“Oh, don’t worry about that.” He calls to someone inside, and the man who unveiled the house joins us outside. “Would you help us out?” Artemus nods toward the tree line.
Just as he did before, the man ungloves his hand and places it on the ground. A second later, the trees around us vanish, revealing a mini training course that looks similar to the one at the Sector.
“Whoa.” My jaw is practically on the ground as I take in the field.
Three body targets are lined up, and I wonder now why we were even throwing at a board nailed to a tree. A rock wall and ropes course are a few yards away, and on the opposite side are fighting mats.
“Ya know, for a witch you seem a little too impressed by simple cloaking magic,” Artemus teases.
“Hey! Where I grew up, we didn’t get to experience much magic.” He shifts anxiously, as if he regrets making the joke. I don’t want him to feel guilty, so I quickly change the subject. “Well, what do you want to see first? My Elemental Sphere? Fire bending?”
“Too easy,” he says, walking over to me. “Any witch can do those things.”
“Okay… then what did you have in mind?”
“How about a sword made of flames?”
I can’t stop the burst of laughter. When he doesn’t join in, I pause. “Oh. You were being serious?”
“Yeah,” he shrugs. “Why not?”
“Umm, I don’t know. Maybe because I’ve never done it before.”
“No time like the present.” He walks over and grabs one of the longswords from the stand next to the body targets. Heholds it in the air, twisting it as if to show it off. “In case you need a reference.”
I suppose I have nothing better to do right now, so I go for it. At first, I start stretching a line of red-hot flames between my two palms, but it doesn’t feel right. I release the hold I have on it and let it fade. This would be a lot easier if I had Cora or Khione’s guidance. Artemus must pick up on my frustration because he sheathes the sword at his hip and walks over to me.
“You weren’t good at throwing a dagger your first time either.” He gives me a reassuring pat on the back and adds, “Give yourself time to figure it out.”
We spend the rest of the afternoon tossing daggers and practicing archery, though I can barely pull back the arrow. I’m not sure what’s to come, but the one thing I do know is that I need to get back to being healthy. I’ve lost too much muscle, and with the weight I’m at now, I won’t be able to defend myself if I’m attacked.
When we walk back into the house, Tilly has a table full of chicken, bread, corn, and potatoes waiting for us. I do my best to actually chew my food this time and not just inhale it. I wouldn’t want her to think I’m a complete barbarian.
“That was delicious! Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” She starts to pick up the empty plates, but I stop her.
“Let me get the dishes,” I insist. “It’s the least I can do to repay you for your hospitality.”
“That’s sweet of you, but how about I get it tonight? I believe you were promised some answers.” She nods behindme, and I turn to see Artemus unraveling a large scroll on one of the other tables.
“What’s this?” I ask, peering over his shoulder.
“It’s a map of the realms and surrounding territories.” He starts pinning different places on the map and then pulls out a wooden box with tiny figurines. He places them about as the other two men sit down around the table.
“Are you going to tell me what all this is about?” I motion to the large map that completely covers the rectangular table.
“Soon.”
“Well, can you at least tell me who your source on the inside is?”
The two men sitting across from me look at each other and grin.
“It’s me.”
The deep voice comes from behind me, and I spin around to find a tall man hidden underneath a black cloak. He slowly pulls the hood back, and when he does, I nearly fall to the floor.
“Hello, Miss Calloway.”
