The days since her encounter with the Rahhalah had been filled with practice, laborious trying, and more practice. Zeni would train with Neith each morning, honing her magical abilities and learning to control her powers more effectively. The older woman was a patient mentor, guiding Zeni as she worked.

Zeni concentrated, her brow furrowing as she tried to channel her magic into a more potent and focused invocation. Her fingers traced intricate patterns in the air, her lips forming ancient words that felt both familiar and foreign on her tongue. Despite her efforts, she struggled to find the balance between power and control, her frustration mounting with each failed attempt.

They’d been at it for some time, with her trying her best to produce more than the bare minimum of energy. Neith spent her time watching over Zeni, offering advice where needed, or repositioning the Traveler’s body in a way that would be more conducive to…well, Zeni supposed it was the will of the universe or something. After an hour or so, she’d felt very much like one of those bent antennas you'd see on top of an old television, twisted up like a pretzel while trying desperately to find the right frequency.

Later, as they practiced under the shade of a date palm tree, Neith decided to teach Zeni a new approach to harnessing her magical energy.

"Zeni, our ancestors believed that the Ka is the life force that flows through all living things, and it can be harnessed to perform incredible feats of magic," Neith explained, a twinkle in her eyes.

“Yeah…” Zeni said, not sure where Neith was going with this. She’d already explained this to her before.

Oh great, she’s not senile, is she? That’s going to change the vibe of this entire experience. Wait, no, she couldn’t be. She's too young, I think. Plus, can senile people cook that well? Man, I should have read more Wikipedia articles back home.

“And as it flows, it moves along its course, empowering that which it touches and keeping it aloft,” she continued.

"Like the current of a river?" Zeni asked hesitantly, trying to grasp the concept.

"Exactly," Neith replied, pleased with Zeni's understanding. "Just as the Hapi sustains our land, the flow of Ka sustains the magic within us. But so, too, can it grab you and force you under the surface with its mighty force. We must be careful to be buoyant to it but also strong enough to resist lest we get dragged below."

“Well…” Zeni said. “That’s pretty ominous sounding.”

“Now,” Neith said. “With that in mind, try again, and in this instance, imagine yourself as the river.”

Zeni scowled. What did she know about rivers? Her hometown was built around the railroad industry and, therefore, far from a water source like that. She’d come across plenty of creeks and streams in the woods when she'd be on some excursion or another. However, still—the only time she’d really encountered a river was when she’d gone on some silly “inner tubing” trip with some friends from high school. It had been the middle of summer, and the water was so low that she’d scraped her ass super hard on the rocks as she floated down and couldn’t get out of the stupid inflatable ring for nearly an hour. Rivers could go kick rocks as far as Zeni was concerned.

However, she wanted to be good at this, so she tried.

The air around Zeni seemed to buzz with potential energy, only to fizzle out when her concentration wavered. With a sigh, she tried again, the strain evident in her jaw set and the crease between her eyebrows.

Neith stood nearby, her voice calm and encouraging.

"Remember, Zeni, it takes time and practice. Don't be too hard on yourself."

In her vexation, Zeni snapped, "I know! But it's just so difficult to get it right!" A tiny spark crackled at her fingertips, tied to her mounting frustration.

Realizing her tone, she quickly apologized.

"Shit, I'm sorry, Neith. I shouldn't have raised my voice. That wasn’t cool."

Neith waved off the apology, seemingly unbothered.

"It's quite alright, my dear. But you must understand that learning to control your powers also means learning to control your emotions. A chaotic mind produces chaotic results."

Taking Neith's advice to heart, Zeni took another deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs as she closed her eyes and focused on the sensation of the Ka coursing through her. Gradually, she felt a sense of calm wash over her, the tension in her shoulders easing as she exhaled.

With renewed focus, she tried again to imagine the flow of her Ka as a river, surging and ebbing with each breath. She may not have had a real-life reference for experience, but hey, she’d seen plenty of movies, right? Maybe that would work?

Her fingers traced patterns in the air as she whispered the words of power, allowing the energy to guide her movements.

"But how do I know when I'm doing it right?" Zeni asked, feeling a little self-conscious.

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Neith smiled warmly.

"You'll feel a resonance between your emotions and your Ka. It's like finding the right note in a melody. When it's right, you'll know."

Zeni chewed her lip thoughtfully, still struggling to understand the concept. She wished there was a more tangible way to gauge her progress, something she could measure and see with her own eyes. It seemed silly that there were some aspects to this whole Ka system that had actual numbers, but then there were times like this when you were basically shooting at farts. The intangible nature of the magic she was learning to control was a source of constant frustration for her. The lack of immediate results only added to her feelings of inadequacy.

Neith seemed to sense her pupil's thoughts and tried to reassure her.

"Zeni, don't be disheartened. Every trek begins with a single step, and every master was once a beginner. Trust yourself, and trust the process."

Zeni sighed, feeling the weight of her own expectations bearing down on her.

"But what if I never get it right? I mean…I’m not from here. What if I'm not cut out for this?"

The older woman's eyes softened.

"It is natural to feel doubt, Zeni. But remember, your power is not something that exists outside of you. It is a part of you; learning to control it is like learning to walk or speak. It takes time and patience, but you will get there. You must remember that you are not the first Far Traveler I have encountered nor the first I have trained. But do not worry. Starting is initially difficult for everyone. You are learning a completely new rule to the world, one that has, until now, been closed behind a door to you. Allow yourself some breathing room and be kinder to your own progress."

Zeni nodded, trying to take in her mentor's words, but her thoughts continued to race. She was desperate to prove herself, to show Neith and the others that she was capable of mastering this mysterious power that had been thrust upon her. And yet, the harder she tried, the more elusive her goal seemed.

