[OOC: Skygge: Sorry, we must have been writing our posts at the same time...I think chronologically I'm behind you, since you're at the end of fight, and i've just started. This post should bring us level. Sorry, it's not great...think i've got writers' block!]

IC:

Unaware of the saber's effect of attracting the beasts, Ithron was therefore unaware that he had made himself the first, and therefore the primary, target. At first, he swung the saber like a stick, beating them as if it was a sporting game, where one had to hit the ball as far as possible.

Suddenly, one of them ducked beneath his primitive guard and ran round to attack him from behind. Before it could, Ithron felt the heat of another saber only inches from his back, and the dying scream of a garral.

"You fucking OWE me," Jehain shouted, himself being attacked from all sides. Ithron smiled. Was this soldiers' camaraderie?

Beating off the beasts with skillful sabre strokes, he continued: "Ithron....thought of using the Force?! You're using your saber like a stick. Slice it. Ease it where you want it to go."

Taking Jehain's advice, Ithron started to reach out with the Force, and let his hand relax. Instantly, he found he could make his saber go to wherever the beast was going to be. A garral jumped at him from his right hand side, and spinning on his heel and slicing, he easily dismembered it.

Fighting back to back, the two apprentices finished the fight. In fairness, it wasn't skillful work. Once he had the hang on the saber, Ithron found he could control it reasonably well.

As the fight was over, Ithron deactivated his saber, and watched as the apprentice who had been watching him earlier walked over to the knight.

"Master, your weapon."

She brought her own? Just who the hell is she? Ithron thought, irked that someone should be getting the attention of the knight like that.

Following Ithron's gaze, Jehain snorted. "Should have seen her fight. She'd chop your legs off before you knew what had hit you."

"Hmm" Ithron just stood and watched.

Something to deal with later, he thought.

Necros stood in the meadow, watching the apprentices battle the beasts at hand. Some of them had shown signs of impatience as he had expected, while others had shown prudence and caution. Right off the bat, he spotted Mira as being an excellent candidate so far. After the battle was over, she had walked over to him and knelt before him, offering....no, giving the weapon that he had provided back to her. He smiled and felt smitten torwards her for a moment, letting his gaze travel over her body, before banishing such thoughts from his mind. Now was not the time to be distracted.

"Very good, Mira. You have done well. But you will get to keep your weapon, for now." stated Necros, before continuing in a now cold voice, "However, those of you who showed impatience may not continue on with a lightsaber in hand. To use a lightsaber requires patience more than anything in the world. To regain use of your lightsaber, you must complete your next mission without one." said Necros as he used the force to strip Ithron and a couple of others their blades.

Necros began to pace back and forth, thinking of how he was going to describe the next assignment, and what it would be about. Making up his decision, he gestured with the force to a bag sitting next to the clearing. Out of it emerged ten remotes, one for each student, plus two extras for the ones that are now absent.

"There are ten remotes here. Their lasers are set on full power, which will burn you if you are hit. All eight of you are targets. You must destroy the probes as efficently and quickly as possible. For those of you without lightsabers, think of this as a lesson of pain, or trust if you want your comrades to help." said Necros, who then smiled and then added, "If you students sustain more than twenty five burns, you will have to go on a special assignment for me."

"Begin".

For a brief moment after Necros had pronounced his condemnation of those without patience, Ithron considered protesting - a look at the Knight's eyes ensured that he changed his mind.

I don't need a sabre anyway, he thought. Briefly closing his eyes, he located a piece of wood - no longer than a metre - and caused it to fly gently toward him with the Force. Holding it firmly in his right hand he leapt towards the first remote, intent on smashing it. He knew they weren't built incredibly strongly, and a firm bash across the top should deactivate it.

As he mentally targeted the drone and moved his hand back to swing, a second drone, flying past him at high speed, unleashed its laser at him. The blast connected with his side.

Stumbling to the ground, Ithron felt his sides burning. The pain wasn't enough to seriously injure, but it could certainly burn the flesh. Anger flashed through his mind. Turning to engage the second remote, the first blasted the back of the left knee, causing him to collapse to the floor. Lying there, the second drone took the opportunity to strike his body once more. He could feel his skin burning up.

Looking around, he noticed Necros watching proceedings with a calm air, occasionally watching this apprentice or that for longer. Suddenly, he turned and looked at Ithron - his face smiling and yet devoid of any humour.

