-That's because there aren’t any, but Gorum said there were so… I have to believe him.-

There was a definite sadness in the dog’s tone, and for all their talk about the cycle of life and accepting the inevitability of death, she could tell that Hunar wasn’t ready to let go of her mentor.

Kile left Hunar and headed up past the Dinning hall until the Great Hall was in sight.

-She scares me.-

Vesper said when she was sure that Hunar was far enough away.

“Yeah, I can understand that.” Kile remarked. Even thought she knew and liked Hunar, she was always a little leery around the Shinar mastiff. Hunar had the rip you apart first, ask questions latter attitude about her, the complete opposite to old Gorum. When Gorum passes, will Hunar change her attitude?

Kile tried the doors to the great hall, and was kind of shocked to find them open. After two accounts of vandalism to the displays and the theft of artifacts, they were still leaving the doors unlocked, of course that could be due to the fact that there were no locks on the doors to begin with, but she was sure someone could have thought of something.

She pushed the doors open and stepped into the great hall which held an entirely different atmosphere in the dead of night. The painting loomed over her like ghostly specters in the moonlight, watching her, judging her, but she had not come to see them, she had come to see someone else. Pulling the key from her pocket she unlocked the door beneath the stairs, slipped into the room beyond and closed herself in. The small room came to life and the portrait of Risa Ta’re was unharmed. It was a relief to see the portrait as well as the pair of Lann that rested undisturbed below it. She had a new respect for the weapon, now that she had been practicing with them, well, not with those particular ones, but with a practice pair. She placed her hand upon the well worn hilt, the stories these things could tell she thought, but that was as far as she would dare go.

She pulled out one of the boxes from under the shelf and sat down, staring at the portrait of Risa Ta’re. It was the first real picture she had seen of an alva. Her father had always led them to believe that there was no such thing, that the alva were but a myth, just a part of an old story long forgotten, but then he didn’t believe in much outside his own fields. The world ended at his front gate.

“I wonder what he thinks of valrik?” She asked herself, and then realized he didn’t think of anything, anymore.

 

Kile wasn’t sure how long she sat there, staring at the portrait, but she could remember every feature, every line, and every brush stroke that went into the subject. The artist was long gone, the man who carved the frame, the man who weaved the canvas it was painted on, everybody associated with the painting was long gone, and yet the painting remained. It was a testimony to a long forgotten Hunter. Would somebody paint a portrait of her some day? Would it stand the test of time? Would there by a young girl sitting where she was sitting now, staring up at it and wondering just who Kile Veller was, and what was behind the sadness in her eyes. Not that her eyes were sad, but Risa’s were. There was a sorrow behind that smile, hidden in those eyes. Was it really there or was it just something the artist created? Questions she will never know the answers to keep filling her head.

A noise in the great hall caught her attention, the sound of something hitting the floor pulled her away from the portrait and from her thoughts of Risa Ta’re.

“What is he getting himself into now?” She said as she slid the box back under the shelf. Vesper had gotten board, which wasn’t a big surprise for the yarrow, but he had decided to go exploring the Great hall, and exploring to the yarrow usually meant a search for food, and a search for food usually meant nothing would get in his way.

She took one last look at Risa Ta’re before the lights went out.

“What are you doing Vesper?” She called in a harsh whisper as she stepped out into the gallery, unfortunately Vesper wasn’t there, but Eric was.

He was as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

“You? What are you doing here?” He asked with a startled look on his face.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?” She replied, although she really wasn’t sure why she should be asking him anything.

He was looking around the room nervously and Kile realized that what had surprised him the most wasn’t who was there, but who wasn’t. He was expecting somebody else. She moved slowly toward the door, if things got worse, if someone else does show up, she wanted to have a clear shot for the exit.

Looking past him, she could see that he had already destroyed another display case, this one belonging to the Hunter known as Jameson Flint. Whatever was in the case was now clutched in Eric’s hand. She was trying to remember what artifacts Flint had on display when Eric suddenly turned to the window as a shadow fluttered outside.

“Don’t move you’re….”

She stopped in mid sentence, what was he? Was he under arrest, could she really say that without it sounding stupid? What do Hunter’s say when they apprehend a felon?

“I don’t have time for this.” Eric shouted, and his free hand burst into a flame that lit up the gallery. Without warning he threw the ball of fire at her. He had no intention of giving her a chance to defend herself and she had to throw herself to one side, diving across the floor as the flaming ball exploded onto the wall behind her, showering her with embers.

“Don’t do this Eric.” She said, but he wasn’t listening as another ball of fired was hurled in her direction. She tried to move out of the way but wasn’t fast enough this time. It exploded beside her, shattering the marble tile and throwing her back against one of the armored displays.

He started to move towards her, whether he was going for the door or planning to finish her off, she wasn’t sure and she really wasn’t ready to find out. Looking for something to protect herself with she grabbed one of the shields on display, the one bearing the image of a red dragon. Dragons were of the sphere of fire, so it should be fire proof she reasoned as she held the shield up before her.

“You’ve ruined everything.” He shouted, his voice echoing off the rafters and sounded louder than it should. He hurled another fiery missile at her. It struck the shield with such force that it slid her across the smooth marble floor. It was a shame that the boots that the guild issued didn’t provide much traction on marble floors. Another fiery impact drove her even further back as the shield began to heat up. It wasn’t going to last much longer, or she wasn’t going to be able to hold onto it much longer.

She braced for another impact, but instead she heard Eric cry out in pain. Kile dared to look around the edge of the shield and was amazed to see a yarrow clamped down on his other hand. Whatever he was holding went scattering across the floor. She knew whatever artifact he was willing to throw his chances of become a hunter away for, not to mention killing her for, wasn’t something that she could let him have. Discarding the shield she ran then dove across the floor, sliding past Eric as she grabbed for the stolen artifacts; unfortunately she was only able to get one. Eric quickly snatched the second one up and flung a ball of fire at the fleeing yarrow. Vesper ducked through a small opening in the base molding as the ball exploded behind him and ignited the tapestry that was hanging on the wall.

Old dusty pieces of cloth burn real fast , Kile realized, as the fire quickly spread from the tapestry to the paintings then to the beams overhead. Within seconds the entire eastern wall of the gallery was on fire, and the larger than life hunters that loomed over her shriveled into ash, their silent screams masked by the roar of the flames.

“Give it to me.” He shouted.

“We have to get out of here you idiot, this whole place is coming down.” Kile replied, although calling him an idiot was not very productive.

“You think I care?”

Of course he didn’t care, he could probably withstand the flames, he was influenced by fire, she wasn’t so lucky, she didn’t have the protection of a mystic sphere, her edge was of the natural world and it wasn’t going to help her here.

Kile tightening her grip on the artifact.

“I’m not going to let you have it.” She said in the bravest and most confident voice she could muster, too bad it didn’t sound that way.

“Then I guess I’ll have to take it.” Eric grinned and then lunged for her.

He never reached her as a large black mass struck his side, clamping down on his extended arm. Eric screamed in pain once more as he swung himself around going down to the floor. Gorum lost his grip on Eric’s arm and slid across the marble before he could regain his footing. The arrival of a large black mastiff was not something that Eric had anticipated.

He crouched there staring at the dog, clutching his wounded arm. If he was anything like the other cadets, Kile realized, the pain would keep him from concentrating on his edge, and if he couldn’t control his edge, he couldn’t withstand the flames that were now burning out of control all around them. They were now in the same boat and it was going down fast.

The noises outside caught their attention, someone had sounded the alarm, people were coming. Eric looked to the front door first, but knew the guards would already be on their way, there was no way he could hide from this one. His luck, and the influence of his father, had suddenly run out. He quickly made for the back doors.

Gorum tried to give chase, but mastiffs don’t have very good traction on marble floors. The hallway that Eric took suddenly exploded in flame, a final attempt to cover his retreat, which left only the front door for an escape from the fire.

Kile grabbed Gorum by the collar; the dog was still trying to chance Eric but was getting nowhere fast. She pulled him back and managed to slide him toward the front of the hall. Pulling the great doors open she stumbled out into the fresh air, gasping for breath.

“What have you done? What have you done?” Somebody shouted as they grabbed her roughly by the arm, yanking her to her feet. She stared up into the purple face of Sir Oblum.

“It wasn’t me.” She shouted as she tried to pry his fingers loose. For an old man he really had a strong grip.

“You’ve destroyed it, you’ve destroyed it all, you’ve destroyed the academy, the gallery, the history of the hunter… why… why.” He kept shouting.

By now more people were coming up the hill carrying buckets of water, but it was too little too late as they tried to douse the fire. They could only stand and watch as the Great Hall went up in flames.

“You are going to pay for this child; you are going to pay dearly.”

“Will you listen to me? It was Eric.” She tried to explain, but Oblum was beyond listening until Gorum explained by biting his master’s arm.

Whether it was the pain of the bite, or the fact that his beloved dog just bit him, Oblum fell strangely quiet, or he went into shock it was difficult to tell.

“If you would listen to me I was trying to tell you, Eric Rimes just stole some artifact from the Gallery, and then set it on fire to cover his escape as he went out the back.” She explained. She knew it wasn’t exactly the truth, a sort of watered down version of the events, but it was close enough and she didn’t want to try to explain why she was there in the first place.

“Eric… Eric Rimes?” Oblum said, as if hearing her for the first time.

“Yes, he’s influenced by the sphere of fire, he can manipulate fire, he set the fire, not me.”

“Eric Rimes… influenced by fire?” Oblum repeated.

She was wondering if another bite from Gorum would snap the Headmaster back to reality, fortunately it didn't come to that as the realization of what she had told him finally sunk in.

“Guards, Guards.” Oblum called out as a few men came running in his direction. For a man that was standing in his bathrobe and underwear, he could still command respect. “Close the gate, search the grounds, find cadet Rimes and bring him to me… by any means necessary.”

She turned to face the Great hall as the flames had now reached the second floor. The gallery was gone, the portraits were gone, and Risa Ta’re was gone. She opened her hand to see what the artifact was, the artifact that Eric was willing to destroy the academy for, and all she found was a small blue and white stone. She had wondered if maybe she had made a mistake, that he had actually managed to get a hold of the artifact and she only came away with a piece of the floor.

“The stables, the stables are on fire.” Somebody shouted from down the hill.

It took her a moment to realize what the man was yelling as he came running up to them waving his arms. If the stables were on fire, then the horses were in danger. She shoved the stone in her pocket and ran toward the stables, but Oblum quickly overtook her as he grabbed a guard on his way up. The guard didn’t seem to recognize him at first and tried to pull away.

“What is it, what’s happening?” Oblum shouted.

“Sir, we pursued the cadet into the stables, but when we moved in on him, the whole place burst into flames, somehow he managed to escape in the confusion.”

She didn’t wait to hear the details. There wasn’t time as she ran the rest of the way to the stables. When she got there, Luke was staggering out of the burning building, pulling two of the horses behind him before collapsing on the grass. There were a few other horses running loose through the compound, but not nearly as many as there should have been.

Erin Silvia was helping Luke to his feet when Kile reached him.

“Luke… Luke how many are still in there?”

“I… I don’t know.” He coughed. “Twenty… thirty… I don’t know.”

“Take is easy Luke.” Erin said as she led the man away from his stables and eased him to the ground. “Someone get Bealer over here now.” She shouted.

Kile watched the burning stables. It looked as if Eric had set the hayloft on fire, and this time it really was to cover his escape, but it meant the fire shouldn’t be in the populated area yet.

“Here, watch Vesper.” She told Erin as she set the yarrow on Luke chest and ran into the burning building.

“Kile, get back here, you can’t save them.” Erin called out.

Maybe she couldn’t but she had to try, they were her friends after all.

The stables had never been this hot before, or this bright as the flames danced above her head, jumping from rafter to rafter, and it was spreading faster than she had anticipated. The horses were already starting to panic.

“Calm down.” She shouted as she started to unlock the stalls. “You’re going to do yourself more harm if you don’t calm down.” She kept saying, but the fear of flames was all consuming and they were no longer listening to her. A few of them ran for the open doors, knocking her down in the processes, but the fire burning through the main structure quickly closed that exit off by bringing down the front of the barn, trapping them inside.

This was a mistake she thought as she quickly opened the other stalls. Now the horses were all free, they just didn’t have anywhere to go. The eastern section of the stables was the next to go as the section where she and Luke had trained only hours ago collapsed in a wall of flame. The heat was now becoming more and more intense and the smoke was making it harder to breathe as she made for the back door, but even that way impassable.

Suddenly the wall caved in, but this wasn’t due to the fire, this was due to the platter sized hoofs of a very aggravated mountain pony.

-What are you doing in here?-

His gruff voice blasted out everything else in Kile’s head as he walked through the fire toward her like one of the demon horses of legend.

-Get out of here.-

“I can’t, not without the others.” She cried.

-Forget them.-

“I won’t, I can’t… we need a way out.”

-Get them under control and I’ll give you a way out.-

Control. That was what she had to do, she had to gain control. She had to do the one thing she swore she would never do. She pushed out all the thoughts of the fire, the thoughts of the heat and focused on the horses. Not one at a time, but all twenty six. She fell into her edge and felt the black strands of molasses stretching out through the burning stables as they sought every living thing she could gain control of, twenty six horses and one stubborn old cat. Where was the cat? She didn’t know but he was somewhere in the stables. As she merged with them she felt their fear as each one tried to fight her, tried to pull away from her. She fell into their thoughts, their memories, their feelings, and it was like living twenty seven lives all at the same time.

 

When Oblum arrived at the stables, the south side was already coming down, as the guards and the cadets, who were trying to douse the flames with buckets of water, barely managed to escape the falling debris. They quickly fell back a safe distance when the fire squad from the city finally arrived.

He looked around and wondered how it had gotten this bad. Nothing like this had ever happened within the walls of the academy, and it had to happen on his watch. He walked around the parameter of the burring stables, calling the cadets back and letting the fire brigade do their job. If this had been the city of Littenbeck, there would have been a water mystic on call, but this was Azintar, so there wasn’t.

