Chapter 389 The Knights Apprentice (1/2)

As Arran and the Knight e, he could not help but cast an uneasy glance at her Short though their fight had been, he was still shocked by the skills she had so casually displayed

He had faced many formidable opponents in his years of travel, but none of theht It was as if her insights so Arran defenseless against even the simplest strikes

But if the meerness, as well

If I their ranks would increase his strengthshadoeapon, it was hard to iine where his limit would be

That wasn't all, however

He had long noticed a similarity between the Darians' techniques and the For, he already suspected that strengthening his skill in the Darians' techniques would help him master the Forms, too

But now, he wondered whether the techniques used by Iic And just the thought of that was enough to make his heart beat faster

He'd believed that the Foric ic that approached the Knight's control in battle, then the possibilities were endless

Yet after a ht — at least for the tih it was, he was still far away froht

As for co the two, that was little ht had noticed his ponderous expression, however ”Soht s what you told ht learn skills like mine, perhaps?” Her s look in her eyes Clearly, even if she hadn't realized the full extent of Arran's thoughts, she had expected him to be tempted by her earlier display of power

”That, too,” Arran admitted

”The path isn't an easy one,” she said in response, her expression suddenly serious ”But if you accept row to equal mine Perhaps you'll even surpass me one day” Her smile returned a moet that chance depends on how you fare in the Desolation”

Arran nodded silently While he was tempted by her words, he couldn't help but think that she see hireat as she claimed, there shouldn't be a need to push him as much as she did

Yet she pushed all the same, and from that, Arran knew there was more to it than she let on

Whatever her true motive was, he was certain that it wasn't as sihts

Arran was still deep in thought when they reached the village, where they were e crowd of mercenaries and soldiers At the center of the crowd stood Captain Kaleesh, and as they approached, the captain's eyes immediately shot toward Arran's shoulder

The wound Arran had received in his short fight against the Knight had already healed, but blood still stained his clothes, and the sight brought an immediate frown to the captain's face

”I trust there were no probleht suspiciously

”Of course not,” she said in a dismissive tone ”But I have matters to discuss with you, as well Find us a place where we can talk in peace”

The captain cast a questioning look at Arran, and only after Arran nodded did he respond, ”Of course, Lady Knight I've taken one of the buildings here for myself We can speak there”

”Very well” She turned to the two dozen Rangers who had accoht We will depart in the ht to the building he'd appropriated a few days earlier, Arran cast a curious glance at the group of Rangers

So far, his attention had been focused on the Knight, and he'd paid little attention to the troops of Rangers she had brought along But now that he finally looked at them more closely, he couldn't help but frown in surprise

The Rangers he'd encountered in the past had mostly been experienced veterans, in their thirties if not older And although there were some exceptions — like Lady Raina's son — those were few and far between

But the group before hiht the oldest aers was barely in his twenties, and er than that

For thee could onlythe most talented youths in the Imperium — which, he realized, was likely why Lady Merem had recruited them

Yet for all their talent, their leader's departure left theo Perhaps they had the skill of Rangers, but it was clear that their confidence was still lacking

Arran sighed ”Sassun, could you…?”

”Of course,” the co Arran's intent At once, he turned to face the group of Rangers and called out, ”Everyone! Follow ers followed behind Sassun as he e, and as they left, the crowd of soldiers and an to dissipate While Lady Mereht their attention, Arran alone clearly wasn't anywhere near as interesting

But as the soldiers slowly dispersed, Arran saw that one of the Rangers reirl he had saved in the borderlands

She hesitated briefly as she looked at Arran, then slowly approached him From her expression, it was obvious that she was nervous

”It's really you,” she said in a voice that carried some wonder ”After you left… I didn't know if I'd ever ave her a friendly ser's outfit ”It looks like you've done well for yourself”

A joyous look flashed across her face, and she nodded eagerly ”I' that she still found it hard to believe ”When weI could only dream of But now…” She paused as she looked Arran in the eyes ”And I have you to thank for it”

Arran ave you a small bit of aid,” he said ”But I wondered if I could ask you so ”Of course,” she said at once ”Whatever you need, I'll do ether,” Arran said ”Outside the village”

She did not object Doubtless, she already understood what Arran wanted to ask, and it wasn't a topic that could be discussed in public

But a few h that none could overhear thein turned to face Arran with an anxious expression on her face

”I didn't tell anyone,” she said ”I wouldn't betray you Not after you saved my life”

Arran shook his head ”I know you didn't,” he replied ”But Lady Mere questions, I suspect?”

He knew that the girl would not have told anyone the truth Even ignoring her gratitude to Arran, letting others knohat he'd done would endanger her, as well And young though she was, he knew she wasn't half as naive as she looked

”She has,” Negin confir All I said was that you carried avelook Then, after a ht, he drew his sword ”Draw your weapon I want to see how strong you are”