by C D Muller
Selena smiled and nodded, grateful to his knowledge and for his offer of help. He stood next to her and began to practice with her.
“Your movements are almost insignificant until the end when you expel that energy from your body,” Silver continued, “instead, it's through sheer focus and force of will. It takes much practice.”
“I understand,” Selena responded; however, she seemed to feel sad and her self-doubt returned.
Silver looked at her and stopped their lesson.
“What's wrong?” he asked.
Selena shook her head a little and looked back at him, trying to find the courage to smile.
“It's nothing,” she said.
Silver placed his hand on her shoulder.
“You are brilliant,” he began, “I don't want to see you act so hard on yourself. You are a wonderful and amazing person. I am here to help you, and I want you to practice because I want you to grow and to be better than any of those riders already in the Force. I know that you can do it. You've already proven your potential.”
Selena was surprised to hear this from him, but his words made her smile. He smiled in turn and nodded his head.
“Let us continue.”
Over the next few hours, even after Thor and Rahim fell asleep, Silver showed her some of what he'd learned that could be done with fire and how to manipulate it. Selena did her best to push her self doubt and negativity away while she focused on channeling energy. Through her focus and will power, she was able to conjure fire without much concentration compared to the first few times. She also began to learn how to manipulate the shape of the flames. She controlled them to circle around her like a ring, then to encase her in a sphere that hardened into a molten shield. Silver even tested the stability of it by attacking it to see if she would still be able to hold it.
“You are learning exponentially faster than I anticipated!” Silver cried out when Selena continued to hold her position.
“That's enough for now. You were amazing!”
Her molten fire shield disappeared, and Selena almost dropped to her knees out of exhaustion. Silver quickly rushed over to help her sit down.
“That will happen. Channeling that kind of energy from your body will be exhausting,” he said with a chuckle.
Selena's heart was racing hard as if she had just been running.
“It was exhilarating,” she breathed out.
Silver nodded with a smile.
“I cannot wait to see you manipulate the other elements like that! You are a natural!”
Selena smiled in return and attempted to walk on her own back towards their camp but she stumbled. Her muscles were incredibly sore and stiff. Silver rushed over and slipped his arm under hers to help her walk. She noticed that he till wore his smiling expression. She blushed a little bit and turned away, afraid if he saw.
“I know that we don’t say it much,” she whispered, “but we really do appreciate all that you have done to help us…to help me. I know Rahim feels the same way, but he’s been through a lot…”
“You are very welcome, and I know. I just love messing with him. It’s quite fun and entertaining to see his reactions to what I do,” Silver whispered.
Selena nodded.
“But if you please, could you refrain from that? He's been going through a lot.”
“I'm sorry,” Silver responded, “of course I will back off. I don't mean to come off as rude or inconsiderate to him.”
“Thank you, and it's all right. He's almost like a brother to me, as he and Chaliss were willing to take me and Thor in. Rahim means well.”
“For that, I am forever grateful to them both,” Silver replied.
The two of them walked back to the camp. The fire was almost completely out. Rahim stirred in his spot and mumbled some gargled words in his sleep. Thor was curled up on the other side, snoring.
“I think I should get some sleep. I'm exhausted,” she said.
Silver let go as Selena made her way over to Thor. He stood still with his hands behind his back.
“Sleep well, my dear princess,” he said in a mere whisper.
Selena stopped when he said this and blushed even more. Silver turned around and went to the spot he sat in earlier, resumed reading his book and summoned the metal cube.
Thor opened one eye as Selena lay down next to him.
I saw a bit of your practice session with Silver. You were amazing.
She smiled.
Thank you. Silver said that it takes years of mastery to do what I just did.
Perhaps you were skilled before you lost your memory?
Silver believes so as well. He said something about re-awakening my abilities. I feel like he knows more than he's letting on.
I have the same feeling. Even the last time we met him, he said that he was an old friend.
Selena leaned against Thor's stomach and stared at the stars.
He certainly doesn't act like a child, despite him looking like one. He acts wise and all knowing. He has such a vast knowledge of magic.
Thor looked up as well.
Do you think he can teach me how to breathe fire? I want to learn how to use the elements as well.
Selena blinked a few times. Usually dragons can master only a single element, but deep down, she believed that Thor could learn more than just fire.
Then we can learn together, she finally said.
Thor smiled and laid his head back down, wrapping himself around her. Together, they drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 14:
Selena woke up early the next morning to find Rahim walking about with his map and compass. He paced around their campsite looking at the map nervously.
She looked over at Thor, who snorted in response.
This is quite interesting. Silver and Rahim have been bickering with each other for most of the morning.
Selena blinked a few times and tried to stand up. Silver then looked at her with a huge grin.
“My dear Selena,” he said, “would you like to learn a very neat trick in magic? It involves water energy.”
Her curiosity got the better of her, and she nodded. Thor, however, did not seem interested.
