Lux
Act cool. You cracked for a moment, but we can get back on track. Got about 30 minutes before she's scheduled to go to Aspen. I am the Scion of the Ajei Enclave. I do not break. Even when Little Wolf makes me emotional.
"Let this last exercise remind you that your body already knows what it needs to do. Don't overthink and let your body guide you." Getting back into the flow of the lesson, I pull out a small cloth from my dimensional storage, then toss it to her. "Final test. Scent tracking. You are going to get a good whiff of that cloth, then toss it back to me. Your test will be to track the correct trail to me and ignore the false trails."
Nyx took a good inhale of the cloth—tonka bean and vanilla unfurled from the cloth, warm and heady, like firelight on velvet. Her reaction was immediate—eyes wide, breath caught.
She appears to recognize the scent.She must have scented Wraith the night she went into the woods, and he saved her. Her reaction to his scent is curious. Could they be … I let the thought linger before deciding to let things play out as they will. They are classmates even though she appears to have never noticed him before.
With him officially on secret guard duty now, he will likely attempt to get closer to her to make the duty easier. Hmmm, curious if she reacted this way then he will potentially have or has had a similar reaction. My lips pull into a sharp, amused grin. He would certainly be an upgrade to the Dillard boy. We trained him after all. I might even start a betting pool if they start hanging out.
Her deep inhales were getting a bit embarrassing to watch, so I snatched the cloth back and tucked it into my storage. Her laser focus on where my storage opened made me wonder if that is how I looked at others when my wolf looked at them. "We will commence the test now. Focus. Don't let the scent distract you. Find the correct trail." I instructed her quietly, then I vanished into the trees, the crunch of earth and brush swallowed by the steady thrum of the ward.
Moments later, once I'm in position, I whispered the invocation to activate the illusionary scent talisman. "Sov'reth Vel'an Sor'kaiin Veth'kai (Veil the scent… bind it to linger)." The air split, carrying five rivers of scent toward her. They tangled, overlapped, drifted apart—Wraith's essence multiplied and scattered on the morning wind. I observed her from my perch among the trees. She was inhaling and exhaling slowly. She took note of each trail, then chose one to follow.
"Maybe, you will be the best of us still, Little Wolf." I murmured to myself, pleased with the results she has shown me already.
Nyxara
I inhaled.
As the five scent trails reached me, I analyzed each one, trying to find the one that called to me like that cloth did. Where did Lux get that scent from? Does this mean he knows whose jacket that was? I kept it hidden under the pillows on my bed. The scent is almost completely gone from it now. Maybe I can give it to Lux to return to its owner on the condition I get another scented article in return? I shake my head to dislodge that line of thought.
Worry about finding the owner of that delicious scent later, Nyx. Time to ace this test from Lux. I take another inhale, finishing my analysis of each trail. One was too smooth, like perfume masking rot. Another flickered in and out, a mirage on the wind. One stung like smoke, sharp in my lungs. Another clung too long, syrupy and suffocating. But one pulled at me like a treat I didn't know I craved.
I followed the scent with eyes open. I walked straight into the woods without hesitation. As I passed the third line of trees, the smooth scent tried to pull me off course but I didn't let it. I'm led on a twisting path through a patch of morning bloom.
When I come to a stop at a large tree, I look around. The trail ended here, and there is no Lux in sight. I walk around the tree, getting a good look at it. Why does this tree look familiar? The bark was dark, ridged with veins of silver moss. It loomed with the same gravity as something I'd seen recently. The familiarity pressed on me, heavy and unnerving. Just as I'm about to finish my loop around this giant of a tree, a hand grabs my wrist.
My instincts reacted and a barrier cocooned me like a blanket, pushing the person away. My pulse thundered in my ears, shocked at my own reflex. Turning to face him, Lux stood before me, grinning. "Not only did you find me on your first try, but you also have the beginnings of an anchored protective barrier in your core."
"Well done, Little Wolf. Well done indeed. I think we can end here for today. Let's head back to the field for your cool-down and my end-of-session feedback." With a sigh of relief, I take Lux's offered arm, walking back with him towards the sunlit field. I glanced one more time behind me at the dark tree, making a note to find out why it feels familiar. So many things I want to know, and little time for side quests. I sigh internally trying and sort of failing to not be frustrated about all the things I don't know.
Once we are clear of the trees and are back by the benches, I don't even sit on the bench. I flop into the grass, its cool blades damp against my overheated skin. The quiet breeze blew like a lullaby, and for the first time all morning, my body relaxed. One step at a time, Nyx. Use the frustration to push yourself. One step at a time. It's okay to accept there are things you don't know.
With time, I will know what I need to know. I don't have to figure it all out on my own. I have my family, my Tharym, beside me. Inhaling and exhaling in cycles, I release my feelings, clearing my heart and mind. Turning to my observing brother, "I survived my first session with you. Yay. Gimme the rejuju." I mumble, possibly incoherently. Now that I'm mush, it's the best I can do.
Lux lowered himself down beside me, tilting his face toward the sun. "Ilya'reen Vel Lur'veth Enlai (Soothe the soul… under the stars' grace)." You accomplished a lot today. More than I expected from you. This will give us more time to prepare you to be truly on par with your peers."
I lean back on my elbows. "I did that well today?"
Lux looking like my kind older brother again. He smiled as he gave me his evaluation. "You completed your laps within the time frame given. You created barriers both internal and external. We worked on environmental and sensory awareness, you did well for having to start over in both areas. You did exceptionally well on scent tracking. You truly exceeded my expectations."
Then to show he wasn't going to be completely nice to me right now, he pinched my cheek. "I do see that you aren't wearing the artifacts from Korran and Azrail. Those would have helped you with your barrier creation. So your homework is to invoke them and study them to help you strengthen your essence ones. They are to be a guide not crutches. Remember this."
I smacked his hand away rubbing my sore cheek. "Will do." We sat in silence for a while, listening to the hum of the ward around the field and the soft breeze that smelled like lemon grass and sweat.
Eventually, he asked, "Same time tomorrow?" I stood up with a smile and did a few stretches enjoying the feeling of my rejuvenated body. "What time should I arrive to do katas? Also where do I go to find Aspen?"