"With the fenna," Legon growled. "INIS!" he roared sending a lavender bolt of lightning at her.
Remembering the point of the lesson Sasha raised her fenna deflecting the bolt. She crouched to the deck and launched herself into the air. "Communis infirmus," she said as shards of light shot from the palm of her hand. Legon deflected a few of the shards before realizing that it was a harmless spell. Sasha, still in mid air, took Legon's moment of distraction sending a powerful freezing spell at him. The deck of the ship was engulfed by steam as she landed on it. "HA! You aren't allowed to do that in this lesson," she said enjoying her victory, knowing that her freezing spell was too strong for him to hold back.
Legon's voice was a soft whisper behind her. "The steam was just a screen. I didn't need to deflect a spell that was easily dodged," he said as she felt the cool edge of Tento, Legon's fenna, rest on the back of her neck.
A breeze cleared the deck as Sasha huffed. "No fair," she said.
The blade left her neck as she turned to her brother. "How is that not fair?" he asked smirking.
"You used magic to screen the deck of the ship, that's cheating," she accused.
Legon sheathed Tento and put his arm around her shoulder. "Sash, the lesson was for YOU to learn how to block with a fenna, and for YOU to learn how to better fight with magic. There was no rule about using spells on your surroundings," Legon pointed out.
She sighed, "I am going to be a horrid fighter, I'm avoiding combat if at all possible," she said and then pointed out, "I don't even have the nerve to fight unless I'm connected to you."
It was Iselin that had first made the connection about how Legon affected Sasha. When Sasha was only weakly connected or not connected at all to Legon, she was just as timid as she was when she was a little girl. It was only when connected to her brother that she was able to even make an attempt at aggression, and even then it was a poor attempt.
Legon responded to her inner monologue, "Sash, that's a good thing."
"Normally yes, but we are at war Legon. What if I need to fight and you are not close enough for me to connect too?" She gestured around the deck, "It's one thing here when we are in training and I'm connected to you, I can fight with you but only because I know that neither one of us could ever get hurt because we place wards on one another."
Legon took his time answering. "Fair, but when you were with the White Dragon he gave you his anger didn't he?"
"Yes, when I see injustice I will feel it."
Legon squeezed her shoulder. "Then you will be fine, when you are with me you can train connected to me and if you find yourself in a combat situation I assure you that you will have the White Dragon’s anger." Then he added brightly, "Now let's go see what’s for lunch."
Chapter Nine
Flight of the Dragons
"Growth is almost always painful; it's the world’s way of reminding us that there is a price for everything. For us, we need to figure out that price and then pay it."
-Confessions of Love, The First Wife
Legon closed his eyes breathing in deeply the sweet scent of Seeon, they would soon be docking. He was surprised by how much he'd missed the city. They hadn't been gone for very long, but he suspected that his feelings had more to do with the fact that when he'd left the Capital, he wasn't sure if he would be returning.
Sasha joined him by the rail, he could feel her apprehension.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Do you think he will see me as a monster?" she asked.
Legon could see in her mind, she was thinking about Edling, the Elf that had told her he loved her. She was concerned about what he would think of her new appearance, her eyes being red and her new power. Legon held back a sigh, knowing that while Sasha's concerns seemed silly to him, to her they were far from that. He thought humor may be the best course of action.
He turned to her placing his hand on her shoulders, looking her square in the eyes. "Sash, Edling is a smart, talented man. I promise you he figured out women are monsters long ago," he said with mock sorrow.
Sasha's face softened and she fought back a smile. "I hate you," she said looking back over the rail of the ship.
Iselin approached them and in Legon's mind said coolly, "Don't think I didn't hear that."
Legon turned to her. "Hello my dearest love, you look radiant," he crooned.
Iselin thought for a moment “better,” She said, walking up to him and wrapping her arms around his waist, "But you did say that all women are monsters...and I am a woman."
"Who has threatened to eat me on a regular basis since we met," Legon argued.
