The Hunters

The first thing Kael noticed was how quiet the village became.

Not truly silent.

There were still voices.

Doors opening.

Boots moving across wood.

The restless shifting of horses.

But the ordinary sounds of Larkspur were gone.

No laughter.

No merchants arguing over prices.

No children running through the square.

Only tension.

Only waiting.

Kael stood beside Lyra near the edge of the road, watching the torchlight approach.

The Ashen Order rode in formation.

Pale-gray cloaks.

Dark armor.

Long weapons wrapped in leather.

Each rider wore the same symbol across the chest.

A sword surrounded by ash-colored wings.

Lyra’s fingers tightened around Kael’s hand.

“They really came.”

Kael swallowed.

“Yeah.”

The riders slowed as they reached the southern gate.

At least thirty.

Maybe more.

Some carried bows.

Others had spears.

Several wore strange metal devices across their backs.

Kael didn’t recognize them.

He didn’t need to.

Everything about the Order looked designed for one purpose.

Hunting.

The lead rider dismounted.

A tall woman stepped onto the road.

Her hair was silver-white despite her relatively young face.

She wore black armor beneath a pale mantle, and a long sword rested at her hip.

Ser Aldren Vale walked out to meet her.

For the first time since Kael had seen him—

Aldren looked nervous.

The woman studied him.

“You sent the signal.”

“I did.”

“Uncertain reading.”

“Yes.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“And yet you requested a full response unit.”

Aldren said nothing.

The woman glanced toward Larkspur.

“Where?”

Aldren’s jaw tightened.

“Commander Veyra—”

“Where?”

His silence lasted too long.

The commander noticed.

So did Kael.

Lyra whispered—

“He’s trying to protect us.”

Kael looked at her.

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

Commander Veyra stepped closer to Aldren.

“You know the Order’s law.”

“I know.”

“Then follow it.”

Her voice was cold.

“Anything bearing a Crimson trace is to be identified, contained, and judged.”

Kael’s heartbeat quickened.

Crimson trace.

Lyra’s hand went cold in his.

Aldren spoke quietly.

“They are children.”

The commander stared.

That was enough.

Kael’s stomach dropped.

Lyra whispered—

“He told her.”

“No.”

“He just did.”

Commander Veyra turned toward the village.

“Seal every exit.”

The hunters moved immediately.

Kael stepped backward.

Lyra pulled him with her.

“We need to go.”

“Now?”

“Do you want to wait until they knock?”

Kael didn’t answer.

They ran.

Elara was waiting at Kael’s house.

The moment he entered, she closed the door behind him.

“You should not have been outside.”

Kael pulled away.

“They’re here.”

“I know.”

“They’re looking for us.”

Elara froze.

Kael stared at her.

“Us.”

His voice shook.

“You knew.”

She looked away.

“Kael—”

“No more.”

He stepped closer.

“No more half-answers.”

Elara closed her eyes.

Outside, a hunter shouted—

“Search the northern houses!”

Kael’s fear sharpened.

His mother opened her eyes again.

“We don’t have time.”

“Then tell me quickly.”

She crossed the room and pulled a heavy chest away from the wall.

Kael had seen it his entire life.

He had never seen it opened.

Elara knelt.

A hidden compartment rested beneath the bottom panel.

Inside—

a dark traveling cloak.

A small coin purse.

A wrapped bundle.

And a pendant made from dull red metal.

Kael stared at it.

The warmth inside his chest returned instantly.

He stepped back.

“What is that?”

Elara covered it with one hand.

Her face became pale.

“That reaction…”

Kael’s voice dropped.

“You knew it would happen.”

“I feared it would.”

“What am I?”

Elara stood.

“I cannot tell you everything.”

Kael laughed once.

Not because anything was funny.

“Of course.”

“Kael.”

“What?”

“You need to understand this.”

She placed both hands on his shoulders.

“You are not sick.”

He stopped.

“You are not cursed.”

His breathing slowed.

“And whatever they say about you—”

Elara’s eyes hardened.

“—do not believe you were born evil.”

Kael stared at her.

“Born what?”

A fist struck the front door.

BANG.

Both turned.

“Open in the name of the Ashen Order!”

Elara moved instantly.

