“Remember as you study here that you are not just learning magical techniques,” Horix said. “You are learning the ways of water. Our chosen element is pure, clear, and moves with relentless force and fluidity. It does not tolerate impurities, poisons, or obstacles. To know the nature of water is to know the nature of victory.”
“There’s many philosophies in the art of Augmenting,” I offered. “Not all chastise impurity.”
“As you train here, avoid distractions and corruptions. Don’t mingle with bastard half-breeds who mock others Augmenters. They will only weaken you and the guild you serve.”
“Thank you for your guidance, guildmaster,” I said stiffly. “I’ll keep it in mind. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day, and I should get some rest.”
“Indeed.” Horix nodded his assent. “I look forward to continuing our conversation in the time you spend here.”
I walked out of the office and closed the door behind me. The messenger was waiting to guide me back to my friends.
We found Kegohr and Vesma in the guild’s dining hall around a late supper. I grabbed a plateful of much-needed food and joined them. As I dug into a pile of cured salmon sushi, I asked the others about what they’d learned so far.
“Not a lot,” Vesma answered. “Nobody seems to want to talk with us. They don’t tell us to go away, but they won’t hold a conversation either. It’s like they’re waiting to be told how to act.”
“Given a chance, they’ll choose to treat us like crap.” Kegohr glared at a group of initiates down the table. “You should see the looks they give me when they think I ain’t looking. Like I’m the shit someone walked in on their sandal.”
“Doesn’t look like it’s gonna change in a hurry, big guy,” I said. “Horix is just like the rest of them. In fact, I’m pretty sure that they get it from him. But he still agreed to allow us to stay here and train.”
“We already learned a trick or two,” Vesma said as she gestured at the initiates. “We watched that lot learning to channel their Vigor through their weapons.”
“Was it useful?” I asked.
Vesma held a knife out in front of her. She inhaled deeply a few times as she focused on the blade. It took a moment, but I watched in surprise as fire flickered from the steel edge of the knife.
“That’s incredible!” I said, unable to contain my excitement. “You guys are seriously on your game.”
I’d never seen anyone at our level do that trick without a special weapon. The Sundered Heart Sword and Nydarth’s power and knowledge was a different game entirely. My friends had learned this from simply observing someone else?
Vesma glowed with pride as Kegohr attacked another tower of sushi rolls.
“I’ll get there soon,” the half-ogre said with a mouthful of food. “I just need to figure out how to channel the Spirit of the Wildfire to cover my mace. Once I’ve got it, I’ll be melting everything in sight.”
I smacked my fist against his massive paw. “That’s it, buddy. Don’t let these pricks get you down.”
I annihilated my own pile of sushi and followed the others back to our guest quarters. The conversations drifted into jokes and talk about life back home at the Radiant Dragon Guild. Soon enough, our weariness caught up with us, and we decided to call it a night.
We all had individual rooms in the guest quarters, and Vesma seemed too tired to share a bed with me. My room was small, just big enough for a bed, a small chest for my belongings, and a wash stand. I set a candlestick down on the chest and started undressing by its warm light.
It was only once I was under the sheets and had blown the candle out that a thought occurred to me. I reached out to touch the handle of the Sundered Heart Sword as it leaned against the head of the bed.
“I see why you don’t like this place,” I whispered to the dragon spirit.
Nydarth chuckled. “Why, it almost sounds as if you’re beginning to trust me, dear.”
“Any idea what Horix’s game is?”
“Many desire power, Ethan Murphy lo Pashat, and take different paths to achieve it,” she answered. “Be sure to stay to your own path. Horix has chosen his own, and what lies ahead of it, only time will tell.”
“You really like riddles, don’t you?”
Her salacious laughter filled my mind. “Would you have it any other way?”
I rolled my eyes and dropped my head back against the pillow. “Goodnight, Nydarth.”
“Goodnight, sweet man.”
I woke the next morning to a knock on my door. I’d almost been expecting Vesma to pay me a visit during the night, but it seemed she had needed the rest.
“Who is it?” I called out.
“Messenger from the gate,” said an unfamiliar voice. “There’s a wood elf here to see you. Says her name is Faryn.”
“Can you let her in?” I asked.
“She said she’d rather wait for you outside the guild house.”
Before I could point out that he hadn’t answered my question, I heard his footsteps heading away.
I quickly got dressed and gathered my kit. Nydarth hummed pleasantly as I buckled her to my hip and bumped my dormitory room’s door open with my shoulder. Kegohr and Vesma were waiting for me in one of the guest quarters’ communal rooms. Kegohr gave me a loud “Morning!” while Vesma limited herself to a smile and a nod.
“Faryn’s waiting for me outside,” I said. “How about you two work on that Flame Weapon technique while I go and see her?
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Kegohr agreed.
Vesma frowned. “You’re going without me?”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. I won’t be long.” I leaned down to kiss her full lips and stayed there for a few seconds. Her lips parted into a smile and she shoved me away.
“Get out of here,” she said with a giggle.
“I want to see you bathe your
