Notes on Monster Hunting Read online

  Teke and Skrale looked at each other, then at me. I shook my head.

  “The clay mason was the most recent and a tough experience for my company,” said Skrale softly. He reached over and gently grabbed my hand.

  Strauster set his glass on the table and looked at each of us. “I heard you lost a friend during the hunt. My apologies. I do not wish to create any unpleasant thoughts. I’ve never met a company of hunters and your stories deeply interest me.”

  “We understand,” I said. “Some things just shouldn’t be talked about yet.”

  The governor nodded to me.

  Skrale stood. “Thank you for the hospitality. We should join up with our comrades and ensure they’re all managing fine.”

  The governor stood and bowed to us. “Thank you for indulging me. Please, feel free to return for drinks and stories anytime.”

  We were all silent leaving the governor’s grounds until we stepped back onto the cobblestone street. Skrale stopped and looked at the house and shook his head.

  “It sounded like he doesn’t want us to continue east.”

  “Probably doesn’t want us to help their enemies,” I said. “Everyone needs monsters hunted. This empire wouldn’t be any different.”

  “I agree with Beatrice,” said Teke. “We’re not going to find any work if we turned around, and there’s a lot of barren areas if we go north from here.”

  Skrale nodded and took a slow, deep breath. “Let’s head into town until we figure out where everyone’s at.”

  We walked slowly downhill. Skrale and Teke talked about the drinks from the governor’s, while I watched my feet and the patterns in the stone beneath them. Near the gatehouse, the road split into the fork, and we continued to descend into the actual city. Buildings painted different colors, like blue and faded yellows, were pressed up against each other without room to pass between. The roofs descended like steps with the gradual decline of the street. People roamed the streets, but they didn’t pay us any attention.

  Skrale and Teke became quiet, both enjoying the scenery like I was. Skrale’s constant smile revealed his white teeth. Coming from below, a hand waving high in the air drew our attention. Yutt wobbled back and forth as he ran uphill towards us. He was breathing quickly and sweating, apparently fatigued from his uphill jog.

  “Nice to see you again, Yutt,” said Skrale.

  Yutt nodded and breathed deeply. He bent over and rested his hands on his knees and nodded again.

  “Little tired?” I asked.

  Yutt shook his head.

  “Well, please lead on then.”

  Yutt straightened up and said something, but he mumbled and continued to try to catch his breath. I have no idea what he said.

  “Is this really what our scouts have become?” asked Teke.

  We all smirked. Yutt ignored the question and started to slowly walk back downhill.

  People parted as we walked down the middle of the uneven road. Yutt stumbled every couple steps and would glance over his shoulder to see if we were reacting in any way. The sound of the waves nearby melted into the sound of the swarm of people walking around us.

  At the bottom of the hill, the road evened out and split into two opposing directions. Yutt paused at the intersection and looked in both directions. He took a deep breath in, rubbed his hands over his scalp, and sighed.

  “Everything okay?” I asked.

  Yutt cleared his throat and faced the three of us. “I forget where the tavern is.”

  Teke closed his eyes and shook his head.

  I smiled until I saw Skrale’s straight face.

  “Your job was as simple as leading us to everybody,” said Skrale.

  Yutt looked in each direction again. “Yeah, I know. It won’t be hard to find the right way.”

  “You’re a scout,” I said. “This is your normal job.”

  A man pulling a wagon filled with something leafy bumped into Yutt. The dirt-covered man mumbled something and jabbed his elbow into Yutt’s arm before continuing his fumbling stroll down the street. Yutt’s face was red as he rubbed his other hand on his arm and examined the three of us in front of him.

  “Which direction?” asked Skrale.

  “I think it’s this way.” He pointed to the left.

  Skrale crossed his arms.

  “I think it’s this way, sir?”

  “Just go,” ordered Skrale.

  Yutt nodded and started leading us again. Skrale grinned as soon as Yutt’s back was turned. He ended up choosing the right direction, so it wasn’t long until we were down by the pier. The tavern was right off the road and backed up to the edge of a retaining wall with waves crashing against it with spray that reached over the top of the building. Clay shingles were covered in salt and dripped water from the spray. The walls were made of bricks covered in mortar. They were white and dirty with little bumps and bubbles in the material. The front door was wood and it was terribly warped.

