Page 16 of Sol Survivor

“Consider it practice then.”Drafe smiled.“After all, I am willing to be humiliated at your hands.”

“You waste my time, Meorri.”He swept the staff wide, smacking the padded target without glancing at it.

Drafe bristled but maintained a calm exterior.Vaen could not irritate more than Ulvus.“I did not think a Riermus would fear a Meorri.I am certain my symbiotes will be delighted to tell of this moment.”

“Fear?”Vaen glowered then tapped the mark on the mat beside his.

Drafe stepped into place and ducked when Vaen spun, sweeping the staff at Drafe’s head.The weapon slammed into the target with a reverberating thud.Drafe responded with the same.The exercise required a duck and whack but in unison.Both had to be aware of their partner’s movements while using the correct stances when swinging the staff—weight on the front leg, swivel on the ball of the foot, with the full force of the body to power the strike.

Dau Lo watched then strolled off.Time slowed with the repetitive motion, though Drafe’s limbs marked the effort.Sweat coated his skin, but he wiped his palms on his pants during ducks.His connection with the staff began at the grip.Weakening would jeopardize his control of the weapon.Lose that, and he would wound himself or worse, Vaen.

At last, the male stepped aside, breaking the hypnotic routine.Drafe stiffened his shoulders, not wanting to slump no matter how much relief coursed through him.His symbiotes hurried to heal and energize, starting with his trembling knees and throbbing arms.

“Mm, better than I expected.”Vaen layered his forearm over Drafe’s in a show of respect.

“From a static target?”A male laughed.

Drafe gritted his teeth and glared at Ulvus who scratched his regrown hand—a startling orange against his obsidian skin.True to their word, the Ivoy had ‘healed’ him.His new hand was a mirrored replication of the other down to the fingerprints.What was amazing was that the symbiotes had adapted, matching the skin tones when they formed armor.

“Ah, Ulvus Karu, why not demonstrate the skill?”Dau Lo strolled through the gathering trainees, clasping his long arms behind his back.

Vaen’s scowl darkened.He gripped and released the staff in agitation.

When Ulvus shifted to the side, his new hand twitching, Drafe smothered a smirk.“Please, show me how it is done, Ulvus.”

“Against you?”His eyebrows arched in a hopeful expression.

“Against me,” Vaen snapped, tapping the spot as he’d done with Drafe.

Ulvus scowled.“I challenged Drafe.”

“That you have done and won.What would another battle accomplish?”Vaen smacked the spot, this time bowing the staff.

Ulvus jerked back.

Drafe palmed his staff and handed it to the male.“Do not fear.Vaen will not hit you unless you are unable to match his rhythm.”

“I fear nothing, Meorri aac Drafe,” Ulvus spat, snatching the offered staff.He stepped onto the mark and raised the long weapon as if he swung a stick.

“The Qaldreth has an issue with this male.”

All turned to the source of the intrusion.Authority resonated in the Ivoyan’s voice.As it should.Before them stood the highest-ranked Ivoyan, Luharp Vadril Ot.A white tunic, embossed with golden thread, draped over the towering Ot.His narrowed gaze assessed the situation while his expression remained neutral.

The focus shifted to Ulvus whose cheeks had taken on a pale gray hue.“I… I do, Great Ot.”

“Why?Do you blame him for the loss of your appendage?Are you not satisfied with our craftmanship?What will your resentment gain you?”

Ulvus flinched at each question, the staff in his hand slipping until the butt hit the padded mat.

Vadril Ot gestured to Drafe.“Accept his challenge, and whoever does well, I shall consider for my next protector.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Drafe pursed his lips.To be given such an opportunity, he had to try.No matter how much exhaustion still weakened his limbs.With a nod to Vaen, Drafe took up position when the male stepped aside and handed him the staff.

“Remember, Ulvus Karu, it is not the chance to inflict pain that is measured but the ability to work as a team, awareness of one’s surroundings, and the use of one’s might against the target.”Dau Lo dipped his head to whisper to the superior Ivoyan.

“Begin,” Vadril Ot commanded after meeting Dau Lo’s gaze.

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