From the Ashes

Chapter 15 ~ A Dance Lesson

    "We're having a lesson before we leave," Tarion announced when Morana returned to their campsite.

    He'd directed her to a shallow stream flowing throughout the village ruins so she could have some time to sort out her thoughts and refresh herself following their confrontation. It had given him time to think too, and now that he'd seen Morana's powers in action, he had a clear view of what he wanted to teach her first.

    Morana crossed her arms and waited expectantly for him to explain. "I want you to sharpen your senses with your magic and learn to shield yourself like I mentioned. I shouldn't have been able to put my dagger at your throat like that. You should've been able to sense my moves and counter them, or at the very least concentrate a shield where my blade was."

    "All right. So how do I do that?"

    "Learn to listen to your magic. It's as much a living thing as you are, and just as capable of perception. It will tell you everything that happens around you if you let it."

    Morana gave a small nod. "I think I know what you mean. There's been times when it seemed like my magic wanted something in particular. Like to protect me, or just recently, to incinerate you."

    Tarion just smirked. "For the shields, try to focus your power at one particular point on your body for now. It will be like casting regular shields, but instead of covering your whole body, you reduce it and move it wherever you need it. You'll also be able to split it into multiple shields at different areas."

    "Handy if there are arrows flying at me I suppose," Morana replied. "So that way I don't have to worry about one strike shattering the only shield around my body."

    "Exactly. Although you seem to have a little bit of protection from that." He gestured to her stays with a finger. Her vambraces were likely a part of the enchanted gear too. "Where did you get those?"

    "From a new friend. He said they belonged to his wife and are enchanted with runes so that no blade can pierce them."

    Tarion's eyes lightened with approval. "Good. Then for this session, try to focus your shield on one of those three places. That is where I'll land my blows."

    "What?"

    Tarion had already waved a hand, plunging their surroundings into a shadowy darkness with just a hint of red in the mist that rose. "Trust me, Phoenix. This is the best way to learn."

    "No, absolutely not, you bastard!"

    "Ready?" Tarion called.

    "No! Don't you dare. Durga spare you, Asshole!"

    "Be her harbinger." Tarion fell silent and drew his blades.

•༻☽☾༺•

    Why? Why her? Why had the gods deemed it necessary to place her with this infuriating and insolent prick? Morana silently fumed to herself as she backed away from the space where Tarion had been. She couldn't see anything aside from black clouds and a faint red mist now. Nor could she hear anything. It was as if her surroundings had been smothered by a thick blanket.

    It seems I don't have a choice in this. Morana squared her shoulders and drew a measured breath. She was tempted to close her eyes, but some of her very first lessons had instilled the knowledge within her that doing so was a crutch and would hinder her more than help her.

    Instead, she kept her eyes peeled for any signs of movement and turned her other senses inward. Tarion had said her magic was as much a living creature as she was. That meant it resided somewhere within her. She'd always felt that her magic was slumbering when not in use. She just never took it literally.