“Back door.”

“Mom—”

“Now.”

Kael grabbed her wrist.

“I’m not leaving you.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No.”

Another blow struck the door.

BANG.

Wood cracked.

Elara looked into his eyes.

“You promised Lyra you would stay with her, didn’t you?”

Kael froze.

“How did you—”

“I know you.”

She pushed the travel cloak into his hands.

“Then keep that promise.”

His throat tightened.

“What about you?”

“I will follow.”

“When?”

“As soon as I can.”

Kael stared at her.

He knew that tone.

She was lying.

“Mom.”

“Go.”

The door shuddered again.

She pressed the wrapped bundle into his hands.

Inside was a short sword.

Older than his broken one.

The dark metal blade had a faint red line running down the center.

Kael frowned.

“Whose is this?”

“Your father’s.”

He went still.

Elara looked toward the front door.

“No time.”

Kael wanted to ask a thousand questions.

What had his father known?

Why had this weapon been hidden?

Why did the Ashen Order want him?

Why had his mother been afraid of this day?

Instead—

he heard the lock split.

Elara pushed him toward the rear door.

“Go.”

Kael’s eyes burned.

“I’m coming back.”

She smiled.

It looked painfully forced.

“I know.”

Kael opened the back door.

He looked at her one last time.

Then ran.

Lyra found her father in the kitchen.

He had already prepared two packs.

One for himself.

One for her.

She stared.

“You planned this.”

“For years.”

The answer struck harder than she expected.

“You knew this could happen.”

“Yes.”

Her anger rose.

“How long?”

Darian tightened a strap across his chest.

“Since before you could walk.”

Lyra stopped.

The room suddenly felt smaller.

“You knew something was wrong with me when I was a child?”

“Nothing is wrong with you.”

“Then what am I?”

He looked at her.

A pounding came from the road outside.

Hunters.

Closer.

Darian took a slow breath.

“You are my daughter.”

“That isn’t what I asked.”

“No.”

His expression hardened.

“But it is the answer that matters.”

Lyra fought tears.

“I deserve the truth.”

“You do.”

“Then give it to me.”

Darian looked toward the window.

“Not here.”

Lyra stared.

He stepped closer.

“There are things about your birth I was told never to speak of unless the signs began.”

Her breathing stopped.

“Signs?”

“Your healing.”

He looked into her eyes.

“Your hearing.”

Lyra’s face changed.

“You knew.”

“I suspected.”

“Kael too?”

Darian said nothing.

That was an answer.

Lyra’s anger became fear.

“What happened when we were born?”

Before he could reply—

someone shouted outside.

“Order patrol!”

Darian grabbed Lyra’s cloak.

“Move.”

He opened a trapdoor beneath the kitchen table.

Lyra stared.

“You have a tunnel?”

“Later.”

“Why does everyone keep saying later?”

“Because later requires surviving now.”

That silenced her.

Almost.

They descended.

Kael reached the western edge of the village without being seen.

Barely.

Two Ashen Order hunters passed within twenty paces of him.

He crouched behind a collapsed stone wall.

Their voices carried.

“Commander wants both alive.”

“For questioning?”

“For confirmation.”

“And if confirmed?”

Silence.

Then—

“You know the law.”

Kael’s stomach turned.

One hunter continued.

“Crimson lineage isn’t allowed to spread.”

The other laughed quietly.

“Shame. They’re young.”

Kael pressed himself lower.

Young.

That could only mean him and Lyra.

His hands began shaking.

Something hot stirred under his skin.

He forced it down.

Not now.

One of the hunters stopped.

Kael froze.

“What?”

“Thought I felt something.”

The hunter removed a small metal instrument.

A needle rotated inside it.

Slowly.

Toward Kael.

His chest became hotter.

The needle moved farther.

“Strange.”

The second hunter looked.

“It’s reacting.”

Kael backed away.

A pebble shifted beneath his boot.

Click.

Both hunters turned.

“Who’s there?”

Kael ran.

“Stop!”

He heard boots behind him.

Kael pushed through an alley.

A bolt struck the wall beside his head.

Not an arrow.

Something metallic.

The tip sparked with pale light.

Kael ducked.

Another bolt struck the ground.

