A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

Training Of The Magical Kind

The sun was high above the sky. It's rays strongly burned down on the land. So much more than usual. The grass glowed gently under the sun's watchful eye. A promising day indeed.

Yet, despite the beautiful sight, all Aria could think was about the scorching heat. Sweat drops slowly glistered down her back, sticking the dress tightly against her skin. It was the hardest when the sun was at its highest point. Part of her wanted to rip the dress from her skin and let the gentle breeze cool the heat of her flesh.

It was an extravagant piece of cloth. Simple, but the quality was outstanding. Softer than anything Aria had ever worn at home. The light pink silk was not woven from worms like human silk, but from a rare spider that lurked deep in the woods. Aria wanted to see the spider, to know the creature that produced such luxury. Still, she was repeatedly warned of how poisonous they were to humans.

"Auch," Aria snapped her finger back from the bush she was collecting flowers from. The petals looked relatively harmless, just a sea of blue and golden petals. But if your hands strayed too far into their foliage, sharp thorns would meet you.

A small drop of crimson blood began oozing at the tip of her index finger. The thorn was still there, sticking into her finger, further damaging the skin.

"You should take that out. Less you want it to become infected," the High Sheevra spoke. She was kneeling next to Aria, carefully digging through the same flowers. Granted, in a far more elegant and experienced manner. One that came with age.

Aria didn't need to be told twice. Using the tips of her fingernails, she dug the intruding thorn out. A sharp pain spread through her nerves as the wound opened. What had previously been a small puncture wound, now widened into a deep slit.

"High Sheevra, may I be excused to get some healing cream," Aria stated to the High Sheevra.

"No. And I have told you, you may call me Ryina. No need for such formalities between a mentor and her pupil."

"Why not?" Aria asked. From what she had gathered, the High Sheevra never spoke without purpose.

"Have I taught you nothing, use your magic?" Ryina spoke. Her face turned to Aria. Even though she could not see, Aria still felt like her eyes were always watching her closely.

"I only just managed to restore the plant. I don't think I am ready." Even after Aria had learned to restore the flowers, she still wondered if she had imagined the power that rushed through her. Every day she would expect to wake up like it had all been a foolish dream. For she could still not understand where this power that dwelled within her had come from.

"If you don't ever push any boundaries. You will never break them, child."

Aria grunted. But obliged nevertheless. Focusing her eyesight on her still bleeding finger, she recalled what she had been taught.

'Light magic is the control of nature. Most elves can wield some form of elemental magic; water, air, fire, among other stranger ones. Few can wield the true power of nature. It is the control of the energy itself. With it, you can bend nature to your will. Take a wound, for example. With enough time, it will close on its own. But, feel the energy running through you and channel it. Will it to happen at your desire.'

The instructions appeared simple. Then again, everything sounded simple when it came from the mouth of a master.

With a sense of nervousness, Aria took a deep breath, feeling the air move through her lugs. Caramel eyes zeroed in on the small red stream that now spilled from her fingers. Her jaw tightened. Pressure built in her muscles. Her entire body tried to move an invisible force. She had felt it. A jolt of electricity. It sizzled within the pit of her stomach, spreading to each of her extremities. Eventually, it reached and focused on her fingertip. The ridge of the cut obtained a low glow that began joining the skin.