and practicing their lunges as he corrected their stances. The whole encounter lasted only a short time, but clearly Kane had won over the entire bunch. As he continued on toward the practice field, the oldest of the boys took over barking orders at his friends.
For his part, Kane rounded the side of the stable and headed toward the cluster of guardsmen on the field. They all slowed to a stop at his approach. They watched him with trepidation, which he apparently did nothing to alleviate.
He barked an order and practice resumed as he studied the action. Finally, he called a halt to the proceedings as Sergeant Markus, accompanied by another guard, made his way onto the field. Kane watched their approach with what could be described only as predatory interest, his demeanor vastly different from what it had been only moments before with those children.
Markus stopped a few feet short of Kane, letting his companion continue on by himself. Everyone else formed a rough circle around the pair as first Kane and then the guard drew their weapons. At first their movements were slow and careful, but it didnât last long.
Badly outmatched, the guard was quickly in full retreat. Only a fool would have continued to stand against such an overwhelming onslaught, but apparently Kane wasnât interested in showing his opponent any mercy. If the match continued unabated for much longer, the guard would be lucky if he would be able to walk off the field without aid.
What had the man done to incur Kaneâs wrath? As soon as the thought crossed Thedaâs mind, she knew the answer. Without question, he was the drunk who hadattacked Lady Margaret last eve. Kane knew punishing him for his actions would not sit well with Ifre.
No, canny man that he was, she bet Kane had found some other reason to make an example of him. Perhaps it was wrong of her to be glad to see the man bruised and bleeding, but she was. Once again she owed Kane for his actions on her behalf, although she suspected he wouldnât want her drawing attention to it.
The bout ended when Kane hooked Gartâs sword and sent it flying through the air. The exhausted guard dropped to his knees. Kane stood over him, using the tip of his sword to lift the other manâs chin up to look his captain in the face.
Whatever Kane said to him had him nodding despite the risk of being cut by the blade at his throat. Finally, Kane backed away and turned his attention to the other men. His entire demeanor changed again as he chose Markus as his next partner and ordered the others to pair off for more practice.
Where the first match had been meant to punish, this one was more akin to the match against the redheaded fighter days before. It was time for her to be about her duties, but she found it hard to walk away from the spectacle.
Once again, the dark warriorâs actions brightened her day.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
For once, Ifre had managed to slip outside without being noticed by his assigned guards. Taking refuge in the shadows of the trees near the practice field, he watched his new captain in action as Kane casually beat one of the guards into the ground. What had the man done to deserve such treatment? No matter. The guards were disposable. Even if Kane killed a few to make a point, so be it.
Right now he and Markus were crossing swords, testing each other for weaknesses as well as their strengths. The sergeant was putting up a good effort, but there was no doubt which of the two was the better fighter.
Ifre had definitely chosen correctly naming Kane as his new captain rather than promoting Markus, although Kane was not wearing his badge of office. Ifre didnât care if the men knew who was in command. Kane needed to wear that sigil if its power was to reach full strength. Until it did, Ifre would never break through Kaneâs mental shields.
And the darkness hungered to taste Kaneâs magic. Right now, its demands pounded in the back of
For his part, Kane rounded the side of the stable and headed toward the cluster of guardsmen on the field. They all slowed to a stop at his approach. They watched him with trepidation, which he apparently did nothing to alleviate.
He barked an order and practice resumed as he studied the action. Finally, he called a halt to the proceedings as Sergeant Markus, accompanied by another guard, made his way onto the field. Kane watched their approach with what could be described only as predatory interest, his demeanor vastly different from what it had been only moments before with those children.
Markus stopped a few feet short of Kane, letting his companion continue on by himself. Everyone else formed a rough circle around the pair as first Kane and then the guard drew their weapons. At first their movements were slow and careful, but it didnât last long.
Badly outmatched, the guard was quickly in full retreat. Only a fool would have continued to stand against such an overwhelming onslaught, but apparently Kane wasnât interested in showing his opponent any mercy. If the match continued unabated for much longer, the guard would be lucky if he would be able to walk off the field without aid.
What had the man done to incur Kaneâs wrath? As soon as the thought crossed Thedaâs mind, she knew the answer. Without question, he was the drunk who hadattacked Lady Margaret last eve. Kane knew punishing him for his actions would not sit well with Ifre.
No, canny man that he was, she bet Kane had found some other reason to make an example of him. Perhaps it was wrong of her to be glad to see the man bruised and bleeding, but she was. Once again she owed Kane for his actions on her behalf, although she suspected he wouldnât want her drawing attention to it.
The bout ended when Kane hooked Gartâs sword and sent it flying through the air. The exhausted guard dropped to his knees. Kane stood over him, using the tip of his sword to lift the other manâs chin up to look his captain in the face.
Whatever Kane said to him had him nodding despite the risk of being cut by the blade at his throat. Finally, Kane backed away and turned his attention to the other men. His entire demeanor changed again as he chose Markus as his next partner and ordered the others to pair off for more practice.
Where the first match had been meant to punish, this one was more akin to the match against the redheaded fighter days before. It was time for her to be about her duties, but she found it hard to walk away from the spectacle.
Once again, the dark warriorâs actions brightened her day.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
For once, Ifre had managed to slip outside without being noticed by his assigned guards. Taking refuge in the shadows of the trees near the practice field, he watched his new captain in action as Kane casually beat one of the guards into the ground. What had the man done to deserve such treatment? No matter. The guards were disposable. Even if Kane killed a few to make a point, so be it.
Right now he and Markus were crossing swords, testing each other for weaknesses as well as their strengths. The sergeant was putting up a good effort, but there was no doubt which of the two was the better fighter.
Ifre had definitely chosen correctly naming Kane as his new captain rather than promoting Markus, although Kane was not wearing his badge of office. Ifre didnât care if the men knew who was in command. Kane needed to wear that sigil if its power was to reach full strength. Until it did, Ifre would never break through Kaneâs mental shields.
And the darkness hungered to taste Kaneâs magic. Right now, its demands pounded in the back of
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