Read Online Blood on Bronze (Blood on Bronze Book 1) by Anthony Gillis - Free Book Online

took her hand from across his chest, and held it
for a moment, unexpected feelings stirring beneath his stern self-control. She
opened her eyes, looked up at him, and smiled.
    “I suppose you want to go talk to my friend the
weapons master today?”
    “Yes,” he said, “but first let’s go have that
breakfast the healer recommended!”
    ~
     Some hours later, Arjun stood before a grim,
square-faced man with a gray-streaked beard, a black kilt fringed with bronze
discs, and many scars. The audience hall was small and dark, but its walls were
lined with many weapons of bronze.
    “Master Enlil, I seek training at arms,” said Arjun with
a bow.
    The man surveyed him unsmilingly, “Training of what
kind?”
    “Sword, dagger, fist, and feet… and how to use them
with surprise.”
    Enlil arched an eyebrow that was split by an old scar.
“I see, then Inina has directed you to the right master, however for such
things, I do not work cheaply.”
    “What are the terms of study with you?” replied Arjun.
    “Five silver moons per day with me, provision of your
own weapons and gear, strict obedience to my commands while training is in
session, and no questions asked by either party.”
    “That is agreeable, master Enlil.”
    “One reason I am more expensive than most masters is
that my students often do not wish it known they are being trained, and so I
train them alone rather than in classes. Such attention also means that you
will acquire better training.”
    Enlil continued, “You may expect thirty days of
training with me to reach the barest minimum proficiency I will accept for you
to call yourself my apprentice, and during that time I expect you to be here
every day except sacred festivals. After that, you may attend as needed, and I
will alternate with other apprentices, but know that it may take two hundred
days or more before you reach the skill whereby I would call you fully trained.
Do you have sufficient funds, and do you accept?”
    “I have them, master Enlil, and I accept.”
    “Very good then, student, we shall sign and seal the
compact now, and begin your training at first light tomorrow.”
    ~
    The next morning, at the very glimmer of dawn, Arjun
was admitted to Enlil’s single-story house by a grim-faced doorman in armor and
bearing twin axes. The doorman led him through the audience hall and down a
narrow corridor that went past a kitchen and storerooms to a small, high-walled
courtyard with a sand yard in the center.
    In the middle of the yard stood master Enlil. He was
wearing a kilt of bronze scales, a leather breastplate reinforced with copper
discs, leather bracers and greaves, and a bronze helmet. He had a sturdy plain
bronze sword drawn.
    Arjun threw off his cloak and the bag he’d brought
with food and water. He walked to the center of the sand yard with his own
sword at the ready. Enlil nodded to him, and he bowed low.
    “Now, student, let us see what skill you bring to your
training.”
    Enlil took a half step back into a fighting stance.
Arjun did likewise, as he’d learned in his brief formal training when he first
got the sword. Enlil stepped to one side, bringing his sword around in a
slashing movement. Arjun parried it easily, but went flying as Enlil’s
unexpected kick connected with his flank. Arjun sprawled on the ground, and
swift as a hawk, Enlil put his sword to his neck.
    Arjun winced at the pain where Enlil’s foot had
connected, but took it as the lesson it was. He looked up at Enlil, who stepped
back again, guard up, and spoke.
    “I can see you have some formal training, student, but
I suspect little involving fighting with no rules. You will learn how to pay
better attention, so that you are not caught by surprise by such simple
tricks.”
    “Yes, master Enlil.”
    “Good. Now, stand up, and we shall take a more formal
approach to discover the full extent of your previous training.  I promise no
more such surprises for the first week of your instruction, but after