After arriving near the city gates the Rangers all gathered their horses from the nearby stables. They had an extra that Thorne forced Kael onto. Exiting the city they moved at a swift pace, Kael barley able to stay upright as the horse simply acted as if he was not riding atop it.

The group had traveled well into the night, the distant lights of Althemar fading until the only illumination came from the moon and the faint flicker of stars. The sound of the horses’ hooves on the dirt road was steady, but tension hung heavy in the air. Kael trudged alongside Thorne, his wrists now free but his mind racing. The silence between them was oppressive, and every step only amplified the anger simmering in Kael’s chest.

Finally, Thorne raised a hand, signaling his men to pull off the road. The Rangers obeyed without question, guiding their horses into a small clearing just off the path. When they stopped, Thorne turned to Kael, his sharp eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

“Alright,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “You can talk now.”

Kael erupted. “What the fuck is going on?” His voice was a mixture of anger and frustration, echoing through the quiet forest. “You killed Darius! And then you let them die! You just stood there and let Lord Cedric’s guards—his goons—kill them! I mean, sure, they weren’t my friends, but they were part of my crew! My guild!” His fists clenched at his sides as his voice rose

. “You let them get slaughtered like dogs and dragged me out here. For what? To rub it in that the heist failed? Why bother saving me at all if you were just going to march me out here and—”

“Enough.” Thorne’s voice cut through Kael’s tirade like a blade, silencing him. The boy’s chest heaved, his eyes burning with defiance and frustration, but he fell silent, though his fists remained tight at his sides.

Thorne met his gaze, his expression unreadable. “The thieves’ lives were forfeit the moment they were caught,” he said, his tone measured. “Lord Cedric had every right to do as he pleased with them. That’s how the law works.”

Kael’s jaw clenched. He hated the answer, but he couldn’t argue with it. The guild’s rules were clear: get caught, and you paid the price. Still, the anger in his chest refused to abate.

Thorne continued, his voice softening slightly. “I kept you alive for two reasons. The first is to ask about this chest you mentioned—the one tied to potential treason. Tell me everything you know about it.”

Kael hesitated, his eyes narrowing. He didn’t like being cornered, and he liked even less that Thorne now held all the power. But he wasn’t a fool. He was alive, and as much as he hated the situation, he knew better than to push his luck too far. He let out a sharp breath, his shoulders slumping slightly as the fight drained from him.

“It’s just a job we were hired to do,” Kael said, his voice low but steady. “The buyer didn’t give us much—just said the chest was important, that it had evidence of treason against the crown. They said Cedric was involved, but they didn’t explain how. We didn’t ask questions. It’s not our job to care why someone wants something stolen. All we knew was that the chest was valuable, worth a king’s ransom if we pulled it off.”

Thorne studied Kael’s face for a moment, his expression unreadable. “And the buyer? Who were they?”

Kael shook his head. “I don’t know. None of us did. That’s how it works. The Guildmaster takes the contracts and passes them down. We never see the clients. Keeps things clean.”

Thorne nodded slowly, his gaze still locked on the boy. “I see.”

Kael shifted uncomfortably, the tension in his body still palpable. “So that’s it?” he asked bitterly. “That’s why you kept me alive? To interrogate me? What’s the second reason, then?”

Thorne took a long, hard look at Kael, his piercing eyes seeming to see straight through him. For a moment, he said nothing, and the silence stretched thin. Then, in a tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather, Thorne said, “Because I’m taking you on as my apprentice.”

The clearing erupted.

The Rangers stared at Thorne in disbelief, voices overlapping as they exclaimed their protests and confusion. “An apprentice? Him?” one of them said. “Captain, have you lost your mind?” another added.

Kael’s mouth opened, but no words came out. His brain stumbled over itself, trying to make sense of what Thorne had just said. Apprentice?

Thorne raised two fingers to his lips and let out a sharp, piercing whistle. The sound sliced through the clamor, silencing the group instantly.

