The Science of Mu (The Traveler Book 6) by Vaughn Heppner

Author:Vaughn Heppner [Heppner, Vaughn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

-26-

The Guard Captain, his name was Dardalion, approached me, his short sword held in front of him. He was a strong, muscular warrior, with a black goatee and blacker eyes.

“You are Dardalion of the Tsargol Guards,” I said. “You do not follow the forms of dueling. You wear your breastplate and helmet. I see that you do not fear me in the least.”

There was a snort of laughter from the crowd. I’d just called him a coward.

Dardalion reached up to one of his breastplate buckles.

“No,” Karm said, “slay the dog this instant. I’ve not sanctioned a duel in the throne room, but I will make this man-to-man. Slay him…” Karm paused, looking at his father.

“Yes,” the king said in a weak voice, “Slay this man, but do it singly as the champion of the Tsargol Guards.” After speaking, the king seemed to sink into an even deeper morass of mental sluggishness.

From Jarvo’s memories, I knew Dardalion had slain nineteen contenders, all veteran swordsmen. Dardalion was acclaimed a brutal and vicious swordsman, quicker than any in Tsargol, certainly better than Jarvo had been.

Jarvo and he had never gotten along, and despite Dardalion’s various attempts to goad Jarvo, Jarvo had never risen to the occasion to challenge a swordsman he knew could kill him.

I drew my sword. One part of me felt weird holding this length of steel. The sword was similar to the Roman gladius of old. The gladius that had carved one of the greatest empires the Earth had ever known. The short sword was bigger than a huge knife, almost like a giant machete, even though it was a short sword. Mine lacked any glittering jewels. Dardalion’s had those on the pommel. His was an expensive, almost princely sword.

I approached warily, realizing my sword could shatter, even though it had been forged from finely tempered steel just like the other. If I swung sword against sword with all my Earth-muscled strength, I could well shatter my blade and be at the mercy of this brutal killer.

We circled each other. Dardalion’s eyes glittered with viciousness.

On impulse and suspicion, I glanced swiftly at Prince Karm.

His brown eyes glowed. Just as telling, he’d thrust his right hand into the folds of his garments as some of the portraits of Napoleon had shown him doing with his hand. No doubt, the prince clutched a Zero Stone. Through it, he was likely granting Dardalion greater speed, strength and cunning.

I backed away from Dardalion, moving in a circular leftward motion. Sneering, Dardalion followed me.

“Do you fear me?” he said.

I didn’t answer. I watched his hands instead of the sword itself.

This was a deadly business, facing another man with an edged weapon. From what I’d learned of knife fighting, it was almost impossible to win without being seriously cut.

I had different strategies here. I could try to cut him, make him bleed and slowly weaken. I could attempt a risky attack to win fast. Or I could fence defensively and hope to wear him out, relying upon my Earth strength and stamina.

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