Silver then took an unusual stance, one that looked more like a puppeteer’s. He crossed his arms in front of him, positioning his hands with his fingers arched like claws in the air. As Silver slightly moved his fingers, Rahim’s expression changed. His eyes became wide and a huge, goofy grin appeared on his face.
Thor lowered his head, staring intently at Silver with a slight growl.
I don’t have a good feeling about this kind of magic.
Rahim then clapped his hands together and tilted his head off to the side with his eyes closed.
“Oh you guys, I love cute and fluffy kitties! I want to hug them and squeeze them and love them so much! Especially the pink ones! I love the color pink! It’s my favorite color! Little pink fluffy kittens for everyone!”
Selena became afraid at this performance. Silver, with a smug look on his face, lowered his hands as Rahim snapped out of the trance he was in. His eyes became wide with fear and he quickly clapped his hands over his mouth.
“What the bloody hell did I just say?” he asked, his body shaking and hands twitching.
Selena glanced over at Silver.
“Did… did you just make him do that?”
Silver placed one hand in his pocket while re-adjusting his glasses.
“Yes, I did. However, I cannot change someone’s personality. I can only bring up something that’s deep and pushed back from the conscious level. Somewhere within Rahim, he does like kittens.”
Rahim had a look of horror on his face and looked as though he were about to scream. He and Selena exchanged glances with one another, but Silver’s tone changed.
“Everyone has something deep within their subconscious that they don’t even know about. Rahim, for example, probably did not even know he liked kittens, or even the color pink.”
Rahim q
uickly defended himself.
“I do not like kittens!”
Silver looked at him with a smug look.
“Well, which is it? Do you like kittens or the color pink? You need to make up your mind.”
Rahim turned around and swore under his breath, not wishing to continue the argument. Selena, on the other hand, was not amused.
“Please Silver, let him be,” she pleaded with him.
Silver's smile faded and he looked down at his feet.
“I wanted to show you everything that I know. And besides, he was the one who started the argument. Now, I know what you're about to say, I shouldn't even bother or say anything in response, but I didn't dare miss the opportunity I had.”
Her hands trembled a little bit at her sides, but she nodded.
“I don't mind you teaching me more about magic, but that's not the kind of magic that we should be using.”
“My dear, you misunderstood me,” Silver said again with a slight bow, “that was the first time that I have ever used any sort of magic like that in a long time. That technique is actually forbidden, but I believe you should have the right to learn it in case you need to to defend yourself. It's dangerous, as during that moment of time, you are stripping the person of their free will and making them do your bidding. The only time I would ever expect you to use something like that would be against the Lich or his followers.”
Selena nodded a bit and turned away. Even in that aspect, she knew it would be wrong. However, it could be useful if it were a life or death situation.
“I understand” Selena whispered.
“We should probably head over towards the Hinterlands. We’re actually not that far and could easily walk there within an hour,” Rahim announced in an attempt to change the subject, pulling out a map from the sack tied to Thor’s saddle.
“Why would we go there? I heard those woods are dangerous,” Selena said.
“I’m afraid that the Order might spot us if we’re out in the open for too long. If we at least stay near the outside of the forest, we should be all right,” Rahim explained.
Selena gaped at him with a confused look.
“What do you mean that we should be?”
Rahim swallowed hard.
“I heard that the Hinterlands is full of dangerous creatures. Not only that, but I've heard that the forest is alive somehow. It can deceive those who go in and there's no hope for you if you get lost. People tell stories of monsters that lurk in the shadows that will snatch you if you’re not careful. Those who go in never come out.”
“Never come out?” Selena raised an eyebrow. “Then where do the stories come from?”
Rahim made a disgusted face and pointed at the map to Alfheim.
“My point is that I think it’s still better than dealing with the Order. We still have another day’s journey from here.”
“Maybe when we get to the forest,” Silver began, staring at Selena from the corner of his eye, “I could always teach you some more magic. At least we would be hidden.”
Selena was excited to learn and practice more, but she felt even more sore just thinking about it.
“Do we really have all this time to do that?” Rahim asked.
“Of course!” Silver exclaimed, “we have all the time in the world! I'm so excited to see how fast she's progressed already, I want to see how far she can go with magic!”
It's amazing to see him get worked up like this over your brilliance, Thor snickered, I would still be cautious, though. That sort of magic that he performed on Rahim earlier did not seem right. If he does anything to you, I will not hesitate to attack.
Selena wanted to argue with him on this, but she knew that Thor might be right. Silver did manipulate Rahim earlier into doing what he wanted and he could easily do the same to her. However, since he had that ability, he would have done so to her already. She relaxed a little bit more.
“Silver, Rahim,” Selena called out, grabbing Thor’s reigns. “Thor and I will circle above to make sure that we will be safe while heading towards the Hinterlands for cover. You two will head towards the forest since we are close. If we see anything, we’ll alert you immediately.”
