The Raven's Chronicles. Rage of the Wraith

Chapter 22. The Lensters

"I'm really sorry," Jules watched as Ravin saddled Opal, his expression fixed into a stern scowl. His master had just returned to the castle only to be summoned to the guardhouse, where Captain Rogre gave him a full overview of his apprentice's misdeeds. Jules couldn't recall having been that embarrassed in his whole life.

"I know you are," Ravin fastened the girth. "But I don't think you realise how much trouble you caused."

"I didn't mean to! If you heard what Arthur said to Evionel you would understand!" Jules leaned against the wall of an empty box, watching as Ravin made sure Opal was comfortable. The memory of Arthur's words re-ignited the anger in his heart, his red, swollen eyes sparkling defiantly. "He got what he deserved!"

"Oh, did he?" Ravin cast his apprentice a warning look. "What did he say then?"

"That she and Mistress Lara will end up like Melissa! Can you believe it?!" the boy banged his fist against the wall behind him. He threatened her with being buried alive!"

"Jules," Ravin's voice was low yet sterner than the apprentice had ever heard it. "Arthur has no idea what really happened to Melissa. He believes that she left in disgrace. The only people that know the truth are Kedmon, Rogre, you and me."

"No," Jules shook his head stubbornly. "He knows! If you heard him, saw him - he must know!"

"I highly doubt it. Regardless of him knowing or not knowing the truth, you started a fight. Is it what I train you for? To punch other boys?" Ravin inhaled deeply, slowly shaking his head as his patience was wearing off. "Using magic against him is a disrespect to the Hunters' Oath, and against the King's law,"

Jules cast him only a sideway glance, refusing to meet his eyes. He was too afraid to see the disappointment in his master's gaze.

"I didn't mean it like that," he muttered. Chewing at his bottom lip, he found comfort in petting Opal's muzzle. "Arthur choked me, and I couldn't get him off myself. I didn't mean to use magic on him. It just happened."

"It's good you can use magic on instinct, but it's not an excuse. Hunters fight beasts and monsters, not people," Ravin opened the door of the stable, and Jules walked Opal outside. "I'll work on your ground fighting skills, though. Now, why are you unarmed?"

"Dammit," Jules ran his hands over his face. That was too many failures for one day. "Captain Rogre has my bow. He took it before the assembly in the Great Hall and I forgot."

He expected Ravin to lecture him on the necessity to always carry a weapon, to cite the old saying that 'unarmed hunters are dead hunters' and send him over to get his bow, yet the man only mounted the black horse and offered him a hand. Jules climbed on the stallion's back, slightly disappointed that he couldn't ride Grumbler - but persuading the moody steed to hurry would be a difficult task.

The castle's gate was double-guarded. Once they left, it shut tight after them.

The Stone Town seemed asleep in the afternoon's sun. A raven nibbed at the beady-eyed doll. Many other perched on the roofs and fences. With the streets being almost empty, the black birds seemed to be the town's main residents.

"Now, about the pendant. What were you thinking?" When they left the town behind, Ravin glanced at his apprentice over his shoulder. "Or was it Rosalie's idea?"

"How do you know?" Jules shook his head with disbelief. "We wanted to win a ghost to teach her to to appear to the living, but she couldn't leave the castle. I thought that we could take something important to her as an anchor. Rosalie was sure that no one would notice the pendant is missing."