18
“Excellent,” Nikolaos said as Argolicus parried a dagger thrust with the tip of his sword. He deflected the thrust but didn’t knock it out of his tutor’s hands.
“We’re finished for today,” the tutor said.
“Sometimes I question the efficacy of doing this. It’s not as though I’m going to end up in a street fight.”
“It’s about physical discipline, not fighting per se. Many men your age are already showing signs of diminished capacity. You stay fit and alert. Those are benefits above actual fighting.”
“So I should think of it like declining Greek verbs?” Argolicus parried with words this time.
“We’ve been doing both since you were five years old. There’s still room for improvement.” Nikolaos thrust back.
They both laughed. Argolicus patted his tutor on the shoulder. “Now for breakfas
