Taming the Elements: Elwin Escari Chronicles: Volume 1 (13 page)

“That is the right question,” she smiled. “Right now, your conscious mind is here. However, when your essence joins with your body, your consciousness joins with your body. But, your essence does not reside inside your body. It is tethered to your body and follows you.”

“Ah,” Elwin said, understanding. “Like the boat and the anchor thing.”

“Yes,” she said. “In the shadow realm our essence can roam very far.” Her eyes narrowed seriously. “Again, I cannot stress the dangers of this enough. Until I tell you otherwise, you do not go farther from your body than you are right now. Understand?” The word carried weight like a command rather than a question.

Elwin nodded with as much vigor as he could muster. Until he became Life bound, he wouldn’t move far from his body. Even then, he may not.

Her smile returned. “When you are awake, you still control your essence, but it does not stray far from your body. In time, you will learn to see with it in a way. Eventually, you will learn to send your essence out and see what the wind can see. This is called Riding the Wind. The other Elements provide other gifts. We will get to those in time. Once you can Ride the Wind, you will be considered a master in Air.”

Elwin frowned. Boats and tethers? His books hadn’t spoken of any of this, and she didn’t make much sense. How was he supposed to do any of this? He didn’t even know how to hold onto the power without hurting anyone. When was she going to show him that? Maybe he could just learn how not to hurt people and come back to the farm.

“Elwin?” Jasmine said. “Do you have a question?”

“I don’t even know what to ask,” Elwin said, not bothering to hide his annoyance. “Are we still talking about taking? How do I protect myself? How do I keep from hurting other people?”

“Patience,” she said in a calm voice. “A baby needs to be aware of his hand before he can learn how to use his fingers. He needs to understand how to move his feet before he can walk.”

Elwin snapped his jaw closed and tried not to look sulky at the subtle rebuke. A baby. Hmmph.

“Now,” Jasmine continued. “Your essence will need to be conditioned. When an elementalist attempts to take your essence, his essence grapples yours. For this reason, we will need to train you in hand-to-hand combat. Though many of the skills learned upon training your body will help you here, the converse is not necessarily true. Here you will gain the knowledge of hand-to-hand combat, but you must train your body to feel the motions in order to make proper use of the knowledge in the physical realm. Does this make sense?”

Elwin nodded. “I need to learn how to fight with my hands.”

Jasmine sighed. “That is the short of it. Yes. Our nights spent here will serve two purposes. First, we will teach you how to fill your essence with Air and release the Air back into the environment. Next, we will condition your essence for combat. Are you ready?”

Finally. “Yes.”

“Very good. Now, you must learn to control your breathing. This exercise will help you with control. Your essence draws the power, but it is your body that feels the flow of Air. Even though your soul roams here, you are still tethered to your body. Even if you cannot feel the strings that make it so, focus and you can feel your body.”

Elwin listened as Jasmine guided him through the process. He could feel his body in the room above. He could point to where he laid sleeping as if there were no walls. His chest was still rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. He could feel the warmth of the day waning by the sun’s absence.

“Now,” Jasmine said, “in a moment I want you to allow the power of Air to enter you. Then you will release it without use. But first watch me. Zarah, on my cue.”

Elwin could feel the Air enter Jasmine, then Zarah. But he could also see the effects. A white glow swirled around them and conjoined with their forms. After a moment, they became less opaque, and both began to glow softly. They held onto the power for several moments. As they released their hold on Air, they became translucent again.

“Your turn,” Jasmine said. “Did you see how it was done?”

“I felt it,” Elwin said. “I think I can do it.”

He took a deep breath, and he focused on his body as Jasmine had instructed him. He opened up to Air by touching the flow around him. More softly this time. Like opening a sealed door, the Air wanted to flow into him. But instead of opening the door wide, he cracked it, and the power came in at a trickle.

To stop the trickle, he stopped focusing on the flow. Unlike before, there was no ache this time. He felt as if he could run for miles. Looking around, the corners of the room became more crisp. His arm was more solid, but it did not appear to be glowing like Zarah and Jasmine had been. But, he looked up to see Zarah and Jasmine both squinting.

“Not too much, Elwin,” Jasmine said.

“This is a good amount, I think,” Elwin said. “I could probably hold this all day.”

“You do not feel strained at all?” Zarah said.

“No,” Elwin said.

Jasmine gave Zarah a look of rebuke and said, “Okay. I want you to attempt to release it. Do not under any circumstances push it. Do you know what I mean when I say push it?”

Elwin nodded. “I think that is what I did to the table.”

“Yes. Exactly. Now, releasing Air is similar to what you did to absorb it, but instead you turn the flow outward.”

Elwin felt the power inside him and allowed it to flow out of him. It was faster than when it came in, like letting go of a leaf.

“Very good, Elwin,” Jasmine said. “We have time for you to practice this task a few more times before first light.”

“Already? But I just fell asleep.”

