The journey to Raze was uneventful at first. The rhythmic sway of the carriage, the gentle sounds of hooves against dirt, and the occasional murmur of passing travelers set a peaceful tone. But Shawn, despite his blindness, felt something else—a presence, an energy lingering at the edge of his senses. He chose to ignore it for now.
Upon arrival, the city of Raze was alive with a buzz of activity. The air smelled of a mix of herbs, clean linens, and a hint of sea salt carried from the distant docks. Lynne, ever composed, led Shawn toward the towering structure that housed the Grand Healing Hall, a place known across the continent for treating even the gravest of injuries.
As they stepped inside, hushed whispers spread through the hall. "Lady Lynne has returned," someone murmured, awe tinged in their voice. "And with a boy?"
Shawn smirked inwardly. He could not see, but he could hear, and right now, he imagined them gaping in confusion.
"Go on," Lynne's voice was warm yet firm, guiding him through the vast hall. "Try to sense your surroundings, Shawn."
Sarcasm flickered in his mind. Ah yes, let me just observe the surroundings with my perfect vision. But instead of speaking, he focused. Air swirled around him, brushing against bodies, furniture, even the slightest movements of people shifting in their seats. It was like an invisible web connecting everything. He could feel the weight of their presence, the way their bodies disrupted the natural flow.
Then, an unmistakable voice called out. "Boy!"
It was Captain Veyron, the grizzled man from their journey. "Good timing. I've got something to show you."
Lynne gave a slight nod. "Go with him. I'll be attending to my duties."
Shawn followed the old captain outside, where the wind howled through narrow alleyways. "You felt it before, didn't you?" Veyron asked. "The way the wind speaks?"
Shawn hesitated before nodding.
"Good. You'll learn how to listen to it properly."
The lesson began. The Captain had him stand still, letting the wind wash over him. At first, it was nothing but a chaotic breeze. But then, something clicked. Each gust carried information—the faint shift of leaves, the distant footsteps of a passer-by, even the heartbeat of the old man before him.
"It's like… echolocation," Shawn realized aloud. His mind raced to memories of his past life, where certain animals used sound waves to map their surroundings. Only here, he had wind instead of sound. The moment he connected the two, his progress accelerated. He refined the skill faster than expected, impressing even the Captain.
"Clever brat," Veyron muttered, though there was a hint of pride in his voice.
As the sun dipped lower, Shawn's control improved. He could 'see' outlines, make out movements, even predict shifts in the air before they happened. But then, a shiver ran down his spine. Someone was watching him.
Far away, in the shadows of a tall building, a figure stood, observing. They had been there since his arrival. Their presence was calm, unreadable, but then—
A hand appeared behind them, grabbing their neck in a swift, silent motion. The observer barely reacted as they were pulled into the darkness. A low voice whispered, "You shouldn't be watching too closely." And then, they were gone.
Back in the training area, Captain Veyron gave Shawn a firm pat on the shoulder. "That's enough for today. You'll only get better with practice."
Shawn nodded, though his thoughts lingered on that eerie feeling.
Later that evening, he and Lynne returned home, exhaustion settling into their bones. Just as they were about to relax, a frantic knock came at the door.
"Lady Lynne! We need you!"
A group of guards rushed in, carrying a woman whose right arm was missing and whose body convulsed violently. Blood soaked her side, and her breathing was ragged.
Shawn felt his mother move past him, her aura shifting. Power surged. He heard gasps from the guards as an unseen force settled over the room. Within moments, warmth radiated from Lynne's hands, light pooling over the woman's wound. Flesh began to mend. Muscle wove itself back together, and in the span of mere minutes, a once-grievous wound had vanished without a trace.
Shawn, still exhausted from training, leaned against the wall and smirked. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Lynne simply smiled, wiping sweat from her brow. "You should get some rest. Tomorrow, we continue."
And with that, Shawn realized—his journey had only just begun.