Chapter 343 A New Tool (2/2)

Where most swords had slender blades, this one's blade was half a foot wide and over an inch thick at its center — like the blade of an axe rather than a sword, except far longer

As he looked at it, Arran could not help but wonder whether he'd gone too far in the description he'd given the captain The weapon was exactly what he'd asked for, but in his mind, he hadn't fully realized just how ludicrously oversized it would be

But there was no changing it now

He frowned, then took the weapon in his hands, raising the blade toward the sky Its heft was shocking — far more than a commoner would be able to lift by hiave it a few cautious practice swings

At once, he realized that even if its shape rese it was another ht did not bother him, the weapon balance was coainst thepulled off his feet

And yet, after giving the weapon a few rew into a broad grin as he swung the weapon around so for so,” Lasha's voice suddenly sounded

Before Arran could find a retort, Gar spoke up ”That's a good weapon,” he said in an enthusiastic voice ”Maybe I'll get one like it uffawed ”You? I doubt you could even lift that ridiculous thing”

The exchange was interrupted by the captain, however ”Gar,” he said ”Try having a little sparring bout with Arran He's not used to the weapon yet, so for once, you ”

Gar shot the captain an annoyed look, but he did as told, drawing his oeapon as he faced Arran ”Let's see what you can do with that thing”

The giantthat the neeapon would slow Arran down, he attacked at once with a deceptively fast lunge

Yet heavy though the th to use it Before Gar could even coiant sword ca used to having the advantage in reach, Gar frowned in annoyance, but he tried again a ain, he was stopped before he could even reach Arran

He shot Arran an annoyed look ”How are you so fast with that thing?”

Arran shrugged, then gave the big rin ”It really isn't all that heavy But then, I'er than you”

The bout continued for a quarter-hour, and with each exchange, Arran grew ht look, it was a perfectto use it properly would take ties it would offer

With this, obstacles like the giant digger's thick hides or the Darians' ranks would be far less of a probleainst most enemies, and the power he could put into his strikes was si

Finally, the captain's voice sounded again ”Gar, step back Lasha, you give it a try”

The giant ned look, and a erness at the fight ahead If Gar's perforn of those could be seen in her eyes

It wasn't long before Arran discovered the reason for her confidence

Gar was big and strong, but with the giant sword, Arran countered those advantages perfectly, easily besting the large ths

Yet Lasha was fast and nies were nified tenfold While he could norh that hitting her becath than he wanted to, at least

But if Arran could not hit his opponent, she struggled to even come near hie And now, she struggled just to coe of his oversized weapon

The fight dragged on for half an hour, with neither side gaining the advantage Yet as Arran grew rew faster, and his skill with the blade increased

Finally, Lasha stepped back, a mixture of annoyance and astonish actually works,” she said, looking at the weapon in disgust

In truth, Arran was almost as surprised as she was While he'd expected the weapon to be useful, he hadn't expected it to fit him this well

”It seeh I still wonder how you plan to carry thataround”