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Kane P.O.V

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We spent days upon days continuing our search for the witches to no avail, so in a unanimous vote, we decided it would be best to disband the hunting party and return home.

Our food and water sources were running low and we needed to replenish them as starved and dehydrated hunters weren't fun to deal with.

Unfortunately, we weren't exactly going home, but back to the village where we were staying at for the time being.

I was both disappointed and relieved at the same time. I was disappointed in myself because I had failed my task of locating the witch, but I was relieved that the group didn't find another witch. I didn't want innocent blood on my hands or to my name.

"Next time Kane." Kit whispered as he gently clutched my shoulders, giving me a small shake back and forth before letting me off with a reassuring squeeze as he matched pace with me.

"How do I know there will be a next time?" I sighed I always let my failures take over my mind.

"Kane." Kit paused stopping me in my tracks. We were bringing up the rear of the party watching everyone's backs so no one would notice if we lagged behind.

"There will be another chance, there always is. Don't think of this as a bad sign, you almost got the chance to talk to one. Next time you just need to go alone and try to find the same witch again."

"Thanks for that," I spoke play punching him on the shoulder.

I liked having Kit here with me; he always helped me and remained by my side. Looking at him now, he is no longer my childish cousin that used to follow me around. He was an adult now, well, as adult as 16 year old gets. He no longer has a small baby face or puffy cheeks and his shoulders have broadened into that to resemble a hardy and tough young man, although his personality is still that of a joker he always has a smile on his face through thick and thin.

And as much as his mother hated it, he still has his trademark thick shaggy black hair with a small and scruffy little beard. We looked as though we could be brothers instead of cousins; neither of us minded that as we grew up together. Our mothers would say that we were thick as thieves. Always getting up to mischief. Look at us now, I suppose she was right. My face darkened as I remembered our changes...

All of that childhood glee changed on the day my father died. And a few years later we lost Kits mother to an illness, so my mother and Kits father decided to combine our families and live together. To ensure that we were all protected and grew up with both a mother and a father figure.

Each member living in our household we were all related to, so no one thought anything wrong with how we were living at the time, many in our village expected them to marry each other.

"Are you still coming or have you found something?" James, one of the other hunters yelled out to us.

His voice broke me from my mind and obviously Kit as well we both lived in our minds when we weren't planning schemes together.

"Were coming!" I yelled back.

"We thought we saw something but the tracks are old. Maybe a few weeks old." Kit called over as we walked back over to the group.

"What do you think happened to Heller's son?" Another from the group asked looking over at Kit.

None of us has spoken about it since the night Heller left us; we were all trying to focus on the job ahead of us and keep our minds healthily occupied.

"I don't know..." Kit spoke softly.

"But he was with the southern raiders hunting party, something could've happened to them since if the rumours were correct, the most dangerous witches are that way."

The group fell into a silence as we continued walking; we all have heard the stories of how deadly a witch may be when backed up into a corner.

We've been warned that they are very emotional being's and that their powers are connected to each of their emotions, so if frightened or angry the power that they use may be more intense than normal.

Witches who were being taunted have been known to lash out at those who were attacking them sometimes. People think this gives them a more fearsome reputation as they are unpredictable but I think when approached gently, they can be kinder and easier to get on with than humans.

Unfortunately, because of their 'wild' nature, our training teaches us to sneak up on them and get to them before they can expect it. We are also taught to bind their hands and cover both their eyes and mouth. Every witch is different and can cast spells and incantations, just about any type of magic by speaking, looking or just moving their hands. Some use all types combined, some just one.

You just can never know when it comes to witches. It's a part of the reason that I admire them so much.

The rest of our trek back to the base camp went by in a blur; it was nearing nightfall when we saw the village lights of lanterns in the distance.

We followed the rest of our hunting party to the tavern everyone was heading there besides those with wives. Which was very few of the men who were hunting here.

Kit and I walked into the tavern with a smile on our faces and in good spirits for once. There is just something about returning home and being able to have a drink that can put a man in a good and relaxed mood.

Nothing is better then a nice cold ale after being away for days. The way it slides down ones throat creating a warm and fuzzy feeling, numbing all of the other pain. Numbing thoughts and feelings.

Kit slapped me on the back as we walked in as I gave him a slight shove back. We were heading over to the bar to drink the night away.

That plan and our happy atmosphere all changed however when we saw Heller sitting with arms crossed smugly by the fireplace, he had lowered himself into the massive chair that he just had to bring from his home.

It's his own personal 'throne' he believes that he is better then the rest of us when he places himself in it.

A king among men he likes to say to anyone and everyone who can hear his voice.

"Each time I see him like that he looks a little eviler. Like he is the one we should be frightened of." Kit whispered to me. I had to hold back a laugh as I couldn't help but agree with him.

Heller is definitely not a man you'd want to run into alone at night. The fire behind him was illuminating his black hair that has specks of grey showing his age. The fire behind him seemed to blacken it more then what it really is. To be honest, I have to give it to Kit, Heller really does look like an evil man. His face, may it be starting to wrinkle from age, always has a permanent scowl in it. Either that or he is sneering at you in disappointment. His eyes look as though they could kill and I don't believe I have ever seen him smile other than the trademark sneer. Not once in all the years, I have been forced to follow him.

The scar that runs from his right eyebrow all the way down to his lip doesn't make him any more approachable either. Any smart person would move out of his way.

His attitude doesn't help either; he thinks that he is better than everyone around him.

Kit and I went and ordered our drinks taking them to a nearby table. One where I am facing him, being able to watch him without actually having to watch him and draw his attention my way.

Although his attention is always focused on me. Watching me always, trying to see and catch me out when I mess up. Which thankfully has not happened yet, and I hope will not happen.

Messing up is not a risk I can take.

Kit and I laughed and joke with some of the men in the tavern having a good time and downing as many drinks as we felt like. I could feel the ale taking hold of me, so I slowed down my drinking to ensure that I had a clear mind in case anything was to happen.

Which appeared to be happening now. I saw Heller glaring over at us but he appeared to have a small smirk on his face.

This was not a good sign.

I kicked Kit slightly under the table. "What?" He questioned me in his drunken slur.

I motioned my head over to Heller's direction, he was still watching the both of us as he raised a hand and waved us over.

"What do you think he wants?" Kit burped out as we made our way over.

"I don't know, but judging from the look on his face, It's nothing good," I replied as I kept my eyes trained on Heller.

As we approached him the smirk grew bigger and bigger like he knew some joke that we didn't.

"You wanted us." I spoke directly to him; I am in no mood to play around.

"Yes indeed I have, I have some very good news for us." His smirk grew until it covered his whole face, with a gleam in his eyes.

"What is it?" I asked paling slightly. If its good news for him it is very, very bad news for me.

"We have been summoned. The King wants to see us." He laughed as he handed me the letter with the kings seal attached to it.

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J xx 😘