Part 31 (1/2)

'Why do you not like Brother Lantern?' asked Rabalyn, on the afternoon of the third day.

They were taking a break from sword practice on the open ground at the rear of the Crimson Stag. The lad had promise, but his arms needed strengthening. 'Is it that obvious?' asked Diagoras.

'I don't know. It is to me.'

'Then you have a sharp eye, for we have exchanged no angry words.'

'He has been kind to me, and I like him,' said Rabalyn.

'There is no reason, then, why you should not,' Diagoras told him.

'So why don't you?'

'We're here for you to learn swordplay, Rabalyn. Not to discuss my likes and dislikes. You are fast, which is good, but you need to think about your balance. Footwork is vital for a swordsman. The weight must s.h.i.+ft from back foot to front foot. Come, let me show you why.'

Moving out onto the open ground Diagoras offered his blade. Rabalyn's sword touched it.

'Now attack me,' said the Drenai. Rabalyn moved forward, slas.h.i.+ng his sword through the air. Diagoras blocked the cut, stepped inside and hammered his shoulder into Rabalyn's chest. The youngster tumbled back and fell heavily. Diagoras helped him up. 'Why did you fall?' he asked the lad.

'You shoulder-charged me.'

'You fell because your back foot had come forward alongside your front foot. When weight was thrown against you there was nothing to support you. Stand with your feet together.'

Rabalyn did so. Extending his arm Diagoras pushed hard on the youth's chest. He staggered back. 'Now, stand with your left foot pointing forward, knee slightly bent, and your back foot at a right angle to the front.'

'What is a right angle?'

'Point your left foot towards me, twist the other foot to the right. That's it.' Once more Diagoras pushed the youth. This time he hardly moved. 'You see. The weight is pushed onto the back foot, so you remain balanced. When you lunge you extend the left foot first.

When you move back it is on to the right foot. They never cross over.'

'It is very complicated,' complained Rabalyn. 'How am I supposed to remember this in a fight?'

'It is not about memory. It is about practising until it is second nature to you. With luck you'll develop into a fine swordsman. Of course it would help if you had a better blade.'

'Then this might be of use,' said Skilgannon. Diagoras spun round. He had not heard the man approach, and this unsettled him. The Naashanite walked past Diagoras and offered a sabre and scabbard to Rabalyn. 'It is a good weapon, well balanced and finely made.'

'Thank you,' said Rabalyn, reaching for it.

'I was just explaining to the lad about the importance of footwork,' said Diagoras. 'It would be most helpful if he could see it displayed. Would you object to a practice?' He found himself looking directly into Skilgannon's sapphire eyes. The warrior held his gaze for a few moments, and Diagoras felt as if the man was reading his soul.

'Not at all, Diagoras,' he said, retrieving the sabre from Rabalyn.

'Would you be more comfortable using one of your own blades?' asked Diagoras.

'It would not be safe for you if I did,' said Skilgannon softly.

They touched blades as Rabalyn sat down on a bench. Then, in a whirl of flas.h.i.+ng steel, they began to fight. Diagoras was skilled. Eighteen months ago he had won the eastern final of the Silver Sabres at Dros Purdol. His a.s.signment to Mellicane had meant missing the national final in Drenan. He was sure, however, that he would have won it. So it was with great confidence that he took on the d.a.m.ned. The confidence, he soon realized, was misplaced. Skilgannon's sabre blocked every lunge and cut. Diagoras increased the pace, moving beyond that of a practice. He did not do this consciously. His mind was locked now in combat. Faster and faster they moved. Suddenly Diagoras saw his opportunity and leapt forward. Skilgannon parried, stepped inside, and slammed his shoulder into Diagoras's chest. The Drenai officer hit the ground hard. He glanced up and saw Rabalyn staring at him, his expression one of shock and fear. Only then did Diagoras come to his senses and realize that he had been trying to kill Skilgannon. He took a deep breath. 'You see what I meant about balance, Rabalyn,' he said, trying to keep his voice light. 'In my excitement I forgot all about footwork.' The youth relaxed.

'I have never seen anything like it,' he said. 'You are both so fast. Sometimes I couldn't even see the swords. They were just blurs.'

Skilgannon reversed the blade, offering the sabre hilt to Rabalyn. The young man took it, then grinned at Skilgannon. 'It is a wonderful gift. I can't thank you enough. Where did you get it?'

'From a man who had no need of it. Use it well, Rabalyn.'

Diagoras pushed himself to his feet. 'My apologies, Skilgannon,' he said. 'I was so carried away by the contest I almost forgot we were merely practising.'

'No apology is needed,' said Skilgannon. There was no danger.'

Anger flared in the Drenai, but he swallowed it down. 'Even so, the apology stands. I should have known better.'

Skilgannon met his gaze once more, then shrugged. 'Then it is accepted. I shall leave you to your practice.'

'Garianne was looking for you,' said Rabalyn. 'She is in the tavern with Druss. I think she's a little bit ... er ... drunk,' he concluded lamely.

Skilgannon nodded, then strolled away.

'He is very good, isn't he?' said Rabalyn.

'Yes, he is.'

'You look angry.'

'You mistake embarra.s.sment for anger,' lied Diagoras. 'But at least you saw how important it is to retain balance.'

'Oh, I saw that,' said Rabalyn.

In the tavern Skilgannon found Druss sitting alone, and eating a double sized meal. Two huge slabs of meat pie had been placed on an oversized banquet plate, with a huge portion of roasted vegetables. Skilgannon sat down.

'You could feed an army on that,' he said.

'I was feeling a little peckish,' said Druss. 'Chopping logs always gives me an appet.i.te.'

'The lad said Garianne was looking for me.'

'Aye, she was. But now she's gone.'

Skilgannon chuckled. 'Druss the Legend is embarra.s.sed,' he said. 'Is that a blush I see?'

Druss glared at him. 'Some Datian officers have been asking questions about a number of dead men found in a stable in the Naashanite quarter,' he said after a moment. 'Best stay low here until we leave.'

'That makes sense,' agreed Skilgannon.

'You think they'll try again?'

'Yes. But probably not until we're on the road. It does not concern me unduly.'

'And why is that?' asked the axeman.

'I must a.s.sume Servaj used the best men he had in the first attack. They were really not very skilled. The Source alone knows what the second best will think to accomplish.'