Ahanu woke up and rose slowly from his bedroll. The knight held his head. To him, it felt like a tiny blacksmith had taken up residence inside his skull and worked tirelessly.

“You should not drink with the Frostsworn. They are much bigger than you,” Rainia chided him.

His sister handed him a bowl of Jeze’s Recovery Broth. “Thank you,” Ahanu said as he accepted it.

“Gear up. We are late,” Rainia stated and she stood to her feet.

Ahanu noticed that she was in her quilted padded armor with overlapping bone and wooden plates for protection of her shoulders and chest. But, Rainia lacked her pack. He deduced that they were not entering the Spire, but rather they were going to train.

“Where are the others?” He asked as he fished around for his padded under armor.

Ahanu was barely average height but was incredibly fit. He had tanned skin, darker than the lightly skinned people of Pana, but lighter than his mother’s people from the Plains of Liawpia. His bare chest was an indication of his hard earned physique. It was laced with muscle and scars and the fresh bruises from his recent battles.

“The Frostsworn have gone to stock up on supplies. Our teammates are waiting for us. Hurry up!” Rainia said.

Ahanu sighed. Putting on his armor was not something he could do quickly, but he had lots of practice. He pulled on the thickly quilted shirt, and on top of that, he wore mail. Next, he strapped on his steel breastplate, vambraces, and greaves. Lastly, he put on his helm that covered his head, the sides of his face, and the back of his neck. His face was uncovered, which allowed for maximum visibility but at the expense of protection. He grabbed his kite shield and pondered which weapons he needed to bring.

“What are we training for?” Ahanu asked.

“Everything! We are meeting Miss Heng, now move it!” Rainia snapped.

Ahanu sighed and gathered up his weapons. Sword, mace, and his newly purchased Frostsworn spear. He wanted to etch the Runes along the spear to enchant it, but his team Leader and sister had other plans. He ran after Rainia.

“So, is she going to take your place as the team leader?” He asked.

The two jogged through the large encampment. Rainia did not look at him as she answered, “I do not know.”

Ahanu’s head throbbed as he ran. It wouldn’t be his first time training, or fighting for that matter, while in pain. It would be hard reentering the Spire without Tallulah, he thought to himself. Ahanu felt his anguish flooding back like a hurricane storm. He was actually grateful for the headache as it was a way to keep his mind off his sorrow. He swapped anguish for a different pain.

“She is very powerful. It could be our best chance to avenge Tallulah,” Ahanu stated.

Rainia’s eyes were focused ahead as the two ran and she only nodded in response without looking at him. Ahanu understood, he was not the only one grieving. At least I have this headache for company, Ahanu thought to himself. After nearly twenty minutes of running they arrived at a training ground. It was an opened space dotted with wooden sparring dummies and obstacle courses. Few other teams were present at the moment. Ahanu and Rainia ran toward their gathered teammates.

“You are late,” Miss Heng stated. Her voice was sharp and it reminded Ahanu of a snake bite.

The Amber Guard wore a fitted suit of padded armor and leggings that were the color of an overcast sky before a thunderstorm. Her dark hair, with some streaks of white, was pulled back into a tight bun. Ahanu’s eyes went wide as he recognized the dozens of Rune-covered Channeling tools that dotted her nicely shaped body. Miss Heng was older than the Spirit Walkers, but it was clear that she remained very active.

“And you are not our team leader,” Zena snapped.

Ahanu grinned. His sharp-mouth teammate did not care about rankings or authority.

Miss Heng’s dark, narrow eyes glared at the archer, but she refrained from saying anything further. She simply nodded. Rainia stopped and spoke to the group.

“Today, we will assess Miss Heng’s abilities. We will learn how to work with her as a team,” the Spirit Walker Leader said.

“What Aspects do you use?” Paca asked. The diminutive girl’s voice was so quiet, Ahanu worried that Miss Heng would demand that she repeat her question.

Miss Heng stood with perfect posture and answered, “I am mastering the Force, Light, Water, and Storm aspects. I am proficient in Life, Spirit, Earth, and Fire aspects.”

Zena perked up and asked, “The Storm aspect?”

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Ahanu found an enchanter that was able to engrave a Storm spell into his previous spear. However, from his limited knowledge of Rune Magic, he had never heard of anyone using that aspect outside of enchanting and in the field.

“It is an advanced aspect that is comprised of the Force and Water aspects,” the Amber Guard stated.

Paca and Zena whistled in awe. “What can you do with the Storm aspect?” Rainia asked.

Miss Heng turned her narrow eyes toward the Spirit Walker Leader. “I can summon bolts of lightning and tremendous gales.”

“Show us,” Ahanu ordered. He immediately averted his gaze when Miss Heng glared at him.

“We are assessing your skills,” Zena reminded the Amber Guard.

“Very well,” Miss Heng said and tapped her Channeling tools.

