Knights of Alana Book 03 - Crown of Chaos by Aaron Hodges

Author:Aaron Hodges [Hodges, Aaron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780995129610
Publisher: The National Library of New Zealand
Published: 2019-11-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

“Guard up!” Kryssa shouted a second before she leapt, and watched with displeasure as the recruit clumsily raised the wooden practice sword above his head.

For a second she was tempted to take her frustrations out on the young man, to deliver a beating he would not soon forget and hope it hammered in the lesson. But the morale of Braidon’s makeshift army was already low enough. Kryssa had told the populace that the king was enlisting the Red Dragons to their cause, but that had been two days ago now. With their scouts placing Marianne’s army at little more than a day’s march from the city, many were openly suggesting surrender.

So as she faced the recruit, Kryssa forced her practice blade to slow, and only tapped him lightly on the wrist.

“There goes your arm,” she said, then stepped back and turned to the other recruits who had gathered in a circle around them.

Irritation touched her as she saw the doubt in their eyes, the fear that they had been abandoned. What had Braidon been thinking, leaving on the back of a Red Dragon? And why had he not told her of his plans? Yet again she had been left behind, blindsided, forced into a corner by the king’s reckless actions.

“Drop your guard on the battlefield, and you’re dead,” Kryssa announced. “Since none of you seem able to remember that, we will return to the shield drills. Partner up with one shield and sword between you. Take turns with each, drills three and six.”

Eager to avoid being partnered with her, the recruits rushed to obey, grabbing practice blades and shields from the piles of equipment. Kryssa claimed a shield of her own as she watched the men and women retreating into two lines. Taking her place in the centre, she gestured to the young man she had beaten earlier. He held only a shield now, and his eyes were on the ground. His defeat had left him shamed, and now he needed to regain his confidence.

Lifting her sword, Kryssa saluted him. “Defend yourself!”

His eyes widened as she leapt. The time for patience was over and she attacked quickly this time, her wooden stave flashing for his face. Instinctively, he raised the shield, catching her blow on the steel rim.

“Better,” Kryssa said, stepping back.

The man’s mouth hung open, as though he could hardly believe he’d blocked the attack. Polite clapping came from the other recruits and Kryssa suppressed a sigh. He might have deflected her blow, but he had overcompensated with the shield, lifting it so high his stomach had been left exposed. Had it been a real battle...

“What are you all standing there for?” she bellowed. “I said drills three and six!”

Flinching at the volume of her voice, the recruits leapt to obey and the rattle of swords on shields followed. Leaving her partner to pair up with another recruit, Kryssa marched up and down the line.

‘Drills’ were perhaps too strong of a word to describe the exercises she had assigned.

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