For an instant—

his legs moved faster than they should.

The houses blurred.

The voices behind him faded.

Then he crashed into someone.

“Kael!”

He nearly fell.

Lyra grabbed his cloak.

“Where were you?”

“Being shot at.”

“That sounds bad.”

“It was.”

Darian appeared behind her.

He looked Kael over.

“Your mother?”

Kael’s face changed.

“She stayed.”

Darian closed his eyes.

Only briefly.

Lyra noticed.

“Dad?”

“Move.”

“Do you know where his mother is going?”

“Lyra.”

“Do you?”

Darian did not answer.

Kael understood.

“She isn’t coming, is she?”

Darian’s silence hurt more than any answer.

Kael looked toward the houses.

For one second, he nearly turned back.

Lyra grabbed his hand.

“Kael.”

He looked at her.

She shook her head.

Not because she wanted to leave his mother behind.

Because she knew he would die if he went back.

Kael’s jaw tightened.

Then he followed them.

Darian led them through a narrow passage between two barns.

A hidden opening in the old drainage wall led beneath the western palisade.

Lyra stared.

“You knew about this too?”

“I helped build it.”

“Why?”

“In case this day came.”

Kael looked at him.

“This day.”

Darian stopped.

For a moment, regret crossed his face.

Then—

“Yes.”

Lyra’s expression hardened.

“You owe us answers.”

“I know.”

“When?”

“When we’re far enough away that the Ashen Order cannot put a blade through your throat.”

“Fair.”

Kael glanced at her.

“That was surprisingly reasonable.”

“I’m adapting.”

They crawled through the passage.

Outside—

the fields were dark.

The moon had not fully risen.

Larkspur’s lanterns glowed behind them.

For the first time in Kael’s life, the village looked unfamiliar.

Like something he was already losing.

A distant horn sounded.

Darian turned.

“They know someone escaped.”

“How?” Lyra asked.

“Trackers.”

Kael looked toward the tree line.

“Where do we go?”

“Northwest.”

“Why?”

“There is an old road through the forest.”

“Safer?”

Darian hesitated.

“No.”

Lyra stared.

“Wonderful.”

“But less predictable.”

That was apparently good enough.

They ran.

The first pursuit reached them before the forest.

Three mounted hunters crested the hill.

“There!”

Kael looked back.

“They found us!”

Darian drew one dagger.

“Keep moving!”

The riders accelerated.

Lyra pulled her bow free without breaking stride.

She turned.

Fired.

THUNK!

The arrow struck the lead horse’s saddle strap.

The rider shifted violently.

“Nice shot!” Kael shouted.

“I know!”

The second hunter raised a crossbow.

Darian moved between them.

“Down!”

The bolt flew.

Lyra ducked.

Kael did too.

The third hunter leaped from his horse.

Too far away.

Too high.

He landed in front of them with unnatural force.

Magic.

Kael stopped.

The hunter drew a silver spear.

Symbols glowed along its length.

His eyes moved toward Kael.

Then Lyra.

“So.”

He smiled.

“There you are.”

Darian attacked first.

His dagger met the spear.

CLANG!

The hunter twisted.

Darian barely avoided the counterstrike.

Kael drew his father’s short sword.

The blade felt warm in his hand.

Too warm.

The hunter noticed.

His smile disappeared.

“That weapon…”

Kael swung.

The hunter blocked.

The impact sent a sharp vibration through Kael’s arm.

Lyra fired.

The hunter tilted his head.

The arrow passed close enough to cut his cheek.

“Annoying.”

He kicked Kael aside.

Kael hit the ground.

Lyra drew her short sword.

The hunter changed targets.

His spear cut toward her.

Lyra blocked.

The force drove her backward.

Kael heard something inside himself.

A pulse.

Hot.

Violent.

The same instinct as before.

Protect.

He stood.

The hunter thrust again.

Kael moved.

Too fast.

His sword struck the spear shaft.

The metal cracked.

The hunter’s eyes widened.

Kael froze.

He hadn’t meant to hit that hard.

The spear snapped in two.

Silence.

Then the hunter stepped back.

His expression changed from surprise to certainty.

“Confirmed.”

Kael’s blood went cold.

The hunter reached for a whistle.

