"Alright, students. At ease."

Talvar's students sunk to the floor, exhausted, sweat drenching their clothes.

Talvar grinned at the group of young adults before him.

"Next, we're going to have a couple of one-on-one fights. Pair up and take a stance."

As the pairs took their places inside the rings, Faelan found himself standing opposite to one of the younger students.

This is going to be a piece of cake, he thought.

"You either have to work your opponent out of the ring or draw first blood. Weaves are allowed, though discouraged, for obvious reasons."

Talvar's instructions sounded clearly over the training grounds.

Then he looked at Faelan and held up a finger. "No shifting."

Faelan smiled. "Of course not, Master Orion."

He drew his knife and took a defensive position. To his surprise, his opponent made no move to do the same.

He lunged forward at the start signal, attempting to land a quick jab.

The younger student had other ideas. He danced out of the way with a quick step sidewards supported by a Gust Weave, dodging the incoming blow, and retaliated by pushing Faelan to the side, causing him to tumble. At the same time, he Wove a Binding Weave at blinding speed, pinning Faelan to the ground.

As Faelan struggled, his sparring partner drew his knife, the sound of metal over leather drawing his attention.

Just as he was about to strike, Faelan managed to get his leg free from the Weave and kicked the legs out from under his opponent.

With some effort, he got free from the bindings, getting back up, but was immediately hit with a Gust Weave.

Regaining his balance, Faelan looked at his target, seeing he already had another Weave repaired. "Two Gust Weaves and a Binding Weave? Those are complex Weaves. How are you not burned up yet?" He exclaimed.

The man shrugged. "I just have an affinity for them."

Faelan got blasted with another Gust Weave, pushing him close to the edge of the ring.

Regaining his footing, Faelan flipped his blade in his hand, holding it in a reverse grip.

"Ever considered becoming a Weaver Excelente, like my sister?"

"Not worth the trouble for me. It takes years to get recognized and earn that title. I'd rather stick with what I have right now."

Hoping his target was distracted enough with the conversation, Faelan lunged again, carelessly, but he slammed into an invisible wall. Groaning, he fell onto his back, and within seconds, his opponent was on top of him, ready to strike.

In a panic, Faelan lowered his sight into the Veil, seeing the strands of Teyun around him. He grabbed two strands and twisted them in a quick knot, pushing them outwards.

His assailant was sent flying as Faelan hit him with a Force Weave at point blank, steam rising from Faelan's body.

He managed to get up, the taste of blood in his mouth.

The world around him spun, and he noticed his sparring partner lying outside the ring.

Suddenly, his knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, everything around him going dark as all sound disappeared.

===================

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Faelan woke up in the healer's quarters, Artemis sitting beside him, the scent of fresh herbs filling his nose. When she noticed he was awake, she hit him on the head.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Faelan exclaimed. Artemis scowled. "That was for using a Force Weave, you dumbass. You could have killed yourself. You know you've never been able to handle the more powerful Weaves."

Just then, her angry demeanour faltered, and Faelan could see tears forming in her eyes.

"You could have died! You almost burned up using that Weave!"

As his sister burst into tears, Faelan pulled her into a hug. "Easy there, sister. It takes a bit more than that to kill me. You know that."

The two just sat there, Faelan comforting his older sister. After he had calmed her down, Faelan held Artemis at arm's length.

"I should also mention I wasn't planning on using such a powerful Weave. I kind of panicked and grabbed the nearest strands of Teyun I could see and twisted them together."

Artemis gave him a puzzled look. "What do you mean? You mean, you looked into the Veil? You never told me you could do that."

Faelan shrugged. "I assumed you knew. Most Faebloods can look into the Veil, so it seemed trivial."

"Trivial? Brother, I would kill to be able to look into the Veil. To see the very fabric of reality itself. Do you have any idea how much it would help me with Weaving? How in all of the years you've lived with us, have you never told me?" Artemis held her brother by the shoulders, shaking him slightly, dumbfounded by this revelation.

"Sister, please let go of me." Faelan chuckled. "It's not that big of a deal. What use is it to me if I can only manage one or two Weaves before burning up?"

Artemis let go of him and sighed. "You're right. But still. No more secrets."

"No more secrets." Faelan agreed. "Speaking of which, I had the craziest dream last night."

Artemis looked concerned as Faelan shared his dream.

"Do you think it could be an omen?" she asked. "There are rumours of an oncoming war."

Faelan nodded. "I'm not sure. But it troubles me."

"You should probably talk to father about this. He would know what to do." Artemis suggested, helping her brother out of bed.

As he stood up, Faelan stumbled forward but was caught by Artemis. He looked at her. "Could you help me to his office? It would seem I still haven't fully recovered."

Artemis smiled. "Gladly, brother."

The two of them made their way to Talvar's office, Faelan leaning on his sister's shoulder for support. By the time they got there, he had regained enough strength to walk on his own.

Once in the office, Faelan told his dream to Talvar, who looked at him with the same concern in his eyes as Artemis had.

Faelan also remarked on the strange feeling of fear and intrigue he had around Aaron Blindsight.

"This is troubling indeed. Maybe it would be best to wait a couple of days and see what happens. If the dream persists, I think it would be wise to ask Master Blindsight about it. He is known for his knowledge of the unknown. For now, I think you should rest. And you, Artemis, you have studies to attend to. I myself am quite busy at the moment, so I'll see you two at dinner."

Both Faelan and Artemis gave a quick nod.

"Of course, Dad. See you then." Artemis remarked as they left the office.

After she closed the door, she turned to Faelan. "Father is right. You should rest up."

She hugged him. "I'm glad you're okay."

Faelan smiled and hugged her back. "So am I. Now off to your studies with you. See you at dinner."

===================

A couple of days went by, the same dream still haunting Faelan. After the fourth day, he decided enough was enough. After asking around town, he found out at which inn Aaron Blindsight was staying.

With his hood up, he entered the inn.

The smell of stale ale and cheap tobacco hit him in the face. Looking around he noticed the patrons stealing glances at him.

Some shifty people in here, Faelan remarked to himself.

At the counter, he tossed three copper coins to the barmaid.

"One pint of beer," he said.

The barmaid nodded. "Right away, sir"

"Here you go, sir. anything else?" the barmaid asked as she handed Faelan his beer.

"Yes. I'm looking for Aaron Blindsight. I heard he was staying here. It has some urgency behind it."

Saying this, Faelan placed a silver coin on the counter.

"He's staying in the second room to the left, upstairs. I haven't seen him leave all day, so he should be there."

Faelan thanked the maid, finished his beer, and headed upstairs.

"Second room to the left," he muttered to himself.

He knocked.

No reaction.

He knocked again. "Aaron Blindsight? Are you there? It's me, Faelan Orion."

Still no reaction.

Then Faelan's ear twitched as he heard muffled whispers and shuffling inside.

He muttered a swear and drew his dagger.

With all his strength he kicked against the door and the lock gave way.

As he stormed in, he just saw a cloaked figure leap out of the window.

The entire room was a mess. Papers were scattered over the floor, the mattress cut open, its filling lying everywhere.

Faelan's head snapped around, his dagger up and ready to strike, as he heard someone clear their throat behind him.

"What is the meaning of this?"

The voice of Aaron Blindsight cut through the silence.