The Elf by Max Dune

Author:Max Dune [Dune, Max]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fairy Tale, folklore, fantasy, young adult, Christmas
Publisher: David & Duke Publishing, LLC
Published: 2016-10-18T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

I walk toward the woman, my movements tentative and anxious. By the time I’m just a few feet away, she’s sitting, concentrating on sharpening one of her katanas. Her hands move swiftly, with great expertise, bringing the edge of the silver steel to sparkling perfection. She uses a whetstone, similar to the one I use for my axes, but Yuriko does a much better job than I’ve ever done. My blades have never been so lucky, but hers could probably cut through anything.

Without looking up, she says, “They weren’t saints.”

I stare at Yuriko in blank confusion. “I beg your pardon.”

Her black eyes, alert and focused, shift to mine. “My jobs. Most were murderers, drug lords, sexual predators...or worse.”

My face burns at her statement; she overheard my conversation with Chance. But how is that even possible? We were well beyond earshot.

Yuriko shrugs ever so slightly. “It’s one of my powers, enhanced senses—sight, hearing, speed, and strength.” This elf has powers? I can’t believe it. I thought our kind had lost them over time.

“I see,” I say simply, willing my face to return to its normal color and my voice to remain steady. Then I realize there’s something familiar about her accent. Is she the one who debated my worth with Jack back in the forest? It feels like a lifetime ago. I decide not to bring it up, at least for now, and instead stick to our current conversation. “Well, is that what this is for you? Just another job?”

At that, she stiffens.

Great. I’ve offended her. Probably not the smartest thing to do to a world-class assassin.

“No, this is about justice,” she states flatly. “And honor.”

Just like that, her irritation fades, and she returns to her graceful calmness. She stands and offers me the katana she’s been sharpening.

I look at it, then back up at her, frowning.

“Take it,” she says. “This is your first lesson.”

I grab the hilt and step back, holding the weapon awkwardly with both hands. It’s heavier than it looks. “Are we going to spar?” I ask.

Her upper lip curls. “You wouldn’t last two seconds.”

“No arguments here.” I shake the katana. “What do you want me to do with this thing?”

She waves a hand at the tall bamboo stick poking out of a metal platform on the floor. It’s about three inches wide and over six feet tall. “Cut that in half,” she orders.

That’s it? Shoot. Even I can do that. I’ve seen my share of Samurai movies.

After giving her a confident shrug, I saunter over, raise the katana, then hack at the bamboo with all my might, but the blade doesn’t cut squat. It only gets stuck in the wood. I look around the room, hoping nobody witnessed my pathetic sword-wielding action. It appears that only Yuriko is paying any attention, and I can tell by the way she’s pressing her lips together that she’s suppressing a laugh. I glare at the stupid katana and pull back, determined to get it right the second time around, but it won’t budge.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.