Ch. 5: The Chosen Apprentice

Liam watched with hard eyes as Seth was brought up to him. "You shoot well." Seth beamed at the praise, and bowed. "Thank you My Lord." "Who taught you to shoot? Your marksmanship is quite impressive."

Still bowing, he didn't notice the way the other Hunters hid their smiles, knowing he was stroking the boy's ego just to crush it. It was a favorite game of Liam's and often helped him determine who was truly worthy to join the Hunters.

"My father taught me the basics, but I learned the more advanced from an archery Master in the city." The boastful tone was irritating Liam's ears, but he wasn't quite finished. "I see. And what makes you think your good enough to join the Hunters?"

Hiding their smirks behind their cloaks, the Hunters waited for the answer. He had obviously expected for this moment to come, and for him to be chosen, so he answered immediately. "I am the best of my Village, My Lord, and the best in the next city over. I belong among the best of the best."

Stroking his chin, like he did when he was lost in thought, Liam stared at the boy. It was not the first time he'd heard this answer, nor was it the first time he'd felt the urge to teach some humility.

Turning to Cal, the eldest member of the group and the crafts-master, he sighed and shook his head. "Rise." Seth lifted his head and stood proudly, glancing at his father who stood to the side and smiled. A crowd had gathered around the group and was watching the exchange, waiting for the announcement.

Standing, Liam's voice boomed across the silent clearing. "I have made my decision." Everything held their breath, waiting. "The chosen apprentice will be... Caliana Raine." Liam looked straight into Seth's eyes as he uttered her name, watching as pure fury filled Seth's expression.

For a moment no one said anything, in shock that they had mentioned Caliana. Then suddenly angry shouts of protest filled the air, yelling and screaming at Liam. But he wasn't afraid.

"SILENCE!"

The voices died instantly as Jesu commanded the silence. "Seth. Fetch your sister." Jesus's voice held  a hidden fury, faking calm. Seth nodded, turning and storming back to the house while Liam watched.

"My lord, whatever my whore of a daughter has-" Jesu's words were cut off as soon as they left his lips, Liam's hard glare on him making him tremble in fear. "Do not disrespect my apprentice. She is now a Hunter. If anyone dares to disrespect her, they answer to me."

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Caliana was abruptly woken from her sleep to the door of the house slamming open and her mother yelling. Her bedroom door flew open and Seth stormed in, grabbing Caliana by her hair and pulling her to her feet. Her scream filled the room as she was pulled forward, Seth not saying a word as he dragged her out of the house by her hair.

Stumbling along the dirt road, it was all she could do to keep standing with the bent position she was forced into. Tears ran down her face from the pain, her wrists weakly gripping his, trying to pull her hand free. The ground under her feet changed from dirt and rock to grass, and she knew they were in the clearing.

Seth threw his arm forward, sending Caliana flying to the ground on her face, her nightgown ripping down the front. Slowly lifting her head, she looked up, her eyes meeting with Liam's. His eyes first landed on her cheek, still swollen and purple, then down to her throat, then down to her wrists. The bruises had not been there when she had left their camp last night, so they had to have been from after.

"Cal, go to the family's home and fetch her things." His hard tone sent a shiver of fear down Caliana's spine. What was going on? Why was Seth so mad? Turning her head, she saw the whole village glaring at her with murderous eyes, but the strongest ones were from Seth and her father.

Flinching as she remembered Seth's beating and his threat of raping her, she whimpered and covered her exposed torso with the ripped flaps of her night gown. A hand suddenly reached towards her, and she flinched back for a moment, before looking up at the owner of the hand.

Staring into Liam's eyes, she saw anger in his eyes, but also another emotion she couldn't name. Taking his hand, he gently helped her to her feet just as Cal arrived back with Liam's cloak and a few satchels.

"As I said before, Caliana Raine, will be this years Hunter Apprentice. If they have a problem with it, they will answer to me." Caliana was too shocked to respond as Liam draped his cloak over her shoulder, guiding her back to the group of Hunters waiting with their horses.

"You whore! I'll make you regret stealing this from me! Don't forget my promise to you last night." Caliana froze in fear, but Liam didn't let her stop moving, instead helping her up onto a horse before turning to glare at Seth. "You or anyone else dare to lay a hand on her, and you will all pay dearly."

Swinging himself up on the horse behind her, he turned and started riding, leaving the village in the dust behind them.