Chapter 15 The First Lesson (1/2)

As the sun went down, Rassa's eyesight became clearer and clearer. Finally, when darkness descended, he did not struggle in the slightest. His eyesight was even clearer than it had been in the day before his change. He ate dinner with his parents, then, towards the end of the meal, his father stood and indicated for Rassa to come with him.

”You're going out?” asked Anna, confused.

Phillip nodded, ”I think it's time Rassa learn about...my past”.

Anna's eyes widened, but after a moment she nodded in acceptance.

”Not too late okay, he still needs his rest,” Anna insisted.

”It'll be a nightly thing from now on,” Phillip informed Anna. Anna only nodded. It was clear from this interaction that Anna knew enough about her husband's past to know that despite her wishes, there was no way Rassa could avoid his bloodline forever.

Anna simply grabbed Rassa's coat and ensured he put it on then waved them out with another reminder not to stay out too late.

As they exited the village, Phillip spoke in a low voice, ”Are you hungry?”

The truth was, Rassa wasn't. He felt that maybe he could do with a glass of blood, but he wasn't starving like he had been previously. If possible, he wanted to avoid that eventuality for as long as possible. He shook his head.

”No, I'm fine,” Rassa replied.

Phillip nodded, ”Come on, we'll be walking for a while. If I'm going to train you, I have to know what your abilities are now. It's a good thing if you know as well. If you know your own strength, you're less likely to make reckless decisions”.

”Then...what are we testing?” asked Rassa.

”Well, from last night's incident it's clear that your strength is far superior to anyone I've ever seen,” Phillip stated, ”And I think you also know you are quite fast now, yes?”

Rassa nodded, ”Last night, from the tree to the lake by the orchard...it took me less than ten seconds?”

Phillip looked surprised for a moment, then thoughtful, ”Perhaps your life lines are enhancing your physical attributes”.

”Is that possible?” asked Rassa.

”I've never heard of it before but I suppose it's possible. A new kind of magic. Your eyesight is effected too?” asked Phillip.

”Not just my eyesight, all of my senses,” Rassa stated, ”I could smell you the moment you came out of the forest, and hear every footstep as you approached”.

”What about touch, is everything more sensitive?” asked Phillip.

Rassa shook his head, ”It's...”

Rassa paused, frowning. Now that he thought about it, it was only really the strength or force of something he could not feel. The features of something that touched him, whether it be skin, clothing, fur, food, wood or something else, he could feel every fibre to a minute detail. He tried to explain this to his father who nodded.

”I see. It's indeed interesting”.

Phillip said nothing more as they continued walking north along the forest's border, past the orchard and into the uninhabited hills beyond. After a while, Rassa realised it was unlikely they were going to stop soon, and decided to ask a question.

”Can you tell me more?”

”About what?” asked Phillip.

”About how you met mum?”

Phillip looked down at his son, for a moment he said nothing, then he nodded, ”Very well, where did I finish last time?”

”You walked in on your eldest brother holding a business dinner,” Rassa replied. Phillip chuckled.

”Ah yes, he was not very happy about that...”

***