Fantasy
(Fic)
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The life of a beast hunter is often short and bloody. But in Victoria Boucher's case, it is eternal. After a vampire supremacist cult wiped out most of her kingdom and left her with a savage curse, she roams the empire of Guillamar with one desire: destroy any and all undead she gets her hands on. When the cult finally comes looking to finish what they started ten years prior, Victoria is faced with a choice: embrace the bloodthirsty instincts that drive her to kill the undead, or try to find a cure before the curse drives her to madness. "Sounds interesting!"
Victoria grunted as her feet hit the ground. She steadied herself against her horse, glad to be out of the saddle. The ride back into town had been a long, slow, and bumpy trek through the forest. Riven snorted and nudged her impatiently towards the hitch outside the storefront near the water trough. She patted his flank, taking hold of his reins and tying him to the hitching post. While he drank, she unloaded the rabbits she had strung on the back of the saddle and headed into the butcher shop. Th...
Chapter 2
The Last of Her Kind
Once she'd retrieved Riven from his stall and tipped the stable boy, Victoria steered him down the south road out of town. The sun was already beginning to dip below the horizon. It wouldn't be very long at all now before her prey would be on the move. The sooner she got to this supposed carriage attack, the better. Barely a few miles down the road, Riven came to a halt, ears up and alert. Victoria patted his flank and nudged him forward, eying the shadowed forest on either side of them. In t...
Chapter 3
A City Up in Arms
It was just before dawn when Tru'Lis came into sight. The triplet sister cities, as it was known. Victoria never liked coming here. It was too big, too chaotic. It sprawled across the river valley for what seemed like miles. Not to mention the fact that it housed the headquarters of the Knights of L'Oriath, an order of paladins that specialized in hunting the undead, among many other dangerous creatures. Their keep, housed in the center of the city, never failed to send shivers down her spine whenever sh...
Chapter 4
The Empress Beckons
Giselle groaned into her pillow when she heard someone knocking on the door. From out in the hall, she heard the housekeeper, Marienne, calling to her softly. When Giselle did not answer, Marienne slowly and quietly opened the door and called to her again. "Sorry to wake you, Your Grace, but it is almost time for breakfast. Monsieur Baudelaire says he has important news for you." "It is no trouble, Marienne." Giselle yawned as she pushed herself up and cast the sheets aside. "Knowing Au...
Every bounty hunter doing business in the Ilham District knew that if they wanted to keep doing business there, it came at the price of giving a small "donation" to Favian and his gang of bounty hunters at The Wailing Wretch. Victoria knew, however, that he didn't have the balls to dare ask her for a cut of her work unless she took a job directly from him. He and his cronies weren't the most honorable type, but they did good work when it came to killing monsters. By now, word would have spread to him tha...
Chapter 6
An Intruder at Midnight
TW: Blood, Gore, Injury, Violence Nothing excited Victoria quite as much as the thrill of the hunt. The sound of her prey's feet splashing in the puddles and hitting the ground with their heavy thunk-thunk made her heart race wildly. She had always enjoyed the satisfaction of beast hunting. But hunting undead had taken on a new and wondrous thrill. Maybe it was just her desire for revenge that drove her to take down the undead as she did now. Over the years, it h...
Chapter 7
The Price of Blood
TW: Brief description of corpses "Trus'Lis certainly has... changed over the years," Klen said as he and Victoria emerged from the woods and entered the Dark Quarter slums again. "What happened to this place?" "What hasn't happened here? Fires, high crime rates, drug pushing, corruption—Tru'Lis is not a friendly place for the poor." Victoria shook her head and picked up the pace. She wanted to be one of the first to arrive at the keep to claim her bounty when the gates ...
Chapter 8
A Little Too Late
Giselle drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair at the head of the table as she waited for everyone to enter the room. Thus far, only two of the five captains of the Knights of L'Oriath present in Tru'Lis had arrived. The long meeting hall table had room to seat over fifty people. Her seat was where the Knight Commander would typically sit during important meetings. Seeing as he was currently not present, that put Giselle as the highest-ranking person in the room. Auguste sat to her right, hand...
