I looked to Bernar again for answers, but he 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 courage as I could muster.

“Are you sure? Do you even know what you’ll be fighting?” Bernar urged. “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 shrugged.

The Master looked at me inquisitively, then nodded to my brother shortly after.

“Very well, then. Study what you have to take with you, be it knowledge, spells, or otherwise. You'll need your sword sharpened, your mind well-rested, and you shouldn't forget to be mindful of your surroundings,” the Master said.

“I will, Master,” I nodded firmly. “Good. Once we've returned from Coltend, Bernar will help you prepare for your first solo hunt. That is all I have for you tonight, Thoma. You may go now,” he waved dismissively.

I swallowed another dry ball of spit before I rose and bowed, turning to leave his study as quickly as I dared without being rude. “Oh, one last thing, Thoma,” he called out, making me flinch.

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 another blanket, and do try not to set this one alight,” he said wryly. “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 Bernar just behind me.

I almost died, but why did he give me a choice? There’s probably more to it than just a punishment, I thought, feeling a bead of sweat drip down my cheek.

“You got lucky, you lanky little shit,” 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, though I could only shrug.

"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,” he chuckled, likely reminded of his first time. “Most junior synners don't get to go on their first hunt alone since that's only allowed for seniors,” he continued.

“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 shrugged again. “Ah, don't go getting your hose in a knot over it,” he swatted the air. “I've been to solitary before, and believe me, that was anything but a pleasant experience,” he cautioned, making me shudder at the thought.

“Worms and maggots are everywhere, and there's nothing but a pile of dirt that serves as a bed. The walls are covered in scratchings of past visitors, while the small confinement smells like years of accumulated piss and shit,” he said, a wave of relief washing over me since I knew 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 chuckled as Bernar joined in. “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 a while since anyone's been sent to solitary, and by a while I mean a few days,” he grinned.

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

We both stared at it blankly for a moment before chuckling lightly at the ridiculousness of the whole situation.

“Seeing as 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 sighed. “What of Irun, Batch, and Edryd?” I asked, noticing they were nowhere to be found.

I was still concerned about my roommates whom I'd almost just killed in an accident, after all.

“I’m sure they're alright. They’re tough little bastards; quite possibly tougher than you,” he replied with a grin. I looked up at my brother and tilted my head. “Is that so, big brother? Do you remember when I pinned you to the ground for five seconds?" I prodded him with an elbow before heading down the hall to his room.

“I had passed the fuck out because I tripped on that stupid meditation stool of yours and hit my head on the floor,” Bernar snapped 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 squinted dubiously. “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 torchlight. 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 lying across the floor.

I made a bed of fallen straw from my brother's bed and an old potato sack for a pillow. We bid each other goodnight 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 chuckled.

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