She smiled, "True..."
Legon kissed her. "I think you are just upset that now it is me that can eat you," he said kissing her again.
"Love, you can eat me anytime you want," she said suggestively.
"Eww," Sasha said making a disgusted face. "That’s my cue to leave. Honestly you two, how many years does the newlywed syndrome take to wear off in Elves?" she said without waiting for an answer.
* * * * *
Sasha left Legon and Iselin alone. The ship was pulling into dock now and she was excited to see her family and if she was being honest, both excited and nervous to see Edling. Emma stood with her on the deck, lightly bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"You're on edge today," Emma noted.
"A little, you seem a little keyed up yourself," Sasha pointed out.
Emma stopped bouncing. "Just restless, we've been on one ship or another since we left Seeon to go to Noris. I'm ready for unmoving ground and something to do."
Sasha smiled. "You didn't bring enough to read I take it?" she asked.
Emma snorted. "I was sure that you'd leave me here when the fleet left so I didn't bring much in the way of reading, but also..." she paused looking thoughtful, "also Seeon is my home now. I never thought I would truly see it that way, but I love the city, it feels like where I belong. I'm happy here. If I'm being completely upfront I'm happier in Seeon than I have been anywhere else."
"Even more than Salmont?" Sasha asked thinking of Kovos.
Emma thought for a bit. "Salmont was a different life. I miss Kovos, you know that better than most, but I don't dwell on it anymore, it doesn't hurt the way it did before." She breathed out, "When I left Salmont I felt something inside me die and I will never get it back; I won’t love again, not the way I did with Kovos. But he would have wanted me to be happy and so I am. Does what I said make any sense?" she asked.
"Yes, it does," Sasha said.
The ship was stopped and they were getting ready to disembark. As Sasha made her way down the ramp of the ship onto the dock, she could see her parents waiting for them. They knew about everything that had happened during the battle and Sasha wondered what they would think of having two immortal children. Her mother came to her first, hugging her and then pulling back, looking Sasha up and down, finally looking into her eyes. Sasha could see herself reflected in the bright blue of her mother’s eyes, no longer were Sasha's the same vibrant blue but now red that shone like a mirror. Her mother’s face looked confused almost, she looked as though she recognized her daughter, but didn't at the same time.
"Will they go back to blue?" her mother asked.
Sasha shook her head, "No."
Her mother’s face saddened. "You have always been like a mirror for me, if it weren't for our age we'd have looked like twins you and I."
"You're upset," Sasha said feeling a sting deep inside her.
"Not in the way you think, I am happy for you. No longer will you have episodes, or so I've been told. No, it's the bitter sweet feeling every mother has when she realizes that her daughter is no longer her little girl," her mother smiled patting her cheek.
Sasha smiled, understanding what her mother was feeling; she looked to her father who looked down on her, disapproving.
She felt herself shrink like when she was a child and had done something wrong. "I thought I made it clear you were not to get hurt," he
said.
"I- I didn't get hurt," she spluttered.
Her father put his hands on his hips. "Really? The way I hear it you just about died on top of that hill."
"Oh that..."
She looked down trying to think of something to say; instead she felt his hand on her cheek, pulling her head up to look into his eyes. "I know I can't stop you from doing anything, but no more mortal injuries, got me young lady? You are still my daughter no matter what your title is and I'm not going to lose you again."
"Sorry Daddy," she said just like when she was little.
And just like when she was little, once her father had scolded her, his face softened and he pulled her into a tight hug. "I am so happy for you now; and don't think that you being a class eight, or whatever, means I don't get to worry about you or can’t get on your case."
She laughed, "I'm a class six, and I will always be your little girl."
She felt the mental presence of another; she turned to see Edling a little way off looking at her. She slowly walked up to him. He ran his fingers along her cheek bone and brushed back her hair, taking in every detail of her face. His mind felt wondrous to her, he held her shoulders, the look on his face disbelieving. "You really don't have episodes anymore?" he asked breathless.