Chapter 9
A Huntress Names Valerie
Are you certain this is the place she was staying, Auguste?" Giselle withheld her grimace as they slowed to a stop in front of the Battershin Inn. It was surprisingly large and well-kept compared to the sparse cottages around it. The ruckus coming from inside and the smell of beer and bile in the street, however, made her feel dizzy. The sooner they were done, the better. "Lord Arion insisted that most of the reports of undead bounties confirmed to be killed by the Witch were submitted by the Guil...
Giselle had never found Tru'Lis to be an appealing city to be in. The tall buildings hid the sky from view and seemed to absorb as much sunlight as possible, leaving the streets gloomy and unpleasant to be in. Despite its forbidding streets and dreary architecture, it was one of the three largest cities in the empire. Scattered throughout the three districts were quite a few locations of prestige known throughout the empire, bound to draw the attention of this wandering witch with a bag full of coin to s...
Chapter 11
Killer Instincts
TW: Blood, death, discussion of physical and emotional trauma, violence "Please! Mercy! I'll tell you what you want!" Victoria blinked twice as her vision came into focus. The man she was currently strangling with one hand was sobbing hysterically on the ground for mercy. She was covered head to toe in vampire's blood, so fresh it was still hot on her skin, dripping down her face and onto her victim's. How she had gotten into this situation was a mystery to her. But she...
“Please! Mercy! I’ll tell you what you want!” Victoria blinked twice as her vision came into focus. The man she was currently strangling with one hand was sobbing hysterically on the ground for mercy. She was covered head to toe in vampire’s blood, so fresh it was still hot on her skin, dripping down her face and onto her victim’s. How she had gotten into this situation was a mystery to her. But she was still alive, and that was all that mattered. &ld...
Retired Chapter
On the Streets of Cintois
This chapter, along with a few others, has been heavily revised, but I wanted to preserve some of my old writing to see my own progress and reflect on the story as it continues to evolve and grow. To my fans, I hope you enjoy getting to see its evolution with me. To Giselle’s relief, everything on the estate was just as she had left it. The guard at the gate waved to them as the carriage circled around to the stairs at the front of the house. No one seemed panicked or hurrie...
Retired Chapter
The Wolf and the Raven
“Tell me where he is!” Victoria hissed as she twisted her dagger further into the vampire’s leg. “You know where your master is. I know it.” “I swear I don’t know!” Antone sobbed. “Please, Mistress, Mercy!” “I’m not convinced.” Victoria slammed her fist down onto the pommel of the blade, driving it into his leg all the way up to the hilt. He let out another cry of agony. “Where is your master, worm?” ...
Chapter 13
Friend or Foe?
To Giselle's relief, everything seemed normal at the estate as the carriage pulled through the gates. The guard waved to them as the carriage circled around to the stairs at the front of the house. No one seemed panicked or hurried. Surely that was a good sign. She stepped out of the carriage once the driver opened her door to exit. She thanked him before walking up the stairs. Waiting at the door was the captain of the estate guard, Jona. While he didn't seem concerned, his expression did not bode well ...
Chapter 14
First Impressions
Giselle found herself pacing as she awaited the Witch’s arrival. They’d been waiting for over an hour for Valerie to show up. The moons were high in the sky now, bathing everything in soft white light. The usual sounds of the night had returned now that the vampire was dead. Every so often, she heard a coyote yip, or an owl screech. But there was no sound of an approaching horse. “How do we know this witch hasn’t just skipped town?” Captain Jora glowered at the empty s...
