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The Hunter Between	By : BurneHazard Category: +A through F > Diablo III Views: 6166 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Diablo III (3) and all content therein is the property of Blizzard Entertainment. This story is for entertainment purposes only and I make no money from writing it.

Chapter List
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Author's Note:

            If you have NOT read the first story, "The Hunter and the Templar", I highly recommend you stop now and go do so! Granted, I would hope you are familiar with the Diablo 3 game-play before reading this but even if the first story sticks very close to the progression, there are personalization tales that you will be rather lost without here. If you HAVE read my first story, please do continue and welcome back! ((Wish you guys would comment more though for all the hits I've been counting.))

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            "Mama! Mama! Stop the wagon! There's someone in the way!" the little girl's voice cried.
            The woman that had been nearly dozing in the shade of a canopy resting over the wagon's driver seat jerked her head up. Her hands tightened reflexively on the reins leading to the massive beast pulling her wagon over the sands. Protesting the sudden pull on the bit and harness, the beast groaned but slowed and gradually brought the wagon to a stop. The little girl sitting behind the board protecting the floor of the foot space popped her head up to stare at the two in the road.
            Even in the blinding sun it was hard to miss them. One was clearly a man from the broad shoulders, wide stance, and mustache upon his face. His white shirt was open down his chest and sweat was glistening on his skin, darkening brown hair. He had a pack hanging off one shoulder. The other person was leaning against his other shoulder. It was difficult to tell their gender because they were wearing black armor and were slumped. Had the man not had one of the armored arms across his shoulders and his arm around the person's waist, they would not have been upright.
            "Please, miss, my friend needs some help. Our horses were lost in a lucani ambush and the heat's finally overwhelmed her. I swear we mean no harm!"
            Warily, the woman looked the two over. She did not miss the fact both were visibly armed with crossbows and partially depleted quivers, but there was no mistaking the way the body he held sagged with head falling in a boneless manner. Living in hot places made her very familiar with that particular look. Hesitating, it was the girl who made the decision when she stood up with a gasp.
            "That's her, mama! That's the demon hunter that saved Caldeum--and Tristram!"
            "Are you sure?" the mother asked.
            "I recognize him too. He was travelling with her. And he owes me money!"
            The man looked surprised but he said nothing. Instead he gave the woman a charming grin when she looked back to him.
            "And, Squirt, I said I would pay you back. I can do that now, plus whatever you need. Just please, help my friend! She's still healing."
            That caught the mother's attention as she gave the wagon's break a firm kick to lock it in place. Looping the reins around the hitch on the footboard, she grabbed her skirts and rose to climb down the side of the wagon.
            "Bring her around here then, sir. Let's get her into the shade. Honey, get the water."
            Moving forward, it was clear the hunter was not completely senseless. Her legs did move although they were utterly uncoordinated. Thankfully the man did not seem to have too much trouble helping her move around into the shadow of the wagon where it was slightly cooler. Easing her down, he knelt as her weight slid away from him. He was quick to catch her when she almost fell over--even as she moved sluggish arms to try and correct herself.
            Leaning her back against the wagon wheel, the man reached up to pull the wrap of dark greenish black further up over the woman's head. Only then did the mother realize she was not seeing the woman's face but a very beautifully crafted mask so life-like it had fooled her for a moment. One of the hunter's hands rose to push the man's hands away when he started to draw the mask and headdress off. Then the man turned to look to the wagon driver.
            "Now, my dear, you might want to have Squirt...get a place ready for her in your wagon. She isn't up to walking in this heat."
            About to protest, the woman caught the man's eye. Even if his smile was charming and he seemed quite carefree, something in his look was enough to make her change her mind on her protests. That and the hunter sagged forward into his waiting arms as a harsh coughing fit gripped her. He reached down to unfasten the straps on her pack, helping her to shrug it off her back.
            "I heard, mama. I'll get things sorted so she'll be comfy!" the girl said as she scrambled up.
            Only when certain the girl was occupied did the hunter lift her head. Nodding, she let her arms fall. The man reached up to unfasten the mask and lower it. He blocked immediate view of what rested beneath until the thing was off. Taking the water skin, he lifted it to the hunter's lips so she could drink. In the process, the mother finally saw what rested beneath the mask and gasped in shock and horror. Swallowing hard, she tried to meet the hunter's eyes instead. They were watching her but there was a noticeable glaze to them.
            "Well," the woman began then hesitated and quietly offered the water skin. "Where are you two headed?"
            The hunter's eyes closed as she gingerly licked the raw red burns of her lips. It was her friend who answered as he tilted the skin to give her a little more. "We're trying to reach the nearest outpost. But I'd thought perhaps we'd stop by an oasis near here. There's a man who lives there that might be able to help us before we go on to Caldeum."
            "In her condition?"
            "Yes," came a voice so rough and tired it made both of them flinch to hear it. "In my condition. I will heal. My task waits."
            The hunter's companion gave the mother a suffering look but she could see that despite it, he was determined. He took the water skin after the hunter finished wetting parched lips and took a drink before handing it back to the mother.
            "The man we seek is an apothecary we encountered last time through here. And, thank you, miss."
            "Don't you 'miss' me, sir. You have two eyes not yet burnt by the sun and you're calm enough not to be crazy." Apparently the woman had regained herself. "Now, my daughter and I are actually heading for an oasis nearby. You'll travel with us and see if he can't do anything."
            Squirt popped up, "But mama, you said we--"
            "Our jaunt can wait. Besides, you did say this gentleman owed you money?"
            "Yes!"
            The woman nodded as the man in question helped the hunter secure the mask since the little girl was coming around into view.
            "Then he can simply pay you when we arrive, dear. Now, let's get our friend into the wagon."
            "Thank you," came the painful voice from the hunter.
            "Oh, and please forgive me for not making proper introductions! My name is Lyndon, and this is Shandra."
            Squirt blinked as her mother and the scoundrel helped the hunter to rise. "I thought I heard you call her 'Killa' in camp."
            "That...was to remember...sister," the hunter grated as her head fell forward and she went utterly limp between the two.
            Grunting, Lyndon shifted and after a moment of struggling, managed to get her mostly lifted into his arms with the help of the wagon mistress. Together, they carried her around and managed to get her into the wagon with the little girl's help. Soon, the wagon was moving on as Lyndon and Squirt walked with it, settling matters of business.

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Author's Note:
            This is going to be (that's the plan anyhow) a short series of blips and blurbs spanning between the end of Act 4 (Diablo's Defeat) and the beginning of Act 5 (Reaper of Souls). I've begun work on the full story taking place during Act 5 but every so often I am sidetracked by random ideas popping up as I write. This filler is an attempt at placing them out there for you to read before I post the second "book".

            Also, I am slowed by work and college courses so this particular project will take some time to complete since I can only do it in my spare time. Unlike "The Hunter and the Templar", I will not be throwing chapters out at random bursts. This will be spaced out to post at least once a week. Only one thing may help make the chapters come faster and with better content: REVIEWS! Feedback keeps my muse alive and healthy. Lack of them...regardless of the number of hits...kinda damages the creative processes.

            Hope you enjoy the drabbles. I'll leave you with one last warning: Anything can and will happen with locations varied and a LOT of artistic freedoms taken.
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The Hunter Between