It’s a common misconception to believe that a bond between Keeper and Beast is only ever initiated by the Keeper. It’s true of Familiar class Beasts and almost always of Prime class. These Beasts don’t have the power to forge a Mark. But on rare and remarkable occasions, I have heard of or witnessed Mythic class Beasts casting the bond themselves.

Why? Well, that is the question! But I believe the Beast recognizes something in their would-be Keeper. They see someone else of their kind. Of their Lore. Of the wilds.

A hush fell over the room as Runa entered, and Barclay tore himself away from his book. As always, Runa’s long blond hair was tightly braided, and she walked like a soldier, menacing, nimble, ready to strike. Even Barclay, who had little in common with the other students, was eager to hear what she had to say.

“Many of you already know who I am,” she began, taking a seat on her usual leather armchair by the fireplace. “My name is Runa Rasgar, though some refer to me as the Fang of Dusk. As many of you also know, it’s the power of the Legendary Beasts that keeps the other Beasts within their Wilderland. But that power is imperfect, and it often slips. I consider it my job to protect the world from the most vicious of Beasts, because not all Beasts are useful or cute or friendly. Some Beasts are dangerous. Some Beasts aren’t meant to be tamed.”

At her first pause, someone took advantage of her silence and shouted out, “Could you tell us more about Dooling? What was it like to be champion for six—”

“After my apprenticeship ended, I spent some time as a Dooler, so that I could meet Keepers and Beasts from all over the world. I won champion six years in a row.”

Beside Barclay, Abel let out a huff. “There’s a lot of people full of themselves around here, don’t you think?”

“I thought Runa was your top choice,” Barclay hissed.

He and Ethel both shrugged. Barclay wanted to ask more about their change of heart when another student spoke up.

“But if you could tell us more about—”

“There’s nothing more to say. I won’t be competing in the Dooling tournament this year,” Runa said sharply. “As I’ve decided to take on apprentices instead.”

The room quieted, realizing that offending Runa could ruin their chances of becoming her student. Barclay wondered why Runa wouldn’t share more about the sport that had made her so famous—it was obviously what all the students wanted to hear about. Maybe her memories of Dooling had been bad ones. Maybe that was how she had gotten that scar.

This time someone raised their hand, rather than shouting. “What was it like to be apprenticed to the Grand Keeper?”

Barclay elbowed Ethel in the side. “Runa was Viola’s father’s apprentice?” he asked.

“Well, yeah,” she said. “Didn’t you know that? So was Cyril Harlow, who’s also a Guardian Keeper.”