13
JANCO
Janco hated mornings. The bright sunlight, chirping birds and those obnoxious morning people just made his stomach churn. Unfortunately, since he’d been a soldier for forever morning exercise and training had been a requirement. He’d probably be a general by now if training was scheduled for a decent hour of the day.
Ari’s white-blond hair gleamed in the sun, making it easy to find his partner in the vast training area. As in everything, Ari was the complete opposite of Janco. He was even one of those obnoxious morning people.
“You’re late,” Ari said.
“Yeah, well, I got behind a group of newbs while running laps. My grandmother could run faster than them.”
“You couldn’t just pass them?”
“And miss a chance to taunt them? No way.”
“I see you’ve taken to heart Valek’s orders to be a good example to the new recruits.”
“Yep, that’s me. A shining example.”
“Speaking of examples...” Ari tilted his head.
Janco turned and groaned. “Here comes Little Miss Assassin. What have we done to get saddled with her?”
“It didn’t help you were caught snooping in that warehouse. Some sneak you are.”
“I was far from caught. I was just...biding my time.” Janco eyed the young pup sourly.
Little Miss Assassin moved through the groups of soldiers with ease. No discomfort from being surrounded by armed men and women. She joined them without a word and warmed up. Her long brown hair was braided down her back. She wore a light-colored tunic and pants and her feet were bare! And people called him crazy.
He stretched and bantered with Ari until he saw them.
“Ari, look.” He elbowed his partner.
“What? Oh, crap. This can’t be good.”
“Ya think?”
The Commander and Valek headed toward them followed by some grunt, who looked terrified. Didn’t blame him.
Little Miss Assassin froze for a second when she spotted the threesome. Scared of Valek? Not from what he’d heard. The Commander? Ditto. A slight hitch in the big grunt’s stride gave him away. She knew him and vice versa. Valek also watched the young pup’s expression. Probably testing a theory.
But why was the Commander here?
Valek introduced the grunt—Sergeant something or other. Seemed he might be another member of their team. Oh, this day was just getting better and better. He should have stayed in bed.
“We’re going to do some sparring,” Valek said. “Janco versus Gerik, Ari versus Onora, then switch.”
The Commander leaned against the wooden fence that lined the training yard. Better put on a good show.
“Weapons?” Ari asked.
“Your choice.”
Janco sensed a trick. He glanced at his partner. Ari shrugged. No help there. Janco studied the grunt. Taller than him, but not as broad as Ari. Best to wait until the grunt chose a weapon before he picked his.
Sergeant Grunt chose a bo staff. A surprise. Janco was sure he’d go for the sword. No worries. He’d learned a thing or three from Maren. Picking up his bo, he slid his hands along the wood of the staff and faced the grunt.
Valek refereed the match. “Go.”
The grunt swung his bo, aiming for Janco’s temple. He blocked and the loud crack of wood hitting wood vibrated in the air. The man meant business. Janco countered and soon all he heard was the rhythmic cracks of the two bos. His opponent was good, but Janco was better. Natch.
“The grunt can swing, but can he sing?” Janco shuffled close and jabbed at the man’s groin.
He hopped back. “Hey! No blows below the belt.”
“Who says?”
The grunt glanced at Valek. Oh, this was too easy. Janco poured on the speed. Rib strike, rib strike, temple, temple, feint to the ribs and then sweep the legs. Sergeant Grunt landed with an oomph and Janco pressed the tip of his bo just under the man’s Adam’s apple.
“Gotcha!”
Valek called the match. Janco refrained from smirking.
Ari slapped him on the back and almost sent him sprawling. “Nice.”
Janco pulled Ari aside. “Watch out. She almost beat Valek, so she’s probably very fast.”
“That’s why I’m not choosing a knife.”
“Use your scimitar.”
“Why?”
“No one in Ixia uses it. She’ll be unfamiliar with what it can do. Plus it’s intimidating as all hell.”
“Great idea.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“Ready?” Valek asked.
Little Miss Assassin waited with her knives drawn. Ari approached, holding his scimitar in one hand. The thick, four-foot-long curved blade gleamed in the sunlight. The sucker weighed a ton, but Ari hefted it with ease.
Although she clenched her weapons tighter, Little Miss Assassin kept her cool. This ought to be good.
“Go.”