Chapter 5 On The Road (1/2)
Arran suppressed a yawn as he walked
He had barely slept a wink the previous night, instead lying awake as he thought about the s Master Zhao had told him When he fell asleep it was near dawn, and true to his word, Master Zhao had coht at the break of dawn, once uise of Arran's 'uncle' Derrin
Soe cart drawn by two horses, filled ho-knohat Not long after sunrise they had left, Master Zhao riding the cart while Arran walked beside it
He cast an annoyed glance at Master Zhao When he had asked if he could ride on the cart instead of having to walk next to it, thehie
Apparently, that did not extend to Master Zhao hi in the driver's seat of the cart, he showed no sign of wanting to trade places with Arran
”How much farther before we rest to eat?” Arran asked It was nearto rumble
”Just another mile or two,” Master Zhao said ”In the meantime, why not enjoy the countryside? It's quite beautiful, this time of year” He seemed rather pleased with the situation
The surroundings were beautiful, that reen hills, scattered with trees and the occasional fare A landscape painter would probably have been inspired by the sight
Arran, however, was no painter What he as tired, and hungry Right now, he would have traded all the beautiful landscapes in the world for an hour's rest and a good meal
Finally, they stopped next to a flat field at the side of a small stream
”You water the horses,” Master Zhao said ”I'll prepare us so the horses and leading them to the stream, where they drank thirstily
When he returned, he found that Master Zhao had laid out a blanket on the grass, atop which lay several hunks of bread and sorily wolfed down
After he finished eating he lazily stretched out, even er had finally been sated He idly wondered whether there would be time for a quick nap
Master Zhao looked at hi, I think it's about ti”
Any hint of weariness forgotten, Arran sat up instantly ”You'll teach ic?” Master Zhao chuckled, then shook his head ”You're nowhere near ready for that”
He walked back to the cart and retrieved a s swords, one of which he handed to Arran
”Today, we fight,” Master Zhao said with a grin ”If you e to hit me at least once, I'll let you ride in the cart for the rest of the day”
Arran was disappointed that he would have to wait longer to learn er to cross swords with Master Zhao
Having grown up the son of a guardsman, he was naturally confident with a sword After Master Zhao's display back in the Blue Angel Arran knew he stood little chance of defeating the man, but he certainly would not make a fool of himself, either
He raised the sword in front of hi it with both hands
Master Zhao stood cal his oord as well Unlike Arran, he held it in a single hand ”Begin,” he said
Arran attacked instantly, his sword shooting forward in a series of wild blows
Master Zhao barely moved, yet somehow, he narrowly avoided each blow Arran struck
Frustrated, Arran stepped up his attacks, ignoring his defense to concentrate solely on attacking the man in front of him
Whack!
Master Zhao's wooden sword s a painful welt
”Again,” Master Zhao said ”And this time, don't drop your defense”
Arran took arepeatedly while taking care not to let his defense drop
Several ti his opponent, but Master Zhao still parried or dodged each of his strikes
Whack!
Another painful welt appeared, this time on Arran's left shoulder