Chapter 223 Snowclouds Potions (1/2)
”You're sending Snowcloud away?” Arran looked at Brightblade in astonishhtblade replied, her voice calathers herbs in the borderlands, you can finally learn sohed He had merely closed his eyes and a year had passed unnoticed Now, he was beginning to understand just how much had happened in that time
While he felt like he had only just arrived in the small valley, Snowcloud had already reclaimed her position as a novice, and would soon depart for the borderlands
And that was just the start of it He hadhis first month in the House of Swords, but he had disappeared before any of those had the chance to grow When he returned, he expected that he would have to start all over again
Still, his biggest concern was Snowcloud Even if she hadthe borderlands alone made him uncomfortable
”Can't you send h to face Masters now, aren't I?”
Brightblade shook her head ”Your strength isn't the issue You need training in et that, you're not leaving the Ninth Valley”
”But Snowcloud—” Arran began
”Snowcloud can take care of herself She's grown strong this past year Strong enough to face Masters with confidence But you…” Brightblade looked at Arran, then shook her head ”You need training,” she said again
It was soth, despite his swords he still lacked was real training in ood fortune could give hi, don't I?” He said the words reluctantly, but there was no way around it — his skill
”You do” A small smile formed on her lips ”And once you're recovered, I'll et it But for now, let's spar soood”
They spent the next hour sparring on the grass in the s down on thehtblade's skill
The exertion allowed him to clear his mind, and if it didn't exactly erase his worries, at least it offered a distraction fro of a year
Yet when Snowcloud finally eed from the mansion, a look of disapproval appeared on her face the
”He shouldn't be fighting,” she said sharply as she approached theed ”I thought some exercise would help him He's had plenty of rest already”
Snowcloud lare, then turned to Arran
”I'vethree s She handed one of them to Arran ”Drink this one first It will aid your bloodflow”
Arran glanced warily at the vial, but Snowcloud expressionhile gulp
At once, his face twisted in disgust The liquid tasted even worse than he had anticipated Bitter and pungent, it vaguely tasted of rotten onions, only far ave Snowcloud a horrified look ”What did you just have me drink?!”
”It's a mixture of herbs and so You'll feel the effects soon enough”
At first, the only effect Arran felt was a strong urge to voh his body, soothing his , hot bath
”I think it's working,” he said with a hint of surprise
”Of course it is,” Snowcloud replied She handed hithen your hed, then downed the second vial The liquid within was at least as disgusting as the previous one, though in an entirely neay It was thick and sour, with a trace of souessed he was better off not knowing about it
He cast a miserable look at Snowcloud ”And the last one?”
”Just take it,” she said, handing the final vial to hi his breath, Arran forced hi ulped down the liquid
To his surprise, this time the taste was pleasant — delicious even And as it filled his mouth, it washed away the foul taste the previous two potions had left
This was not soave Snowcloud a confused look ”This is…?”
”A herbal tonic,” she said ”It stimulates the appetite, and also rehtblade ly face ”Why didn't you ever make that for me?”
”You didn't need it,” Snowcloud responded ”But Ghostblade needs to recover his strength, and he can't eat if he's nauseous” She turned to Arran, then continued, ”It's best to eat right after you take the potions, so I suggest you have a ested it was an order instead of a suggestion, but Arran did not object Sparring with Brightblade had left hione over two hours without a , and as they sat in the valley's green grass, Snowcloud filled hi that had happened over the past year
She spoke eagerly about her training in the House of Swords, explaining how she had begun studying the Thousand Cuts style with Doran and Master Kallias Over the months, they had been joined by several other adepts and even another Master, forroup that relentlessly pursued mastery of the Thousand Cuts style
Arran smiled wryly when he heard this