by Brian Keller
Jarell drew a short sword of beautiful craftsmanship. The gold filigree in the blade just above the crossguards likely cost more than most laborers made in a season. Cooper’s hands flashed backward in a well-practiced movement and just as quickly snapped into a defensive position with a blade in each hand. Jarell mocked Cooper, “You can’t even afford matching blades?” The blade in Cooper’s left hand was the one he’d received from Master Loril “on account”. The points of the upswept crossguards glinting in the light reflected through the glass doors. His right hand held the characteristic dagger used by all students in the Training Room.
Jarell surged forward, demonstrating unnatural speed. Cooper had expected this and had practiced enough with Kolrem to know that he would need all his skill just to stay alive. As they fought, Jarell thrusting and slashing, Cooper dodging and blocking, Cooper began to reach out with his senses, seeking to tap into the energy around him. He’d been absolutely forbidden from Channeling, but if he needed to tap into his Flow to stay alive, he’d contend with the consequences afterward. He could feel the energy was there, but as he used both his blades to defend himself against Jarell’s single weapon Cooper realized that he may have a fighting chance simply because he had two blades. Cooper remained on the defensive, trying to recall all the patterns and tricks Felis had used that day they’d sparred before going out to hunt down Egil. Even so, within a few minutes Cooper was bleeding from at least a half dozen minor cuts. Cooper willed himself to remain relaxed. He remained purely defensive, allowing a few minor cuts and slashes was to be expected; he just had to protect his vital points. Perhaps just a few seconds of Flowing would be all that was needed. As he waited for an opportunity to present itself, Jarell struck unexpectedly. Cooper hadn’t expected it since the Master of Coin’s footing was completely wrong. He realized that his logic was faulty, since even an off balance thrust could pierce his leather as well as his chest. He managed to use the dagger in his right hand to redirect the thrust. Jarell used this opportunity to whip his sword upward along the dagger to slice into Cooper’s right hand. The surprise and pain caused Cooper to lose hold of his dagger and it clattered to the floor. Reflexively, Cooper felt a surge of energy and his speed doubled. He thrust his left hand forward and caught Jarell’s blade with the dagger in his left hand, trapping it within the crossguard. With strength recently developed while working the forge, twisting and hammering heated metal ingots until they merged to form a single mass, Cooper twisted now. The unexpected ferocity of the movement pulled the sword from Jarell’s grasp. Cooper tested his right hand and found that while he was bleeding, he was cut only from his wrist to his little finger. It hurt, certainly, but he still had the use of his hand. Cooper’s right hand flashed down to grasp the tether, chain and grip of his chain knife. As he flung it toward Jarell’s pelvis, the Master of Coin drew in a sharp gasp of surprise and twisted his body. As soon as he saw the blade sink into the meat of Jarell’s thigh, Cooper was already pulling the tether, attempting to retrieve his knife. Jarell cried out as the barbs began tearing his flesh. He yanked the blade out and flung it back at Cooper, who dodged and tried to begin whirling the chain as soon as the blade flew past him. Jarell looked at Cooper, then at the sword and dagger on the floor, then back at Cooper again. Before Cooper could regain control of the weapon, Jarell turned and ran to the window. Cooper watched as Jarell launched himself from the balcony, soared through the air and then plummeted. Cooper heard a splash as he rushed to the window and looked over the balcony. He studied the width of the street between him and the churning water beyond. He saw Jarell, swimming with powerful strokes, being borne along by the slow water, and then his eyes went back to the width of the street between them. Cooper decided, “I may want him dead, but I’m not following him that way!”
End of Book Two – The Kinsman – Journeyman Assassin
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