Norman

AS THEY RAN, Anakin noticed the way the man used Life. He used it in a way he had never seen before. Sometimes, it was like the man used life from the surroundings and some other times, it was like he generated life from his body. It amazed Anakin.

Suddenly, the man stopped and turned to face an oncoming Anakin.

Anakin skidded to a stop a few feet away from the man, he bent over to catch his breath.

"Your use of Life is impressive for a kid," the man said in a low voice.

"Wha–what?" Anakin was still bent over.

The man walked closer. "The way you used Life…" He muttered, going around Anakin. "I was expecting you to stop running minutes ago. But somehow, you kept up with me and ran along for over 20 minutes."

"What?" Anakin stood up and looked around. They were no longer in the capital, instead tall trees and bushes were around. "Where are we?" He asked.

The man scoffed. "You were not paying attention to where you were running? You lack positional awareness."

Anakin turned in circles to follow the man's movement. "Where are we?" He asked again.

"The outskirts," the man replied. "What do you want from me? What made you chase after me so hard?"

"I want you to teach me," Anakin said. "I see the way you use the Life from your surroundings, I want to learn it like you."

The man took a step back hesitantly. "What you say is an abomination, you could be hung for that."

"But you do it…"

"I do not know what you are talking about…" The man took another step backward.

"No need to deny it, sir," Anakin said, walking closer. "I have seen you do it. I do not have life within me, but I know it can be wielded from the surroundings, I just need who will teach me." He was starting to sound desperate but he didn't care.

"And what if you don't have life?" The man asked. "Many humans don't have them, you can just become a farmer… there are needs for that in the continent. Or you could become an infantry for the capital army, no issue there."

Anakin sighed. "I wish," He muttered. "I am Anakin, son of Lord Hederick, king of the capital."

The man's green eyes widened in surprise underneath the hood. "You're the weak prince?"

Anakin nodded.

"Hmm," The man walked forward. "Word is, you don't have life. But what we just did… an ordinary human couldn't have kept up." He removed the hood to reveal his face. He had bright green skin, red hair, and pointed ears. His green eyes took in Anakin's shocked gasp. "Yeah, I know that would be your reaction."

"What are you?" Anakin managed to ask.

"A freak of nature, perhaps," The man said. "And so the normal laws do not bind me," He waved his hand and the bright shimmer of Life circled it, Anakin watched openmouthed. "But first, you have to train your physical body. With arms like that, I don't think you can even lift a sword… talk more of to hold life."

Anakin shuffled.

"Train your body first, my prince," the man said. The last two words were a bit mocking. "When you do, come and find me again." He walked backward until he was at the edge of the clearance. "My people call me Norman. Find me." And he disappeared into the thick bushes.

Anakin stood still for a few seconds, trying to catch his breath. He looked around to try and get his bearing and direction before starting his walk back to the palace.

Anakin's mind was disturbed as he entered the Palace. He had been walking for almost an hour. Norman had been impressed with Anakin's use of Life. He walked up to his room and immediately took a bath. He was going to start his physical training that evening. After eating a heavy meal of proteins, Anakin started his workouts in his room.

He started a routine of waking up, doing some exercises before breakfast, then his lessons with Almin, training with Ser Arlen, and then more exercises in his room. He barely saw his parents or even Daryth, and he was always cloaked with thick clothing, so nobody noticed the changes happening in his body.

Ser Arlen was the first to notice that Anakin was getting physically stronger when he saw Anakin weave the wooden sword easily with one hand and hold a shield with another.

"That is not heavy anymore?" He asked.

Anakin was surprised when he looked at his hand and saw he was carrying it easily. He shrugged and said, "Not that much."

"Then perhaps, we should upgrade to a metal sword," Arlen said. A guard pushed out a rack of weapons for Anakin to pick one.

Anakin picked up a metal sword and waved it. It was a bit heavier than the wooden one, but not so much. "This is fine," He said.

"Hmm, that is goblin metal," Arlen said. He poised with his sword. "Engage!" He yelled and advanced on Anakin, swiping and slashing quickly. Anakin was quick with his blocking and dodging as he moved from side to side.

He blocked every one of Ser Arlen's attacks for almost a minute.

"You are improving, prince," Arlen complimented.

Anakin smiled.

Up in the tower, Lord Hederick stood at the window, watching them train. He was also smiling proudly.

"He is getting stronger, isn't he?" His wife asked. She stood beside him.

"He is," The king said. "But he is still at a disadvantage," He muttered.

"He will level things out soon," Eleana said. "I believe that as he gets stronger physically, he will be more likely to wield Life."

"I hope so," Lord Hederick said. He knew the grand druid would be waiting for them soon, and now that Anakin was getting stronger, he was soon going to be under pressure.

In the yard, seated in the horse stables and hiding behind the door was a sour Daryth. He hated the physical strength that Anakin was building. He knew that it was going to be a threat to him. He sourly snapped his fingers, enjoying the feeling as the flame popped on and went off. "At Least he doesn't have a life like me," He muttered to himself as he watched Anakin and Arlen stow away their training weapons.

Anakin stretched and yawned. His muscles ached, but he knew there was no rest for him. He walked to a small barrel of water and dipped his head in to wash away the sweat. He saw his reflection on the surface.

"Maybe I should go and try to find Norman again," he thought to himself. "I am physically stronger than I was last week." He wiped his face and arms with a napkin before walking out of the palace.

He walked into the market square to the place where he had seen the strange mage a few weeks ago. But there was nobody in secret hoods. He looked around, trying to see a familiar face. He made his way to the store where Norman had stolen the cherry from, it was run by a fat human.

"Hello mister," Anakin greeted politely.

The man leaned over his counter inquisitively. "How may I help you?"

"I am asking after a mage," Anakin said. "He wears a long hood –"

The man scoffed. "Many people wear hoods boy," He said. "Look at those ones now. They are some fanatics that think they can see the future. They all wear hoods, trying to look mysterious."

Anakin turned to see what the man was talking about. It was some group of hooded men standing in the shadows. But they were not who Anakin was looking for. He walked away from the shop and mixed up with the crowd.

After walking around for an hour, he was just about to give up and head back home when strong arms pulled him into a dark barn and he found himself staring into the deep green eyes of Norman.

"I see you came looking for me," He in a cold, high whispery voice.