He turned to his men, his expression hard. “If any of you have a problem with it,” he said, his voice low and dangerous, “you can take it up with the Guildmaster when we return. Until then, this isn’t up for discussion.”

The Rangers exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing. They knew better than to challenge Thorne when he used that tone.

“Find a place to set up camp,” Thorne ordered, his voice brooking no argument. “We’ll stay here for the night.”

The men, disgruntled but obedient, dispersed to follow his instructions.

Kael, still frozen in place, watched them go before turning to Thorne. “You’re joking,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Thorne didn’t answer. Instead, he gestured toward a cluster of nearby rocks. “Sit,” he said simply.

Kael hesitated, his mind still reeling, but something in Thorne’s tone compelled him to obey. He crossed the clearing and sat on one of the rocks, his legs feeling like lead.

Thorne followed, settling onto another rock across from him. He rested his elbows on his knees, leaning forward slightly as he met Kael’s wide-eyed stare.

“You’ve got questions,” Thorne said, his tone quieter now. “I’ll answer them. But first, we’re going to talk about what happens next.”

Kael swallowed hard, his heart still racing. This was absolutely crazy and he had no clue what was going on any more.

Thorne watched Kael with a measured intensity, the moonlight casting shadows across his face. Kael sat across from him, perched uneasily on a rock, his fists clenched against his knees. The boy’s earlier defiance had faded into a guarded silence, though his sharp eyes still darted around like a cornered animal assessing his surroundings.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Thorne leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. His tone was calm but firm as he spoke. “Let’s start with something simple. Tell me about your life up until now. And don’t lie—I’ll know if you do.”

Kael hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. He didn’t see the point of this, but he knew better than to test the patience of the man sitting across from him. After a long pause, he shrugged. “Not much to tell. I’m an orphan. Grew up on the streets. Learned how to pick pockets and stay out of sight. Eventually found my way into the thieves’ guild. Been running scores ever since.”

He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. “Simple and clear cut. Nothing special.”

Thorne grunted in annoyance, his gaze narrowing. “Don’t sell yourself short. But fine, we’ll come back to that later. Let me ask you something else.”

Kael raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt.

“I watched you,” Thorne said. “Earlier today, before the heist. I saw the way you moved, the way you watched everything. You weren’t just doing a job. You were enjoying it.”

Kael blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“The thrill,” Thorne said, leaning forward. “The excitement. It was written all over your face. I’ve seen that look before—in predators on the hunt, in men who live for the chase. It’s rare, but it’s unmistakable. So, tell me, why did you enjoy it so much?”

Kael stared at him, unsure how to respond. It wasn’t something he’d ever put into words before, and the question itself felt strange, almost too personal. He shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the ground as he tried to gather his thoughts.

“I don’t know,” he said finally, his voice quieter now. “It’s just… the challenge, I guess. It’s exciting to go up against something difficult, something that feels impossible. It’s not just about the score—it’s about the hunt for a good challenge.” He looked up, meeting Thorne’s piercing gaze. “Every heist I’ve helped with, every plan I’ve made—it’s like a game. A dangerous game, sure, but that’s what makes it fun. I live for it. The danger, the risk… it makes me feel alive.”

Thorne’s expression didn’t change, but there was a glint in his eyes, a flicker of recognition that Kael couldn’t quite place.

Kael hesitated before continuing. “I guess I think of them as my hunts. Every score, every job—it’s like… testing myself. Seeing if I can do it, if I can outsmart the odds when they’re supposed to be slim.”

Thorne nodded slowly, sitting back on his rock. “That’s what I thought,” he said, his voice low but steady. “That’s why I’ve chosen you.”

Kael blinked, confusion flickering across his face. “Chosen me? For what?”

Thorne’s gaze locked onto him, unflinching. “To be my apprentice.”

Kael opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. His mind stumbled over itself, trying to make sense of what Thorne had just said. “Your apprentice?” he said finally, his voice incredulous. “Why the hell would you want that?”

