Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper

Author:Justin Somper
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-12-07T02:52:45+00:00

CHAPTER 21

SWORDS

For the first time since arriving on The Diablo, Connor slept well. Hearing his father's voice had calmed him deeply. Somehow it had allowed him to let go of the constant torment of what to believe and what to do. Make yourself ready. Trust the tide. He had kept repeating those words as he'd drifted off to sleep. It didn't matter what the others thought. Grace was still alive. His feeling had been right all along."Hey, buddy, wake up! Shake a tail!"Connor opened his eyes to find Bart already dressed, shaved, and buzzing with energy."What time is it?" Connor asked. "Did I miss breakfast?"

"Nah, buddy, it's early. But did you forget? It's your first sword-fighting class this morning. Get your gear on. We don't want to keep Cate waiting!"

"What's that smell?" Connor wrinkled his nose. Bart blushed.Connor smiled. "Are you wearing cologne... for Cate?"

"I just thought I'd freshen up. Now get a move on, mate."Less than ten minutes later, after the quickest of washes, Connor and Bart arrived on the foredeck. Cutlass Cate was busy laying out an array of weaponry. She was friendly but businesslike, her red hair twisted back in a neat ponytail and covered by her customary bandanna. Her eyes were bright with energy and purpose as she pulled on a pair of leather gloves."These are not toys," she told Connor, as she continued setting out a selection of swords. "Some of the crew treat them as toys. They don't get very far. We never put them to the fore in battle--they'd get minced."Today, I'll show you some of the main swords we use in combat. Some will feel more comfortable to you than others. Each sword has a personality. We need to find the one that fits you. It's like meeting a group of people for the first time. With some, there's an instant connection. Others, you don't click with. We need to find the right sword for you. Your sword becomes an extension of you--of your body, of your personality."Connor nodded, fascinated."Bartholomew, please stand up," Cate instructed. As he did so, she wrinkled her nose."What's that smell?"

"Extract of Limes," Bart said, smiling."Trying to ward off scurvy?" she said with a grin.Bart puffed out his chest and grinned lopsidedly at Cate. She shook her head, all business, and threw a pair of gloves at him. He put them on and reached forward to grab the largest of the swords."Now, Bartholomew here, he's quite a big guy, so he carries the broadsword. It's heavy, too heavy for some, but in the right hands, it's a powerful ally."She stepped back out of Bart's way. "A mollinet, if you please, Bartholomew."As she moved out of his space, Bart began slicing the sword through the air. It sparkled in the sunlight. Suddenly, Bart was all business, moving with the grace of a ballet dancer, and the precision of a knife thrower, as he spun the sword left and right, up and down, circling it about his head and then to either side.

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