Chapter 9: The Recruit
Scott was worried about his family. What had seemed to be so close of a family now felt as if it was being loosely tied together by some invisible string. His son, Jake, was more distant from him than ever, and was secretive. He wasn't sure if this was because he was growing older, or if it was because of him learning of his past. Well, part of it anyway. There were many dark things about his past, things he regretted, and kept to himself. He was indecisive as to the thought of sharing his past with his family. Not Haley, though, she was too young. Mei might go into shock. And as for Jake, he didn't know if sharing this would bring them closer together, or cast them farther apart. He was stunned that he had returned to the Huntsclan. He had thought he had rid of them years ago, leaving it but a memory. He did know that he was happy his children had escaped the troubles of being in the Huntsclan. They should enjoy their childhood, without having to deal with training and such. He pulled on his mask, he had arrived.
He typed a code into the small machine beside the door. It buzzed, and swung open. He walked in, and took the elevator up to the eighth floor. He walked down the stone hallway, his heavy footsteps echoing around him. He stopped at an ornamental door, with cryptographs carved into the frame. He knocked loudly three times.
"Come in." A cynical voice sounded from the other side of the door. Scott stepped in quietly, closing the heavy door behind him. He bowed his head before saying:
"This is an irregular meeting day, master."
The Huntsmaster chuckled lightly, and responded. "This is an unusual meeting." He gestured for Scott to sit at a long table, where four other Huntsmen sat. "Now, I have called upon you five because, as you may or may not know, our Huntsclan is withering. Our numbers have shrunk drastically. We must come up with a solution, but I believe I have one that will work." The gathered Huntsmen nodded, urging him to continue.
"Now, I know each of you have children who have not been marked, and you are not the only ones. Half of our clan has heirs who aren't marked. You five, though, are trusted servants and skilled fighters. Therefore, I wish that all of your children who are of age be trained as Huntsgirls and Huntsboys. We will see how well these apprentices do, and if it is successful, we will continue with the rest of the clan's children. Normally, we only accept members if they are marked, but drastic times call for drastic measures, and we do not want our dear clan to vanish."
There was some excited murmuring among the Huntsmen, and then the Huntsmaster continued:
"I would like you to all bring your sons and daughters who are over twelve years old here tomorrow, and we shall test and inform them there. Any questions?" No one had any, and Huntsmaster added. "Be here at twelve o' clock sharp. Meeting dismissed."
Everyone dispersed, and Scott walked quietly to his car. He hoped Jake would take this well. It would probably be best not to tell him where we're going tomorrow, Scott thought.
A/N: Jake a Huntsboy? How will he react? Find out in the next chappy! PLEASE REVIEW! I want to know if you have any corrections, complaints, comments, compliments, or anything else that begins with the letter 'c'. I'll try to get another chapter up tonight.