Page 48 of The Warrior's Oath
“It varies by race. Different abilities are boosted, new ones given.”
“I know that part, you’ve already told me. But some things don’t make sense. Like, I get how my legs can feel stronger. As if this pigment could somehow direct more nutrition to my muscles so they work better.”
“That is not how the pigments function.”
“I get that, but in terms of understanding, thinking of it that way makes sense for me. At least, for muscular things. Even for sight and sound it kinda works. But I saw you make fire with your bare hands. Not rubbing sticks together, but literally making fire from nothing.”
Korvin actually slowed a moment, sizing her up with an appraising gaze.
“It is the pigment now bonded to your body. As you become familiar with the way it reacts to your wishes, you will gain the ability to draw from the energy it stores and shares with you.”
“Like how it powers my legs.”
“Not exactly. That is diverting energy to a large area. A muscle group. To make fire it is the opposite, focusing energy to a point, that concentrated spark igniting into flame.”
“So you think fire and it makes fire. Got it.”
“It is not so simple. I admire your enthusiasm, and you do possess the runes for it now. Not to mention, healing as quickly as you are, you will soon have the strength. But it will take time to learn to focus and control the power that is now part of your body. Do not become frustrated. It is this way for the newly marked. Some master their skills faster than others, but all require time. This is the natural way.”
“Huh. Okay, I think I understand. Kind of like that Qi Gong class I took a few years ago.”
“Qi what?”
“It’s an Earth thing. Same idea about focusing your body’s energy, but totally different, I guess. We don’t have alien microorganisms living in our bodies, after all.”
“We all have foreign life forms in our bodies, from our stomachs to our skin. The pigments are just an intentionally placed variety. But we dally and there is much distance to cover yet. Are you capable of increasing your pace now that the terrain has leveled out?”
“Yeah, sure,” she replied, not thrilled about speeding up, but also actually feeling pretty good.
“Very well. Stay close.”
They pressed on, faster, yes, but not truly pushing the pace. It seemed that despite his declaration, Korvin was still taking her needs into account.
Nyota appreciated it more than he could know, not just for the break it gave her body, but also because it afforded her the opportunity to try something. Something Korvin said she shouldn’t even bother attempting for now.
Nyota did not like being told what she couldn’t do.
She brought her hands close in front of her body, low and relaxed but not quite touching. She breathed deep, recalling the lessons she’d learned way back when.
Just focus on your gut, she reminded herself.Picture inhaling a stream of energy, gathering it in your belly, then push it to your hands on the exhale.
She took steady breaths, imagining a ball of warm power building with every inhalation. After several minutes, she actually started to feel something. Was it energy gathering, hunger pangs, or just her body reacting as she watched Korvin’s well-muscled frame as he walked in front of her?
Whatever the case was, she felt ready to try something.
Focus on your hands. Exhale and envision the energy you gathered flowing from your core down your arms and out your hands.
When she’d done the exercise in her Qi Gong class, she would often feel a warm sensation in her palms as more blood flowed to them from the effort. This, however, was something new.
A slight prickle made her palms begin to itch. Not a tingle, like she expected, but an uncomfortable feeling of tiny needles poking her hands.
Well, that’s interesting, she mused, trying again, this time imagining it focusing just from the center of her palms.
The sensation shifted, narrowing a bit, but it was still covering most of her hand.
Practice makes perfect, she reminded herself.
“Are you okay?” Korvin asked.