He found Erin sitting with Luke to one side; Mr. Bealer was tending to the stable hand’s injuries.

“How bad is it?” He asked Erin as he got closer.

“It’s not good. Most of the horses are still in there, as well as one cadet.”

“A cadet? Who?”

“Veller.”

“Kile, what the hell is she doing in there?”

“Trying… to save… her friends.” Luke coughed as he tried to get to his feet.

“Take is easy Luke.” Erin told the stable hand as she eased him back to the ground.

Why was that damn cadet always in the wrong place at the wrong time? Oblum silently cursed to himself as he stared at the burning stable. If he had known she was going to be this much of a problem, he would have retired before she arrived, let her be someone else’s headache.

“Well, what happened?” He demanded.

“She just dropped off her yarrow and ran into the stables.”

“And you didn’t try to stop her?”

“How could I, she was gone before I knew where she was going.”

He watched as the eastern section of the stables fell in on itself.

“How did we miss this one?” He asked Erin, shaking his head. “How did we get it so wrong?”

“We looked the other way.” She replied.

A blanket covered mountain pony suddenly ran head first through the western wall of the stables. He flicked off the blank and stamp his huge platter sized hoofs, driving the other cadets, staff members and fire squad back, away from the burning stables. Within a few moments a red headed girl staggered out, followed by four columns of horses, six rows deep and one cat.

“By the gods.” Oblum said as he stood there in amazement watching the horses pass in formation, one of which was his own. They proceeded away from the stables, following almost blindly the red headed girl.

Kile didn’t stop until she was far enough away from the heat of the flames, then she just crumbled to the ground, and the horses scattered in all directions.

 

She didn’t really feel like waking up, she didn’t want to open her eyes, not that she had the energy to do so if she wanted to. She felt completely drained, wrung out like an old dish rag. Every muscle in her body was sore, her head was throbbing, but she was getting used to the headaches, it was almost too much of an effort to even breathe.

There were people in her room, people moving around her bed, walking back and forth across the floor. It was rather rude, since she was trying to sleep, but it did raise one interesting question, how could people walk around her bed when her bed was tucked in the corner of her cell. She slowly opened her eyes, which felt abnormal dry as she tried to blink the light out. It was coming through a window that she didn’t recognize.

“Sir?” She heard someone say off to her right. She hoped that it wasn’t directed at her, unless it was a really confused individual. “I’ll go find Mr. Bealer.” He said as he passed the foot of her bed. She couldn’t make out who he was, everything was a little blurry.

“So. You’ve decided to return to us cadet.” A man said from somewhere on her right side. First dilemma solved, that must be the sir the second individual was refereeing to. In many ways it was a relief.

She opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a dry squeak.

“Easy cadet.” The man warned.

She felt his hand behind her head, gently lifted it up as he brought a cup of water to her lips. She drank slowly, almost forgetting how to swallow, and probably wore more of it than she managed to get in her mouth.

With her lips properly moistened, she managed a hoarse “Thank you” before the man eased her head back down to the pillow.

“You’re gonna be a little dry, how are you feeling otherwise?” He asked.

“Sore.” She replied as she tried to sit up by herself.

The strong hands helped her again as they stuffed the pillows behind her back.

“Where am I?” She asked.

“You’re in the halls of healing.”

Halls of healing, why was she in here? She wasn’t injured; at least she didn’t think she was injured. She stretched out her arms, then her legs, feeling every muscle strain, but no real pain, just kind of sore all over, like a bad sparring day.

“Is it… bad?” She asked.

“Not any more. Not as bad as it could have been.” He replied. “You had us worried though, you were out for some time.”

“How long?”

“Five days.”

“Five days?” She said in amazement as she turned to face the man and found Sir Oblum sitting on the chair beside her bed, her cup of water still in his hand. “Sorry Sir.” She said, although she wasn’t sure why she was apologizing, it just seemed the thing to do. He smiled, which was out of character for the big man, and that made her even more uncomfortable.

“You overextended yourself, basically you drained yourself.” Oblum said as he handed her the cup of water. She took it with shaky hands.

“Drained?”

“That's how Morgan described it. He said you’ll come around in time.”

“Five days.” She said again as she drank the contents of the cup. It was no wonder she was so thirsty. “What happen… the horses?”

“They’re fine, they’re all fine. Not one was lost, a miracle in its own right, thanks to you. I am indebted to you cadet. One of those horses you saved was my Sable.”

“Grim… what about Grim?”

“Grim?”

“My horse sir, the mountain pony, is he alright?”

“That black hairy beast, I’ll say he alright.” Oblum said shaking his head. “Six hunters tried to calm him down long enough to get to you. He stood over you, wouldn’t let anyone near, not even old Luke. Eventually it was Master Pike who persuaded him to move.”

“Master Pike?”

She couldn’t see the Horse Master coming within a hundred feet of Grim if he could help it.

“Well… maybe persuade is not the right word.” Oblum said with a grin. “The minute that horse set eyes on him he took off after him like a cat on a mouse, damnedest thing I ever saw, a horse chancing a man across the compound, right through the dinning hall, there’s another few doors we’re going to have to replace. If Pike hadn’t reached the stairs of the staff quarters, I’m sure that horse would have trampled him.”

“Sorry about that?”

She was gong to have to talk to Grim about his temper.

“I don’t think a few extra doors will go noticed with the repairs that we have on our hands.”

“How bad is it?” She asked, although she didn’t really want to know.

“The stables are gone, pretty much burned to the ground, not much left of them to salvage, as for the Great hall, there was a lot of damage in the gallery and a few of the rooms, although most of the storage area in the back rooms went untouched.”

“The displays?”

Oblum leaned back in the chair and shook his head. “Gone.” Was all he would say.

“It’s my fault.”

“Your fault, and how did you come to that conclusion?”

“I was careless. I shouldn’t have been in the gallery that night, I shouldn’t have confronted Eric knowing what he was capable of doing, or I should have at least waited until he got outside where he couldn’t do much damage. If it wasn’t for me the gallery wouldn’t be a pile of ash, maybe not even the stables.”

“Let me tell you something cadet. There is a long list of people to blame for this, but if your name is on that list, it would have to be somewhere on the bottom. A lot farther down than mine that’s for sure.”

“Yours sir, I don’t understand.”

“Eric Rimes never should have been here, he should never have been allowed to set foot in this academy. I knew it, but I didn’t do anything about it. I figured the guild knew what it was doing, but they couldn’t see past the political and financial gains. I should have kept a better eye on him, but instead I was keeping an eye on you, and for that, I am sorry.”

“Me? Why me?”

“For the opposite reason, there were members in the guild that don’t want you to graduate, but I can see that doesn’t come as a big surprised to you. Does it?”

“No sir.”

“The guild is divided internally, even within the council. There are those members that want to bring it to the next stage. They want to create a more disciplined, regulated organization to take on more responsibilities, in some ways they want to create their own military. They want to fill the ranks with the social elite, the sons of power and money, to bring the status of the Hunter to a whole new level, and leave behind the trivial tasks. Members are calling themselves the sons of Terrabin.”

“Terrabin as in Terrabin D’al?” She asked.

“I can see why Master Adams speaks highly of your intellect.” Oblum laughed as he got up from the chair. “Terrabin D’al had the idea that the Hunters, if organized correctly, could be a force to reckon with, an organized army for hire if you will. A money making corporation to take over all your responsibilities, if you could afford them. Mind you, he never got farther than preaching his beliefs to the council, but that was all that was needed to plant the seeds that he would never see grow. Hunter’s took up his cause, and it was only a matter of time before they got into the council.”

“And what of the other side?” She asked. “What is it that they want?”

“Just the opposite really. They want to revert back to what the hunters were. A group of like minded individuals that saw a need and tried to fill it. Whether they were men or women, rich or poor it didn’t matter, it was never about the money or the fame, only a need to help the simple man.”

“So, what’s going to happen now?” She asked. She didn’t want to work for a corporation that catered only the rich and powerful, she didn’t want to work for the Sons of Terrabin, that was not what she signed on for.

“I don’t think you have to worry about any great changes happening anytime soon.” Oblum said as if reading the concern on her face. “Not as long as Guild Master Latherby controls the council. He’s a traditionalist as his predecessor was before him.”

“Could Eric have been working for the Son’s of Terrabin?”

Oblum thought about it for a moment, it was obviously something that he hadn’t considered, but eventually he shook his head.

“What make you think that?” He asked.

“When I surprised him in the gallery, he seemed to be expecting somebody else.”

“Did he mention who?”

“No, nothing like that… I might be wrong. It was just the way he acted.”

“I guess we’ll never know the answer to that, not yet anyway.”

“Why? What happen to Eric?”

“Of course you don’t know. He escaped.”

“Escaped? How?”

“We’re not exactly sure. We believe he managed to slip out when the fire brigade from the city came in. Hunters searched the city of Azintar for three days, but couldn’t turn up anything. Of course, if what you’re saying is true, he probably had help.”

“So he’s… still out there.”

“I’m afraid so.” Oblum replied. “Another open script for the board, but there will be time for that later, for now you need your rest.”

“But there’s nothing wrong with me.”

“That is not for me to judge. The healers feel that you need an extended rest what with your recent, shall we say, encounters of late. If I was you, I would make the most of it.”

“But sir, my training, the evaluations.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about those cadet. You did defeat Master Boraro in a fight, even if it wasn’t sanctioned and there are still some lingering questions about what actually happened, but enough members of the council have agreed that it will count toward your combat evaluation, so you don’t have to go up against him again, they say they are not looking forward to bloodshed, but I think it's more likely they want to avoid a scandal.

“As for your horsemanship, several Hunters reported hearing Master Pike say that only a fool or a master horseman would ever ride that … mountain pony, and since you were witnessed doing just that, they figured to count that as well.”

“Why sir? Why the sudden change of heart by the council?”

“It’s just as I said, the council made a mistake and they want to avoid any bad publicity. For starters they were watching the wrong cadet. Now, all you have to do is prove to the council that they were wrong about you from the start, that you are a hunter, and that means keeping your nose clean during your probationary year.” Oblum said as he reached for the door. He paused for a moment, looked out the window and sighed.

“One more thing, if you’re up to it?”

“What's that sir?” Kile asked.

What was she supposed to be up to, she’s been lying in bed for the last five days.

“You have two visitors that, for some reason, really want to see you. I’ve been trying to keep them out, but they’ve been driving me crazy.”

“Um, I guess it’s alright.”

She had expected to see Daniel and Alex, or Carter and Daniel, or any combination of the two, what she hadn’t expected was two large black mastiffs charging through the door as Oblum opened it. Gorum was nice enough to stop at her bedside, Hunar, on the other hand, leapt onto the bottom of the bed, almost bouncing Kile off.

“I’ve never seen them take to anyone before.” Oblum said with a smile as he walked out the door.

 

 

 

***~~~***

 

 

18

 

“So, how are we today?” Daniel asked as he set the tray of food down beside Kile’s bed.

“Miserable.” She replied.

She had been cooped up in the halls of healing for another five days even though she insisted that she was completely fine. Even Morgan came to her defense, telling the healer that the effects of overtaxing one's edge is a temporary condition, and that Kile should be well enough to leave, but Bealer wouldn’t hear it. He was in charge of the halls and he would decide when a patient was well enough to be discharged. It got into such a heated exchange between the two old men, each claiming to know more about the situation than the other that she ducked under her covers until it all blew over. Neither one conceding to the other’s opinion and Morgan left in a huff or actually it was more like a puff as he suddenly disappeared in a cloud of smoke. She was sure the smoke was left for Mr. Bealer’s benefit since she had seen Morgan enter and exit places before without leaving anything behind.

“Come on, you have to eat.” Daniel said as he set the tray up and slid it over her bed. She was sure he was enjoying this a little too much, as she looked down at the tray that held her evening supper. A serving of fried potatoes, steamed broccoli and a slice of the chiefs apple pie for dessert. At least there wasn’t any meat on the tray this time. The first night she was able to eat a decent meal, Mr. Bealer brought in a large steak, insisting that the only way for her to regain her strength was to eat red meat. Needless to say she wouldn’t even touch the meal. That only resulted in Bealer’s concern about her loss of appetite and was probably responsible for her overly long stay in this most luxurious of resorts.

The hall of healing was actually an appropriate name, if not very original. The room was considerably longer than it was wider and resembled a long hallway with a row of windows that overlooked the compound along one wall, and a row of beds for patients along the other. Kile was fortunate enough to get the one closes to the door, and on more than one occasion thought of making a run for it, if it wasn’t for the fact that Mr. Bealer had posted a guard.

“Do I have to feed you?” Daniel asked.

“You do and I’ll break your arm.” She replied as she continued to push the potatoes around the plate. “When can I get out of here?”

“Soon.” He said, but that was just an echo of Bealer and she had been hearing it for the last five days.

“When is soon?”

“Actually, Master Bealer says you can leave anytime you want.”

She dropped the fork on her plate and turned to stare at Daniel, at first she wasn’t sure that she had heard him right, and then she thought maybe he was joking.

“Seriously?”

“Well, his actual words were more in the line of, get her out of here, she is driving me crazy.”

“Get my boots, I am so gone.” She shouted as she pushed the tray aside and nearly jumped out of bed. She quickly grabbed her clothes from the back of the chair and started to get dressed. She wanted to be out of this dreadfully boring place before anyone could change their minds.

“You are still supposed to take it easy, Master Bealer’s orders. You don’t want to go rushing around and having a relapse.” Daniel informed her as he handed Kile her boots. She sat down on the bed and quickly pulled them on.

“Relapse, there isn’t going to be a relapse because I have no intention of ever trying that again.” She replied.

After she got one boot on, she stopped and looked at Daniel suspiciously. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner, instead of bringing me supper?” She asked.

“It… never came up.” He replied, and she could tell he was keeping something from her. There was a mischievous smile waiting to break out.

“When was I released?” She asked.

“What difference does it make?” Daniel said as he took a step backwards, getting closer to the door. “You’ve been released.”

“When… did… he… release me?” She asked very deliberately.

