Colt woke up body flaring to life with small pains as was his normal. He had worked late into the night getting water from the well moving shield swords and spears around. He had even given Barick’s hammer a few swings hitting the red-hot metal. It didn’t do anything to the metal; his strikes were too weak. Even now his arm that he swung with screamed in pain. Sitting up in his bed he had almost forgotten he had been sleeping in a bed. Exiting the bed and then the small room he made his way to the kitchen. He still hadn’t gotten used to it just having food whenever he wanted. It was such a foreign concept. On his way to the kitchen many servants were cleaning most were in the courtyard still repairing the damage Talon and Seph had caused. Entering the kitchen the smells were intense as platers of eggs biscuits and a raspberry porridge laid out steaming. Grabbing whatever he could on a plate Colt almost didn’t notice Kaitlin walking in. She was still in the same clothes from the day before looking mostly the same except for her hair in a mess and large bags under her eyes. Just then her gaze met Colts.

Quite the feast she said eyeing Colt's plater of delicious morsels

It had been a long night watching over Talon and now seeing the boy greedily grabbing the food brought back memories of her childhood which had caused her to form a smile. Even if those memories hadn't been the best there was a sense of nostalgia which Katilin did like which had made her smile deep in thought.

“Yeah it is,” Colt said sheepishly

Katlin stood there still staring at Colt smiling, which started to make Colt uncomfortable as the moment dragged on and on. He wasn't used to adults staring in his direction and smiling. With the uneasy his mind raced to find something that could excuse himself from the current situation.

“I have to go help," barrick colt said turning with his bountiful plate and scurrying out of the room. Making his way slowly back over to the blacksmith wolfing down the entire plate. As soon as Colt arrived he was put to work with his usual tasks. The morning flew by with trips to the well getting slightly faster. A small break at lunch was taken with Sigrid's daughter Hazel bringing the food. After the food it was back to work polishing some of the new weapons that had just been created. A few more hours past the same way until barick turned and told me to go and find Richard for lessons.

It didn’t take super long to find Richard he was held up in the dining hall at the table with a pile of old-looking books. His head firmly planted in a book a glass of wine on the side half empty. He looked up only for a moment as he noticed me enter the room.

I'm not quite ready for you lad go find Jacklin I arranged to have her teach you some lessons or something he said not taking his eyes off the book. It took a little longer to find Jacklin as Colt had searched the entire mansion it wasn’t until he searched the grounds until he found her. She was outside by the gardens shooting her bow into the targets. She wore a dark purple cloak with a brown leather arrow quiver on her back. Colt observed her pull an arrow out and then slowly pull the bow string past her dark raven hair. The level of focus and control as her eyes narrow on the target down into the fields. With grace, she released the arrow flying swiftly and striking the target in the center. The level of focus was impressive; she didn’t even blink through the whole process.

Are you going to just stand there all day she said taking her gaze off the target and looking at Colt.

Feeling a wave of embarrassment overtake Colt stammered out sorry Richard sent me and said you had some training for me.

Yes, have you used any mist before she said as she put her bow around her back and walked towards Colt.

No, I really haven't used any powers other than the ice one.

Alright, then the name of the training is a bit of hide and seek she said with a tooth smile. Just as her grin had formed a purple mist started to emit from her body. At first, it was in small strings wafting up and then a torrent blasted out of her and some started to manifest all around the area. Soon everything was covered and Colt couldn't even see his hand in front of his face. Moving his hand through the air the mist had a sort of substance it was thick and he could feel it pass through his fingers as he moved them in the air.

“Where am I? '' Jacklin's voice whispered out of the mist. The sound seemed to come from all around. sounds became muffled along with an overpowered scent of rain. Taking a few careful steps forward Colt raised his hands reaching out trying to find anything that was familiar. A black shape became visible after only a few steps colt pounced on the object. His hand met straw as he realized he had just pounced on the target.

Laughter bellowed out of the surrounding mist. Focus come and find me Jacklin said. Colt looked inside seeing only his two paths that he was familiar with. He tugged on strain his hand lighting up with green flames. The mist seemed to disappear a few feet around him almost like a bubble of air surrounded by a vast ocean. He could see only a few feet.

