Jason was glad he had no part of the post-battle organisation. Imprisoning the Ustei in their own barge was a logistical nightmare, especially with some of what they found on board. The tribe’s women and children had been locked away like slaves, which was borne out when they found actual slaves in essentially the same conditions.

Waiting around with the other iron-rankers not yet roped into assisting, he sat down to meditate in the shade of the sandstone wall Hudson had made in the beginning.

The battle had been long, wild and quite unlike anything he had experienced. Rather than carefully choosing his moments he had been flickering through the battle, seizing chances as he found them. His familiar proved incredibly powerful, and Jason’s abilities saw plenty of use. He had even taken the chance to use his new spells as much as he could.

Humphrey found him, saw him meditating, and sat down to do the same. The battle was as new an experience for him as it was for Jason, and he had his own insights to consolidate. Beth’s team spotted them as they returned, the wall being their team’s regrouping point. They looked at Jason and Humphrey, sitting cross-legged in the sand.

“They’re training now?” Mose said.

“We are too,” Beth told him, drawing a groan from Hudson. “No slacking. You can have all the natural talent in the world, but dedication is what makes you the best.”

At her command, the others joined Jason and Humphrey. Not all of them were able to transition to a meditative state right after the battle, but at the very least they worked on clearing their minds.

Caught up in meditation, Jason was shaken out of it by a feeling of pressure in his body. He got up and staggered to the sandstone wall, using it to support him as a wave of weakness overtook him. He started coughing up gelatinous phlegm into the sand, speckled with blood. Then a blue-grey light started shining out of him and his body surged with strength.

Ability [Haemorrhage] (Blood) has reached Iron 0 (100%).

Ability [Haemorrhage] (Blood) has reached Iron 1 (00%).

All [Blood Essence] abilities have reached [Iron 1].

Linked attribute [Power] has increased from [Iron 0] to [Iron 1].

Progress to bronze rank: 2.5% (2/4 essences complete).

Jason pushed himself off the wall, feeling slightly dizzy. He noticed the others had all broken their meditations and stood up. They were looking at him with smiling faces.

“That first attribute bump is a little rough, isn’t it?” Beth asked.

Jason nodded, uncharacteristically silent.

“Congratulations,” Humphrey said, giving Jason a slap on the back that almost sent him sprawling into the sand.

“You’ve taken your first step,” Beth said, giving him a pat on the arm. “Welcome to the path to bronze rank.”

91. Life & Death

91

Life & Death

Jason let out a contented sigh.

“This is nice,” he said, then picked up a sandwich and bit into it.