The councilwoman commanded everyone’s attention when she spoke.

I was still in awe over seeing a female Bokor. Not just that, but she looked so young. If I had to guess, I would have sworn that she was barely over thirty. Her hair was a vibrant blonde, and her eyes were a bright blue. Even her marks were thin lines that were barely visible from twenty feet away. If she hadn’t been wearing the combat leathers of the Bokor, I wouldn’t have assumed she was a Bokor at first glance.

I gave a nervous second look at all of the other council members. They were all in similar condition. Either the council was full of thirty-something Bokor with very little power, or these council members were very old and had found a way to conceal their strength and age. I was inclined to go with the latter.

I turned my attention back to the councilwoman. I did not want to give her any other reason to be angry with me.

“You were not summoned,” She stared at Master Junk. “Why are you here?”

“This body has a reputation for sending fresh potentials on suicide missions.” Master Junk looked around the room, “I do not intend to have another of my apprentices die because you want to reduce the number of new masters.”

“Remember your place!” One of the councilmen on my right shouted, “You do not give orders to us!”

“No,” Master Junk turned to look at the councilman, “but you answer to the High Council.”

“Are you threatening us?” The councilman in front of us on the left asked.

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“Not a threat.” Master Junk tightened his grasp on his apprentice’s shoulder, “Just a reminder that you are not the highest authority.”

The council was visibly shaken. I had heard of the High Council but knew very little of it. Once a year, a delegation of Masters would head north to give a report. In all the time I had been with him, Master Bran had never been selected. Not that I would’ve gone with him. It was a Master only trip. Apprentices were left at home.

“It is not the place of masters to demand missions for potentials.” The councilwoman growled, “That is the responsibility of this body.” She glowered at us, “If you believe we are being unfair, then it is within your right to take your grievance to the High Council.” She nodded at the door, “But this is not a meeting that you have the privilege to attend.”

She let the threat hang in the air. For a moment I thought Master Junk might defy her, but he kissed his apprentice on the forehead and then walked to the door. For a moment, I thought I saw a tear on his cheek, but when I looked closer, I couldn’t see it.

Master Junk paused at the door and looked over everyone in the room. Something on his face said that we would never see him again. I watched him walk through the door and then we were alone with the council.

The defiance I had just witnessed was shocking. Every other Master on the island that I had dealt with had demanded absolute obedience. It had been drilled into me so much over the last six years that while I might silently question orders, I did so while I carried them out. It didn’t matter how dangerous or how unpleasant they might be. Disobedience was certain to be more unpleasant.

I mulled over the thought that the missions were dangerous to keep the number of Masters low. That didn’t make sense. We needed more Masters to take back more land from the zombies. It didn’t make sense. The missions were difficult because the council needed Masters that could handle themselves. It would be a waste to have a Master that was unable to fight.

I filed the concerns away as the ramblings of an over-concerned old Master. If he had trained his apprentice right, then there wouldn’t be a need to worry.

I knew I was ready for the mission.