Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“Yes,” Kerrigan said at once.
“Ah, yes. Well, crux is the technical term, and we’ll use it here. Crux is your life force that you can manipulate into constructs. A construct is a forming of your crux, and they can become bonds based on the force of your intention. Some incredibly powerful crux users can create couplings, which is a construct without a physical form, held by the sheer power they possess. Few people can create couplings, so we won’t work with those. Does that feel satisfactory?”
“Yes,” she repeated. “I … I managed to make a crux bond with my dragon.”
“Oh good. You leashed the beast?”
Kerrigan winced slightly at the assessment. Cleora and the world she lived in acted as if dragons were mindless monsters to be used like horses. The very idea infuriated Kerrigan. She had adjusted her crux bond with her intention to make it a two-way bond rather than a leash, as Cleora had described.
“Well, my dragon is not just a beast,” she said softly.
She waved her hand. “I am not here to argue dragons with you. My brother works with dragons, and they have killed many of his fellows. Your dragons might be different, but I would still be wary.”
Kerrigan bit her lip. “My dragon, Tieran, actually requested to cross to the spirit plane and meet you.”
Color drained from Cleora’s face. “A beast in the spirit?”
“Well, in our world, dragons are known for their spirit abilities. They help Fae cross to the spirit plane. Surely, you’ve encountered them.”
“No. I have only met you, and the dragon wants to meet me?”
“Yes. His name is Tieran. Would you be okay with that?”
Cleora looked half-ready to pass out. “And you believe it safe?”
Kerrigan laughed. “Of course. I ride Tieran every day. We’re partners.”
“Well, it’s not done, but if you can guarantee safety, I would be interested in meeting a dragon, if they are as you describe them. My brother will never believe me.”
Kerrigan breathed a sigh of relief. Working with Tieran was always better than working alone. “Thank you. He will be pleased.”
“It is odd to consider that a dragon has feelings,” she said with a shrug. “But that is not our purpose today. We have much to cover since we are only meeting one night a month.”
“We could meet more often.” Kerrigan’s voice hitched with hope. How much more could she learn if they met even weekly? But the look on Cleora’s face dashed that hope.
She frowned. “No, this is as much time as I can spare. Training you on the plane is draining for me.”
Kerrigan nodded, trying not to let her frustration show. “Okay.”
“Let’s begin then. In my advanced theoretical casting classes, we follow the five tenets of casting,” Cleora explained, back in her element. “Unfortunately, few students have more than a wisp of spiritual magic between them, and so much of what I will teach you is purely theoretical. Surely, the emperor and his offspring could work advanced castings, but they are trained with private tutors, not at the university.”
“But you can do them?”
“Lords, I wish that I could,” she said with a sharp smile. “I can do some of the castings. We’ll go through one at each of our sessions and see how far we can get through the workings. Does that sound satisfactory?”
Kerrigan nodded. “What’s after the tenets? Will there be more material?”
Cleora held a hand up. “The doctoral program is a minimum of five years of study. I have enough to teach you for the rest of your long life.”
“Oh,” she said, her mouth popping open. “What is a doctoral program?”
“Your little world is quite backward, isn’t it? It’s a degree of study at our university, a school for learning more advanced workings.” Cleora nodded approvingly as Kerrigan took it all in. “Now, the five basic tenets of theoretical castings are the spirit plane, dreamwalking, visions, illusions, and energy.”
Kerrigan’s eyes widened at the list. Well, she could already tick off the spirit plane, visions, and energy as part of her abilities.
“I say these are the basic tenets, but that does not mean that they are easy. In fact, each one is more difficult as you work your way through the tenets. The spirit plane, where we are currently, is the easiest, but spirit plane manipulation is more difficult, especially if you are fighting for control of the plane.”
“Like conjuring the table and chairs.”
“Yes. Or when I pulled you down here from the clouds at our first meeting. Try to do something simple—change your clothing.”
Kerrigan focused on the simple black pants and shirt she was wearing. She brought to memory the black-and-silver dress she had worn to the Geivhrea celebration this winter. It was spectacular with a plunging neckline, covered by a glittery mesh that also worked its way down her arms and tied at her wrists. The skirts shimmered to almost liquid silver. She and Fordham had walked into Belcourt together as a matched set, clad in the colors of the House of Shadows, before it all fell apart.