Kira sat next to the fire as Sakien applied some kind of paint to her head. He’d crushed a few stones, berries, and added water to his mixture. When he was satisfied with the gunk, he started to draw on her forehead. She couldn’t see the symbol, but she could feel it wasn’t very big. When he was done, he smiled at her.

“This mark represents you as my Kien’karin. Never hide this mark or be ashamed of it. When it’s washed away, we shall reapply it. You shall carry it until I deem you worthy enough to wash it away for the final time.” Kira nodded and tried to feel her forehead. Sakien caught her hand and brought it back down.

“It still needs to dry.” Sakien held up a small mirror. They were dark blue lines all starting in the middle and going further apart from each other as they raised up.

“Are they wings?” she asked.

“They’re hands,” said Mekov as he took the bowl of paint from Sakien. “Normally you would paint his head back, but seeing as you don’t know the ritual, I’ll do it for you this time.” Sakien’s mark was the same as Kira’s, only upside down. “The symbol on your forehead represents hands reaching up for help. Sakien’s symbolize hands coming down to help. This mark indicates that he is your Kien’koro.” Mekov finished his work and moved to wash his hands off. Sakien stood up and held out his hands for Kira.

“Stand, Kien’karin. Welcome to your first night.” Kira took his hands and stood up. “That’s the end,” said Sakien.

“Okay,” said Kira, more than slightly weirded out by what they’d just done. “Do I have to call you…what was it again?”

“Kien’koro,” said Sakien. “No, it’s just a title. I’ll be calling you Kira, so you might as well call me Sakien.”

“Okay. Is there anything else I should know? Anything weird or fancy I have to do?”

“Nope, that’s it,” said Mekov. “You can sit back and eat something if you like. I’m sure the meat we have here is better than the food you’ve been eating.” Kira looked at the roasting meats and agreed. She hadn’t spared more than she had to for food. The rations Kira had been eating for the past month filled her up, but it wasn’t quite enough. She was probably leaner than she should’ve been for it.

“I don’t have any money for one,” said Kira sadly.

“What part of master don’t you understand?” smirked Sakien. “I’ll be feeding you from now on. Take some, you’re going to need it.” He took one of the roasts and handed it to Kira. Kira held her stick, surprised. Sakien took his own portion followed by Mekov.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” asked Kira.

“You asked for help,” said Mekov through a mouthful of meat. “And this guy can never seem to say no.”

“We leave no one to the ice,” said Sakien somberly. Mekov frowned and pointed his meal at him.

“I can’t really argue with him over it either. I wouldn’t be here if not for him.” Sakien grinned and began to eat.

“You’ve saved me plenty of times. I think we’re even.” Kira ate her meal greedily. The meat tasted so good; she’d forgotten what a real meal was. Sakien dropped a water bag next to her.

“Eat and drink up. You’ll need your fill for tomorrow.”

“We’re going after the paco?” she asked hopefully. Her heart sank when Sakien shook his head.

“No. Tomorrow we’ll get some work from the guild to train you on. We’ll only go after the paco when I feel you’re ready. And we all know you’re not.” Kira nodded and stayed silent. She hoped she had enough time left to train. She didn’t want these two to have to get involved in her problems.

Sakien pulled out an extra tarp and blanket for her after they ate. She was surprised to see they didn’t sleep in town. They propped up tiny tents that were low to the ground. It was already getting colder and Kira was wrapping herself up in her tiny blanket. She hated these cold nights. Neither Sakien or Mekov seemed to be bothered by the cold air. They were used to far worse. Sakien’s extra blanket was much better than hers and rolled herself in both.

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“We’ll start tomorrow,” said Sakien as he went under his tarp. “Sleep well.”

*

Kira woke up at the first rays of daylight and shivered. The night had been viciously cold and she was still not used to sleeping outside. Even the smallest of barriers provided better protection from the cold than these tarps. Her blanket was fine and the addition of Sakien’s helped, but she doubted she would ever get used to the cold.

