by TJ Reynolds
And the thought of sacrificing his healing spell or Confounded Core made the choice that much easier.
Shimmering Shield Wall, Breeze Step, and Barbed Barkskin were all tempting choices. Though even this became simpler when he considered his current situation.
Shimmering Shield Wall might prove the most defensive spell in his arsenal, but at the moment, he planned on adventuring alone. What good was a massive ethereal shield if only he and Ban’s champion needed protection?
The protection Barkskin could provide likewise tempted him.
Yet Breeze Step beckoned to his very being. How amazing would it be if I could cross the width of a battlefield in the blink of an eye? Such an ability would be both offensive and defensive.
Using his EI, Kai replaced Shadow Shroud with Breeze Step.
When he inspected the spell scale, he noted the same degree of wear had been transferred.
Though he couldn’t know exactly, Kai had the suspicion the scales would only transfer once more before being destroyed.
Shaking his hands out in excitement, Kai looked at a spot in the opposite side of the tower and triggered Breeze Step.
In a flash of wind and light, Kai found himself staggering in his new position.
You’ll need to master control, Ban reminded him. I suggest plenty of practice. You looked near to toppling over.
Kai acknowledge the point, taking a few seconds to regain his balance.
I can’t wait to give it a real trial. I can practice awhile around here, but the true test will come in combat, Kai replied. In fact, I’ve been thinking. I’d love to explore the tunnels in your new dungeon. Your influence can’t cover them all. If there are any nasty creatures under us, I’d like to know.
Ban hummed in thought, then urged Kai in a different direction. Tomorrow perhaps. But Kai, there are a few things you might do here before setting off again into danger. There are the dragon eggs to consider, for instance.
What can I do for the eggs? Kai asked.
For one, you can read the scrolls they were packed away with. I tried to do so already, but for some reason, I can’t absorb them. It’s as if they’re enchanted.
Kai set down his improved glaive and strode over to the chest near Ban’s core. The lid had remained open, and the smooth-shelled eggs were visible. Kai plucked out a single scroll, opened it, and read the title.
Dietary Considerations for the Fire Born Dragonling
While newly hatched dragonlings prefer the milk their mothers provide, when such accommodations cannot be provided, the following formula might serve to help wean the dragonling onto a more substantial food source.
Prepare the formula by boiling the ingredients for no less than one hour, making sure to stir frequently and avoid over heating.
Dragonling Milk Substitute:
2 pounds of spider, moth, or other insect silk
1 gallon of fresh water
1/4 cup of salt
1 gallon of fresh blood (mammalian preferred but avian is also effective)
1 pound of ground goat organs (liver, kidneys, heart, and brains preferred)
A pang of fear stabbed Kai in the chest. In a panic, he cried out, “Ban! These eggs! If they hatch, we’ll be the ones to raise them. Do you suppose raising baby dragons is very hard?”
Ban’s response did nothing to calm his nerves. No harder than any of our other adventures, Kai. Never fear, for I can always design a minion perfectly adapted to nurse the dragonlings. Just keep studying, and soon we’ll know exactly what we are in for.
Kai breathed, calming a little when he remembered Ban would be there to help him. His name day came early next spring, and he’d be twenty-one years old. Still, by any standards that was young to be taking on a clutch of babies, especially scaly ones that can learn spells and fly.
He scanned the rest of the scroll briefly, reading over the precise method of cooking or stirring each item, and how the “milk substitute” could best be preserved.
When he finished, Kai noticed three runes marking the bottom of the parchment. “You might be right, Ban. Can you see those runes? They might be what’s preventing you from absorbing them. Maybe whoever put these here didn’t want them to be reproduced again.”
Ban confirmed he could see the runes, and began to consider how he might use such enchantments in the future.
Before the Earth Core could finish, the scroll burst into flames in Kai’s hand.
Kai dropped the paper, making sure to do so well away from the other scrolls.
What happened? Ban asked in alarm.