"Not once since I've changed, it’s been almost two months now," she explained.
"And you're immortal," he verified.
She nodded. His hands moved down her arms to her waste and then he wound his arms around her bringing her in close. She could feel the heat from his body, hear his heart race, and even see his skin flush. She opened the connection of their minds, timid at first, but then feeling what he felt. He was happy and relieved.
"So you don't think I'm a freak," she said.
Edling pressed his forehead to hers, "Always thinking so little of yourself. You are not a freak, you never have been."
Unexpectedly he kissed her. Sasha felt her whole body get warm and tingly, she knew others were watching them, her family included, but she didn't care. When they broke away she pulled him close to her whispering in his ear, "You know you’re going to be stuck with me for the rest of eternity, don't you?"
She felt him chuckle. "I already was."
* * * * *
Legon made his way along the roof top garden of the Palace, Iselin next to him, holding his hand. They walked until they met up with Tenick, Legon's uncle, Opes and an Elf Legon did not know. He was short for an Elf, with short brown hair that matched his eyes and to Legon's astonishment he saw brown flecks sparkle in his eyes.
Tenick spoke. "Legon, it's good to have you home," he said shaking Legon's hand. "Anna sends her regards," he said speaking for his wife.
"It's good to see you, and where is Anna?" Legon asked.
"We are staying in the Palace but she is not Ascended, so declined coming this afternoon," Tenick said warmly.
Legon was to begin training, now that he was an Ascended, it was for this reason they were meeting on top of the Palace roof. The brown haired Elf introduced himself, "My name is Gratook, I am the Head of Biologic training at the Venefica School in Seeon's Central Academy. I believe you have met the Dean of the school, but we have never had the honor."
Legon shook Gratook's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
Opes spoke. "Legon, as you know today we are going to start your training as an Ascended, today we are looking to gage what your natural abilities are, each of us will be working with you on one thing or another. Iselin is one of the best flyers I know, so she will be working with you in the air. Gratook will be working with you with your minor. I will be assisting you in up close, physical combat. Tenick will be here to help you on a general level," he explained.
"Is this common?" Legon asked.
Gratook answered in a smooth voice, "Yes, you see Iselin, Opes and I will be focused solely on our perspective topics. For example, if you are learning to fight with Opes, Iselin will try to only notice your flying during a fight and comment on that. In this way you are able to get intensive training. Tenick will be the one who ties everything together for you as he will not focus on any one part of your skill set. Both we and the Iumenta do this when first training new Ascended. Once you have mastered your minor, you will be taught by Ascended with other minors along with me. So, shall we go to the training arena?"
Legon watched as Tenick, Opes and Gratook Ascended, and took off hovering above the Palace. Iselin spoke in his mind, "You've haven't Ascended since your first time, the important thing to remember is that Ascending and flying are mostly instinct, don't think about it," she said.
He remained in her mind as she transformed into a pink dragon and took off. You can do this he told himself. He closed his eyes focusing on the power within him, letting the urge to change take over, heat rushing down his limps, and he felt himself grow. He opened his eyes seeing the world only the way an Ascended could. Legon looked down the length of his body, flexing his wings, loving the way they felt.
"Very good Legon," Opes said in his mind. "Now take off."
Do what? The last time he'd flown it felt easy and natural, but now the prospect of taking off seemed a bit daunting.
"The last time you flew you didn't think, you were acting to save me and as a result you just used your natural feelings, you need to do that now." Iselin said supportively.
Legon extended his wings, coming in close to the ground he jumped in the air, driving his wings down. He lifted higher but it felt forced to him, he moved forward slightly but it felt awkward. "Whoa," he said lurching unsteady in the air.
Iselin spoke, "Stop thinking about flying and fly."
"Ok I'll do that, thanks," he remarked tartly.
"Empty your head Legon, that shouldn't be hard for you, there’s rarely anything in it anyway," she said acidly.
