Chương 57: [A Big Softie at Heart]

The King John's had filled out for the evening meal, the village group taking up the corner as they settled down and waited for their food. The afternoon had gone quickly. Shai, Rika and Torren had left the boys after their midday meal, they had work that needed doing. Shai had spent most of the afternoon at the table in the house putting the logistics message together for the elders, the second wave of guards needed coordinating and the sooner word left the better.

They would take on the duty of day and night watch until the wall was up and the townsfolk were further along in their training. The trainers had sat doing the same, working out what each of their students needed before the next session. Torren suggested eating as a group and had gone to the other houses to get everyone. By the time Lauren put food down in front of them everyone was hungry. Plates were cleared, mugs refilled. Outside the light had dropped, the street quieter than it had been a few hours ago.

The guards on night rotation finished eating and pushed their chairs back, quiet and unhurried. This would be the only night they did this before they transitioned into training full time. The training had been a big hit in town and more people had been coming over asking about it all day, so the decision had been made to send for more guards and to split into trainers and people keeping watch. Jackets on, and they were gone into the street, heading for their posts on the edge of town.

Bram drained the last of his drink and set the mug down.

"Right," he said.

"I'm done." Nobody argued. They gathered themselves and said goodnight to Lauren, who was already wiping down the bar, and filed out into the cool evening air. The street was quiet, the last of the light sitting on the rooftops. They walked together, the group loose and unhurried.

"Yeah, the bleep test was a smart way to test the group's fitness and endurance," Aldric said, speaking to Nessa.

"What was the guy's name again? The fitness trainer?"

"Max," Nessa said.

"The big lad. He had it on his phone. That's what they call those devices they all have that no longer work."

"It works better than anything we use," Rika said.

"You can run the whole group at once and see exactly where everyone is."

"We should use it every few weeks," Shai said.

"Track the improvement properly."

"They're going to hate that," Rika said, with some satisfaction.

"Good," Kai said. Mars had Growlie on his shoulder, the little dragon already half asleep, head tucked against his neck.

"He's going to fall off if he's not careful," Bram said quietly.

"He won't," Mars said.

"He's got a grip like you wouldn't believe. I've got the scars to prove it." A few of them smiled. They reached the first house in the row. Bram stopped at the door.

"Early start," he said, by way of goodnight, and went inside. Aldric peeled off at the next one, a nod to the group. Lucian followed shortly after, Mars a step behind him, Growlie still attached to his shoulder and showing no signs of waking. Nessa stopped at her door and looked back at the remaining four.

"Night everyone," she said, and went in. That left Shai, Rika, Torren and Kai on the pavement outside the last house. Torren looked at Kai.

"Cup of tea?" Kai considered it for half a second.

"Aye," he said.

"Go on then." Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! Torren disappeared into the kitchen almost immediately. Shai took the couch nearest the window, Rika dropped onto the one opposite, and Kai lowered himself into the armchair at the end, joints creaking once in protest.

"How are you finding it all?" Kai said.

"It's a lot to be managing." Shai looked at him.

"I'm fine Kai, honestly. Today went better than I expected and tomorrow we'll have more people to spread the load. Stop worrying."

"I'm not worrying." Rika snorted.

"I'm not," he said.

"You've asked her some version of that question every time something new lands on her plate," Rika said.

"Since I've known you anyway."

"I'm thorough."

"You're a worrier." Kai looked at Shai.

"When did she get like this?"

"She's always been like this," Shai said.

"You just didn't notice because she was scared of you for the first two years." Rika's wings lifted in protest.

"I was not scared of you."

"You used to go quiet when he walked past," Shai said.

"I was being respectful."

"You hid behind me once."

"I was standing behind you. There's a difference." Kai smiled.

"Now, why would she be scared of me. She knows I'm a big softie at heart."

"She does now yes, when she met you and for a while after she saw what I bet Leo saw today." She laughed.

"You must have said ten words to the poor man all session."

"Well, he did well enough, better than I expected actually. I didn't see the need in talking the guy's ear off."

"You will never make friends like that Kai," Rika said in a teasing voice.

"I'm happy as I am, with my beautiful daughter and friends. Have I told you how proud I am of you three?"

"Yes," answered Shai and Rika. Torren bellowing the same from the kitchen.

"I knew he would be listening." Kai laughed.

"That man is a worse gossip than you are Rika."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh? Did you think I didn't notice you telling those lads about the time Shai put ribbons in my hair when she was a kid?" Rika's face paled.

"It was a slip of the tongue, I didn't mean to..."

"What? You think these things just frame my face?" He chuckled.

"I don't mind. It was funny watching you panic when you realised though." Rika blew out a breath. From the kitchen came the quiet clatter of mugs being set out.

"Luka caught on to the counterweight idea early which surprised me," Torren said, leaning back.

"Most novices let the hammer-head pull them off their heels when they switch from a high guard to a low one. Luka kept his centre low. He moved the shaft like a lever, letting the iron stay still while he stepped around it."

"Parmo got the hang of consistent draw quicker than I expected," Rika said.

"First few were all over the place but he settled into it. Placing his thumb under his jaw in the same place every time, that's going to lead to consistency way faster than anyone could hope."

"Phil got the hang of splitting his focus pretty fast," Shai said, shaking her head.

"Usually, a recruit's off-hand just dangles when they're focusing on where to place their feet. Every time he shifted his weight into a forward guard, that left blade stayed exactly where it needed to be to cover his flank. He didn't think about one sword at a time. It took me a while to get comfortable with that."

"Sam was hard to read from the outside," Torren said.

"Nessa keeps her own counsel but he looked like the rest of them. Moving faster than expected." Kai said nothing for a moment, turning his mug in his hands.

"Leo was the fastest," he said.

"Of anyone I've trained. Whether that holds or whether it was just the first session I don't know yet." He paused.

"I'm looking forward to finding out."

"They said the Sarren is very similar to a weapon from their world," Shai said.

"A katana. Apparently it's popular in some of their stories and entertainment. If he knows a bit about it that could explain why he took to it so well." Kai considered this.

"Well. I'm glad we have another who appreciates it. It's a fine weapon." Rika had her mug halfway to her mouth.

"Must be nice having a one on one session though. Don't get me wrong, I love training groups. But there's something satisfying about having just the one."

"It has its advantages," Kai said.

"I'd love it," Rika said.

"If I could pick one of them to focus on entirely." She sighed, wistful.

"So Parmo then," Shai said flatly.

"Obviously," Rika said.

"Brandon is the best." Torren and Shai grinned and shook their heads at her antics.

"Don't act like you don't wish Leo had picked you," Rika said, grinning at Shai.

"I saw you looking over in his direction more than anywhere else toda—" She stopped. The word hung there. Shai closed her eyes. Exhaled slowly through her nose. Rika turned her head toward the armchair. Kai was watching her. Not the stern instructor, not the relaxed man who had been laughing about ribbons. Something more focused than either, his eyes moving between Rika and Shai as though he had just heard something he needed to know more about. Torren was already on his feet.

"I'll go and sort out that mess I made in the kitchen. Back in a bit." Nobody pointed out that there was no mess.