“Oh, I don’t know exactly when, sometime… yesterday afternoon.”

She said nothing as she pulled on her other boot. Stomped her foot to make sure it was on all the way and very slowly got to her feet. She turned to Daniel and smiled.

“You are so dead.” She told him through clenched teeth.

“Now Kile, just wait.” He laughed as he took a few more steps backwards.

“I could have been out of here yesterday?”

Daniel knew when to retreat and made a run for the door. She made a desperate lunge after him, and probably would have gotten him if she hadn’t been stopped.

“Cadet Veller.”

“Sir?” She said, turning around and coming to attention. Master Bealer was slowly navigating his way up the hall. She could have pretended she hadn’t heard him; she could have been out of the door by now. As long as he didn’t want her to stay longer, she would listen to what the old healer had to say.

“You must not over exert yourself. You are to take it easy for the next couple of days. You’ve had a nasty spell and we wouldn’t want any relapses.” He said.

Why was everyone talking about relapses?

“No sir, sorry sir.” She replied.

“I want to see you back here in two days for a full evaluation. We are still not completely sure what caused you to pass out like that.”

He might not be completely sure, but she was. She knew the effects of her edge, especially the Maligar, and she knew the after effects of it as well. To suddenly snap back to her own reality after having her identity split between twenty six horses and one stubborn old cat was more than she could take, but Mr. Bealer wouldn’t understand, and she really didn’t feel like trying to explain it to him.

“Yes sir.”

“Okay then, get out of here, and tell Daniel he can take the rest of the afternoon off, I have to go into town as see if I can solve some supply issues.”

“Yes sir, thank you sir.” Kile replied as she reached for the door, she stopped and grabbed the slice of apple pie from her supper tray before finally leaving the halls.

 

The sky was gray, the trees were bare and her last winter at the academy was quickly overtaking her. The supper shift was over, which meant most of the cadets would either be somewhere practicing what they had learned earlier that day or back in their cell to dread about what they would have to learn tomorrow. She saw Daniel talking with Carter and the two of them were laughing at something or someone. As she got closer Carter must have warned him because Daniel suddenly turned then ducked behind the larger cadet. Kile ignored him.

“Nice to see you finally up and about.” Carter said.

“Thanks, it would have been a day sooner if I had known.” She replied.

“Where are you off to now?”

“I thought I go take a look at the stables, see how much damage was done. Do you know where they’re holding our horses?”

“The staff have been forced to rent space in the city stables, as for the cadet’s horses, they have some out in the western paddock and  a few up on the north wall until they can find a suitable place for them. I think Grim’s up there if you're looking for him.”

“Thanks.” She replied. “Oh, and if you see Daniel, tell him that Master Bealer had to go into town and he needs him to work the night shift, something about having to clean out the bedpans, or something like that.”

“Are you kidding?” Daniel asked stepping out from behind Carter, all pretense of mirth gone.

“Oh… there you are.” She said.

“Very funny Ky. Does he really want me to work tonight?”

“That’s what he told me. He had to go into town to work out a supply problem and he wants you to work the night shift.”

“Great.” Daniel said throwing up his arms with a heavy sigh. “I thought Jarred was supposed to work tonight. I better get started. I guess I’ll see you guys later.” He said with a noncommittal wave as he headed off back toward the hall.

“See ya Danny.” Carter shouted back and waited until his friend was out of earshot. “He doesn’t have to work the night shift does he?” He asked Kile.

“That depends.” She replied. “Do you know where I can find Jarred to tell him he has the night off?”

“I know where his, I’ll give him the news.” Carter said with a grin.

 

She arrived at the stables, or what was left of them. The place she had once dared to call home was now just a pile of black ash, and charred sticks protruding from the ground like little tombstones. Only the stone foundation gave credence to the existence of the structure that had once stood there. She stepped through the remains of the archway that she had entered so many times before, kicking at a beam that disintegrated under her foot.  She reached into her pocket and her fingers found the blue and white stone that was still there. They hadn’t taken it from her when they brought her to the hall of healing, they probably didn’t realize what it was, not that she knew what it was. So much destruction for something so trivial.

She put the stables behind her as she headed up toward the northern wall where she found the make shift paddock. It was a random series of gates, poles and fences tied together with rope to keep the horses in one place, not that it would really work if the horses had any intention of leaving. Three boys were in the process of feeding them. The uniforms they wore weren’t guild issued, so they weren’t cadets. They were probably from the city stables, more than likely the one that the staff had to move their mounts to. The horses appeared to be in good spirits after the harrowing experience they had, but that was ten days ago and they didn’t seem to hold any ill feelings toward her as she approached. Many of them raised their head and called out to her, not that the three boys knew what was happening, they just tried to calm the horses down.

“Can I help you miss?” One of the boys asked as he stepped away from the others. He was the tallest of the boys with shaggy brown hair that covered his eyes and she was surprised that he could even see her from under it. He couldn’t have been much older than she was, and it felt a little odd being addressed with that much respect from someone her own age.

“I’ve just come to see my horse, make sure he’s alright.” She replied.

The boy appeared to be a bit skeptical, he probably didn’t know there was a female cadet at the academy, or maybe he just wonder why it took her so long to check on her horse, they had been there for over a week. Either way she wasn’t really in the mood to explain it to him.

“Which one would that be miss?” He finally asked as he looked over the row of horses. His eyes favored the grays. Maybe that was what he thought a girl would be riding.

“I see him.” She replied as she moved past him.

It wasn’t difficult to find Grim; the horse was isolated from the others, tethered to the largest tree with the thickest rope and looking as miserable and as ornery as ever. When he saw her his mood picked up, but if she wanted to be realistic about it, it was more likely the slice of apple pie that she was carrying that attracted his attention. She started to move toward him when the shaggy haired boy grabbed her arm, an action that almost made her drop the dessert.

“You can’t go over there miss.” The boys said, and he looked genuinely concerned.

“And why is that?” She asked.

“That’s a dangerous animal. He almost bit off Pete’s hand if he had been a little quicker.”

Maybe Pete shouldn’t have had his hand in the horse’s mouth she thought.

“It’ll be fine.” She assured the boy.

“We’ve had orders not to let anyone go near that horse.” He replied, and now the other two were in agreement as they walked over.

“Whose orders?” She asked.

“Mr. Revers for one.”

“And then there was that Master Pike fellow.” One of the other boys added.

“Master Pike I know too well, but who is this Mr. Revers when he’s at home?”

“That’s who we work for miss, Carl Revers, he runs the city stables. He sent us up here to watch the horses.”

“So he’s the one that isolated the mountain pony.” She asked.

“Yes miss.” The boys replied.

“It took eight men to do it.” One boy added.

“I’m sure it did.” She grinned and found it amusing how the boy reacted to Grim.

She started to move toward him again, and again the boy grabbed her arm to stop her. Grim reared up and stomped the ground. The two other boys back away to a safer distance; it appeared that being thirty some odd feet away from him was not far enough. They didn’t know that Grim was only trying to protect his apple pie.

“I’m serious miss, he really is dangerous.” The eldest boy repeated more desperately.

If she had dropped the pie, then he’d know how dangerous an animal Grim could be.

“So who would I have to talk to get permission to visit the horse?” She asked, leaving out the fact that it was technically her horse to start with; she wanted to see how far this would go.

“Visit the horse miss?” The boy asked, as if the question was beyond comprehension.

“Yes, you know, actually walk over to the horse.”

“Why would you want to do that miss?” One of the other boys asked.

The whole ‘miss’ thing was starting to get on her nerves.

“To give him this piece of apple pie.” She replied, holding up the dessert, and watched as the confused boys exchanged looks. Clearly they though she was as mad as the mountain pony.

“Well… I guess you would have to talk to either Mr. Revers or Master Pike.”

“How about the horse’s owner?” She asked.

“I don’t think he has one miss. Mr. Revers says no one in their right mind would own a mountain pony let alone ride one.”

“Oh, that’s good.” She sighed. “I’ve never been accused of being in my right mind. So, can I go see my horse now?”

The boy quickly released her arm and watched in awe as Kile walked over to where grim was now straining at the rope. She was sure that if they kept the dessert away from him any longer he would have either broken free or uprooted the tree. She held out the slice of pie and he inhaled it with one bite.

“How are they treating you otherwise?” She asked as she strokes his side and looked him over. There was no sign of injury, but his thick shaggy coat did make it nearly impossible to tell without a thorough inspection, something that Grim was not very keen with.

-A bunch of stupid little vir children. How do you put up with them?-

“They mean well. I heard you gave Master Pike a good scare.”

-That’s another one. Foolish little vir thinks just because they call him a horse master that he can order me around.-

“I wanted to thank you, for saving the other horses.”

-I didn’t save the other horses. That was your fault, I went back in to get you out.-

“Better be careful, that almost sounded as if you cared about me.” She laughed.

-Well… you’re my only means out of here, aren’t you?-

“I suppose I am. Which means you better behave yourself. No more scaring the kiddies, not more biting the boys’ hands when they try to feed you, no more harassing the other horses.”

-Doesn’t leave me much to do.-

“I’ll tell you what. If you behave yourself, I’ll bring you another slice of apple pie tomorrow.”

-Two-

“Two then… if… I can get them and if you behave. Do we have a deal?”

-Can I still scare the horse master?-

“Oh sure, you can still do that, just don’t hurt anyone else. Is it a deal?”

There was a long pause as he looked over to the three boys that were staring at him. She could only image what was running through the mountain pony’s mind.

-It’s a deal.-

Grim reluctantly replied as he shook his long hairy mane.

“So I can tell them that they have nothing to fear now. They can come over and feed you, water you, groom you.”

-No grooming, I don’t want their little hands all over me.-

“Fine, no grooming, just feeding and watering.”  She said as she stroked his nose, something that Grim didn’t normally allow her to do, maybe he was mellowing. “Come on, it's only another six month, and then we’re gone, we are out of here. Neither one of us will have to put up with this after then.”

She walked back to where the three boys were still watching her, their jaws hanging open in awe. Anyone would have thought she had just interacted with a dragon instead of an ill tempered horse.

“It’s okay, he’s agreed to behave.” She said as she wiped the pie crumbs and horse saliva off her hand. “You can feed him and water him, just don’t try to groom him.”

She moved passed them to the edge of the makeshift paddock where the other horses were now vying for her attention. She tried to make it appoint to stroke each noise that was pushed in her direction, feeling the ever present stares of the boys behind her.

 

It was getting late as she walked across the compound toward the Great Hall. She had spent a little more time than she had intended at the paddock, speaking with each of the horses, apologizing for what she had done to them. Fortunately most of them didn’t really understand what had happened, or even remembered. She did relay their personal little grievances to the three boys that were attending them, and although she didn’t tell them how she knew, or where she was getting the information from, she thought they might have suspected, even if they couldn’t believe it. The oldest boy had even offered to put a good word in with Mr. Rever. It appears that he was often looking for stable hands and since she was so good with the horses, he might even hire her in spite of the fact that she was a girl. She gave him a half hearted thanks and walked away.

She wasn’t looking forward to seeing the damage done to the great hall, even though the fire was kept under control, it wasn’t so much the structural damage as it was the loss of history. The stables were difficult to look at from her personal point of view, it was where she felt the most at home, but in the end it was just a building. The Great hall went deeper than that.

She was a little surprised that the cleanup had started so quickly, but then she had also been away for the last ten days. The walls had survived, although they were stained with black soot, and the great doors had been removed as well as the glass from the windows. Kile walked up the short flight of stairs as she peered into the gallery. It was worse than she had feared.

The place was nearly gutted. The last of the displays that had somehow survived the fire had been carted away and placed into storage and all that remained of those that weren’t so lucky, was a pile of debris in the center of the floor. The portraits were now gone, only a few still hung, and most of those were too badly damaged to make out who they were. The rafter had burned through and there was no longer a roof to speak of, even the stairs had not survived the fire, only the catwalk ending in midair gave any evidence that there had been a flight of stairs there to begin with, but worse of all, the small room under those stairs was no more.

Kicking aside a stay roof tile she watched it skid across the marble floor. It was all gone, she thought. What would the next group of hunters look to for inspiration or the ones after that? They could rebuild the rooms, but they would never replace the artifacts. She stepped over a fallen beam and walked to where the secret little gallery would have been… if it was still there. The door was gone; the room was empty, the contents having found their way to the large pile in the center of the great hall. A charred piece of wood that had once framed the portrait of Risa Ta’re was all that remained of the sad maiden. She picked it up and beneath it found the small brass key to the door. It had been bent out of shape from the heat of the fire, but there wasn’t a lock for it to fit anyway. Mathew Latherby had entrusted the key to her, and this was how she repaid him. She clutched the key tightly in her hand, then turned to leave, but didn’t get very far.

He was standing in the gallery, staring up at the place that his portrait had once hung. It was the first place that she had spoken to him, nearly three years ago. She thought about slipping away quietly, leaving him to his ghosts, but she owed him more than that. She stood behind him, not knowing what to say, but she didn’t have to say anything.

“I thought I’d find you here eventually.” The Guild Master said.

He did not sound angry, or sad, or like the fool that he usually sounded like when he spoke with the staff, if anything, he sounded tired. He turned around when she didn’t answer, and a wisp of a smile crossed his lips.

“What do you have there?” He asked.

She looked down at her hands. She hadn’t realized she was still holding the charred piece of frame, or the small brass key, she held them both out for him to see.

“It's funny isn’t it.” He said as he took the charred piece of wood and turned it over in his hands. “We see it, and we never really notice it, until it no longer there. I must have looked at this frame a million times, and I never really saw it.”

“I’m sorry sir.” She said, trying to hold back the tears.

“Sorry, for what?”

“It’s my fault, if I wasn’t here that night, this would never have happened.”

“Am I to expel you for an accident? Would that make you feel better? Well, I’m not going to. You were one link in a chain of events. You had no control over this, and from what I heard from the others, you handled yourself quite well under the situation, the way a Hunter should.”

“But sir… it’s all gone.”