“I told you, time seems to move faster here,” Jasmine said. “And it was already late when we retired for the evening. Now, are you ready?”

Elwin nodded.

“Very well. I want you to focus on your breathing. You can feel your body above …”

Chapter 6

The Journey

Sunlight spilled into the open window. The morning breeze of summer tickled the opaque drapes as it entered the small bedroom. The wind was cool. A nice contrast to what the day held.

Though, marching in the summer’s heat was the least of Wilton’s concerns. He was being ordered to march. Then he would be ordered to kill.

Kill or be killed.

Wilton pushed those thoughts from his mind, and he stared at his leather backpack resting on his bed.

He packed three sets of clothes and his life’s savings into his backpack. His father had given him the pack and a good portion of his money, and he had done the same for Feffer. Wilton breathed in a slow, steady breath and exhaled just as slowly.

I can’t believe the little snit is actually glad to be going,
he thought. No. The word was joyful. Too young and naïve to understand what it meant to be a soldier. Feffer thought it all a big game.

“We could die.”

The thought of death stuck in his mind. It was said that in the end, a soul would return to the Lifebringer. He would then be judged by his deeds in life. Then, he would either be sheltered for eternity in the Lifebringer’s Hand or be cast into the abyss to spend eternity in darkness.

“I know I am a good person, but …”

Wilton looked at his pack again and debated, yet again, whether or not he should defect. He could make his way north through the Carotid Forest to Goldspire. From there, he could make his way to North Port and book passage to Alcoa. He could get a job in a merchant’s shop or on an outer farm.

But the rumors Wilton had heard did not make Alcoa a great prospect either. The war had not made it all the way to Alcoa City, but the southern lands were being overrun. Rumor said Kalicodon had been attacked as well. The Isles of Maards had yet to be touched, but from what he had heard, even they would join the war. The Blood Isle was not likely see the war, but it was the thumping Blood Isle. Cannibals and worse were said to live there. Was anywhere safe?

Now that war had come to the Island Nations and to Justice, it seemed he could not escape it.

“If I must fight in a war,” Wilton said, “it might as well be here in defense of my home.”

His door banged open without so much as a tap.

“Who are you talking to?” Feffer said, as he bounced into the room.

Wilton stared at his younger brother. He was almost of height with him and nearly three years his junior. He couldn’t say why, but that grated him.

“What do you want, Feffer?”

“I am already packed. We are supposed to leave soon.” Feffer’s voice held an annoying amount of enthusiasm.

“Father will be left to tend the shop by himself. All of this work, for a single aging man. How will he get on without our help? ”

“I hadn’t thought of that.”

Wilton suppressed a smile when Feffer’s eyes widened with surprise. That would take a little pep out of his step, at least.

“Boys,” his father’s voice called from below. “Come down here, it is almost time.”

Feffer walked out the door ahead of him. Wilton followed his younger brother to the railing of the loft, which went around the entirety of the large storehouse. The bedrooms and his father’s office were located all on one side, jutting over the goods below. His father sold everything from weapons to grain, even some exotic herbs. Wilton had been raised learning the best trade routes in the nation. If he left Justice, that knowledge wouldn’t help him.

Feffer ran ahead of Wilton, skipping most of the steps on the way to the ground floor. Wilton took each step with deliberate precision.

He stood next to his brother and faced his father.

Tears rimmed Willem’s eyes. His voice cracked slightly on the first word. “Boys, I know you will make me proud. I am proud of you already. Neither of you needs to come back to me a war hero for me to feel proud. Just come back to me.”

He pulled them both for an embrace.

“Now,” he said as he pulled away. “I have something I want you boys to have.”

His father pulled two purses off his belt. Wilton hadn’t noticed there were two, until that moment. He threw one to each of them.

“But Father,” Wilton said. “You have already given us coin.”

“Everything is more expensive in the capital,” he said.

Feffer’s grin was childish. “Thanks Da!”

“Thank you, Father,” Wilton said.

His father ruffled Feffer’s hair. “Now, you go outside. I want to say something to your brother.”

Feffer’s grin faded, and he shrugged as if it didn’t matter that he was being excluded from the conversation. As per usual, he oversold the gesture. “I want to find Elwin anyway.”

After Feffer was gone, his father was silent for a moment.

“Wilton, I want you to promise me something.”

Wilton wished he hadn’t hesitated. But he had. “Anything father.”

“I want you to keep a close eye on your brother and help him stay out of trouble. The people here may have a strong tolerance for Feffer’s antics, but the city is another matter. Some of his pranks will be considered crimes there. Promise me that you will keep him out of the stocks.”

“I will do what I can, Father,” he said, not quite feeling the words.

“Thank you, son,” he said, hugging him.

He pulled Wilton to arm’s length and looked him in the eyes. His father had dark green eyes. Those same eyes had scolded him as a child. He had seen that calculated stare work an unfavorable trade to his father’s advantage.

