Free The Hunter by Rose Estes

live without that same blessing. I know that young blood runs hot and impatient and sometimes chafes
     beneath the constraints of rules they cannot understand, but you must realize that without rules, this clan, this city, this
     world, could not exist. Beyond our boundaries is a world without rules, a world that is not governed by Mother Moon’s love.”
    “We know all of that,” Carn said impatiently. “What has that to do with us?”
    Tarn smiled up at Carn, a smile meant more for himself than Carn. “Everything, my impatient young friend, for it is beyond
     our borders that this quest will take you.”
    Carn started visibly and then stared at the old man to see if perhaps he was joking or playing him for a fool, for few men
     were allowed to venture beyond the Guardian Stones. To do so without permission was to die, struck down by a thunderbolt out
     of the sky, the gods’ messenger of death.
    Braldt said nothing and wondered what it was that theywould be seeking. Although he himself had been given permission to venture beyond the stones, he had done so rarely and then
     only in pursuit of raiding karks or predators. His pulse quickened at the thought of traveling within the Forbidden Lands
     and he cast his thoughts over that barren ground, the empty desert and the sere mountainous regions that lay beyond.
    “That which you seek lies two score dawnings to the east.” Braldt’s head came up sharply, his eyes searching and holding those
     of Tarn’s, stunned and yet wanting to hope, to believe the truth of the old man’s words. A single sharp intake of breath from
     Carn as well as a brief choked cry from Jos told him that the others shared his disbelief, for no man, not even Braldt, was
     allowed to enter those Forbidden Lands that was the home of the gods and certain death to mere mortals.
    Tarn met Braldt’s silent inquiry with a level gaze.
    “Why… why do the gods wish such a thing?” Jos asked tearfully as Otius patted her on the back and held her close, attempting
     to calm her. “Is it not enough that the gods are taking Auslic from us, must they have my sons as well?”
    “Dry your tears, Mother, the gods do not ask for us so that they may place us on the Great River, they have a need for us
     and require our services. We will do this thing and save uncle’s life, and when we return, you may boast that your son is
     favored by the gods!”
    But Jos was not comforted by Carn’s bold words and buried her face in her husband’s shoulder and sobbed.
    Braldt reached out and squeezed her shoulder gently, then turned again to the old man.
    “We have the gods’ permission to enter the Forbidden Lands?” he asked.
    The old man nodded.
    “What is this thing we seek and how will we find it?”
    The priest rose then and stood before Braldt and Carn, his flowing robes obliterating the old man like a storm cloud covers
     the sun. He raised his hands before him and Braldtshivered, knowing what was to come. Stifling an impulse to glance at Carn, he lowered his head.
    The priest placed his hands atop Carn’s and Braldt’s bowed heads and silence, broken only by Jos’s muffled weeping, filled
     the room.
    A tingling came over Braldt with the first touch of the priest’s palm. It was not unpleasant, nor was there any pain, rather
     a sense of invasion as though something were searching through his mind like flipping the pages of a book. Although he had
     never experienced the priest’s touch, he had heard it described and was prepared, blanking out all thought, thinking of nothing,
     filling his mind with the image of the floor beneath his feet. He could not have explained why he did such a thing, nor had
     he spent any time contemplating such an action, for never had he imagined that it would be necessary.
    The sensation of probing ceased, withdrew, and was replaced by a vision. Braldt recognized the easternmost border of tribal
     lands, saw the immense stone that gazed implacably outward, keeping watch,