Study - Maria V. Snyder: Study 03.5

by

Maria V. Snyder

Holy snow cats! Will ya look at the crowd. Janco whistled in amazement.

Although Janco had the annoying tendency to exaggerate, Ari agreed with his partner. Must be a record.

They must think well be easier to beat. Janco touched the scar where the lower half of his right ear used to be.

Ari recognized Jancos nervous gesture. Hed seen it a thousand times. No worries. Take a closer look. From where they stood next to the castle, they could see the training yard was filled with soldiers practicing with swords and knives and bow staffs. Greenies mostly. A few veterans, but nobody you cant handle. Well Ari eyed Captain Francesca. She was deadly with a knife.

You call that a pep talk? Janco grumbled. Why are we here anyway? This isnt our job. Its Valeks. Valek was the chief of security for the vast intelligence network of the Territory of Ixia and the Commanders right hand man. He had made a challenge to all the soldiers in the Commanders Army: beat Valek in a fight with the weapon of your choice and win the right to be Valeks second. Ari and Janco had teamed up with Maren and the three of them had bested Valek. Janco had found the loophole and Valek agreed the trio could be his seconds. For now. If another trio formed, then the new group would have to win a fight against Ari, Janco and Maren together.

Ari and Janco strode into the yard. Maren was already warming up. Her blond ponytail flashed in the morning sunlight as she practiced a bow kata. She twirled the five foot wooden bow staff with lethal accuracy.

Consider it an honor, Ari said. We get to weed out the greenies. Anyone who beats one of us wins the right to face Valek. He knew he had said the right thing when a determined glint shone in Jancos eyes.

Janco smiled with a predatory grin. If anyone beats us. And Im feeling disinclined to allow that to happen.

The names of all the hopefuls were put into a bucket. Ari, Janco and Maren each picked a name and the matches began.

Those who faced Ari soon realized that, despite his large muscular size, he was quick with his broadsword. Able to hold the sword in his right hand and use his left for punching, he dispatched his first two opponents without breaking a sweat.

The third man chose the bow staff as his weapon so Aris next fight lasted a bit longer. Not as adept with wielding a staff, he always worried he would break the bow into splinters.

A block, a dodge, a spin. Come on, do you want to win? Jancos voice sang out over the din of shouts and clashes of steel.

Ari smiled. His partner liked to sing rhymes during a fight to keep his rhythm and to unnerve his opponent. It reminded Ari to pace his bow attacks, luring his attacker into a cadence. Temple strike, rib strike, temple, rib, temple, rib. Then a feint to the temple and blow to the exposed ribs. The young man went down as his air whooshed from his lungs.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ari chugged a glass of water and picked the name of his next opponent from the bucket. The morning flew by in a series of matches. Each one unique, but all ending in defeat.

Ari was pleased with his skills, but vowed to work on his bow katas.

When all the soldiers had a chance to fight, Ari, Janco and Maren compared notes.

Janco tried to bandage a nasty gash on his right forearm. Francesca is the only one who got past my defenses, he said. Shes awesome with a knife. Valek will have a decent match against her. Maren pulled the bandage from Janco. Youre making a mess. Let me. Her long fingers deftly wrapped his arm. I lost one sword match to Rye.

The greenie? Incredulity laced Jancos voice. Did he compliment your hair or something? I know hes good looking, butOw! That hurts.

Maren finished tying Jancos bandage with vicious delight. Ari listened to them bicker. Just like old times, he thought. Back when they had met in a storage room and practiced bow fighting with Yelena. Since earning their new positions, Ari hardly saw Maren. And he and Janco were often sent on separate missions. He didnt like it. They were stronger together than apart.

The subject of Maren and Jancos argument interrupted them. When do I fight Valek? Rye asked.

Anxious to lose? Janco asked. He wont be as easy to beat as our creampuffOw! By the murderous expression on Marens face, Ari would bet a months wages on her challenging Janco to a match and dumping him into a large mud hole. Before they could erupt into another argument, he said to Rye, Valek is on a mission right now. You can face him when he returns.

When? Rye asked.

Thats when, sir. Janco corrected. Besides being none of your business, I dont like your attitude.

Maybe you should fight us first.

Anytime, sir. Rye flipped him a salute.

Ari put a warning hand on his partners arm. Cocky and insubordinate. Sound like anyone you know? Janco huffed but kept his mouth shut. Good.

Ari studied the young man. He had a lean muscular build and was a few inches taller than Janco. A serious intensity radiated from his blue eyes and his dark hair and tanned skin tone suggested he was from one of the southern Military Districts.

Valek will find you when he returns, Ari said. In the meantime, I recommend you practice as much as you can. Valek favors the broadsword. Whats your weapon? Rye pulled a long scimitar from his scabbard. Ari exchanged a glance with Janco. The scimitar was a Sitian weapon. No one in Ixia used that sword.

The young pup named Rye flashed his Sitian weapon. Wonderful. Janco loved surprises. Although he wasnt too keen on countering a scimitar, he understood how Rye had gotten through Marens defenses.

Sword fighting wasnt her forte, and the scimitars long curved blade reached beyond her ability.

Janco rubbed his bandaged arm, debating if he should challenge Rye to a duel. Francescas nasty little scratch still throbbed, and he vowed to sharpen his knife fighting skills. Chuckling at his own pun, he sobered when Ari shot him an annoyed frown.

Where did you get your weapon? Ari asked Rye.

The greenie glanced around the training yard. Most of the soldiers had dispersed, and the sun hovered on the horizon. Maren leaned on her bow staff, listening to them.

My mother gave it to me. She said it was a family heirloom, Rye said.

Family, eh? Janco scratched the scar below what remained of his right ear. Whenever something didnt sound right or feel right, the spot would tweak with pain as if jabbed with a needle.

Do you even know what it is? The young mans tone bordered on snide.

Course. Im the only Ixian whos fought against one.

The only Ixian, Janco? Ari asked.

Yeah. You cant call hacking at a scimitar with your broadsword fighting. Face it, Ari you have no finesse.

His partner sighed, but refused to counter. No fun. Janco enjoyed goading Ari into a verbal bout, and loved provoking him into a real fight. Ari was the best opponent around besides Maren.

Rye failed to be impressed by Jancos claims. Since Ive been assigned to the Commanders garrison, more than thirty soldiers have faced this weapon and lost. That did it. Janco pulled his sword. Come on puppy dog; show me what you can do. Much to his chagrin, Rye could do quite a bit. The greenie launched into the match without hesitation, forcing Janco to back peddle and counter Ryes initial strikes.

The clang and ring of swords vibrated through the air. Janco moved to an internal cadence, testing the youths skills.

Hes green and likes to preen. Janco feinted high and attacked low. Rye failed to take the bait, blocking Jancos strike. Tends to brag and his feet do lag. Soon hell be in a body bag. After a quick secession of jabs, he lunged.

Rye tripped as he shuffled back. Pressing his advantage, Janco stalked the greenie as he rolled away.