Chapter 233 Shadow and Swords (1/2)
It was late er than usual, and it took hisnight's sleep
His dreaht, filled with shreds of the Shadow spell he had studied so assiduously the previous day In his drea the spell had come easily, and he had used it to blur not just spoons but entire castles and even mountains
Yet the excite the spell now caused him some disappointment when he awoke and realized none of it had been real
Still, even if the ave hiot out of bed, already eager to continue his studies
He found the house empty, and after a short search, he discovered that Oraia was sitting in the garden, drinking a cup of tea while looking through soant dress she had worn the previous day was gone, replaced with a si robe There was a slender sword at her side that hadn't been there before, and on the whole, she almost looked like an entirely different person
When she saw Arran, she gave hiured you needed the rest, so I didn't wake you this estured at a small table beside her, then said, ”There's tea and food You can continue your studies after you've had breakfast”
”Thanks,” Arran replied He sat down on a chair beside the table, then piled several h the food was sis, honey, and fruits — he was still hungry froerly
”Before you get back to studying,” Oraia said once he finished thematch? I'd like to see for myself just what kind of skill allows an initiate to defeat adepts”
Arran happily agreed, and they faced each other on an earden
They sparred for half an hour, and although Oraia didn't pose a serious challenge to Arran, he found himself impressed with her skill Her style was fast and deceptive, with nu-quick but accurate attacks
”You're good,” he finally said, voice filled with approval ”Even in the House of Swords, I don't think any of the novices could match you”
She wiped some sweat from her brow ”You're better,” she stated ic, if you'll allow it?”
”Of course,” Arran replied Although there wasn'ta less-skilled opponent, he wouldn't deny Oraia the opportunity to learn from him
Once more they faced off, swords drawn as each waited for the other to make a move
They stood motionless for some moments, but then, just as Arran was about to attack, Oraia suddenly blinked out of existence
Had Arran not long since learned to use his Shadowsight during fights — even sparring iven her an easy victory But now, Arran parried it as easily as he would any of her other attacks, winning the exchange with a second stroke of his sword
Oraia becaaze during fights?”
”I'd have died long ago if I didn't,” Arran replied flatly
”Then I'll have to try so else” Oraia immediately attacked once more, but this time, only her sword disappeared, while the rest of her body becaain, but several dozenall sorts of combinations of spells to obscure and conceal both her weapon and her movements