Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 148
"Do you want to move on to a new study? You must
continue to practise what I've taught you, of course."
"Sure!" He felt ready for anything. "What do we do?"
Calandria folded her map and put it aside. "We can build
on what you've already learned. If you can relax, you can
concentrate. If you can concentrate, you can do marvels."
"Like what?"
"Perfect memory, for instance. Or perfect control of your
body, even your heartbeat. Tonight, I'll show you something to
help you control your visions."
"I thought that was what I was learning."
"You've been learning how to stop them. Now you'll
learn how to make them happen."
Axel looked up, surprise written on his mobile face. "Do
we know that?"
"Everything's consistent," she said. "I'd be very surprised
if this doesn't work." She motioned for Jordan to sit on the
floor, and seated herself in front of him. "Now, close your
eyes."
Jordan wasn't sure he wanted to be able to make the
visions happen--he was happy that they were going away. But
he obeyed. Armiger was not so frightening any more, and if he
could stop a vision once it started, the prospect was less
daunting.
"Now," Calandria said, "without actually doing it,
imagine you are raising your hand in front of your face." He
did so. "Examine your imaginary hand. Turn it back and forth.
Make a fist." He obeyed. "Look closely at your hand. Picture
it as clearly as you can."
Jordan did his best. "Do you keep losing the image?" she
asked. He nodded. "Do you get little flashes of other images?"
Puzzled, he sat for a while. Then he realized what she