Now that the sun was up, Kira was beginning to feel comfortable. Already the temperature was beginning to rise and her goosebumps were beginning to vanish. She rubbed her body until she felt she had the strength to move again. There was no noise outside of her cover, and Kira wondered if she was the only one up. She slipped out from underneath her tarp.

To her surprise, Sakien and Mekov were both already up. They were walking around in just pants, but they were stripping down the camp. They were amazingly quiet as they went about their work. Mekov was even eating a piece of jerky as he pulled his tarp down.

“Good, you’re awake,” said Sakien. “Better pack up your things. We need to get to town.” Kira scrambled to collect the tarp and blanket. She wrapped them up tight and held them back to Sakien. “Why would I carry your things?”

They made it back into town about an hour later. Kira hadn’t realized she had made it that far out of town before Sakien stopped her. They walked into town and headed for a house she didn’t recognize. It turned out to be a laundry house, and the woman kindly traded Sakien and Mekov their white cloaks in exchange for some coins. The two dropped their bags to throw their cloaks back on.

“Don’t you two get hot in those?” asked Kira.

“They’re not like our fur cloaks,” said Mekov. “We had them made when we came to the desert. We’re not exactly used to this much sun.”

“Oh,” said Kira surprised. “I never thought of that.” Her own skin had been finely baked by the sun from too many days out in the desert.

“I should invest in one for you,” said Sakien. “It would keep you a lot happier out there.”

“A big white cloak?” asked Kira, trying to imagine herself in one.

“Not white,” said Mekov. “You’re not from the north, you don’t deserve one.”

“Maybe in time,” said Sakien with a grin.

Once the two were wrapped up again they set off for the Hunter’s Guild. Kira looked at the guard nervously and tapped on Sakien’s shoulder.

“Yes?”

“I’m not actually a hunter,” she whispered.

“We know.” Kira frowned at her obvious disposition.

“Then you know I can’t go inside.”

“You are my pupil; you go wherever I go,” he said sternly. Kira just nodded and stayed behind him. She doubted the guard would be okay with such an answer. The guard waved them in as usual and put a hand out to stop Kira when Sakien caught his arm. He shot the guard a dangerous look.

“Any piece of you which touches my pupil I get to keep.” The guard slowly drew back his arm and nodded. He was already wary of this northerner from yesterday. They didn’t pay him enough to stop such a scary man. Kira kept her head low and followed Sakien inside.

Kira saw a fair number of hunters already sitting around the guild house. This was as much their hang out as well as their work space. She wished her new friends would stay still so she could get a good look at the place, but they moved quickly. Mekov led them up some stairs in the back and went through the door.

“Mekov and Sakien!” said the guild representative. “How are my favorite hunters doing today?”

“We’re fine,” said Mekov. “Have you settled the amount we’ll earn with the wagon yet?”

“Not yet. It should be settled this afternoon. I didn’t expect to see you in so early.”

“That’s fine,” said Sakien. “We’re interested in any other jobs you have.”

“Hmm, I don’t know. I’ve been too busy organizing everything you brought back. Seph!” The guild representative’s errand boy appeared. “Come back with the job list will you.” The boy ran off. “He’ll be right back.” They nodded and waited. A minute later the boy appeared with a long scroll for them. Sakien and Mekov went over it before handing it back.

“We can get you those rontor eggs,” said Sakien.

“Are you sure?” asked the man confused. “The mission seems a little beneath your abilities. I’m sure we have something more fitting.”

“You do but we’re doing some training.” Sakien motioned to Kira. Trendle frowned but nodded.

“As you wish. I expect I’ll see you later today.”

“Probably,” said Mekov.

“So we’re hunting rontor?” asked Kira as they left.

“Close,” said Sakien. “Mekov and I are getting some eggs because somebody wants to trade them.”

“But nothing leaves its eggs out without a fight,” said Kira.

“Hey I think she’s finally catching on,” laughed Mekov. Kira looked between the two men and sighed.

“So I’m hunting some rontor.” The two grinned. Kira shook her head and wondered what she’d gotten herself into.