Chapter 15
A House Divided
The sparse woodlands along the Salieu River were famous for being full of fantastic fungi for poisons come late spring. Victoria and Klen had left the Labelle manor well before dawn to get to the river while the fungus was still fresh with morning dew. Their early morning hike had paid off thus far. She'd already filled half her basket with a variety of mushrooms screaming their lethal doses in a rainbow of colors. "Remind me what else I'm looking for?" Klen called to her from the opposite bank of ...
TW: Themes of Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Trauma. Giselle smiled at Klen as he entered her study. Quietly, he shut the door behind himself and took a seat before her. He smiled back half-heartedly and bid her good morning. Concerned, Giselle leaned forward in her seat. It was unusual for him to be so somber, and even more unusual for him to not be at Valerie's side. "Is something wrong, Sir Klenden?" Giselle asked. "Have you by chance seen Valerie this morning...
Retired Chapter
Coming of Age
Victoria smiled as a puff of hot breath blew against the back of her neck. She finished latching the barn door closed and turned around. Riven had unlatched his stall door yet again. The mess of hay strewn across the floor proved that he’d escaped to help himself to more food. He bumped his muzzle into her chest, nickering softly in greeting. She shook her head as she scratched his nose and his cheeks. “You’re driving the stablehands crazy, you know,” She scolded him h...
Chapter 17
The Lord Alarie
Victoria smiled as a puff of hot breath blew against the back of her neck. She finished latching the barn door closed and turned around. Riven had unlatched his stall door yet again. The mess of hay strewn across the floor was evidence that he'd escaped to help himself to more food. He bumped his muzzle into her chest, nickering softly in greeting. She shook her head as she scratched his nose and cheeks. "You're driving the stablehands crazy, you know," She scolded him halfheartedly. As she t...
Chapter 18
The Missing Piece
Giselle drummed her fingers rapidly against the arm of her chair by the fireplace in the study as she waited for Auguste and Klen to return from town. Jean sat beside her, staring off absently out the window. A few silent tears were streaming down the side of his face as he anxiously bounced his leg up and down. He'd officially bore witness to the brutality the cult was capable of. Despite her urging that he get some rest, he'd insisted on staying up with her. "Why would that vampire call Val...
Retired Chapter
A Daring Rescue
Victoria wrinkled her nose up at the smell coming from the crystal decanter that Lucaese was pouring from. Despite its rich, ruby color, she knew by the smell that it was not red wine. He poured the blood into two crystal glasses and offered her one as he sat across from her at the small table in her room. He frowned when she refused the glass. “I do not thirst for blood, Lord Lucaese. I’ve told you this,” Victoria said, doing her best to not sound repulsed. The only thing keeping...
Chapter 19
Bird in a Cage
For the umpteenth time in three weeks, Victoria awoke to her face pressed against the floor of her very own dreadfully dark and dank prison cell of Fort Vaegar. Her wrists were bloodied and raw from the shackles around her wrists, as were her ankles. Thankfully, she could hear the Elitre and their master scurrying down the stairs to check on her. She sat patiently, awaiting her release by attempting to blow the loose strands of hair from her face. Lucaese gave her a warm smile as he spotted her sit...
Chapter 20
No Turning Back
Victoria's stomach dropped as they began to descend the steps from her tower. Every available agent in the fort seemed to be lined on either side of the hall as far as she could see. They dropped down to one knee as she passed before falling in line behind the Elitre. At a slow pace, their procession made their way to the courtyard. Over the course of the day, the place had been cleaned up dramatically. The grass had been cut, and the tables and chairs were arranged along a central aisle. Those of ...
Chapter 21
The Village of Nans
Victoria woke with a start, sitting upright as she looked around the room. Wherever she was, the room was tidy and clean. The sheets and mattress were plush and soft. Bright light streamed in from the window beside her bed, a welcome change from the dreary walls of the old fort. Giselle quickly came to her side from the chair beside the bed, tackling her into a gentle hug. Despite the pain, Victoria hugged her back tightly, never more glad to see anyone in her life. After a brief moment, Giselle let her ...
