I, once again, looked at my older brother, who simply shrugged and upturned his bottom lip. I thought for what seemed like an eternity, but eventually came to a decision. “I'll go with the creature, Master," I said with as much determination as I could muster. “Are you sure? Do you even know what you’ll be fighting?” Bernar asked. “Well, I've studied the bestiary a lot, and I don’t think the Master would send me on a mission he didn’t think I could accomplish,” I replied. The Master looked at me inquisitively, then glanced over to Bernar to whom he nodded.

“Very well, then. Study up on what you have to take with you, be it knowledge, spells, or otherwise. You'll need your sword well sharpened, mind well rested, and don't forget to be mindful of your surroundings,” the Master said. “I will, Master,” I replied. “Good,” the Master said, nodding briefly. “Once we've returned from Coltend, Bernar will aid you with preparation for your first solo hunt.”

I gulped another dry spit ball that lumped in my throat. “That is all for this evening, young I,” said the Master dismissively. I rose from my seat. “Very well, Master. With your permission, I shall take my leave,” I bowed deeply, then turned on the ball of my foot and was proceeding towards the doorway when the Master called out. “Oh! Thoma,” he began.

I was wondering when the air was going to sour, I thought.

The color fled from my face as I turned back around to face the Master slowly as I could. “Find yourself another blanket, and do try not to set this one alight,” the Master said. “I'll do my best to keep it from happening again, Master,” I replied nervously. I walked out of the chamber and proceeded down the steps with my older brother just behind me.

I almost died, I thought, feeling a bead of sweat drip down his cheek.

“You got lucky, you lanky little bastard,” Bernar said, nudging me with his elbow. “Don't think I've ever seen anyone actually given a choice of punishment before tonight,” he said pensively. I shrugged in response. "Now, don't get me wrong, I know just how frightening it is to go on your first hunt, especially if your first time is going in alone,” Bernar said. “Most junior synners don't get to go on their first hunt alone. That's only allowed for senior years,” he continued.

I shrugged again “I just don't understand why he'd even give me the option between solitary and a solo hunt. It simply doesn't add up,” I said, shaking my head.

“Ah, don't go getting your hose in a knot over it,” Bernar replied. “I've been to solitary before, and believe me, that was anything but a pleasant experience,” he continued. “Worms and maggots are everywhere, there's naught but a pile of earth that serves as a bed. The walls are covered in scratchings of past visitors and the small confinement smells like years of accumulated piss and shit,” he said. I felt a wave of relief knowing I wouldn't be going there.

“Well, at least now I know what I should expect to happen the next time I fuck up,” I said with a chuckle that Bernar joined in. “Well, should that ever happen, I'll be sure to leave you a nice, runny present,” he said with a wicked smile. “Besides, it's been awhile since anyone's been sent to solitary, and by awhile I mean a few days,” he said.

“That still doesn’t answer my question, though. Why would he bother giving me a choice?” I asked. My brother shrugged. "Beats the hell out of me," Bernar replied with an indifferent shrug. We walked down the corridor towards the dormitory once more, seeing the destruction caused by the fire and the blast from the spell.

“Seeing as how things currently stand, or don't for that matter, I suppose you could sleep in my room for the night,” Bernar suggested. “Guess I'll have to,” I replied. “What of Irun, Batch, and Edryd?” I asked, noticing they were nowhere to be found. I was concerned about my roommates whom I'd almost just killed in an accident.

“I’m sure they're alright. Tough little bastards, and quite possibly tougher than you,” Bernar replied with a grin. I looked up at my brother and tilted my head. “Is that so, big brother? Do you remember that time when I pinned you to the ground for five seconds?" I asked, prodding him with an elbow.

“I had passed the fuck out because I tripped on that stupid meditation stool of yours and hit my head on the floor,” Bernar shot back with a laugh while I scoffed. “My stupid meditation stool is what got me recognition for my casting abilities,” I returned mockingly. “It helps me to think and focus better than ever,” I explained, but Bernar only squinted his eyes and pursed his lips. “Uh-huh,” he replied sarcastically. “Whatever, let's get some sleep. It's already the second hour of the morn and we're to be up and out the gate at first light,” Bernar suggested.

We walked softly and quickly, as though we were the shadows we left behind in the torch-lit hallway. We soon arrived at Bernar's dorm room which wasn’t unlike my own, though perhaps with less charring and fewer bits of the door laying strewn across the floor. I fashioned myself a bed of fallen straw from my brother's bed and an old potato sack for a pillow. We bid each other good-night, and Bernar stretched out his hand to put out the bedside candle by absorbing the small flame into his hand. I saw it happen, and was anxious to try it.

I think I've had more than my fair share of fire for one night, I thought.

Soon after, I rolled onto my back, into the same position I was in when all of this began, closing my eyes, and returning to the grassy field in my dreamscape once more.