The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2 novel Chapter 43

Part 8

“We’d already planned our training and learning for the next year.” Reggie said with a slightly-furrowed brow. “But we’ll take your advice, Quewanak, and change our plans. When you talked about it, I could almost feel from Grandfather Yazadril how much knowledge there is about the rules of reality that we don’t know yet. And we need to know how to fight in the void, I mean me and Helemia personally, otherwise we’ll never be able to destroy the demon homeworld. Maybe we can figure out some ways to do it.”

“An admirable goal in all respects.” Mark chuckled. “And now it’s time all three of you were in bed. Say goodnight to everyone, and we’ll get you into your pajamas.”

It took a while for the twins to say goodnight and goodbye to everyone, since they felt they had to include a hug for everyone there, and by the time they were done they were yawning uncontrollably. Minutes later they were asleep.

Midmorning the next day found their family gathered in the back yard for the twins’ first combat lessons.

“I want that too.” Valentia pouted and pointed at the shiny armor the twins were donning.

“Maybe you’ll get some on your first birthday, like we did.” Helemia told her with a smile as she tightened a buckle.

“Or maybe you’ll get something even better.” Reggie added.

“That’s looking good.” Mark nodded as he checked the adjustment of their gear. “Reggie, you’ll want the dart pouch back a bit, it’ll keep you balanced, like that.”

“Thanks Father.”

“I imagine the first thing you’ll want to work on is the spells in your equipment.” Talia began.

“Actually, no.” Reggie grinned. “We got a good feel for the spells and their uses and parameters when we were trying it out last night. It’s a lot of information, but after we slept on it and thought about it this morning, it all got pretty easy to understand.”

“What we want to work on,” Helemia paused for a moment with a mischievous grin, “Is The Skills of Visinniria.”

“Excuse me?” Alilia inquired, as Mark and Talia seemed taken aback.

“When you all met the gods for the first time at Hilia,” Reggie explained, “The goddess Visinniria made some improvements to Ria, the spirit in Mother’s sword. These included Visinniria’s physical martial arts skills, both unarmed and with every weapon she used. While they were training in Quewanak’s dream, they wondered why the goddess had given those skills to Ria, who couldn’t use them anyway. They checked and realized that Visinniria had only given those skills to Ria to stay within the rules of The Withdrawal of The Gods, which was still in effect at the time, and didn’t let any gods help any people directly. She could give the skills to Ria because Ria isn’t really a person, but really, they were a gift for Mother and Father, complete with a divine spell that transfers physical skills so they can be used right away, unlike when you learn someone’s moves psionicly and still have to practice them to be any good at ‘em.”

“The skills transference spell was the real prize.” Helemia continued. “They used it to teach Kragorram’s fighting skills to Povon, and to teach Silaran’s skills to Equemev. Mother and father used it to learn each other’s skills, as well as Visinniria’s. And Visinniria fought The War of The Segregation her whole life until she became a goddess, for over six thousand years, so she was really good.

“Mother and Father, we ask that you use the skills transference spell to give us all the fighting skills you have now. And that you give us the spell.”

“All right, get ready.” Mark warned them as he prepared the spell. “Here you go.” he said as he cast it on both of them. “And here’s The Skills of Visinniria.” he concluded as he set the spell in their minds.

“Wow Father, it really works so good when you give us a spell!” Helemia marveled. “It’s way easier than when we get something from someone else ourselves!”

“Thanks.” Mark chuckled. “Did it work all right? You didn’t find it too much to take all at once?”

“I think it’ll take a day or two for some of the fine details to fully sink in, but it’s not uncomfortable or anything.” she responded, then grinned. “Now quick, do Aunt Alilia and get your armor on so we can start fighting! I can’t wait! This is gonna be so fun!”

“Okay!” Mark laughed as he cast on Alilia, and Talia fetched their armor by Translocation.

Soon the back yard rang with the sounds of joyous combat, while Ria floated above it all offering pointers on tactics and strategy. What the twins lacked in strength, endurance, and outright speed, they made up for in quickness and enthusiasm.

Valentia was so distraught at being left out that Mark and Alilia spent a few minutes casting a close fitting Shield around her with enough power to make her almost indestructible, and gave it the Illusory appearance of armor that matched Reggie and Helemia’s. This allowed her to run through the sparring combatants being a complete pest, swinging a wooden sword at everyone indiscriminately, which she enjoyed immensely. Mark said it was good training for the rest in dealing with distractions on the battlefield.

They kept it up all day, with a pause for lunch. As always, Valentia was allowed to use her magic for three hours each evening beginning at the fifth hour after noon. She had the elven time sense, and began chanting; “Magic time! Magic time!” over and over in anticipation a couple of minutes before it began.