Kailorien remained still, his posture relaxed, his expression serene.
This time, Auryn was determined not to anticipate the pain of the step. She loosed an arrow then vanished into the Veilweave and the nether surrounding it. Slipping through. Focusing only on location. On intent. Moving so fast, she did not have to exhale. Pushing past the pain inher chest to reappear halfway up the courtyard wall. Beneath her feet, a glowing platform manifested.
She stepped on it. Leaned. After training for just over a year, she could still only manage half a second before the platform faded. She loosed another arrow and Veilstepped once more. Onto another platform. Higher this time, closer to Kailorien. With each step, she fired another arrow.
One struck before Kailorien’s shield fully formed.
The force drove him half a step back.
Auryn grinned triumphantly, but the loss of concentration eroded the platform beneath her foot. She started to fall and burst into another Veilstep, reappearing on the ground.
Joy withered into memory of the Path of Fire. Frustration. Anger.
Why didn’t I Veilstep that day? I could have avoided that entirely. Could have stopped the fall.
You are too hard on yourself, starlight.
She released a pent up breath.
Kailorien looked down at the fading ripple of her mana across his shield.
Then back up at her.
“You’re improving.”
She stood, dusting off her pant leg.
“It doesn’t feel like it.”
“You caught the edge of my sleeve,” he said, smiling in that infuriating way that made her want to kiss him and slap him at the same time.
Across the yard, steel rang out in sharp bursts. Lu’ma stood near the weapon racks, a training blade flashing through the air in a precise arc. Zarrek circled her, a patient predator, his practice blade moving in measured corrections.
Lu’ma lunged forward and struck.
Zarrekknocked the blade away, blocking.
She pivoted, sweeping outward with her leg. He dodged, but she anticipated it. Twisting, she ducked beneath his outstretched arm, her size allowing her to squeeze into a gap in his defense.
The edge of her blade stopped a breath from his throat.
Zarrek barked a laugh.
“Good! Again.”
Auryn smiled.
Lu’ma’s movements were restrained but efficient, every step precise, every strike controlled. No hesitation. Only discipline honed through years of invisible service.
“She improves as well,” Kailorien observed.
“She always does,” Auryn said, and Kailorien caught the faint hurt in her tone.
Auryn, you are making great strides. I have never seen the magic you wield, especially not in combat. You are forging a new path, and—
New paths require more effort. I know, my love. You are sorely predictable in your lectures.
Though her words were clipped, she stepped forward and leaned against his side. He took no offense, allowing her ambition the space it needed to grieve its minor setbacks.
