Aren's eyes were wide with shock, mouth gaping like a fish. He wasn't the only one. "What? Sir, I think you must have made a mistake. You see, Aren is a born fighter. I mean, he can do just about everything, sure, but a sorcerer...?" "No, no," the doctor murmured, "He is showing all of the signs...Seeing, Hearing..." "And what might those be?" Lara interrupted. "Hmm-well, you see..." the doctor paused, intimidated by Lara's natural tough look. "YES?" Lara almost screamed. "Yyes, yess..." he stammered. "Uumm...well, all sorceres have the in-born abilities of Seeing and Hearing. Yes, err, what they do with these is what makes them different from one another." "And the more powerful ones...?" His face said 'please don't hurt me' all over. The timid doctor writhed. "The more powerful sorceres can learn more abilities. All have to be trained once the signs show, or death is certain." "Oh dear. But what exactly is 'Seeing' and 'Hearing'?" Lara asked curiously. "I'm sorry, but you and your friend must consult with one specialized in the sorcery arts. I am but merely a doctor." "Why, you little..." The doctor paled, stumbled up, and quickly scampered out of the room. Lara burst out laughing. "Oh, Aren, this is just too much...but you heard him right? I guess that's our next stop then...Aren?!?" Lara looked on the bed where Aren supposedly lay resting. "Aren!!! What the heck..." A wild scan around the room told her that Aren had somehow snuck away without her consent. *Stupid, stupid, stupid...I am so glad I was an only child-otherwise I might have gone crazy early with siblingitis.* Lara thought to herself. *Well, there's only one path to take now: search the city for that lousy and irresponsible fighter-and to be sorcerer. * *~*~*~*~*