The New Apprentice

Chapter Five: Haunted by the Past

Today is the day we get to ride our horses. And by ride, I actually mean attempt to ride. Halt must take me for a fool if he thinks I'm going to even think about climbing on top of that mare without her password.

Although Will sort of qualifies as a fool at the moment...

What? Don't judge, it's true- Will is clueless, I think to myself as I get dressed in my training outfit after sleeping in the soft straw next to the horses with Will.

A soft smile overcomes my face as I remember walking around the stables, looking at the horses and spending what I'd like to call 'bonding time' with them.

I leave the barn and head towards Bob's house, about ten meters away. Will's already there since I had to wait for him to leave to change. I walk in, the front door opening directly into the kitchen and revealing Halt, Will, and Bob.

"Someone was asleep 'till the dragon looked right through 'is window," Bob cackles, giving me his trademark toothless grin.

"I've been up since dawn," I growl, annoyed. I'm very irritable from sleeping late and waking up early (okay, it was force of habit, but he was snoring loud enough to be heard from the barn, so I have a reason to blame him) and besides, I'm just... in a bad mood.

I sigh, "Why do I get the feeling you three were waiting for me to get here to eat? There is literally NO MOTION in this room."

Bob smiles, seemingly unfazed by my earlier aggression, "I ran out a meat, which is somethin' you youngsters are gonna need to survive the day." He stops, looking at me.

I can't believe this.

"And?" I prompt.

"And we need someone to hunt something."

Great.

Just great.

"And why can't Halt do that? He looks pretty bored. Oh, wait, he always looks bored. Riiiiiiiiiight," I say with exaggerations.

Halt immediately snaps back, "Watch your tongue, boy!"

"Sorry, I'll go," I finally mutter.

I'm usually not like this, but I didn't get enough sleep last night and, well, that doesn't exactly open up my sunny side. But Halt's right- I should really hold my tongue sometimes.

I grab my bow and quiver full of arrows and bound out of the clearing almost like I can leave my grouchiness behind. I'll admit, loss of sleep isn't the only thing that's got me worked up.

My mare's name.

It's Maya.

Almost like Mia.

Mia, the sister I lost...

What I don't understand is why I've started thinking about my family so much. For three years, they hadn't crossed my mind- and I'd rather keep it that way.

Mia.

Mia.

I climb up a tree, sitting on one of the taller branches. I'll shoot any worthwhile game, but breakfast is not first on my priority list.

I curl up, my back against the trunk as the flash of a smile appears in my mind. Mia's smile.

It had been her birthday as she turned 17, the last day I had looked at my mother and sister and thought that they were safe. Because we had never been safe, not really. Not even alone, when one of them had been hiding under our own safe haven making sure we didn't give away any of their secrets.