Darian threw his dagger.

It struck the hunter’s shoulder.

The whistle dropped.

Lyra stared.

“Confirmed what?”

“No time,” Darian said.

The hunter pulled the dagger free.

Blood ran down his arm.

He smiled.

“Run if you like.”

His eyes fixed on Kael.

“The Order always finds Crimson blood.”

Kael stopped.

Crimson blood.

The words echoed inside him.

Lyra went still.

Darian’s face hardened.

Kael stared.

“What does that mean?”

The hunter laughed.

“You truly don’t know?”

Darian attacked.

This time—

he did not hold back.

His second dagger struck the hunter across the chest.

The hunter fell.

Lyra flinched.

Kael stared.

For a second, no one moved.

Darian looked at them.

“Run.”

Kael looked at the fallen man.

“Is he dead?”

“Kael.”

“Is he?”

Darian did not answer.

That was answer enough.

Kael’s hands shook around the sword.

Darian grabbed his shoulder.

“If you stop every time someone trying to kill you falls, you will not survive the people behind him.”

Kael looked toward the distant torches.

More riders were coming.

He forced himself to move.

They reached the forest.

Dark branches swallowed the moonlight.

Lyra moved beside Kael.

Neither spoke.

Behind them, Darian covered their trail as best he could.

Kael kept hearing the hunter’s words.

Crimson blood.

He looked at Lyra.

She was pale.

“You heard him?”

“Yes.”

“What do you think it means?”

“I don’t know.”

“Lyra.”

“I don’t know!”

Her voice cracked.

She immediately looked away.

Kael softened.

“Sorry.”

She shook her head.

“I’m scared.”

That was rare.

Lyra admitted anger.

Annoyance.

Frustration.

Never fear.

Kael moved closer.

“So am I.”

She looked at him.

For a moment, they were simply two sixteen-year-olds who had left home in the middle of the night and had no idea why people wanted them dead.

Lyra whispered—

“Do you think our parents lied about everything?”

“No.”

“How can you know?”

Kael thought about his mother.

Her hands.

Her fear.

The way she had told him he had not been born evil.

“Because some things were real.”

Lyra nodded slowly.

“Our friendship?”

Kael looked at her.

“Definitely.”

A tiny smile appeared.

Then vanished when a howl echoed behind them.

Not a wolf.

A signal.

Darian turned.

“Faster.”

They traveled until their legs ached.

Eventually, Darian led them into a rocky hollow hidden beneath enormous roots.

“Rest.”

Lyra dropped her pack.

Kael sat heavily against a tree.

Darian remained standing.

Watching the darkness.

Lyra looked at him.

“No.”

Darian glanced back.

“No what?”

“No more delays.”

She stood.

“You said once we were far enough away.”

“We are not safe.”

“We may never be safe.”

That stopped him.

Lyra stepped closer.

“Tell us something.”

Darian looked at Kael.

Kael said nothing.

He didn’t need to.

Darian sighed.

“The Ashen Order was not created to hunt every dragon.”

Lyra frowned.

“Then what?”

“Certain bloodlines.”

Kael’s chest tightened.

“Crimson.”

Darian nodded.

“Why?”

“Because one thousand years ago, the world decided Crimson dragons were too dangerous to exist.”

Kael went still.

Vharagor.

The stories.

The destroyed city.

The chant.

Crimson scales bring crimson ruin.

Lyra’s face lost color.

“What does that have to do with us?”

Darian looked at both of them.

Too long.

Kael stood.

“No.”

Darian said nothing.

Kael’s breathing changed.

“No.”

Lyra looked between them.

“Dad…”

Darian finally spoke.

“You are connected to that bloodline.”

Silence.

Lyra stared.

Kael laughed once.

It sounded broken.

“Connected how?”

Darian looked away.

“I was not given every answer.”

Kael stepped forward.

“Are we related to someone?”

“Perhaps.”

“Vharagor?”

Darian’s expression changed.

That was enough to terrify him.

Lyra whispered—

“We’re descendants?”

“I don’t know.”

Kael’s anger returned.

“Then what do you know?”

Darian faced them.

“I know that when you were born, people died protecting you.”

Both froze.

“I know that two families were told to disappear.”