You will learn patience, young Apprentice, he seemed to be saying. The easy way, or the hard way.

Forcing himself to his knees, Ithron picked up the stick again and held in out in front. The two remotes were circling him now - the others had found more prey - and appeared to be waiting. As he finally got to his feet, one of the remotes fired a shot straight at his torso. Throwing himself to the side, Ithron dodged the blast and landed heavily on a burn mark. Shouting out in pain, he realised he was being beaten to a pulp by the two remote drones.

Rolling away from a second blast, Ithron again clasped his hand against the stick and stood. Rather than run at them, though, he waited and watched. He moved himself to keep them both in view as much as was possible. He used the force to watch them, and to see where they were. Around each drone was a small sphere of light. Before it moved one way, the sphere extended in that direction - presumably, with practice, one could tell where the remote would go in the future.

As the drones fired, he dodged, drawing them in closer. It was a careful game - if he moved back too far, they didn't follow, and if he didn't move back far enough, they stayed where they were and reminded him of their presence with a laser blast. Sweating now from the concentration of trying to outwit the drones, he felt himself getting frustrated.

Not now. There'll be a time for that...

Finally, the two of them were in range - with one either side of him. Standing up to his full height, he saw one drone charge its laser for a head shot. Allowing the force to control his reflexes, Ithron ducked at the moment the drone fired.

The laser blast sailed harmlessly over his head, and impacted against the second drone.

Grinning but with the brief encounter not yet over, Ithron allowed the anger and frustration to fill him once more. He hadn't realised the effort he was making in keeping it under control until that moment. He swung the stick and smashed it over the first drone. It fell to the ground with lights flickering. As it landed, Ithron kicked it and the lights died.

Breathing hard, and with the sweat dripping off his forehead, he allowed himself a smile. Turning to see the others, he noticed that the ones with lightsabers had made short work of the drones. Mira in particular seemed to have no trouble. Jehain, on the other hand, had also been one of those not allowed to use his sabre. Ithron could see he had been hit multiple times and was clearly in serious pain.

Turning away from his injured comrade, unable to meet his eye, Ithron knew he could have prevented that, if only he had worked with his friend, and not alone. He felt sick - he had destroyed two of the remotes, but the other seven apprentices had had to deal with the other eight. He hadn't given them a second thought.

Feeling the effects of the laser blast, Ithron stumbled towards the Knight. Kneeling before him, but not with quite the same reverence with which he had knelt before Master Vance, Ithron spoke.

"Master, it is done." He took no joy in that report, for he felt in himself that he had failed. "I must also humbly tell you that I neglected to count the number of hits I took."

Mira felt Necros's gaze travel over her body, and it was all she could do to keep from striking out at the Sith. While her jumpsuit was tight, she felt the lust in his mind, and it filled her with fury. She quickly supressed the feeling, though; he was her Master, and now was not the time to fight him.

"Very good, Mira. You have done well. But you will get to keep your weapon, for now," he said. "Thank you, Master," she replied as she rose and returned to the group. She watched without a word as several of the apprentices, including Ithron and his friend, had their weapons stripped from them. Hmph, she thought. Serves them right for impatience. Apparently the Jedi aren't the only ones who value patience.

Mira watched as the drones drifted into position. Even without using the Force she knew where each drone would attack and positioned herself accordingly. Three of the apprentices that had lost their sabers, including Jehain, were behind her; the more drones she could intercept, the better she would look. Then the drones moved forward.

Her saber was out in a flash, hilt by her ear and emerald light pointing at one of the drones. Wait...wait..., she thought. Now. Even as she thought it, she twisted one hand, swapping the emerald for the Hurrikan gem and doubling the length of her blade, stabbing the one drone through the center. A second drone fired as she did so, nearly striking her side, but a quick twist saved her. Returning her blade to its normal length, she batted down two quick blasts - and got shot in the back. Several of the drones were focused on her, driving her away from the group.

The pain was intense, but she gritted her teeth and fought on. Using her anger to fuel her movements, she batted the next bolt directly into the drone that had shot her, following with a slash that cut the machine in half. A series of blows took care of the third drone. She heard Jehain scream and began to move that direction. She cut down two more drones that were blasting two unarmed apprentices that had decided to defend themselves from the fetal position, then reached Jehain. He was doing his best, but his best wasn't good enough. He'd already been hit multiple times, and the drone was lining up for another shot.

