Page 89 of Steel & Thunder
“Huh.” Where did I learn to do all that? “I don’t really know. I just kinda...did it.”
Ragnar looks at me funny then looks at Khazak.
“Trust me. I have just as many questions as you,” Khazak says flatly. He sighs, his scowl softening. “I am sorry for underestimating you, David. I know you are very capable. Perhaps after we get you some armor, we can do some combat training to show me just how capable.” I like the sound of that, especially the new armor! “However, when I give you an order, you need to listen to me, especially when we are in the field.”
“Yes, Sir.” I try not to sigh. I know what he’s getting at: listening to your leader is important. Nate not doing that is why he and everyone are in jail. But I still don’t regret chasing Thog.
Our prisoner has been quiet since he stood up, something that continues as we make our way back to the station. We get a good amount of looks and people pointing and whispering, probably speculating on what the guy did. Truth be told, I’m not really sure of that myself, but the fact that he ran has to mean something, right? I’ll leave that for the captain and his deputy to worry about.
“Hold on.” Ragnar pauses as we approach the building. “Something has been bothering me. How did you make it into the cell yard that night without anyone seeing you?”
I stiffen at the mention of my break-in. We never really did talk about that night in detail, at least not about how I pulled it off. I’m a little nervous to pick at old wounds when things have been going pretty well lately, my sore ass notwithstanding. I look over to Khazak, who gives me a nod of encouragement. Alright.
“I climbed over the wall.” I point at the wall in question. “Well, more jumped.”
“What?” Ragnar and Khazak both look from the wall to me. “How? Those walls are almost fifteen feet high.” For once, someone doesn’t make me convert measurements.
“I used that pole.” I point to the streetlight on the corner.” They both look at me skeptically. “I guess I could show you?”
“Please.” This time it’s Khazak speaking. “I am very curious now myself.”
“Okay.” I start to walk to my starting position but pause. “I’m not going to get in trouble for this, right?”
“No, David, you will not get in trouble,” Khazak assures me as Ragnar laughs next to him.
“I need the sidewalk clear from here to the other corner.” I stand with the wall on my right.
Ragnar does the work of moving away anyone between me and the light post while Khazak stands off to the side holding onto Thog’s cuffs. I crouch down and look at my goal. It’s easier to see in the daylight, but the fact that I have an audience now is making me nervous. There are even more people gathering now that they noticed Ragnar trying to clear the area. It’s alright. I can do this. I already did it once.
I run, charging down the sidewalk with everything I’ve got. I fan out as I near my mark, running back in at an angle and jumping at the wall. I kick off with my feet, aiming for and grabbing the pole. I swing around once to build up moment and then let myself fly, once again just barely grabbing the lip of the wall with my hands.
I hear people cheering as I pull myself up, and I carefully flip myself around to look down at my audience. I mostly ignore the people clapping, instead focusing on my slack-jawed owner and his deputy. Even Thog looks shocked.
“What in the hell...” Ragnar mutters loud enough for me to hear.
“How?” Khazak looks at me shocked but not like he expects a real answer.
I shrug. “Tada? Can someone help me down now?” The height is a little more intimidating in the daylight.
Khazak responds by pushing Thog at Ragnar and walking closer to the wall. “Jump.” He holds out his arms. “I will catch you.”
I raise an eyebrow at what seems like an overly-cheesy display, but that does sound better than ungracefully hitting the ground with my ass.
“Okay.” I nod, inching toward the wall’s edge. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
After gathering my nerves, I let myself fall, and I’m caught by a pair of muscular arms. “Oof.”
“Got you,” Khazak tells me after I peek one eye open before he sets me down.
“Thanks.” I try not to blush, but the audience isn’t helping.
Ragnar finishes waving off the stragglers still hanging around before joining us with Thog in tow. “That was amazing, David.” He then turns to Khazak. “What do we do about that? Make the walls taller?”
“They are already four and a half meters high,” Khazak responds, the four of us walking around to enter the building. “I suppose we could add spikes?”
“Seems violent.” Ragnar frowns. “We definitely need to do something after giving everyone a free demonstration.”
