Desolation by R S Broadhead

Author:R S Broadhead [Broadhead, R S]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: R.S. Broadhead Books
Published: 2019-04-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

I spent from sun up to sun down, day after day, practicing my craft. My fingers slowly became tough enough to manage the string without creating blisters. To help with my strength in handling the tension of the string, Bram had me lifting stones, rolling them forward, and dragging them behind me. My entire body hurt daily, but my strength was growing.

I arrived at the arena earlier than usual, to get in a few extra reps with my arrow before Bram arrived. I had grown rather fond of my weapon, wondering how I had gone so long without having ever picked one up before.

I had just sent an arrow through the air to lance a target stuffed of hay when I heard footsteps behind me.

“Up for something different today?” Bram asked.

I lowered the weapon and focused on him. “What did you have in mind?”

He smiled, showing a row of perfect white teeth. “Well, you’ll need to learn some hand-to-hand combat in case you get in close quarters to fight. Although your best bet will be distance, so you can use the bow, but things may not work out that way. You need to be prepared for it. So, I was thinking we could spar.”

“Wait. I have to spar … with you?”

“You would rather wait to learn close-quarter defense until you’re in this arena with someone wanting to slit your throat and drain the blood from your body?”

Without waiting for my response, he lunged forward. I didn’t have time to even fully register what was happening before white scales erupted over his skin, and his pupils became slits. His eyes were wild, focused on me in a way that made me shake.

I twisted and dropped the bow, with every intention of running, but he was too fast. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I stumbled, hitting the ground and tearing flesh from my thigh. As I scuffled against his solid hold, dust flew around us, hindering my vision. I tensed and tried to bring my leg back to kick, but his weight made it impossible to move.

“Give up?” he asked, his voice gruffer than usual.

I opened my mouth, fighting against the words. But I had no other choice. He had me immobile. “Yes,” I finally said bitterly.

He climbed to his feet, staring down at me between his parted legs. “Honestly didn’t think the first time would be so quick. Thought you’d put up more of a fight than that. I can tell we need to work on your speed.”

I rolled over to my side, unwilling to see the gloating expression on his smug face any longer. With a huff of breath, I slapped at the ground. “Maybe if you hadn’t attacked before letting me know we were starting, I wouldn’t have done so bad.”

“Maybe. First rule. You’re small, so never charge an opponent. Wait until they come to you. Second rule. Never turn your back on them. Your attention is to stay on them at all times. Third rule.

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