Page 41 of The Lost Guard's Healer

Rourk

It’s late afternoon when I begin my training session, up on the hill where they usually train. The twenty hunters in the tribe have shown up,promise, along with six villagers who also want to learn from me.

I give a speech about what we’ll be aiming to achieve during the training: Form. Awareness. Resilience. Discipline. It’s a speech I’ve given countless times before to new recruits, and it takes me back to simpler times in the Oathlands.

These hunters and villagers do not know I am the General Commander of the Oathlands Military. They think I am a simple soldier. But that’s still enough to get the attention of half of them. The other half clearly do not want to be there or listen to a word I have to say.

We go through footwork first. The first lesson to learn is balance. The second is awareness. To be aware of your surroundings and know where the enemy is, and where your allies are. I take them through a few basic attack and defense combinations with a spear to begin with. Some show surprising promise while others seem to not have entered this life equipped for combat. But I work with what I have.

Bohan is the most vocal against me. Which isn’t surprising. He seems intent on undermining or questioning me at every turn. He has a few hunters on his side while others seem to be genuinely determined to do well.

As we move on to sparring in pairs, I find myself looking out over the village, hoping to see Galene down there. I wonder what she’s doing, and who she’s with. And, I have to admit, only to myself, I wonder if she’s thinking about me.

I notice two women watching us from afar. Magdalena and Abby, the young blonde woman whom I’ve hardly spoken with. I note how I’ve never seen the two of them together before and have to wonder why they’re so interested in the training session. But I note now that many others are also watching my tutelage.

I take my would-be soldiers through their sparring sessions and move on to unarmed offensive and defensive techniques.

At this point, Bohan throws his spear into the ground with a powerful huff. “This is pointless. This man knows nothing of actual combat.” He paces as he waves a meaty hand at me. “We do not spar with a wolf, like knights in a palace courtyard, and we do not use our bare hands to catch a fish or snatch a bird from its perch. We are not Oathland soldiers and we do not wish to be.”

Freddick steps up. “We can learn a lot from Tarin. I mean… no one else told me about balance and awareness.”

“He’s right,” Zayne says. “We should learn what we can from Tarin as the man speaks from experience.”

Wills shakes his head, his wavy hair flapping around his ears. “Have you gone mad? Bohan knows more than this outsider. We do not need to learn the steps of a dance to hunt.” He shoots me a murderous glare. “This is no man. We shouldn’t listen to anything he says.”

“Have I done something to offend you, Wills?” I ask, feeling like I’m missing something. The young man hadn’t shown this much hostility toward me before, and now he appears on the edge of rage.

Freddick leans closer to me and mutters, “He is Wini Semassi’s brother.”

My stomach drops. I understand now. Rumors have spread about me being seen with that young vixen, Wini, during the festival. And I can sense there is nothing I can say to defend myself, as others seem to have made up their minds about my character. Arguing with them will get me nowhere.

I step away from the main group and clasp my arms behind my back as I address them. “New plan. Bohan and Wills, I will engage with you both in combat. No weapons. If either of you can land a blow on me, I will cease the training and leave the village immediately.”

I’m met with concerned and confused faces as a heavy hush falls over them. Some share uncertain looks. “What?” I challenge. “Does it not sound fair to you?”

They ignore the question. Bohan’s dark eyes have a wild gleam in them. “And if we lose?”

When, I almost correct. When you lose. “Then you will listen to what I have to say and do as I instruct with no push back. Do we have a deal?”

“We accept,” Wills says eagerly.

He has a strong build for a man in his mid-twenties, but he is eager and undisciplined. Although he has speed in his favor, he will be a sloppy fighter, going for the heavy hits without thought to defense or counters. And his rage against me will blind him to my actions.

“You don’t have to do this,” Freddick says under his breath with urgency and fear in his eyes.

I give him a small, reassuring nod.

“We accept,” Bohan says, wanting to be the speaker for them both and show his dominance.

I instruct the others to form a circle around us, giving us a makeshift arena. That will help keep our skirmish hidden from the rest of the village.

Bohan stretches his neck and arms as he steps up. He is taller than me, with a more powerful build, and he has the experience behind him. He is the Head Hunter for a reason. But he will underestimate me, and I have a few surprises for him.

Bohan flexes his hands and cracks his fingers. “I, Bohan Boronoro, will show you the might of the Shanti People.”

I cock my head. “Your name is Bohan Boronoro?”

He pauses. “Yes. Why?”

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