"Neith," she said hesitantly, "how did you learn to control your mag—Uh, Ka? Did you ever feel like this?"

The older woman paused for a moment, considering her answer.

"When I was younger, I, too, struggled to understand my powers. I had a mentor who helped me, much like I'm helping you now. And yes, there were times when I felt lost and frustrated, just as you do. But I learned that the key to success lies not in brute force or determination, but in finding harmony within myself."

Zeni pondered Neith's words, wondering if she could ever achieve that sense of harmony. She took a deep breath, her frustration slowly subsiding as she allowed her thoughts to drift away, focusing instead on the sensation of her Ka flowing through her.

Neith offered one last piece of advice.

"Zeni, remember that your journey is not a race. It's a journey of self-discovery and growth. Be patient with yourself, and allow your Ka to guide you. You have great power within you, and with time and practice, you will learn to harness it."

With that thought in mind, Zeni closed her eyes and took another deep breath, allowing the energy of her Ka to wash over her like the gentle caress of a desert breeze. Determined to find that elusive harmony, she again began to trace patterns in the air, whispering the ancient words that held the key to unlocking her potential.

The air around her crackled with energy, the power of her Ka evident in the intensity of the invocation she cast. Neith watched with a satisfied nod, knowing that Zeni was slowly but surely progressing toward mastering her abilities, her connection to the Ka growing stronger each day.

A few days later, Zeni strolled alongside Neith through the winding dirt paths of the village, the late afternoon sun casting elongated shadows across the thatched roofs of the humble, yet enchanting homes. They had just left the village square, where Neith had provided Zeni a brief tour of the inner workings of the village well’s functions and introduced her to several locals. Now, they were on their way to meet Hesira, the village's skilled apothecary, whom Neith believed would be instrumental in advancing Zeni's knowledge of potions, given her class abilities.

The apothecary's shop was a quaint, rustic building near the edge of the village, its walls adorned with an assortment of dried herbs and the air filled with the rich, earthy scents of plants and roots. Zeni hesitated at the entrance, her nerves tingling with exhilaration and trepidation. Neith, sensing her reluctance, offered her a warm, reassuring smile.

"Don't fret, Zeni," she said, her voice gentle and motherly. "Hesira may appear a bit stern initially, but she's a kind soul. She'll take excellent care of you."

With a nod, Zeni followed Neith into the dimly lit shop. The interior was a treasure trove of curiosities, shelves lined with a mind-boggling array of vials and jars, each filled with enigmatic substances that piqued Zeni's interest. A small cauldron bubbled merrily over a low fire, its contents emanating a sweet yet pungent aroma that tickled Zeni's nose.

Seated behind a worn wooden counter was Hesira, a stooped, elderly woman with a sharp gaze that seemed to take in everything at once. Her silver hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her hands, gnarled with age, were busy grinding a handful of dried leaves with a mortar and pestle. She looked up as Neith and Zeni approached, her eyes narrowing as she appraised the young woman standing before her.

"Neith, you bring me a new pupil?" she inquired, her voice firm but not unkind. "She looks a bit green around the gills."

Zeni bristled a little at the comment, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to defend herself but was cut off by Neith's melodious laughter.

"Ah, Hesira, ever direct," she said, grinning. "Zeni here has acquired a class with a remarkable aptitude for potion-making, and I thought you could help her hone her skills."

Hesira's keen eyes flicked to Zeni again as if reassessing her.

“She got all her teeth?”

Zeni balked.

“I’m not a horse,” she said indignantly.

Hesira barked out a laugh.

“No? I'd have assumed you were by the way you clomped in here. You don’t need to put so much force into your walk, dearie; it’s unbecoming.”

Zeni scowled.

“What do you mean ‘clomp?’ I was just walking!”

Hesira raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, and you walk like a warhorse. You’ll need to be much quieter in your movements in the wilderness. Don’t want to startle any beasts.”

“Wait,” Zeni said. “Why are we going into the woods? I thought I was here to learn potions, not go on nature hikes.”

“Won’t find many woods out here on the edge of the desert,” Hesira said. “Besides, ingredients don’t grow indoors, child—outside the walls is where we collect our vittles.”

“Oh,” Zeni said, suddenly no longer incensed but embarrassed.

Neith had been silent during their little spat, a knowing grin creeping across her face.

“Oh, stop with the furtive smirks, Neith—you’re better than that!”

“You and I both know that I am not better than that, Hesira,” Neith mused. “So, will you accept Zeni under your wing? Train her properly?”

"Very well," Hesira said, nodding. "I'll do my best with the raw material you've provided."

Zeni wanted to smile, but her nerves and the sour taste in her mouth from their interaction were getting the better of her. She fumbled for the right words, eager to make a better impression on the withered woman.

"Uh, thank you. For, uh, agreeing to…teach me, Hesira," she stammered, her voice cracking slightly. "I promise I'll…do my best. To learn.”

Then realizing how silly she sounded, she quickly added.

“From you! And not, uh, squander your time."

Hesira's stern expression softened somewhat, but she held up a finger as if to emphasize her point.

"Now, listen closely, young miss," she said. "The art of potion-making is not a trifling matter to be taken lightly. It demands patience, dedication, and a keen understanding of the natural world. If you're willing to put in the effort, I'll guide you, but mind you, there will be no shortcuts."

Zeni's enthusiasm was palpable as she nodded vigorously, her determination shining through her nervousness.

"Yes, Hesira, I understand. I promise to do my best and not let you down."

The old woman squinted at her for a moment longer, as if weighing her sincerity, before giving a curt nod of approval.

"Very well," she grumbled with a hint of warmth. "We shall begin your lessons in a few days' time. Be prepared, and don't go getting any fanciful notions about instant success. We'll see what you're capable of soon enough, and I daresay it'll be a bumpy ride."