Chapter 1392 – Within the Sanctum part 2

Jern opened his eyes, though he wondered, not for the first time, why. It wasn’t as if he could see anything. He hadn’t seen anything in… days? Weeks? Months? Who could say? It was almost impossible to keep track of time here, and he’d stopped trying long ago.

He felt something brush against his senses, so he rose from his bed and emerged into the training hall. The Nameless One was waiting for him, as always, silent and still.

If he were to try and explain how he knew she was there, he would struggle to find the words. He just… did. Perhaps it was a faint scent, or warmth… or perhaps he could feel the changes in the shadows where she stood.

Or maybe she wasn’t there at all and he was just imagining it.

“Climb.”

The instruction was given, short and direct, as always. Knowing what he was expected to do, he climbed. The walls were fairly smooth in the training room, but he’d learned how to seek the minute handholds that revealed themselves along the natural grain of the rock. When he reached the top, he knew, of course, that he wasn’t done, and shifted his hands to the ceiling, seeking purchase.

Slowly, he firmed his grip, fingers tensing as he made his way out from the wall and into the centre of the ceiling. He had to bring his legs up and use his toes to find additional holds before too long, his fingers simply weren’t enough to hold his weight.

Once he’d reached the middle, he held, and waited, and waited, and waited. His arms burned, his fingers screamed, but he held, patient as a stone. Time passed, or didn’t, who could say?

Then: “Drop.”

So he did, landing lightly on his feet. While he had a chance, he shook himself out, trying to relieve the sting in his muscles for whatever came next.

“You have endured our training… better than expected.”

More words? This was unusual. The Nameless One almost never spoke more than what it took for him to understand his task. Should he reply? He may as well….

“Good?” he replied, turning the word into a question with an inflection in the scent.

The Nameless One waited, but he didn’t have anything else to say. He felt her shrug, then turn to the side.

The weapons were there. He hadn’t noticed when they’d been brought in, while he was on the roof at some point…. It was always the same: a rack with a variety of choices, never the exact same mix.

“Choose.”

Walking with complete confidence in the dark, he walked toward the rack and paused, letting his senses dwell on each choice.

The sword was here… except it wasn’t the same one as before. This was heavier… and perhaps a little longer than the last one. A mace, simple and crude, some kind of… hammer? Next to that was… ah.

He reached out and grasped the hilt of the axe, raising it with one arm and resting it on his shoulder. Heavy and sturdy, he felt more comfortable with it in his grip, a steadying and familiar presence.

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“You choose the axe again.”

“I didn’t pick it last time,” he defended himself.

He was never allowed to choose the same weapon twice in a row.

“It is an advantage to be familiar with a range of weaponry,” the Nameless One pointed out.

Jern considered that. It was true… but…

“I like this one the best,” he said, patting his hand against the haft.