I see the sword, it moves swiftly from beside Alek’s left ear, passing in a wide arc through the green mist and into my shoulder.

“Jesus rutting Christ.” I drop my practice sword into the ferns as the pain spasms my arm.

“Only you can help yourself Seth, not this person you keep screaming for. Now focus.” She glides forward, aware that I am unarmed and in pain. I blindly reach for my weapon, but it's lost amongst the foliage. As her blade comes at me, I deftly intercept the hardened wood with my vambraces to perfectly block the attack. I had forgotten my forearm was armoured and was simply attempting to stop my head from getting cracked open.

“Hey, see those reflexes. I’m actually impressed with myself.”

Alek flicks her arm out and slaps my face with the flat of her blade.

“How about now?” She snaps at me, her eyes reeling with rage.

She tilts back to wind up her sword swing, only to punch my still broken nose.

“WHAT REFLEXES?” She screams as the blood pours out.

She slashes my inner groin. “DEAD! ARE YOU STILL IMPRESSED?” She yells at me, my wheezing breath blowing over my wet hands as I hold my nose.

“No.” I say flatly, glaring at her in frustration. I step away, intending to leave and cool off when my foot touches solid wood underneath. Succumbing to my emotion, I snatch up the sword and lash out in one move, Alek fends off my barrage of swings with ease.

Slyly stepping around obstacles and turning my sword away without faltering. My arms grow heavy and slow, my heart pounds as I push on, wanting more than anything to hit her. She only dodges and defends, allowing her stroppy child student to unload their pent up frustration, making it worse. I hack at her sword now, swinging my Ferrum blade like a baseball bat over and over again.

No longer aiming for her body, which I will never reach. I scream in frustration as I batter away, for a split leaf fall Alek looks away and into the forest. She changes tack, stepping around my swing and cracking my wrist.

My sword flies from my grasp and I launch myself at her, fist flying with malice at her face. She steps inside the punches and trips my legs, pivoting me over like a newborn fawn.

A familiar roar causes me to jump back to my feet.

“Call him off!” Alek yells facing away from me, her sword levelled at Cane.

He bares his giant tusks and charges her. “Halt!” I command.

My hippo stops his incredible momentum only inches from her, his giant maw chomping air in a threatening bravado of power. Alek remains motionless, weapon poised and ready for any hint of threat.

Cane’s beady eyes bore into her with loathing, my frustration during the training session is reflected in his behaviour, our connection is stronger than I thought possible.

I try to push his head away, knowing Alek won’t drop her weapon first, but he resists with planted feet and an impossible mass to shift unaided.

“Walk away.” I command again. He shifts, displaying the rough bark wrap plastered on one side, and immediately retreats into the ferns before looking back at his Shepherd.

I collect my thoughts, taking deep breaths to cool the adrenaline in my system.

“I’m sorry, that got out of hand.” I met her eyes, the fire diminishing.

“I understand now, how you defeated the Rubus.” She nods towards his wounds.

“Cane is a loyal companion, I didn’t know he would react to my emotions like that.”

“That was poor control, from both of us. Mother knows my temper. So I must apologise Seth. I will be better.” She shows me a rare smile, my resentment for her washing away like a sudden downpour.

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“Thank you, I promise I’m trying my best. I was only trying to find some enjoyment in all this training.”

“Then this is a hard truth, that must lock in like deep roots. Life is not about seeking enjoyment, your lavish life in the settlements is over and if you truly believe in leading my family then you must push yourself to the limit. It is an endless battle that we are preparing you for that requires a committed mindset.”

I pick up the practice blade, feeling the strange weight in my hand and myself. A hopelessness that I will never be enough for the tribe, incapable of becoming the leader they need.

“What I will teach you about sword play will help, but it will not be everything. That is why Toomas and Yadon are also your trainers. Why Piia will teach you survival in the wilderness. And why you need to understand all the talents and skills you possess already.” She points to Cane, who has calmed down enough to lay over.

