Grishel's Feather by Guy Antibes

Author:Guy Antibes [Antibes, Guy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Casiepress LLC
Published: 2019-07-25T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

~

M orning didn’t come soon enough. Jack’s body ached as if he spent the night on the ground, and other than not getting dirty, he couldn’t tell the difference when he rose in the rosy glow of dawn.

They stopped at a slightly larger village at midday.

“Why don’t we get a little practice in since we enter Black Finger Society territory soon,” Helen said. “I know Jack needs the drill. He’s an awful swordsman.”

“So true.” Penny shot an imperious expression at Jack.

Tunno and Bracco readily agreed. Jack volunteered to work with the younger monk with Helen sparring with Bracco. Barria and Penny squared off against each other with Carlo and Addio looking on.

Tunno was stouter than Jack, but after a few minutes of warming up, it was apparent the monk was much slower. Penny might have a few issues with the man’s weight, which far exceeded Jack’s, but her speed would make up for Tunno’s pace unless the fighting got dirty. Jack played around with Tunno, treating the workout as just that. They switched partners just before they went in for their meal. Bracco was nearly as slow as Tunno, but he had technique to make up for that. The two of them gave each other all they could, and Jack came out on the short end time after time. Penny wouldn’t be a match for the older man, but Jack thought Helen could defeat him easily enough.

Jack hoped his analysis would hold up to Helen’s. Barria walked into the inn with her arm around Penny’s shoulder complimenting her on how expert she had to be to show Barria up.

Their meals in the little villages, traveling through the Passoranian foothills, weren’t exactly inspiring, but the muck filled the belly, Jack thought philosophically. Helen joined Jack after traveling on the road for a while.

“I talked to the innkeeper. He knew about Grishel’s Cavern. The toothless man was right, and Addio is playing games with us.” She looked up and then down the road. “I’m going to see who is behind us if anyone, but first, what is your assessment of the guards?

“Tunno is slow. His technique is probably about on a par with mine, but I’m faster. Bracco is better than me. He isn’t fast, but he has the moves that Tunno doesn’t. Penny could take Tunno, but not Bracco. You should be able to beat both.”

“Unless they were holding back,” Helen said. “If it comes to that, just distract my opponent with a wizard bolt.” She laughed. “I’ll meet you tonight, if not sooner.” Helen turned her horse to the rear and galloped to the north.

Bracco took Helen’s position. “Where did the lady go?”

“She is a great scout. We don’t want Ferrio following us. If he is, she will find him and give her sword a drink.”

“Is Helen capable of such a thing?”

“With a little provocation, yes,” Jack said.

Bracco turned back to see where Helen had gone. Jack didn’t like the worried look on the guard’s face.

~

“We will stop a

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