(eng) L. E. Modesitt - Saga of Recluce 16 by Arms Commander

Author:Arms Commander [Commander, Arms]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

LII

After a good night’s sleep and a leisurely breakfast with Zeldyan and the women of Quaryn, Saryn retrieved the weighted wands from her gear and brought them to the courtyard directly behind the rear porch. Both Ilys and Abaya were waiting, dressed in exercise tunics and trousers and riding boots.

“Why do you use the shorter blades?” asked Abaya.

“Because they’re more useful in a wider range of circumstances. Also, they’re better suited as a weapon for women, especially on horse back.”

“But the blades Father uses are much longer…” Ilys didn’t finish the sentence.

“I can throw my blades farther than his reach.” Saryn kept her voice even.

“I saw what you did at Cauyna,” said Zeldyan from the porch, where she sat with Anyna. “If it’s not too… intrusive, might I ask how many men you’ve killed by throwing a blade?”

Saryn glanced up at the regent. “I’ve never kept track, but it’s well over a score, perhaps two or three times that.”

For just a moment, Anyna’s face froze, and Saryn could sense the shock.

“You should understand that Westwind has been under attack in some way every year. Just this year, I’ve been in three battles or skirmishes. In every one, we’ve been outnumbered. The only way you can survive those odds is to kill them without suffering many casualties.”

Zeldyan nodded. The surprise slowly faded from Anyna’s face, but not from within her.

“Can’t you just drive them away?” asked Abaya.

“That doesn’t work. They’d just come back, and that means twice as much risk for us. They have thousands of armsmen. We only have hundreds of women… and their children.”

“Do you have children?”

“No. The Marshal does, but I don’t. Her daughter is about your age.” Saryn picked up one of the wands and handed it to the younger daughter. “We’ll start with one.” Then she stepped back. “Take your position.”

Abaya immediately took a stance.

“Put your feet a little closer together. They don’t have to be quite so far apart with a shorter and less weighty blade…”

A glass or so later, Saryn stepped back. “I think that’s enough for today.”

“Oh…” came from Abaya. “I was just getting better.”

“Thank you,” said Ilys, smiling and inclining her head.

“Thank you,” added the younger sister quickly before turning and looking up at her mother on the porch. “She’s very good.”

“I know. I watched her. Now… go get cleaned up so that you’ll look presentable for your father. I hope it won’t be that long before he arrives.”

“Yes, Mother.” Abaya nodded, then looked to Saryn. “Father lets us exercise and ride and spar, but only if we look like ladies the rest of the time.”

Once Abaya and Ilys had left, Saryn said, “Lord Maeldyn sounds unlike other lords with respect to his daughters.”

“Maeldyn is quite aware of both the proprieties and the realities.” Anyna laughed. “He’s also cognizant that they tend to conflict. Thank you for taking the time with them.”

“How could I not, when so few girls are given the chances that you’ve given yours?”

“Do you train all the girls at Westwind?” asked Zeldyan.

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