I'm trying a new approach with the story, where each chapter will start with a glimpe at Nikolas' past as he learns things from his mother and father. These snippets will help explain what makes Nikolas different than your run-of-the-mill spies, rogues and scouts. He isn't, of course, a superhero- he just has some tricks up his sleeves that others don't expect.
Here's my first example of this new approach, found at the beginning of Chapter 1:
"Focus, Nikolas. You've almost got it." Though earnest, Naya Tien's voice was quiet enough to avoid breaking her son's concentration.
Next to her, the boy started to sweat slightly, his face scrunched up in concentration. In front of him, a small pile of sticks stood in a cone, a faint burning smell wafting up into the air. For a second, Naya thought she could see a wisp of smoke rising from the twigs; Nikolas apparently did too, for he gasped in excitement, and in that moment lost his focus. The smoke disappeared.
The boy, barely past his eleventh year, slumped in defeat, and Naya intuitively knew he was about to start crying. She put her arm around his shoulder and pulled him close to her.
"It's alright, son, it's alright," she reassured. "You were very close. Here, feel the sticks. They're quite warm." Naya picked one up and offered it to the boy.
Nikolas took it, and despite a sob seemed to overcome his disappointment. "Almost hot enough to burn someone," he said with a weak smile.
"You see?" Naya turned her son to face her. "You'll have it this time, I just know it." She gave him a kiss on his forehead, and he turned back to the sticks. Half-closing his eyes and gritting his teeth, he started to concentrate on sticks in front of him.
Naya knew her husband wished that Nikolas were more interested in the teachings of the Light. Their son believed in the Light, believed in its power and benevolence. But where his sister desired very much to follow in their father's path, to become a champion of the Light, Nikolas showed no such interest. He had, instead, displayed a greater curiosity toward the abilities Naya had shown from birth, those of a sorceress.
That Altus and Naya had fallen in love and married surprised many, family members and friends and mentors alike. Followers of the Light commonly held wielders of arcane power with little regard, and often contempt. The magi, in turn, held little room for kindness or friendship with the "religious types." Thus it was, when Altus and Naya announced their betrothal to their respective masters, many met the news with disapproval. But the pair never faltered in their love and commitment toward each other, and had so far succeeded in raising a beautiful and happy family.
Despite their seperate interests, Nikolas in magic and the younger Katia in the Light, the two got along well, and for that Naya was grateful. Besides, she knew Nikolas would never show the kind of power in magic she herself had been born with, something that didn't really seem to bother him or her. The fact that he was interested in something she loved was wonderful enough.
A sting in Naya's nostrils broke into her thoughts, and with a spark of delight she realized the sticks before her son were starting to smoke, and in no small measure. She smiled in anticipation, and urged Nikolas on in her mind.
Sure enough, a few seconds later and with a flash, the pile of twigs burst into flame. It wasn't large, but it was strong and hot and bright. Nikolas' face broke into a wild grin as he turned to look at his mother. She returned his grin as he jumped up and yelped in triumph.
"I did it, Mother, I did it!" His voice surely carried across the yard into the house.
"Yes, you did, my boy! I'm so proud of you," she said, hugging her son tight. "I'm so proud of you."
Both turned to look at the small flame again, still burning bright. For a few quiet moments, they basked in the warmth of Nikolas' accomplishment, enjoying this moment. Finally Naya broke the silence.
"You did so well, Nikolas. I know it took time, and it wasn't easy- it will always require some effort." She turned her son to face her again. "It will never be as easy for you to do thse things as it is for me. You understand that, right?"
When he nodded, she continued. "I sense that your life will be much different than either mine or your father's. But you can learn much from us both, things that may help you wherever you go. That's why I teach you this, and that's why your Father has things to teach you as well."
She smiled again. "Now, once you have this down better, I'll show you how to make one that can't be seen." Her eyes twinkled as his grew wide in amazement and anticipation. "Now," Naya said," go and tell you Father what you've done."
As her son ran off to tell Altus about the wonderous thing he'd accomplished, Naya couldn't keep some few tears from coming to her eyes.
