Free Shaper of Stone (The Shapers Book 1) by Keith Keffer Page B

from the earth. It contained a metal table with one of those
nerafpan orbs hanging above it. There was also a cushioned chair
here.
    It was similar to the room where his
other student had been trapped, except for the addition of the chair.
I wondered if I was going to end up like him.
    “Boy,” Vatrale started.
“You are going to spend one day out of five here. You will be
filling these orbs as quickly as you can.”
    He indicated the cushioned chair.
    “The chair is for you. As long as
you cooperate, we’ll try to keep you comfortable, but if you
resist,” he patted the metal table. “Well, that really
isn’t an option. I’ll take what I want and you won’t
be the only one who finds it unpleasant.”
    I wanted to tell him to stick it, but
instead I hung my head low and sat on the chair. I would do his
tricks if it would buy me some time.
    “Well done,” he said as he
handed me a helmet. Like the orbs it too was made of some sort of
nerafpan composite. I figured the nerafpan helped channel the energy
to the orbs. I lifted it to put it on my head.
    “There is no need to wear the
helmet. It is simpler to strap it on someone’s head if they are
resistant, but that is not required. As long as you hold it in your
hands we can proceed.”
    “You mean it is working now?”
I asked.
    “Yes, but not efficiently. At
this rate it will take several weeks to charge a sphere. You have the
gift boy, and thanks to the training I provided, you can use it.
Visualize the flow of your energy through the conduit into the sphere
and we’ll get a new sphere each day that you are here. Don’t
worry, you’ll have time to rest. I wouldn’t want you to
exhaust yourself too quickly.”
    I pointed to the bracelet on my left
hand, “Won’t I get zapped if I try that?”
    “No. The conduit will draw the
energy away from you before the bracelet can react. Think of it as
pouring water into a bucket with a hole in the bottom. As long as the
hole is uncovered, the bucket won’t overflow.”
    I turned the helmet over in my hand. It
was pretty much just a pot with a leather strap along the bottom and
four nerafpan coated chords running out of it. They connected to the
base where the sphere rested. It didn’t look comfortable at
all.
    But then, I don’t think Vatrale
was overly concerned with his victims comfort.
    I really wasn’t looking forward
to spending a day locked in this room, but at least I didn’t
need this thing strapped to my head while I was here.
    “Why try to fill it all in one
day. Couldn’t we do an hour or two each day and get the same
results?”
    Vatrale shook his head before replying,
“Unfortunately no. First, the longer you channel through the
conduit, the more you will be able to channel. Second, it takes time
to recover. In the end it is better to dedicate a single day to the
exchange than to do several smaller sessions.”
    I nodded my head and said, “So,
I’m going to be at this all day.” I sighed. “Might
as well get started then.”
    “Indeed, my boy. I’ll leave
you to your work as I have other duties to perform today. Carvis will
remain nearby. Should you need anything speak to him.”
    Stepping closer, he gave my shoulder a
squeeze, “I know you won’t fail me.”
    Without waiting for a reply he left the
cell. Carvis waited for him to leave before closing the door and
taking a position with his back to it, facing me. He crossed his arms
and stared.
    Well at least he wasn’t smiling
at me.
    -o-
    I was exhausted by the time Vatrale
returned. I never would have thought that sitting in one spot all day
long would take so much out of me. Carvis had to half carry me back
to my room. I was too weak to walk on my own.
    The stone where Shira had been tied was
still standing, but she was no longer there. I wanted to ask about
her, but I just couldn’t form the words. I promised myself I
would ask tomorrow.
    Tomorrow never came. At least it didn’t
for me. I fall asleep as soon as Carvis dropped me