The Warrior's Path by Catherine M. Wilson

Author:Catherine M. Wilson
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 0981563619
Publisher: Shield Maiden Press
Published: 2009-03-05T14:00:00+00:00

16. Vintel's Apprentice

Sparrow was eating her breakfast in the kitchen. I sat down beside her, leaned close to her ear, and said, "Do you want to be Vintel's apprentice?"

Sparrow scowled at me. "Didn't your mother teach you how to say good morning?" She sounded out of sorts.

"Good morning," I said. "Do you want to be Vintel's apprentice?"

"Too late," she said.

"What?"

"Vintel says that you will be her new apprentice."

"Vintel is wrong."

"She's already spoken about it."

"To you?"

"To everyone."

"I haven't accepted her."

"Apparently she thinks you will."

"I won't," I said. "Especially not now."

I thought I understood what Vintel was doing, or perhaps it was the Lady's idea. Once something had been spoken of publicly, it was a thing that was accomplished in everybody's mind. In order to undo it, I would have to go against the ideas of everyone in the household. It would put me in a bad light, and it would also shame Vintel. If Vintel had taken it upon herself to speak without my consent, it was a shame she deserved to bear, but not if the Lady had assured her that I would do what she wanted me to do.

"Answer my question," I said to Sparrow.

"About being Vintel's apprentice?"

"Yes."

"Why would she accept me?"

"Let me worry about that," I said. "Just tell me if it's what you want."

"Of course," said Sparrow. "It would be an honor."

"So they tell me."

"You're a fool to turn her down."

"They tell me that too."

When I started to get up, Sparrow caught my wrist and held me there. She looked around to make sure we couldn't be overheard.

"You be careful how you cross Vintel," she said.

But now I was angry. "Vintel had best be careful how she crosses me."

"By the Mother, hush," said Sparrow, "or I'll find your little body lying in a snowbank."

"Why would you bind yourself to someone who would do that?"

Sparrow thought for a minute before she spoke.

"I know Vintel," she said. "I've known her since I came to Merin's house, and I knew of her from Eramet. She's a skillful warrior and a powerful leader. She is strong-willed and must have her own way in things, and people don't always like Vintel's ways, but every girl here would put up with her failings for the sake of learning from her."

"Is she such a fine teacher?"

"She made Eramet a fine warrior, and she's loyal to her friends, and generous." Sparrow regarded me intently. "I want you to understand what you're turning down. If she's pleased with you, Vintel will be your ally and your friend. She's from a house as great as this one. She can always go back to her place there, taking with her anyone she chooses. She can offer you an important place, either here in Merin's house or in her own. She can be difficult too, although that shouldn't bother you. Your warrior is worse on her good days than Vintel is on her bad ones."

I started to tell Sparrow that my warrior wasn't at all difficult, but she put her fingers on my lips to stop me.

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