The familiar glow appeared as he soothed his mind and focused on the void that existed between memory and thought. It was stronger than before—powerful—and so bright it blinded him. Nic tuned in to his aura and found the imperfection he was looking for much easier than before. His back was almost completely healed; it hardly caused him pain. Yesterday he had walked around Irim and met some of the other pyree with Caleb. It had been an enjoyable change to the boring room, within its confining walls Jalee had banished him. To her, he was still not fit enough to live in the inn with Caleb and the other pyree, she insisted he remain in the healing house, under her watch. The healing house was attached to the inn but was considered, and felt like, a different building.

It took some convincing—and numerous arguments—but Jalee caved and agreed that a bit of fresh air and exercise would do not harm to her patient. Upon leaving his confines, Nic learnt that the whole town was in an uproar because a captured traitor had escaped during the night. When questioned, Caleb avoided the answer by either pretending not to hear or shrugging it off as if it meant nothing.

Back in his room, Nic focused his mental vibrations on his wound. It no longer resisted his wishes. He worked through bone, muscle, sinew and skin—stitched the wound from the inside out. It was hard work and it took hours but eventually all he was left with was a thin white line. His energy was drained from the effort, but eating would help. Caleb told him it would get easier. The more he practiced, the less fatigued he would feel after every healing session. Nic opened his eyes and felt as though all the life had been drained out of him—all his natural energies sapped out of his limbs. He closed his eyes and allowed sleep to wash over him. It was a quick, light snooze and he was soon wakened by a knock on the door.

"Nic, why is your door locked?"

Jalee. Nic stumbled out of bed to unlock the door.

Jalee was standing with her hands on her hips. "Glad to see you are up and about." Her voice was dry as she pushed her way in.

"I am feeling much better. My back has improved a whole lot." Nic readied himself for the onslaught that was inevitable to come.

"Allow me to be the judge of that, let me see it."

"There is really no need. Maybe we should just let it be."

Jalee replaced her hands on her hips and pouted irritably. "I'm not a fool, boy, so do not take me for one. Now remove your shirt!" Recognizing a losing battle, Nic reluctantly did as he was told and turned so Jalee could see his healed back.

Silence.

"What do you think?" Nic asked innocently and pulled his shirt down. Jalee was still pouting when he turned; her cheeks flushed to a deep scarlet that could have matched her hair.

"I don't think, I know. And I know that this is no work of mine."

Nic said nothing.

"Where is Caleb?" she demanded, reopening the door and squeezing the handle in her palm. Her slender knuckles whiten from the exertion.

"I have not seen him today."

Jalee cleared her throat irritably. Her jaw was clenched, her eyes narrowed slits and her lips like thin lines painted on her red face. Nic would have warned her of asphyxiation if he courage backed him.

"Come, we are going to pay him a visit."

A breeze disturbed the peace as Caleb listened to the forest sing. He had not had much time to himself these last few days and it felt good to be out on his own. The natural noises of the forest were a comfort to him and helped clear his thoughts. He could not believe the news of Kelemir, he did not want to. He had decided against visiting the youth, hoping things would die down and Cassador would see reason. He had tried on numerous occasions to corner the man and force him to explain. Yet like an eel in the stream, Cassador avoided him, probably already aware of the questions Caleb had and knowing the futility behind them. Kelemir had run. If that was not a confession of guilt, then what was?

Kelemir's flight had secured his fate—if he were to be found. Caleb doubted he would be. No other pyra was better at being unnoticed;Kelemir was brilliant at it.

Even though this was a pressing matter, it was not the most bothering one in Caleb's mind. If Kelemir was the spy for the non-elemental nations, then the situation was worse than everyone thought. How much had he told the enemy? How much did he know? Pyree were not well-informed about guardian business, but their own secrets could be just as problematic fallen into enemy hands. And where they were ignorant in the guardian's affairs they were well-informed with the other nations—and very well connected.

Footsteps nearby brought Caleb out of his thoughts. Voices followed the footsteps; he recognized both of them and before they came into view he called out their names.

"Jalee, Nic, what brings you out here?"

Jalee was in a state, which was not surprising. It took a great deal to fluster her. A great deal more to rock her off her axis. If a volcano erupted beneath her feet she'd react but not panic. If a stranger stole from her, she'd rationalize his motives. Years ago Caleb had taken a great deal of pleasure in riling the woman up. Seeing how far his placid behavior and mischievous nature he could burden her with until she broke. For whatever reason, the appearance of Nic had changed all that.

The usually quirky, yet stable, Jalee had transformed into a typhoon.

"You look upset?"

"I owe you, Calebrean, a good throttle."

She knows. "Jalee, when have you ever resorted to violence?"

"Not often, but with the two of you, I have no choice."

"Everyone has a choice." Caleb attempted a sincere tone but it came out more sarcastic than he intended.