  We went inside to see the company randomly spread throughout the benches and tables. Kully was tucked into the corner holding Groose’s shirt. He gently poked the sutures and checked the wound. Teke rushed over to check what they were doing. Groose seemed to think it was funny, and apparently not painful. People seemed to be behaving themselves, but Skrale still looked focused and concerned.

  “Stay with me for a moment,” he said.

  I nodded even though he wasn’t looking at me. We walked up to the counter where a man and lady rubbed plates and mugs clean.

  “Excuse me,” said Skrale. Both looked up and blankly stared at the commander. “Who is the owner here?”

  “Both of us,” said the woman.

  “Great. How has the big group been since they’ve arrived?”

  The man shrugged. “Mostly just hungry.”

  The woman nodded.

  “Not causing any problems?” I asked.

  “None that we’ve noticed,” said the woman.

  “Perfect. Did they order anything?” asked Skrale.

  “The whole pot of stew is theirs.” The man stepped back and pulled the lid off an enormous pot. Steam poured out of the top and briefly held around like an onion-scented cloud.

  Skrale looked at me, and I just smiled.

  “We’ll take three bowls of that,” said Skrale.

  “And three beers.” The liquor from the governor sat uncomfortably in my stomach. I was craving something familiar.

  I carried two beers and my stew, while Skrale somehow managed to carry two stews and one drink. I made a joke about how he could’ve been a barmaid, but he was too focused on not spilling. Or he didn’t think I was funny.

  We sat down at a table with some strangers at the far end and watched Teke splash some liquid onto Groose’s side. It didn’t look very professional, but nobody knows medicine better than Teke.

  We didn’t wait for him to come over. I finished half my stew before Teke sat down. He exchanged looks and nods with the strangers and ate fast enough that he caught up to me in moments.

  Skrale gathered everyone around after we finished our meals. He stood on a chair and looked majestic, despite the wobbling of the chair.

  “The governor has asked us to deal with sewer creatures called gaulmites. Nothing too serious. Does anyone want to volunteer?”

  All of Second and Third, plus Widdy and Orkin, rose their hands. Every squad but Fourth.

  “Great,” said Skrale. He looked around with his eyes squinted. “Anyone up for a game?”

  Some people cheered. I walked away and sat in one of the booths. Ralet sat across from me a moment later.

  “Not in a gaming mood?” he asked.

  “Am I ever?”

  Ralet looked into his mug and swirled the drink around. I tried to see where I left mine, but someone probably already drank it.

  “Tell me a story,” said Ralet.

  I lowered my eyebrows and wrinkled my nose a bit. “Give me the rest of your drink and I’ll consider it.”

  He pushed it a
cross the tabletop, almost knocking it over when it hit a crack.

  “You’re a monster.”

  “Nobody put a contract out on me yet,” I said with a smile.

  Ralet rolled his eyes. “I asked for a story, not a joke.”

  We sat together and looked through Skrale’s old book. I had no stories to tell. Nothing Ralet wouldn’t already know.

  Ralet had only briefly looked through the journal before, so he was happy to be able to flip through and read anything that caught his eye. I mostly watched him.

  My favorite part of Skrale’s journal is imagining exactly what he thought or felt while he wrote each section. I wish I could meet young Skrale. Not that he’s old, but I have to imagine he was also handsome back then. Before he was scarred and dirtied from traveling the world.

  I also like to imagine Cremn as a happy, young man. He always sounded like he was ready for whatever the world threw at him. He knew what he wanted to do and how to make that happen, even if that meant changing some of his beliefs.

  Day 145

  I was lying down watching the sky slowly illuminate when a knock sounded on the door. Ralet, asleep on the floor, jolted awake and opened the door. Teke stood on the other side. His slender frame nearly as tall as the door.

  “Beatrice, would you join me for a walk?”

