Cahpter XI, Reading 4

Kewero touched the younger woman on the shoulders.  "I'm honored, more than you can possibly know.  These words mean much to me, Flindra.  I've learned to think of you as a daughter but I didn't feel I had the right to say anything for you are a princess of the line of King Meldh."

"Of course you had the right to say it!" Flindra pulled her into a hug.  "You, of all people in the world, have earned that right.  I love you, Kewero, and I'm glad I finally spoke my heart."

"Thank you, Flindra, and know that I love you, too."  She smiled happily.  "Are you ready to start today's lesson?"

"I am."

"Good."

The rest of the day was spent practicing some of the skills Flindra would need in the outside world.  She needed this knowledge before she would be ready to begin her destiny.

They started with Rigga.  The ring was very important for Flindra's safety would depend on its power.  Kewero had her practice invoking the power shield.  She soon improved the talent until she could create the purple aura with just a thought.  She no longer had to imagine the details - it just was.  It also took little effort to maintain the shield.

Kewero's goal was for Flindra to be able to maintain the protective shield even when she was concentrating on other things or was sleeping.  Assassins tended to wait until their victim was occupied with other things before they attacked.  Flindra needed to practice with Rigga until the power shield was a reflex.

She told her to keep the purple aura at skin level.  This would provide good protection against an attack and would prevent anyone from inadvertently sensing the power shield.  It could be difficult to conceal her identity if someone felt Rigga's power.

Flindra's protection was Kewero's primary concern and the control aspects of the ring were of secondary importance.  Actual practice with this aspect of the ring would have to wait until Flindra returned to the world.  The power shield did not influence Kewero and there was little challenge in manipulating Deru.  Kewero told her to practice with benign control first - just to learn how to do it.  That way, she would be comfortable with the power when she needed it.  What she could expect to accomplish with Rigga would be limited only by her imagination.

"Now little one, I want you to try something."

"Certainly."

"You have gone to great lengths to learn how to keep Rigga's power shield from becoming noticeable.  We need to do something about the ring itself.  It won't do any good if you try to be a simple rustic with a royal ring on your finger.  I want you to imagine the ring becoming invisible on your finger.  Create the picture in your mind and see if reality responds."

"How can I do that?"

"Just try.  I think Rigga has possibilities we haven't even discovered."

Flindra closed her eyes and imagined the ring on her finger.  Even with her eyes closed, she could still see the details of the ring.  She imagined the ring enveloped in an intense purple light.  Once this image was affixed in her mind, she started to darken the color, shifting it from purple to black.  Black could be thought of as the absence of light.  Where there is no light there is no sight.  She held the image until a shield of flat black covered the ring.

"Hold the thought you have created and open your eyes," Kewero commanded.  "Rigga is no longer visible."