“So.” Mathew grinned, and then kicked a scorched helmet across the room. It bounced off one of the walls skidded across the charred marbled floor and came to rest at the base of the pile. “Not bad for an old man.” He said.

“I don’t understand.”

“No, probably not.” Mathew sighed, “But you will, you will. You see Kile I’ve been a hunter a lot longer than you could probably imagine. This…” He said as he raised his arm encompassing the room. “This is nothing. Do you know why hunters dress like vagabonds, like ruffians, why the best don’t look as if they slept for days or taken a bath in weeks. It’s because they put little stock in the comforts of life. Oh sure, they’ll treat themselves to a good meal after a successful mission, or they might splurge on a well crafted saddle, but the luxurious trapping of day to day life is just not for the hunter.

“What a hunter has, what he owns, is what fits on his horse. He doesn’t need paintings or works of art, or artifacts or overstuffed mattresses, they’re fine for most people, but can you imagine carrying that stuff around with you every day.  I’m not saying it's true for all hunters, there are some that indulge themselves, they actually purchase houses within the city limits and stuff them with the finer things of life, but they spend their entire career fearing and longing for their possessions.

“The true hunter is constantly moving from place to place, going where he’s needed. He doesn’t have time to fear for treasures that he had no use for or long for his home, if he does that, then he’s not doing what he is suppose to be doing, and that is helping the people.

“That’s all this was.” Mathew said as he walked around the empty gallery, pointing out the pictures that were no longer there. “These were frivolous trappings of egotistical hunters who forgot what being a hunter really meant, and I have to include myself among them.”

“But sir, you’re the…”

“The Guild master, the head honcho, the Grand Hunter. Titles Kile, just empty words. I’m guilty of trying to capture the ghosts of my past in small wooden prisons.” He said as he held up the charred piece of frame.

“What are the four things a hunter really needs?”

The sudden question stumped her, she was sure she had not heard it before in any of her classes and therefore couldn’t give him an answer.

“Forget about everything you’ve read, forget about everything you’ve learned at this academy. What are the four key things that every hunter needs?”

“I’m not sure.” She responded.

“First they need a good horse, second they need a good weapon, third they need a good heart and fourth they need a good head on their shoulders. When I started out as a hunter that was all I had and that was all I needed. I’m not sure when it all changed, when we started requiring all these rules and regulations. I think if I tried to become a hunter today I would probably fail the tests.”

“But didn’t the history, the artifacts mean anything?”

“Maybe a handful of artifact had any real value, and I’m sure there will be a lot of hunters lamenting over the loss of portraits and displays, and as for history, well, history is written by the victors. You think the legend of these hunters were all true? No, history is ever changing and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Someone will find something which will change the idea of something else and before you know the things that you thought you knew are no longer the things that you know.”

That's one she would have to think on when she had more time, as she followed Mathew around the remains of the gallery.

“Maybe it’s time to renovate.” He said as he ran a finger over the soot stained plaster. “Maybe it’s time to clean out a few cobwebs, remove a few displays and replace them with new ones. There’s a whole new set of hunter out there now, maybe it’s time for you guys to rewrite the history, restock the gallery with your own adventures, your own artifacts, you own grotesquely out of proportioned portraits. Maybe this was all a blessing in disguise, a wake up call, to tell us we’re getting too complacent in our beliefs, that we’re getting too far ahead of ourselves. We have to get back to what we were Kile before we can really know what we are suppose to be.”

Stopped at the pile of debris in the center of the gallery he held the charred piece of wood gently in his hands. “You were right my love, you always were. You warned me this would happen one day, and I didn’t listen. We have forgotten where we came from, I suppose this really is goodbye.”

Kile was getting a little uncomfortable, she didn’t like to be referred to as my love, but then she realized that Master Latherby wasn’t talking to her, he was talking to the charred remains of Risa Ta’re’s frame that he held in his hand. He kissed it once and tossed it onto the pile then whispered something in a language that she couldn’t understand and stood there in silence staring at the pile before suddenly turning and sprinting across the gallery in long legged strides.

“You see this place here.” He shouted and smacked  the wall. A large section of the plaster fell at his feet. “My picture hung here for countless years, it also hung over there… and… over there.” He said, pointing across the room. “But that's an entirely different story. Your portrait is going to hang here… after we patch the wall of course.”

“My portrait?”

“Well, not yet, you still have a long way to go, but I think your portraits will hang here soon enough. You Kile have almost everything that is required to be a great hunter.”

“Me sir? I’m barely passing the courses as it is.”

“Oh, forget about the courses, forget about the academy. I’ve seen my share of hunters, pretty much all of them, and I can tell the good ones from the bad ones before they ever set foot within the academy, and you are going to be one of the good ones.”

“Well… thank you sir… I guess.” She said, not knowing what else to say.

“But not so fast, as I said, you almost have everything you need.” He said, scratching his chin. “What are the four key things that every hunter needs?”

“A good horse, a good weapon, a good heart and a good head on their shoulders.” She replied.

“There, you see, you’ve passed the most important test as far as I’m concerned. Now, lets me see.”

He held up four fingers and ticked them off as he started to explain

“You have a good heart, you’ve proven that. Nobody but a complete fool or a good hearted person would run into a burning building to save horses or go out of their way to save a yarrow’s life. You have a good head on your shoulders, even though you’ve almost had it knocked off a few times, but you’ve managed to keep it when it counts. You have a good horse. Grim will make you an excellent companion, just listen to what he has to tell you, but don’t agree with everything he has to say. Now, there’s one more thing that you still need… what was that?”

“A good weapon?”

He turned and picked up a bundled wrapped in cloth that had been sitting next to the wall. Kile had mistaken it as just more debris, until he handed it to her. She was a bit hesitant to take it, but instantly recognized the feel and weight as she held it in her hands. She untied the cloth, knowing what was inside, and pulled it back to reveille the worn wooden handles of a pair of Lann.

“Sir, I can’t accept this.”

“Why not?” Mathew asked, but he wasn’t disappointed at her refusal, in fact it appeared that he almost expected it.

“Sir these belong to Risa Ta’re.”

“Yes, and she doesn’t need them anymore.”

“But sir…”

“Why can’t you take them Kile, why do you feel you don’t deserve them?”

“Because sir…”

“Because why, because you’re a girl, because you’re a Vir, because you have Orseen blood, because you have red hair, because you can talk to animals, because you’re a farmer’s daughter, because you hale from Riverport, why don’t you feel you deserve them Kile?” He asked, or more like pressured until the only answer she could think of was the one she blurted out.

“Because I’m useless.”

The words echoed off the empty gallery walls until they came back to her time and time again, repeating what it was that her father had always said. She couldn’t look at the Lann, she couldn’t look at Mathew, she just cast her eyes to the floor as she handed the blades back to the Guild Master, but he never took them.

“Do you really feel useless?” He asked her.

She couldn’t answer.

“A useless person wouldn’t stand up to a bully to protect a kid she didn’t know, make a deal with a horse so he wouldn’t be sent back to the work yard, give a cadet a second and a third chance to prove himself, save a yarrow from the mouth of a cat, cry for the life of a rabbit. Help a friend pass a survival test with the aid of squirrels, do I have to go on, because I can.

“You look at these things as being trivial, possible even childish acts, I see these things as who you are, and they don’t describe a useless person. Now, if you want to give them back, I will take them, but they will always be yours.”

She slowly brought the Lann to her chest and clutched them tightly. “Thank you sir.” She whispered.

“Good, now that we got that settled, there is some Guild business that needs my attention. They say it can’t wait, but they always say it can’t wait. One would wonder how anything gets done if I’m not around.” Mathew said as he started for the door.

“Sir wait.” Kile called out.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out the small blue and white stone.

“I don’t know if this is important, but this was what Eric was trying to steal the night of the fire.” She said, handing it to him.

When she dropped it in his outstretched hand, she could have sworn it actually glowed if just for a second before returning to its dull colors. It could have been a trick of the light she thought, without a ceiling on the building; it was a good enough explanation.

“Are you sure this was what he wanted?” Mathew asked, and all the levity in his voice was gone as he closed his hand around the small stone.

“There were two of them, I’m sure of that, but I only mangled to retrieve the one, he got away with the other.”

“I see.”

“Is it… important?” She asked.

The smile returned to the Guild Master’s face, but she couldn’t help but noticed that this one appeared a little forced.

“No, I don’t think so. He probably thought it was some gem or something. Figured he could sell it for a few coins. I wouldn’t worry.” Mathew replied as he slipped it into his pocket. Although he had told her not to worry, it was clear that he was.

 

 

 

***~~~***

 

 

 

19

 

Things had changed at the academy since the day of the fire, but Kile couldn’t tell if it was for the better or the worse. For her part the days seemed to move slower, dragging on longer, but there wasn’t as much tension as when Eric was around. His actions and ultimately his escape were a popular subject of the cadets, even the first years now knew his name and spoke of him. The Problem was, that some cadets talked about his actions with such awe and respect, that he became something of a folk idol to some of the younger students.  It made her physically ill to hear them talk about his deeds as if he was some courageous hero that had been persecuted by the establishment, and she actually fears for the future of the Hunter’s Guild. When these kids suffered through their three years at the academy and their one year probation, what path would they be walking? Was this the beginning of the end for the guild that Oblum spoke of? Of course there was some glimmer of hope, although she hated to admit it. For every cadet that spoke with reverence toward Eric Rimes, there was another that spoke of the deeds of Kile Veller.

It was embarrassing for her to walk into the dinning hall and hear the whispers and feel the stares. She was able to accept it when the remarks were all derogatory, but now the younger cadets whisper their admiration and stare in awe as she passed. It got to a point that she once again dreaded going into the Dinning Hall and thought about having her meal delivered to her room, if that was even possible.

For the most part the academy was healing itself slowly. Work had begun on the reconstruction of the stables and the rebuilding of the Great Hall, although it was forced to stop during the colder winter months, as soon as the spring rolled around the construction started again. Workers from the city arrived early in the morning and left by the evening light, disrupting just about every class that they could. Instructors had to double up in the few rooms that were still safe to occupy, and a few were even moved to the storage areas and the Dinning Hall. The third year horses had been transferred from their temporary enclosure to the city stables to make room for the second year’s horses that had only just arrived. Although it had been interrupted, life at the academy limped on through the winter as best as it could, and when spring finally came it was a welcome relief for both students and faculty.

 

Kile had once again been summoned to Morgan’s tower, this time it would be for her final evaluation in the mystic arts and the use of her edge. There was only three months left to go at the academy and the excitement could already be felt in the air. The Third year cadets had already started to slack off, coasting through the days, until the graduation ceremony where they would be receiving their destination papers and their certification credentials. From there they would be off to… where ever the destination papers told them they would be off to.

She reached the door of Morgan’s tower, knocked three times and entered.

“Sir, are you in here?” She called out from the foyer as she hung her hat on the rack.

“Oh, Kile, please come in.” The mystic called out. She followed his voice down the hall and into the main room. His room at this point had been neater than it had ever been over the last three years, and to think, he would have to pack it all back up in less than three months when he moved back to the Mystic Tower, leaving the smaller tower vacant for the next Mystic of next year's class.

He was sitting in his overstuffed winged back chair sipping his rosemary tea. The fire suspended in a the floating globe was neither heating nor cooling the room, at least she couldn’t feel any difference from the outside temperature. It was probably there just for the atmosphere she figured.

“Please, be seated.” He said, directing her toward the other overstuffed winged back chair that she had become all too familiar with. At least now she was able to sit in it without having to fear how she was going to get out of it.

“Care for some tea?”

“Thank you sir.” She replied as she fell in the seat. She accepted her tea, although she really never developed much of a taste for it, but it was still rude to refuse it. She set the tea down on the side table and fished through her pouch, producing a small metal box.

“I don’t suppose I’ll need this anymore.” She said as she handed it to Morgan.

“No, I suppose not, now that you are graduating.” The old mystic replied as he opened the lid. The flame that had warmed her cell through the cold winter nights at the academy was quickly swallowed up by the fire that was suspended in the floating globe. Morgan closed his hands over the box and it too was gone.

“So, this is it.” He said as he picked up his own tea and sipped from the cup. “Your final evaluation in the mystic arts, how do you feel?”

“I’d be lying if I said I felt confident sir.”

He laughed as he set his tea back down on the table beside him. It was a little strange to see the mystic so relaxed and she wondered how much rum did he have in his drink.

“Well then, let me put you at ease.” He said. “You’ve past.”

She sat there for a moment, unsure of how to take the news. She had expected some type of assessment of her skills, or possibly some lengthy mystic evaluation with flashing lights and thunder or something, but to simply sit there and be told she passed, that was not what she had expected.

“So, that’s it.” She said. It seamed like an anticlimactic ending to all her studies.

“What do you want me to do, give you a test?”

“I kind of thought there would be something.”

He laughed again, shaking his head.

“There is no real test that I can give, especially for someone like you. Every cadet’s edge is different, it both ability and strength. There is no real yardstick that I can use to measure them. All I am required to do is inform the guild whether I believe a cadet has control of his edge, and whether that edge is sufficient for what is required of a hunter.”

“And mine is?”

“Do you really feel you have to ask me that?” Morgan asked, raising one of his furry little eyebrows.

“I suppose not.” She replied.

“You’ve already proven to me that you have enough control over your edge that you are not a danger to yourself or others, and that you can use it effectively. But you must understand, that doesn’t mean your studies are over.”

“What do you mean?”

“The mystic arts are anything but predictable, especially in hunters. When someone enters into the Mystic Tower to start their life as a mystic, they are immersed in the art of their sphere. They must learn all that there is to know about the sphere that they are influenced by, so that they can control the power they possess. Hunters on the other hand, have rather limited abilities. They know only one or two skills that are associated with the sphere they are influenced by. For instance, Eric Rimes. As you are no doubt aware, his sphere of influence was that of fire. He learned how to wield it quite effectively, but his skill is limited. He could create it, and project it, but that was where his skill ended. A fire mystic must know more, he must know not only how to create fire, but to manipulate it, and extinguish it, skills that Eric, at this moment, does not have.”

