9 Ulmir’s Domain

Yanoku city, inside Zedd's villa: Summer of the Red Moon, Two Days Before the Hunt. 

Inside Zedd's study, bookshelves were stacked against the walls. From top to bottom, the walls were adorned with encyclopedias, Old Scriptures and even some Grimoires related to elemental magic.

 "What're all these books for?" Cane, Zedd's new guest, asked. 

"Some fights are won with the sword, others with one's mind," Zedd replied.

He walked behind his desk, turned then said, "Thanks to these books my dear Cane, we will achieve our goal. Look at the map on this desk. Memorize it like the back of your hand." 

"What for?" Cane asked. 

"You've never participated in the Hunt. You'll need to know the layout of Ulmir's Domain." 

"Did you try the Hunt before?" Cane asked. 

"No," Zedd lied. "But I've read and heard enough descriptions to know what to expect." 

��What happens during the Hunt?" Cane asked. 

"Forget what you know of this world. For the Hunt is an event governed by an actual God." Zedd replied.

"May Ulmir guide our way," Cane vehemently whispered.

'No, not Ulmir, that God died long ago,' Zedd thought. 

"Ulmir's domain is treacherous, full of nasty beasts the likes of which have never surfaced to our world," he said instead. 

"Yes I heard stories," Cane said. 

"Hearing is one thing, seeing is another," Zedd said while observing the map he had spread on his desk. "Tell me, what's the hardest prey you've had to hunt?"

Cane thought for a moment, "Zhang probably, but that beast was just too big to handle. And there's Goradon," Cane stroked his chin, absorbed in thought. "Goradon's the hardest. It's quick, smart and it got elemental energy." 

Zedd smiled approvingly. "Zhang is just a poor misunderstood beast. It just wants to be like humans. There's no harm in stealing silk from time to time." 

"A contract's a contract. Doesn't matter what the beast thinks," Cane commented.

"Oh but it does," Zedd retorted. "The empire thinks we're savages, trying to resist the perfect system their 'savior' thought of. To them, we're no different than Zhang who steals silk to dress up like nobles." 

"Beasts attack and kill without remorse. They're dangerous," Cane said.

"Armies kill and invade," Zedd replied. "They rape women, kill children. They even destroy cities and civilizations. Have you ever seen a city after war had ravaged it?" 

Cane shook his head. 

"There's but rubble and fire. Livestock is slaughtered. The live ones mourn their sorry state before thinking of their dead relatives. Women are raped, repeatedly. Children are taken away to the slaughterhouse or to be sold as slaves." Zedd looked at the map, then at the big man beside him. "Tell me, how are we different from the monsters you hunted for a living?"

Cane remained silent, pondering at Zedd's words. "We can change our minds," he finally said. "The beasts act on instinct. We think." 

"This is the first thing you need to forget when entering Ulmir's domain," Zedd said. "The beasts you'll encounter there, especially the strong ones… They're highly intelligent. If you encounter any of them, you run and don't look back."

"Aren't we hunting the strongest of the beasts?" Cane asked.

"We are, but we can't hunt the Watchdog if we're dead, can we?" Zedd retorted.

"What d'ya have in mind then?" Cane asked.

"Two things," Zedd answered then held up two fingers. "First we plan. I have compiled data on the sentient monsters that appeared in Ulmir's domain. Second, we think of our reactions when the plan goes south." 

"What's the use of a plan then?" Cane mockingly asked.

"The plan helps us reach Ulmir's Castle with minimal damage," Zedd said. "Remember, it's a world we know little of. There will be a lot of variables we can't control."

Noticing Cane's confusion, Zedd decided to change tactics. "Here, look at this." Zedd urged his new recruit to look at the map. "The square you see in the middle is Ulmir's castle. Every hunter who successfully finishes the Hunt's First Phase will go there. That's where the final fights take place. Our priority is to reach this place unscathed."

"Unswhat?" Cane asked.

"With no critical injuries," Zedd clarified.

"What about the beasts we have to hunt?" he asked again. 

"We only need to hunt one, present it to Ulmir as a team then enter the gate." 

"Why would we go in as a team?" Cane asked.

"I need us to register as a team to cover my tracks." Zedd heaved a heavy sigh. 

"I don't follow," Cane commented.

"Of course you don't. I haven't explained everything to you yet," Zedd said. 

"Please explain then," Cane said annoyed. 

"I was asked to dispose of the imperials that were granted access to the Hunt," Zedd declared. "It's an offense the empire punishes for greatly. I don't want them chasing me at the moment, so I'll be giving them a false lead."

