Chapter 68: Rank 2 Skybound
Kiran sat cross-legged on the grass of the eastern training ground, surrounded by Zoren and his fresh group of followers.
The faces around him were different from last week's crowd - Zoren went through lackeys like most people went through clothes, discarding them the moment they showed any signs of weakness or independent thought.
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the training ground, painting everything in shades of crimson that made his skin crawl. He could feel his bloodline stirring restlessly beneath his skin, responding to both the red sunlight and his own growing anxiety.
"Comfortable, Tovel?" Zoren' asked. He stood a few paces away, perfectly positioned so that his shadow fell across Kiran's face. "I do hope you're not finding our little wait too tedious."
Kiran remained silent, focusing on his breathing as he had been for the past hour. It helped keep the bloodline quiet, though he could still feel it pushing against his control, wanting to emerge. The familiar sensation of bones shifting beneath his skin made him want to scratch until he bled, but he kept his hands still in his lap.
He hadn't expected to end up here when he'd decided to use the eastern training ground for some extra practice after classes.
In retrospect, he should have known better. The eastern grounds were closer to the dormitories used by the common-born initiates – exactly where someone hunting for Tomas might set up watch.
Zoren had grown tired of searching for his prey and decided to make the prey come to him instead. When Kiran had walked in, alone and distracted by his own thoughts, the choice had practically made itself.
After all, everyone had now heard how Kiran and the ‘Natural’ were training buddies.