“This spell increases my strength greatly”. Kaden was panting rather heavily, the target dummy by his feet lay in splinters.

“You managed to bludgeon it to death, it’s quite a feat really”, Sofia’s clapping sounded almost sarcastic to Kaden. “I am especially impressed since you have a weapon that specializes in slashing and stabbing.”

“I guess I still need to work on edge alignment”, Kaden still trying to catch his breath. “That commander was really impressive. I can barely lift my arms after just three swings. He wasn’t even the slightest bit winded after fighting with two spells going simultaneously.” Pondering further on it, “that is why he cast the spells at the very last moment. He waited just till he was about to face the enemy.”

After regaining a little bit of energy Kaden decided to try out the second spell the commander had used. “Gi Vem Es Wif Tn Ess”, immediately Kaden started to feel his stamina deplete. “What does this one do I wonder? I don’t feel any different” He looked towards the next target and took a step. “O. I see.”

Kaden managed to cross the distance of about ten steps in four. He was about to take the next step and swing, only to find himself falling face first towards the base of the target.

A loud giggle started echoing in his ears, he didn’t bother to even look in her direction. I swear she is a spoilt princess he thought to himself silently.

Lessons learnt, magic is powerful, magic is costly and if not used in the appropriate way I am just as likely to end up falling on my own face. I should only use it when absolutely necessary until I can learn more.

Kaden rested for half an hour before deciding to resume his journey. He remembered he was hungry and thirsty before entering this space although oddly enough his cravings disappeared the second he entered.

“Hey, I am about to head back out. Can I leave stuff in here so I don’t have to carry it?” He asked Sofia as he decided that this was her home as well.

“If it is a spell or knowledge yes, as much as you want. Possibly small objects, not alive and no bigger than you, give or take. I may be able to expand this area if I can absorb the right object”. She responded

“I will leave this stuff here then.” Kaden closed his eyes to have a look outside. He had been in the space for at least four hours. Looking outside Kaden noticed several things he missed before with his combined senses and new knowledge. Her recognized several edible herbs and was able to detect the faint taste and sound of running water in the distance.

Exiting the space, Kaden noticed the parchment that was Sofia’s home turned into a soft leather bound book with metal edges. This is what she must have used the leather and end of his sword for. He picked up the book, he now named Sofia’s Grimoire and placed it back in his pocket. He gathered a few of the edible herbs, started chewing and made his way off the trail towards the sound of the running water.

In only a few moments Kaden managed to find a cool refreshing stream and took several deep mouthfuls of water. “I needed that.”

“What you need is a bath, seriously have any idea how bad you smell”, a voice startled Kaden as he fell for a second time, face forward into the stream. Of course his fall was accompanied (like clockwork) by the now all too familiar female laugh.

“Since when could you talk from in there? Also the jokes on you as now you’re wet as well.” Kaden tried to maintain some pretense of dignity.

“I just figured out how to right now, also magic book, don’t need to worry about wear and tear ..or water damage” Sofia voice sounding from this pocket. “Find me some solid wood would you. I want something similar to that chair, you called it Oak.”

“What I am going to find is a nice termite mound and stick you in it. All you do is make fun and laugh at me. You know, you seem to forget you need me more than I need you. So do us both a favor and quit being a royal pain in the ass”

“You’re not very good with insults are you?” Trying her best to keep from laughing. “Ok, Ok, don’t give me that look, I will try to do better.” Kaden could feel the smile on her face as she spoke even though he couldn’t see her.

“You know I have been recording everything since you first got here. This includes when the commander was reading outside while some of the men were practicing. I have managed to break down their actions and record them, including the final battle the commander and intruder had. This should complete some of the missing information in the manual and a few things that weren’t in there as well. At the very least you should be able to use a little magic during actual combat.”

“All right, let me find a place to dry off first then I will come in.” Some of his anger dissipated.

“No need, just put a drop of blood on the Grimoire. That will bind it to you so no one else may access it, unless they can break the lock of course. It will also make it easier to transfer information back and forth without you needing to enter every time.”

Kaden hesitated for a moment, then did as she asked. A second later all the information she broke down flowed into his mind.

“If I alter the how the magic flows during the chant slightly I can control the potency of the spell. If I make the spell less potent it will cost less and I can even cast multiple spells. The trick is finding the exact balance I need. The commander also only activated the spells just as he was about to use them after the initial stamina cost allowing him to fight for much longer without getting tired. Unlike me who just kept it going the entire time.”

It was time continue back along the path, Kaden decided to have a final drink from the stream before heading out. He bent over and was about to reached his mug into the water when Sofia yelled, “behind you”.

Kaden felt something leaping towards him from behind and dodged to the left. SPLASH! Whatever it was just barely missed him and crashed into the stream. Kaden immediately drew his weapon from the Grimoire and was at the ready.

Fear then hit him as he looked towards the stream and froze.

The creature in front of him was part jungle cat, part scorpion and part something else. It had fur, scales and armor, was soaking wet and looked hungry ….very hungry