"You know the risks of your futile healing. You know the danger of an apprentice using it unguided. Yet still, you allow the boy to learn it and even worse, to use it!"

"He was going to learn it anyway."

"But not on himself!"

"It was a minor wound and the chances of him messing up were minimal! I trusted him to use it carefully and he has, so I don't see what you are screaming about."

"What I am screaming about? Calebrean de Caw, you are the dumbest of the dumb, the stupidest of the stupid and the most irritating man I have ever met!"

Caleb hid a smile under a shocked face, looked at Nic—also hiding a grin—winked and looked at Jalee, "I am sorry you think that of me, healer."

"There is no sincerity in those words you speak."

"Of course there is, I take no joy in seeing you in such a state and hearing you call me such names. Now show me what damage he has done."

Jalee grabbed Nic's sleeve, turning him with more force than was expected from a lady her size and lifted his shirt. Caleb raised his brows.

"I don't see the problem."

"Exactly, there is none! He has healed himself completely, without my herbs and without my consent."

Caleb took a step closer to examine the wound. As far as he knew, an apprentice had never been able to completely heal a minor wound alone. It usually took months for them to gain the ability. He had not expected Nic to even see his aura in the first few months, but he had in less than a week. Caleb had brushed it off as mere chance and doubted Nic would go any further. But now a small scar was the only sign of a first attempt and soon he would be able to heal without leaving a single mark.

"I didn't think he would be able to do it by himself. I...am shocked," Caleb stammered, peering at the thin white line running down Nic's back.

"As am I." Jalee's voice was softer now and back to its usual self.

Nic turned around, "Why? What's the matter?" A frown crossed his brow.

"I will leave you two alone," Jalee gathered her skirt. "Clearly my services are no longer needed and so I can continue my way to the capital."

"The capital?" Nic's eyes brightened and his body language immediately told Caleb what he was thinking.

Anya. She is going to be a problem.

Nic was going to have to realize that he was a pyra and she a guardian and the two did not walk side by side.

"Yes, the capital, for the choosing of the new Keeper. I wouldn't miss it for a visit from the gods' servants themselves."

"But..."

"I do not only associate myself with you pyree, young one. I would go mad if I did." She sent a poignant look Caleb's way. "Now if you would excuse me, I need to pack."

Nic's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the capital. He wondered if the healer would see Anya. She was also attending the choosing. All guardians—novies included—would surely be there. Jalee was sure to see her.

He reigned in his thoughts, reminding himself that Arazia was likely ten times the size as Trojan Vale. The chances Jalee would see Anya would be very slim. But still there was a chance—a small possibility—that she would see her and if he gave her a letter she could relay it. However, how would she know what Anya looked like? There were probably hundreds of girls with black hair and emerald eyes.

"Nic? I have a bit of explaining to do."

Nic turned to face Caleb.

Sit with me." He indicated to a fallen log nearby. "You must understand that when I taught you the hidden art of cura, I expected you to not have even seen your aura on the first day, nor did I expect you to be able to mend anything in the first month. Clearly I underestimated you."

"It's not that hard."

"For you, maybe, but for the rest of us it took many months, maybe years, to even begin to heal the way you just did, so you can imagine Jalee's shock. An apprentice who has not even started his actual training as a pyra was able to completely heal a wound is simply not heard of."

"So what are you trying to say?"

"I'm not sure yet. But what I do need to explain to you are the risks."

"The risks Jalee was talking about? The risks you were telling me about?"

"Yes. Now healing is a useful tool and an advantage, but every advantage comes with a disadvantage. As you must have felt, the healing process drains you of your energy and if you venture too far in your procedure, it could kill you."

Nic swallowed hard. He had pushed himself today and felt exhausted after healing his back. What would have happened if he had pushed himself too far? "You failed to mention that before"

"Yes, I did because I didn't think it necessary since you would be unable to heal or touch anything within an aura." Caleb gave him an apologetic wince. "When you are healing another body, that body also partakes some risks. One false move by you could mean life or death for them. It is only logical to think that if you can heal a body, you can break it too."

"So I can kill someone, intentionally or not?"

"That is the general idea, yes."

Nic's mouth went dry.

"I did not tell you this before because I never expected you to be able to do things you did."

"I understand." Although he didn't. Why had he been able to heal himself so soon? Questions flooded his brain and it was all he could do not to let them fumbled their way out.

Caleb nodded and a playful smile erupted on his face, "Can you move freely?"

"Yes." Nic smiled too.

"Do you think you are up for a lesson?"

"What kind of lesson?"

"One that includes a blunt sword and bruises and, in your case, copious amounts of humiliation."

"I thought you'd never ask." Nic's smile broadened and Caleb nodded.

"Come along then, we shall begin your first lesson."