Found Parts One through Nine can be found on my author’s page

Training. The word made my blood run cold. A memory of pain fluttered to the surface, and my body shivered in response. When he wanted me to slaughter a unicorn foal, or pull a mermaid’s scales off one by one, he’d call it training. When he wanted me to use my magic to destroy a village, or forced me to watch as he executed his enemies, that was training too. And when he hurt me, that was his favorite kind of training. It was all to make me stronger, he’d say. How would Calum’s training be different? He, too, wanted to make me stronger. What limits would he take me to? He, too, told me it would be difficult. Would I suffer? Would he suffer?

Calum decided that all of the training would take place outdoors. That’s for the best, I thought. He said it was because it would be easier to connect with Magical forces that way. But I knew better. After all the work it took him to mend all that I’d broken, I was sure he didn’t want to have to do that again.

“There’s a good spot behind the pond. It’s right at the end of my protections, so we’ll still be concealed. It’s a bit of a tough walk. Are you up to it?” He looked at me with concern. Stop that.

“Are you?” I countered. “Aren’t you still weak?”

“I’ll be all right,” he said, not looking all right at all. “Come then.” He led me outside. We walked the path back towards the pond. It was still as beautiful as it had been earlier. But it was sad now. It knew me, and now the vibrancy it once held was dimmer. The breeze whispered laments and the trees wept with my sorrow. As we went around it, the terrain became more unstable. The day was fading into evening, but the dense cover of trees cast night upon us.

“Here we are,” Calum announced. We were at the edge of the forest. Trees stood on either side of a cliff, like curtains on stage. The cliff overlooked a valley. On the far side of the valley, majestic mountains carved their way through the horizon. The mountain peaks scraped the sky and caressed the valley below. In between us on the cliff, and the mountains in the distance, cradled deep within the arms of Nature was a village. I watched the lights flicker away as night settled in around us. The sky darkened and tucked the village in for sleep. It had its own place in the world. Perhaps it was the only safe place left in the world. I inhaled the silence, letting it find its way into all my dark corners.

“What’s that village down there?” I asked.

“It’s a town,” Calum answered, walking next to me. “It’s called Haven’s End. I don’t come out here often. But the few times I’ve looked in on it, it looks the same.”

“Haven’s End,” I repeated. “Are they really safe?”

“I think so. Few people venture this far into the forest. You’re the first person I’ve seen in a long time. It’s possible that the King’s reach hasn’t extended to them yet. The town wasn’t there when I first settled in these woods. As time went on, I watched as it grew bit by bit. People found their way there, displaced by the war. It was built by refugees. People who lost everything found their way there and carved a spot in the world for themselves. I haven’t come by to check on them for a long time.

“Have you been there?” I asked him, still staring at Haven’s End.

“Once. When I first arrived here, after my friend perished. I was starved for human connection, and thought I could settle there.”

“Why didn’t you stay?”

“I found that I didn’t want to become attached to another village or town. I wasn’t ready to bond. I still held the pain from the loss of my people. I’ve since been able to move on, but I’ve grown used to the solitude.”

“Until now,” I remarked. I looked at him and saw that he was smiling. I smiled back.

“Until now,” he repeated. “We’ll talk more about Haven’s End later. Let’s get started. This way.”

Calum began walking towards a giant, ancient tree. The sun had set behind the mountains, and we were surrounded by darkness. The air felt different, charged, alive. The soft glow from the top of my walking staff was stronger in the dark. The pulsing, amber light guided me across the uneven terrain. The closer I got to the tree, the more vibrant the glow became.

“Magic comes from Nature,” Calum’s voice said into the night. “You’ll find that most of the answers you seek, can be answered by natural forces. The wood from your staff came from this tree. That’s why the light coming from it is stronger right now.”

“I noticed that.”

“You’re going to learn how to use your staff to channel your Magic. Come closer.”

I lumbered my way towards the tree. I felt a warmth embrace me as I approached. Welcome, it said. A breeze swirled around me, and the leaves ruffled with the forest’s song. Leaves danced around me. How familiar, I thought. I was welcomed by Nature before, but then tainted it with my burden. I feared that I would do the same here, but I could sense that there was strength here. It wanted me here.

“Can I touch it?” I asked, my free hand already reaching towards the tree. My hand made contact with the wizened bark. As my skin connected, the sun seemed to rise all at once. The forest was illuminated with bright daylight. I realized that it was my staff. I took my hand off, and the light began to fade.

“I want you to channel that light without touching the tree,” Calum said. I still couldn’t see him.

“How?”

“You’ve connected with the source of your conduit. The Magic is within you now. They both know you. You should know them.”

“But how do I do that? And where are you?” Panic began to rise.

“Don’t worry about where I am. You don’t need me right now. Close your eyes and see the Magic with your soul. Direct it. Tell it where you need it to go.” His voice was all around me.

“Please, Calum,” my voice quivered. “I’m scared.”

“You are safe here. Close your eyes, and let go.”

I let my eyes close, and did my best to relax. There was an icy tightness in my chest. Melt, I asked it. Please melt. The dimmed light from my walking staff radiated heat. I latched on to it, and let it seep into my blood. The heat traveled through my body, winding its way towards the frosted fear in my chest. It was then that I felt it. The passion of the forest came to me. How do you need me? It whispered. I saw it flow towards my hand, and as I opened my eyes, I held the sun in my hands. The light was brilliant, and I could feel the power resonate in my body.

“Well done!” Calum said. I turned around, shining the light into the darkness. I found him a few feet away. “You’ve done it!”

“I guess I did!” I was in awe. I conjured Magic. On purpose. And nothing had to be harmed.

It was a shame the rest of training wasn’t as easy.