The experienced Rune Caster gracefully formed Glyphs in the air as she Summoned Water and Force. Miss Heng used her entire body as if she was performing a dance and she Shaped the two aspects to form a ball of lightning. Miss Heng stomped her foot on the ground and pushed forward with her hands, and in a flash, the bolt of lightning incinerated three wooden dummies. That was impressive! Ahanu thought to himself.

“That required too much time. I do not see the field application for that attack,” Rainia stated.

“I can do it faster. I performed it slowly for demonstration purposes,” Miss Heng replied in a sharp voice that reminded Ahanu of a whip. Miss Heng paused before acknowledging, “But you are right. It is a flashy spell.”

“You mentioned the Life aspect. What can you do with it?” Zena asked.

Miss Heng glared. She always looks like she is glaring, Ahanu thought, and he felt that they were pushing her patience.

She answered, “I can heal cuts and mend bones. I am learning how to remove poison and disease, though I would not call myself proficient with that yet.”

“What is your primary role?” Riania asked.

“Leader,” Miss Heng answered.

This caused a collective gasp from the Spirit Walkers.

Miss Heng bowed her head and replied, “But you are the Leader. I do not believe it is wise for me to be in that role. You know your team’s capabilities better than I do. I can serve as a Protector and Striker.”

Ahanu perked up. Another Protector? That would be great! So far, he was the only front-line person, and he was getting tired of being constantly battered. Tallulah, he thought with a surge of sadness, was able to Summon Spirit animals that absorbed damage. But they only last for a minute at most. He was curious how Miss Heng could be a Protector. What he really needed was another front-line fighter.

“You have no weapon or shield. How can you be a Protector?” He asked.

“One can accomplish anything through the Runic Arts if they are willing to be creative,” Miss Heng answered.

Before he could ask a follow-up question, Miss Heng Summoned and Shaped an immense wall of Ice. With a flick of her wrist, the ice turned to mists and was gone in a blink of an eye. Paca whistled in awe. Zena was also very impressed. Rainia’s face remained stern.

“Our team is mobile and runs fast. Do you think you can keep up with us?” The Spirit Walker leader asked.

“I know I can,” Miss Heng stated. Her confidence was so high it was almost something solid.

“Our tactics involve us to hit targets hard and for Ahanu to pick off anything that gets through,” Paca stated.

Ahanu stood tall with his chest out.

“He mainly gets hit a lot, and we mop up afterward,” Zena stated.

Ahanu’s chest deflated.

“How can you be a Striker?” Raina asked the Amber Guard.

Miss Heng scowled. It was clear that her patience was running thin. “You saw my application of the Storm aspect.”

Zena was unfazed, and she said, “But we noted that was not practical.”

Without taking her eyes off the archer, Miss Heng Summoned and Shaped spears of Ice, and she launched them to strike several targets.

“That’s adequate,” Zena said with a shrug.

“Do you carry a backup weapon?” Ahanu asked.

“I do not need one,” Miss Heng snapped.

“What if your Will becomes exhausted?” The Protector asked again. He was not sure why he was so bold. Maybe it was due to the hangover and grief.

“My Will will outlast all of you. Do not concern yourself,” the Amber Guard replied.

Her tone was like ice, and Ahanu was tired of her arrogance. He pressed, “And what if your Channeling Tools become damaged? Then what?”

Miss Heng glared at him as she unbuttoned her armored jacket. Ahanu’s jaw dropped as the Amber Guard removed her armor and undergarments to expose her bare chest. Rainia’s hand shot out to cover his eyes, but he moved it aside. Miss Heng’s muscled torso was covered in Runic Tattoos. Zena and Paca whistled softly. It was an impressive sight. Ahanu grinned like a child who found candy.

“It is known that Rune tattoos fade with use,” Rainia said.

“It is true. That is why I have my tattoos re-inked,” Miss Heng stated, looking at Ahanu. “I hear you are becoming skilled with Runes. Perhaps you can help me when my tattoos fade?”

Ahanu’s face blushed red, and he scratched his head.

“That is all the questions we have for now. Please put your armor back on,” Rainia ordered.

Miss Heng held her gaze at the Spirit Walker Leader for a moment before complying. “What’s next?” She asked.

“We run,” Rainia replied.

The Spirit Walkers and Miss Heng spent the next hour running and climbing through the obstacle course. The Amber Guard was true to her word and was able to keep up. Afterward, they drilled formations and despite her arrogance, Miss Heng followed orders well. Rainia had to admit, the Amber Guard was a very strong addition to their team. Several hours later, everyone was tired and sweating.

“How is this going to work?” Rainia asked.

“You mean you and I?” Miss Heng replied.

Rainia nodded. “Will you follow my orders as the team’s Leader?”

Miss Heng spoke to the entire group. “In combat and while we are traveling the Spire. Rainia will be in charge. However, I will provide the mission objectives. Rainia’s job is to implement them.”

Zena muttered to Ahanu, “That sounds like it will work out just fine.” The archer rolled her eyes.