PART XXVI - MISDIRECTED ANGER
Thorn’s level-check revelation concluded, he dismissed everyone with another stern reminder to use no skills not cleared with one’s trainer, followed by wishing all a pleasant evening. The mood was jovial as most conversations between the recruits were swirling around their level numbers, or in a few cases back to the Druid animal forms.
Callie’s group began to break up, everyone off to clean up or otherwise pass time before the meal bell. Juniper bid them all farewell and walked away towards the woods, saying she wanted to take care of something before she was to report to the medical tent and Master Healer Tasi for her Symbiote joining. As she parted, she added that she looked forward to seeing everyone the next day. Vanis stayed back, and pulled Callie aside when the others were out of earshot.
“I spoke briefly with Training Master Thorn,” he said in a low tone. “We’re to meet with the Commandant in their office two hours after the meal concludes.”
Callie swallowed hard, suddenly nervous, but acknowledged the information.
“I didn’t provide any details, but did have to at least imply this was related to my position in the nobility to be taken seriously. As a result, others of the senior staff will likely be present as well. I should also warn you, when you reveal this information, you will likely be examined under Truthseeking. It will be painless, but you must avoid any subterfuge.”
Knowing about Lena’s Truthseeking skill, Callie wasn’t particularly shocked that this conversation might entail that examination, but a tiny part of her couldn’t help but be disappointed she might not be taken at her word. Of course, if the positions were reversed, and she had such a tool available, she honestly would probably do the same.
“Okay, thank you, Vanis, for everything.”
Vanis gave Callie’s shoulder a squeeze of support, before following after the rest of the recruits to clean up and prepare for dinner. As she watched him go, Callie saw a subtle difference in his stature that was hard to define. He had always been confident, but now seemed a little more authoritative, and she wondered if it was from him needing to throw his princely weight around a bit on her behalf, the medal and promotion the night before, or something else. Whatever it was, it suited him well, and Callie found herself grateful for his friendship.
As Callie’s started to follow the rest, the sound of someone clearing their voice startled her. She turned to find Trainer Reynard lurking, apparently waiting for her. Callie gulped as she immediately thought back to the reprimand and its tone an hour earlier, as her stomach twisted itself into a nervous knot.
“Trainer!” she croaked out, her throat suddenly dry.
“Recruit,” he responded stoically, before adding, “might we have a word?”
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“Okay,” Callie said weakly, before immediately launching into apology mode. “I really want to say I’m sorry for …”
Reynard waved her silent. “Please, let me speak for a moment first.”
Callie swallowed hard, but managed to nod her head.
“My tone with you was incredibly out of line, and I’m the one that needs to apologize, and probably to your Pixie friend as well. My anger was misdirected, when in truth I was furious at the Major and Olin.”
Confused, Callie simply asked, “Why?”
Reynard ran his paw along his head, breathing out a heavy sigh. “I do not care for charms and curses. They obviously have great combat usefulness, but they are a violation, especially on someone not prepared. In this case, neither you nor the Catkin were made aware this was to happen. If he had engaged with you, rather than running in fear, you could have been seriously injured. Or, if you had cornered him, you may have hurt him as well. In my opinion, this was an unacceptable intrusion without a warning, and an unnecessary risk. Obviously, the Major disagreed. I lashed out at you in the heat of the moment. I’m dreadfully sorry.”
Callie blinked, trying to process words she had never expected to hear from her trainer. “So … so you’re not mad we were sword fighting?”
“Honestly, we fully expected someone to exceed the lesson, and had planned to use that eventuality to demonstrate the need for restraint and safety once a recruit was injured. In fact, we all, the trainers that is, had a quiet bet going on which pair it would be.”
Callie narrowed her eyes. “Who did you pick?”
“You, naturally. In fact, we all chose you. It really wasn’t a contest. A Gnome and a Pixie are no doubt a volatile combination of trouble no matter the circumstance.”
Callie couldn’t help but laugh at that answer, and was comforted to see Reynard smile as well. A part of her was actually beginning to enjoy the reputation as the mischief-maker in camp, especially when paired with her sister-like friend, Pixyl.
“But,” the Foxkin continued with a warning, “the Major was correct in one thing. It is critical to restrain yourself to the training routines, at minimum for your own safety, but also so you don’t pick up any bad habits like your friend has. I presume you saw her obvious openings?”
“I did, eventually. She was repetitive in her sequence of attacks.”
“Exactly, and we could all see you were figuring that out as the fight progressed, hence why the Major waited until you finally struck her to issue the Taunt. Your swordplay has great potential, you should know. Vonn said as much when I spoke with her earlier today.”
Callie felt her face warm with the praise, especially coming from Reynard, and indirectly from Vonn for that matter. Needing to respond in some way, she simply replied, “Thank you, Sir.”
“But, Recruit, you also must be well honed, especially due to your size being such a detriment. So please, for your own good, stick with our lessons for now. Eventually, you’ll be able to experiment on your own when your core techniques are well established.” Reynard looked as if he was going to say more, but he seemed to change his mind stating, “I’ll apologize to the rest of the Ranger recruits in the morning, with the same message. Get some rest if you can, we have a busy day tomorrow. Please, have a pleasant evening.”
The Foxkin trainer began to walk off, but stopped. Without turning to look at Callie, he added, “Watching you chase that Bladedancer around the field was probably one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen, but I’ll deny it if you tell anyone I said that.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Sir,” Callie replied, grinning.