Red Dragon's Keep

“Lady, why do you want to talk to me about it? I have no magic.”

Aeden tilted her head and quietly gazed at him. The silence grew uncomfortable.

Thomas shifted uneasily in the chair. “I'm sorry,” he hazarded, not knowing what he had done wrong.

“I can feel the magic in you, Thomas. You need to train it just like you will be training your body in the use of weapons.”

“I have magic?” Thomas asked in amazement. “I’ve never felt any magic. I don’t even know what it is.”

“Yes, you do. Everyone has some magic in them.”

She looked at Thomas then gave a shrug.

“The first thing to do is learn to center your-self and create a shield. Close your eyes and think about nothing. Feel the flow of energy in your gut.”

Thomas did as she asked. He closed his eyes and quieted his thoughts, something he wasn’t used to doing. At first, he felt nothing as random thoughts fired through his mind. As he waited, he thought that he could feel the energy centered right under his heart.

“Can you feel it?”

Thomas nodded. “I think so.”

“That’s the energy at the core of your being. When you are calm and centered, think about extending that energy through your body and down through your feet like roots, deep into the earth. It will anchor you and give you access to the power of earth. Try it now.”

Thomas pictured a ball of energy centered at his stomach. He waited and felt warmth start to grow. His eyes flew open and he looked at Aeden in astonishment. The warmth faded.

“That is your ki. Try again.”