Scorpio Triumph

Chapter three

Chapter threeThose first testing movements gave me time to step backwards, and backwards again as he pressed. I gave ground rapidly, flicking and flailing the rapier in a way that suggested I was more used to a heavier vertical sword rather than the lighter horizontal rapier. His men scattered away and then formed a ring. They started to shout, and even in those moments of tension, I recognized the quality in their encouragements to the lord their master. I’d known plenty of guards and retainers who’d have been overjoyed to see some stranger stick their lord, by Krun!

The ring of shouting men and women meant I had to circle to keep away from Gochert. The blades clashed and I saw he was not trying to thrust home. He was, as he had said, going to teach me a lesson. That would entail, I gues