Recruit of Talionis by C.J. Milacci

Author:C.J. Milacci
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Journey Perspective Publishing

Chapter

Thirty-Four

Cai twirls his staff in his hand. “First, I’ll demonstrate what your training will allow you to accomplish. My methods are going to be different from what you expect, but you need to do exactly as I say. If you do, it will help you excel as a recruit and also prepare you for when we escape.”

He faces the man-sized stack. “Watch.”

In movements so fast, I almost become dizzy, Cai spins his staff in one hand, bends, spins it behind his back into the other hand, and then does a series of jabs, strikes, and what appear to be blocks. His arms and legs fly swiftly and deftly, each motion fluid and well-practiced.

He drops his staff and picks up two metal sticks that are around two or three feet long each. Both arms move in synchronization, beating the sticks against the dummy, rapidly delivering blow after blow, the sound a staccato piercing the air. Then he does a backflip, leaving the sticks on the ground, and retrieves three knives from a low table. He flings first one and then the other two simultaneously, embedding them into the target on the wall.

He stops, and the only sound is Cai’s breathing. I realize my mouth is hanging open, and I quickly snap it shut as he comes back toward me.

“So, would you like to learn how to do this?” He swipes an arm against his forehead.

For a moment, I imagine Matthias’s face if I could learn to move as quickly as Cai just did. I might actually get the better of him without him letting me. I can’t help the small smile that lifts the corners of my mouth.

“Yes. But why not use guns?” I almost hate that I’m asking, but I can’t stop myself. I’ve grown accustomed to carrying my rifle everywhere, and, as much as I don’t love weaponry training, bullets are faster than hand-to-hand combat.

Cai scoops up the two staffs on the ground and tosses one to me. “Guns are loud. Knives, staffs, arrows—they’re quiet. The enemy doesn’t have as much time to react.” He pauses, mouth turned down. “I don’t enjoy taking lives or harming people. But I’ve learned to do it well in order to stop evil men and women from hurting the innocent. I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and I’ll train you to do the same.”

Something in me rises. A sense of purpose and excitement. I grip the staff in my hands tighter. “Okay.”

He shifts, and I notice a rectangular, leather pouch on his hip.

“What weapon is that?”

“My Bible.” Before I can process what he said or ask anything else, he continues. “Since we agree, I expect you to do as I instruct with no complaints.”

Something about the way he states the words makes me wonder what exactly he has in mind, but I agree anyway. I toss the smooth staff from one hand to the other, trying to get a feel for its weight, eager to get started.

“How do you spin

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