  I nodded and ran my hands through my hair as I stood up. Teke looked down the hall to avoid looking at me since I was only wearing my underpants. Ralet was sitting on the floor resting his forehead on his raised knees. Probably already asleep. I poked him with my toes.

  “Take the bed.”

  He nodded and crawled across the floor and slipped underneath the blanket.

  I dressed, stepped into the hall, and quietly closed the door.

  “Lead on,” I said.

  We grabbed some bread rolls as we left the inn and walked in silence as we ate. Walking up the hill tired my legs, so I focused on keeping Teke’s pace. His long strides made it difficult. We left the western gate and Teke stopped and leaned against a thin tree.

  “Look at that,” he said as he pointed back to the city. The sunrise colored the clouds hanging over the city bright shades of yellow and orange.

  “A sunrise,” I said. “How amazing.”

  “There are better ways to respond than sarcasm.”

  I shrugged and stifled a yawn.

  “Didn’t sleep much?” he asked.

  “What makes you think that?”

  Teke shrugged. “You were already awake when I knocked on your door. I’ve known you long enough to know you don’t wake before I do.”

  I started walking down the path, away from the city. “The bed’s uncomfortable.”

  “I doubt it.” Teke caught up and walked beside me.

  “What are we doing out here?”

  Teke pulled a flask out of his shirt and handed it to me. I unscrewed the cap, sniffed it, and flinched from the strong fumes. He winked when I looked at him, which made me laugh. I took a drink and felt the burning liquor splash against my cheeks and run down my throat. I cleared my throat and handed the flask back to Teke.

  “Let’s go down to the beach,” he said as he raised the flask to his chapped lips.

  We stepped through some tall brush until our boots pressed into the red sand.

  “Do you always start drinking this early?”

  Teke took another drink and handed me the flask without answering. He crouched, picked up a handful of sand, and let the grains run between his fingers.

  “Do you know why I asked you to walk with me again?”

  I sat and combed my fingers through the sand. “Because Skrale asked you to? Or you pity me. Something like that.”

  Teke stared at the small pile forming beneath his hand as the grains of sand fell like an hourglass.

  “You were the closest to Cremn over the last couple years.” He dumped the rest of the sand out of his hand and looked out to the ocean. “I’m trying to figure out how to say it.”

  “You miss him.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Me too.”

  Teke used one of his long fingers to draw a line in the sand in front of him.

  “Mind if we keep walking?” I asked.

  He stood and helped me to my feet. We walked on the beach, fighting to keep our footing in the areas with piles of loose sand.

  “How do you like the beach?”

  “I can’t imagine ever leaving it,” I said. I meant it. The coast was beautiful and calm. So much nicer than the north. Still a bit smelly, but I was getting used to it.

  “Beatrice, when we first met I know you were going through a rough time. Cremn and Skrale never told me what happened, but I have an idea of what it might’ve been. The two of them never questioned taking you. I was more hesitant and spoke against it. Skrale wouldn’t listen to a word I said, which isn’t normal. Do you know why?”

  I shook my head.

  “They both saw something in you. I don’t know what it is, but I decided I’d keep an eye on you and watch what happens. You became an important part of this company. I decided I’d never question Cremn or Skrale when they make a decision about a person. I’m cold sometimes. I know that and I’m not going to change how I behave. Just know that I trust you and appreciate you.”

  “Thanks, Teke.”

  He stopped and pushed sand around with his foot. “Sometime we should gather Heff and Lekk and Skrale and tell you about Cremn in the old days.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Teke smiled. One of the more genuine smiles I think I’ll ever see from him.

  “Skrale hasn’t told me how long he plans to stay here. He probably hasn’t decided. Just be ready for rough times ahead. Without Cremn to guide us, nothing will be the same.”

  I hugged Teke. “Nothing will be.” I back away and walked closer to the edge of the water. Teke followed. “Are we really helping the world?”

  Teke crouched and stretched his hand out. The water crashed against his palm.

  “No. Just a few people at a time. A day may come when we find a way to help more people, but for now we need to settle for a few at a time.”

