“Finally,” Sermas called as Khollo shoved through the crowded hall to their usual table near the hearth. “What took you so – what’s that?”
“A Sen-teel,” Khollo replied.
“Uncle Tarrik finished it?” Hern asked eagerly, leaning over Sermas to get a better look.
“Yes,” Khollo replied. “He gave it to me.”
Sermas gave a low whistle. “Wow. Now that is a weapon. Any idea how you’ll use it?”
Khollo’s face lit up with a dangerous grin. “How about a little sparring after lunch?”
Hern cleared his throat. “Um, we have training. And I’ve only just gotten back to full health and I’m still way behind – ”
“I’ll spar,” Sermas said, reaching for a platter of ham the kitchen servers had just delivered. He carved a large slice with his belt knife and slid it onto his plate. “Any word on the enemy?” he asked after taking an enormous bite.
Khollo shook his head as he started in on his own lunch. “Nothing,” he replied. “Janis is getting worried. All the information we have indicates that raids will start at some point. As near as we can figure the only reason for the vertaga not to raid villages – ”
“Is if they’re ready for war and they don’t want to risk troops in meaningless battles,” Hern finished, darkly.
“Exactly,” Khollo confirmed.
“Either that, or there are no survivors yet,” Sermas observed.
“That’s just not possible,” Hern put it. “It would take an inordinate amount of luck to contain every resident of a village and wipe the lot out in a single, sudden attack. “
“What makes you think the enemy can’t get inordinately lucky?” Khollo asked.
“Well, it would mean that we were incredibly unlucky,” Sermas observed.
Khollo just stared at him.
“Oh, right,” Sermas said, understanding suddenly. “Some things never change.”
Chapter 9
After the midday meal had been finished, Khollo and Sermas moved outside to the fortress courtyard. Hern tagged along, claiming that he would just watch the first bout to see the new weapon in action. Khollo could tell the cadet was itching to put himself against the Sen-teel as well.
Khollo quickly separated the two halves of his weapon and assumed a ready stance, facing Sermas and his longsword. The younger boy was frowning in concentration, trying to assess this new threat and come up with an effective strategy.
“Go to!” Hern shouted suddenly.
Khollo darted forward, one blade out in front, the other held out and to the side. As he drew within range of Sermas, he struck out, trying for a slice across the abdomen. Sermas deflected the blow, but Khollo was instantly attacking with his second blade, from a totally different direction. Ducking inside his friend’s longer blade, Khollo nearly managed to rest the tip of the Sen-teel on Sermas’ collarbone, ending the match. But Sermas twisted away at the last moment and went on the attack.
The first blow Khollo parried with the blade in his right hand, but he quickly realized that this was not a winning strategy. The half Sen-teel was simply not weighty enough or long enough to combat Sermas’ sword effectively. The second blow sent one of Khollo’s Sen-teel halves spinning away into the snow.
Khollo dove after the weapon, sliding in the snow, and got to his feet. Sermas was on the way already, and Khollo barely had time to combine the two halves before he was under attack again. But now, he had a way to defend himself.
Khollo caught the first strike on the hardwood shaft, using his weapon like a quarterstaff. Then, after shoving Sermas’ blade up and away, Khollo twisted the Sen-teel, bringing one blade arcing around to smash Sermas’ sword aside. Khollo continued the motion, stepping forward –
And the second blade landed gently on Sermas’ collarbone.
Hern cheered and bounded forward, grinning broadly. “Brilliant, Khollo,” he crowed. “You can fight after all!”
Khollo shrugged modestly. “With the right weapons and the freedom to carve my own path, yes. Put me back in cadet training though and I’m sure I’ll have my losing streak back in no time.”
“I don’t know,” Sermas countered frowning. “You’ve changed in the last couple of months Khollo. Working with that bow has put some muscle on you. And you’ve gained confidence. There was no hesitation during that entire bout.”
“Confidence often is a result of success.”
Khollo turned and saw Janis standing at the base of the steps to the keep. “That was a rare performance, Khollo,” the lord of the West Bank observed. “Especially considering your trials with Wilkes not so long ago. May I?”
Khollo handed over his weapon mutely.
Janis ran his hands over the weapon, quickly finding the join and twisting. The Sen-teel separated into the two halves and Janis slashed and stabbed experimentally. “Remarkable,” he murmured. “Perfectly balanced. If I was not so fond of my own sword, I might have one of these made for myself.” He handed the Sen-teel back. “Continue to train with it. I will speak to Sergeant Wilkes about sparing Cadets Hern and Sermas on occasion to spar with you.”
“Thank you, Janis,” Khollo said.
“Think nothing of it. But, the reason I’m here is not to admire your weapons work,” Janis continued. “I was searching for our master of intelligence. New information has come in and I have called a council of leaders.”
“A full council?” Khollo asked.
Janis nodded. “Yes, a full council. In addition to us, Ondus, Wilkes, and a few others will be present.”
“I’ll be up directly,” Khollo replied. Janis nodded and retreated to
