Demon Hunter 5

Jeff cocked his head, puzzled. "Why did you need to know? A vampire couldn't come past this fence, anyway, could he?"

The man smiled and shook his head. "Vampires can go anywhere, even on holy land, as long as they're invited in."

"Who are you, and how do you know so much?"

"My name's Richard Karry. I learned from experience." He wiped a strand of long white hair out of his face and opened the fence door.

They walked through and felt a rush of cool wind greet them. Suddenly, everything seemed brighter and happier.

"Come on inside. I got fresh water from the well inside if yer thirsty."

Richard, or Rich as he insisted they call him, sat the two down at a table in the basement and filled a clay pitcher full of icy cold water.

Jeff drank the cup Rich poured for him in two big gulps. Ashley picked hers up and sipped from it while Jeff and Rich talked.

"There's more of us down here," Jeff started. "and they're going to Vaardock Castle."

"What the hell are you goin' there for?" Rich asked, "and how many more?"

Jeff filled up his cup with water as he answered. "We're going for the Black Pearl before it gets any stronger, and there are three more of us." He took a big gulp.

"We're all Hunters," Ashley added.

"Oh, no! They're probably halfway to the castle now!" Jeff finished his cup and slammed it down as he stood. "Thanks, Rich, but we gotta go."

"Wait! Before you go, take these." Rich hobbled off to the back room that held the well and appeared back almost immediately. He held for canteens in one hand, all hanging from a strap. "Extra water for your buddies-send them my regards. And say ...hi' to the demons for me."

Jeff smiled and swiped three of the canteens from Rich's hand.

"Can do."

"Will do," Ashley said as she took the remaining two canteens.

Rich escorted them back up to the church hall. The younger Hunters said a quick prayer before heading through the door.

"Good luck!"

Alex, Bob, and Dillon had thought of a plan of attack. They'd have to wait for Jeff and Ashley to show up, but it would most definitely work.

Their plan was to have Bob and Jeff move around to the opposite wall of the front gate and cause a commotion. They'd either get in by jumping the wall or going through it. Dillon, Alex, and Ashley would work their way in from behind, taking out the archers on the wall and generally causing more chaos. They would go around to the back of the demons that would be fighting the other two Chosen and help kill them.

Once the courtyard was cleared, they'd start the search for the Pearl.

The three present Hunters were lying on a hill not fifty feet away from the castle. Archers lined the top of the wall, and ten guards either sat or stood talking to one of their comrades in the front. All were Screechers in armor armed with a sword at their hips and a spear in their hands.

Bob scanned the castle sizing up the demons and deciding it shouldn't be much of a problem. While scanning, Bob glimpsed Jeff and Ashley following the trail. They dipped out of view, but he knew they'd reappear in a few seconds.

Since he and the other two were only slightly off the trail, he'd be able to call to them without the demons hearing.

"I hope Jeff and Ashley are doing okay," Alex muttered to herself.

Bob nudged her and pointed as the two Hunters in question appeared again over the hill. "Speak of the devil."

Alex giggled and Dillon snorted. They needed some humor, however grim.

Jeff and Ashley disappeared again, but almost immediately appeared around the side of a hill.

"Hey, I think I see something!"

Jeff and Ashley flattened themselves to the ground instantly. The guards in front were now alert, standing at attention. Their spears pointed forward like pins out of a pincushion.

"Psst! Over here!"

Jeff and Ashley searched for the voice and almost immediately found the source of it. Dillon was flattened against a hill short enough to be called a dune and was waving his arms. Half of his body was covered by another dune that was placed closely to the one Dillon waited on. The glinting steel of the blades caught Jeff's attention, and he started crawling army-style towards Dillon.

Bob's head popped into sight, smiling as usual. His bright white teeth and bright blue eyes seemed out of place in the dark redness of the landscape.

Jeff and Ashley were able to crawl to the three without further alert.

"It was probably just one of the patrols, you dumbhead!"

Dillon quickly explained the plan of attack to Jeff and Ashley who quickly approved.

"Why don't we just storm the front gate?" asked Jeff.

" ...He who overcomes his enemies by stratagem, is as much to be praised as he who overcomes them by force.' Machiavelli. In other words, we'll get the same amount of glory without the risk of getting stuck with ten spears or pin cushioned by arrows from the wall," Dillon explained.