The Lost Dawn by Dan Neil

Author:Dan Neil [Neil, Dan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

The Pull

Day 34 of the Season of Aion, 1020 YAR

Every day, Jisaazu grew stronger and faster. After two weeks, she defeated Captain Eckhart in a mock duel and hadn’t lost to him since. Sir Kaine trained her after hours and taught Jisaazu the way he thought best: hands on.

He moved Bonesaw in short, graceful strokes as his feet shuffled to support his shifting weight. His blade always returned to center, never moving more than it had to. Jisaazu could do little but keep the Jaaza Greatsword raised and centered to stave off his assault. He feinted and placed the jagged edge of his blade at her throat before she could recover.

“Dead,” he said. “You lost sight.”

Jisaazu growled and knocked his sword away. She counterattacked, but Sir Kaine kept his balance in retreat. She was impressed by the efficiency of his movements—he was always ready to parry or counterstrike. Their swords clashed, and Sir Kaine pushed back, knocking her to the ground. He pointed his sword at her stomach.

“Dead,” he repeated. “You lost focus.”

Jisaazu struggled to her feet once more and began a long, sweeping strike. Sir Kaine parried it and again showed her the opening in her defenses.

“Especially dead. That one you lost your head.”

She roared in frustration and began a savage assault but was unable to break the old man’s guard. Their blades locked. With a simple flick of his wrist, Sir Kaine rotated the Jaaza Greatsword out of the way and placed Bonesaw on her shoulder.

“D—”

“Yes, I’m dead, I know!” Jisaazu shouted. “I get it at this point!”

She leaped forward and struck with pure anger. Sir Kaine dodged her strike and sheathed his sword. “I’ll not be fighting anymore tonight.”

“No!” she protested. “No, let’s go! I can beat you this time!”

“You have passion.” Sir Kaine smiled. “You fight with raw emotion. But you need to keep your wits about you. Never let your guard down, especially when you’re attacking.”

“The best defense is a good offense,” Jisaazu insisted. “No one can kill me if I kill them first. Draw your sword!”

“The best way to die amidst the chaos of battle is to only focus on killing,” Sir Kaine said. “Lose yourself to lust for blood, and you will be cut down. I’m trying to teach you how to survive.”

“I’m already a survivor,” Jisaazu countered.

“Everyone’s a survivor—until they’re not. That one little mistake or imperfection—that one thing you overlook will be the end of you.” He plopped onto the grass. “That’s all I can do for tonight. I’ve had enough.”

“I think I could defeat you one-on-one,” Jisaazu said. “I just need a little…more.”

“I’ve never fought a one-on-one battle on a battlefield.”

“You slew Gallon the Greatbeard—”

“I had my retinue, and he had his,” Sir Kaine said. “I lost three comrades that day just to reach Gallon. He lost all seven of his. One who was in my retinue has now surpassed me, then just a young squire named Brandon Gladwell. He cut down three of Gallon’s toughest knights that day. Now he’s the Prime Knight of the Noble Order.

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