Not sure. I finished reading it, then it just went to flame.
Interesting. Tell me this, can you recall what you read?
Kai thought of the recipe for fake dragon milk and discovered he could see the page in his mind’s eye quite clearly. I can! I can recall every detail.
Aha! What a clever mind, whoever created these. I think the runes not only prevent an Earth Core from absorbing and recreating the scroll, but after the scroll has been read, it destroys itself.
Kai scratched his head as he regarded the rest. Kinda makes me nervous. I just wish I had more confidence that I won’t forget everything.
As if Ban had been waiting for this exact admission, he reminded Kai of a task the young dragon had been putting off. Kai, do you remember the skill books Imogen gave us?
Yeah. None were combat oriented though. Why? Do you think one might help?
I do. Fetch the lot of them from your baggage, will you?
Feeling the rest of his peaceful day slipping from his grasp, Kai sighed and dug out the books. He took out all the books, in fact, and set them in stacks on the table.
He read the titles of the three skill books, trying to understand what Ban was thinking.
Cauldron Cooking: How to Fashion a Thousand Meals from a Few Dozen Common Ingredients.
The Acumen of Accounting, and other Numerical Nuances
A Study of Scholarly Reading and Research Techniques
The last title seemed most on topic. “You think this one might help me read faster or something?”
I hope it does. To be quite frank, Kai, I can’t fully understand how each skill book will affect you. Yet the day is young, you’ve a fire at your back and plenty of food and drink. Why not spend the day in study? Who knows what you might learn and how it could improve our efforts.
Kai would have enjoyed denying Ban’s wish. He could easily spend the day swimming in the river, testing his new glaive in combat against summoned minions or some unknown beast in the tunnels.
But Ban was right. There was little to gain in ignoring the information they were so generously given.
Finding a seat at the table, Kai requested a cup of fresh water and a candle to improve his reading. Then he opened the scholarly reading skill book, and his mind dove into a familiar trance.
The pages blurred together, and Kai understood a hundred basic concepts that he didn’t before. When he finished, he saw the candle had burned down an inch, and his head throbbed with the effort. Kai took a drink of the cold water, allowing it to ease his mental fatigue.
He reached for the next skill book at random and opened it up to proceed. As he fell into the rhythm of absorbing the information in the second book, Kai realized his “study” had become quicker and less arduous on his mind.
This time, he finished the volume in much less time, and though his head still hurt, he felt that was reduced as well.
Kai thought briefly about the material he’d absorbed. He could recall every line he’d read, at least to a degree. The scholarly skill book had indeed been a worthwhile use of his time. Kai leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed up on the stone ceiling.
He could see each page he wanted, almost like the scroll, though less distinct.
Then Kai recited a single line from memory, savoring his improved memory. “The first step when cooking in any cauldron is to grease your iron. If your cauldron is well-used, this step may be skipped. Otherwise,
start with a rasher of bacon, dollop of butter, or any other flavorful fat. Cook it long and on low heat. When your cauldron has absorbed most of the fat, clean the rest off with a rag, then begin boiling water for your meal.”
Kai chuckled to himself before shouting out to his invisible friend. “Hear that, Ban? All I need is a dollop of butter!”
I don’t think we have any butter, Kai. What are you talking about?
“Never mind. Sorry to bother you. Besides, if we need anything, it would be a nice, sturdy cauldron. Then I could make us both a tasty soup or stew.”
Ban made several solemn promises to either invent the design for a cauldron or find one in his fragmented memories.
Kai didn’t mind either way.
He had already picked up the third skill book and turned the first page.
21
In Another Woman’s Shoes
Rhona
Tela had been the one to wake Rhona. Or, at the least, she’d been the one to call on the monk.
Rhona hadn’t been able to sleep at all.
The physical sensations of destroying her previous comrades, the way in which the Hintari nobility refused to aid their people, and Hastings’ eyes glaring down at her in disgust churned in her mind endlessly.
