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was left blinking in confusion. He found himself on his two knees, astride the bloodied body of Fabien. He held the grip of his wooden sword in a two-handed manner. The weapon was reversed and directed downwards, the blunt point of which was pressed against the softness at the base of Fabien’s throat. Meuric opened and closed his eyes again rapidly and looked about. He still was not sure of where he was or what was happening.
    Colton abruptly knelt before him, his bloodied face helpless and pleading at the same time. He looked to his best friend, barely recognising him. Unhurriedly, almost as if he were afraid to, Colton reached out and touched Meuric on the shoulder. The young warrior looked past him, his eyes blank.
    The party that had travelled with Fabien stood around in silent shock. Some of them had tears on their muddy cheeks. Below Meuric lay the still form of Fabien, blood spattered across his face. Nevertheless, he was alive. Meuric fell back then. Somehow, he managed to stumble onto his feet. He allowed his training sword to fall from his hand.
    â€œMeuric,” spoke the man’s voice once again. “Turn around and face me.”
    Meuric looked about, not really sure what was going on. He looked to the adult in a gormless fashion. He continued to blink furiously.
    â€œDo you know who I am?” asked the man. There was a hint of concern in his voice.
    Meuric looked the newcomer up and down. He wore a long brown robe, tied at the front with a leather belt, upon which sat a sword and dagger. He was old, possibly having received thirty Name Days, tall and slim with a drooping moustache and blue eyes with a ring of amber surrounding his irises. Sea-blue and the white swirl tattoos of Isle Ee’ay, the island home of the Oak Seer, marked the left-hand side of his neck and a smaller tattoo was above his left eye. His prematurely greying hair was tied at the back and held in place by a small gold torc. Meuric noted the newcomer’s horse standing a short distance away, chewing at the grass with bored indifference.
    â€œYou are Oak Seer Paden,” said Meuric in hushed tones. He lowered his eyes respectively.
    â€œGood.” Paden offered a polite smile. “Are you hurt?”
    Meuric reached for his bruised temple when he suddenly stopped himself. “I am fine.” He looked to his friend in concern. “You must see to Colton.”
    Paden nodded and stepped forward. “I will help all three boys.”
    â€œFabien can rot in The Pit for what he did to Colton,” retorted Meuric, his voice full of bile. “May Deo take his soul!”
    Paden stopped and swung on the young boy. “He almost took yours. I will help them all equally,” he admonished. “Just remember boys who are enemies when young can often turn out to be the greatest of allies when older. Fabien may be your sword partner when in battle in the years to come if he decides to stay with the Daw’ra people.”
    Meuric put his head down dutifully and Paden moved to the sitting Siorus first. He placed his hand on the boy’s leg for only a moment. Paden smiled then at the boy.
    â€œBetter?” he asked.
    Siorus stood and flexed his leg. “Much better, Oak Seer.” He bowed respectfully.
    Paden now knelt on one knee between Colton and Fabien. He touched both boys lightly.
    â€œStay calm,” he said to Colton, as Fabien was still unconscious. He closed his eyes and burrowed his forehead towards his chest.
    â€œWhat… what are you doing,” asked Colton. “My body feels like it is quivering and I am feeling dizzy.”
    â€œThere is much power in the land,” said Paden, his voice straining. “What I am doing is channelling the power from the earth to heal you.”
    â€œCan I learn?” asked Colton immediately. He staggered slightly but remained upright.
    â€œOnly those born with a strong Gift of Empathy can do this,” answered Paden. He