“I don’t care what you have to do. Make a deal with the abyss if you have to, but keep you and your brother safe. Do you hear me? You two come back alive. I am counting on you.”

“I will Father. I promise.” Maybe it was the desperation in his father’s voice. But this time, he meant it.

Elwin stood in the square. The remnants of the evenings festivities were everywhere. Apple cores from candied apples had been left littered about. Fresh mud made a circular pattern where the cake walk had taken place. Depressions from tables that had displayed wares were fresh in the ground.

But the people had gone.

He wondered if his presence had anything to do with that. People should be lining the streets to say farewell to the men and boys going to war. But no one had come.

He looked up at the inn. He had grown up playing in the square with his cousins.

Elwin shook his head. “Not
my
cousins.”

“What was that?” Feffer said.

Elwin jumped. “Don’t sneak up on people.”

“What are you doing out here?” Feffer’s voice held an excited curiosity.

“Jasmine told me to wait in the square while she paid for the accommodations.”

“The acco- what?”

“The rooms she rented and food they ate,” Elwin said. “Don’t you read at all?”

“I have already told you that I read,” Feffer said. “I just ignore the big words.”

Elwin sighed.

“Is it safe for you to be out here by yourself?” Feffer asked.

“Jasmine is holding my essence.”

“She what?”

“It’s safe.”

“Alright,” Feffer shrugged. “Where is everyone?”

“I am sure they are avoiding … the square right now.”

“No. I mean, where are all of the soldiers. We are all supposed to report to the square.”

“I don’t know, Feffer. I haven’t seen anyone. I guess you are the first one.”

Feffer grinned.

The door to the inn opened and his parents stepped out. His grandparents followed them. He avoided their gaze as they approached.

He flinched when his mother reached to hug him, but he let her take him into her embrace. Closing his eyes, he held on to her. He felt his father’s strong arms wrap around the two of them.

“No matter what happens,” he heard his father’s voice say, “we will always love you.”

He held on to them until he heard Jasmine speak, “It’s nearly time.”

His father, then his mother, released him.

Without looking at them, he said, “I love you, too.”

He hugged his grandparents one at a time. His Poppe smiled. “Now,
you’ll
come back with stories to tell
me
.”

Elwin gave him a smile that he did not feel.

Then he turned from the inn and his family and walked away from the only home he had ever known. He could not help but wonder if he would ever see any of them again.

Feffer sat next to the evening’s campfire and rubbed his bare feet. Traveling to the capital had been nothing like he had hoped. To begin with, he had to march with everyone else, while Elwin road in the carriage with the pretty ladies. He had to walk for hours without stopping, while Elwin got to ride in luxury. He hadn’t even seen his friend since that first day.

Next, Wilton hadn’t spoken more than a dozen words to him. And none of the other guys wanted to say much either. So it was just walking. Five days of walking and five more besides. If he slowed down at all, Lord Lifesong would ride up on his horse and yell curses at him, calling him rude names. Someone should wash the commander’s mouth out with lye.

And worst of all, they wouldn’t let him carry a sword. Wasn’t that the whole reason they wanted him? When he had asked about one, Lord Lifesong had laughed at him and told him he would have to teach him how to carry it without stabbing himself in the foot first.

Then, everyone else laughed at him.

A white cloaked soldier walking toward him made Feffer look up. “Stew’s ready.”

“Ugh,” Feffer replied.

Maybe
that
was worst of all. This was his fifth night of mutton stew. Their cook had obviously never heard of spices. Would it hurt to use a little salt or peppercorn? Barley or sage?

He slipped his boots back on and laced them, taking his time. Next, he would have to stand.

“How are you holding up?” It was Wilton’s voice.

Feffer looked up to see his brother standing on the other side of the fire. The light danced off his face, and he stood with a casual ease. Feffer doubted that marching for five days had been as difficult for Wilton. He had always been better at things that were hard work.

Feffer felt his bottom lip quiver. He bit it so that he wouldn’t cry.

“Hop up, Feffer.” He walked over to him and offered a hand. “You need to eat. Tomorrow is going to be another long day.”

Feffer took his brother’s hand. “Have you seen Elwin?”

Wilton shook his head. “They are still keeping him away from the soldiers. Biron, the man Elwin killed, was well liked. It is going to take some time before Elwin is accepted, if he ever is. Can you believe it?” Wilton shook his head as if he couldn’t.

“But that wasn’t Elwin’s fault!” Feffer protested.

“They don’t see it that way. But it doesn’t matter right now. Let’s get some dinner.”

Feffer began to argue, but Wilton cut him off by walking away. He had to run a couple of steps to catch up. Each step sent a jolt of pain up his leg.

Wilton slowed down once they reached the chow line. It was already quite long. Feffer was pretty sure that he and Wilton would be the last two served. That meant there would be little mutton in their mutton stew, which meant his dinner would consist of mutton flavored water.