The energy bolt never reached its target. Red light met green, and the blast was reflected back, narrowly missing the shooter. Mira stood in front of Jehain, allowing him the ability to recover. As she intercepted the blasts, she was hit twice more, once in the leg and once in the shoulder. Still she fought until Jehain, with the drone's attention focused on Mira, crept up behind the machine and crushed it with one blow. Well, Jehain certainly proved something today. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Looking around, Mira saw Ithron, as well as a few of the other apprentices, in severe pain from blaster burns. She was hurting herself, but only three bolts had penetrated her guard. She watched Ithron approach the Sith trainer and waited for the Sith's response. I think I might volunteer for that mission, she thought. I could use the training. Depending on what the mission is.

Vance had been unimpressed by Ithron's reply to his question. It had been one of the more simplistic exercises that the Sith Master gave to potential Apprentices; and while there was no right, or wrong, answer, it still remained that some form of an answer was required for Vance to judge the potential candidate.

None-the-less, Ithron had proved, if anything, that he was naturally cautious. While this sense of secrecy might have been a much required attribute of any Sith, it could also become one of the largest of flaws; for by becoming so patient, so cautious, one could become stagnant and lose all aspects of usefulness...

The Sith Master decided to speak after a long few moments had passed, following Ithron's answer, or lack thereof.

"I did not request to know your thoughts on the Force," Vance began, his voice showing his slowly increasing impatience. "The question I asked was not a precusor for you to begin explaining your thoughts on what the Force is, whether it be an omnipresent entity or not. Instead, however, I asked you for a simple answer to an almost straightforward question... selflessness or selfishness. One or the other, no seeming middle crest to balance upon."

Reaching out, Vance ran his gloved hand gently over the temple wall. He felt the darkness around him, the echoes coming from the very structure itself. For a moment he allowed himself to travel the passages offered by the Force, using the temple peak as the directional focal point of the mental journey; by far and large, the Sith Master caught feelings of the future, senses of the past, and inclinations of the present... much would be ahead of the Sith, both for the individual and brotherhood, and only those with the determination to survive would do so.

Some believed the instinct for continued existence was natural; however Vance believed that survival, for those that walked the path of the Dark Side, was compared in a different light - much like the use of the Force between the Jedi and Sith. Like mastering the knowledge, use and understanding of the unknown power that flowed throughout the galaxy, so was the struggle to attain the ever increasing echelons of survivalist nature... after all, the higher the stakes, the harder one would try to come out the victor… yet very few held the capacity to continue beyond the intensifying level of endurance called for.

It would eventually be seen as to whether Ithron held such inner strength. And if he was to succeed in his path, in his own personal journey, he would have to begin taking definitive stances on the many choices that were to lay before him.

"Your answer shall suffice... for now," Vance continued, returning to the temple, to where the two stood. "However, I expect that in the future you shall be able to answer truthfully without fear of the repercussions of my judgement. I cannot teach one who shows both fear and respect; yet do not become arrogant in the knowledge that I do not expect you to fear me from this point onward... for you will, if I deem it so."

There was movement from the Apprentice gathering. The general sense that emanated from the group told Vance of the untimely arrival of Necros. This meant that Ithron's private lesson was at an end, for the moment, which meant the Sith Master would once again return to simply paying attention to the Sith as a whole.

"Return to your brothers," Vance said simply, dismissing the Apprentice without so much as a look. "I will call you when I decide you worthy... until then, continue with your brethren."

Pulling his cloak tighter around himself, Vance watched as Ithron returned to the other Sith. The boy had the potential, but it remained to be seen if he would be able to grasp that potency and use it to its fullest degree…

…if he had the capacity to continue beyond.

The drones flew around until they were diced through, and Necros was suprised to see only a few burn marks shown on the apprentices. Ithron was the one that had the most, the Sith Knight was not suprised to see. The others had one or two, but the total did not come to twenty five, so the students would not be punished. Rather, the mission he had in mind would come later in the training, Necros thought with a grin. He decided to let out a little chuckle when the apprentices had finished with the remotes. He then stepped forward to face them.

"Very good, young apprentices. You have shown patience, mettle, and ability when using the lightsaber. But, do not let my words run to your heads. You still have much to learn. For now I will take back the lightsabers, and we will move onto the next exercise." said Necros, as he used the force to recall the sabers from the grasp of the apprentices and stash them back into the satchel.