“You must fully understand the connection you have with your hippo, for your flock is an extension of your class and a part of you. I would recommend focusing on yourself before attempting to master the sword. Time is against us, as Piia acknowledged, and your trial may begin tomorrow.”

“I’m not going to give up when we have only just started. I can learn about my class when I have a free moment. Cane isn’t my only asset, my other abilities will gain from learning how to use a blade.”

“I know Seth, tis why I chose to use these Ferrum sticks.”

“So Piia told you. And you don’t think I’m some evil force of Chaos?”

“Silva offers many boons, rejecting them will only bring you closer to your endless rest. Besides, if you are going to lead me, I expect the best from you.”

“I’m still coming to terms with all these powers, it’s good to hear you support me, regardless of their source.”

“I was going to slice you open when Piia first spoke of them. Then she told me of your run in with Mother’s Guardians. They can smell ill content far better than a Satyr.”

“So you're saying I have powers from two Gods and the blessing from a Goddess. That’s a little impressive.” She kisses her teeth and walks away.

“You spent too much time in Piia’s company, I will see you at first light tomorrow.”

“What about training?” I yell back.

“I am giving you some free time before Toomas catches you. Use it wisely.” She disappears in the green foliage on her way back to the village.

Free time, I buckle my sword belt and Xiphos back onto my hip.

“Let’s not waste it.” I say to Cane before heading in the opposite direction.

The ferns rustle as my legs wade through them, causing micro insects to leap out into the light. My leather boots, tailored by a fine Satyr craftsman whom I’m still indebted, kick up the rich dark dirt as we wander deeper into the forest.

Out of sight of prying eyes I lean into my hippo, looking into his obsidian eyes.

“We are blood brothers, connected through my class but also in friendship. Do you understand my overweight companion?” He stares unblinking with no recognition of my words, his barrel belly protruding out to the sides.

“Actually you are probably the natural weight for your kind.” Though he does seem bigger than when we first met.

What am I doing out in the middle of nowhere trying to communicate with him? He’s not going to talk to me just because no one is around. I should be practising my Searing Blade with this precious time, or another ability.

Cattle senses

I close my eyes to focus on the influx of new and overpowering stimuli. The dense organic matter in the decomposing soil fills his immense nostrils to the point of taste. The raucous of chirping birds breaks down into individual songs, separated by varying pitch and octaves.

A steady drum pounds behind my flesh as I hear my heartbeat from three feet away. I see a young man standing in fur and wooden armour, eyes closed and alone. I watch myself through Cane’s sight, seeing the scraggly facial hair on my chin, the sunken bags under my eyes.

The surreal reality of seeing myself dawns on me. I want to end the connection when I feel an external wash of stress and anxiety, like understanding a close friend's emotions without them saying or expressing them.

It was the connection Cane used to feel my frustration during my fight with Alek. He recognised the signal and came to aid me. I see a smile break on my face at the sudden affection for him, that weirded me out.

Before I finally stop the ability, the wind whips a channel through the surrounding trees and into us, and with it an odd taste. My memory flashes back to the last time I tasted or smelt that same matter. It was the image of the golden chalice containing the shimmering elixir of empowerment.

I snap back to my own body, crouching low and searching the wilderness for any signs of the Reavers.

Is there a ‘Victory prayer’ happening nearby? That means either humans or Daemons are empowering on the outskirts of the tribe's village.

We stay still, hidden in ferns and listening. After a few leaf falls, I check with Cane’s more acute sense of smell and gain a bearing. Pushing on slowly, I keep my sword at the ready to cut my hand and decimate whatever I find.

Cane’s nose leads us to a large tree, ancient even relative to its neighbours. Amongst the earthy browns, chlorophyll greens and rotting oranges of the forest’s spectrums, silver stands out. A shining ray of light bounces off the shimmering precious metal from underneath the encroaching tree roots.

I approach the reflective material, warily due to my trainers' insistence on constant vigilance and the known threat of hunter’s traps. Nestled beneath an ancient tree, the curves and edges of stacked heads stare back at us. I timidly reach out to touch the warm totem pole.

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