude.

Ya dirty old witch! Ya changin’ the deal!

Glaring down at the stocky man, she smiled. I am not dirty or old. But I do have the power to make you a fortune if you agree to these terms.

But yer changin’ ‘r deal!

I’m modifying the terms.

Ya can’t do such a thing! You agreed to the contract.

True, but you’ve made some changes of your own.

I did no such thing!

You originally asked for my skills to capture the beast.

I did.

However, I’ve also had to use my magic on numerous occasions to save your hide, such as when you fell into a Chuttlebeast pit trap, and when I healed you from a flesh-eating virus, and when I--

Those are unrelated! he blurted out before she added more to the list. That’s just what friends do to help each other out.

Stepping closer, she glared down at him. Get this straight, you greasy, rank-scented miscreant; I may have a business relationship with you, but we are not friends. I have far too high of standards to allow you into that limited circle.

All of ya Alchemists seem ta think you’re a higher class then the rest of us. You’re all a snobby gaggle of Fesh-talkers in my opinion. Because down deep yer just the same. You people are just as greedy and underhanded as the rest of us.

Not only are we more civilized, but our efforts are also focused on critical outcomes.

Are you sayin’ my actions won’t lead to great things?

Your goal is to capture and enslave this blothrud to generate funds in order to become intoxicated in some rat-infested tavern.

Hey now! What I do with me time and money ain’t your business.

Nor do I care what you do with them. The question at this time is how important is it that you have enough funds available to have the opportunity to wake up in a stupor on a filthy tavern floor every morning?

Blox turned away from Natalya and glared at Santorray as he thought about his options. Damn ya, anyway… I rec’n I agree. It be worth splitting the profits. There should still be enough left over for me ta retire. When I does, I’ll grab me boat in Shoreview from me brother and set sail with a few crates of Nectar of Irr. She always makes me feel fine.

Not caring about his plans to retire, Natalya pulled out some magical components and started working on her spells upon the blothrud lying before them. The first spell was similar to the one she used to pull Santorray out of the water, as she used an unseen force to lift the blothrud up off the wet rocks and onto dry land. The second spell caused the local vines to snake their way to him and tightly coil themselves around the blothrud to ensure he didn’t attack upon waking up.

Hurry up! Them restraints won’t do ya any good if he dies.

Pulling out a small bag of powder, she handed it to him to ease his concerns. Toss a spoonful of that in his nostrils and he won’t cause us any issues for a week or two.

Inspecting the orange powder on his fingers, he asked the obvious question, What does this ‘ere magical dust do?

This specific concentration provides two beneficial outcomes. The primary purpose of this dried granular potion is to reduce the speed of his naturally fast healing ability. This will provide us a greater advantage to subdue him if he attempts to escape again.

But he be needin’ that there fast healin’ if we wish ta get full price for him.

She scoffed at the chubby man’s comments. Have faith. I have an antidote that I will administer prior to him showing off his talents.

Sniffing the powder, he pulled back from the bitter odor. And the second? What be the other side effect?

The new feature I added to this compound should keep him calm and subservient for a few days at a time so we can have him walk with us without concerned of him escaping or harming us.

Squinting his eyes at her, he asked, Should keep?

Yes. This should last several days on most blothruds, but Santorray is unique, and I can only assume it works the same upon him.

Blox eventually poured a bit in each of Santorray’s nostrils before closing the bag and stuffing it in his own pocket. I’ll be keepin’ this close in case he starts stirring.

Natalya ignored Blox and went back to her own plans. She spread out her components for her third spell in which she released several beetles upon Santorray’s face. The insects immediately climbed inside his mouth and down his throat.

Blox was aghast at the sight. You’re supposed to be savin’ him, not killin’ him!

The insects worked their magic, and within seconds the blothrud began choking and spitting up the river water he had swallowed along with blood from internal wounds.

Santorray was alive, but not conscious.

A deep sigh of relief was released as Blox sat down on a fallen tree. We got him. After all this time, we finally have him.

We?

Don’t start. I’m the best tracker in these lands, and we wouldn’t have ever found ‘em all those times if it hadn’t been for me.

We also wouldn’t have lost him all those times if it hadn’t been for you.

