‘When is your combat class?’ Freddie asked.
‘Last lesson, after afternoon tea break. Anyway, must go,’ Kathy added seeing students beginning to leave for their next class. ‘See you,’ she said to Natalya and hurried to join her classmates.
‘She might be a woman but she is wolf,’ Rupert said watching her leave the room. ‘She should be well worth teaching, you’d have thought. Can we go and check it out later?’
Freddie eyed him, well aware of his personal interest in her. ‘She has her hound Laurence remember.’
‘You think I don’t know that?’ Rupert scowled. ‘Besides he wasn’t here with her just now.’
‘Rupert,’ Freddie chided lightly.
Rupert dropped his head before his alpha’s disapproving gaze. He silently waited however; aware Freddie hadn’t been happy to hear of their lack of teachers, and therefore patchy training, either.
‘We’ll check it out if Natalya doesn’t need us,’ Freddie told him.
‘We’d better get going,’ Natalya said suddenly aware not that many students remained in the hall now. She rose and the tall hunters moved with her.
Outside on the drive up to the training ground they could see her returning classmates were already in the distance.
‘We’re going to be late! I’m going to have to learn the timings for all these classes or I’ll always be late,’ she complained anxiously.
Dustin shimmered into his wolf, stepped out of his clothes, shoving them into a small backpack. His wolf seemed to smile at her. She laughed and changed too. Now they ran easily and quickly as a pack of wolves. Her spirits rose watching Rupert and Johnny bouncing around each other playfully, even as they travelled far faster than a human could run comfortably. They caught up with and bypassed the small group of students. Back inside the training ground Bruno saw them and his gaze had them ducking behind the seating for some privacy in which to change and dress swiftly.
‘There see, we weren’t late,’ Dustin told her cheerfully.
She grinned back at him for a moment then noticed Bruno was watching her. She glanced round following his gaze and realised the pack had surrounded her again. The rest of the class had gathered awaiting Bruno’s instructions and the pack stood between them and her. They were always protective of her, yet it never seemed oppressive to her; it was simply how they were. She’d spent all her teenage years alone and unloved wishing to be part of a family. Now through Freddie she had her wish. There was no way she would want them to behave in any other way. However, she moved closer to her classmates so she didn’t look like she was hiding behind the pack and felt Bruno’s approval.
Bruno began giving many of the senior students instructions to set up and begin archery practice outside. Many of the juniors were sent with them too, which thinned the crowd markedly.
‘Ok Natalya. Let’s pair you with a student this time. Who wants to partner her?’ Bruno asked.
Despite Freddie’s presence there was a show of hands from most of them. Natalya was rather surprised so many should be willing to volunteer. ‘Jason,’ she chose, seeing him also volunteering. He was the only one she’d actually spoken to among those remaining. Marko had gone to the archery field, and since Freddie had categorically beaten him earlier, she was glad he’d gone. She hoped he wasn’t still smarting from it. Bruno gestured and she followed Jason’s lead in selecting a practice sword.
‘Ok Jason, the basics,’ Bruno instructed. ‘Slowly.’
‘No problem. I remember which moves she has and hasn’t covered,’ he added.
Natalya was aware of Bruno’s raised brows at that admission. She wondered about it too, but hastily met Jason’s eyes; he was ready to start. He bowed in the clan way then came at her. Facing him and trying to avoid his sword wasn’t easy. He was animus; his definition of going slow was far faster than an ordinary human. Fortunately, Freddie and Dustin had the same fast reflexes so his pace didn’t shock her. He was a stranger to her though; it wasn’t as easy to guess how he might respond. Equally, he wasn’t a battle hardened warrior. He hadn’t learned the art of reducing his body language to trick an opponent as Dustin had. He rushed through the moves Freddie had taught her bringing them on in an unbroken sequence that was swift and required her complete attention. He moved on to something else and she frowned slightly; Freddie hadn’t taught her this, yet her sword knew how to match it. Ah, the moves Jim had shown her. She heard Freddie growling, obviously he was aware these were moves he hadn’t taught her and he thought Jason was overstepping her knowledge. She danced away from Jason, whirled to Freddie and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Freddie stopped growling but didn’t seem impressed even when she mentally explained.
