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**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · April 29th, 2007, 06:17 PM

"Well..." Lotus looked of to the side as she began to gently pull on her brown tunic. "It's sort of difficult to explain."

She looked at Everroot, feeling a knot in her stomach tighten under his stern look. He didn't look like he was very willing to wait for her to explain why she was so far from home at the late hour.

So with a heavy sigh, she began to tell her story, starting her tale from when she had gotten the bright idea to go hunting on her own to when Harrow had found and confronted her. She did leave out a few details, her friends name and her rudeness towards Harrow being the most of it.

"... and that's how I came to be here," She finished looking at Harrow pleadingly to not say anything about the slap she had given him. "So, what is going to happen with me Master Everroot?"

**Peeker** · April 29th, 2007, 06:56 PM

"Harrow."

The elf straightened. "Yes, High Hunter?"

"Does all she speak ring true?"

"She speaks true so far as I know, Master. I would only add that-"

"...she is a hot-tempered little whelp who was undoubtably disrespectful and sharp with you, and begged that her parents not be told about her lies, her rudeness, and her misbehavior?"

Harrow's eyes widened. "Master?"

"This is what you would add, is it not?" The High Hunter bore down on his apprentice with wise eyes.

"I would add that she was indeed a scared little girl, Master - her actions have spoken enough for her character..."

"You are soft, Harrow." Everroot smiled. "This is why I picked you. You must be sensitive to those things which must be passed over to pass through the forests... Girl. Come here."

Kneeling before Lotus, Everroot put his hands on his shoulders. He was no longer smiling. "You were saved by my apprentice. Do you respect this?" He tightened his grip on his shoulders. "Do you know what kind of danger you were in, little girl?"

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · April 29th, 2007, 07:06 PM

Lotus was taken back by Everroot's words. Just how much had Nightsfall told him about her? Surely not every little things she hoped. Not that it really mattered as she suddenly felt like she was five all over again with Everroot towering over her. She wanted to shrug his hand off her shoulder but thought better not too.

"I do appreciant Harrow for helping me, but I wasn't in any danger," She answered as she jestured towards her bow and arrow that she had placed near the door way. "I was never unarmed and I'm no stranger to a bow. i could easily have protected myself..."

Her words died in her throat when she saw that Everroot was far from amused with her answer.

**Peeker** · April 29th, 2007, 07:36 PM

Everroot was not pleased at all. His brows knitted and his face twisted into a frown. "Wrong, child. You could not have protected yourself. You do not have the training - you are not old enough, not wise enough, and not strong enough." The man took a deep breath, and turned to Harrow.

"There is no way I will subject her to what you went through to learn the danger of these woods, Harrow, but I know of no other way to...impart... such a lesson."

Harrow looked frustrated. "That lesson is not something one forgets, Master, but..." Harrow frowned. "I remember that I was helpless. That's... when it really mattered. That's how I learned your lesson..."

Everroot frowned. "Well, girl, we're forced to teach you differently. Do we need to carry you back to your parents? Are they the only ones that you'll feel helpless before? I'm not about to surround you with pitsnakes and poisonous spiders to prove a point... but you must not do what you just did. Not ever! No, we need you to understand how helpless you really are- what you need is a lesson in humility, I'm afraid."

Harrow paled, but said nothing. Everroot smiled. The boy knew where this was going.

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · April 29th, 2007, 07:44 PM

Lotus looked between Harrow and Everroot for answers.

"No, I do not need my parents to feel helpless. I've told you already that I've come to place my fate in you're hands, Master Everroot," She answered. She didn't like how Harrow's face paled. "As for this lesson in humility, I don't know what you mean..."

It was then it clicked. He couldn't possibly mean what she beleive he did.
she turned at faced Harrow with shocked eyes.

"He can't possibly mean that he plans on..." Harrow's face told her that he did. She then looked at Everroot as her hand quickly covered her bottom. "You must be joking. I'm too old to be... be.. spanked!"

**Peeker** · April 29th, 2007, 07:49 PM

"There are two chests over there." Everroot snapped. "Bring me the one on the right - if it isn't too heavy for you."

Harrow, who was looking white as a sheet, swallowed hard. "Master Ever-"

"Harrow, stay quiet. You are a very important part of this lesson. I know you are uncomfortable watching, but you felt uncomfortable having to keep young Lotus safe, did you not? The concern of others is welcome - their pity, their effort, is not always. It is an effort for you to watch-" He glared at his apprentice. "-and you will watch, young Harrow, while your young charge is given a lesson in just how helpless she really is."

Everroot sat down on his stump-chair, and waited for Lotus.

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · April 29th, 2007, 07:58 PM

Lotus was horror struck. Forgetting every ounce on manners she had learned in her life, she stomped her foot and pointed at Harrow.

"You can't possibly mean that he's going to stay for this!" She yelled. A blush covered her face at the thought. "It's embarrassing and he's a... he's a... well a boy! I refuse..."

In all her life she had thought that no one could look so terrifying as her brother and father when angry until she saw the look Everroot gave her. She wasn't even sure that there was a word for how crossed he looked at her.

**Peeker** · April 29th, 2007, 08:00 PM

Everroot spoke softly. There was no need for a lecture - he required obedience. Harrow knew it, Lotus knew it, and he knew it.

"Little girl? Come here."

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · April 29th, 2007, 08:06 PM

Lotus sighed as she slowly neared here. when she was finally next to him she looked pleadingly.
"Please, make him leave,"It was embarrassing enough that Harrow knew she was going to be spanking. "Pretty please?"

**Peeker** · April 29th, 2007, 08:07 PM

Harrow winced as the High Hunter's powerful bow-arm came swinging down.

SMACK! Went the man's palm against young Lotus' little bottom.

"Young lady, when I ask you to do something, you do it. Bring me that chest. Now."