"What? How is that supposed to help? And what do you mean there is never anything in it? You always tell me to stop talking so much in my head and second of all..."
"You're flying," she said self satisfied, "just don't think about it."
And he was, Legon was flying, not with any level of grace but he was moving around without issue. He could only go forward and turn a little bit, hovering was out of the question, but he was still flying.
"Basic maneuvers like hovering and going backwards will come easy for you, after a few days basic flight will be second nature for you, it's just a matter of trusting yourself," Iselin said.
Legon wondered why none of the others were saying anything when he remembered that it was Iselin's job to teach him to fly. They all flew away from Seeon over the forest. Legon loved the way the air felt against him and the freedom that the sky allowed.
"It feels wonderful doesn't it?" Tenick said.
As they flew Legon noticed a large circular clearing in the trees that looked to be several miles across.
"That is the training arena," Opes said, "there are many, each one has specific duties. This one will suffice for what we are going to do today."
As they came over it Legon could see high walls with tall poles extending a few hundred feet in the air, the poles were about one hundred yards apart from each other spaced out along the length of the arena. "What are those for?" Legon asked.
It was Gratook that answered. "Prior to training we will each fly around the arena. In each of those poles are crystals with power in them, they can hold simple spells, we will each place a stop all ward in each crystal. Once we begin some of the crystals will levitate up even higher in the air, this will insure that all of our spells stay inside the arena," Gratook explained.
Legon followed the others around the arena activating crystals, as he flew he noted the diversity of the ground below him. Some areas had rocks like little crags and others were open field and still some were water. They landed in the center of the arena which was just grass.
Iselin spoke. "OK, I will be working with you first, remember this is just to see where you are at, there is no pass fail here," she explaine
d.
They took off, this time Legon noticed that it was easier than before. Legon was to place several wards on himself, one was to make it so that if he got too close to anything he and others would be shielded. He was told that this was done because of his size, if he ran into Iselin or the others they could get hurt, or so he was told.
He was to follow Iselin as her maneuvers went from simple to complicated. At first Legon was having fun, it was easy; they flew around the outside of the arena, then she would climb and dip in the air. As time went on the climbs became steep and the dips became dives. It was on one of these dives that Legon learned the real reason for the ward he'd placed on himself. He was diving down behind Iselin, elated with the rush he was feeling, and while she was still high above the ground, she rose out of the dive. Legon made to do the same...he tried again and panicked. All he could see was the ground rushing up to meet him. He turned himself in the air and drove his wings down, he slowed drastically and then...WHAM! He hit the hard dirt of the arena, as his surrounding glowed magenta from his ward.
* * * * *
Iselin looked down as she heard her husband hit the ground with a dull thud. The wards he was using would prevent him from getting hurt so she wasn't all that worried about him. He was doing well so far, for a beginner. "OK, take off and let’s try again," she said.
"How come I fell? What did I do wrong?" he asked.
She could tell that he was bothered by not doing perfect on his first day. "You did fine, I am smaller and more agile, plus I have years of experience on you," she said trying to be supportive, she could feel that he wasn't buying it. "Look, when I first started flying I was horrible, it was like I wasn't even a dragon. I felt embarrassed every time I flew so I worked at it," she said. It was true; she could remember being one of the worst flyers she'd known of. But now after years of work Iselin was known for her abilities.
She came back around as Legon took off again following her in the sky. She turned slowly, weaving around in lazy circles. From what she could see he was having a hard time with his turns, it wasn't power that was his problem. She banked tighter and tighter. With each turn she could hear Legon behind her losing control. Tenick was sharing his sight with Iselin so she could see as Legon wobbled in the air. She tried slowing down and he steadied a bit. Then she sped up going faster and faster, Legon kept up with her, though he could not accelerate at the rate that she could. This time when she turned Legon cartwheeled in the air, crashing to the ground.
Legon Restoration Page 10