Seven markers made the practice room feel crowded.
They stood inside a volume no farther than twelve meters from the starting line. Near, far, low, high, offset from one another so I could not solve the pattern by imagining seven copies of the same swing.
The receiving strips were deliberately thin. Behind each waited a stronger plate which would record how little force remained after contact.
Veylan had approved one full release after the dry preparation work. A second exercise would test interruption without asking me to force another complete burst through a tired core.
"One good result won't make the next one free," he said.
"You take a narrow view of celebration."
"I have met your celebrations."
Liora stood near the observing bench. Nyx sat beside the instrument with her knee supported. Neither was there to provide an opening for me. The array was stationary, the lighting clear and the room quiet.
