The next attempt didn’t go as planned after the first

“Release it, Meret,” Lisa instructed, her voice firm but calm. “You can do it. Don’t force it. Feel it building, then let it go.”

The next lesson was grounding—starting from the earth beneath her feet.

Meret stood at the center of the stone platform, this time. Though its rough, cool surface pressing against the soles of her boots.

The training ground stretched wide and open, ringed by tall pines swaying gently in the late ...