So, this was it. Lily May was naked and alone in a small clearing. It had only taken her two days to get here, and she had an additional day so she spent it relaxing, sure that her training would be gruesome indeed. She stood proudly, sure that her body was nothing she should be ashamed of. A proper girl should be shy of showing her nakedness maybe, but it was what it was, and she would do as she was bidden.

  Suddenly, a man stood there. He was tall, in a long brown cloak with a muted orange lining that reminded her of autumn leaves. He had a sword over his shoulder, a long thin blade as tall as he was. His hood was pulled over his face, and his cloak blew in a phantom wind. There was not even the barest of breezes upon her skin.

  They looked at each other, the man taking his time to take her in, while she felt a little more naked with how completely covered the man was.

  "Why are you naked?"

  "That's what my Master's master said I should do. I'm supposed to be here today, naked, alone and unarmed." She lifted her arms. "I did my part, right?"

  The man put a hand against his forehead. "So, your master is not here. I was expecting to meet her as well." He stared at her a moment longer. "I'd tell you to go get dressed, but this won't take long. I have a few things for you…" He started rummaging in his bags.

  "Like there's any point after you get the eyeful," she grumbled, waiting. "If you want to talk to my Master, you can. She's always with me."

  The man looked up at her for a moment, and she could just make out his frown. He shook his head. "No, it isn't necessary. Just curiosity."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  He pulled out a large, well cut gem, and a gleaming marble. He lifted the marble. "This will Awaken you, and give you the Gale affinity. You will not get the secret of its manufacture from me. Swallow it near a body of water wearing clothes you do not care about, and with a friend you trust. I can't teach you how to use the crystal, you need to be Awakened for that, but your mages should be able to show you how to use it."

  He shook the gem. "I don't care what you do with this. Share it if you want, keep it for yourself. It has a technique, [Wind Walk], a fighting style [Baffling Sword], and the skill that combines them [The Wind Dance]. There is also enough here that you can learn the advanced technique [Wind Strike] which is just an enhanced kind of strike using [Wind Walk]."

  He pulled out a small yellow gem. "This one you will not share. It has information on how to contact an Oracle. Not one of ours. It will be up to you to convince them to talk to you." He put the gems and the pill into a pouch, and tossed it to her rather than getting close. "And with that we are done. Go with your god's grace."

  "Wait!" she called as she went to pick up the pouch. The man paused. "I owe you for this."

  "If you owe anyone, you owe the serpent," the man said blandly. "I'm just a delivery boy."

  She shook her head. "Master's master isn't helping me, it's helping my master. You've done me a great service. Even if I owe the Great Ruby Eyed Serpent, I have to thank you too. Is there anything I can do for you?"

  The man snorted. "You would help one of the Elves?" he asked.

  She smiled. "I thought you were. Sure, why not? Kindness for a kindness."

  "And what would your master say, eh?"

  "Dunno, but my mum used to say, 'Just make up something small for her to do so she'll be satisfied, even if you don't want anything.'?"

  The man shook his head. "You literally have nothing of value on you."

  "That hurts," grumbled May. "Then we'll call it a favor. I am Lily May, serving Biyu Kimmel Lostlakes Elderwoods. I owe you a favor. Give me a name, a fake name, so I will recognize a message from you."

  The man stared at her. "Fine. Tanfallon, that will be your name for me. Farewell, Lily May."