"Now, that you have proven to me that you have the ability, we will move into force training." remarked the Sith knight. The run through the forest, the fight with the garrals, and the dueling with the remotes, all of it had been nothing more but a single test, one that Necros used to see if the candidates had the force potential and had some idea of how to use it, through danger sense, using it to guide their sabers, etc. Now it was time to teach them how to better harness that power.

"The force is a mysterious power, one that emanates from all living creatures. A very select few have the ability to control and use it, and there are two paths to follow. The first path is to use it to help others, or is known as the path of the light. The second, and easier path, is what's known as the dark side. But in actuality, it is the raw, basic nature of the force. All of you present have this in you, and you have some sense of it. The previous tests has seen to that. Now, you will learn to control these powers." said Necros.

"Look into yourselves, not with your eyes, but with your senses. Feel the energy flowing through you, the raw essence of the force. Once you feel it, try to guide it to your hands, from which you can manipulate it. Let me know once you have accomplished this, and we will move on."

Injured and sabreless, Ithron listened to the Knight speak.

Learning to visualise and direct the Force? he thought. At last. Something I can do.

Using the Force in such a way was one of the things Ithron had learned as a Jedi. Earlier in his training, he had been pleasantly surprised to find that the skill of visualising the Force hadn't left him. In fact, he had been meditating doing that earlier when it first struck him to approach Master Vance Jas.

Smiling, he knelt and closed his eyes. Allowing the Force to flow through his body he allowed himself to relax, and put the pain from his wounds out of his mind. The pain was still there - it was simply that it had no power to affect him any more.

Breathing deeper, he felt himself fall further into a meditative state. He could sense the Force flowing all around him. Just as earlier, he felt the presence of the Knight, the other Apprentices, and the woods. He couldn't sense the Sith Master though.

I suppose he's only seen when he wants to be. Ithron thought.

This was as far as he had got as a Jedi, allowing the Force to flow with him. Earlier, during the run, he had managed to move the Force to where he wanted - in that case it had been his legs - but it hadn't been easier, and it hadn't been controlled and disciplined. It had been random drawing of energy, rather than careful siphoning.

Finding to his surprise that he could, with an effort of Will, change the density of the Force around him, Ithron concentrated on making a small but dense concentration around his left hand. As he did, he could sense what could only be described as a sound. It seemed that as he gathered a small dense region of the Force in one place, a tone steadily grew in volume. It was uncertain and changed in pitch as the region grew or shrunk in size. Somehow, Ithron had always been aware of the 'sound', and yet had never listened. It was an odd sensation, like looking at your own arm for the first time.

Briefly distracted, Ithron saw the Sith Knight. The aura around him practically hummed. Ithron could see the Force density changing and flowing from place to place. None of it was forced or exerted; it flowed of its own will, like water finding its way to low ground. The rising and falling of pitch precisely matched the flow. The sound was dynamic, and worked on so many levels - it seemed to involve all the life around him, and yet it was simple and could be understood.

The Music of the Force......It's beautiful, thought Ithron. He momentarily wondered what the Force around Master Jas would have 'sounded' like. Practically an orchestra, he thought.

He was learning now why the Master had dismissed him. "I know of the Force" had he said? How naive! He knew now that he knew only a fraction of what there was to know. He had even had the opportunity to experience the Force around a Sith Master, and he hadn't even thought - he hadn't even realised.

Turning his mind to his task, he recollected the Force around his left hand. Again he heard the sound. It was but a shrill warbling compared to the Sith Knight's aura, and for a moment Ithron felt annoyed at his own inability to control the Force as effectively as an experienced Knight. He turned all his will on holding the Force density in place, and watched in dismay as it fell apart with a crash of sound. The harder he tried to hold it, the faster it flowed away, until very soon, it was gone.

Opening his eyes, Ithron dragged his body out of its meditative state in his frustration. Suddenly, he remembered the Sith Knight, stood there so calmly. He didn't try and control the Force - he let it hold itself where he wanted. This time when he meditated, he tried that. Quickly he focussed the Force on his left hand, and then, with all the skill of a small child removing the bucket from over a sandcastle, he removed his concentration. To his glee, the Force stayed mostly stayed where it was. It was slowly losing density and within minutes it was gone but at least it was a start.

Smiling inwardly and outwardly, Ithron managed to gather the Force around his two hands. Opening his eyes to speak his success aloud, he saw the meditating form of Jehain, and kept silent.