Thorne chuckled softly, a sound that was equal parts amusement and knowing. “Every Ranger must take an apprentice at some point,” he explained. “It’s part of our tradition. A way to pass on what we know, to ensure the Guild’s strength continues. I’ve been overdue for years, and every time someone asks me why I haven’t taken one, I tell them the same thing—I’ve been waiting.”

“Waiting for what?” Kael asked, his voice sharp with disbelief.

“For someone like you,” Thorne said simply. “Someone with instinct. Drive. Someone who doesn’t just survive but thrives in chaos. You call your heists hunts. I’ve been hunting my whole life, and I know the thrill you’re talking about. The challenge, the danger—it’s the same thing that drives me. The same thing that makes me who I am.”

He leaned forward again, his eyes narrowing. “You’re the only person I’ve met who feels the same way. The same joy in the hunt, the same fire. That’s why I chose you. Because you’re the only one who can understand what it means to live for the chase.”

Kael stared at him, his mind spinning. He’d thought he’d heard every ridiculous thing the streets could throw at him, but this? This was something else entirely. “You’re insane,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Thorne smirked. “Maybe. But I don’t care. Look boy, you have two.. well three choices really. You can one accept what I’m doing and come with me, two we can walk you back to the city and turn you in, or three you can die out here for your crime. Seems like an easy choice doesn’t it?”

Thorne leaned forward, his piercing eyes locked on Kael. “Before I go any further,” he said, his voice low but firm, “what’s your name, boy?”

Kael hesitated for a moment, unsure why the question threw him off. “Kael,” he said finally, his tone cautious.

“Kael,” Thorne repeated, rolling the name over as if testing its weight. “I’m Thorne. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let me ask you something.”

Kael raised an eyebrow, his tension easing slightly. Thorne’s voice shifted, quieter now, almost contemplative. “All those plans and schemes of yours, Kael—do you really think they’re all you’ll ever want? Do you think they’ll satisfy you?”

Kael blinked, unsure how to respond. “I… don’t know,” he admitted. “I’ve never thought about it like that.”

Thorne nodded, as if he’d expected the answer. “Of course you haven’t. You’re young. But think about it now. Picture yourself years from now, running the guild. Maybe you’re a Guildmaster. You’ve got power, a name, maybe even respect. But will that be enough? Will you really feel alive plotting the same tired schemes in a city that never changes? Watching your hunts become smaller, easier, less fulfilling?”

Kael frowned, the words hitting uncomfortably close. He’d always thought of the guild as the pinnacle, the place he could thrive and grow. But Thorne’s words planted a seed of doubt he hadn’t expected.

“That city,” Thorne continued, gesturing in the vague direction of Althemar, “is too small for someone like you. You’re sharp, clever, and hungry for more. I saw it in your eyes tonight—the thrill, the fire. You’ll outgrow those streets, Kael. One day, the walls of that city will feel like a prison, and you’ll realize you’re suffocating in mediocrity. The hunts will grow stale, and so will you.”

Kael’s fists clenched, a strange mix of anger and fear bubbling up in his chest. He wanted to argue, to tell Thorne he was wrong, but something about the man’s words rang true in a way that unsettled him.

Thorne leaned closer, his voice dropping even lower. “Is that what you want? To fade into mediocrity? To settle for schemes and hunts that you’ll one day find boring? Or do you want more?”

The question hung in the air like a challenge, and Kael couldn’t look away from Thorne’s intense gaze. For the first time, he truly wondered if the life he’d envisioned for himself was as grand as he’d always believed—or if it was just a cage in disguise.

Kael opened his mouth to protest again, but the words caught in his throat. He wasn’t sure what to say, and for the first time in a long time, he felt completely out of his depth.

Thorne’s smirk faded into something more serious. “You’ve got a choice to make, Kael. You can stay angry, keep fighting me for the deaths of your guild members, and end up dying. Or, you can take this opportunity and see where it leads. It’s up to you.”

Kael stared at him, his mind racing. He didn’t trust this man—didn’t trust anyone—but he couldn’t ignore the way his words struck a chord deep inside him. For once, he didn’t know what to do.

