The Protector

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Wake, eat, train, sleep, pass out. That has been my routine for the past two months. It was gruelling and painful but I can finally see myself improving.

Completely ignoring Jamie's advice to stay on my feet I had been listening more to Edmon, Leon and Rhoald. They always aimed to pair themselves with me and Edmon managed to more often than most due to Lord Dray's instruction and by order of the King. All three were much better coaches than Jamie but I didn't mind, it was much better being coached by your friends and in turn coaching them. It was clear that I was the best as archery and often was told to help others, to which I focused my attention of my four new found friends. All bar one, Jewles, would take my advice, listen to me and accept me as who I was, joke, tease and even called me their little brother. I wasn't any younger than any of them really more the size issue than anything.

I quickly realised to keep quiet knowing the more I objected to them calling me little the funnier they found it and the more frequently the ribbing came.

Leon and Rhoald had been banished to wall patrol for a rather entertaining prank on the two year trainees earlier in the day. They had been planning it for a couple of weeks now and for some reason unknown to me and Edmon had actually managed to pull it off. I didn't know the ins and outs but something to do with maggots, beds and chickens. To be honest Edmon and I didn't want to know. Needless to say it was just Edmon and me relaxing after training this evening in my rooms. Both of us just sitting in silence reading various books.

"Edmon, I have an idea." I quickly break the silence, he frowns at my interruption no doubt but he lets me proceed nonetheless. "When we are training, we should be allowed to use our magic. It would help us to develop to use it in battle. Some may see it as cheating but why not? It's all about learning to stay alive isn't it? We should practice using it in combat."

"Ali, I can barely control it. I can't just use it without using my full attention. I could hurt you. I need to learn more first."

"Then we need to spend more time training and learning. Two hours a day should be sufficient. That should allow us time to learn things and practice them. I have managed to read up on manipulating objects, using them to move ourselves quickly, using them to move from place to place quickly. It could come in handy. There are no spells to learn it is all about focusing on the ball in your chest and sending it out into other objects. Should be easy enough to master within the month."

"You work fast. I have been looking at controlling animals. It seems relatively easy with smaller things but the bigger they get the more of a conscious they have and so the more difficult it is to take control. You said you managed it once?" He asks.

"I don't want to talk about it." It's a time I would rather forget. I add in my head.

"What happened?" I just stare at him hoping he gets the hint. "You didn't kill anyone did you?" He jokes but it soon fades as he take him the look of horror and sorrow that must be plainly visible on my face.

"You did?" He asks attempting to hide his shock but I catch the emotion.

"I said, I don't want to talk about it."

"You will have to tell me sooner or later." He reminds me knowingly.

"First I think we should learn how to manipulate objects to help us move and travel. It will be easier and far more effective for us." Thankfully he lets the subject drop and instead he pulls up a chair next to me in order to study the book I've been reading. "Here." I point directing him to the passage to which I've been referring.

"Difficult to control but easy to grasp. Pushing off objects requires precision and an understanding of geometry. Buildings and the ground are good things to start with. A powerful mage can use their magic to project them for miles though this is not recommended."