Chapter 11
Preparation in Tarlah
Ethlin: One Week after the Declaration of War
Ethlin grit her teeth as General Takanis attacked. The woman moved with the force and skill of a man, like her absent mentor Lenaris but more solidly built. Ethlin leapt, ducked, and scrambled aside, finding it best to dodge Takanis’ blows altogether until she could get her own in. She dodged the fifth blow in a row, and the General barked a laugh.
“Esira seems to speed you through the air, girl!” said Takanis, stepping back. “If you dodge so well in battle, you may keep your enemies busy until your comrades have killed them.”
Ethlin managed to smile at the compliment, but the idea of relying on others to kill her opponents in battle frightened her. She needed to be more aggressive. If she dodged and danced
