42 Chapter 42

Hunter landed just beyond the sight of the Goanna camp, as he looked over, Azoth got off Harpoon. Hunter then followed suit as he questioned Azoth's motives. Hunter walked up to him to ask him when Azoth handed him a mask and clothes. "Get changed; we are going to enter their camp and find out where Ark is before we make any plans."

Hunter took the clothes and changed into them. He stared at the mask, "So, what is your plan, once we find him?" Hunter was questioning his master.

Azoth turned to him, his face stiff with anger. "You are not to question me, HU-NT-3T!" Hunter froze as he heard his clone name. Azoth grabbed him by the collar, "Now get your mask on and make sure Harpoon is secured!"

Hunter felt a strange sensation as he listened to Azoth. He did as he was told, Hunter thought on Vails words before he left. The term 'traitor' rang loud and clear as he followed Azoth to the camp. Hunter could see that they were recently in battle as Azoth walked up to a young warrior, asking where Ark was. Hunter turned to see a set of griffons flying in; on them, he recognized Lovell in the front with eight others. He nudged Azoth; he turned to see Lovell and the others as they landed.

He orders Hunter to follow him as they made their way to them. Hunter, afraid to disobey, followed Azoth. As they walked, Hunter noticed an older man, he was being swarmed by the gang, and Lovell walked off. He went to follow Lovell when Azoth stopped him.

"We are not here to get sidetracked Hunter but to scout out, and you are to stay by my side no matter what!" Azoth ordered; Hunter knew that he was not in a good mood telling by his tone.

Hunter turned to Lovell's direction as he noticed Ark heading the same way. "Master." Hunter was trying to please Azoth as he just wished to get a feel of the area before discussing a plan.

Azoth looked to see Ark walking off. "Head back to Harpoon and wait for me." He walked off, leaving Hunter behind.

Hunter decided to take his time and search the camp for openings and places to set a trap. As he walked around, Hunter bumped into Scarlet, "Oh, sorry, I didn't see you?" Hunter fixed his mask as he looked at her. "I hope I didn't startle you?"

Hunter turned to her, and he smiled softly. "I-I should be apologizing, miss…?" Hunter hoped to gain her name.

"Its Scarlet," Hunter calmly shacked her hand. "and you are?"

Hunter froze as he thought of a name. "I-I'm," Hunter cleared his throat. "I-I'm Wild." Hunter couldn't think of anything as the words slipped out.

Scarlet stood stunned, "Sorry, I must have caught you off guard, Wild was it?"

Hunter nodded as she leaned in, behind the mask, he could feel his face turn red as the heat washed over him. "N-no, it's alright. I was just caught off guard, and yes, it's Wild."

Scarlet stared at his mask. "What's with the mask?"

Hunter pulled back, holding his mask as he turned away. "It is so I can keep my identity a secret from outsiders, s-so I can do my job more efficiently. I-I need to get going, though." Hunter began to walk away as Scarlet grabbed his arm.

Hunter turned to her as she smiled, "Come with me for a while, it might be good to see things, and you might have some insight about what's going on here since your—"

Hunter stopped dead in his tracks, Scarlet's face confused, "Sorry, but I'm not here much, and I don't know what is going on at the time." Hunter bowed at her his face beet red, as he tried to keep his composure.

Scarlet watched as he walked away. Hunter picked up his pace as he left the camp, returning to Harpoon, as Azoth asked.

Upon his return, Hunter pulled his mask off. He covered his mouth, unsure what he was feeling—Hunter sat down beside Harpoon and stared at him. Hunter begins to ponder on what Vail last said to him.

Hunter shook his head as he lowered it, "I am not a traitor…NO, I am loyal to a fault!" Hunter jumped to his feet, then the thought of Scarlet race to his ideas. He turned red as he thought of her. He tried to refocus, fighting different emotions.

Harpoon lifted his head toward Hunter. "You seem troubled, master?" Harpoon's voice bellowed.

Hunter sat back down, hanging his head. "I am, I feel something strange within, and I don't know what it is?" Harpoon tilted his head at Hunter. "It's not like you would know what going on."

Harpoon turned his gaze to the skies, "As we are connected and from what I can tell on your face." the dragon shifted his eyes to Hunter. "You have found, well, love or interest in someone?" Hunters face stiffened as his complexion reddened. "Master please remember that whatever happens, I will stay by your side to the end—"

Harpoon stopped as Azoth approached. Hunter, unaware, sat still think on what Harpoon was saying. Azoth walked up to him and grabbed him by the collar. She was throwing him across their camp. Hunter rubbed his head, looking up to see Azoth walk towards him. Hunter froze as he watched in horror, seeing Azoth's excretion.

Azoth lifted Hunter to his feet. "I told you to come straight back!" Hunter winced in anticipation. Azoth noticed the sun setting, knowing what was going to happen backed off Hunter. Hunter opened his eyes to see Azoth walk to his tent. "We will talk more about today in the morning. I have more pressing matters to take care of."

Hunter stared as he watched him close his tent for the night. Harpoon leans over to him. "Count your blessings there, Master, he could have killed you here and now."

Hunter nodded as he slides down the rock face. He looked up the sky, seeing the orange and deep blue sunset scatter amongst the rouge clouds. Tears began to stream down his face, "Harpoon, we are going to kill them, aren't we?" Harpoon nodded at Hunter, "Then why do I feel guilty, what is happening to me and why is it only me out of all the others before that I don't want to die but—" He cut himself off, shaking his head, "No, I need to do as I am told, and not ask questions."

At that moment, Azoth returned, Hunter stood up as he turned to face him. Azoth walked past him, "be ready for tomorrow evening," Azoth stopped, he stood only inches away from Hunter. "We strike before dusk."

Hunter's heart sank as he heard the words rolled across Azoths tongue. Harpoon reared back, watching Azoth enter his tent. Hunter torn and unsure why he couldn't be rid of this feeling. Wander off to Harpoons' side and curled up at his side. Tears began to stream down his face, but no sound came from him; it was as if time had stopped, and the world was watching his every action. Harpoon could only wrap himself around Hunter as they sat there.