“Right,” Rahim said with a nod and put his canteen in his pocket. Silver, once again, just pulled out his book and began walking behind him, then took off.
“Let's go,” Selena commanded and Thor took to the skies.
As soon as Thor leveled himself above the trees, he commented: It's amazing watching you use magic. Maybe you can learn what Silver did to Rahim.
He snickered.
Selena chuckled slightly as she steered Thor to make another turn as they reached the Hinterlands.
That’s not the kind of magic I would want to use for entertainment. There was something unsettling about it.
Of course. You’re making someone say something against their will. I wonder if you would be able to take it a step further to fully control their actions.
She shuddered at the thought.
I wonder if that’s how the Order listen to the Lich. He probably makes them do his bidding.
Who knows? They’re more than likely demons from Oblivion he made pacts with on their own accord.
The forest itself was massive; it covered the entire base of the Mustang Mountains, stretching towards the northeast as far as the eye could see. The Hinterlands were lush with pinewood and thick to keep most natural light out; it seemed lifeless and dark.
The sun sat in the middle of the sky as they continued their travels towards the forest. Even with the day being high noon, the forest seemed to grow darker within its trees.
We need to see if Rahim and Silver made it to the Hinterlands.
I wonder how they would be able to tell us. Maybe a bonfire or something that can give a smoke signal?
She steered Thor once again in a circle but they were nowhere to be seen.
Where are they? Did we lose them?
Her chest ached as she began to panic.
Thor stopped abruptly in midair when the two of them heard a loud and sudden explosion coming from the Hinterlands. Selena almost fell off her saddle out of complete astonishment and shock. A large blast of fire nearby tore through the trees and completely decimated the landscape.
What was that? Selena cried out, tightly holding onto Thor’s reins.
I don’t know. I feel like both Silver and Rahim were involved!
Then let’s go!
Selena pulled hard on his reins and forced her dragon to dive down towards where the explosion was.
Thor flew as fast as he could. Part of the Hinterlands was scorched and created a large opening. Her face was drained of all color, trying not to think of the worst.
“No, it can’t be…Please…” Selena kept muttering as she forced herself to look everywhere for them.
The wind rushed past her face, making it difficult for her to keep her eyes open. Thor tucked in his wings to dive into the forest’s scar and roared. The trees shook from the ferocity of his cry.
She leaned in as Thor headed towards the ground and pulled back against her saddle when he landed and galloped around the trees.
He stopped and Selena quickly jumped off.
Silver stood in front of her with scorch marks all over his body and parts of his hair in flames. Rahim was hiding behind a large rock nearby that barely hugged the scorched circle.
Selena let out a breath in relief.
“What happened?” She asked, walking over towards them.
Silver did not move, but instead puffed out a circle of smoke.
“I tried to make the campfire…”
“You almost killed me! If I hadn't hid over here, I would have been roasted!” Rahim called out from the safety of his boulder.
“Ah, almost! But I did not, though!” Silver called out.
Rahim ignored him.
“You should have seen the massive explosion!”
“We did,” Selena said as she and Thor exchanged glances.
“He was trying to signal you two to come here,” Rahim jumped out from his spot and rushed over to Thor.
Silver quickly tidied himself up, dusting the ash marks off to make himself more presentable.
“I thought you two were attacked by…” Selena began.
“The Order?” Silver raised a brow as he finished her statement, “now, you shouldn’t worry yourself over little old me, my dear.”
Selena was still shaking, but Thor walked over and put his head on her shoulder.
Everything is all right, little one.
Yes, but he definitely knows how to make things more dramatic. It’s very stressful.
Indeed, but I think he means well.
Rahim gave out a loud sigh and fell on the ground on his back. Selena finally calmed down and walked towards the Raging River to fill their canteen.
“I need water,” he moaned. Selena walked over to him with one hand on her hip and the canteen in the other; just as Rahim looked up, Selena dumped it all over his face.
“I shouldn’t have asked,” he coughed, spitting some water out.
“Where is the map?” Selena asked him.
Rahim got up and pulled it out of his pack once more.
“It looks like we can just follow the river. It will take us towards the main gate.”
“Then ride with Thor,” Selena offered, “we can walk to Alfheim from here. Shall we head down?”
Silver nodded as he placed his fingers on his glasses once more.
“As you request,” he responded in a happy tone.
Rahim hoisted himself on Thor's saddle.
“I can stretch out on here,” he announced, “this is huge!”
Selena rolled her eyes, but she chuckled at the same time at his laziness.
The pine trees quickly hid them from the sunlight. The ground beneath their feet was soft and moist, and the air thick and humid. Thor’s talons clacked with every step that he took, the slimy stones slipping away underfoot. He lowered his head when he saw some fish jumping out of the water and made an attempt to catch one. After a few tries, he managed to snag a trout and began eating in pleasure.
It’s not as good as deer meat, he said after finishing eating, but it is still delicious. I want some more of this when we get to the city.
