My afternoon training with Lirika ends up expanding to include Bren, in large part because my turned foot means that I need to compensate for certain moves, or only do them with one hand but not the other. While Lirika excels at lockpicking, she is only what she terms a “moderately capable” fighter.
Unsurprisingly, Bren is able to provide that additional edge of expert advice, walking me through variations on each move and helping me adjust my technique so I don’t slip or turn my ankle. Thankfully, the motion of the boat on the calm currents of the river is slight enough as to have only minimal impact on my balance. Still, by the end of an hour and a half, I am shaky with fatigue and more than grateful to return to the children.
I gather them around me on deck, ink and paper at hand, and
