Page 6 of Elemental Hope
“To help you balance.” Gregory gestured at the fronds, which tightened further. “Begin your exercises again.”
This time there was no delay before Gregory began to fire sparks at Evrain’s body. Everywhere they touched, his pale skin was marked with a small red welt. Soon his shoulders, back and chest were dotted with the marks. He kept his expression cold, ignored the pain and juggled the elements skillfully. He channeled his power and his performance showed a marked improvement. It was still ten minutes before Gregory relented.
“Okay, that’s enough. Better. Not perfect but better. I want you to practice every day.”
Evrain let out his breath with a shudder. The salt of his sweat was making every weal sting. Fatigue permeated each cell of his body.
“You need to be able to do that as easily as you breathe, Evrain.” Gregory had his hands on his hips, his expression stern. “I’ve told you before how fit you need to be to wield the power. Do you ever listen to me?”
Evrain stood in silence as Gregory continued to berate him. He had the sense to realize it was worth putting up with the abuse. Gregory was an excellent teacher and his help was worth every scolding. The ferns around Evrain’s ankles unwound but he stayed where he was. He met Gregory’s eyes and flinched. “I do listen, I promise. I’ll do better.”
“I don’t enjoy being so hard on you, Evrain, but itisnecessary.”
“I know.” Evrain had a strange urge to comfort his godfather. “I understand, even if I’m not very good at showing it. We’re men. We’re not supposed to get this touchy feely.”
“So true.” Gregory moved to position himself behind one of the standing stones. “So let’s get on, shall we? I want you to draw water from the ground then draw it through the granite.” He touched the top of the stone, which stood around four feet high. “I want to see a pool of liquid in this indentation.”
Evrain stared at him in disbelief. It was the most difficult thing Gregory had ever asked him to do. Evrain could turn a burbling stream into a raging torrent, change a smoldering fire into an inferno, bend the earth to his will, but all those things took raw power rather than control. This meant manipulating earth and water together at a molecular level. It would need all his strength and discipline. He didn’t really believe he could do it, but he had to try.
Evrain closed his eyes and channeled, searching for the strength that came from his emotional connection to Dominic. It was hard to explain how it affected him. He could sense the beat of Dominic’s heart and every pulse sent a charge of energy through him. His senses all seemed sharper, his mind clearer. He could feel the power within him and the connection strengthened his ability to exert his will over something wild and unpredictable. He let his senses explore, moving earth and rock aside to allow a tiny tributary of the stream at the end of the field to form. He created the narrowest of passages for it, sending it underground. He nudged aside earthworms and redirected a confused velvet-black mole. The water seeped its way in increments across the field. Time stood still as Evrain moved each root and burrowing insect. He imposed his will on earth, air and water. After a while, he dropped to his knees and concentrated on the particles of the rock in front of him, separating each tiny crystal in his mind, creating a channel for liquid to pass through. He coaxed the liquid bead by bead until finally, moisture appeared on the top of the huge boulder,formed a small pool then trickled silver back to the earth as it overflowed.
Exhausted, Evrain fell forward onto his hands. He focused on the blades of soft grass beneath his palms and looked on, bewildered as a dark red droplet splashed against the green. He raised trembling fingers to his nose. They came away stained red. He shivered. Whilst completing his task he hadn’t noticed the temperature at all, but now the air felt cool against his bare skin.
A pile of white cloth landed in front of him. It took him a few moments to work out that it was his discarded shirt. He pulled it on, fumbling with the buttons. Slowly he took in the dimming light and registered that the whole day had gone by. Gregory lounged, cross-legged, in the grass, chewing on a single juicy stalk.
“Maybe you have learned a thing or two.” He climbed to his feet and turned toward the lane. “You’re pale as a ghost. Get inside and eat. I’ll see you again tomorrow and I’ll be bringing a guest.”
“Who?” Evrain wasn’t feeling in the least bit sociable. He wiped the back of his hand across his face, smearing it with blood.
“Nathaniel Alberich. I spoke to him yesterday and he’s very keen to meet you.”
“The fourth warlock?” Evrain’s curiosity sparked.
“Yes. He’s been sensing your power. He’s nothing like Symeon. I consider him a friend and ally. I think you’ll like him.” A trace of a smile crossed his lips. “Go home and give Dominic a hug. He’s going to need it.” Gregory got to his feet. “Wait, I have something for you.” He dug in his pocket, pulling out a length of cord with a star-shaped pendant attached. “Give this to Dominic to wear. He should never take it off. It will provide some protection for him outside the cottage wards. It’s identicalto one that Coryn has. It won’t stop physical harm but it will guard against spellcraft.”
Evrain wound the cord around his fingers, wishing the pendant was attached to a chain he could padlock around Dominic’s neck. “I’ll make sure he wears it.”
“Don’t frighten him too much, Evrain. We have many enemies but he doesn’t need to live in fear. It’s your job to look out for him as best you can.” Gregory strolled away with a brief wave and a smile.
Evrain watched him go, wishing he had the energy to ask more questions about the pendant, about Nathaniel Alberich or just to utter a few choice curses.
“Dominic.” Evrain was still on his knees so he hauled himself to his feet. He had been channeling for something like eight hours and he felt like death, but he had been in control of his own actions. He had used Dominic mercilessly and felt sick at the thought. He managed a stumbling run to the cottage, where a cozy glow promised warmth and refuge.
Evrain shoved open the door. Dominic was sitting in one of the armchairs next to the fire, which had burned down to glowing embers. He was reading one of Agatha’s old books on herbal lore, the green cover faded with age. He looked up with a gentle smile, blue eyes sparkling in the glow of dying fire.
“You look terrible. Come and sit down and I’ll make you a drink and something to eat.”
Evrain leaned against the doorframe, resting his head against the wood. “You’re all right?” He was afraid to get any closer in case proximity allowed him to identify signs of pain on Dominic’s beautiful face.
“Shut the door, you’re letting in the cold.” Dominic laid his book to one side after marking his place with a stem of dried herbs. “Come and sit down before you fall over.”
Evrain was being cajoled like a child who knew he’d done something wrong and didn’t want to face the consequences.
“I’m fine. Really.” Dominic beckoned him over.
Evrain walked toward him, noting his pallor. “Don’t lie to me, Dominic. I need to know how you really feel.” He put every ounce of command he could manage into his words. Dominic sighed.
“Fine. As you’ll drive me nuts pestering me to tell you.” He shifted in his seat. “It’s a kind of bone-deep ache that permeates every part of my body. Something like when you have the flu. I worked on the garden until it became too much to ignore then moved inside. Herbal tea and the warmth of the fire have helped, because for some reason I was cold despite the sunshine. As long as I don’t try to move around too much, it’s manageable.”