“Should you be telling me this, sir? I mean, I thought that a hunter’s edge was kept only between the hunter and the mystic.”

“This is true.” Morgan said, raising one finger, which always meant he had a lot more to say. “As of yesterday, Eric Rimes is no longer a hunter. The guild has placed an open script on his head, and therefore he is no longer afforded the privileges of confidentiality.”

“An open script?”

She was a bit surprised that it had gone that far, or that Eric had managed to avoid capture for so long. Somehow he had managed to stay ahead of his pursuers through the winter, and now it appeared that they were not getting any closer to bringing him in. She knew Eric, and she knew that he wasn’t that competent at least not without help.

“You said he didn’t have the skill to control fire at this movement.” She said, trying to get back on track. She didn’t really want to think about Eric, let alone talk about him, but the mystic was going somewhere with this and if she didn’t get him focused, he could go off on tangents all afternoon. “Does that mean he could learn new skills?” She asked.

“Oh yes, he has the capability of learning much more. All hunters do, if they are willing to study at it, but that is where the predictability ends. You see, a hunter only has three years to study their art, or edge if you will. It is enough time to perfect one skill, such as Eric’s ability to create, for lack of a better description, balls of fire, but through time and use he could improve upon that skill, and even learn new one.”

“So he could learn how to… manipulate fire or control it in another way.” She clarified.

“That is correct, and because he understands the sphere, he could teach himself the other skills, to a certain degree. Without consulting someone who truly knows and understands the sphere of fire, he could only archive a limited knowledge of other skills. You see, the relationship between the mystic and the student doesn’t end when the student graduate the academy, oh no, it continues until the student is no longer a hunter, or the mystic is no longer a mystic, although for the most part, Hunters have limited interest in pursuing their arts any farther than their personal edge.”

“So… you’re no longer his mystics.”

“Oh, give me some credit.” Morgan replied a bit flustered as he sipped his tea. “Eric is no longer one of my students, not that he ever really was. Sure I showed him how to control the edge that he possessed, but that was about it. It is not my place to judge who should and who shouldn’t be a hunter, but between you and me, it was a mistake to even let him back into the entry examination.”

“Then why was he?” She asked, although she kind of knew the answer already. His father was the cousin to the crown, and that carried quite a bit of weight.

“Mystics try to stay out of the affairs of state as well as those of the guild. We are simply here to assist in the training of the hunter in the use of their edge, but that is not important right now, what is important is you. You are different than Eric, well, let’s face it, you are different than most hunters.”

“Different? How?”

“As you know, you don’t fall into any sphere, and therefore your skill level is, currently… unknown. We have no way of knowing what you can and cannot do, or how far your skills can go or even what skills you can develop over time.”

“I can communicate with animals, I know that, I don’t see how much farther that can go.”

“Don’t you? When you arrived here, you weren’t even sure what your edge was, and neither did I, but within one year we have learned through a series of tests that you can communicate with the natural world, the fauna if you will and even control it if necessary. You’ve also told me about your heightened senses, your sense of smell, your sense of hearing, even your night vision has improved.”

“But you said those were just me channeling Vesper, or the dogs.”

“I’m afraid that was just a hypothesis, but I am not so sure it was an accurate one. Without further testing, or conclusive evidence we can only guess at the source of those abilities.”

“So… my edge could be… changing me?”

“In a way… yes.”

That was not something she wanted to know, it was bad enough that her edge separated her from the other cadets in that she was different in what she could do, but if she became different in what she was, then what? She would truly be a freak on the inside as well as the out.

“I wouldn’t be too worried about it.” Morgan assured her. “I don’t think you’ll grow a tail and long ears overnight.”

“But you’re not sure.”

“Well… there were a few more experiments that I would have liked to try had we the time. The alverie had a very strong connection with the natural world, and through further research, I have discovered a great deal about that connection and about some of the unique skills that a few of the alverie possessed, and I must say, some of them were quite fascinating.”

“What kind of… skills?”

“I’m not saying that you possess all the skills, no one alva possessed all the skills.”

“Then, what are we talking about?”

“Well, as you know there were some that could communicate with the flora of the natural world, the plants and the trees. Of course we know that you can not, at least not right now.”

Well, that was encouraging, sort of.

“Then of course there were the senses, there is some documentation of alverie that possess heightened senses of smell, taste, hearing, touch even vision. Similar to what you have claimed.”

“But they come and go, I don’t really have them, and I’ve never said anything about touch or taste.”

“Not yet, but there could be a time when it becomes apparent that you do possess these senses. Then there are also the mating and the pheromones.”

“I told you once we are not going there.” She said.

“I am just pointing out the possibilities.”

“Then point out another.” She told him.

“Fine, how about polymorphing?”

“Poly what?”

“Polymorphing, shape shifting, some legends claim that some alverie could take the form of animals.”

“Wait, you mean it is possible that I could grow a tail and ears.”

“I’m just stating the old alverian legends, it was so long ago, we don’t have any real proof, and legends can be misinterpreted.”

“I could wake up one day as a dog, or a… a  yarrow.”

“Well, I don’t think I would go that far, but… who knows. All I’m saying is that at this moment, your edge is unique, and because it is unique, we don’t know what form it could take. It is possible that you may experience other… abilities in time, ones that even the alverie have never written about, and if that does occur, I would expect you to come and seek me at the Tower so that we can explore and control these new skills.”

“Oh, yes… of course.” She said, although she didn’t really want to go back to the Mystic Tower for any reason, especially not to be the subject of tests.

“So, now that I have explained what I needed to, do you have any question for me about your edge, or the mystic arts in general?” Morgan asked, sitting back in his chair and folding his hands in his lap.

She took a sip of her tea, which was now getting cold and didn’t improve the flavor much.

There were some things about the mystic arts she did want to know about, strictly out of curiosity. Her knowledge of the subject was very limited and although it still unnerved her, there were certain things that just plain confused her, but she knew that Morgan wouldn’t or couldn’t talk about them. Like how could Carter turn invisible, or how could Murphy change his body to stone and still be able to move. These small pieces of trivial information were probably covered by, what Morgan called, the Hunter/Mystic confidentiality, but there was one thing that had bothered her that maybe he could shed a brighter light on.

“I do have one question, although it doesn’t have anything to do with my edge.” She replied.

“And what would that be?” He asked.

She thought about it a moment, trying to figure out how to ask the question without giving too much away, not that she had much to give away in the first place. She was sure when she handed the small blue and white stone to Guild Master Latherby that night in the burnt out gallery, it actually glowed. She tried to convince herself otherwise, that it had simply been a trick of the light, but the more she thought about it, the more it lingered on her mind, she was sure that the stone glowed. The Guild Master hadn’t noticed it, or if he did he hid it pretty well. He just shoved it into his pocket and told her not to worry about it.

“Are there such things as… magic artifacts?” She asked.

“Magic artifacts?” He said looking at her as if she had just asked if there were monsters under the bed or a man in the moon, then again, from what she had seen in the past three years she wouldn’t doubt those either.

“Well, something like a… magic… stone.”

“Magic stones?”

“I’m guessing that’s a no.”

She had the feeling she was getting nowhere as the Mystic looked at her in that strange way he had when he was studying something that confused him.

“Well, I wouldn’t exactly say no, but I wouldn’t say yes either.” Morgan replied, stroking his chin. “If you were to ask me about swords or rings or something like that, then I would have to say no, but a stone, that is something entirely different.”

“How so?”

“Well, to put it in simple terms. The mystic arts are a manipulation of the natural world. Rings and swords in and of themselves cannot be enchanted. They’ve been processed by man from their raw form into something entirely different, something that is removed from the natural world, but a stone… a stone in its raw form is still very much a part of the natural world, so… yes, I suppose it could be enchanted and therefore considered… magic.”

“So there are things like magic stones?”

It sounded like something out of a fairy tale her mother would have told her when she was very young. The princess and the magic stone, the story seemed to write itself, or maybe it should be the hunter and the magic stone.

“Well… I wouldn’t go that far. I mean there are legends of the alverie enchanting jewels such as rubies or emeralds and setting them into rings or swords to create a sort of magic artifact, but I can’t see the purpose of actually enchanting a stone. It would hold no value other than the enchantment, and if you set it down, how would you tell it from the other stones. It just doesn’t seem like a very practical idea.” Morgan said as he stared up at the ceilings, but Kile could see that his mind had not yet relinquished the idea of enchanted stones.

“Then again.” He suddenly added, still staring at the ceiling. “If you were to use the stone to build something, such as a house or a tower, would it transfer that enchantment to the entire structure? Think about the possibilities. If you could say, enchant a stone with fire, could you keep a building from burning.”

It wasn’t exactly what Kile had in mind, but had the Great Hall had such an enchantment placed upon it, it wouldn’t have suffered as much damage as it had. Although it probably wouldn’t protect the contents of the building and the displays would still have burned.

Great, now she was getting as bad as he was going off on tangents.

“An interesting idea, but I’m afraid, not very practical.” Morgan replied shaking his head. “No, you see, if you were to make fire resistant buildings, then what would the city fire brigade do for a living? We’ve had this trouble before you know.”

“What, with fire proof houses?” She asked. She was having a hard time following his line of thinking. All she wanted to know about was the possibility of the existence of magic stones.

“No, not the fire proofing of houses.” He said, shaking his head, “But the construction of them.”

“You can build houses?”

“Oh yes, there is very little that a mystic couldn’t do under the right circumstances and with the right influence. Why, a mystic who is influenced by both stone and air could easily build a house in a matter of hours, as opposed to days.”

“So, you could rebuild the stables or the Great Hall in a matter days?”

“What, me personally?” He asked “I suppose I could, yes, I believe I could.”

“Then why don’t you?” She asked. She had been watching the men working on the great hall for the last three months, and they still have yet to place the roof back on. To her it appeared that the longer they worked and the more men they called in, the slower the progress was.

“Well, that's just it. The mystic council has deemed it a violation of the conduct laws. Mystics are not allowed to build or rebuild structures regardless of how they were damaged.”

“Why not?”

“Simply the fear of legal retaliation. You see, years ago in Littenbeck, a merchant's shop burned to the ground. He approached the mystic council and made a deal to have his shop rebuilt. The mystics agreed and rebuilt his shop in less than a day. When others saw what the mystics had accomplished, they began to request work. Soon the Contractors Guild, the Carpenters Guild and the Masons Guild and what ever other guilds that could pull together, petition the court to put a stop to it. Ever since then the mystic council has deemed it a violation of the conduct law, so even if I wanted to rebuild the stables, I couldn’t.”

Kile had to think about that one for a moment. Everything seemed more complicated in the cities than back in Riverport. If a home or shop burned down in Riverport the entire community would gather together to rebuild it, it was just a given fact.

She quickly shook the thoughts out of her head. Morgan had gone off on one of his tangents and had dragged her along for the ride. Needless to say he did answer her original question about magic stones. It was at least feasible that a magic or enchanted stone could exist. If that was the case, then what type of enchantment would you place on a small blue and white stone, and why would Eric go through all that trouble to find it? It seemed to raise more questions than answers.

 

Kile’s last three months at the academy were dull, and she welcomed that dullness. She spent her mornings training with Luke, even though he claimed he had nothing more to teach her. She had never told him about the gift of the Lann that Guild Master Latherby had given her, but then she had a feeling the old stable hand already knew. He seemed to know as much about what was going on at the academy as Mathew Latherby did, and she began to wonder if the two ever exchanged information, although she had never seen them together.

The afternoons were spent with the guys, trying to get Murphy through his cultural studies or Alex through his logistics lessons, and sparring with Carter from time to time, although Carter wasn’t all that enthusiastic. The more she sparred with him, the clumsier his style of fighting appeared, and on more than one occasion she actually had to let him win to spare his ego. She didn’t know if Carter ever figured it out, but Daniel knew, and he always thanked her for letting his friend win at least once in a while.  It was the least she could do for all the time he had thrown a sparring match for her sake.

As spring pushed into summer, she officially became a fourth year cadet. She gave up her dingy ill fitting light green uniforms for the more stylish dingy ill fitting dark green uniforms, and like every year before that, she stood along the fence line and waited for the new first year cadets to arrive. She watched the looks on their young faces, their awed expressions of seeing the academy for the very first time, and thought about her first impressions of the place that she had called home for the last three years, well, maybe home was not the word she would have used.

There weren’t as many barbs or insults this year, probably because the academy just didn’t seem the same, it had lost something in the fire, a bit of itself, a bit of its tradition. The Great Hall, although now nearly completed, just wasn’t the same Great Hall that she had tended classes in, and although the stables were now finished, they weren’t her stables. It was as Guild Master Latherby said; it might have been a blessing in disguise.

She even forced herself to sit through Oblum’s orientation, or stood as there were no seats, watching Gorum and Hunar play their part to perfection, and for the first time she really heard Oblum’s speech. The old headmaster had changed, or maybe it was just her perception of him, or maybe it was just her, but with all the changes the one thing that didn’t change was the new cadets.

There were those that bullied and those that got bullied and then there were those that just stood there and watched. She supposed it was all part of the learning process, and they would figure it out in time what it really means to be a hunter, and if they can’t learn, then there was always the eastern gate, and from the looks of some of the new cadets, she was sure they would be taking the walk before their first year was out. It wasn’t until she saw the small young boy being pushed down by a much larger cadet with greasy black hair that it brought back memories of her first day at the academy, and of Garret Treeman. Before she knew what she was doing she was half way across the list. One well place kick to the base of the leg and the larger boy toppled over backwards into the dirt. This got the other cadets laughing even harder and what made it more humiliating than just being knocked down and laughed at, was being knocked down by a girl and laughed at.

“First thing you’re gonna learn here is that Hunters look out for one another, if you can’t do that, maybe you should be looking toward the eastern gate.” She said as she stood over the boy.

“Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is?” The kid cursed from the dirt.

“As a matter of fact… I do, but the second thing you're gonna learn here is it doesn’t matter who or what you are, once you pass through those gates, you're just like everyone else. We’re all the same here. Rich, poor, beggar, prince or… princess, it doesn’t matter, we’re all the same. You should remember that.”

