Farlander by Buchanan Col

Author:Buchanan, Col [Buchanan, Col]
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Tor
Published: 2010-11-17T06:00:00+00:00

‘What’s going on here?’ bellowed a voice from across the courtyard as Olson hauled them, stumbling, from the stable. It belonged to Baracha, breaking off from his practice session with a great broadsword.

Both young men straightened up instantly, as Olson released them. ‘I caught them lounging about, eating stolen food. They’ve clearly been fighting too.’

‘Is that true, Aléas?’ the Alhazii demanded of his apprentice. ‘You squabble now in the dirt like a child?’

‘Not at all,’ Aléas replied as he wiped the remaining blood from his chin. ‘We were merely practising our short-staff skills. I fear I was a little slow in defending myself.’

‘Just practising?’ The big man took Aléas by the chin, inspecting his wound. Displeased at the sight, he released it. ‘I told you to stay away from this one, and now you see why. Remember, you are training to be Rshun. We do not settle our differences like dogs fighting in the street. If you have a problem with each other, then we must settle it in the proper way.’

Aléas and Nico exchanged apprehensive looks.

‘But we have no problem between us,’ Aléas said with care.

‘What? You have been bled, boy.

‘Yes – and it was but an accident.’

‘It is still an insult!’

‘Master,’ said Aléas, ‘I have hardly been insulted. It was merely sport.’

‘Be quiet, Aléas.’

His apprentice looked to the ground glumly.

‘We must settle this properly,’ repeated Baracha, exchanging a knowing glance with Olson. ‘And we will do it in the old way – you understand, the pair of you?’

Oh no, thought Nico, not liking the sound of that.

‘A fine idea,’ said Olson with a renewed sparkle in his eyes. ‘I will fetch what they need.’ And he hurried off towards the north wing.

‘What we need?’ echoed Nico, asking of no one in particular.

‘We are going fishing,’ said Aléas with a sigh, his gaze still fixed firmly on the ground.

Fishing? marvelled Nico, but he knew better than to open his mouth again. Instead he wondered, with a rising panic, what terrible ordeal could lurk behind such an innocent phrase.

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