***
That night they camped in an underground lair beneath a stone outcropping. The shelter was furnished with barrels of water, food, and blankets--kept well stocked by travelers. Those with goods to spare left some, and those who had need of goods made use of them. It was a system of honor that worked well, since even the lowliest thief would not steal from a stone shelter along the Tower Road. These lairs were too important. Everyone had to work together to survive the worms.
The wagon driver, whose name was Rudus, groaned in horror when he learned that nine Galds were to sleep in the shelter with him. "They'll kill us in our sleep," he kept repeating, in spite of Dameon's reassurances. Finally, knowing he had no choice but to tolerate the savages, Rudus slumped down against the cave wall, his face looking stricken. Meanwhile, sensing his terror, the Galds shot him devilish looks that promised pain and death, their bulbous eyes shining hypnotically.
Kelden was feeling a bit better, and he tried to do as Dameon suggested, meditating on drawing forth his supposed hidden energy. But his mind was full of fears and other distractions, and at first he only succeeded at calling up his blood lore magic. The flow of energy soothed him and made him more focused. He noticed immediately that his sorcery felt stronger than it ever had before, easier to control, as if he were channeling it through Theodus. But Theodus sat on the other side of the room, his yellow eyes fixed on the stone steps that led above ground, watching for anything that might threaten his master.
In amazement, Kelden moved the energy around inside him, guided by the flow of his blood. He picked up a stone and squeezed it, channeling the sorcery into it. The stone crumbled into bits. He gazed at his hand in shock, while Rudus watched with wide eyes. His touch had become deadly. He wondered what would happen if he channeled that power through his link.
"How did you do that?" Rudus asked.
"Mind your own business," Dameon said harshly. "Turn your gaze elsewhere."
Glowering, Rudus did as he was ordered.
"I crushed a stone!" Kelden said. "Did you see that?"
"But how?" said Theodus, sitting up straighter. "You were not linked to me."
"Do not speak of it," said Dameon. "That knowledge is yours alone, Kelden, and others need not know about it."
"My master is not the secretive type," said Theodus. "Do not try to isolate him, Dameon. I see no harm in him telling us of his progress."
"There is harm," said Dameon. "Telling secrets diminishes one's power and reveals weaknesses. Kelden cannot afford to be an open book. If one of us were captured, and tortured, his abilities would be known to his enemies." He shot Rudus a glance. "But now we must speak of these things no more, when in the company of those who lack honor."
Rudus grimaced but said nothing.
Kelden lay awake for hours after that, meditating and manipulating his power. When he fell asleep, he dreamt that he could punch through stone and bend steel. His fears vanished, replaced by exhilaration and a sense of freedom. His training ran on in his dreams.