112 Chapter 40 - Swordsmaster, draw your blade! (2/2)
”What do you want,” he muttered. Prepared to give anything really, gold, land and favours. No expense would be spared to get Tenko and her pack back safely, no trial would be left accomplished, no ounce of effort unspent.
”Whatever you did to make Honour like that, I want the information and all the help you can give to replicate the results,” Arwen said it casually, almost off-handedly. But Kenji knew he had her balls in a vice now.
”It's terribly difficult, and as far as I know I could be the only one in the whole world who has found out just how. That information is worth more than you, I could go to the King for instance,” Kenji peered at his nails, and indulged the swordmaster in her own game. Her left foot stiffened as if ready to fight, her right hand opened and closed as if searching for the missing blade.
”I'm worth it. You can't understand how strong I am yet, but I am. Stronger than my father, stronger than anyone,” there was something slightly desperate in that tone. ”I will help you free your companion in return for the information...that and, I could become your ally.”
”In perpetuity and in all things?” Kenji said immediately and walked towards her with an open palm and a smile. Thrown off she stepped back and looked at his outstretched hand with far more concern that she had his naked blade.
”An ally, yes, although that may change depending on your own aims.”
”Then what if I swear to help you walk further down your path whenever possible? Would you swear to aid me permanently then, in all things?” Kenji pressed her hard, believing that from a noble order of knights that her word would prove as binding as a Fae's.
”For as long as you can help my progress, I will be your ally in all things. But should you prove lacking, or another path more fruitful, I will take my leave. Is that understood?”
Kenji offered his hand, and as if holding a wet snake, Arwen seized it with her own and near shattered Kenji's wrist. Barely holding off screaming for the duration of the shake, Kenji retracting his outrageously hurt hand and allowed her to leave.
”I've never met a man so brazen, a shame you are weak as a dry leaf...Kenji.”
The instant she was gone Kenji transformed into the Sun Elf Queen to let Arthur's body heal, and patted down the sweat from his forehead. Honour reformed to become longer and lithe, the grip just as comfortable in his new hand, Kenji swinging the blade in lazy arcs as he thought.
Arwen was a monster at fighting, no human he had ever met was that strong. But all reports indicated she was as loyal as a true knight, and if Kenji could hold up on his end of the bargain, outstrip it and go above her expectations even. Anything to form another powerful ally, and it was clear that the Silver Swordsmaster was certainly powerful.
Kenji eyed a trio of swordsmen approaching from the corner of the room, each a master of their field, each able to trash Kenji across the floor. But at least against them Kenji was improving, against them he was rapidly closing the distance. With Arwen it felt like a foot race against a rocketship.
”Grand Master, we have news!” an adventurer said, pushing past the trio of veterans.
”Well, what is it?” Kenji said.
”We found a pair of the thugs, we seized them as you said. They threw spiders in the air for some reason, then attacked with an insane lack of self-preservation. Their dead now, but we have the corpses for you.”
Kenji grinned.
”Lead the way. I was just done with training, so let's see where these bastards have been hiding my friends,” cracking his knuckles, Kenji followed the adventurer out of the room. Fired up, Kenji was looking forward to fighting something that wasn't as ludicrous as the Silver Swordmaster.
Something that finally got him closer to his objective.
”Just you wait for Tenko, I'm here. Kenji's here,” he whispered to himself.
Realising the adventurer was a priest, Kenji stepped behind a pedestal and rapidly shifted to the Boy Knight.
”Before we get there, mind healing a sprained wrist?”