Read Hunter's Bounty (Veller) for Free Online Page B

hunters have left their posts, deserted the Guild, and those that have stayed… well, it’s been hard enough to get Hunters to do routine assignments with what they know, post these numbers and it will be a mass desertion.”
    “Has it really come to that?”
    “As it stands we have lost nearly fifteen percent of our members.” Latherby said as he shook his head.
    He felt responsible for every missing Hunter, every death, ever desertion. It wasn’t happening to the Guild, it was happening to him, but then, as he had said before, he was the council, and therefore he was the Guild.
    “Do you believe the Sons of Terrabin are behind this?” Erin asked the question which was on her mind from the start, but she wasn’t the only one. There were a lot of Hunters that thought along the same lines.
    “As much as I would love to say yes, I can’t. They are as lost in the dark as the rest of us, but as lost as they are, they have still managed to seize the opportunity to convince enough members of the council that the old ways are not longer the best ways, and that’s just proof that things are changing too fast.” He replied as he indicated the bounty that Erin was absent-mindedly crushing in her hand.
    “What, they’re holding her responsible for the death of twenty one hunters?”
    “No, fortunately not, at least not yet. They are only holding her responsible for one death that they know of, a Mr. David Draw.”
    “Who?”
    “Mr. David Draw, the only thing I have on him is a short file with his name and address, little is known about him, but whoever he was, he must have been someone at some time. Andrew Drain of the council has met with the King’s advisor on the matter and has personally assured him that Kile Veller will be brought to justice.”
    “But an open bounty, isn’t that a bit rash. Every Hunter in every house will be looking for her . It’s like painting a target on her head. Has she even been warned?”
    “ That's just it, she’s gone.”
    “Gone, what do you mean gone?”
    “Three days ago Kile’s horse arrived back at Coopervill alone. Samuel Kane, the House Master, sent word to the council that another Hunter was missing. An investigation team was rerouted to her last location. She was making a delivery to a Mr. David Draw.”
    “Who they found dead.” Erin finished for him. She was sure she knew where the rest of this story was going, and she knew she wouldn’t like the ending.
    “Stabbed in the back with a long knife.”
    “But that doesn’t mean she did it.”
    “It was her long knife.”
    “How can they be so sure, I mean, it could be anyone’s knife.”
    “It was hers. They have a very good witness that saw her in possession of the knife.”
    “Who?”
    “Me.”
    “You sir… but…”
    “I gave her that long knife when she graduated the Academy. Believe me, I would know it anywhere.”
    “But… you don’t believe…”
    “What, that she did it. No, of course not, but it was enough evidence for Andrew to turn the council against me. He’s managed to… limit, my influence within the council, but not outside the council. That’s why I want you to find Kile Veller first. I am assigning this bounty to you.” Latherby said as he handed Kile the few files that he had with him. “I’d go myself, but I have to stay here. I have to convince the council before all this goes too far, and you are the only one that I can trust.”
    “Thank-you sir.” Erin replied as she got to her feet. “I’ll try not to let you down sir.”
    “You’ve got to find her before another hunter does. She’s only been a level five Hunter for a few months, it won’t take them long to catch up with her. You have to bring her in Erin, by any means you can.”
    “I’m going to need some help sir. I’m going to need Robert. He’s the best tracker and if Kile is on the run, I’ll need all the help I can get.”
    “I’ve already informed Master Folkstaff that he is to be assigned to you for