“Good. Now imagine most of that flow going to your shield instead of your core.”
Damien frowned as he tried to redirect the river. He divided it into small streams and sent them out just above his skin and below the shield. He sent a stream to each of his extremities, then some to his back and chest and finally his head. With the streams in place he sent little tendrils of power into the shield and it stopped wavering. He let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. Sweat covered his back and neck. He’d run ten miles without getting this worn out.
Ann was staring at him again. Now what had he done? “Ma’am?”
She gave herself a little shake. “Sorry, but whatever you’ve created here is far more than a simple shield to hide your core. Your body generates more soul force every minute than some sorcerers can contain in their core. With that much power running through your shield I could probably drop a boulder on you and not break your skin. It’s absolutely amazing.”
“Thank you?”
Ann smiled. “I know a little about warlord training. While our powers work differently, the focus and mental discipline you’ve gained through your earlier training has clearly made this transition easier for you. I’ve worked with many students and no one has used their power as naturally as you. I think you’ll find your training serves you well as we continue your studies.”
She yawned and stretched. Damien tried to ignore her breasts straining to escape out the top of her dress. “I’m beat and you look all in. Let’s call it a night. Come back in the morning after breakfast and we’ll pick up where we left off.”
Damien leapt to his feet and bowed. “Yes, ma’am. Any time in particular?”
She got up and waved a hand. “Whenever you get done eating is fine.”
They walked together to the staircase. When they reached the landing she turned to continue up. “Good night.”
Damien nodded. “Ma’am.” He started down the stairs to his room.
He’d only gone a couple of steps when he heard her mutter, “So formal.”
As he walked down stairs he reflected on what Mistress Ann had said. Maybe all the time he spent meditating and failing to move his power would turn out to be time well spent after all.
When he reached the second-floor landing his stomach rumbled. He’d completely lost track of time. Was dinner over? Damien turned toward the dining hall, hoping he hadn’t missed his chance. He smelled garlic and onions, but heard nothing that suggested anyone was in the hall. He pushed the doors open and sighed. The room was empty of students. A pair of women in black-and-white servants’ uniforms scrubbed the tables and a third person, a bald man as wide as he was tall and wearing a grease-stained apron, stood behind the serving counter.
Damien put on his best smile and ambled up to the counter. “Excuse me, I was late finishing my day’s training and missed dinner. Is there any chance you have some leftovers?”
The man scowled at him. “I don’t know you.”
“No sir, this is my first day.”
“Ah, you’re the one everyone was talking about. They seemed disappointed you weren’t here.”
Damien blinked, surprised anyone besides Eli was even aware he was here. “Well, I’m sure I’ll see them at breakfast. So, do you have anything? Please?” His stomach growled its own request.
“Just a minute.” He ducked back into the kitchen, grumbling all the way. Damien smiled, relieved to find at least one normal person in this place. He’d feared the kingdom had gathered up all the oddballs and sent them here. The cook returned a minute later carrying a plate with a roll heaped with meat and onions. “This’ll have to do. There’s water in the barrel down at the end of the counter.”
Damien accepted the plate and bowed. “Thank you, sir.”
He ate quickly and returned his plate and cup to the cook. He yawned and headed for his room. It had been a long, strange day and he was ready for a good night’s sleep. He met no one on his walk back. Inside his room he found Eli sitting at his desk reading. His roommate glanced at him and smiled. “Got your shield up I see.”
Damien nodded, sat on the edge of his bed, and kicked his shoes off. “Did you break into a sweat the first time you made a shield?”
Eli laughed and closed his book. “Are you kidding? It took me three days to get mine to work. How’d you manage it in an afternoon?”
Damien shrugged. “I just did what she said and it worked. It was one hell of a relief, let me tell you. I’ve been beating my head against the wall for a year and a half trying to get my power to move. It helps if your teacher tells you the right way to use it.”
Eli snorted. “I imagine it does. Everyone will be jealous of you. Not only did you get your shield to work on your first day, but you got assigned to Mistress Ann. Talk about lucky.”
“Lucky?” Damien thought he understood what the other boy meant, but wanted to be certain.
Eli held his hands out in front of his chest. “Don’t tell me you didn’t get a good look at her. It’s a wonder you could concentrate on your lesson.”
Damien thought about Lizzy constantly appearing naked whenever they met. A woman with her clothes on, even one as well proportioned as Mistress Ann, wasn’t enough to break his focus. “She certainly wasn’t what I was expecting.”
Chapter 7
Damien woke at five. There was no window in the room he shared with Eli, but he’d woken at five every day for as long as he could remember and, sunlight or not, his body knew when to get up.
In the pitch-black room the only sound was Eli’s deep, steady breathing. Damien slid out of bed, dressed by feel, and