“Take your time,” Thorne said, standing and gesturing toward the distant fire that struck up. “But I suggest you choose wisely. You won’t get another chance like this.”

Kael remained seated, his thoughts a whirlwind as he tried to make sense of what was happening. Thorne moved over towards the nearby camp, giving the boy space, but Kael could feel the weight of his decision pressing down on him. While death was the only alternative he simply couldn’t decide what to do.

Thorne started towards the fire, and then turned back to say one more thing. “Oh and don’t get any ideas of running. You won’t get far. Just come over when you’ve decided.”

Thorne stood still for a moment, the shallow moonlight casting long shadows across his face as he looked down at Kael. The boy was still seated, his expression a mixture of disbelief, uncertainty, and defiance. Thorne could see the gears turning in his mind, the conflict flickering in his sharp eyes.

Before walking away, Thorne slightly, his voice low but firm as he locked eyes with Kael. “If you take my offer,” he said, “you’ll know what a true hunt feels like. Not just heists or small-time thrills, but real challenges. The kind that test every fiber of your being. The kind that will make you feel alive in ways you’ve never imagined.”

Kael didn’t move, his fists tightening against his knees.

Thorne continued, his tone unwavering. “You say you chase the thrill? You’ll get your fill as my apprentice. You’ll face the kinds of hunts you’ll never find in the thieves’ guild. But the choice is yours. Think about it.”

Without waiting for a response, Thorne straightened, turned, and walked toward the campfire where his men were finishing their preparations for the night.

Kael sat there in the quiet, his mind swirling with Thorne’s words. He stared into the stars above, replaying everything he’d ever heard about the Rangers.

The Rangers Guild. A name that carried weight throughout the kingdom, known for its elite warriors who upheld the King’s laws and took on missions no one else could handle. They were said to be as much hunters as soldiers, living on the edge of civilization and braving the wilds. Stories of their exploits were whispered in taverns and shared around campfires: chasing bandits through dense forests, tracking beasts that threatened villages, and uncovering plots against the crown.

To the common folk, the Rangers were both admired and feared. They were enigmatic, answering only to the Guildmaster and the King himself. To join their ranks was to embrace a life of danger and discipline, to live outside the bounds of normal society.

Kael’s lip curled slightly at the thought. He wasn’t a soldier, and he wasn’t interested in upholding anyone’s laws. But then Thorne’s words echoed in his mind again. “You’ll know what a true hunt feels like.”

The idea gnawed at him. He loved the chase, the challenge of outsmarting marks and testing himself against the odds. What if Thorne was right? What if being a Ranger could give him a chance to face challenges far beyond anything the guild could have ever offered?

But another part of him balked at the idea. The Rangers lived by rules, by structure and discipline. Kael had spent his whole life fighting against that kind of control, carving out his own path. Could he really become part of something like that?

He wavered, torn between the two conflicting thoughts.

Then reality set in. What choice do I really have?

Kael’s jaw tightened as he stared into the flames. The thieves’ guild was gone to him now, burned with the failure of the heist and the loss of his crew. If he refused Thorne’s offer, he’d be left with the options of death.

Well then, what the fuck does it matter what I want? he thought bitterly. If he wanted to live, if he wanted a chance to find his footing again, he needed to take the hand he’d been dealt. At least that was some of it. Thorne’s words had left him wanting and he wanted to find out what those words meant.

Scared, unsure, but determined to survive, Kael stood. He brushed the dirt off his pants, squared his shoulders, and took a deep breath.

The flickering light of the campfire guided his steps as he walked toward the group of Rangers. Thorne glanced up from his spot by the fire, his sharp eyes locking onto Kael with an almost imperceptible nod.

Kael stopped in front of him, swallowing hard. “I’ll do it,” he said, his voice steady despite the churn of emotions in his chest. “I’ll be your apprentice.”

Thorne’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “Good,” he said simply. “We’ll start tomorrow, for now get some rest. You’ve got busy days ahead of you.”