Chapter 386 A New Plan (1/2)
Over the next few days, as they waited for their wounded to heal and the Ranger to return, groups of Darian soldiers and e
There were some uncomfortable looks when the newcoe were outsiders, but none dared object
Outsiders or not, that Kaleesh and his troops had defeated the Blightspaas undeniable Hundreds of giant bodies proved that fact And to those Darians who still had doubts, Arjun explained in unsubtle terms that bad behavior would not be tolerated
And so, even as the village filled to the point of bursting, the mood remained peaceful Or, at least,soldiers packed into a se, the occasional scuffles and braere unavoidable
Arran saw little of this, however
It hadn't taken long for word to spread that he was the one who'd defeated the Reaver, and whenever he left the house he and Kaleesh had taken for the ed them more often than not There was little to do but wait inside the village's tall walls, and although there was little challenge in sparring against the Darian soldiers, he was glad for the diversion all the sa sessions, Arjun approached hier had watched Arran instruct the soldiers, and there was a curious frown on his face as he came forward
”Your style is unusual,” he said ”Your foundation is unlike any I've seen before, but you've clearly had Darian training, as well”
Arran nodded ”I've received instruction frohts, but only a feeeks' worth I have yet to study Darian techniques properly”
”Only a feeeks of instruction?” Arjun gave him an incredulous look ”If you don't mind, perhaps we could spar for a few rounds I'm curious to see your techniques for myself”
”Of course,” Arran replied He could not blaress in the Darian style had been helped by his true insight and his training in the For the same style, the achievement must seem completely impossible
They calmly took positions some two dozen paces apart, then calmly drew their weapons as they faced each other
As they prepared to do battle, it took only e circle of onlookers to forer fight the outsider who'd slain a Reaver was so they wouldn't miss for the world
Arran felt some curiosity as well He knew his opponent was far ers he'd faced, and although he was confident that he would win, he still hoped heor two from the match
The first to attack was Arjun The seasoned Ranger cae, and when just a few paces separated theed forward and launched a series of powerful blows
Parrying the attacks took Arran more effort than he'd expected While it was instantly clear that his opponent couldn't er's depth of experience was equally obvious And with Arran restraining his strength, they exchanged blows for several er finally took a step back
”You're skilled,” Arjun said, some surprise in his dark eyes ”More so than I expected”
”You're not too bad yourself,” Arran replied with a grin Outside of the Knights he'd er was by far the most skilled Darian he'd faced in the Ith and speed, he could have been a real threat
But as it was, Arran held the upper hand in every way His skill and experience were only slightly ahead of his opponent's, but his physical poas in a different class altogether
And so, although Arran did his best to restrain his strength, after half an hour of sparring the Ranger finally lowered his sword, his breath ragged from the exertion
”You win,” he said in a voice loud enough for all to hear ”Though you would've won a lot sooner if you hadn't held back”
At this, several gasps sounded froathered around them Inexperienced as they were, the soldiers had believed the two fighters evenly matched But now, they were told they'd seen still only a sliver of Arran's real strength
Arran knew this was no accident The Ranger's words were intended for the audience rather than his opponent — to initude of Arran's power
”Why did you do that?” he asked as the two left the soldiers behind, brow furrowed in a frown
”I can't have theh to defeat a Reaver,” Arjun replied ”If they believe I can er”
Arran nodded slowly ”Fair enough,” he said ”Though you easily have the skill It's just your strength that is lacking How coer said with a slight sigh ”We don't have the resources to advance as quickly as others”
”But you've traveled into the Desolation and fought the Blight” Arran looked at the et rewards for that?”
This tier's face ”We do It's why I'veenough protector, I've had no choice but to join other groups And the strong have little reason to be generous toward the weak”
”Be generous?” A frown crossed Arran's face, but then, his eyes widened in understanding ”You roups' leaders decide who gets what?”
He al it earlier
When Kaleesh had told hiroups to travel into the Desolation, he'd assumed that they would be treated fairly But now, he realized how easy it would be for the groups' leaders to take advantage of their positions
”Exactly,” the Ranger said ”Dangerous as the Desolation is, nobody wants to be in a group without at least a few dozen strong Rangers, or better yet, a Knight But groups like that favor their own, and the rest of us have to make do with the scraps they throw us”
Arran cast a thoughtful gaze at the Ranger ”Is that why you're interested in joining us?”
Though Arjun had not said it outright, his actions made it all too clear what his intentions were He'd treated Kaleesh and Arran with the deference expected of a co servile
The Ranger smiled in response ”It is My hope is that you, as outsiders, will bethe spoils of battle That my men and I won't have to watch some Lord's son take the rewards that our blood has earned”
Arran hesitated, but only for a uarantee anything His fairness is beyond question, but I don't knohether he'll agree to take any Darians into our group”
At this, Arjun gave him a puzzled look ”He doesn't mean for you to enter the Desolation by yourselves, does he? Even if you're strong, for a group as small as yours to enter alone would be madness Each battle would leave you weaker than the last After a year…”