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Chapter VIII
Saure's life truly began that early morning on the cusp of autumn.
They sojourned through the great Cleftrock Pass, the great stone formation that marked the border of the Western Noran kirnlands. It was a great half moon bluff that split down the center to make clear passage. The road became gaveled with the brown rock at this point, and it was bitterly cold. Saure bundled up in her fur-lined comforter she had kept nearby. Coincidentally, Fred had been resting on it when she pulled it to her, and he grumbled sleepily, shifting positions and returning to deep cat sleep. The blanket was warm and cozy-smelling.
Once past the Cleftrock, they found themselves in the piney forest of Halgurry. Saure's creek ran through this wood, and the creek was named for it. She wasn't much for the names of places, but assumed she would need to be soon.
They stopped here for the remainder of the night, finding a spot not far from the road. Saure lit a fire and unharnessed the horses. They shuffled wearily to the creek without comment.
Saure, too tired to wait up for the horses' return, snuggled up to Fred before the campfire and slept with her book clutched tightly to her chest.
All of the next day (after they all woke late in the morning, still in want of sleep), Saure read. She read aloud pieces she found interesting, kept to herself things she thought best not overheard by anyone out of sight but within earshot. One can never be too careful with such precious information.
She read about her elements, and using spells of other elements. She read, with rapt interest on the energies which make magic possible, and the care needed in their use.
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She practiced as many techniques as she could while sitting on the cart bench. She learned how to grow a seed from water only, and in a matter of mere minutes. She learned how to reverse molding and food spoilage, summon spores, and how to grow mold and fungus on almost anything. She learned how to give certain commands to beasts, more like suggestions rather than outright orders. A beast would be more inclined to obey than not, given their temperament. She learned how to charm- not just beasts, but some humans as well. Charm would come in handy, should she meet harriers on the road. For when charm would not work, she learned how to protect herself.
She had begun to learn the basics of fireweaving.
Saure was very careful with fire. She had always had a somewhat fearful respect for it, and now she was attempting to command this destructive force and bend it to her will. She could already summon it and douse it, as long as it was in small proportions. She learned, in those days on the road, how to form it, mold it, direct it, and limit its reach.
She learned spells without the limits of her own three elements. A spell to reverse minor rust and tarnishing, a spell to summon very small bolts of lightning, a spell to heal minor poisoning, a spell to unlock certain doors, a spell to change the color of small objects or fabric, a spell to clean, a spell to summon small amounts of drinkable water, a spell to make something cold, a spell to summon a breath of wind. She also learned extensively about crystals and their various uses. There were some techniques for finding these crystals that anyone with half a brain and the blossom of a gemsoil plant could accomplish. Making them come out of their parent stone, however, required intensive training or born elemental talent. Or, well, good old fashioned mining.
The book did warn, before revealing more advanced spells, about energies:
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