? The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) ?

Chapter 38: The Path of Light

East side?

"I was in the south side in Ira's practice course. I must have... overlighted I suppose."

"Yes, Ira does tend to push others." Fifi took Sabin under the arm. "I will lead you back."

****

"Thank you, Fifi." Ira gave the bald woman a kiss on the cheek. Fifi was a jine-nemaa, a soul guide and they shaved their heads as part of an oath to forsake power. They were a separate class; the rare Yuans who could travel up and down the levels of Sweoti without issue.

Fifi nodded and left, returning to do whatever it was that jine-nemaas did. The moment she was gone, Ira's stone exterior returned. "It seems you are not ready."

Sabin sighed. She was right and he knew it. "Apologies, karamogo. I will not let my mind wander again."

"Why did you lose focus?"

I see no point in hiding it.

"I thought of Kianna."

Ira nodded and put her hand on her chin. It was an indication that he would be ignored for some time. He removed his practice spears.

"I did not release you from practice."

Sabin jumped and reattached the band. "Apologies, karamogo."

"How far have you ever thought to light?"

"Not far. I always thought of it as a shadow strike. It was a way to disorient my opponent or to gain some space. I've never thought of using it to travel."

Ira dropped her hand. "I have a test. Give me five minutes, and then I want you to visualize me as strongly as you can. Then light to me."

Ira became the blur again, so Sabin counted to three hundred. He wasn't entirely sure where she was going with this task, but he followed instructions by closing his eyes. She visualized Ira and lighted.

"Amazing!"

Sabin's eyes popped open at Ira's voice. Niébé buds poked through the soil, so he was somewhere on the ground level.

Ira smiled.

It was odd to see that expression on her. She always seemed to look at Sabin with mildly contained disdain when they trained. He could count on his hands how many times he'd seen her look happy.

And all of those were when Fifi was near.

What surprised him most, were the words that came with the smile.

"I was wrong. I think you are ready."

*

When Sabin woke this morning it was of his own free will. It unnerved him. Every morning, Ira jarred him out of sleep. He had to water the fileri on the west side of the villa every morning before they could start. Ira told him that bonding with nature was important.

Outside of his cabin, the warmth of Birth Cycle seeped into his weary muscles. A blue-threaded woman with a water can smiled at him as she walked up the stone walkway to his dorm, watering the plants.

I guess I am relieved of that task.

Sabin made his way to the practice field on the south side. Ira stood there quietly, holding a set of clothes. A rectangular box sat on the ground next to her.

Sabin tapped his heart and head in the Yuan genuflection. "May your ancestors find you worthy."

Ira presented the outfit to him. "May they stand in paradise with yours. I have something for you."