“Nothing.”
We were at the bottom of a stone quarry, with nothing flammable in sight. Ratharin, who had shown up at my door that morning as if we had never argued, sat on a boulder several feet away, watching me. If I hadn't known better, I'd think he knew about my talk with the Emperor. But there was no way Xae would tell him. I frowned as I thought about how Xae had tried to convince me to go to Rath. Shit, maybe he had. That beautiful, self-sacrificing dickhead! Had I admired his honor before? Now it was a pain in my ass.
“Ember?” Master Resar prompted.
“Huh?”
“Are you listening to me?”
“Yes, Master Resar. Sorry. Yesterday was rough.”
“I've heard about your escapade,” he said sternly. “You shouldn't have gone with Lord Xaedren unprepared. That being said, it seems you've discovered a new gift, and that is good news indeed. But we must continue to train you and get you fully prepared so that the next time you join the Wraith Lords, you will be even more powerful.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Now, as you see, there is no fuel for fire here. As with Water Magic, Fire is easier to summon and control if it has something to work with. No water, and your Water Magic must summon it forth. No wood, and your Fire Magic must manifest alone.”
“So, why are we here?”
“Because I want to see if you can do that, Ember. Perhaps we can skip the basics if you prove that you have some mastery over them. Burn that rock.” He pointed at a boulder before us. “Picture the fire consuming it, raging hot enough to spread and grow despite the lack of fuel. Call it and send it forth. Command it to—” He trailed off as the boulder burst into flames. “Very good, Ember.”
I released the magic and the flames instantly vanished. “Now what?”
“Encase the rock in fire without letting the flames touch it.”
“How will I know if I'm successful if the rock is encased?”
“Send your mind forth with the Fire Magic and you will know. I will monitor it as well. Try it.”
I enveloped the boulder in Fire, then tried to feel if the Fire was touching the stone or just hovering above it. I focused and sent my mind forth.
“No,” Master Resar said. “Try again.”
I released the Fire and tried again.
And again.
And again.
An hour passed, bringing me greater competency with everything about the flames except for it rising off the stone.
“I'm just not feeling what you do,” I said.
“Yes, you are. You're not recognizing it as I do. Search for the warmth. Feel the essence of Fire. Feel how it consumes but also gives. Without it, there is no growth, no renewal. We would not be able to cook our food or survive a harsh winter. Fire is integral to life. Feel its essential nature and know that it is with you.”
I closed my eyes. I searched. I understood. I felt . . . nothing. With a groan, I released the magic. I was sweating and shaking. “I can't.”
“Yes, you can. Try again.”
“No, you don't understand. I can't do anymore today. I'm literally burnt out. Can we take this up again tomorrow?”
“No, Ember,” Master Resar said sternly. “Do you think the Corrupter will stand down when you're tired? Do you think he'll reschedule for another time when you're feeling more up to fighting him? Try again.”
“Master Recar, he's beyond tired,” Rath said as he slid off his boulder.
“Stay out of this, Lord Ratharin. I've heard about your interfering ways. You will not jeopardize my lessons,” Master Resar said.
“Exactly,” Rath snapped. “This is a lesson, not a battle. He's exhausted.”
