A fearful look crossed Acantha's face. Brightblade's forceful response to the mention of Hunters was something she clearly had not expected.
"Yes, Adept Brightblade," she said. "Hunters are common in the borderlands." A slight tremble in her voice, she added, "But there's nothing to worry about. They don't attack Shadowflame mages. Not unless we challenge them — but nobody's been dumb enough to do that in years."
Brightblade raised an eyebrow. "They don't target your Ninth Valley mages? But they do attack others?"
Acantha nodded. "They hunt any mages who aren't from the Shadowflame Society. At least, that's what my teachers say — ."
"Then what do you do?" Brightblade asked, her brown furrowed as she looked at the novice.
A puzzled expression appeared on Acantha's face. In an uncertain tone, she asked, "What we do?"
"In the borderlands. Without other mages around, what do you novices do here? Your Elders don't just send you out here to go camping, do they?"
