Page 6 of The Study of Poisons
“Whether or notyoucan offer me a challenge.” His gaze slid to the man’s companion—a big brute of a guy with short curly blond hair and enough muscles that it’d be difficult to fight the man hand to hand. “Perhaps your friend would prove to be more of a challenge.”
“I think I’ve just been insulted!” The goateed man pressed a hand to his chest.
“Youwereinsulted, Janco. Don’t think. It’s not one of your strengths,” the big man said.
Janco shot his friend a glare, before he said to Valek, “In order to defend my honor, I, Lieutenant Janco, challenge you, sir.”
“Achallengechallenge?”
“Yes, sir.”
Valek suppressed a sigh. The Commander had been bugging him for years to promote or hire someone as his second-in-command. To appease his boss, Valek had issued a challenge to everyone in Ixia. If any person could beat Valek in a fight, they would become his second. It seemed like a good idea at the time, and he did enjoy getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of the soldiers. But while it kept him in shape, there were times when it was damn inconvenient.
Unbuttoning the top of his adviser’s uniform—an all-black shirt with two red diamonds stitched onto the collar—he laid it over the railing. The air had cooled, and it felt good against his bare shoulders. Janco stared at the C-shaped scar in the center of Valek’s chest. It was a “gift” from the Commander sixteen years ago when Valek swore his loyalty to the man.
“Weapon?” he asked Janco.
“Swords, sir.”
Well, then. This shouldn’t take long. Valek pulled his broadsword from its scabbard and hopped over the fence.
He faced his opponent, who held a long, thin rapier. Interesting choice. The weapon certainly matched the physique of the man. At six feet tall, Valek was the same height as Janco, but Valek’s build was more athletic than wiry.
The big man acted as referee. “Begin.”
Janco moved like lightning, crossing the distance between them in a heartbeat. Valek sidestepped, blocking the thrust of Janco’s rapier with the flat of his sword. And then again as Janco quickly parried. Perhaps Valek had been too hasty in thinking the fight wouldn’t last long. Staying on the defensive as Janco continued to attack, Valek studied the man’s technique. Quick and relentless, Janco knew how to maximize the advantages of his weapon.
The rapier was lighter and longer than a broadsword. And the dangerous part was its sharp tip, which Janco tried to get past Valek’s defenses by lunging forward. After a few attempts, the tip slipped through and nicked Valek’s torso, drawing first blood. Good thing the challenge ended when there was a clear winner.
“Blood runs even for the infamous. Too bad he now has a C minus,” Janco sang as he increased the pace of his lunges.
“Do you have a death wish,” Janco’s friend hissed at him.
Valek suppressed a smile as he backed up, drawing Janco closer.
“He’s on the retreat. Soon he’ll be beat,” Janco called.
He’d never had an opponent rhyme before. Valek almost wanted to keep fighting just to hear what else the man had to say. Almost. It was time to go on the offensive.
The broadsword was heavy and wide, but both of its edges were sharp. It was a cutting weapon and he had to swing it to strike. Effective for chopping off heads or lopping off arms, the broadsword wasn’t the best choice of weapon in a friendly duel. Or for an extended match—Janco’s speedy thrusts kept sneaking past his blocks.
“He might be light on his feet, but soon he’ll be tenderized meat,” Janco sang.
That was enough. The next time Janco thrust forward, Valek twisted his shoulders and stepped forward. Janco’s blade just missed, but Valek’s didn’t; the edge of his sword cut right through the rapier just before the hilt.
“He has a big mouth, but can he fight without?” Valek asked.
“That doesn’t rhyme,” Janco said.
Valek rested his blade on the man’s shoulder. “Want to try that again?”
“Uh, it’s close enough.”
“Better. Do you concede?”
He glanced at the remaining stub of his blade and opened his mouth.
“Janco,” warned the big man.
