“Damn,” he said. “You’re much stronger now.”
“Maybe, but I can’t detonate like a grenade. What you did was incredible. And the Spirit of the Wildfire changed color. I’ve never seen you do that before.”
Kegohr shrugged, a little embarrassed. “Apparently, it’s all about using less to get more.”
“So, it’s not about the size but about how you use it?” Mahrai cut in.
I glanced to the left and saw Kumi, Faryn, and Mahrai beside one of the pillars. They must have entered the hall while we were sparring, unnoticed by me.
I embraced the three women, kissing each in turn. Twenty-three days without speaking to them had seemed like forever.
“Such good, strong partners,” Nydarth said in my mind. “None can match me, of course. Nevertheless, it has been too long since you have lain with any of them, Master. You should take one of them tonight. Perhaps two at a time.”
I smiled as I pushed Nydarth back into the murkier parts of my mind.
“How’s training?” I asked the women aloud.
“Not as good as yours, apparently,” Mahrai said. “They haven’t taught me how to fly.”
“You’re not a fire Augmenter,” Faryn reminded her gently.
“Doesn’t stop me being jealous,” Mahrai said with a scowl.
“What have the monks taught you?” I asked Mahrai.
“How to change earth channels to fortify my skin.” She shrugged. “I guess it works, because I started to block swords with my bare hands yesterday. My teacher used real blades this time. I might have been cut to pieces were it not for Kumi. She helped me understand how Physical Augmenting is all about control.”
Kumi blushed and touched her shoulder. “She’s being humble, dear husband.”
“And what about you?” I asked. “Any modifications to the Song of the Sea?”
“Perhaps a few bars here and there,” Kumi replied with a wink. “I’ll be sure to show you when the need arises.”
“Well, the monks are certainly doing what Xilarion asked them to,” I said. “We’re growing stronger every day we stay here.”
“Then why do I get the feeling you’re itching for some action?” Mahrai asked slyly.
I raised an eyebrow at her. “Maybe I’m not used to sitting still.”
“Well, it’s not that hard to make you if I keep my mouth in just the right place—”
“Ethan, will you take a walk with me?” Faryn interrupted.
I mouthed ‘later’ to Mahrai and nodded at the elf master. “Sure.”
Faryn led me out of the hall and into a side corridor. But instead of heading right, we turned left and started up a long, twisting staircase. Transparent window banners washed the stairwell in red and yellow hues. I took the opportunity to catch my breath as we stepped higher and higher into the monastery. Halfway up the tower, a door opened onto a rooftop garden.
My breath was taken away. “Well, this is nice.”
Black pavestones joined small rivers of white pebbles in a meandering pathway through a series of waist-high plants. Each shrub was trimmed to perfection, without a single leaf out of place. There were flowerbeds, rows of herbs, and even a pristine vegetable garden. Three main shrines stood around us, each dedicated to a different spirit. Incense streamed off the altars, and banners snapped in the mountain breeze above them.
I followed Faryn to a carved bench of stone. Vigor hummed in the surrounding air as I sat beside her.
“Wanted to get me all to yourself?” I asked.
Faryn kissed me softly and shook her head. “As tempting as that is, no. I have something else I wish to show you. Something that you haven’t seen before.”
“Well, color me interested.”
She smiled contentedly, reached under the bench, and handed me a small pouch. Glass rattled as I opened the drawstring mouth and reached inside. A small glass bottle, filled with a blood-red liquid, caught the light as I lifted it out of the leather.
“Is this thimbleleaf tea?” I asked. “Did the monks let you take it?”
“I brewed it myself,” Faryn said. “From plants in this very garden. The monks grow everything an herbalist could dream of here.” She waved a hand over the gardens, and her face lit up in a radiant smile. “So, I’ve put together some potions for you, to aid in your recovery and help with your training.”
I took a closer look at the potion. Silver flecks danced within a scarlet liquid that pulsed with a life of its own. It had an arcane beauty to it, and I knew that a single sip would recharge my entire Vigor store in a matter of seconds. It was a much stronger brew than what we ate with the monks to restore our Vigor, and it looked like it contained more than just thimbleleaf. The potion brought Hamon to my mind, and I realized that I hadn’t seen him at Radiant Dragon.
“What happened to Hamon?” I asked. “I remember you told me that he was at the guild house, and Xilarion was finding a way to cure him. But I didn’t hear a word about him when we all got back.”
“I believe Guildmaster Xilarion had it done quietly before you returned,” Faryn said. “He moved Hamon out to Wysaro Castle, and he’s been there ever since. A reminder to the clan of what happens when they allow evil to fester within their people.”
“I’m amazed he’s still alive. Everything Tymo says seems to point to the fact that if you push too much Vigor into your physical form, it should vaporize you.” I recalled Hamon’s fury-twisted face as he screamed curses and tried to beat me into a pulp. “But he managed to stay alive. Tough bastard.”
“He managed to stay alive with Guildmaster Xilarion’s help,” Faryn reminded me. “There will come a time when you reach the guildmaster’s level of power, Ethan, and you may very well have to make the same decision he did. To slay a dangerous enemy, or to spare his life.”
“Depends on the enemy,” I said with a wry smile.
“If Mahrai is any indication, you’ll have no problem sparing an
