Hunter's Academy (Veller) (78 page)

“Why, what for?”

“What do you think? He has something for you.”

“Oh… then I guess I better head over there then.” Kile said as she got up from the table.

“Oh yeah, I almost forget. I have a message from Captain Jax too. He said if I ever saw the red headed wili again, that he’s sorry and that you’re more than welcome at the outpost of Moran any time, but leave the kelpie at home. I’m assuming that makes sense.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“No problem wili.” Marcus laughed as he headed over to another table and sat down among the patrons who, Kile couldn’t help noticing, were all female. She watched as people congratulated him on the capture of the Minotaur as they slapped him on the back and bought him drinks. She would never have thought there was any similarity between her and the great white haired hunter, but they both struggled with being the odd one out. Separated, because of their unique edges, and yet finally coming to value them as a way of making friends, although hers were real, she couldn’t say the same of his. In many ways he was still isolated.

She slipped out the front door of the Bird stepping into the streets of Coopervill, which were now starting to fill up with the miner coming down from the hills.
A few would head straight for home to wives and families, while most would stop off for a few drinks first. Old Lester’s was now full of life and a rowdy song as Kile walked past on her way to the Guild house.

She thought that she was leaving it too late, that the old man may be in bed by now, but the light that filtered out of the shuttered windows suggested that Kane never slept. She opened the door to Local Chapter 42 and stepped into the room. Kane was at the reception window and looked up when she entered.

“I see Marcus found you.” He said in that monotone voice.

“Yes sir, he said you had something for me.” She asked nervously.

If the information about her reckless involvement in the capture of the Minotaur of Calder falls had already gotten to the Hunter’s Guild, this could be the end of her career.

“Normally, when a hunter brings in a bounty, they don’t have to be tracked down in order to be paid.” Kane said.

“I don’t understand sir.”

“According to the notice that I received from the Guild, you are responsible for the capture of the Minotaur of Calder Falls. I don’t mind telling you that I found this difficult to believe, but Marcus did verify the account and so the bounty is yours, minus the Guild’s cut of course.”

“I don’t really deserve it sir. You see, my… horse… had more to do with it than I did.”

“Then give the bounty to your house. All I know is that you have forms to fill out that must be filed and a bounty to pay off on a class A open script.”

“But sir…”

“Look child, the Guild is satisfied that you captured the Minotaur, enough that they have author
ities me to pay you the bounty. Marcus is satisfied that you captured the Minotaur enough that he will not contend the paying of the bounty, and I really don’t care enough to bother, so I’m paying you the bounty.”

“So… the Guild isn’t going to… throw me out.”

“Throw you out? Why would the Guild do that?”

“Because I was reckless… careless, I didn’t think they went
in for that kind of behavior.”

“Normally they don’t, but from what I have understood, it wasn’t an act of stupidity, if that is the word you’re looking for. According to the report, you not only brought in the Minotaur of Calder Falls… alive, but you saved the life of another Hunter, and that is seldom considered reckless. Now, about the Bounty.”

She had to think a moment, this was a little more than she had reckoned. She wasn’t going to have the fame attached to the Minotaur, since that went to Marcus, and he was welcome to it. She didn’t join the Hunter’s Guild to become famous. She did it to help others. She would be quite happy if nobody knew who she was, The Minotaur was now the property of the Callor province, but the credit within the Guild, and the Bounty were hers. She wasn’t sure what the credit would bring, but the bounty would go a long way to paying off the Veller farm. It won’t get Leon completely out of debt, but it will keep the money lenders at bay for some time until he could get his head above water.

“Sir, would it be possible for me to send the bounty home?”

“You wouldn’t be the first.” Kane replied. “But are you sure you want to send all of it?”

“Well, yes sir, if that’s all right sir.”

“What do I care? All you have to do is fill out the destination and recipient forms then submit them to the Guild, and they will make sure the bounty gets to where it's suppose to go, but I’m not sure you should send all of it.”

“Why
not, sir? I can make do with what I have.”

“If it
was me, I would sleep on it. The Bounty isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, at least wait until you read this.” Kane said as he handed her a rolled up parchment.

What did he know that she didn’t?
She took the parchment from Kane. It bore the Hunter’s Seal in wax, and it hadn’t been broken, but Kane knew what it said, which meant he received something as well.

“Open it.”
He told her.

She
cracked the seal and unrolled the parchment. She read it then read it again, and then a third time just to make sure that she wasn’t mistaken.

“This is a…”

“Certification letter.” He finished for her. “You are now a Certified Level Five Hunter, which means the Guild no longer pays for your room, food or stable fees.”

“I’m Certified… I’m  Certified Level Five Hunter Kile Veller.” Kile shouted as she clutched the papers to her chest. “I did it, I’m certified. I’m Certified Level Five Hunter Kile Veller. Thank you sir, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, I didn’t do anything.” Kane replied.

“I’ve got to tell Vesper… I’ve got to tell Grim.”
She shouted she turned for the door.

“Wait… what about the bounty.”

“The bounty? Oh, that's right?”

“Go, tell your friends, the
paperwork can wait until tomorrow, but be here early. I already have assignments backing up.” Kane said as he stepped away from the reception window and mumbled to himself about rookies as he walked into the back room.

More assignments, hopefully they won’t be as routine as the last one Kile thought as she stepped out into the streets of Coopervill, but then she was a Certified Level Five Hunter now.

###

Coming Soon:

Hunter’s Bounty