‘You’ve got him wrapped round your finger then?’ Jason teased.
‘Not yet, but I’m working on it!’ Natalya responded and they re-engaged. Jason flowed on to five more moves before he called a halt.
‘Are you hurt Jason?’ Natalya asked aware she’d thumped his arm and it now seemed to hang limply.
‘It’ll be fine,’ he said aware of Freddie approaching.
Freddie met Jason’s eyes before pushing back Jason’s shirt sleeve. A large red swollen and abraded patch marred his upper arm surrounded by deep bruises.
‘Did I do that?’ she asked aghast.
‘No, you just caught it.’
‘Let me mend that for you,’ Natalya offered contritely. ‘It’ll only take a moment,’ she added, when he shifted uncertainly, his eyes on Freddie. ‘Quit being territorial,’ she chided the pair of them and placed her hands on Jason’s arm either side of his injury.
Jason gasped feeling very strange. His arm went even hotter for a moment before a wash of welcome coolness flooded the area. She removed her hands and the pain was gone. ‘Thank you,’ he murmured, thoroughly disconcerted. He’d been thinking of her as an animus despite knowing she wasn’t. But this was the first time he’d witnessed her doing something only a wizard could do.
‘You healed Jim yesterday too?’ He suddenly realised that’s what he’d witnessed. He’d wondered at the time why she’d touched Jim when she so clearly wanted rid of his scent moments later. He watched her, aware she wasn’t rushing to scour his scent off her hands. Perhaps she thought he might be offended if she did so in front of him. But whatever the reason, it pleased him.
‘Yes, an exchange of healing was only fair. Jim told me he felt obliged to heal my bruises. He thought Freddie would get all angry and upset with him otherwise.’
‘I can understand that,’ Jason told her. She might be teasing Freddie lightly but he completely sympathised with Freddie on that one.
‘Natalya, don’t tell anyone you can heal or what you’ve just done for me,’ Jason whispered urgently.
‘Why?’
‘You’ll be inundated and then be expected to heal everyone every day. You don’t need that pressure.’
‘Good advice Jason,’ Freddie responded approvingly and turned a quelling eye on Natalya. ‘He’s right. Healing is exhausting magic. Most people don’t realise you have to experience their pain in full to heal them. They would only see that it takes a matter of moments to heal the majority of simple wounds.’
‘You have to feel the pain to heal it?’ Jason whispered horrified.
‘She has to shoulder it in full and still concentrate through it enough to repair the injury,’ Freddie explained. ‘I only know this through our link. Through her I felt your pain. It’s weird,’ he admitted.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Jason said in acute embarrassment. ‘I’ll be sure never to put either of you through that again.’
‘Don’t be silly Jason,’ Natalya told him. ‘I like being able to help. I’m only returning the help you’ve given me. So, you’ve kept track of the moves I’ve been taught then?’
‘Yes,’ Jason admitted embarrassed yet again. ‘It wasn’t difficult. You had to be shown each move several times for it to stick. I wasn’t learning anything new myself at the time.’
‘You were injured because you weren’t paying complete attention to your opponent?’ Freddie surmised.
‘Probably,’ Jason shrugged indifferently. ‘I got him back for thumping me so hard.’
Freddie chuckled at that, before Bruno caught their attention and sent them off to the archery field. Natalya was glad of the chance to walk and let her arms hang; they ached.
Rupert and Johnny came to the fore now when a demonstration was called for. They didn’t show off or make a meal of it; they simply came forward and fired with deadly accuracy. The speed with which they could reload and fire with equal accuracy was what really impressed Bruno. He bid his students make note of how Rupert and Johnny did it. It was easy to fire accurately when you had no pressure to hurry and your target was stationary. Obviously in the real world your target was likely to be moving and certain to be taking evasive action once it had seen you. Speed was the key to success.
