Chapter 213 Show of Power (2/2)
He produced two s, then handed them to Arran and Snowcloud They were made out of some kind of black stone, and they were shi+ny and s of two crossed swords
”These badges identify you as core members of our House Go ahead and bind them”
Arran did as the e, he found that a small connection was formed between himself and the item It didn't seee inspected it closely, it would be clear that the badge was his
”Core members?” he asked ”What exactly does that mean?”
”It means that you hold the same status as adepts within our House,” the man explained ”With these, you can enter and leave the inner Valley unhindered If anyone threatens or insults you, it will be considered an offense against all of us” He sighed, then added, ”Though I would suggest you avoid reater Houses Our influence is not what it once was”
Arran nodded He had no intention ofenemies if he could avoid it — he had come to the Ninth Valley to train, not to find conflict
After that, the Grandmaster summoned a novice to lead them to their new quarters Barely half an hour later, Arran and Snowcloud were sitting in the gardens of a hold
The er than expected, built out of wood in a si both the building and its gardens It held over a dozen rooh it had clearly not been used for some years, the interior was still spotless
But while the mansion itself was spacious and coe and well-kept, they featured a training field, a small orchard, and several herb beds that ardens was a quiet patio with several chairs and tables, and after the exhausting day, Arran and Snowcloud eagerly took the opportunity to sit and relax
”In that fight, howon a sweet she had produced fro
”About a quarter,” Arran said ”But that adept… his skill was incredible If I hadn't been stronger than him, he would have defeated me in seconds And what about you?”
Snowcloud frowned ”I used about half th That novice — Ilena, I think it was? — she was ath and experience, but in the future, she'll be terrifying”
Arran nodded Watching the fight, he'd had the saes in the House of Swords lacked in power and real battle practice, but their skill was beyond question Although obviously, they could not cohtblade was that strong?” he asked, forehead creased in thought as he remembered her display
”No,” Snowcloud said ”IBut this?” She shook her head in wonder
They spent several hours in the garden, sitting and talking while enjoying the chance to do nothing They understood well that their break would be short-lived — Brightblade would not have brought thehtblade arrived at thehad already fallen, and from her pleased expression, it seeone well
As she sat down next to the starts tomorrow It will take Grandements with the other Houses, so until then, you will have your afternoons and evenings to yourself The ”
”Teaching?” Arran's eyes ith surprise ”We're going to be teaching?”
Brightblade nodded ”Snowcloud will teach initiates, and you will teach novices” She laughed, then went on, ”Consider it part of your training By teaching others, you also improve your own skills”
Arran frowned, then nodded in acceptance While he wasn't sure how he felt about becohtblade's earlier display had removed any last doubts he still had about her skill If she believed it would benefit thehtblade continued, ”ill spend the next few years using the House's resources It won't hurt to repay their kindness”
”Then why did you offend Master Kallias earlier?” Arran asked ”From the look on his face, I feared he was only a word away frohed ”Being too friendly wouldBut now, rown strong with her parents' backing, and with the arrogance to th”
Arran furrowed his brow ”Will people accept that story? Even after what you showed today?”
While Brightblade seemed confident, he remained skeptical After her earlier display, he found it hard to believe that she wouldn't draw attention frohtblade replied ”Most es see swordsmanshi+p as a useful but crude tool That's why the House of Swords ranks a the lesser Houses — in terms of status, mastery in swordsmanshi+p cannot compare to mastery in spells”
Before Arran could object, she continued, ”But the two of you should head to bed Training starts at dawn, and you wouldn't want to disappoint your students”
She grinned brightly as Arran's expression fell Between doing battle and teaching novices, the latter worried him infinitely more than the former