Hammer Out A Path (Cart-Dragger Saga Book 2) by Wong Billy

Author:Wong, Billy [Wong, Billy]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2016-12-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

After several hours of trying, Cart-Dragger finally cleared her head enough that she thought she could get away with saying it was fully clear and progress to the next part of training. While she might not have been completely honest, who could manage not to think at all when awake and talking at that? Vana began telling her how she should feel, repeatedly claiming she was getting sleepy even though she wasn't. At first it confused her, but then she realized she had heard about something like this. Vana attempted to use the power of suggestion on her? Though rare, some had utilized such techniques in the old world to improve their confidence and resolve basically by convincing themselves they should have more, or so Jen told her. Why start by making her sleepy, though? Perhaps Vana tested her receptiveness to it, but so far that didn't seem to be going well.

"You're not very sleepy, are you?" Vana said eventually, probably noticing her lack of a slumping body or relaxed muscles.

"Yeah, this isn't very effective. I don't know if it can work on me."

"Is it a matter of can't, or won't? Of course it won't work, given how strong willed you are, if you don't let it—consciously or otherwise. You have to trust me and allow me to guide you."

Why should she already trust Vana so completely though, when they'd only met earlier today? To put herself under the control of another would be like what Maximilian wanted, only without resistance from her. Should she really do it, especially in a way that would render her most vulnerable? "I'm not the most comfortable with the idea of somebody being able to tell me to sleep at will. Can we try some other thing to suggest, like maybe making me feel even more... er I mean, just more confident, or at least something less unnerving like feeling cooler in this smoke-filled hut?"

"I will hardly murder you in your sleep, if that's what you're thinking."

"That's not exactly what I fear right now, although since you mention it that would be a possibility too. It's more the power of suggestion over me being increased... I don't want to think someone might tell me something in a fight one day, and I'll just crumble because of it."

Vana giggled, a somewhat surprising sound, but maybe it reflected how childlike she found Cart-Dragger's way of thinking. "That is not quite how it works. Even if you open yourself up here, it will be different should someone try similar on the battlefield, where you would have your guard up and be naturally inclined to resist. You would not become incredibly susceptible just because you let it happen now. But if it's your wish to work on a less risky-sounding alternative, I have no problem doing so. We are here to help you, after all."

"Yeah, I'd like it if you could say suggest that I feel cooler instead of go to sleep."

The druid changed her approach as requested, and Cart-Dragger tried her best to give it a chance.

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