Chapter 13

It was the year Vanessa turned twelve that Fren first handed him the pills. That was also the year Vanessa struggled to focus on his training because of growing pains. Physical pain was a truly dreadful thing. “I can’t do it.” For it made him forget what kind of creature the elf before him was, and what plight he himself was in. The young Vanessa dropped his awl-shaped sword and burst into tears. Sitting across from him as he observed the training, Fren tilted his head. A silent query as to what he meant.