wizard. Now call off this bloody devil before it melts my skin to the bones.”
Devin held his hand up and the fire dragon withdrew into the sparkling fire ball from which it was created, then vanished out of sight. “My favorite words in the world.”
“Might I remind you had I used a smidge of my real power, you’d be flat on the ground at this moment begging for a reprieve?”
“ So you say, old man. Though I’ve yet to see this mighty power you speak of.”
“Old yes, in mortal years, which I am not. Half nixie. Remember? And I was doing just fine until you conjured that beast.”
“A thousand years is old, regardless.” Devin held out his hand and pulled Daemon to his feet.
“One should hope you never find out what the age feels like. My point is, your skill is commendable but until you learn to lose, there is no true measure of your power. Humility is alesson you have yet to learn and one I’m apparently unable to teach you.”
“I am the son of a laird. Pride is a demanded trait.”
“And pride is a foolish weapon when you are lying in the dirt. You need an equal to spar against. Someone your own age skilled in battle and magic. On the morrow, we will be adding a companion to our training sessions.” He pointed toward a figure in black leaning against base of a large tree, and waved him over. “Kail!”
Devin watched the other man stalk off the bank and walk across the training ground. He was tall, almost six-eight if he guessed right, with long black hair swinging straight and loose to his shoulders. He wore no color, no plaid to identify his clan, choosing instead a sleeveless black tunic and breeches. Kail’s clothes would have made him blend in with the night if not for the torches lit around the training ground. On the ball of his left arm he bore an intricate woven circle. Seven runes lined the mark and surrounded a dagaz–the rune of balance–which sat on top of a numeral seven. His eyes were sky blue, powerfully startling in contrast.
“Devin McLoch, meet Guardian Kail McKenna–a friend of mine.”
Normally friendly, Devin nodded and smiled, expecting to clasp hands with the other man. When Kail didn’t reciprocate, he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. Something about the man’s power didn’t feel right. Dark. Pure darkness.
“I’d like to say it’s good to meet you, but I can see otherwise. McKenna. Do you shun your clan? Deny your family?” He stood eye to eye with the newcomer.
“I have no clan. My sole mission is to protect the seven warrior women from harm while they accomplish their goal. To do so, I must train you, it seems.”
“Seven, hmm? Fate smiles on you.”
“Lecherous cur. Make no mistake, you will find no allies here, McLoch. Draw your sword and prove your worth, or die like a coward.” McKenna materialized his sword.
“Nice trick, but a very simple one.”
“You have no idea what realms of magic I master. Last chance. Draw your sword, McLoch.”
“Is this really necessary?” Daemon tried to intervene between the two men, sending a rain shower to drown the ribbons of black rippling across the air, clashing against Devin’s red licks of flame.
“You are too soft on our little laird, Daemon. If he is to be of any use to the elders, he must prove his worth. I will not have another weak guardian endanger Cailin. Your word isn’t good enough. He will fight for every breath I will allow him to take, or he will die. His choice. A true warrior never gives in, never gives up. Now draw .”
Devin drew his sword and prepared to fight for his life. “You are crazy!”
The bastard had the gall to laugh in his face. “That point is debatable, depending on your perspective.”
Sounds of clashing steel filled the night as Devin blocked McKenna’s downward swing. A second more, another couple of inches and it would have been his head. Battling with everything he could muster, magic flitted around the training ground like fireworks. Thrust. Dodge.
Devin held his hand up and the fire dragon withdrew into the sparkling fire ball from which it was created, then vanished out of sight. “My favorite words in the world.”
“Might I remind you had I used a smidge of my real power, you’d be flat on the ground at this moment begging for a reprieve?”
“ So you say, old man. Though I’ve yet to see this mighty power you speak of.”
“Old yes, in mortal years, which I am not. Half nixie. Remember? And I was doing just fine until you conjured that beast.”
“A thousand years is old, regardless.” Devin held out his hand and pulled Daemon to his feet.
“One should hope you never find out what the age feels like. My point is, your skill is commendable but until you learn to lose, there is no true measure of your power. Humility is alesson you have yet to learn and one I’m apparently unable to teach you.”
“I am the son of a laird. Pride is a demanded trait.”
“And pride is a foolish weapon when you are lying in the dirt. You need an equal to spar against. Someone your own age skilled in battle and magic. On the morrow, we will be adding a companion to our training sessions.” He pointed toward a figure in black leaning against base of a large tree, and waved him over. “Kail!”
Devin watched the other man stalk off the bank and walk across the training ground. He was tall, almost six-eight if he guessed right, with long black hair swinging straight and loose to his shoulders. He wore no color, no plaid to identify his clan, choosing instead a sleeveless black tunic and breeches. Kail’s clothes would have made him blend in with the night if not for the torches lit around the training ground. On the ball of his left arm he bore an intricate woven circle. Seven runes lined the mark and surrounded a dagaz–the rune of balance–which sat on top of a numeral seven. His eyes were sky blue, powerfully startling in contrast.
“Devin McLoch, meet Guardian Kail McKenna–a friend of mine.”
Normally friendly, Devin nodded and smiled, expecting to clasp hands with the other man. When Kail didn’t reciprocate, he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. Something about the man’s power didn’t feel right. Dark. Pure darkness.
“I’d like to say it’s good to meet you, but I can see otherwise. McKenna. Do you shun your clan? Deny your family?” He stood eye to eye with the newcomer.
“I have no clan. My sole mission is to protect the seven warrior women from harm while they accomplish their goal. To do so, I must train you, it seems.”
“Seven, hmm? Fate smiles on you.”
“Lecherous cur. Make no mistake, you will find no allies here, McLoch. Draw your sword and prove your worth, or die like a coward.” McKenna materialized his sword.
“Nice trick, but a very simple one.”
“You have no idea what realms of magic I master. Last chance. Draw your sword, McLoch.”
“Is this really necessary?” Daemon tried to intervene between the two men, sending a rain shower to drown the ribbons of black rippling across the air, clashing against Devin’s red licks of flame.
“You are too soft on our little laird, Daemon. If he is to be of any use to the elders, he must prove his worth. I will not have another weak guardian endanger Cailin. Your word isn’t good enough. He will fight for every breath I will allow him to take, or he will die. His choice. A true warrior never gives in, never gives up. Now draw .”
Devin drew his sword and prepared to fight for his life. “You are crazy!”
The bastard had the gall to laugh in his face. “That point is debatable, depending on your perspective.”
Sounds of clashing steel filled the night as Devin blocked McKenna’s downward swing. A second more, another couple of inches and it would have been his head. Battling with everything he could muster, magic flitted around the training ground like fireworks. Thrust. Dodge.
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