Page 20 of A Hunter for Luna

I snorted at the flight of fantasy, then stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the wooden floor. Visiting a bathhouse and a cookshop should be my priority right now.

A few hours later, clean and fed, I strolled to the outskirts of the town, the salty sea breeze ruffling my hair. The sun beat down mercilessly, a familiar sensation, barely noticed.

The apothecary here was of Jesnani heritage, from the northern tribes that lived north of the Renhos mountains. He always had useful information, even if it wasn’t about my target.

Jari's shop came into view, a small but well-maintained building surrounded by a wild garden. The scent of medicinal herbs hung heavy in the air, mingling with the tang of the ocean. Scarlet and emerald, Jesnani tokens hung from the trees and fluttered in the breeze.

He put them there to keep evil influences out, but they never stopped me.

I pushed open the door, a small bell announcing my arrival. Jari stood at a counter, grinding something in his pestle. He looked up from his work, his pale blue eyes meeting mine. He was tall, his skin sunburned an even dark pink. His skin looked even stranger surrounded by his hair, a light reddish blond.

A simple cotton tunic and trousers clothed his wiry frame, and his leather belt was adorned with the tanned scalps of his enemies.

No Jesnani warrior could marry without a collection of scalps. The tradition marked their victories.

"Back again, are you?" He wiped his hands on his apron, clean but stained by the plants and juices that were his work. "I thought your family being here would be the talisman to drive you away."

I laughed and approached the counter. "Not even that potent ward could keep me away. Have you heard any more rumors about where Moonshifter's lives now?"

Jari scratched his beard, his gaze drifting to the rows of drying herbs hanging from the rafters. "One of my cousins sent word. Says a giant wolf, a maneater, hunts the Ygris Pass, up in the Renhos Mountains. Sounds like Moonshifter. White as snow, even in summer, with fangs as long as a spear." He fixed me with a pointed look. "Or it could be bait."

Of course information could be a trap. But this tidbit matched a few others I’d gathered recently.

Shoving down the excitement at a lead confirmed, I forced myself to remain calm.

"Thanks, Jari," I said, tossing a small pouch of coins onto the counter. "For your trouble, though I won’t say no to more of your hangover sure."

Jari nodded, pocketing the payment. He reached behind him and pulled out a handful of twists of paper. He packaged the hangover remedy in them, so you used as much as was needed each time. "I’ve seen your wife around town, d’Alvarez. She’s a lovely thing. Maybe you should find more hobbies."

Flicking my fingers in dismissal of his words, I left the shop.

Odd he’d mentioned the girl. He wasn’t the type to find unripe fruit attractive.

Lost in thought, I nearly collided with someone. "Benedetto? Is that you?"

I looked up, startled out of my reverie. "Silas?"

Silas Valiades, an old acquaintance from school, stood before me. He was shorter than me, with curly light brown hair cropped short and a tanned complexion. His clothing, though subtly mended, was still well-made.

The Valiades clan had lost several ships over the past year, causing significant financial trouble for them.

"It's been a while," he said, a smile on his face but a glint of challenge in his eyes. "It’s been a bit of a day for me already. I need a fight to clear my head. If you've still got that famous speed, would you care for a friendly fencing bout?"

I didn’t hesitate. A good bout would help clear my head too. "Lead the way."

Legnali had several training yards catering to the tourist population. We made our way to the nearest, only a short walk away.

Both of us stripped down to our shirts, stretching and limbering our wrists. I saluted him, raiding my blade.

“Ready?”

He grinned and saluted back, then circled to the left.

After a few easy strikes I fell into the familiar rhythm, muscle memory guiding my movements. Silas lunged, I parried, I feinted, he took the bait.

Pulling short of touching him, I shook my head, “Your guard was weak there.”

He snorted. “I let you through.”

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