The Master of Names

Chapter 14- Expectations

  Salem spun around, whipping his leg through the air as a blast of heat slammed into the trunk of a nearby tree, scorching the bark as hot air singed the leaves.

  "So, think you got it this time?" said Salem, dismissing the flame armor that surrounded him. But despite the impressive display of fiery might, when Salem looked over to Keldon who was supposed to have been watching his movements, Keldon had dozed off, falling asleep in place cross-legged.

  After the incident, the prison cart boys and the rest of the merchant caravans had continued to prepare for departure, albeit with a grim tone underlying the atmosphere. The healthy chatter among the group had all but vanished since then, replaced with shifty looks and silent work. All of them had known that the journey would be fraught with danger but none of them had expected a casualty so soon, some taking it as bad omens for the journey ahead.

  Keldon however, had different reasons to be concerned. In hindsight, he should have expected that he wouldn't be alone in his knowledge of the final calamity, but there was a small part of him that wished otherwise. After Salem had gotten over his initial shock at Keldon's reveal, he had pulled Keldon over to the side, demanding that Keldon tell him what he knew about the situation. After a hushed explanation, Keldon had expected Salem to clue him into Salem's own knowledge, but instead, Salem had said he'd need time to think first. For now, the two of them would begin their basic training.

  Salem walked over, tapping Keldon on the head as he shot awake in a panic.

  "JUST MEDITATING! N-no slacking off here sir!" Keldon said bleary-eyed. Keldon stumbled about, awkwardly flipping over to do one handed pushups which had been drilled into him as Salem looked onwards with notes of concern on his face.

  "Perhaps... I pushed him a touch too hard." Salem thought. He pulled Keldon up onto his feet.

  It had been a few days since then, and Salem had insisted that they begin with physical fundamentals first before they even begin to touch naming magic. They barely had a week left with each other until they reached the capital before they'd go their separate ways. But apparently, physical fundamentals meant unrelentless exercise starting at four in the morning, followed with sprinkles of sleep deprivation.

  "W-what's wrong? I-I can keep going."

  "It's fine, take a break pup.",

  "No, seriously Salem I-" said Keldon as Salem gave him a light shove, sending him stumbling back before landing on his ass.

  "Break. Now."

  "I mean it, let me prove myself! I can keep going!"

  "Keep going?" said Salem with a scoff, "You can barely stand up straight. You miss the point of physical fundamentals pup, your body is becoming trained to withstand any potential harm that comes from the effects of uh, what do you call it? "

  "Naming magic."

  "Right. That comes from the effects of naming magic, not to push you to the point where you break."

  Keldon opened his mouth to retaliate, but Salem was right. Even just doing those pushups just now had completely winded him. No matter how badly he wanted to get to practicing naming magic, if he fell over with a light tap on the chest, there's no doubt that whatever ancient archaic magic curse lands in his lap would actually swallow him whole.

  "I suppose."

  "Good. Good. Now come, let's get something to eat."

  "No complaints there, I'm absolutely star-" Keldon said getting up, however, his knees buckled as he tumbled forward, catching a mouthful of soil.