Page 137 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Like you said, they’re specialty weapons. None of thebattlers in this allotment were chosen for that kind of training.”
Mikoto sighed. “I would like to try.”
“Any foundation for this type of weapon?” Timur was clearlyasking to be polite.
“Yes. My favorite is a chain scythe.”
Timur gave him a hard look and a harder pinch. They weresoon grappling on the ground like a couple of children. Finally pinning him,Timur asked, “You ride, yes? Ever done mounted maneuvers?”
“I am proficient. My partner is Merl Alpenglow.”
“We are going to spar. Soon.” Timur let the younger man upand slanted a look at Sinder. “And then we’ll team up against our dragon friendhere.”
Sinder stated the obvious. “You have all the markings of atop recruit.”
“That is … nice to hear.”
Timur grimaced. “Don’t suppose Wardenclave would let usborrow you?”
Mikoto simply shook his head.
“Right. Still.” Timur clapped Mikoto’s shoulder. “Over thesummer, we can make good and sure that Wardenclave’s headman is fully equippedto defend his home.”
Sinder detected a subtle shift in the wind and straightened.“I think he’s coming.”
“Before things get dicey, I’ll do you a favor.” Timur stoodand dusted off the seat of his breeches. Drawing something on the palm of hishand, he showed it to Sinder. “May I?”
It was a sigil. “A barrier?”
“You’re as good as marked. My fault entirely.” Timurpointed.
Sinder groaned and lifted his shirt. “Kyrie tried to warnme. The kid doesn’t miss a trick.”
“Pardon my touch.”
He turned his face away and closed his eyes, signaling submission.Which was a little embarrassing, come to think of it. But it’s how he wouldhave presented himself to any of his older brothers in the heights.
Timur murmured, “Thank you for your trust.”
It was a touching moment—literally—but any thought ofbrotherly bonding went out the window when jaws closed around Sinder’s calf.
“Fend?” gasped Mikoto.
“Fend!” exclaimed Timur.
Sinder swore. Damned cat didn’t like him much.
The second time Kyrie paused to wait for them, Torlooscolded. “Do not divide your efforts. Give this prey your full attention.”
He found this difficult to accept. Perhaps it was Mother’sinfluence. He did not like to exclude anyone. “If you are certain?”
“Go.” Torloo’s tail had developed a twitch. “In this game,we canbothtest our limits.”
A balance he could embrace.
Kyrie did not look back again.
Neither did he go straight forward. For although he knewwhere Sinder could be found, the trees held their peace, which meant his preywas holding his position. Undoubtedly alert. So Kyrie chose a less obviousapproach. Low and swift, he darted his way toward the reavers who were also onthe hunt. Circling behind them, he used them as a barrier, then began teasingsigils out of his imagination.
