Page 67 of The Bone Season

I could give him that. Even if I had been unconscious for some of it, this week already seemed like a year.

‘Our counsel also led to the invention of Fluxion 14 and Radiesthesic Detection Technology,’ Warden said. ‘Scion is close to perfecting the latter.’

‘I know,’ I said. ‘Scarlett Burnish takes pains to remind us.’

So the Rephs were responsible for Senshield. Danica had never understood how Scion had developed it, given their aversion to unnaturalness.

Warden chose the largest of the individual arenas. A clock was mounted on its gate. I stood at a safe distance, keeping my guard up.

‘To turn you into a fighter worthy of our garrison, I must first assess your existing skills,’ Warden said. ‘Tell me what you can do, and be truthful, so I may train you accordingly. We know you are a dreamwalker. Attempting to deceive me will not serve you now.’

‘I can sense the æther at a distance,’ I said. ‘About a mile.’

‘Impressive. What else?’

‘You know.’ I was already losing patience. ‘You’ve seen my records.’

‘I am aware that you killed an Underguard.’

‘I killed two.’

‘No. One was found in a state of unresponsive wakefulness,’ Warden said. ‘Scion chose to euthanise him.’ I pressed my lips together. ‘You botched your attack on Aludra, too. You can project your spirit from your body – but from your lack of endurance and grace, it has not been long since you discovered this.’

‘The train was the first time,’ I said.

Warden nodded. ‘Your dreamwalking is raw, unhoned. I intend to improve it.’

I raised my eyebrows. ‘Do you, now?’

‘Yes.’

Nashira had killed Seb to punish my disobedience. For now, I had no choice but to go along with this.

It could work in my favour. I needed to control this ability, before I disembodied someone else by accident. If Warden thought he could help me, so be it. I could take his knowledge and turn it against him.

Warden unfastened his cloak and hung it up under the clock. ‘Tell me,’ he said, ‘do have you any combat experience?’

I folded my arms. ‘Spirit combat, or the other kind?’

‘Either.’

‘Both,’ I said.

‘Good,’ Warden said. ‘I want you to fight me.’

I almost laughed, then realised he was serious. ‘I’m not going to do that.’

‘I confess myself surprised by your reluctance.’

‘Believe me, I’d relish it, but I’d lose. You’re a giant, if you hadn’t noticed. No, if I was going to attack you, I would ambush you,’ I said. ‘A nice stab to the kidney to get you down to my level, then a knife to your neck. You wouldn’t know what hit you.’

‘Stabbing your opponent in the back would be dishonourable.’

‘Oh, that’s rich, coming from you.’

‘Very well.’ He turned away. ‘I trust you will defend yourself.’

When he faced me again, he was holding a knife. I tensed rigid.

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