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I didn’t feel too bad when I woke the next morning. Lycheas flopped an arm over me again, mumbling something about it being too early. This time I didn’t argue or push him off the bed. I must have dozed off again, because Lycheas was shaking me lightly, muttering something about us being late. Dressing quickly, we rushed out of the house and headed towards the guild hall.
We weren’t as late as we though, not everyone had arrived yet. A large table and chairs had been set up in the front room. Sallacious and Kalutam were there, both looking like they were being fed to a dragon. The seat between them was empty, obviously saved for Leptictis. I smiled and sat near them.
“Do you know what this is about?” Sallacious asked me.
“We’re gathering to talk about what happened yesterday.”
He groaned and laid his head on the table.
“At least you didn’t have the angry parents outside your door last night.” I said quietly. “Relax, none of you are in trouble. Not sure about this Triahl and her mother, but the father seemed reasonable.”
Kalutam looked ready to ask me something, so I waited patiently.
“Miss Mirtoba, ma’am.” Poor awkward thing.
“You can call me Mirtoba, Kalutam.”
He smiled shyly.
“Leptictis mentioned that you were going to make her a bow when you returned. Could we…could we watch?”
“Oh.” I’d forgotten about it completely. “Certainly. Though it will be a few days.”
The doors opened, and Leptictis came in, followed by the Heartwood master, Triahl and her family. It amazed me I finally remembered his name. I just hoped this wouldn’t take too long. Lepti came over to give me a hug before taking her seat between her friends. Master Trueshot joined us a few minutes later.
“I would like to thank all of you for joining us today. We’ve all had time to hear what happened yesterday and think on it.” He directed his gaze around the table. “Things were said, some of which I myself found disturbing.” This time his eyes rested a moment on Triahl.
The Heartwood master stood.
“They disturbed me as well. I knew Miranne and Hulet well, and to hear that one of my pupils shamed their memory caused me great pain.”
Lycheas squeezed my hand gently under the table. I kept my eyes on Leptictis, trying to keep a few small tears from her eyes. Triahl’s father cleared his throat.
“I only knew them by name, but I know of their tragedy.” He placed his hand on Triahl’s shoulder. “I believe my daughter has something to say.”
She stood slowly, and in a quiet voice mumbled an apology for her comments the previous day. Her mother sat glaring at her father, and Leptictis sat glaring at the table. I took that as my cue.
“I thank you all for your kind words, and accept your apology in the spirit with which it was given.” I hoped that didn’t sound too crass. “I believe my sister also has something to say.” She looked up at me with a horrified look on her face. I nodded and made a slight pushing motion with my hands.
Begrudingly she stood and said how sorry she was to have pushed the other girl. You could just feel the sincerity in the room. I tried not to sigh as I took my seat again. My mother would have been able to deal with this much better. Master Trueshot addressed us again.
“Thank you both. It takes great strength to admit when you have been wrong. Now, if you students would please wait outside a moment.”
Everyone held a collective breath at that suggestion. I hoped they wouldn’t get into another match again as they waited. When they were out the door, Master Trueshot’s demeanor changed slightly.
“We have addressed the grievous issue of what two young people said in the heat of the moment. There was another comment made that does not sit well with me. It wasn’t what you would expect coming from a child.” He was going to say that word again. “Rangers have developed a rather thick skin over the years, dealing with many levels of bad reputations. However, this is the first time one of my members has ever been called deranged. I would like to know where this girl got such an idea.”
Triahl’s mother paled slightly, her father sat looking blankly at nothing. I almost felt sorry for the man.
“We all know the story. Poor little girls left without parents. Then this one,” the woman pointed at me, “goes off wandering, abandoning her sister, for no purpose. She threatens my daughter, and you don’t call such behavior deranged?”
Lycheas took a rather firm grip on my balled up fist.
“I recall no threats were made towards your daughter.” Heartwood master spoke. “It is my belief that Mirtoba was well in her rights to say what she did to your daughter. I probably would have done the same.”
The woman sputtered, at a loss for words.
“As for her ‘wandering’, there are many from all guilds across the lands that undertake such journeys. She did not abandon her sister as you say, Leptictis was given to the druids to start her training, and under my care until Mirtoba returned.”
His last comment stunned me a little. And here I’d been thinking they all thought the worst of me for what I’d done.
“How can you say…” her husband cut her off. He looked directly at me.
“I again apologize for what my family has said of yours.” He stood, bringing her with him. “If there is nothing further, I believe it is time for us to have our own discussion.” He turned to the masters.
They simply nodded. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath, and let it out in an explosive gasp. They turned towards me. I felt the color rushing to my face. Master Trueshot smiled warmly.
“I would be lying if I said your family had never caused any trouble Mirtoba.”
“I doubt either of us will ever forget the exploits of your parents.” Heartwood master laughed. He turned to me again. “My friend and I have had many long talks about you and your sister lately. I am sorry to have given you the impression we were against you in any way.”
I couldn’t find anything to say at first, then I remembered Leptictis telling me she’d failed all her tests.
“Thank you. A question if I may?”
“Certianly.”
“How well is my sister doing in her studies?”
“She is a little behind on her weapons training, but doing very well at everything else. Why do you ask?”
“She told me she failed all but two of her last tests.” There was this sinking knot growing in my stomach.
“No, she passed everything.” His brow knitted together. “Why would she think she’d failed?”
“Lycheas, why don’t you bring them back in.” Master Trueshot asked him.
Heartwood master was still puzzling over what I told him when Leptictis and the boys filed back into the hall. He stood and addressed her.
“Leptictis, come here.”
She walked towards him, seeming small and meek.
“Your sister told me you said you failed your tests. What ever gave you such an idea?”
“But Triahl came to me and said I’d failed all but a couple, that I was an awful student.” I thought she looked ready to cry.
“Child, why didn’t you come to ask me?”
“I was afraid.”
“You should have set those fears aside, because you didn’t fail at anything. I would have only told you to practice your fighting skills a little more.”
Her smile lit up the room.
I R NUCKING FUTS!
Yes, I know...I know what you always say - You trap, you kill, you eat - that's what a good spider does.
You trap...you kill...you eat....
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