#**backdated**

He needed to practice. He had to prepare and refine his work before the unthinkable could happen, and the woods were a good isolated place for such a lesson.

Hanna marked trees and stone with symbols of various meanings and strengths, but he was careful to leave his surroundings intact. He practiced explosive runes, protective barriers, runes that would disorient and incapacitate enemies. Whatever was coming with William to Coldfront, Hanna knew he had to be ready.

The silence, although welcome for the concentration he needed, was stifling. The trees groaned in protest at the blood smeared on their bark-- while the symbols would cause no harm to them without the correct amount of will, the implied magical power made Nature shudder.