Page 30 of One Last Promise
“Are you sure this isn’t about mypower?”
“Before you harness the full power of the light, you must be trained to control it.You can only reach this level of dominance if you’re trained in battle.You have a long road ahead of you, Alora.”
“I will be trained in battle once I return home.”
“You must let a Noxlin train you.”
“What?”I asked, confused.
“When you return home, even though you’ve completed your pilgrimage, your father will not allow you to train with the warriors.Your only choice is to allow a Noxlin to train you.With his guidance, you will be unstoppable.You will be the strongest Dylin warrior Afterlight has ever seen.”
My head was spinning.I only knewoneNoxlin, and he was still sleeping peacefully near the fire.“Are you talking aboutDarce?”
“Yes.With his help, you’ll achieve your destiny.”With its message seemingly delivered, the wisp started to lose its form.
“No, wait!How do I get him todothat?He’s a stubborn fool.”
“Ask him when he wakes up.He is not your enemy.”The figure was nearly unrecognisable now.“Trust him, Alora.Trust him to guide you.”
“Wait!I have so much more to ask!”It was too late; the lights of the wisp had scattered into the night air.
Get Darce to train me for battle?That was crazy talk.How would we even be able to manage that when our races were sworn enemies?How would Darce training me to use a sword help me to control my powers?None of it made any sense.
As I made my way back to the camp, Darce eyed me suspiciously.“Wandering off?Alora, what did I tell you about sticking close to me?You know I warded the camp.”
“Actually, I didn’t.You warded thecave, but I had no idea you could do that in an open space.”There was so much about his power that I didn’t know.“You seem pretty powerful for a foot soldier.”
“Stop changing the subject!Why did you wander off?”
“I saw something by the base of that small tree.”Pointing out into the distance, I began to take off my gold armour.
“What did you see?”
“A wisp.”
“Awisp?Are you sure?Do you have any idea how rare a visit from them is?”He sat up, fully alert.The rest must have done him some good.“Did it speak to you?”
“Yes.It gave me a message.”
I had his full attention now.“What did it say?”
“You’re not going to like it.”I doubted that he’d agree to train me, but there was no time like the present to ask him.The wisp had told me to ask him when he woke up, anyway.
“Shit!Did it tell you that we’re doomed?Are you going to make it back home?”
“You’ve got to train me.”Wincing as the words came out, I couldn’t bear to look at him.I’m sure his expression would be that of disdain.
“Train you?To do what?To be an even bigger pain in the ass?”
“You have to train me to be awarrior.”
“Fuck!Sweet Mother of Mercy!Why would the Holy Mother askthatof me?” Darce muttered other profanities under his breath before composing himself.“Alora, Ican’ttrain you.It will takecenturies.It’s too dangerous.Ask one of your own kind!”
“None of my kind will train me.The wisp told me that I would only achieve my destiny ifyoutrained me.”Darce let out a groan, putting his face in his hands.“I’ll pay you well.All I’m asking for is once a month...at a meeting place of your choosing.Think about it.I know I’m plain and intolerable, but Holy Ether demands it.Wisps are hermessengers.You know that.”
“I willconsiderit.”My eyes widened with hope.“I haven’t said yes, so don’t look at me like that.You are all skin and bones, Alora.Your core will need to be strengthened before we do any sword work.”Shaking his head in disbelief, he rolled his eyes before looking back to me.“I’ll make my decision when I receive my full payment of gold.We’re only four days from the place I suggested we meet after you’ve returned home.Neither of us can be tracked there.It’s not too far from your lands, so you’ll be safe to travel there alone.”We had agreed to meet one last time, a month after I had returned home safely.The plan had been to pay Darce his gold.Now it appeared bigger things were on the table.“Why am I suddenly regretting saving you?I was hoping to be shot of you in a few weeks!Now I might have to put up with you forcenturies!”
“I will follow your lead, Darce.I understand that you’ll be the teacher.”
