“Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen,” she announced. “I was wondering if you’d mind a little demonstration?” They broke their circle, yes, they had looked as if they'd been planning, and gave her their attention. “Frey here hasn’t found her rhythm yet,” she explained. They seemed to understand and she bounded back over to me and drew me to sit beside her on a large rock facing the men before cueing them to begin.
The largest stepped forward, boasting deep brown hair and eyes. He wore plain clothing but his broad shoulders and massive size made him seem regal. “They name me Anvil but I am Reed, of Keithar Peak.” His voice was thick, though it was impossible to tell whether it was an accent or he had difficulty speaking. He was huge, frighteningly so, but something about him was drawing me in, I wanted to be his friend for no reason I could rationalize. He walked to me and reached out his hand to shake. As I took it in mine, a tingle ran up my arm. I looked down and the hair was standing on end.
I glanced back at him and he was smiling. “Sorry. I’ll try to avoid touching you.”
“It’s fine, really,” I said, though I didn’t understand, it was like a static charge. Meanwhile, I had decided the thickness was a drawl. “I don’t know your accent, where is it from?”
“North Camber,” he replied. A snicker slipped from Steed and Anvil glanced at him before amending, “Well, that is where they cut out part of my tongue.” I recoiled suddenly at the idea and unintentionally wrenched my hand from his. The tingle remained. He didn’t seem offended; he simply took a few steps backward to start his demonstration. I brought my arm back to my side and it brushed Ruby, shocking her just enough to make both of us flinch. She didn’t appear to mind, smiling at me as she returned her attention to the start of the show.
The other men drew back, some sitting, some standing but all giving him their full attention and space as he raised his hands and seemed to brace himself, taking one full deep breath before leaning forward slightly. A thunderous crack and excruciating light flew from both of his outstretched hands, slammed into a tall pine, and snapped the top third of the tree off. Several limbs splintered and popped as it crashed its way down.
I was dumbfounded. I looked again at the large man. Sweat glistened on his forehead in the moonlight and his breath was a little labored but still, he stood. Understanding came slowly. He had shot lightning from his hands. The others nodded appreciatively. I was having second thoughts about my desired friendship with this man. Though not being his friend was probably more dangerous.
I realized I was shaking my head in disbelief as he turned back to me and bowed slightly. I felt as if I should applaud. He stepped back and took a seat. I could see he was still winded.
The wiry man stepped inside the circle then, his movements were erratic, jerky. He nodded to me. Grey. He was thoughtful for a moment, deciding the best way to display his skill before finally approaching to offer his hand in greeting. My own hand was in his for a split second, and then he was gone. Not just his hand from mine, but he, his entire body, had vanished. I half expected to feel his palm against mine, perhaps he’d merely camouflaged himself, but my hand was empty. Automatically, I looked around, baffled. The makeshift audience wore easy, amused smiles. They watched me, not the vacant space from which Grey had evidently disappeared. And then I noticed someone beside me who hadn't been there before… it was him.
“How…” But he was gone again. I'd been staring right at him and had no idea where he went.
I was just beginning to doubt whether I'd seen him at all when I spotted him standing across the circle, grinning fiendishly while he dangled an object from his hands. It was the feather Ruby had tied in my hair. I'd forgotten about it, I reached up to feel for it, to be certain it was the same one, and it was gone. I started to get irritated but then, suddenly, the feather was in my other hand and he was back, or still, standing where he had been, his hands now empty. And then, for no apparent reason but amusement, he did a few somersaults and landed in the center of the circle, smiling. So weird. Ruby clapped a few times from beside, me, clearly thrilled with his show. I thought I must have missed something.