Leander could sense Verin’s amusement at the situation. The man’s thoughts were all focused on that—he would have to reach deeper than the surface thoughts, but they were still blocked to him. So much for unfettered access.
“There are many things I do not wish for you to know, Leo,” Verin said cheerfully, obviously feeling some force of Leander’s psyche against his own inner, more carefully constructed barrier.
“Fair enough.” Leander wasn’t digging for anything, so he let it go. Returning his attention to what hecouldread, he groped around with no real direction or purpose other than to learn how to use this infernal power.
“Eventually we will teach you how to do this without your quarry knowing. Right now it is like having a battering ram thrust through my brain.” Verin explained, evidently finding the whole situation hilarious good fun.
Venser coughed, though Leander was sure it was a poorly concealed laugh.
He wasn’t very good at this. Leander didn’t much like Aesthesia, especially when compared to his own lost divine powers. There was nothing easy about using Aesthesia and it didn’t come naturally to him. It was not instinctive like it had been the other day when he was fending off his father’s probing.
He withdrew from Verin’s thoughts to scowl at his older brothers. “And you were an expert within a few days?”
“Actually, Venser is a natural. He is the most accomplished Aesthesic in the kingdom. You are lucky to have him as your instructor.”
Leander huffed but said nothing.
“It wasn’t a bad attempt. Once you stop mentally stampeding around like a rampaging elephant you will be fine.” Verin grinned.
Venser was also smiling. “Right, let’s move on,” he said, leaning forward in his chair. “Even the unskilled might become aware of your presence within their mind, which is a dangerous thing. It is the reason most will not bother. Sensing emotions, however, cannot be detected, and can beused wherever and whenever you feel like it. Pun intended.”
Verin continued, “The only time you cannot sense emotions is through a well-constructed barrier. Which is why it is vital you get a grasp of creating a good and subconscious defensive shield around your mind.”
Leander nodded slowly.
He didn’t like the idea of people constantly being aware of what he was feeling. The mental barrier seemed like the most useful thing for him to learn and he promised himself that he would double down on practising how to throw up a barrier and keep it up without having to constantly focus on it.
“You’ll probably pick this up quickly. From what you’ve told me, it is probably no different from your divine ability to differentiate lies from the truth.” Venser explained.
As if either of them had any idea how Leander’s divine domain worked.
“You do this mostly passively. Emotions radiate off every sentient being, including those without language. Even some animals, though their emotions are often a lot less complex than that of a human. More… crude.”
“But if, as you say, one uses this passively, aren’t I just going to spend the rest of my existence feeling the emotions of others with no reprieve?”
“Yes and no. You will learn to tune into as well as ignore tendrils of emotion emanating from people around you. It is not so hard once you get the hang of it. But it is vital that you learn how to control this aspect of arcana, lest you be driven mad by the wayward emotions of others. Trust me when I say that.”
“Don’t scare the boy, Venser.” Verin was still grinning. His jovial mood was beginning to piss Leander off.
Apparently, it was pissing Venser off too. “It’s true, Verin. Wipe that grin off your face or leave. I have witnessed better men than you deliberately harm or even dispatch themselves in an attempt to escape the turmoil of emotions on a battlefield. It is not a pleasant sight. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy and I certainly don’t want that for our brother.”
“A valid point. My apologies.”
Venser fixed his brother with a hard glare.
It was only then that Leander, using his developing understanding of Aesthesia, felt Verin’s continued mirth and merriment at the happenings in this room. He also felt Venser’s irritation. After a few moments, Verin’s beguilement dissipated and was replaced with the more appropriate emotion of remorse for his disrespect for arcana.
Satisfied, Venser returned his attention to Leander. Leander first felt the threads of surprise spread out away from Venser. Then he also felt a sense of… pride?
“I told you it would not take long for you to master this skill. Well done, Leander,” Venser praised his brother. “Now you need to learn to filter what you are feeling from others. Let’s take a short break and then we will work on that skill.”
Venser and Verinwere diligent teachers and had spent days secluded in a room with Leander, working him hardwith the single aim of keeping Leander safe and sane as he learnt to control his new arcane abilities.
“You do not stop when you get it perfect for the first time, Leander. You only stop when it is impossible for you to make mistakes.” Venser kept insisting whenever Leander grinned at one of his successes as they practised.
The message Venser was instilling in him was clear:keep trying, don’t give up, you’re better than this.
Leander was—there was no other word for it—exhausted.