It was the same speech that Tree had told Eric on that day, almost word for word. She was surprised she even remembered it as the memories came flooding back. The only difference was that Kile had no idea who the kid was or who his father was, and she really didn’t care. She had enough people who disliked her, what was one more.

The boy got up, dusted himself off and looked around at his so called friends, the same friends that were laughing just as hard at him as they were at the boy he was picking on. He wasn’t sure what to do next and just glared at Kile who wasn’t much bigger than he was. Eventually he decided his best option was just getting out of sight for a while as he quietly followed the line of new cadets to the dorm. She turned to the boy that was still on the ground and extended a hand.

“What’s your name?” She asked him as she helped him to his feet.

“Tommy. Tommy Lens.” The boy replied, not making eye contact. She probably didn’t do the kid any favors, now he would doubtless be teased for being saved by a girl.

“I wouldn’t worry Tommy. If I can make it this far, you should have no problems.” She told him. It brought a smile to the young boy’s face as he followed his fellow classmates to the dorm, and although she hoped what she said was true, she couldn’t help but believe that his name would be one that Oblum would read on some cold morning during roll call as yet another cadet that had taken the walk.

 

The next morning Kile was up early and out of the dorms to welcome the new day. There were only a few more of them until the graduation ceremony and she just couldn’t sleep as she strolled through the compound with Vesper riding on her shoulder all the way. The yarrow was a little annoyed about getting up so early, but if he was still set on traveling with her, he would have to get used to it.

She followed the familiar route up to the stables. It’s new wood and clean stone made it stand out among the older buildings, and although some of the stones from the old structure were used to rebuild the foundation of the new building, most of it had been carted away. It wasn’t a bad place; it just wasn’t her place as she walked around the perimeter, although she had learned that it was the cutting edge in stable design, whatever that meant. It was wider now, to house more horses as well as a few classrooms for Master Pike, so the place that she had slept her summers and spared with her friends was now some twenty odd feet inside one of the new classrooms.

As she walked around the corner she saw Hunar running across the open field. The mastiff jumped on something in the grass and picked up what appeared to be a stick, and then ran back the way she came. She followed the dog’s path to see Oblum standing outside in a short sleeved shirt and pants with Gorum lying by his side fast asleep. Hunar brought the stick to the headmaster and the two tugged with it for a while before Oblum pried it free and tossed it once again. Hunar was never able to explain the joys of fetch to Kile, but the dog loved the game all the same.

“You’re up early cadet.” Oblum said as he pulled the stick from Hunar once again.

She didn’t think the headmaster had noticed her as she stepped from the side of the stables. He appeared so relaxed and normal when he was with his dogs, not the gruff, overbearing Hunter that scared little kids.

“I couldn’t sleep sir.” She said as she walked across the field toward him.

“Worried about the graduation ceremony?” He asked.

The ceremony wasn’t that big of a deal, the fourth year cadets sat in the Great Hall as Sir Oblum called out their names, they then had to collect small ceremonial items from the staff and guild members before receiving their final papers. It was a simple process that could easily be handled by a messenger, but it did worry her.

“It’s an easy ceremony.” He assured her.

“Oh, I know sir. I saw Tree’s.”

“Trees?” He said looking around; clearly not understand what she meant.

“Sorry sir, I meant I saw Garret Treeman’s ceremony when he graduated three years ago.”

“Oh yes, Treeman.” Oblum replied, and she could tell by the look on his face that he remembered the name. “He was a good cadet and a good Hunter. It was a shame what happened to him. I’ve noticed that you wear his pin. Did you know him?”

Her hand instinctively went to the small sliver tree pin that she wore on her collar.

“Only briefly sir.” She replied. “He was going off on his probationary year when I started.”

“Yes… yes of course.”

Hunar returned with the stick and this time dropped it at Kile’s feet. It made her a little uncomfortable to be taking the game away from Oblum.

“Looks like she wants a younger arm to throw it.” He laughed.

She picked up the wet stick and tossed it as far as she could, she couldn’t’ really say it went further than the Headmaster’s throw, but Hunar didn’t care.

“You’re nervous about your year of probation?” Oblum asked as he sat down beside Gorum. The old dog placed his head in his master’s lap.

“I guess I am sir...a little.” She replied.

“You, you shouldn’t have a problem. I can see you receiving your level five certification in no time. If it was up to me I’d certify you now, what with your action during your final year here at the academy.”

“What sir, you mean burning it down?”

“Is that how you see it?” He laughed. “Well, it doesn’t matter, you can’t be judged based upon the three years here, only what happens out there, when you’re on your own, but I’m sure the council will keep your academy years in mind. I can see you getting your level five in maybe two, three months tops.”

“I thought I had to go the entire year before I was eligible for certification.”

“What, No. What are these instructors teaching you? You can be certified anytime during the next year. Why, I was certified four months after leaving the academy. I mean if you survive the year you’re automatically certified, but if you prove yourself and you do a good job, you’ll receive your certification earlier.”

“I never knew that.”

She could become a certified level five hunter before the current year was out.

“Yeah, but it’s a curse in disguise.” He warned her. “The guild only pays your way while you’re on probation. Once you receive your level five certification, then you’ll have to pay your own way. Room, board, stable fees, guild dues, it all adds up.”

“I never considered that.” She replied. She barely had enough money to get to the entry examination, could she actually make it on her own.  “Does the guild, pay well sir?”

“Pay well? Not likely, that’s why a lot of hunters seek out open scripts, but I wouldn’t be too worried about it. You do get paid while you on probations so keep that in mind, and there are a lot of inns and stables that give hunter’s discounts, they think it drums up business, you just have to keep an eye out and look around for the best deals.”

“I guess I never considered that side of it.”

“Most new Hunter’s seldom do.” He said as he struggled to get to his feet. “That’s why the drop out rate is so high after the first year of probation. It’s not as if you will be completely on your own. The guild does look out for its own. If you find yourself in a tight spot there are always the guild houses where you can stay and eat for free. I’ve spent my share of nights in those and I can tell you… I wouldn’t’ recommend it.”

“Thanks sir.” She said although he wasn’t making much of a case for the guild.

“Well, you can always do what Folkstaff did. I don’t think he’s ever paid for a room, he spent most of his nights sleeping under the stars and living off the land.”

That was always an option she thought, but a nice soft bed would be nice once in a while.

“Yeah, but I wouldn’t be too worried about it.” Oblum said again, and each time he told her not to be too worried about it, it only made her worry more.

The headmaster motioned to Hunar that the game was over. “I think you’ll be just fine Cadet. Better get ready; a new day is starting soon.”

Almost on cue, the moment Oblum said it, Kile hear Master West ring the bell.

 

The advantage of being a fourth year cadet in a three year academy was that they weren’t required to do anything for the first few days, until they received their destination papers, so it was considered to be a well deserved yet small vacation. That was unless of course you were recommended by instructors to escort the new cadets around, like Daniel had been. They couldn’t make you do it, but they strongly suggested that you did, and Master Adams had informed them that from this moment on, everything that they did would go toward their evaluation and ultimately determine whether they would be certified or not.

Survive your probationary year, you’re certified, prove yourselves during your probationary year and you’ll be certified earlier, screw up and your out. It was pretty clear, even to the most easily confused cadets such as Alex. The problem that she had with the whole idea was that they kept saying survive your probationary year, which was an indication that some cadet at some time, probably didn’t. Then there was always the vague notion of screwing up, how does one actually screw up their probationary year. When asked, Master Adams would just tell them not to do anything that went against the code, but that didn’t cover much. The best advice he could give was just “do your job” and “keep your head down”. As long as you don’t make waves, you couldn’t be blamed for anything.

She decided she was going to keep her head down from the start and hid away in the stables while the other forth year cadets were escorting the first year cadets around the compound. She wasn’t asked, which really didn’t surprise her, and she definitely wasn’t going to volunteer. There were still members of the Guild Council that wanted her gone, and now she could put a name to them, the so called sons of Terrabin. She didn’t fit in with the direction that they wanted to push the guild and so she was an obstacle waiting to be removed. She was sure Erin Silva was having the same problems being the only other female Hunter, but she had been in the game a lot longer than Kile. Erin was a certified level one Hunter and not someone that could easily be gotten rid of, Kile didn’t have that luxury. She wasn’t going to fool herself or tell herself otherwise, the council would be watching her closely. One screw up, one missed step and she could still find herself out of the academy after putting in her three years. She knew she had at least one friend on the council, if she could dare call Guild Master Latherby a friend, he had been watching out for her, but that didn’t make her safe. She couldn’t give the guild a reason to throw her out.

She hung around the stables, talking to the new horses and writing down their names upon the plaques beside their stalls. She had a feeling that their owners wouldn’t use the names, but it made the horses feel better and it gave her something to do. Whenever one of the groups was given a tour of the stables, she made herself scarce, taking a leaf out of old Luke’s book and sinking into the shadows. It was times like these that she envied Carter and his edge.

“Hey Kile, you in here?” Daniel called out as he came through the stable doors with fifteen first year cadets in tow.

“Nope, try someplace else.” She replied as she sat in the hayloft watching them.

“Come on, someone wants to meet you.”

She really didn’t want to get involved with the old cadet passing on wisdom to the new cadet tradition, but since it was Daniel, a brief appearance couldn’t hurt. She jumped down from the hayloft, landing among the new cadets and scaring the life out of a few of them. She was happy to see that she was actually taller than most of them, which either meant she had grown since her first year here or that the guild was getting desperate.

“Geez Kile, could you at least warn me if you’re going to do that.” Daniel said, trying to catch his breath. She hadn’t realized she had scared the life out of him as well. If nothing else it got the cadets laughing.

“Who wanted to see me?” She asked.

Daniel motioned for one of the boys to step forward, the frail young kid that had gotten knocked down last night.

“Cadet Tommy Lens.” She acknowledged. The boy’s eyes lit up, probably because she had remembered his name.

“I… I wanted to… um… I wanted to thank you for… you know.”

He was not a very eloquent child, a little shy, a little awkward, and rather small. Kile didn’t really think that he would last the first year, but then most cadets didn’t think she would last the first year and now she was graduating.

“Don’t mention it.” She said, not that he actually had managed to mention it. “All you have to do is believe in yourself and you’ll do fine here.” She told him, clapping him on the shoulder and walking through the crowd of first years. She was getting a little uncomfortable with them surrounding her.

“Are you really the only girl at the academy?” One kid asked.

“For the next three days, I suppose I am.” She replied.

“Do you know the hunter Erin Silvia?” Another one asked.

“Well, yeah, I suppose I do, she was the one that sponsored me.”

“Is it true that you burned down the stables?”

“No, I burned down the Great hall, someone else burned down the stables.”

“Did you really shoot an instructor with a crossbow?”

“Yeah, that was me.” She replied.

“And I heard she beat up the weapons instructor.” Another cadet added.

“Well, he did kind of deserve it.” She said as she gave a desperate and puzzled look to Daniel. What did someone do, write a paper about her?

“I think we’ve taken up enough of cadet Veller’s time.” Daniel laughed as he led his squad of first years out through the back. “We’re going to head up to the new great hall, which is where most of your classes will be held.” She heard him say as they disappeared.

“How does it feel to be famous?”

“How do they know so much about me?” She asked Luke who had stepped from the shadows behind her. She knew he was there, she was familiar with his scent and the old stable hand hadn’t been able to sneak up on her for some time.

“Word does get around.” He grinned.

If she didn’t know better, she would have said he had something to do with it.

 

 

 

***~~~***

 

 

 

20

 

The day of graduation didn’t come soon enough as Kile greeted the morning through the open window of her cell and looked out upon the academy for what would be her last day. Actually, it wasn’t her last day. The ceremony would be tonight at the New Great hall and then she would probably spend the night in her cell and leave early tomorrow morning, so she was actually looking out upon the academy for her second to last day.

She had thought about getting a head start on her packing, but realized she didn’t have much to pack save for a few odds and ends that she had collected. The clothes she had brought from home no longer fit her and had to be discarded. The only clothes she owned were those that were supplied by the guild and those would have to be returned to the Quartermaster that morning, where she would pick up her official Hunter’s uniform, although she had never seen a Hunter wear a uniform.

The only things she had that were worth taking were the few leather straps that she tied her hair up with, her toiletry, such as the brush and comb that had belonged to her mother, four small ebony boxes although she wasn’t sure what she was going to do with them or why she even kept them, her brother’s old hat and of course Risa Ta’re’s Lann.

She pulled them out from under her bed, where she had kept them since the day the Guild master had given them to her. The blades were still wrapped in the same cloth; she hadn’t touched them, or even looked at them since she hid them under there. Eventually she would have to wear them, otherwise what good would they be.

She set the bundle upon the bed and slowly peeled back the old tattered cloth. There were actually three blades, one she hadn’t seen before. It was a long knife about sixteen inches from end to end with a twelve inch blade and a sheath that would strap it to the small of her back. She hadn’t noticed if Risa Ta’re was wearing it in the portrait, but then the alverian hunter was sitting and it would have been difficult to see. She knew that the long knife belonged to the Hunter since the wooden grip was identical to those of the Lann. She gently caressed the hard wood of the hilt, which was incredibly smooth from wear and hesitated before wrapping her fingers around it and drawing it from its sheath. There wasn’t a mark, a scratch or chip on the long slender blade. She realized that she was probably the only other person besides Risa Ta’re to hold it, at least that's what she wanted to believe. Guild Master Latherby probably held them once or twice, and he did say they had been on display for a while so there was no telling how many cadets might have touched the weapons or handled them, and then of course they had been moved around from place to place before their final storage in the small room under the stairs, so maybe a dozen or more people had touched them before she had, it still didn’t lessen the link between her and the hunter.

A knock on the door startled her, and she quickly sheathed the Lann. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous about having them in her room, it wasn’t as if she had stolen them, the Guild Master himself gave them to her.

