Page 113 of Into the Isle

Well, I know where to find Magnus tonight. In the middle of the day, though? Probably sleeping off the late night in Mimir Tomes.

Grim motioned to Randi, stepping in front of her about ten paces away. “Show me.”

“Huh?” She took a step back.

Grim was easily three times her weight and about two feet taller than her. He made her look like a child.

Pointing at himself, he said, “A big man can show you how to take down other big men.”

Randi’s eyes flared with excitement. “Oh. Oh! Okay.”

She crouched, getting low to the ground—even shorter. When she charged at him, she hesitated, and Grim darted out, wrapped his huge arms around her, and pushed Randi away. “Again.”

Randi frowned. “I don’t know what to do.”

“With weapons,” Grim said. “Come at me hard.”

Randi’s eyes widened. For some reason, she glanced over at me, and I shrugged, then gave her a tiny nod.

Taking her two daggers out of their sheaths, she spun the handles in her palms.

“Don’t hesitate. I’ll be okay.” Grim gave her a small smile, goading her, and Randi bared her teeth like a tiny, angry animal.

She charged at Grim, no longer cautious, and slashed and stabbed with her daggers while letting out little grunts.

Grim shocked me with how fast he moved for a big man. Randi couldn’t get close to him, because his reach was so much longer than hers, and she was scared of his fists and hands.

Grim fought open-palmed, knees slightly bent, and slapped Randi’s arms away as she stabbed.

With the last push, he put more energy into it and she spun in a full dizzying circle before stumbling back and blinking wildly to get her bearings.

Grim stood straighter. “Staying close to the ground is good,” he explained, crossing his arms again. “Lower center of gravity. Makes it harder to lift you.”

“Okay,” Randi said. She didn’t seem frustrated anymore, just curious. “Got it.”

“A big man’s reach is too much for you. You’re too offensive. Alternate between defensive posture and quick bursts, not prolonged lunges. Footwork will be your key, moving in and out.”

Grim was talking way more than usual, and I figured it was because he was speaking about something he was passionate about, and good at.

“Don’t be impatient,” he explained, rattling off more advice. “Eventually, I will tire. Chances are, everyone you face will be larger than you.”

Grim was giving valuable advice in rapid-fire fragments. It made me smile. I was surprised Randi hadn’t gotten this info from her trainers in her home village. Then again, not everyone was as skilled of a teacher as Swordbaron Korvan.

“They grab you,” Grim said, clapping his hands together hard. “It’s over. Don’t let them grab you. Use speed to your advantage.”

It all seemed rather obvious, and still Randi was excited and nodding profusely. She was an enthusiastic trainee. I got the sense she truly hadn’t had a sparring trainer before.

To signal he was done talking, Grim nodded and grunted. “You’ll be fine. Stay swift.”

Randi bowed to Grim like he was her sensei. “Thank you, Grim. I appreciate your help.”

He grunted again. Then he motioned to me and her at the same time. “Again.”

I smirked at him, lifting my spear, catching a hint of a smile on Grim’s face before I faced Randi. Her eyes were gleaming, a roguish glint and renewed confidence wafting off her.

She lifted her daggers, and we charged at each other with battle cries carrying on the wind.

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