Red Dragon's Keep

Half a candlemark later Thomas climbed the stairs to the top of the main tower and the Solar. The bright light from windows around the entire room allowed the women of the Keep to work on sewing and embroidery, spinning and weaving. Material, trim, buttons and thread were stacked on the shelves that rose between the windows. A loom sat ready for use and a quilting frame held a quilt that waited for the needles of his mother’s ladies. With his mother gone, her ladies had taken the day to do personal errands.

Lady Aeden stood looking out of the tower window that faced east. Her face wore a troubled frown. She turned as she heard Thomas enter the room.

“What is it, my Lady?”

“I'm not sure. I felt something when I looked out the window, but what it is I don't know.” She shrugged her shoulders. “We'll know if something is amiss soon enough.”

She moved to one of the upholstered chairs next to the fireplace centered between the windows on the north side. “Come. Sit. I want to talk to you about magic.”

Thomas jerked back in surprise and concern. He frowned and his head tilted in query. Magery was practiced openly by very few. Those who had no magic distrusted those who did. Suspicion that a person could read thoughts or control another with magic often created fear. Fear could lead to murder of the magic wielder, so most kept quiet if they did have the power. He moved to sit in the chair across from her.

“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.”

He closed his eyes and pictured the energy in his mind's eye. As the warmth grew, he pictured roots extending from it into the earth far below. Power slowly grew until he fairly vibrated with it.

“Now, slowly release the energy and let it drain back into the earth. Feel the calmness of that release.”

Thomas did as she instructed, feeling the energy drain away. He opened his eyes and looked at her with a little fear. “What can I do with that energy? I felt like I was buzzing with it.”