Real smart Ithron, he thought to himself. A few patterns drawn in the Force and you think you're the sodding Emperor? You weren't so clever a few minutes ago

Mira listened to Necros's words, focused intently on his voice. The teachings of the Sith weren't so different from those of the Jedi. And Necros didn't mind pointing out both views. "The force is a mysterious power, one that emanates from all living creatures. A very select few have the ability to control and use it, and there are two paths to follow. The first path is to use it to help others, or is known as the path of the light," he said.

Or simply the path of the Jedi, Mira thought to herself. The selfish Jedi. Can't even look past their own meditations to save a galaxy that is falling to pieces.

Necros continued. "The second, and easier path, is what's known as the dark side. But in actuality, it is the raw, basic nature of the force."

That was a new perspective. The Dark Side as truth. The Dark Side simply the raw power of the Force, without the Jedi Code to muddle it up. Another thing to consider later.

"Look into yourselves, not with your eyes, but with your senses." That wasn't too hard. She'd done that dozens of times as a Jedi. Basic meditative practices, taught even to the youngest apprentices. Simple things.

"Feel the energy flowing through you, the raw essence of the force." Mira snapped out of her meditative state. She'd almost defauted back to Jedi meditation. The meditation of the Sith was something else. Glancing around, she watched some of the apprentices simply begin to meditate. Always, always as a Jedi Mira had needed to relax, calm her mind, and feel peace before she could meditate. It was the Jedi way. Can meditation be achieved without calm? she asked herself.

Deciding to try, Mira sat, cross-legged, and attempted to meditate. As Necros talked, she sank deeper into herself, feeling the energy pulsing through her like the blood through her veins. It ran wild, free, like it had never run during her time as a Jedi. Wow, she thought. I can get used to this.

Necros was still talking. "Once you feel it, try to guide it to your hands, from which you can manipulate it. Let me know once you have accomplished this, and we will move on."

Guide it with my hands? she asked herself. OK, then, let's try it. Cupping her hands in front of her, she willed some of the energy to flow towards them. She felt the current move, ever so slightly, in the direction she wanted. Huh, she thought. This isn't so bad. Pouring more and more willpower into it, however, seemed to do nothing. Scrunching her brow, trying with everything in her, she couldn't get the current to move.

Alright, then, let's try something else. Instead of focusing on the movement of the current, Mira concentrated on forming a ball out of the little trickle of the current that had moved towards her hand. Her manipulations were weak, and she was beginning to grow frustrated. She opened her eyes and saw the small ball Ithron had created, the waves around Jehain, and the aura around Necros. She heard the harmony of sound created by the other apprentices. In her eagerness to join them, Mira focused a bit too much. Instead of creating a melodious sound like Necros's or Ithron's, her little ball began to sizzle and spark, like a circuit just before it blows. Then the little ball she had made, something no larger than a small stone, exploded in her hands with a bang.

And it wasn't a little explosion, either. Physicists had long ago determined that the power of energy is equal to the mass times the speed of light. An explosion of energy, even such a little bit, was not pretty. Mira felt herself flipping through the air even as her ears were ringing. Landing flat on her back, she felt the air leave her body. Gasping, she lay there, her vision blurry. After a moment she rose and realized that the blast had thrown her over fifteen feet. She snorted. "I guess I need a bit more work, eh?" The question wasn't really directed at anyone, but an apprentice answered, "Yeah, you do. Medical work."

That's when Mira glanced at her hands. The skin on her palms had been ripped away, and her arms were badly burned. She stared for a moment, stupidly, before the pain hit and she collapsed. She didn't scream, but her face contorted in pain. Oaths began to issue from her mouth that would never have been spoken at the Jedi Academy. Here, though, she didn't figure there'd be a problem. And so they flowed out in a similar nature to the current she had previously felt.

Vance watched, amused, as the newer Apprentice began to deviate from the lessons being taught. At first, it may have seemed like a potential moment to advance beyond the other Apprentices; but Mira soon discovered the true error of her ways, as she was caught in the backfire of her own power exploration. Stalking toward the girl laying on the ground, whimpering with curses not suitable for a child her age, the Sith Master shook his head. As he came to a stop, Vance let out a long, tension filled breath...

"It seems that you have witnessed, first hand, the mistake of attempting to harness power greater than you can control," Vance spoke, his voice low, though he made sure those around were paying attention through the subtle use of Force influence. "The pain you feel now, as a result of your meddling with more advanced uses of the Force, shall be nothing compared to the eventual death you will sustain by your own hands if you continue pushing your limits in such a manner...