“One moment.” She called out as she wrapped the cloth around the weapons and tucked them back under her bed. She straightened her hair, then straightened the bed and quickly pulled open the door.

“What took you so long?” Daniel asked.

“Don’t you know you have to wait for a lady?”

“Yeah, I know, but that still doesn’t answer my question.”

“Hey, remember, according to your little cadets, I’m the one that shot an instructor, burned down the Great hall and beat up the weapons master, so you better watch what you’re saying.”

“Those were the rumors I corrected. You should have heard what they really thought you did.”

“I don’t think I want to know.” She said, shaking her head. “Why are you here so early anyway?”

“Where’s supposed to be getting our uniforms from the Quartermaster this morning, or did you forget?”

“I didn’t forget.” She said as she grabbed her hat from the back of the chair and pushed him out of her room.

They stepped out the front door of the dorms to find Carter leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared up at the clouds. Alex and Murphy were discussing something that involved dancing women since that was the illusion Alex was creating in his hand before he quickly dispelled it when he saw her coming.

“Why do girls always take so long?” Carter asked as he pushed himself away from the wall to follow Daniel.

“I don’t know, if you ever get yourself one, you can ask her.” She replied.

It was kind of liberating to walk across the compound and watch the other cadets fall in for roll call and prepare for another day of training. The first years would go to the New Great Hall after breakfast and study under Master Adams, Master Rooqack or Master Voreing while the second year cadets had Master Boraro and the third year cadets were stuck with Master Pike. She always wondered why Tree was so happy when she saw him around the compound during his last few days here, and now she knew. It was the knowledge that you would be graduating and wouldn’t have to deal with all the training and the instructors anymore.

They stepped into the Quartermaster’s office, and the big man seemed genuinely happy to see them.

“More graduates.” He bellowed as he waddled around his desk. He was a large round man, probably had never seen his toes in years.

“We’ve come to pick up our uniforms for the graduation ceremony tonight.” Daniel announced.

“Of course you have, of course you have.” He said as he waddled over to one of the shelves and started to fumble through some clothing wrapped in brown paper. He drew them out one by one until there were five sets. He placed them upon one of the tables and made his way into the back room. It took him a few moments before he came back out with more things wrapped in more paper and proceeded to dump them upon the table as well.

“You will of course be wishing to choose your weapon.” He said as he addressed the wall of swords that hung on display.

“Our weapons.” Carter said, and his eyes virtually lit up.

“But of course.” The quartermaster laughed. “You don’t expect the guild to send you out into the wild without a weapon.”

Carter was in his glory as he studied the display. It was clear that he had been waiting for this day since he started at the academy.

“It will only be temporary.” He said as he drew one of the long swords and felt the weight. “My father said that upon graduation and getting my certification that he would make me a sword personally.”

“The advantages of having a blacksmith for a father.” Daniel replied as he picked a sword at random and placed it upon the table.

“You’re going to want to choose more carefully than that.” Carter said. “Here, let me help you.”

“I don’t really think I will be using it all that much.”

“How can you say that, you don’t know what’s going to happen out in the wild.”

“Oh, I have a pretty good guess. While you guys are going to be battling the elements, delivering your letters and get yourself killed, I’ll be in a nice warm, dry, safe hospital in Littenbeck, living in luxury.”

“Why, don’t you feel well?” Alex asked.

“I think it’s because of his edge.” Kile assure the smaller cadet.

“How does he know where he’s going to be sent?”

“Well, I shouldn’t really be telling you guys this, but I’ve already met with Guild Master Latherby. Because of my edge he wants to place me at the Guild’s head office in Littenbeck. They have a hospital there and they need all the help they can get.” Daniel said with pride. “And, within one month after arriving, I’ll be getting my level five certification.”

“Oh that is so not fair.” Kile shouted.

“Sorry guys, but it helps to have talent.” He laughed. “So really the sword is just for show, I don’t think I’ll need it at the hospital.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Kile replied. “With your bedside manners, patients are likely to revolt.”

“Seems you have your career all set in the Guild young cadet.” The Quartermaster laughed as he dropped even more stuff on the table.

“Do we really need all this?” Murphy asked.

“The guild provides for its own.”

“How about you Kile, I’ll help you chose your sword then.” Carter said as he grabbed one of the shorter, lighter blades.

“I… don’t’ really need one.” She replied.

“Don’t tell me you’re working at the hospital too.”

“No, of course not, it’s just that my weapon has already been taken care of.”

“How?”

“It just has that how.” She replied.

“Well, you can help me with mine Carter.” Alex said as he stepped forward. “And get me a good one, the best weapon my father would be able to provide would be a pocket knife. It would appear that some of us just aren’t very well connected.”

“Same here.” Murphy voiced as he walked up toward the weapon racks.

Kile went to the table and began to sort through some of the packages, she was glad to see that most of them had names printed on the outside, so she started separating them into piles. There were a pair of boots with her name on them as well as three bundles of clothing wrapped in paper and tied up with string. The stuff that didn’t have names on them were rather generic such as the belt pouches, the tinderbox, the small knives, and a few other pieces of survival equipments, although she wasn’t happy to see the packages of hardtack.

“Excuse me sir.” She said, turning to the Quartermaster when he actually stopped for a moment. He had to have brought out everything by now, what more could there be?

“What can I do for you miss?”

“Would you happen to have any of those bags, you know the large ones that go over the shoulder.”

“The old courier bags?” He asked, and then thought for a moment. “Why, I think I might have some in the back room, let me check.” He waddled off behind the desk into another room. She kind of felt bad making him move.

“This is more my style.” She heard Murphy bellow, and as she turned around the big man was swinging a battle hammer, she had to agree it did fit his stature.

“You’re not really thinking of claiming that as your weapon of choice, are you?” Carter asked.

“Hell yeah.” Murphy replied as he began to swing the hammer faster, he was actually pretty good at it.

“Any weapon, any weapon.” The Quartermaster said as he came back out carrying an old thick leather courier bag. “Is this what you mean miss?”

“Yes. That's it.” She said as she took it from him “Thank you”.

“Don’t get much call for those. Most Hunter’s prefer the lighter cloth bags these days, says it less of a hassle, at one time they all used courier bags.”

“Why do you want one of those?” Daniel asked.

“Vesper prefers them over the cloth ones.”

“Figures.”

Alex found himself one of the thin bladed short swords and Carter wouldn’t let him take it until he gave it a thorough inspection, as for himself, he took nearly thirty minutes before he settled on a black handled long sword.

They filled their arms with packages, bags, weapons and survival equipment before heading back to the dorms.

“Don’t forget.” The quartermaster yelled out behind them. “You still have to return your old uniforms.”

“We should have brought the horses.” Alex said as he tried to look over the tower of packets that he was carrying. Daniel and Carter steered the smaller cadet in the right direction by bumping him back and forth between them, possibly a little too much.

When they reached the dorms, Daniel stopped in front of his cell and peeked over his packages. “Okay, let's get our uniforms on and meet back here in half an hour to bring our old uniforms back to the quartermaster, then we can have breakfast.” He suggested as he pushed open the door.

As soon as Kile got into her cell she dropped everything on the bed.

-Hey-

She heard Vesper as he quickly shot out from under the packages.

“Sorry Vesper.” She said. “I just couldn’t hold them any longer.”

-What these?-

“These are my new clothes.” She replied, and hung the old leather courier bag over the back of the chair. “That’s your new bag.” She added before she started to untie the packages.

Vesper jumped down from the bed and cautiously approached the leather bag; he sniffed it and quickly turned his nose up at it.

-Smells-

“I’m not surprised, there’s no telling how long it hung in the back room. Jump in, let me know what you think.”

The yarrow scrambled up the leg of the chair and climbed in.

-It's okay-

He called out from inside.

“Well, I suppose it’s only temporary until we can find you something more comfortable.”

-Vesper like Kile shoulder.-

“For the most part you can, but I’m thinking that there may be some situations where having a yarrow on my shoulder may not go over too well, if you know what I mean.”

-No-

“Well, just trust me, not everyone takes to yarrows.” She said as she laid out her new uniform.

There was a soft green tunic, much nicer than what they had been wearing, as well as leather pants and a pair new boots. There were also undergarments, unfortunately they were made by men for men, but they would serve in a pinch until she got to wherever it was she was going. She would definitely have to find something more suitable to wear under her tunic. The problem was more in trying to figure out how to put it all on, it was more clothing than she had ever worn at one time. Eventually she had no choice but to leave a few pieces out, especially those she couldn’t identify.

The tunic fit comfortably in most places, snug in others, but again it was made by men for men, the pants were a bit tight as well, but not uncomfortable. She sat down on the bed to pull on her boots; at least they were a better fit.

It was required that each cadet wear their weapons during graduation, something that she wasn’t comfortable with, but she pulled the Lann out from under her bed and slowly unwrapping them again. The Lann were to be worn across the back, not that she was used to having two blades behind her, but that was how Risa Ta’re wore them and that was how the sheaths had been designed. After she figured out how to adjust them to fit and what straps went where, she had tried drawing the blades a few times to see which way was the most comfortable and the most natural, but the real problem was trying to get them back in their sheath after she had drawn them. It was difficult to slide them in behind her back without looking foolish. She resorted to putting them back one at a time, feeling with one hand as she fitted them in with the other.

She tied back her hair in a long tail, straightened the tree pin on her tunic and set her old hat upon her head. She opened the lavatory door and looked at herself in the mirror.

“This… is a lot more snug… than I thought.” She said as she turned around, trying to see exactly how snug it was and more importantly… where.

-Kile look good-

Vesper said from the courier bag.

“I’m glad you think so.” She replied as she kept turning around and tried to look at herself from every angle. “I’m just not sure this is me.”

-Who is it?-

Vesper asked as the yarrow jumped out of the courier bag and ran up to the mirror to greet this new person.

“I mean, it’s just not what I would have chosen to wear.” She corrected herself. She had to remember that certain animals had a limited grasp of the language and Vesper had a tendency to take things literally.

-Ask healer, ask Danny-

“I’m pretty sure I can guess his opinion.” She replied. “I wonder if anyone would take much notice if I wore my cloak. Oh well, no turning back now.”

She folded up her old uniform and wrapped it in the brown paper, slung the courier bag over her head as Vesper jumped in and grabbed her old boots. She glanced once more in the mirror then took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping out into the hall. There was nobody out yet, she had been the first one, and decided she would wait for them outside, but as she passed Daniel’s door it suddenly opened.

“Already dressed?” He said as he picked up his old uniform from the chair beside his door and turned around. “I had a…”

He just stood there, staring at her in her new uniform, his mouth hanging open. She had to admit that he looked pretty good in his as well, but was feeling rather uncomfortable in hers at the moment.

“What?” She asked.

“Um… ah… um…”

“Wow.” She said. “I am going to miss these stimulating conversations when I leave.”

“No it’s just that… it… you look… real… it’s good … that… it really… fits.”

“Keep trying boy, it’s nice to see your therapy is working, that was almost a complete sentence.”

“Hey what’s keeping you two… whoa Kile, you look good?” Carter remarked as he came down the hall. He started circling her, trying to get a look at her from every angle.

“Great, from the stutter to the subtle.” Kile said a she pushed past Carter. “Well, are you guys coming or not.”

“Those are a really nice pair of…”

“The next words out of your mouth better be boots.” Kile said without turning around.

“Actually I was going to say blades.” Carter replied.

“Oh.”

“Can I see one?” He asked as he dropped his bundle of clothing on Daniel, since Daniel didn’t appear to be moving very far from his spot. She drew one of the Lann and carefully handed it to Carter.

“Where did you get them?” He asked as he held the blade with the utmost respect, turning it over in his hands, looking down the length and even testing the weight.

“It was a gift, from an old friend.” She said. She really didn’t want to go into a lengthy explanation.

“I’ll say.” Carter replied. “This is old Kile, really old. I may not know much about this type of blade but I’ve never seen craftsmanship like this before. It’s a little light for my taste but it’s balanced really well.” He remarked and the handed the blade back to her.

She hesitated before sheathing it, not really wanting to look foolish or clumsy while doing so, but she did manage to get in on the second try. Maybe she would get the hang of it with a little practice.

“We should probably find Murphy and Alex, and then get this stuff back to the quartermasters.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Carter remarked. “You coming Danny?”

“Huh.”

“He’s not here right now.” Kile replied as she dropped her own uniform onto Daniel bundle.

“Yeah, I can kinda guess where he is.” Carter grinned

“Don’t even go there.” She said as she headed out the front door of the dorms, no sooner had she stepped outside than she heard the familiar call.

“Kile Girl.”

There was a definite difference in the tone of Alex’s voice and she didn’t miss it, as for Murphy, the big man just diverted his eyes which really didn’t make her feel any more comfortable

“Can we go now?” She asked walking past them; she should have grabbed her cloak on the way out.

They dropped off their uniforms at the quartermaster’s first, and then headed up to the Dinning Hall for breakfast. The only other people in the there were more fourth year cadets, some already wearing their uniforms, others having their breakfast first before going to the quartermasters. Since the rest of the classes were still doing their calisthenics under the watchful eye of a third year cadet, they could get in a quiet meal before the morning rituals let out. A simple salad was all she picked up from the counter, anything more and her new uniform would be even tighter than it already was.

“So what are we going to do for the rest of the day?” Alex asked as he shoveled the food into this mouth.

It amazed her, the amount of food the boy could eat. She worried what would happen when he became certified and had to pay for his own meals. She set her salad down and Vesper jumped up on the table to get his share. He had become a common fixture at their table and no one said a word as the yarrow pulled the lettuce out of Kile’s bowl.

“We could always get in some practice, you know, try out our new weapons.” Carter replied between mouthfuls. He was another one that could eat, although he was a little bit choosier when it came to what he ate.

“Oh come on, we’re graduating, we don’t have to practice anymore.” Alex whined.

“You can always use more practice.” Daniel said. “You barely passed your weapons exam. If Master West hadn’t been distracted by the weapon’s rack falling over, you wouldn’t be graduating right now.”

“Yeah, and you never did thank me for that.” Carter remarked.

