The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin Page A

from the Citadel’s reach. Anderson had done so. His old friend had said he’d rather not live out his older years in the constant pull of spectral light.
    Many Grievar could never remove themselves from the light. They constantly felt its gravity, pulling them back to those beautiful moments of action and glory they’d felt in the Circle. It eventually ate away at them.
    Murray didn’t know if he could do the same as Anderson. Though he appreciated the quiet calm of Farmoss, he knew there was a reason he still kept close to the light, working for the past decade as a Scout.
    Murray located Anderson’s address by memory. The home was a traditional Grievar build, the clay exterior pale grey except for the dark wooden door at the center.
    Leyna, Anderson’s wife, opened the door and gave Murray a vigorous hug. In typical Grievar fashion, the two fought for the underhooks, each attempting to gain leverage by swimming their arms under the armpits of the other.
    “My Murray! How long it’s been?” Leyna led him into their kitchen. Though the outside of the home was built of clay, the inside walls were reinforced with the red beelbub planks cut from the forest to the west.
    “Too long, Leyna—it’s good to see you.” It truly was good to see another old face. Murray, Anderson, and Leyna had come up together at the Lyceum. In the Citadel, they’d been there for each other’s greatest victories and most devastating losses.
    Murray sat down at a grooved wooden table that matched the walls. Leyna emerged from the kitchen with three ales. “I assume you’re still liking these, given Anderson told me you’ve already paid him a visit or two at the Bat?”
    Murray shook his head. “This fight. I need to hold off on those for a bit, Leyna.”
    “Ah, yes. Just like the old days! Eating right, abstaining from the drink. Why, I remember Anderson and I even shucked off our playtime for a month prior to fights!”
    Murray chuckled. “Well, luckily, that part of it won’t be a problem for me right now…” He looked down at the table, rubbing his knuckles together.
    “Oh, so you mean to say there isn’t any lucky lady paying homage to the famed Mighty Murray right now? I find it hard to believe that! Once upon a time Upworld… I can remember not a single lass able to keep her skirt down in your presence.”
    “Well, as you can see for yourself, I’m not the man I once was.” Murray patted his gut, giving Leyna a playful grin.
    “Ah, so we are all getting wrinkles. Doesn’t mean you won’t wipe the mats with this dragon boy, or whatever they call him. Looks to be all flash to me—these flying techniques, all the Grievar kids are trying them out nowadays. No basic technique in the lot of ’em.”
    “As flashy as they seem, my dear, the Dragoon has knocked out some top-notch opponents this past year with those very techniques.” Anderson emerged from the basement. He had his spectacles on, with a dirty apron draped over his chest. Murray couldn’t believe this once had been the Grievar that had brought crowds to their feet in the Citadel, clamoring against the railings and chanting for the Bat .
    “How many times have I told you to leave that dirty rag downstairs—you’re going to get it all over the kitchen,” Leyna scolded Anderson, taking his apron off as he held his arms outstretched.
    Anderson clasped hands with Murray, examining him from over the rim of his spectacles.
    “Seems like you’ve really gotten yourself into it this time, brother.”
    “As usual.” Murray grimaced. “I didn’t know who else to come to. I mean, we had Coach back in the day. I’ve been out of the game for so long, though… I don’t even know where to start with the darkin’ thing.”
    “This boy must be real important to you. For Mighty Murray to come back to the Circle after all these years…”
    Murray nodded and lowered his voice to a near whisper. “He could be the one, Anderson. I’ve watched him fight. The kid