Chapter 265 Brightblades Fortress (2/2)
Other stories, however, filled hi hiotten about the attack he had suffered near the House of Seals, and he knew that the attackers had all been adepts Yet the way the lehandedly defeated two Elders and several dozens of Hunters
Moreover, while Arran distinctly recalled growing up the son of a siuardsman, it was established fact in the Valley that he was a Hunter prince, betrayed by his own people when he renounced the Hunters' aggression against the Valley
Arran listened to these tales with ah he feared the es would be sorely disappointed if they ever discovered the truth
It was near dusk when he finally reached Brightblade's stronghold, and at a glance, he saw that it was even holds were all walled and well-guarded, this stronghold was soh — fifty feet, if notboth the battleuards weren't just there to keep up appearances Rather, they looked around as if they expected an attack at anyfar from their weapons
At first, the defenses seemed excessive to Arran If the Valley's enemies ever made it this far, the ould already be lost But then, perhaps Brightblade's purpose wasn't to protect her stronghold but to prepare her students for the future, forcing them to learn skills they would need eventually
Arran approached the gate with curiosity, already curious to see what lay beyond it If his suspicions were correct, the training Brightblade offered would be wholly different from what the Houses offered their students
He was stopped at the gate by the guards there, a dozen of the his path with their hands already on their swords
”State your business,” the guards' leader said curtly
”I have a htblade,” Arran replied ”Frouardshtblade,” the e, his expression softened ”Is it true?” he asked as he handed the badge back to Arran ”What they say about him?”
”That depends,” Arran said ”What do they say?”
”That he's invincible with a blade,” the guardsman said in a low but excited voice ”And that all he does is train day and night, not even stopping to sleep”
Suppressing a chuckle, Arran replied, ”He definitely sleeps, and although he's pretty good with a blade, I doubt he's invincible”
The h ”Follow the road to your right She should be instructing the novice cohorts today”
Arran did as thehis way through the stronghold's training grounds And just as he expected, Brightblade's training was co seen in the Houses
Tens of thousands roups of a few hundred each And while ether, each of the groups h Arran wasn't fa, its purpose was i for individual cohters
He observed their practice with great interest as he ic and others eapons, but they all showed i their duties
His pace quickened when he finally saw Brightblade in the distance, instructing a group of over a hundred uardsman was correct
As he came closer, however, tomen moved to block his path, neither of theht they would be Masters, but perhaps even stronger than that
”What's your business here?” one of theazed at Arran
Before Arran could respond, Brightblade called out, ”Stand down Unless the two of you want to see if you can match the Valley's heir?”
At this, the women's eyes instantly ith shock
”Lord Ghostblade?” The woize I didn't ht,” Arran responded ”I'htblade is well-protected” Not that she needed it, of course
When he approached Brightblade, she gave hi well”
”No thanks to you,” Arran replied with a grin ”While you were busy teaching these novices synchronized dancing, I've been studying day and night”
”So I hear,” Brightblade said ”Word is that you no longer need sleep, and that you can best Elders just by looking at them”
”I was surprised to hear it, too,” Arran said ”I guesshas paid off even htblade said, her pensive tone suggesting nothing good ”Would you be interested in a little wager?”