True… he couldn’t think of a way to argue her point, …but we have ‘em now. He stared at the blothrud in disbelief. He had wondered if this moment would ever come to pass. In fact, he had gotten to a point that he wasn’t sure they would ever catch the legendary Santorray. How are ya going to haul him to a city so we can arrange transport to Woodlen?

You seem to be expecting me to handle the majority of the tasks for less than the majority of the profits.

Don’t ya be going down that road again. I just increased your share ta half, so I expect an increase of effort as well. Besides, I’ll be coordinating and paying for the transportation from Southwind back to Woodlen once we reach a local township.

Natalya gave a slight grin. She enjoyed getting him riled up to see how he would react. You do allow your emotions to run your life, don’t you?

It was his turn to ignore her statement. How we gonna move him?

Her eyes searched the nearby resources as she formulated a plan. Take your machete and cut down those saplings so we can construct a litter. Once he’s on there, I’ll cast a spell to reduce his weight so he’s easy to carry.

Blox looked at the trees and knew the labor involved in creating a litter large enough for the eight-foot-tall creature. Don’t ya have some spell or somethin’ that will make it for us?

No. She grinned again at his discomfort. Besides, we are splitting everything up evenly. You make it, and I’ll make it light enough to carry.

Pulling out his machete, he grumbled and complained under his breath loud enough for her to overhear but not enough for her to understand what he was saying.

Chapter two

Taken

Trudging through the wet jungle, Blox carried the front end of the litter which supported the unconscious blothrud. The back side of the litter was supported by Natalya, not by her hands but instead by an unseen servant that walked before her.

Ain’t fair, I say. Just not fair. Why can’t ya make one of them invisible slaves for me so I can take a load off? Me arms and back are murderin’ me.

It simply doesn’t work that way. This spell only provides support near my immediate location. I’m unable to send him off to do tasks more than an arms-length away.

You’ve told me that before, and it still makes no sense why you Alchemists would make such limitations on somethin’ that could be so helpful. If I had created such a spell, it would cook, clean, and serve ya drinks. Basically, it would be like havin’ a wife without havin’ ta listen to her yap. He laughed at his own joke as his shoulders bobbed up and down.

You truly are an insolent, uneducated parasite, Blox. It’s best that you are not an Alchemist.

Ya know, that’s a grand idea. Why don’t ya show me some of those tricks of yers so I can do them me-self?

They are not tricks. They are carefully orchestrated elements that have to be properly learned over many years.

Now you’re starting to sound like them there E’rudites.

What? The insult was deep. There had been friction between the Alchemists and E’rudites for thousands of years, ever since Irluk broke away from her E’rudite master, Wyrlyn, and formed the Alchemists. How dare you compare me to those elitists!

I ain’t comparing ya, other than the words you used! he yelled back.

Disregarding their surroundings, the two continued to argue as they carelessly walked out onto an open jungle path where several dozen Southwind soldiers stood with their weapons ready to be used.

Halt! the leader of the military group said. However, it was clear he didn’t have a military grooming; his greasy long blonde hair covered one of his eyes and part of his face as it rested on his shoulders. I am Master Lucian. These are my family’s lands, and you are trespassing.

These be a bunch of jungles! Blox yelled out. They ain’t belongin’ to no one except the Fesh’Unday that live within them.

They are our lands by right.

By who’s right?

My father is a General in the Southwind military, and his services have earned us these lands and all that are captured within them. He glanced at the blothrud on the litter Blox was still holding onto.

Ya can’t be serious! Blox yelled out. I’ve been hunting for this ‘ere creature for a long time. We’ve been tracking him in and out of nearly every province in the Kingdom. This ‘ere is me prize, not yers.

That will be decided elsewhere, Lucian said as he noticed the common magical symbols on the woman’s robes. For now, you and your Alchemist friend will need to come with us.

Several of his men lifted their bows and pointed their arrows at Natalya in case she started casting any spells.

Dropping his side of the litter, Blox allowed Santorray to crash to the ground as the overweight man tossed his hands up into the air. Wait a minute! We’ve done nothin’ wrong! We’re not yer prisoners.

We will soon see if that is true. You no longer have the authority to determine that, nor do we, Lucian said as his men surrounded the two outsiders and picked up the litter carrying the blothrud. They then began to escort them down the jungle path.

Blox was confused. Then who be determinin’ our fate for capturing our prey in a jungle outside of anyone’s business?

Lucian body stiffened slightly