Bright Star by Erin Swan

Author:Erin Swan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

21

A Broken Contract

The days that followed were much of the same routine—combat training with Colmen in the mornings, magic training with Setora in the evenings. Occasionally, Kael or Egan would step in and direct the morning sessions as their other duties allowed. When it was the latter, Andra felt herself fighting with increased vigor. Whether it was because of the anger that arose in her at the sight of him, or because she wanted to show him she was not someone to be trifled with, she couldn’t be certain. Nevertheless, the Rider seemed to steer clear of personal contact with her during the sessions, never offering her direct criticism or feedback.

The evenings were more enjoyable. Andra was learning quickly to locate that well of power in the back of her mind. She knew now what it felt like, and how it felt to draw upon it, so summoning the magic was becoming easier. Setora watched her with some amusement as Andra directed the same pebble they’d been using to hover in the air, then weave circles around both their heads.

“Very good,” the witch laughed. “You’re learning to sustain your use of the magic. That’s a vast improvement in very little time.”

Andra allowed the pebble to drop into her palm. “What should we try next?” she asked eagerly.

Setora pursed her lips, tapping a finger against her chin. “I am certain that Kael would like me to teach you more combat-focused uses for your magic.…” She sighed, letting her hands fall to her lap. “But I am not a soldier, nor a sorceress. I’m not terribly familiar with using magic as a weapon. Witchcraft tends to focus on more mundane things—divination, healing, spells of protection. It’s not often we use it to attack.”

“What about protection, then?” Andra asked eagerly. “Could you help me learn something of that sort?”

“Perhaps…” Setora paused, her eyes narrowing as she fell silent for a long moment. “Ah, I have an idea. Try this. Close your eyes, and imagine yourself standing in the center of a bubble.”

Andra gave her an incredulous look. “A bubble?”

“Yes, yes,” the witch said with a wave of her hand. “Stop questioning and just try it.”

The girl obeyed.

“I want you to imagine yourself strengthening this bubble. See it in your mind’s eye. See the thin, transparent walls growing thicker and thicker, stronger and stronger, until nothing can penetrate them. Are you doing it?”

Andra nodded.

“Good, good. Hold that image in your mind.”

There was a brief pause. Then Andra felt a stone strike her in the center of the forehead. She let out a yelp and jumped, her eyes flying open in surprise. From where she watched nearby, Tiri let out a soft growl of agitation.

“She did not say she would start throwing rocks at you,” the dragon remarked.

Before Andra could ask Setora if she’d gone mad, the witch sighed, looking disappointed. “Your shield was supposed to stop the stone,” she said.

“Oh.” Andra could think of nothing else to reply.

Setora looked toward the sun, which was low on the horizon, casting red light over the desert, mountains, and forest.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.