“Wait, are you telling me you guys cheated?” Kile asked.

“Cheated is such a harsh word.” Carter replied. “Let’s just say we improvised.”

“Good morning Hunters” Master Adams greeted them.

He came over to where they were seated, struggling under a large box and setting it down on the end of the table, or maybe he dropped it on the end of the table, as he caught his breath. “Don’t we look sharp in our new uniforms?”

“Some of us look sharper than others.” Carter mumbled. Kile threw a cucumber at him.

“What’s in the box sir?” Daniel asked.

“Glad you asked.” Master Adams replied as he opened the top and pulled out a soft leather bound book. Kile figured he was going to do it even if no one had asked.

“These are your official code books.” He said as he started to hand them out.

Alex grinned as he quickly leafed through the pages. “Code books, you mean like our own secret code?” He asked.

Master Adams just sighed.

“He means the Hunter’s code of conduct.”

“Thank you Kile. Yes, this is the Hunter’s code of conduct. In it you will find the rules and regulations that every hunter must abide by. This is, in essence, your instruction manual. Read it, learn it, memorize it…”

“Then dispose of the evidence so no one can break our code.” Alex added.

Master Adams sighed again; he did that a lot around Alex.

“Just ignore him sir.”

“Yeah, we all do.”

“Well, after today, I won’t have to, will I?” The hunter smiled. “You’re going to want to read section 2B, that covers what you are supposed to do when you get to, well, where ever it is you’re going to be sent.”

“Then you don’t know where we’re going to end up?” Carter asked.

He was hoping to get a heads up before his destination papers were handed out. It didn’t seem fair that Daniel was the only one who knew where he would be next week.

“I’m afraid not.” Master Adams replied. “That is taken care of by the guild council. They send the sealed documents to Sir Oblum who received them this morning by a certified level three hunter.”

“Level three, why’s he still delivering messages?” Alex asked.

“The deliver of messages is an important part of the Hunter’s Guild.” Master Adams explained. “The more important messages being delivered by the most experienced Hunters.”

“So we don’t even rate a level one Hunter?”

“Level one Hunters have their own assignments, which you will know more about if you even get past level five.” Master Adams said as he grabbed the box from the table.

“Let me help you with that sir.” Murphy offered as the big man got up and grabbed the box from the struggling instructor who willingly gave it up. He tossed it under one arm as if it weighed next to nothing and  followed Master Adams across the dining hall to another table of fourth years where the instructor started to hand out more of the books.

“Was that a dig?” Alex asked as he tossed his own book on the table. Kile was sure he would never read it.

“Yeah, that was a dig.” Daniel grinned. He, at least, slipped his book in his belt pouch. Daniel would probably get around to it in a day or two.

“He doesn’t know me very well does he? Why… I’ll become a level one hunter just like that. Why… I may even just skip levels two three and four just to prove I can.”

“Keep dreaming little man.” Carter said, hitting Alex over the head with his code book. Carter was the type that would only read the book in the event of an emergency, if he remembered where he tossed it. “So, who’s up for some sparring?” He asked.

“I am.” Alex shouted, jumping up from the table.

“I guess I better come along, the last thing we need is wounded cadets at the graduation ceremony.” Daniel added.

“How about you Kile, want to break in your new swords.”

“You guys go ahead without me, I’ll be along shortly.” She said as she turned the pages of the code book.

“You didn’t really think she would join us.” Daniel remarked. “She found a book she hasn’t read yet.”

 

The code book was just as Master Adams described it, an instruction manual for the Hunter. Within its pages was the proper procedure for just about every situation that hunters could find themselves in, and some that Kile thought were highly unlikely, but they were still in there. There was a section on what to do if you were stricken with lycanthropy, another if you were swallowed by a sea whale, a third if you were carried off by a cliff roc. Every situation that she could possibly think of, and some she couldn’t were all within the covers of the code book, but it was the sections at the back of the book that were the most informative, since they covered the actual rules that govern all Guild members.

She began reading through the book, starting from page one and only stopped when the other cadets began to fill the dinning hall. The morning rituals would have been over so she sought a quieter place to read. She thought about going back to her cell but the less she saw of that place the better she would be, so she wound up in the new stables, which, if anyone knew her, was to be expected, but even the stables weren’t immune to the noises these days.

Master Pike had started his lessons on horse care in his new classroom, teaching the third year cadets how to groom and manage their horses. Why the guild had decided on three classrooms for one instructor was beyond her, it was just a waist of space and coin, but if anyone could figure out what was on the minds of the Guild council members, they would be one step ahead of every other hunter out there. Fortunately she had a secret weapon. Grim, as one of the fourth year cadet horses, he had been moved back to the stables, and from what Kile had learned, Mr. Rever was eternally grateful. Master Pike had chosen the classroom as far away from the mountain pony as the width of the stables would allow, so Kile sat down in the empty stall beside Grim and read him section of the code book.

“Hey Grim, you’ll like this one. It says here in 11-B section A paragraph 4C that a hunter should see to the satisfaction of his mount prior to seeking comfort for himself.”

-Finally, a book that makes sense.-

Grim snorted.

She could sense that the big horse was as eager to get out of the academy as she was.

“Yeah, but how much satisfaction does a mountain pony really need. That’s the problem with this book; the wording is a little ambiguous.”

-It makes perfect sense to me.-

“So what would make you satisfied before I could seek comfort?”

-Shelter, water, apple pie.-

“Well, I don’t know about that last one, there is nothing in this code book that says I’m allowed to give my mount apple pies.”

-Then the book doesn’t know everything.-

“Kile, you in here?”

-Prime subject approaching.-

Grim said as he backed deeper into his stall. Kile watched the horse, not sure what he was planning on doing, with Grim it could be just about anything.

“I’m over here Danny, but you better be careful.” She warned.

She kept an eye on Grim as the shaggy black mountain pony virtually merged with the shadows in his stall. Daniel came down the aisle followed by Carter. Both boys were sweaty and out of breath, their uniforms were wrinkled and a bit dusty.

“Been looking all over for you.” Daniel said as he got closer. “This place is too big; it was easier to find you in the old building.”

He was just in front of Grim’s stall when the mountain pony lunged from the shadows bearing his teeth and slamming his great hoofs into the ground. Daniel actually screamed as he fell backward into the empty stall on the opposite side of the isle, landing in a pile of hay. Carter, who hadn’t been close enough, stumbled backward tripping over his own feet and cursing as he fell on his ass.

-Two.-

Grim said as he slowly merged back into the shadows of his stall. Kile was too busy laughing to scold the horses.

“Holy cow what the hell was that?” Daniel asked as he staggered to his feet, his heart was now racing and he was sweating even more than when he came in. He gave the stall, that now looked empty, a wide berth.

“Something you’ve been teaching him?” He asked with a note of annoyance.

“Not me, and besides, I told you to be careful.”

“You could have been a little bit more forthcoming about what I was supposed to be careful of.”

“Hey, I didn’t know.”  She laughed as he looked over at Carter. The boy was keeping his distance from Grim’s stall. “Come on Carter I think he satisfied enough so you can seek your comfort.” She laughed.

“Hell no, I ain’t walking in front of that stall, that horse is sick Kile, he’s not right, he’s evil.”

“He’s okay, once you get to know him.”

“I don’t want to know him, he’s a mentally disturbed animal, he’s evil.” Carter said, as he dusted himself off, although it didn’t really help much since he was already dirty.

“What did you come in here for anyway?” She asked.

“Don’t you know what time it is, the graduation starts in two hours.”

Kile quickly closed the book and got to her feet. She hadn’t noticed that it was getting late, there were no windows where she was sitting, and Grim, even if he did know, probably wouldn’t have told her.

“What about you guys, you’re all sweaty.” She said with a note of disgust. Why they wanted to spar before the graduation ceremony was beyond her.

“What?” Carter said, looking down at himself as if he couldn’t figure out what she was talking about. “All I have to do is towel off and brush my hair.”

“Come on.” She said rolling her eyes and pushing Daniel passed Grim’s stall. “Where’s Alex and Murphy.”

“Murphy’s been helping Master Adams all afternoon handing out those stupid little books.” Carter remarked. “And Alex is already getting cleaned up.”

She stopped before Grim’s stall.

“How many people have you actually done that to?” She asked the horse

-Twenty three-

“Twenty three.” She said, shaking her head. Maybe Carter was right, maybe Grim was evil.

 

The New Great hall wasn’t yet filled, but there was still some time before the graduation ceremony. More and more people began to show up, most of whom Kile had never seen before. There were hunters and relatives of hunters, all wanting to see the new blood graduate, and Kile felt suddenly left out.

It was the first time she had stepped into the New Great Hall since it had been completely redecorated. She wasn’t sure why the cadets were still calling it the New Great Hall, it wasn’t as if they had to rebuild it from the ground up, and what happens if they did in the future, would the next one be known as the New New Great Hall. If anything the stables should be known as the new stables, they, at least, where build from the ground up, but no one called them the new stables. Actually the whole thing was ridiculous.

New displays were out, along side some of the old ones which had survived the fire, and there were even some new exaggerated portraits hanging on the walls. Where they had gotten these ones, she had no idea. She walked along the gallery reading out the names to Vesper who wasn’t very interested in the history of the hunters.

“Now he was here before.” She told the yarrow as she pointed to a rather dapper young hunter posing before a fire, the name plate beneath the painting read Sir Jameson Flint. He currently had nothing on display, but that wasn’t surprising since that was the one that had been destroyed by Eric before the fire. Sir Jameson Flint had something to do with the alleged magic stones, but that was now out of her hands.

“Quite a few new ones, don’t you think?”

She hadn’t heard Sir Oblum sneak up behind her, for a large man he was quite when he wanted to be. He was dressed in his finest, with a red and gold silk shirt and dark black slacks, he even had his eye patch on, probably didn’t want to scare the civilians. He held a drink in his hand as he spoke.

“I want to show you someone.” He said, motioning for her to follow.

Vesper made a discrete disappearing act back into the courier bag as she followed the headmaster through the crowd that was growing in number by the minute.

Oblum stopped and pointed to one of the paintings. It was older than the others, the artwork was different. It was before the whole “larger than life” style that had dominated the later portraits. It was of a man dressed in fine clothing, standing with one hand out and one hand on his chest like an orator.

“He looks like a politician.” She remarked.

Oblum nodded in agreement and stepped aside so she could read the name on the plague. Etched on the brass plate embedded in the frame was the name Terrabin D’al.

“As in the sons of Terrabin?” She asked.

“The same.” He replied.

“What’s he doing here?”

It was not a good sign when one of the least liked hunter’s portrait was now hanging in the gallery.

“It would depend upon who you are asking. The Guild Council says they wanted as many portraits up in the Great Hall to replace the ones that were lost in the fire, all for the graduation, but if you ask me, it just means that the movement is growing in strength.”

“Should we be concerned sir?” She asked, although she really didn’t need his permission to be worried.

“That would also depend.” He said as he pointed out another portrait, one that she had seen before and was even more surprised to see hanging in the Gallery.

“Catherine Y’lew.” She said, before she even looked at the nameplate.

“It would appear that you are familiar with this hunter.”

“I had assumed that these were all destroyed.”

“This one survived, and the Guild Council did want as many portraits up in the Great Hall as possible.”

She looked at the portrait of the fiery red headed hunter closely and noted that the edging had been slightly burned and the frame was new. It was a shame that it wasn’t Risa Ta’re, but at least one of the female hunters had survived the fire.

“I suppose I better go… mingle… with the civilians.” Sir Oblum said as downed the glass that he was carrying in one gulp. It was clear that the old hunter didn’t enjoy this part of his job.

“Maybe you should bring Hunar with you.” Kile added.

“Not a bad idea cadet… oh, sorry, I can’t call you cadet anymore, Its Hunter Kile Veller now isn’t it?”

Hunter Kile Veller. It sounded so foreign and yet so comfortable. Did that nine year old girl, lost in the forest, really think that someone someday would be calling her Hunter Kile Veller?

“Technically sir, according to the Hunter’s Code book, first chapter section five under titles and addresses, the proper greeting would be Probationary level five Hunter Kile Veller.”

“Oh, I see that Master Adams has already taken care of his responsibilities today.” He laughed, “If that is what the code book says, then I am obligated to use that title. So I will be seeing you latter, Probationary level five Hunter Kile Veller.”

Turning and headed into the sea of people he started shaking hands and putting on his public face. In many ways she was going to miss the Headmaster, the man that told her that if it was the last thing he ever did he would see her out of the academy, well, he got his way, she was graduating.

“There you are?”

Daniel had a nasty way of finding her whenever she wanted to be alone. She turned to see the boy, or was he now a young man, walking toward her with two other people in tow. One was a middle aged woman, a little shorter, a little rounder, the other was a taller middle aged man that bore a striking resemblance to Daniel himself.

“Kile, I wanted you to meet my parents. This is my father Howard Leary and my mother Patricia Leary. Mom, Dad, this is Kile Veller.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you ma’am, sir.” Kile said, shaking their hands.

“Oh she’s adorable.” Mrs. Leary said, much to Daniel’s embarrassment.

“Daniel’s told us a lot about you Miss Veller.” His father said in a soft voice, he was so much like his son that it was scary.

“Are your parent’s here today?” Mrs. Leary asked as she looked around the growing mob, expecting to be able to pick them out on sight.

“I’m afraid not.” Kile replied. “They couldn’t make it.”

“Oh, I am sorry.” Mrs. Leary said, and Kile had the feeling she actually meant it, which only made Kile feel even more uncomfortable lying to her.

“Patty please.” Mr. Leary said to his wife as he took her hand. “We just wanted to thank you for taking such good care of Daniel, as well as Alex and Carter. The three of them can really be a handful if not kept an eye on.”

“Father.” Daniel shouted, looking at his dad. “I’m seventeen now, I think I can take care of myself.”

“Yes, but son, you said that when you were twelve and we had to fish you out of the water trough.”

Daniel’s face slowly turned red from the bottom up. “It was nothing, nothing happened.” He said, trying to wave it off.