“That is three questions, but I will let it slide due to mental exhaustion. You are in the hospital of the Royal Pack. It was decided that this would be the
best place for your healing. I turned the sound of the machines off eight days ago, you have been here for 14. Your turn.” He raises an eyebrow at me.
My eyes go wide, two weeks, my injuries were so bad I was out for two weeks? This is going to be a long ass interview if I have to work this hard to get basic answers out of him. And I didn’t miss the omission of him guarding me.
“Both sets of scars are from an interaction with her, but I don’t think she did the whipping herself. The silver powder on the second set, I believe, she
did herself. I have no proof and was strung up in a way that I could not see anyone behind me. I only knew her from her voice, I could not detect any
scents. Not even hers and my nose wasn’t broken that time. Your turn. Who decided this was the best place for me?”
“Several people were involved in that decision. You were going to come to us eventually and given the situation, it was deemed necessary for you to
come sooner than planned. Your turn.”
“You know that isn’t a real answer to my question right?”
“And yet, still an answer.” His face does not change from the emotionless mask he’s had the whole time we’ve been talking.
I sigh again. “You are giving me a headache.” He lets out a huff that might be considered a laugh. “What happens now? I am technically too young to
do warrior training, I still have a couple years left of school. What has everyone else decided is best for me?” I let my irritation show.
“That is three questions in a row. It is my turn to ask a question, Little One.”
“But…” I groan and roll my eyes. He raises his eyebrows at me. “Fine, shoot.”
“If Doc Sylvia can get rid of your scars, would you want her to?”
I still for a moment and then shift uncomfortably in bed, looking down at my hands folded in my lap. I’m sore, but not nearly as much as I should be
after that beating. I guess that makes sense if I’ve been unconscious for 14 days though. Do I want to get rid of Kaley’s daily reminders that she
thinks I’m worthless and just someone in the way? Proof that the truth doesn’t always win out and really ambitious and resourceful people can get
away with multiple attempts at m*rder.
“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about that. Scars are just something that stay with you forever. I do know that sometimes the ones that have silver in
them will open up if I take a hit too hard, like they are fresh. I never understood that, they are a year old now, they shouldn’t still open up, but maybe
that’s the silver, maybe I am too weak to heal from them properly. They are a reminder of one of the worst situations of my life, but at the same time, I
am still here with them so they also show that I survived. I don’t know if I want them to go away, but I would love for them to not be a weakness.” I
look him straight in the eye.
“Spoken like a true warrior.” He nods. “As for what happens next, it is actually up to you in a way. You will not go back home, that is not an option. Bul
you may join our school here and finish out your high school career, then join the warrior training, but I think that might be a little too mundane for you
Little One. That is what is expected of you by the people who truly care about you. Warrior to warrior my suggestion is join the Warrior training while
you take classes. We will make sure your schedule allows for it. Looking at your transcripts, which took far too long to get accurate reports on you by
the way, you only need about 5 credits to graduate high school. Something you could probably accomplish this summer. I would allow you to join the
warrior training in a limited capacity, as you said you are too young for some of what we do. You will not receive the official Elite Warrior brand, which
will explain later when it applies to you, and you will not be allowed to go on missions until you are at least 16, but you can get a head start on what it
is we do here and get out of whatever box you seem to have been placed in by people who think they know what’s best for you.”