Natalya was very glad Freddie had at least begun training her. It was embarrassing to be completely inept beside such effortless skill.
‘You’re not taking long enough to aim,’ Bruno chided her.
‘I’m aching. I haven’t the strength to hold it longer,’ she admitted. ‘I am a girl you know,’ she couldn’t help adding, eyeing Bruno’s massive biceps.
‘As though your gender has much bearing on your strength,’ Bruno said dismissively. ‘Your sister once picked me clear off the ground and tossed me several feet. Another time she turned into a dragon, picked Jim and I up and managed to fly while carrying us both. Are you trying to convince me you’re an ordinary frail girl?’
‘I am not my sister. I have no idea how she managed to do that or why it didn’t kill her. I seriously doubt I could lift you alone and Jim’s no lightweight either. Why am I always being compared to my little sister? We are not alike and it’s exceedingly annoying.’
‘My apologies,’ Bruno conceded.
‘So Amelie took this class too?’
‘No. She joined the animus class for most things. I believe that’s where she felt most comfortable. That class does of course have some combat training but it’s not so in depth or serious as this class.’
‘So I’m not just following in my sister’s footsteps?’ Natalya asked brightening.
‘Not at all. I would say very little of what she did, you have done. It is simply that you both have unusually strong talents. We don’t know the extent of yours yet or what unusual things you are able to do.’
She pondered that, but she had no clue whether she possessed an unusual skill. If she did she hadn’t found it yet. She was only as fast as another animus and she had a great deal to learn about using magic.
The wolves remained with the warrior class for lunch and were inundated with questions from the students on a whole variety of topics. The boys had been very impressed by the skills displayed so far and wanted to know what else they excelled in and also how these skills had been attained. The other main questions were ones asking advice on things individual students were struggling with.
After lunch Natalya led Freddie outside to the big tree. She changed into her wolf, her clothes floating off her and folding themselves in the time it took her to kneel and visualise her wolf shape.
‘That’s a neat trick,’ Freddie acknowledged as he changed and shrugged out of his clothes awkwardly. ‘Don’t you have another class though?’
‘Not for another hour. Fortunately for me we get a long lunch break. It’s been a tiring morning with our dawn start and I need a nap.’
‘So how do you like this class so far? Do you think this is still what you want to do?’ Freddie asked her as the wolves settled around them.
‘It’s been good so far. But I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve got through the magic classes.’
Freddie laughed and urged her to sleep. The wolves sat with them but so too did Jason in his dark spotted dog form. He sat at the fringe of the pack, continuing a conversation with Rupert. They kept their voices low in deference to Natalya already sleeping. Then each curled up and slept too. They’d all had a long tiring morning too and it was rare they had the opportunity to rest in the day.
17. Magical Testing
It felt odd to watch the wolves trot for home while she returned to human form and followed Jason to class. She was very glad that he had stayed so she wasn’t searching for the next classroom alone and also that the pack had accepted Jason. She learned from Freddie that Jason’s father had been the alpha leader of another pack, a dog pack. Tosker had made it back to White Haven to tell Drako of the ambush that had killed the rest of his team before he died from his wounds. He had died with honour and dignity but it had left Jason alone. Fortunately he was no longer a child and was already enrolled and secure with a place in the school. His aunt and uncle took him in so he wasn’t completely alone and they had admirably helped to ease his grief. Freddie thought he had recovered well in the last few months. Natalya empathised with him; the loss of one’s family was never easy. Having understanding people you could talk to was important. The right friends could pull you out of depression and make you feel alive and worthwhile, or drag you down. He’d seemed rather alone and a dog never liked that. She would be alert on his behalf.
She slid into an empty seat next to Jason near the back of the class. Other students were still arriving and chatting amongst themselves. She was aware of several sidelong glances and guessed she was being discussed. Vako swept into the room and the talking ceased. Students hastened to take their seats.
‘Today we’re going to be working on shielding,’ Vako announced.
Natalya heard several people groan and glanced round in surprise.
