"COMMANDER ARLEN TOLD me that you are improving," Lord Hederick said a few days later. The whole family sat at the table having breakfast. "Hmm," Anakin said. "He is a good teacher," his father snorted. Anakin focused on his food. He had been meeting Norman and now he was getting the hang of wielding Life. He still had no idea who or what Norman was, but Norman was even a better teacher than Ser Arlen. "He said you used two small goblin metal swords," Lord Hederick said, when Anakin nodded, he continued, "I would have preferred if you favored a broad sword," His wife cast him a hard glance so he added, "But I am glad you are getting the hang of weapon fighting." "Thank you, Father," Anakin said, bowing slightly. They continued eating in silence, only the sounds of spoons on plates could be heard. Daryth kept on glaring at Anakin occasionally as they ate; Anakin noticed them ignored. Norman did not only teach him how to manipulate life from his surroundings, but he also taught hi

GIANTS WERE DARK BLOODED creatures, they were one of the races most likely to embrace the darkness. They did not wield Life like natural Feys or mage druids, instead, the life that flowed in their veins made them grow to enormous sizes. The shortest full-blooded giant was said to be 20 feet tall. They had strength that matched their size too, but they were often slow and stupid. Their brain processing power was very low, but still, a herd of giants like this was more than enough for a platoon of 4th class warrior mages. Anakin dodged the club of the first giant, he rolled underneath the legs of another. "Reverse gravity!" Anakin yelled, pointing at the closest giant near him. The giant's eyes rolled in confusion as it floated into the sky. Just those two spells and Anakin could feel his energy draining. Norman was right, wielding Life like this was tedious work, he turned and –SLAM! He felt himself being flung 10 feet in the air as he was hit hard with the side of a giant stick.

"SIT!" LORD HEDERICK commanded. Anakin bowed and sat on a small stool opposite the throne. Daryth sat beside him, scowling. Queen Eleana sat beside the throne, opposite the boys. Lord Hederick stood, towering over them all. "Tell me," He said, his voice booming across the throne hall. "Tell us what you did.""I, um–" Anakin started, but saw his father's frown so he cleared his throat and said in a stronger voice. "I fought and killed a herd of giants, father." Queen Eleana's eyes threatened to pop. "You what?!" She almost screamed. "Sid you know about it?" Lord Hederick asked Daryth who shook his head vehemently. "How did you do it?" The question was directed at Anakin. "Um, Commander Arlen has been training with me –" "Tell the truth, Anakin!" Anakin looked at the soles of his sandals and said, "I have been receiving some training from someone else." "Who is it?" His father asked. Anakin shrugged slightly. He did not know how to answer that question. Who really was Norman? He