Seth and Ronodin

“Like what?” Seth asked.

“Like extinguishing light,” Ronodin said. “Quenching fire. That torch, for example. You see it with your eyes.”

“Of course.”

“Feel it with your mind,” Ronodin said. “I know you can. Feel the hot center, where the fuel is combusting.”

“Weird,” Seth said. “I can feel it.”

“You’re a shadow charmer,” Ronodin said. “You’re sensitive to light and heat. Some of the undead are not far from us. Seek their coldness as you sought the heat.”

“Yes,” Seth said, noticing the whispery presences. “Three of them. That way.” He pointed.

“Very good,” Ronodin said. “Can you sense how frigid they are?”

Seth shivered. “Yes.”

“Borrow that coldness. There are other ways to find coldness, but this is the , easiest way.”

“Borrow it how?” Seth asked. He could feel the cold presences with his mind, just as he could feel the core of the flaming torch.

“Bring the cold to the hot place on the torch,” Ronodin said.

“How do I do that?”

“Think of it going there. Realize that by feeling it you can also influence it. Invite the cold of the undead to the hottest part of the torch.”

Seth tried.

The torch sputtered

“Not gently,” Ronodin said. “All at once. Force their coldness to the torch.”

Gritting his teeth, Seth pulled the cold to the torch. He felt the cold smother the heat.

And the torch went out.

Chapter 34-Apprentice