‘Natalya, what is the purpose of a shield?’ Vako demanded before he’d even got to his desk.
‘To defend yourself,’ she responded promptly.
‘Correct at its simplest,’ Vako confirmed. ‘There are an infinite variety of shields because they can be tailored to any specific need and are only limited by the skill, strength and imagination of the wizard. They do however fall into three main categories. The first covers mental shields. Most wizards learn to construct a privacy shield from an early age, but there are also defensive versions. These are critical under attack to stop your thoughts or indeed any sensitive information being easily read by another wizard. The second main category covers physical shields, i.e. to protect your body from attack. The third category covers shielding someone else. Natalya I believe you have done all three of these shields,’ Vako said, verbally pouncing on her again, but with a rather sceptical tone. ‘Can you show us?’
She gasped feeling his immediate assault on her mind. She instantly threw up her shield and the pain vanished.
‘Class can you feel the hum of power around her now? Each of you try her shield,’ Vako invited. He didn’t stop them joining together creating small melds to try and get past her. It was a good test and measure of her strength. He kept close watch on her mind or rather on the image she was presenting them all with of a seamless brick wall. Not once did anyone succeed in even chipping it. She faltered once only, her attention going to Jason trying to break up those ganging up on her. ‘I’m fine Jason, but thanks,’ she told him.
‘Ok enough everyone. That’s an example of a strong defensive mental shield,’ Vako conceded. ‘But you can also feel the power she is using up to maintain it. This is not something that can be maintained indefinitely. It is best to know how to construct one fast when the need arises. Ok, next is a physical shield. Perhaps you should move over here Natalya,’ Vako suggested. ‘We don’t want anyone getting hurt by a deflection.’
Natalya warily went to stand against the rear wall of the classroom, safely apart from the other students. She watched Vako closely; he was in turn watching her intently, perhaps waiting for her attention to be diverted and thus drop her guard. Suddenly he threw out his hands and a stream of purple paint flew from his hands towards her. It hit her shield and flowed around it making it visible to everyon
e. He moved his hands, directing the flow, seeking any holes or flaws in her shield, but shortly she was encased in a purple bubble. She was blind now and began to feel nervous. She hadn’t thought paint could be used as a weapon but she couldn’t see out and her shield was gleaming around her like a beacon. What had he said about shields being of infinite variety? Was it possible to alter her shield?
‘See, she can shield but she’s going to run out of air soon,’ Vako instructed the class. ‘She also can’t see if anyone is working a new spell against her and is now a highly visible target for other wizards to take over the assault.’ At that moment he heard a strange popping sound and noticed the purple bubble had begun rolling towards him. It was only as it rolled that he noticed a big tear in the back. He stepped aside quickly and realised Natalya was no longer inside. Instead, she stood behind the bubble. He aimed his paint at her directly but she raised her hands and the paint veered to splat against the wall. He stepped away again but the purple bubble followed him. He frowned at it uneasily and suddenly it lifted and slammed into him, swallowing him via the tear. He hastily cut off his paint spell, realising he was filling the inside of the bubble, not to mention his shoes, with paint. He pushed at it trying to find the tear but it had sealed behind him. He tried a number of spells attempting to cut his way out but to no avail. He finally dropped his hands in frustrated defeat and the bubble popped and disintegrated, leaving big flakes of dried paint littering the floor and a purple puddle poured from his shoes.
‘Tell me how that one worked,’ Vako demanded. He’d been in battles with experienced wizards but had rarely been quite so stumped.
‘I tuned the shield to you,’ Natalya told him, eyeing his red face and that he needed to sit down. ‘While you fought you fed it. Once you gave up it ceased to be.’
Vako mulled that over.
‘What category of shield does that come under?’ Marko daringly asked.
‘Warrior wizard,’ Vako muttered. ‘No actually that was shielding someone else. What she did was an ingenious variation. She turned a defensive personal shield into an offensive barrier targeting her attacker. What would you have done if this had been an attack for real?’
Natalya: Wizards of White Haven Page 20