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3
SILAS
I marched backto the center of the ring and got into position. With my arms raised, I began the chant for the hundredth time, struggling to keep my eyes closed.
My awareness of Anya watching me was enough to unsettle my nerves, throwing off my whole energy. However, I still clung to the hope that I would, one day, show Kiango what I was capable of on my own and he would shower me with praise, so I retrained my focus on Re'Utu and continued.
I had hardly begun the prayer, when I heard her laugh. I turned on her angrily. She clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes widening innocently, but I could still see the smile in her eyes as she stifled the last giggle.
"I thought you were going to help."
She took a moment to compose herself and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. Here, like this."
Before I could protest, she was behind me, her hands gliding over my shoulder blades and up along my biceps as she raised my arms into position. I felt the tickle of her long, auburn hair as it fell across my back, and I caught the strong scent of soap upon her skin from a long day of working in the palace.
"Don't let your arms drop," she whispered so close to my ear I could feel her hot breath against my neck. "Keep your head high. The energy from the storm is strong, and it has to align with your body if you want it to pass through harmlessly."
I tilted my head back a little, raising my chin until I could see her hovering above me, and I realized with a start that I was staring straight up into her eyes, over the ample curve of her breasts. I had to admit, this lesson was quite a bit more interesting to me than Kiango's version.
"And then?" I asked, barely able to form the words as my mind hung on her closeness.
"Don't rush," she admonished, stepping away from me only the slightest bit. "You must be steady to weather the storms. When your arms grow tired, they will begin to drop, and Re'Utu's energy will overpower you.
"If you call too much energy too quickly, you'll lose control. Speak slowly, draw the power in like a steady stream, a little at a time. You will be more useful if you can contain a small amount of energy than if you take on too great a force and lose control of it prematurely."
I grunted my understanding, making a mental note of it. It made sense, and I could only wonder why Kiango had not coached me on this previously. Probably because he enjoyed watching me struggle. I fought the strain in my neck as I closed my eyes once more. I could still feel the light touch of her fingertips beneath my elbows, holding me straight as I began again.
I took a deep breath and said the words, imagining them flowing from me like water pouring out of a vessel. Soon, I felt the wayward energies of Re'Utu gathering just at the edge of my consciousness, and I beckoned them toward me.
Slow and steady. I did not grasp at them. I did not pull them into me. I let them come on their own and guided them through me, channeling them as I finished the prayer, careful not to let my tongue jumble the final words. As I fell silent, I could still feel the steady pull of Re'Utu and the universe, undoubtedly connected to me, but not trying to violently escape my grasp as before. No, I had it this time. I had it all in my control. Elated, I let it go. Instead of falling to the ground, I held my head high, the energy gently sliding away and returning to the stars.
It worked.
When I opened my eyes, I couldn't hide the broad smile that came over my face. Nor could she, and for the first time, it occurred to me that she was beautiful. Were it not for the old robe, she would have been spectacular. At some point, she had moved away and come to stand in front of me.
"Well?" She asked expectantly.
"Thank you," I said with humble sincerity. "You were right."
She laughed, a pretty sound that mingled with the birds chirping in the trees. "I'll try not to remind you of it too often."
"Can I ask you something?" I ventured.
"Hm?"
"How often do the storms come? Are they really getting closer?"
She pressed her lips into a thin line and seemed to consider her words for a moment before speaking.
"It's hard to say. They come more often than they used to. If the rumors are true, they're headed straight for Ke'Thal."
"What happens if they get here?"
At this, she shrugged, looking up at the blue sky thoughtfully. "I don't think anyone knows, but I hope it doesn't come to that. Re'Utu's wrath is fearsome, but he has never turned on Ke'Thal before. As long as the Guardians stay true to His word, we need not fear."
"Do you think Re'Utu is angry with Kiango for taking His Wife?"
She dropped her gaze to me, a puzzled look knitting her brows together for a moment. "No, I don't think so. But He has other reasons to be angry with Ke'Thal, and I think it best that we not further enrage Him."
She turned and trotted away from the training ring toward the outer fields. As I watched her go, I felt a mix of worry and hopefulness within me. With her help, I had managed Re'Utu's power, but if her words were true, it still might not be enough. After all, Re'Utu's followers had once been plentiful and widespread, but now, Ke'Thal was one of His last refuges, and it, too, could fall.
Picking up my towel from the ground, I tossed it over my shoulder and headed down to the baths. Kiango would be angry with me for taking so long, but I had no regrets.
Sinking down into the steaming waters of the pools, I conjured the image of her smiling face again, remembering the gentle blush of her cheeks and the way her lips pouted when she was scolding me. As I laid my head back and relaxed, I imagined her without the dusty robe. I imagined her bare breasts and the slight curve of her hips, the little bump of her belly and her long legs. I felt my cock growing hard beneath the waters, and a tiny bit of shame nipped at me, but I brushed it away. I had been in the palace for weeks with barely a reprieve from Kiango's watchful gaze. Blasphemous or not, it felt good to indulge in the thought of having Anya, even if I knew it could never be.
