Read Online Hand of Fire (The Master of the Tane) by Thomas Rath - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Thomas Rath
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carefully. Soon you will be able to feel the path in front of you and choose your way before you reach the steps ahead. Then you can run as the wind, in silence and stealth. If not, then people like PocMar will catch you and tie you up doing much worse than a few kicks to the ribs.”
Thane stared in disbelief, his jaw dropping to his chest. “You mean you saw what happened and you let them do it?”
“Yes. But not because I enjoy watching the strong or many prey on the weak or few. I did not interfere because I knew it would teach you a lesson.”
“A lesson?” Thane asked puzzled. “What did we do so wrong to deserve such a harsh lesson?”
“Well,” Dax smiled wryly. “I bet the next time you come bounding through the woods you won’t make as much noise as a herd of trolls. And I would also be willing to guarantee that you will be a little more watchful of your surroundings. Does that satisfy your curiosity?”
“Yes, DaxSagn,” Thane answered quietly as he rubbed his bruised side. It was definitely a lesson he was not soon to forget.
The rest of the day was spent with bow and arrow shooting at large and small targets similar to the one Thane and Dor had made. In this area they both did well to the chagrin of the older boys, especially PocMar. They also worked on tracking techniques and a small amount of knife use. They had to use knives carved from wood to practice with since knives were not given until they were earned. Also, for the simple reason that they were not found in abundance around the village since the Chufa were not workers of metals. The only reason they had any at all was because trolls would often have them when they raided. Those who fought bravely during the battle or did something spectacular would then be awarded a knife taken from the trolls’ belongings.
By the finish of the day both boys were exhausted and ready to return home and sleep. Although they were filled with the energy of youth, they were not quite accustomed to the rigors of such activity and all they wanted to do now was get back to their huts and go to bed. Thane sent Dor ahead wanting to talk to DaxSagn about the arrow he’d shot through PocMar’s blade. He waited until all had left the practice area before approaching their teacher who was busy sharpening his own knife.
“You had a fine day today Thane,” DaxSagn said without looking up. “You will soon catch the others in your skills as you continue to practice. I can tell you and Dor already have been practicing at your bows. That is good.”
“Thank you, DaxSagn.”
“So, what can I do for you?”
“I…I was wondering about something,” Thane stammered. “But if you are too busy, I can talk to you another time.”
“I’m not busy now boy so out with it,” Dax said still working his knife.
Thane paused trying to calm himself before going on. “It’s about that arrow you shot today.”
Dax smiled and nodded his head. “How is it that an arrow can pierce the metal of a blade?”
“Well, yes,” Thane said, relieved that Dax seemed willing to tell him about it.
“I don’t know.”
The answer came as an arrow point. “You don’t know!”
“I don’t know. It’s as simple as that.”
“But where did it come from? I mean who made it?”
“Legend has it that it came from the Chufa of old. But they didn’t make it.”
Thane was now more
Thane stared in disbelief, his jaw dropping to his chest. “You mean you saw what happened and you let them do it?”
“Yes. But not because I enjoy watching the strong or many prey on the weak or few. I did not interfere because I knew it would teach you a lesson.”
“A lesson?” Thane asked puzzled. “What did we do so wrong to deserve such a harsh lesson?”
“Well,” Dax smiled wryly. “I bet the next time you come bounding through the woods you won’t make as much noise as a herd of trolls. And I would also be willing to guarantee that you will be a little more watchful of your surroundings. Does that satisfy your curiosity?”
“Yes, DaxSagn,” Thane answered quietly as he rubbed his bruised side. It was definitely a lesson he was not soon to forget.
The rest of the day was spent with bow and arrow shooting at large and small targets similar to the one Thane and Dor had made. In this area they both did well to the chagrin of the older boys, especially PocMar. They also worked on tracking techniques and a small amount of knife use. They had to use knives carved from wood to practice with since knives were not given until they were earned. Also, for the simple reason that they were not found in abundance around the village since the Chufa were not workers of metals. The only reason they had any at all was because trolls would often have them when they raided. Those who fought bravely during the battle or did something spectacular would then be awarded a knife taken from the trolls’ belongings.
By the finish of the day both boys were exhausted and ready to return home and sleep. Although they were filled with the energy of youth, they were not quite accustomed to the rigors of such activity and all they wanted to do now was get back to their huts and go to bed. Thane sent Dor ahead wanting to talk to DaxSagn about the arrow he’d shot through PocMar’s blade. He waited until all had left the practice area before approaching their teacher who was busy sharpening his own knife.
“You had a fine day today Thane,” DaxSagn said without looking up. “You will soon catch the others in your skills as you continue to practice. I can tell you and Dor already have been practicing at your bows. That is good.”
“Thank you, DaxSagn.”
“So, what can I do for you?”
“I…I was wondering about something,” Thane stammered. “But if you are too busy, I can talk to you another time.”
“I’m not busy now boy so out with it,” Dax said still working his knife.
Thane paused trying to calm himself before going on. “It’s about that arrow you shot today.”
Dax smiled and nodded his head. “How is it that an arrow can pierce the metal of a blade?”
“Well, yes,” Thane said, relieved that Dax seemed willing to tell him about it.
“I don’t know.”
The answer came as an arrow point. “You don’t know!”
“I don’t know. It’s as simple as that.”
“But where did it come from? I mean who made it?”
“Legend has it that it came from the Chufa of old. But they didn’t make it.”
Thane was now more
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