His voice lowered.

“I know that your identities were changed.”

Kael stared.

“My name?”

“Your family name.”

Lyra’s hand went to her mouth.

Darian continued.

“I know that the Ashen Order has been searching for signs of Crimson blood ever since.”

Kael felt cold.

“So we were never safe.”

“No.”

“And our parents knew.”

“Yes.”

Lyra stepped backward.

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Because children talk.”

“We’re not children.”

“You were when we made the choice.”

Lyra looked furious.

Then wounded.

Kael understood both.

Darian continued.

“We hoped the signs would never appear.”

Kael looked at his hands.

“But they did.”

“Yes.”

“What happens now?”

Darian’s answer came quietly.

“Now they hunt you.”

Far behind them, Commander Veyra stood inside Larkspur’s square.

A hunter handed her the broken shaft of the silver spear.

She examined the fracture.

One clean break.

Too much force for a normal human.

A second hunter approached.

“Tracks lead northwest.”

“How many?”

“Three.”

Veyra looked toward Aldren.

He stood near the fountain.

Silent.

“You delayed them.”

Aldren did not deny it.

“You lied in your report.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I saw them save this village.”

Veyra looked toward the damaged northern gate.

“That changes nothing.”

“It should.”

She turned toward him.

“Do you know what happened the last time the world ignored Crimson blood?”

Aldren’s expression hardened.

“I know the story.”

“No.”

Veyra stepped closer.

“You know the version taught to children.”

Aldren said nothing.

She handed the broken spear shaft back to the hunter.

“Take ten riders.”

“Alive?”

Veyra looked toward the northwest road.

“For now.”

“And Vale?”

Aldren looked at her.

Commander Veyra’s expression became cold.

“Detain him.”

Two hunters stepped forward.

Aldren did not resist.

Veyra mounted her horse.

“Before sunrise, I want the boy and the girl found.”

The hunter beside her nodded.

“And if they transform?”

Aldren’s eyes widened.

Veyra answered without hesitation.

“Kill them.”

Aldren stared.

The riders disappeared into the darkness.

In the forest, Kael could not sleep.

Lyra rested nearby beneath her cloak.

Darian kept watch.

Kael stared into the tiny fire they had built between the rocks.

Crimson blood.

The phrase would not leave him.

He held one hand over the flames.

Close.

Too close.

The heat should have hurt.

It didn’t.

He lowered his fingers slightly.

A flame touched his skin.

Kael jerked back.

Not from pain.

From fear.

There was no burn.

Nothing.

Lyra’s voice came quietly from behind him.

“You did that on purpose.”

Kael turned.

She was awake.

“I needed to know.”

“And?”

Kael looked at his hand.

“Nothing.”

Lyra sat beside him.

For a while, they watched the fire.

Then she asked—

“Do you think we’re dangerous?”

Kael didn’t answer immediately.

He remembered the broken spear.

The boar.

The wolves.

The monsters retreating.

The smoke leaving his mouth.

“I don’t know.”

Lyra looked down.

“That isn’t reassuring.”

“It’s true.”

She pulled her knees closer.

“What if they’re right?”

Kael turned.

“About what?”

“Crimson blood.”

Her voice became quieter.

“What if whatever is inside us really is dangerous?”

Kael looked toward the darkness.

Then back at her.

“We haven’t hurt anyone.”

“Not yet.”

“Lyra.”

She looked at him.

Kael shook his head.

“We are not letting people we just met decide who we are.”

Lyra’s expression softened slightly.

He continued—

“If there is something wrong with us, we figure it out.”

“And if there isn’t?”

“Then they’re hunting us for something we never did.”

Lyra looked at the fire.

“That sounds worse.”

“Probably.”

A small laugh escaped her.

Kael smiled faintly.

Then—

somewhere far beyond the trees—

a horn sounded.

Darian stood immediately.

The sound came again.

Closer.

He grabbed his weapons.

“They found our trail.”

Kael and Lyra rose.

The fire was kicked out.

Darkness swallowed the hollow.

Darian pointed deeper into the forest.

“Move.”

Kael tightened his cloak.

Lyra reached for his hand.

He took it.

Together, they ran into the darkness.

Behind them—

the hunters followed.