"Y'mean to use me as bait?" Cane asked. His breathing got shorter. His eyes furiously fixed Zedd's.

 "I've seen you fight Cane," Zedd calmly replied. "You're an excellent fighter. You think on your feet. And you're not afraid of death. These are rare qualities. I'm not willing to let such a talent go to waste. The imperials will eat you up. 

"The commanders in the empire have incredible weapons. Facing them in a one on one battle would mean certain death for you. I mean to defeat the imperials alone. But if we enter the contest as a team, I won't be their prime suspect."

"They'll suspect everyone," Cane commented. 

"They'll suspect me, especially after the Second Phase starts," Zedd corrected. "But they won't be able to find me." 

"Yer confusing me black eyes." 

"That's the point, isn't it?" Zedd asked with wide grin. 

Cane could only scratch his head. 

Zedd walked towards the only wall in the study that didn't have bookshelves. 

"This is my sword." Zedd unsheathed a sword that was hanging on the wall. "This one is imbued with lightning. One strike from it is enough to char any warrior, no matter the type of armor they're wearing. But it has a weakness." 

"What is it?" Cane asked. 

"It needs to be recharged," Zedd said. "I'll lend you this sword, but you have to use the element sparingly. It's important that you follow my instructions to the letter. One mistake and you might lose your life needlessly." 

"What am I s'posed to do?" Cane asked. Zedd hadn't explained that part yet. 

"The hunting grounds are divided into four parts," Zedd replied. He walked back to the desk and stared at the map. "There's Ulmir's Garden, an unforgiving forest. That's the one you see here, south of the large square." He pointed at the map for Cane to see. 

Cane listened carefully to Zedd's plan. "I'll clear the area for us," he told Cane. "The empire will surely head for the Faery Plains. There's a hidden place there I'm sure they'd love to exploit. I'll take care of them before heading to the Garden."

"What's important about this place?" Cane asked. 

"Later friend, you're new to this world. You'll get lost in information if I explain every little detail to you."

"Fair enough," Cane admitted. 

"No matter where you land, you have to find your way toward Ulmir's Garden. This is where the Watchdog sleeps." 

"And this Watchdog��s stronger than all the monsters combined, yes?" Cane asked. 

Zedd nodded.

"Why do we have to go through the forest then?" Cane asked. "Can't we just find a strong beast like the other hunters do?" 

 "I can't explain it all to you until you've seen everything before your eyes," Zedd explained. "It's easier that way, trust me. All I can promise is that you'll gain strength that all the gold in the world can't buy." 

Zedd and Cane remained in the study for the remainder of the night. Food was brought to them by the many servants in the villa. At dawn, two days later, both men left the house. Each took a different route to reach the Hunters' guild. It was there that the procession would start. 

When Zedd reached the guild, he found hundreds of warriors assembled, ready to start the procession toward Sleigh Cave. Garland was waiting for all the summoned warriors to reach the guild. Zedd made his way toward him.

"Garland! It's good to know the strongest warrior in the guild will be leading us toward the gates of doom," he said with a wide smile.

"I still don't approve of your friend living in our city," Garland angrily said. 

"Sounds like Viraldo didn't let you drink this morning." Zedd seemed unaffected by the hunter's bad mood. 

"Leave me alone Zedd," Garland barked. "I hate escort jobs and I don't like you. I can't handle two annoying things at once." 

"Why don't you start the procession then? The latecomers will have to run or miss their chance at dying to horrible monsters," Zedd said.

"Hmm," Garland stroke his long beard for a while. "Those shitfaced bastards aren't here yet." 

"You mean the imperials?" Zedd asked. "I saw them leave early this morning toward the cave. They don't believe in our Gods. Why should they wait for our precious procession?"

"Damn it!" Garland swore under his breath. "Are you sure, Black Eyes?" 

"Certain," Zedd replied. "Ask your master if you don't believe me. Speaking of which, where's your master?" 

The guild's main door sprung open, bringing all the talk and laughter in the Main Hall to a halt. Alistair stood at the door, bloodied and badly wounded. The chancellor stood next to him, his hair combed and pomaded. He was smiling, the custodians stood behind him, armed to the teeth.

"Viraldo is dead. He was found guilty of High Treason to our nation," the Chancellor announced in a ceremonious tone. "For the sake of our city, I ask you to be obedient and follow my instructions. We don't want a bloodbath on the day of the Great Hunt."