The stain was small enough to cover with my thumb.
That was the first thing I noticed, which should have warned me about the quality of my judgment.
I stood outside the training hall with my right arm resting in its support. The morning practice had not begun. Inside, a few students were moving the light barriers into place, and Liora was at the far rack choosing a padded staff.
My Healing Hall review was due shortly. I had come to tell her that I couldn't confirm the lesson yet.
Then I saw the floor marks from the earlier assessment.
I wanted to know whether the turn would work if I shortened the first step. No weapon. No Aether. One slow movement before I left.
The first step was fine.
On the turn, the support shifted against the tender edge of the burn. I felt a sharp pull, stopped and looked down.
There was the stain.
I pressed the loose part of the wrap over it. The pressure made my fingers ache, so I released it immediately.
Liora had turned toward me.
