Between the Veil and Crown

Kylin 29

When Kylin arrived at the hunter's encampment, he slipped off Vicious's back and immediately caught hold of her bridle to discourage her from sinking her teeth into flesh.

The encampment had three small shelters, encircling a fireplace that had only glowing embers. There was only one Ranger at the camp; he was inspecting, cleaning, and repairing the equipment that was left behind. The Ranger's horse stood not too far away, happily munching away at a small patch of grass that it had found. As there was still daylight, Kylin figured that Shaelren, the hunting master, had taken the rest of the hunting apprentices out.

The one left behind looked up as he approached. Without Kylin saying a word, he said, "Shaelren will be back shortly."

Kylin nodded in acknowledgement. The apprentice went back to his work, not at all bothered by Kylin's presence, nor showing any curiosity.

Which suited him. He didn't particularly feel like getting into any of it. Vivienne had written a letter for Shaelren, explaining the expectations set for Kylin and why. At least, Vivienne's reasonings. As far as Kylin knew, she wasn't going to inform him that Kylin didn't really have a choice in the matter.

After Vivienne had laid out her instructions for him, Rei had dismissed him. He was sent out early that morning. He was given no other opportunity to voice his displeasure or disagreement with the arrangement.

Not that he had anything more to say. Rei knew he was unhappy with the choice and Kylin had nothing to convince him to allow him take another path in specialization. Any time he tried to construct a mental argument for something else, his mind shot it down as swiftly as Rei had with his request to take on a junior master apprenticeship.

True to the other Ranger's words, he did not have to wait too long before Shaelren returned. He had barely dismounted before he was giving out instructions to his apprentices. The apprentice left at camp gestured to Kylin. Shaelren stopped short, raising an eyebrow before approaching him.

Kylin wordlessly handed him Vivienne's letter. Shaelren quickly read over its contents. Then he stuffed the letter into a pocket on the inside of his coat, saying, "So you're pursuing the beast master apprenticeship again?"

The announcement caused a couple of the hunting apprentices to glance over.

"I suppose so," Kylin said, keeping his voice his voice as even as possible in order to avoid betraying any emotion.

"Good," Shaelren said firmly, thoroughly meaning it. "How much do you remember from your previous work and study?"

Kylin shrugged his shoulders, trying to recall any information. He knew that he hadn't forgotten all of it. But his mind was in no way prepared to start spitting out the facts he had buried in his memory. "I would say I'm very rusty, but some things might come back to me quicker than others."

"Fair. My goal right now is only to find that man-killing flower," Shaelren told him. "An area where I've heard you've got experience."

Kylin's right arm twitched at the thought. "You likely know about the same as I do, if not more as you've been tracking it."

"Tracking it indeed," Shaelren muttered in disgust. "It leaves no trace and apparently can make its scent disappear at will. The dogs are having a hard time picking up on anything. We haven't even gone too far because we keep circling back to the grove where it used to be."

Kylin could offer neither advice or assurance. He and Marta had only stumbled on it by chance. It was miraculous that the dogs could pick up the scent when they returned to fight it, but confusing and frustrating to hear that they couldn't pick up the scent now.