In a matter of moments a bundle of grey brown fur dashed through the grass. Flora and Erick released their birds almost simultaneously, and the two honed in on the rabbit. The two birds swooped low and fast, gaining on the rabbit. When the rabbit dodged one way, the other falcon was there to cut it off. Erick spurred his horse, and Flora followed suit. Soon the two were racing after the birds and rabbit, keeping a healthy distance as the birds closed in. Flora turned to see that the rest of the hunting party had stayed behind to watch, a couple pulling out a small pocket telescope to watch the hunt better. The sight of it filled Flora with a mixture of apprehension, anxiety, and bitterness. This was all just a show for them. She was just a show for them, and this was one of their games.

Turning back to the hunt, Flora watched as the female falcon pulled up high, soaring well above their heads while the male kept chase. Like a bolt of lightning, the female dropped down, crashing into the rabbit with a magnificent stoop. The male was close behind, grabbing on and binding to the rabbit. Erick and Flora quickly reined in their horses as close as they could safely get to the birds. With one look from the King, Flora quickly jumped off and raced over to the birds, pulling out her small hunting knife and ensuring the rabbit was dead.

The female came back down, and together with the male the two started pulling at the rabbit. Flora swiftly gutted the animal, pulling out its entrails for the falcons to eat while taking the rabbit back to her King. The rest of the hunting party had finally reached them, and were applauding her once again. She didn’t feel like she deserved any sort of applause, it was the birds who did most of the work anyway.

As she went up and presented the catch to the King, the dog came up and sat beside her. It was almost picturesque as she went down on one knee and presented the rabbit, her head bowed. She heard boots land as Erick dismounted and headed towards her. His black leather boots entered her vision, now full of dust and dirt from the hunt. He grabbed her chin between his thumb and forefinger, pulling her up to look at him. Flora did her best to hide her shock as she looked into his deep blue eyes and saw that the storm had calmed.

Quietly, as if for her ears only, he asked “Is this what you want? To become the next Beast Master?” Flora felt her face flush, unsure of how to respond. She was all too aware of his hand on her chin, and the way he looked at her made her question everything.

“Y-yes?” She stammered, unsure of exactly why he was asking. She had worked so hard, gotten so far, and seemed to have impressed everyone. Maybe it wasn’t enough. Maybe she should have done more to impress him, but how could she impress a man who was so impassive, let alone a king who was so impassive?

Whatever it was, it seemed to be answer enough as he pulled away and called Leon over. A page quietly ran over to take the rabbit from Flora as the old Beast Master dismounted and made his way over to the King and her. “Leon, you have trained your apprentice well and she has proven herself worthy. Is this the one you wish to see take your place as Beast Master, so that you may retire to the castle?” King Erick asked, sounding as if he was reading a scripted part.

“I do.” Leon replied. Flora’s heart stuttered. This is it, it’s really happening.Even after the mess I made this morning, they’re really doing it. Flora swallowed down her anxiety and excitement as the King continued.

“Flora,” Erick started, motioning for her to rise. She did so obediently, excitement starting to fizz over. “You have done well and worked hard to prove yourself worthy of becoming Germinium’s next Beast Master, and all that the title entails.” Erick continued. His face remained impassive, and his expression was closed off. Flora worried that she had done something wrong, but no one seemed upset. They were all smiling, especially Dante, who leaned forward on his grey mare with that stupid smile he always has. It was hard not to glare at him as King Erick continued his speech. “With my power, I bestow upon you the title of Beast Master. May you continue to uphold your training and skills from now until you retire or perish, and may this kingdom continue to flourish with your assistance. As your badge of office, you will be given the horse you rode today and all the tack that comes with him. May you use him well.” Erick finished, holding out his hand towards Leon.

Without a word, Leon took the small but ornate silver badge that was clipped to his jacket. Leon bowed as he gave it to the King, and King Erick simply nodded in return. He then turned to flora, holding the badge in his hand.

“May I?” He asked quietly, one eyebrow upturned in a question. Flora simply nodded, too full of astonishment to reply. A hint of a smile tugged at his lips as Erick fastened the badge to her ragged farm jacket. “Then it is done.” King Erick announced. “Miss Flora Acker is the new Beast Master.” King Erick announced, and the group erupted into applause. And that was it, Flora was now officially the Beast Master.