She’d been smart enough to spend a portion of the night in meditation. Palben had taught her long ago that when sleep evaded you, or your duties prevented proper rest, that the mind could refresh itself to a degree through extended focus.
Rhona had only to sit up and pull on her cloak when Tela lifted her tent flap and whispered her name.
The group had assembled just outside camp, some forty-six warriors in all. A squad of javelin throwers, almost twenty spearmen, and the best of Royar’s rangers had come. It was a fearsome showing despite their lack of numbers.
Each fighter was ready for anything, and by signing on with the rebels, had given away much of their standing in Hintar. This only seemed to draw them in closer than ever. These are the brothers and sisters I could die for, Rhona realized as she took in her new companions. And they are just as determined to return the favor.
They each had a horse of their own. After walking the horses out of camp a mile, they mounted up and rode north. The group traveled in a long single-file line, taking game trails instead of the open roads. As the sun emerged at last, they’d come to a much smaller camp where a handful of rangers were cooking breakfast.
The few men and women wore surprised expressions when they saw the motley procession ride in. Royar tossed out orders, and Rhona was soon fetching water from a nearby stream.
As a team, the rebels prepared a larger serving of breakfast, enough for two meals for each fighter, then they snuffed the fires and mounted up. Despite the rush, Rhona enjoyed her biscuit and bacon sandwich as the trotted along a game trail on Honor’s back.
Their path became increasingly complex, weaving in all directions through the dense Hintari woodland. At last, though, Royar led them to a small hill with a stand of trees covering its peak.
Rhona dismounted and walked Honor closer. A line of hitching posts was hidden under the trees, and the mouth of a cave could be seen.
Royar gave a three-note whistle, and a woman’s head popped out of the cave shortly after. “Royar? That you?”
“More than just me, Savvy. We’ll be having a full pot of stew for tonight’s meal!”
The rest of the day passed as Rhona helped with a dozen small chores. Housing such a large party in the caves wasn’t exactly easy. Thankfully, a small spring could be found just inside the main chamber. But tents were too bulky to set up in the cave, and the stone floor was too cold to sleep on. Bedrolls were arranged for those lucky enough to have them.
Rhona helped bring in armloads of leaf litter from the grove of trees outside. After the beds had been made, a few scouts departed with the sole purpose of finding some clue as to Hastings’ whereabouts.
After finishing her lunch, Rhona decided to take a quick nap.
Before she drifted off, however, Tela interrupted her. “Hey there. Didn’t sleep well last night?”
“No, not at all, in fact. I’m fit to fight. Don’t worry,” Rhona explained.
Tela grinned, an expression that looked decidedly dangerous on the woman’s face. “That’s just what I was hoping for. Come on, girl. Let’s spar.”
Though Rhona had a skill that could empower her to defeat almost any foe of comparable strength, Tela had a distinct advantage over her. The woman was ten years older, at the least, and she was a Golden 3 ascended warrior compared to Rhona’s Golden 1.
As the two found a suitable patch of grass a short stroll away, Rhona couldn’t help but recall the graceful efficiency which Tela displayed during the battle.
But she didn’t remove her short sword. Instead, Tela took up an unfamiliar stance, her hands opened and relaxed, held up as if to catch something thrown at her. Her legs were closer together and straighter than Rhona was used to as well.
With a devilish smile, Tela beckoned Rhona closer. “Come on, girl. I know you’ve plenty of fire in that belly of yours. Why not show me a few of your tricks?”
“What are the rules?” Rhona asked, stretching out her legs and adopting the formal stance she’d been taught by Palben.
Tela laughed. “Rules? Gods if you don’t sound Brintoshi. Always wanting to know the rules so you can bend them in your favor.”
“Okay, I’ll clarify,” Rhona responded, a thread of steel entering her voice. “Shall I use the same skill you saw me use on the battlefield? If so, would you prefer to be put down on your arse or your face?”