"I am telling you, as a Sith Master and head of this Order, that you cannot control the elements you seem so eager to muster. And if you truly wish to experience the full power of the Force so desperately, I will be only too happy to provide."

Holding out his left arm, Vance narrowed his eyes as he directed the Force through his body. He called upon the reserve within himself, focusing the agitation and annoyance he felt, harnessing the rage he bottled up with nearly every passing moment. The Sith Master's palm began to sizzle, the leather glove he wore crackling with the first hints of electric flow; while at the same time, Vance grasped his lightsaber with his right hand, activating the blade.

With a scowl, Vance sent the collection of Force energy outward, a wave of Force Lightning arcing out toward the prone, wounded Apprentice. Vance ensured the power of the attack was adequate to require immediate medical attention in its aftermath, however it would not kill the girl, and he was of a control level that meant he was very, very adept in such a use...

The lightsaber, however, was held in readiness, for if Mira somehow managed to evade his Force Lightning, she would then find herself on the receiving end of a clean swipe with the azure blade.

"Feel the bittersweet irony of power you are so eager to become proficient with, yet cannot hope to control at this pitiful moment in your training," Vance sneered, his patience finally ending with the Apprentice who sought more than she could attain...

...This one would learn the hard way, it seemed.

Ithron watched in shock and awe at what was happening. He watched the girl scream and seem to shrivel up at the pure power of the Force as the Master unleashed his wrath. Compared to what he was seeing, Ithron could see the true insignificance of his own power. The other apprentices stopped to look, and even Darth Necros seemed to be taking an interest.

Finally, his work done, the Sith Master left the girl. There were smoking holes in her clothing where the energy of the Force had torn through it. Not a few apprentices had grim smiles on their faces. Mira's confidence, even arrogance, had annoyed several of them. They were probably enjoying watching her being cut down to size. And yet...

"See what I mean about a Sith Master taking an interest in you?" Jehain spoke quietly from behind Ithron, recalling their earlier conversation. "It seems our little Mira caught his interest as well."

"Jehain," Ithron began, turning to face his friend. "About earlier, with the droids..."

"Forget it. I'm fine. It looked worse than it was. I should have been faster."

"But still..."

"No, forget it." Jehain was firm, and with that the matter was settled. "What do you think they will do with Mira?"

Ithron thought for a moment. The girl was injured and could possibly die if she didn't receive some form of medical attention. Although he had never seen them, Ithron supposed that there existed medical facilities of one form or another back at the main temple building. Of course, how was she going to get to that help?

Conversations like theirs were springing up all over the clearing, and people were starting to move again. It seemed that most of the apprentices were ignoring Mira. Leaving her to burn.

"No idea...." he answered faintly, his gaze resting upon her. He was remembering Master Vance Jas's words, and wondered briefly if this had been planned.

A Force sensitive has been fighting a battle, it matters not what for, and during the course of this battle his comrade faces the prospect of dying at the hands of the enemy. Out of choice, the Force Sensitive reacts and attempts to save his companion's life, only to consciously alter the will of the Force to complete the act of heroism. Yet by doing so, by saving another beings' life, he has gone against the very will of the Force entity... so does this indicate an act of selfishness, or of selflessness?

He knew that all the other apprentices were leaving the girl alone out of fear of interfering in the Sith Master's plans...

However, I expect that in the future you shall be able to answer truthfully without fear of the repercussions of my judgement.

...without fear of the repercussions of my judgement...

Ithron knew what he was going to do. Ignoring everyone else and everything going on around him, he walked forwards, and knelt beside the Apprentice. He could tell from here that her breathing was shallow and her face had gone pale. Half expecting a cry from the Knights, he reached his hands under her, and picked her up. Her head was cradled in his shoulder and his hands were underneath her. She was lighter than he had expected. Briefly, he wondered how old she actually was.

Slowly and steadily walking towards the edge of the clearing, he became aware that he was being watched by the other apprentices. So be it, he thought. Mira may be whatever she is, but I know who I am. And I'm someone who won't let her die this way. Whoever she is.

He turned to his side to see that Jehain was walking at his side.

"What are you doing?" Ithron whispered.

"Same thing you are. She shouldn't die like that. And you're not carrying her all the way back to the temple yourself." Came the murmured response.

As an afterthought, Jehain added: "Of course, you do realise you're gonna get us killed, you heroic bastard."