  I took my boots off and walked into the wet sand. The water that splashed against my shins was cold. It felt pleasant in the growing heat of the morning.

  “What is that?” Teke asked.

  It was a body. We found that out as soon as we got close.

  “Shit,” said Teke more than once.

  The body didn’t smell great, but neither did the dying fish near the water. There was no head. The neck looked like it was sliced in half and the head was nowhere around us. We looked.

  “I think this is a good time to end the walk,” I said.

  Teke agreed.

  We ran the short distance back to the gate and told the guards what we found. They said they’d handle it from there, so Teke and I returned to the company. Everyone that volunteered to hunt the gaulmites was leaving as we arrived.

  “Better in the daylight,” said Lopuk.

  But they’re in the sewers. Does daylight make a difference?

  Skrale waved us over. He sat with Groose and Kully. Groose smiled as big as he could and opened his eyes wide. He was happy and terrifying.

  “How’s the side?” I asked.

  Groose jabbed a finger against his side. “I can’t feel a thing.”

  “We gave him something,” Kully whispered loudly.

  “He’s healing fast,” confirmed Teke. “Faster than people normally do with an injury like that.”

  “How was your morning?” asked Skrale. He looked between me and Teke.

  “We found a body.” Was there a better way to blurt that out?

  Skrale’s forehead wrinkled when his eyebrows rose in surprise. “You what?”

  “There was a headless body on the beach. I’m guessing it’s a couple days old, but we didn’t examine it. The guards will handle it,” said Teke.

  “Well,” Skrale rubbed his fists against his e
yes. “I think we should get something to drink and go explore the town a bit. Anyone need new equipment?”

  “I think my whole squad does,” I said. Groose obviously needed armor. I needed a new weapon. Everything Palon has is ruined.

  “What are you thinking of drinking?” asked Teke.

  “Tea, you alcoholic,” said Skrale, smiling.

  Teke shrugged. Skrale went and began talking to the innkeeper.

  “Groose, are you going to come with?” I asked.

  Groose looked at Kully and Teke. They both blankly stared at him. Finally, he asked, “Am I allowed to walk that much?”

  “Probably not,” said Teke. “We don’t want to let it open or anything. But I’ll stay back. We can play a game or something.”

  “Yeah. Let’s do that.” I could hear the slight change in Groose’s voice. He was surprised Teke would volunteer.

  “Kully?”

  “I’ll come with.”

  “Any idea where Palon and Ralet are?”

  “Ralet is just upstairs. Haven’t seen Palon all day.”

  Teke nudged me. “He’ll get there,” he said quietly.

  I nodded. Skrale returned with two teapots with steam rising from the spouts. The innkeep arrived right after and set five mugs on the wooden table. Skrale poured out a full mug of the steaming drink and handed one to all of us. I held my hands around the mug until I felt like my palms were burning.

  The steam smells of lavender. I tried drinking it and I burnt myself, so I’m waiting until it cools. Kully went to ask Ralet to come with and Skrale went to do some normal Skrale thing. I’m just waiting until we go. Sitting here with my tea and notebook. Still thinking about the corpse I found just hours ago. The head was cut clean off. That’s a sharp blade to cut that smoothly through.

  Ralet just tripped coming down the stairs. I think Kully just woke him up.

  “You okay?” I asked.

  “Bed was too comfortable,” said Ralet.

  Teke smirked. I’m not going to acknowledge him.

  “Want something to drink?” I asked.

  Ralet nodded and drank my whole cup of tea. I hadn’t even tasted it yet. It was still so hot. I’m a little upset and he seems unfazed by the heat.

  “Ready to go?” asked Skrale.

  All of the cities I’ve been to have had a big central marketplace. I thought it was the normal thing. Geziksan doesn’t. There are shops in permanent spots throughout, but no stalls around. First, we went to the pier and looked at the ships. Most were for fishing, but a single war galley stood out. Because it was giant. We all agreed that it was giant. Skrale bought some stuff from a fisherman. I didn’t recognize any of it. He said the three red things he got are lobsters and the long slimy two-headed ones are tayley. All edible, I guess.