ShadowHunter

Chapter 1:

Trisha knew nothing of her Mentor, nobody did, even the Archmagi council knew nothing more than his height, his cloak, his voice, and his atttitude, everything else was concealed, this - and his crucial role in the shadow wars, against the shadow magi 15 years ago, was what gave him the title "Shadowhunter". Even raising new jargon - to be Shadowhunter was to keep everything secret. So Trisha knew nothing of the man she was to pend the next 6 years with, she was told to give him room, he hadn't exactly been informed of, nor wanted an apprentice. Why he wanted to live so far from civilization in this massive repetitive pine forest, as in everywhere looked the same. there it was, the faint view of a greyish tree- uh, tower - peaking over the tree line, the astronomy tower, she directed her jet-black colt to the building. The trees thinned, and disappeared, as a low collection of building huddled in a forest clearing, that's what that odd smells was, she thought, he was making charcoal. Why didn't he just use fire to do it quickly (She'd never been taught that only few magi could use certain affinities) the tower was at the edge, with a low slate tiled building sat next to it, the thaumatorium, or Magi's lab. A low pine building stood next to that,  presumably his house, she dismounted and approached the pine building, as she approached, she noticed a stable round the back. She sighed, and knocked. Sable opened it,

"Hello?" she asked tentatively,

"You here for reports from the main kingdom?"He asked bluntly

"Uh no," Trisha replied, nervously.

"Hmm?"Sable said, pulling the glove on his left hand further up his hand.

"I've been told to report to You." She said, sounding certain, yet questioning.

"For what?" Sable said tersely, he had a feeling he knew what for.

"A 6 year apprenticeship term"

"Oh, I've never been informed of this,"Sable said, keeping his voice even.

"Well the Archmagi council SAID that they had told you"

"Oh?" Sable said, he'd never accounted such a thing, in fact he's recieved nothing for over a month tomorrow, which is why he'd report to them tomorrow.

"Well Yeah-" She started

"In fact, not only haven't I the courtesy of an apprentice appearing on my frount door suddenly, I've not recived anything from the council for over a month, and I've had nothing Orally, nor have I had a summons to explain this" He said, irritated, at the council. Now he faced a moral dillema, He knew he couldn't send her away, because she looked ready to lay down down and die, as did her horse. Yet he wasn't equipped for an apprenticeship term of a day, yet alone a 6 year term, he bearly had enough for himself, he hadn't gotten supplies (he was fustrated, and there "better not be another shortage") .

"Hope your ready for Hell kid," He saud simply, pointing inside. She nodded greatfully and went inside, well started to, stopped by Sable

"Horse first, and I hope you know how to hunt without charring the carcass," He said, noticing the fire symbol stitched onto her robe sleaves.

"Sure thing about Moon" She said causually, gesturing to her horse "and I have a crossbow so I won't char the carcass"

"Knife?"

"Pardon?" She asked

"Hunting knife, do you own one?" Sable inquired.

"No, sorry" She said hanging her head.

"Careful, you might break your neck, or choke yourself" He said, half humorously.

"What?"

"My attempt at humor, you were hanging your head" He said, straight faced

"Ahh" She realised, she did everything that was required of her, and sat down inside the cabin.

"I think I might get used to having an apprentice"

"What do you mean?" She asked curiously.

"Curiosity killed the cat!"He said, tapping the side of his nose

"Yet satisfaction brought him back" she replied

"and for a smart alec reply, your reward..." Sable said neutrally

"Yes?..."she said

"is..." He started, pausing"The housework"

Her mouth dropped open. "What?!"

"Follow" He said, neutral

"You can't be serious" She said, was he negligent on gender equility?

"Yes I am aware of gender equility, you see what highmage James does, little or no training, and essentially 6 years of slavery, I'm going to teach you... my way"

"How's that exactly?"

"Dicipline, grit, determination and practise, predomminatly the first and last"

"Great..."She sighed under her breath

"Don't mutter" Sable said.

"Yes, Master" She said sarcastically

"Address me with respect smithdéo" Sable said simply.

She huffed.

"One more of that, I'll throw you out on your ear" Sable said angrily, snarling at her.

"Sorry" She said meaningfully.

"To your left. now"

"Why?"

In response He shoved her to the left and sidestepped the Quarrel of a poisoned crossbow.

"How did you know?" She gasped, heart in her mouth.

"Well, well, well if it isn't the ShadowHunter," A voice said

"What is it archmage James?"

"We need to take you in for questioning"

"Because in ordeer to loosen your tongue, we'll need an... influence" James said laughing horribly, shivers shot down Trisha's spine

"Take him guards!" James ordered. Then they appeared... Trisha gasped. the Shadow-magi.