Alyssad’s smirk revealed his perfect teeth. “Of course.” He gestured at the racks of weapons. “You own a sword. I recommend learning to master that first. It’s a versatile weapon. Techniques are endless, but you can easily learn some basics.”
Katsi walked to the weapon rack and tried to pick out a practice sword that was roughly the length of her secula. She took one out and did a couple practice swings to test its weight, wondering if Alyssad thought she looked silly.
Instead, he said, “Good,” deep voice bouncing off the walls as he selected a weapon just like Katsi’s. “Swordplay should be defensive. You must always consider the possibility that your opponent's weapon could be enchanted. A secula would spell instant death since it’s unlikely you’ll be protected by reinforced silver armor. A single scratch is impermissible.” He raised his weapon and took a stance. “Copy my stance. How you place your feet and hold your sword will be important factors in controlling a fight.”
Katsi stood opposite him and mimicked his stance, placing one foot out in front of the other.
“Good, now try this.” He swished his blade twice as he took a step forward, ending with his sword up at eye-level, both hands holding the pommel, the opposite shoulder now in front.
Katsi followed the same motion, going slow to make sure she moved properly. Alyssad held the position so Katsi knew where to end. Once she completed it, he did the same thing but in reverse, stepping away this time.
“Good. Now, as a powerful shaman, it is helpful to remain sensitive to your surroundings,” Alyssad continued. “Most battlefields will not be on a flat surface, but your ability to connect with the ground and air will help you notice subtle variations to give you further advantage. All of that will come with practice. See how you do with those two stance transitions as I feign attacks on you. Ready?”
“Absolutely,” Katsi said, rolling her shoulders and holding at the high position, hoping it would help her more against his ridiculous height.
Alyssad smirked and swung at her twice between each pose transition. They were light strokes, easy to read, so Katsi deflected them as she stepped back, turning slightly as she neared the window.
“Now forward, as though you’re striking at me,” he said.
Katsi did so, keeping the pace similar as she stepped forward. Alyssad broke pattern, batting Katsi’s weapon down before swinging at her midsection. She jumped back and lashed up with her sword, but Alyssad’s turned away with a mere flick as Katsi’s sword passed, then he pointed with it, the blade freezing just below her armpit.
“That was called a feint,” Alyssad explained. “It’s a common tactic in swordfighting. Your panic at my assault caused you to overreact to my feint, allowing me to use a quick strike. It’s good to maintain fast, controlled movements rather than hard, forceful ones.”
Katsi nodded. She was all for it. They practiced for several more minutes before Alyssad had them stop for a drink of water. She hadn’t even noticed the steel cups on a table in the corner of the room. It was refreshing to be doing something more with her body instead of just magic.
“You’re a fast learner,” Alyssad said.
“Thank you. I enjoy learning. It’s energizing.”
“As it should be. I’ve come to find out that no matter how long I live, there will still be something new to discover. How are your lessons with Adrina?”
“They’re going well. I’m able to do finer details now. Soon enough, I’ll be leaving hidden etchings of my name all over the castle walls that you can hunt for on days when you get bored of all that emperor business.”
“How considerate.”
Katsi smiled. “I am still struggling with lightning, though. It’s hard to create a conduit outside of my own body.”
Alyssad stroked his mustache. “I may have a solution for that.”
“You know a lot about magic for a Marem.”
Alyssad’s eyes darkened, thumb frozen on the tip of his chin as he considered her. “Katsi—.”
The door to the training room opened as a soldier strode into the room. He bowed deeply to Alyssad. “Emperor Malrabia, my apologies.”
“All is well. Report.”
“Contact.”
Alyssad raised his eyebrows at Katsi as he returned his weapon and hers. “Emperor business calls. I will have to share my secrets another time.” He hurried from the room, leaving Katsi with her thoughts.
Something came to memory then. Something Alishara had said. She’d sent Katsi here so that she could train under someone with experience in stormcalling, but Adrina was an earthmelder who, although skilled, didn’t seem to have the ability to call lightning. Was there still a stormcaller here that they hadn’t introduced her to, and why not?
***
Emperor Ranaz Malrabia hurried to his room. He’d sensed the trigger from his communication orbs well before the soldier had arrived, but he didn’t want to reveal too much to Katsi. Not yet. She was young, and sharp. He had to be careful. Timing was essential.
He reached his room, and the doors unlocked at a touch from his unique magical imprint and opened before him with a soft push of earthmelding. Much to his dismay, Ris, his mother, awaited inside. One of the disadvantages to the lock on his door was that his mother’s magic carried a similar enough signature to break in. She was a hero—despite their minor differences—he would never deny that. Though she came from a long line of powerful shamans, she herself had limited abilities, mostly in potions. He believed her limitations with magic existed because of a lingering disdain for magic. It was silly. Foolish. Just because others abused the power, it didn’t mean things would be the same for her.
He knew that better than any.
“You need to test the girl,” she said, rising from her seat on one of the soft chairs he otherwise never used.
Ranaz shut the door behind him with barely an afterthought. He could sense Katsi floating through the halls after him again. She thought she was clever. But she only ever heard what he wanted her to.
“All in good time. She trusts me more with each cycle,” Ranaz said. For being one of the most ancient beings on the planet, his mother was more impatient than she should have been.
“You may not have as much time as you think,” she said. She’d been saying that for hundreds of years. Time made her more paranoid. But in truth, the world wouldn’t be safe—she wouldn’t be safe—until every last bleeder was exterminated. 500 years and still they evaded him.
The walls trembled as his power twitched within him.
He took a sharp intake of breath through his nose. He was in control. They couldn’t avoid him forever. Katsi was the key. They could sense it. That’s why they lashed out now more than ever. He refused to respond to his mother and went straight to the cabinet that hid his communication orbs.
Three orbs glowed with warm light, but one worried him the most. He checked that first, swiping at its smooth surface with his thumb to remove the sealing enchantment.
A hurried voice immediately erupted, that of the seer, Iban, who was posted at the fortress near Habkamal. “Your Highness—they invade Ubedim. Villagers are being harvested.”
Ranaz whipped away with calm satisfaction. They were panicking. Perhaps Migo had been successful so the other bleeders were getting desperate. “It seems your wish is being fulfilled, mother.” He still sensed Katsi down the hall. He sensed everyone in the castle. He knew them by the pulsing of their heart. “Katsi will have her trial.”