Chapter 21
Only the Finest Will Do
"I still don't see why I couldn't have gone with Victoria. What if she's fighting for her life right now and needs help?" Jean huffed out his umpteenth dramatic sigh of their carriage ride from the townhouse. He had been antsy all morning since Victoria had left. This was easily the fifth time he'd brought her up already, and it was only an hour past midday. "Considering she can comfortably handle dozens of vampires on her own, I think the odds are in her favor, Jean. And she has Klen with he...
Chapter 23
Sisters in Arms
Riven was hitched outside of Wornwick's as Giselle arrived, much to her surprise. Perhaps Victoria had found something she wished to sell? It was hard to imagine anyone purposefully visiting Arabella unless absolutely necessary. She hitched Estelle up next to Riven, much to the stallion's obvious delight. The two horses touched noses in greeting. Giselle patted both of them before she entered the shop. Whatever the reason was for her summons, it surely had to be interesting or important if Victoria was a...
Chapter 24
Homeward Bound
Victoria's hand paused on the handle to the private wing of the infirmary for a moment. She took in a deep breath as if to ready herself. Giselle was surprised to see her so nervous after the way she rode off so confidently. But, the momentary lapse in her confidence quickly passed. Victoria held her head up high as she opened both doors. All of the men and women in the room were standing at their bedsides, at the obvious exasperation of the healers, judging by the expressions as they waited in the corne...
Chapter 25
Fashionably Late
The ballroom was full of people dancing and chatting. Victoria hadn't expected this many people to respond to the invitations--nearly one hundred guests. The month after their return from Tru'Lis had been full of dress fittings, decisions on food and wine to bring in, hiring temporary staff to work the evening, and countless other finite details Giselle had been splitting hairs over. Given the air in the room, it seemed all her efforts were bearing fruit. Everyone seemed excited, as though the vampire th...
“You’re bouncing your leg again, Giselle.” “Sorry.” Victoria put her right hand on Giselle’s knee to stop her anxious tapping. Ever since Analise had left, she’d been on edge. Now, not even the wine or spirits were doing much to relax Giselle. She’d been swirling the red wine in her crystal glass for the last ten minutes as they watched the fire dancers from the back of the small amphitheater butting up against the small lake on the estate...
Giselle’s head was pounding when the early morning sun shining through her window roused her. She groaned quietly to herself and rolled over to avoid the sun for a moment longer. To her surprise, Victoria was dozing beside her. Giselle scooted closer and gently draped her arm around her waist and rested her head on her chest, glad to have even a brief quiet moment with her. “Finally awake?” Victoria mumbled, lazily opening one eye to look at her. She smiled softly and wrapped an a...
Chapter 28
In the Shadows
"Rowdy bunch, those witches," Auguste chuckled as he glanced over his shoulder at Victoria's campfire. Giselle shook her head as they watched the raucous group of soldiers sing their songs. They were bumping into each other this way and that, sloshing ale as they swung their pints about. Klenden was even in on the festivities, arm in arm with Victoria as she led them all in song. Standing around the outskirts of her campfire were her ten new guards, watching the festivities stoically. Victoria was ...
Chapter 29
City of the Dead
Victoria's stomach clenched as they rode through the gates of Garignon. The town was famous for the size of its graveyard. Countless wars had been fought in the forests of Gwardenveld over the centuries. But the sheer amount of fresh graves made her sick to her stomach. A group of at least twenty men were busy digging even more graves in the field. There were two wagons full of bodies waiting to be put to rest. Not a single one of them looked up from their work as the battalion marched by. If this was an...
Victoria drummed her fingers against her leg as she stared out the gates into the forest beyond. Once night had fallen, a deafening silence fell over the estate and the forest beyond. It was as if nature itself was holding its breath in heavy anticipation. The other enchanters had left her for the evening once the bulk of the wards were in place. Giselle and Jean had also retired for the night to get rest while they could. Now, only she was left, occasionally adding spells to the thickly woven shield sur...
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