Free Chain of Illusions (Bringer and the Bane) by Boone Brux

the same way you would float on the water. Ease onto it and drift while gently directing your course.”
    With a deep exhale, he envisioned himself sinking into his power and he opened his mind. It shot forward, but instead of hauling it back like a runaway horse, he rode the wave. Eventually the frantic pace slowed. His senses spread across the ground, picking up on the tiny life-forms that pulsed within the grass.
    “Good,” Brita said. “Now open your eyes, and focus your Tell on a specific destination.”
    Brita’s presence was beside him, riding the wave as well. But she didn’t interfere, allowing him to maintain control. A few times she nudged his attempts to keep his Tell on course.
    Siban focused on the forest beyond the manor. With a single thought he projected what he desired to know. The path his Tell had taken narrowed and turned in the direction he intended. The amount of psychic information lessened and became more purposeful, as if understanding what he wanted.
    When his awareness entered the first row of trees it slowed even further, creeping through the underbrush and feeding information back to Siban. The life forces from different birds and animals flitted through his mind. Puddles of water, moss growing on trees, and even the wind registered positively in his mind. All was as it should be. Nothing out of placed dwelled within the range.
    “Now bring your senses back, but not in a straight path. Stop at various points. When you’re finished, release them,” Brita said.
    She removed her hands from his. The loss of her presence quivered across the top of his Tell wave, but didn’t disrupt the flow. Though not as smooth as when Brita had been guiding him, Siban was able to redirect, stop, take in the information, and then continue along a course that brought his Tell willingly back to him.
    He released it and exhaled. “I did it.”
    Brita’s smile was like a mother’s kiss. “Very good. Now you know what it feels like and will be able to do it again.”
    Rhys slapped him on the back. “Nicely done. I wish I understood your power.” He flexed his biceps. “Shields are brawn, not brain.”
    “I wish I understood it as well,” Siban said.
    Rell approached. “I’m proud of you.”
    “I don’t suppose you were having trouble too?”
    She held up her thumb and index finger. “A bit, but I was having more fun watching you get frustrated.”
    Brita sighed. “I can see that this group will be just like my young students.”
    “You think we’re bad,” Rhys said, “You’ve got Luc, Jade, and Ravyn next.”
    Siban smiled apologetically at Brita. “Good luck with that crew.”
    For the first time, Brita’s expression turned dark and slightly mischievous. “Let’s try this lesson again, shall we?”
    Rell groaned. “My head is pounding.”
    “Then you need more practice.” Brita walked to her and held out her hands. “It’s your turn.”
    Rell looked at Siban for support. He mimicked her previous action and held up his hands in defense. “Don’t look at me.”
    “Just get the feel of your Tell. Try to guide it. Later we’ll work on connecting,” Brita said to Rell. She turned to Rhys. “You will be able to sense information they send directly to you, but for the most part these lessons are about learning to work with each other and to find ways to communicate or read the body language of your group.”
    “Understood,” Rhys said.
    After Rell had mastered control of her Tell powers, Brita had them send out their awareness side by side and scan the grounds in a grid formation. Though Siban was completely cognizant of Rell, Rhys’s presence hovered like a shadow in the background. Trying to connect with him was like standing in a thick fog and catching glimpses of his dark form every so often. Siban focused his awareness behind him in an attempt to link more strongly with Rhys. When in battle, he would need to know where the members of his party were situated. Attempting this