Aron's cabin sits directly under an enormous tree, in a clearing where little else grows because of the shade. He leads me up onto the porch and though the door, into a small living area and kitchen. Two doors lead off this room, and Aron motions me towards the one on the left. "Make yourself at home, Halt. Dinner will be ready in an hour. Feel free to explore, but if you're not back, you don't eat. If you don't show up before dark, I'll come looking for you."

In my room are a bed, a desk, and a trunk. It's simply furnished, and nothing like my spacious wing in Dun Kilty. I find myself already becoming attached to it nonetheless.

I untie the knot on the rough sling Aron gave me while we traveled, as my shoulder became sore. Now that I have a place to sit and relax, I can make a slightly more effective one. I've had plenty of experience with injuries living with Ferris. I don't need to use the whole sheet Aron took from Mara's house, and I suspect he's never had much experience with injuries like this. I rip a thick strip and tie a knot in it behind my neck. My arm can rest in the center of it to take the weight off my shoulder, and a band around my chest just above my arm further restricts movement.

Using my left hand to make this sling was harder than I expected, and I realize I'm going to have to learn to cope without use of my right arm for a few days. Thankfully, my shoulder only seems bruised, not broken.

How would my family react to the fact that I'm actually wearing a sling? It would be a familiar sight to Caitlyn, as she always saw me right after I'd had a disagreement with Ferris and we had gotten into a fight. But even she would be surprised by the fact that I'm wearing it willingly. Father would order me to remove it at once because, according to him, the Crown Prince never gets hurt. Mother would be concerned, and urge me to take it off so I wouldn't upset Father. Ferris would take advantage of me and try yet again to attack. He never knew how horribly beat up I was after each fight we had, or he would have gotten rid of me then.

I have nothing to leave in the room, so I head back into the kitchen. I have no clue why Aron is laboring over the fire himself; a Ranger should have at least one servant, shouldn't he?

As if he senses me watching, Aron turns around. "If you're just going to stand there gawking, you could make yourself useful."

"I don't know how to cook."

"Of course not. Anything to get out of work. Come chop this onion for me, Halt." He throws an onion at me, and I barely catch it. "You're not left-handed, are you?"

"No."

He sighs resignedly. "Then you can at least use your left hand to stir the stew. Don't let it stick to the bottom of the pot or it'll burn."

The large wooden spoon is still tricky to maneuver with my left hand. Careful to scrape the bottom of the pot frequently, I do my best to make sure the stew is stirred well.

When he ladles my stew into a bowl, Aron places it on the table so I can feed myself with one hand. The process is slow, and Aron is already on his second bowl before I manage to finish mine. At least I'm able to eat the whole thing without spilling it all over his cabin or myself.

We're sitting on the porch peacefully after dinner when Aron breaks the silence. "I've gotten myself into a fairly good-sized mess with you, Halt. The annual Gathering is in two weeks, and I either have to declare you my apprentice or you can't come. I would do it instantly, but it would put you at a severe disadvantage to the other apprentices, who have already been learning for a year. You may not even be able to pass the first year examination without the use of your arm unless I can convince Quinton to adapt it to your unique situation."

"What would I have to do to pass the examination?"

"Demonstrate your abilities at tracking, camouflage, knife throwing—and shooting a bow."

It seemed fairly doable until that last requirement. "I don't know if I'll be capable of even drawing a bow within two weeks, let alone be able to hit anything with it."

"So you see my dilemma."

"I'll learn what I can in two weeks. If I fail, I fail. I want to learn to be a Ranger."

Aron smiles at me. "I was hoping you'd say that."