The Hunter Victorious by Rose Estes Read Free Book Online Page A

years to come, but all life
     will have been extinguished long before that time, quite possibly in the next few years … or months.”
    “What do you mean?” Braldt asked, leaning forward and staring intently at the two old men.
    “The solar flares,” Brandtson repeated. “We still have no reliable method of predicting when a solar flare will erupt. Even
     worse than the flares are the solar storms. The level of radiation and ultraviolet rays that bathe the planet during those
     times are lethal. Those who are not fortunate to be killed instantly die hideous, painful, lingering deaths. We do not have
     the luxury of time on our side.”
    Braldt stared at the two men, absorbing their words, seeing that they were utterly convinced as to the truth of their words.
     “Who will be chosen?” he asked at last.
    “All those who are willing to commit to Otir Vaeng heart and soul,” replied Saxo. “It is from their numbers that he will choose
     his vanguard. We will not be among them.”
    “Why not?” Braldt asked in astonishment. “You are two of the highest ranking members of the Council of Thanes, as well as
     the most respected!”
    “That is precisely why we will not be chosen,” said Saxo, his fingers tugging gently at Thunder’s thick fur. “He cannot risk
     having loyalties divided. He cannot be certain of retaining control unless his is the strongest voice.”
    “But you were both at the meeting tonight. He saw you; surely he does not question your loyalty!”
    “No, he does not question our loyalty,” Brandtson replied with an ironic grin as he looked over at Saxo. “He knows alltoo well that we have minds of our own and are not afraid to speak out against him if we are so moved. Saxo and I are undoubtedly
     at the top of his death list.”
    Braldt was horrified. From all that he had observed during his time on Valhalla, it had seemed that his grandfather was much
     loved and respected and held a position of honor in the council of his peers. And Saxo … he sat at the king’s right hand and
     opened and closed every council meeting. Surely he was untouchable! “Are there others like yourselves?” he asked quietly.
     “Others in positions of power whom the king views as the enemy? If so, we must seek them out, tell them what you have told
     me and—”
    Suddenly the calm quietude of the room was shattered by an eerie wolf howl that filled the air and electrified their senses.
     Thunder leapt to his feet, his ears plastered flat against his head, an impressive mouth full of fangs bared in an angry hiss,
     green eyes blazing. The three men rose from their chairs, cups and their contents tumbling forgotten to the floor. Saxo and
     Brandtson stared at one another. “So soon.…” Saxo murmured softly. Then, even as the howling increased and furious blows rained
     upon the inner door, Saxo looked around the room in sorrow, seized Thunder and his cloak in one swift motion, and exited by
     way of the outer door, followed by Brandtson and Braldt. As the door swung shut behind them and a series of bolts thunked
     into the stone walls, they could hear the crazed baying of wild animals and splintering of wood behind them.

5

    The ice storm had increased in its intensity and that was their salvation, for as the three men hurled themselves out of the outer door, they were met by powerful buffeting winds
     that drove snow and sleet against their unprotected flesh like frozen arrows. To a man they doubled over instinctively, in
     an attempt to present as small a target as possible to the winds. By doing so, they saved their lives, as several shadowy
     forms, barely visible in the dense obscurity of the storm, staggered forward and swung their blades. Had they been upright,
     they would have been cleaved apart.
    Steel rang out against stone, sending vibrations traveling up the cold metal and into the attackers’ arms. Braldt knew well
     what that would feel like, for a brief moment vicariously imagining the