“Funny. No, you’re right. No skills, and we pull our punches. There’s a good chance we’ll be in battle again before long. We cannot risk injury. Sound good?”
Rhona nodded, then took a careful step closer.
Tela moved so casually that Rhona didn’t perceive the threat until it was too late. Tela took a step closer, then skipped in and wrapped her leading leg around Rhona’s.
Rhona tried to pull her leg free. Tela used the momentum Rhona had so freely given her and launched into an attack. Tela’s knee came up, aiming for Rhona’s belly.
The first attack was easily blocked, but the second not so much. As Rhona pushed aside her opponent’s knee, Tela let her hands fly. Three lightning-quick strikes landed on Rhona’s chest and chin.
Tela reset her position and let Rhona recover.
Rhona’s cheeks burned. A terrible blush had stolen across her face. The woman’s punch had stung a little, but it was Rhona’s pride that complained the most.
Clearing her mind, Rhona focused, recalling the forms she’d sworn to master.
The next engagement lasted a bit longer.
Tela feinted, pretending to attempt the same leg-entangling move. Rhona thwarted Tela’s attack by sending a snapping kick at the woman’s front shin.
The blow hardly landed at all as Tela withdrew her front leg, planted it, and pivoted. Her rear leg swung around hard, crashing into Rhona’s side.
Rhona had dropped her elbow and shoulder into the attack, blunting its effect.
But as before, Tela’s initial move had been designed mostly to pull her enemy in closer. As Rhona absorbed the impact, Tela darted in and wrapped her arms around Rhona’s shoulders. She pulled Rhona’s head down, and even as Rhona spun to retreat, Tela sunk in a choking hold around Rhona’s neck.
After tapping, Rhona was so pissed off that not a single worry about embarrassment crossed her mind.
“Again!” she snapped.
Tela laughed, shaking out her hands and stepping from one foot to another. “Sure thing, sister. You just make sure to tell me when you’ve had enough. I would hate to break our one and only Brintoshi.”
Growling, Rhona moved in to tangle with the cunning woman once more.
This time, when Tela threw a kick, Rhona merely twisted her shin to meet it. The blow pained her slightly. She fought the urge to use Blood Sunder. It would be all too e
asy to absorb the ether released from her mild injury and then fuel her next attacks.
No, I’ll beat the wench on my own, thank you very much, Rhona promised herself. It will be twice as satisfying when I do.
Tela came in closer, and Rhona knew she would attempt to grapple her once more. The techniques the Brintoshi army used were similar but relied more heavily on throws and joint locks.
But Rhona wasn’t Hintari, and she wasn’t one of her country’s soldiers anymore either. She was a monk on the Path of the Bleeding Tiger.
Completely focused now, Rhona acted like one.
Tela feinted a front kick but pulled back and lashed out, trying to get her hand hooked behind Rhona’s neck. This time Rhona was quick enough. She spun, gripping Tela’s hand in her own. She ducked under the woman’s arm and twisted the captured appendage.
Tela grunted, her body dipping forward as her arm twisted behind her back.
Then Rhona released the woman and let her knuckles dance up Tela’s back.
She struck a kidney, then two shots to the ribs before landing her final blow on the back of Tela’s skull. Each attack landed lightly, and the last Rhona held in place. “That one,” she panted. “Was mine.”
Having gotten out the rest of the tension that had lingered between the two women, they moved on to a more pragmatic practice.
Rather than simply sparring, Tela showed Rhona several of her favorite maneuvers. The Hintari were tricky fighters. Less brutal than the Brintoshi and less direct than the monk style of fighting Rhona had learned.
When she was done, Rhona was at least confident she could counter many of the common Hintari attacks, subtle to detect as they were.
Then it was her turn to teach Tela.
Rhona had to admit, for a forty-year-old woman—Tela had finally broken down and given her age—the ranger learned as quick as any fresh pupil. She was most interested in Rhona’s striking techniques.