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“Well well well that's a neat trick but foolish,” Jacklin said her voice tapering off as an arrow appeared striking down right next to his foot. Looking down a sharp object pricked his back.

“You're dead,” Jacklin said knife in her hand at the base of his spine. His body tensed the sharp knife almost breaking the skin. She slowly pulled the knife away from his body and the mist dissipated. Colt released a breath his body slowly relaxing.

How did you do that? Colt said turning around to face her. The smile on her face had vanished as she looked at Colt. “Hard work training and a bit of luck,” she said her eyes scanning over him. This world can be cruel and unforgiving for our kind. You being here means you have good luck.

Hearing that he had good luck, the colt couldn’t hold a scoff back. He was the unlucky person alive his orphanage had burned to the ground. If he had any luck, he would have found an uncle or grandfather to take care of him.

Jacklin sat down in the grass her raven hair parting as she motioned for him to sit down next to her.

Mist is a powerful tool for escape and espionage but rarely a tool for combat. The reason for this is that it hinders both the caster and the target.

“So how did you know where I was”? Colt said sitting down next to her.

Patience I'm getting there she said. She took in a breath looking up towards the sky as she began again. It was like this for me for a very long time unable to do much with my powers. It wasn’t until I met Talon that things changed. He helped me to realize that the mist was a part of me. With practice and training, I developed the skill to feel everything in the mist. It's an ability that anyone with mist can learn to do.

So you're telling me that I can learn this power too? Jacklin took her eyes off of the sky looking into colts. With training and time yes she said.

Colt's mind raced on all of the ways that he could have used this in the past If only he had been able to use mist back at Lottium he would have escaped those guards.

Where do I begin he said.

The same place that Talon and Barick have told you your body she said pointing to him. You need to build up your body and get your mind and senses honed.

“Mana works much like a muscle it depends heavily on the body to work and to work right. You” she started and then trailed off as the two heard grumbling coming from the path that led to the mansion.

Richard appeared his face disheveled as he muttered loudly. He looked over the two his eyes fixing on Colt with a look of contempt. Come with me boy he said then turned around and started walking back towards the mansion.

Colt glanced over and Jacklin who nodded with a smile on her lips. He jumped up following quickly after the still grumbling Richard. They made their way back into the mansion into a back room where there were two wooden desks. The first desk was small with a smaller chair it had three books on it and a piece of paper and quill. The second desk had a large book on it and a glass of wine.

Richard turned around to face Colt. “here you will learn the basics of reading writing and being a gentleman.” Here you will learn dignity honor and the wisdom that you are in so need of. Let us begin he said reaching down picking up his vine glass and giving it a sip.

He violently expunged the liquid from his mouth a face of pure rage. I am teaching the boy! Richard said shouting pausing only a moment before continuing orsen I know you can hear me you will lift this curse immediately or so help me. I will hire every assassin within the capital to hunt you down and gut you like the beast you are.

A second later orsen came walking in his eyes glowing a light red with a large smile on his face. His short dark hair made his eyes more vibrant with the contrast.

“You gave Talon your word you would teach the boy not pawn him off while you enjoyed the finer things in life. Isn’t a gentleman's word his most important value.” orsen said.

Richard seemed to calm down then his eyes met Orsens. “I admit my actions were sinful but the greater travesty of making this beautiful elegant lake wood vintage wine taste like piss is a sin above all other sins.”

Then teach the boy and I will lift your curse but only after you finish with his lesson. If I see you sneak off again I can do much worse than piss. Orsen said flashing a toothy smile.

A small look of horror flashed across Richard's face “Fine fine you have my word I will educate the boy”.

Orsen winked at Colt then walked out. How did he do that colt asked looking up at Richard. “He is a Hex user and a true devil filled with vile Richard stopped as Orsen voice came into the room I can still hear you he said.

Richard shook his head and then looked over at Colt. Let's begin he said grudgingly.

The next few hours were the most torturous thing that a colt had ever experienced. Richard had yelled over and over at him as he pounded the information into the colt's head. They were mainly focused on reading and writing. Colt had no foundation of learning to expand on which made the whole process worse. His head was pounding as he headed for his bed.