Page 57 of The Study of Magic
“It’s good to see you out and about, sir,” Ari said.
“Yeah, you look better. No question mark,” Janco said.
“Thank you.”
“And it’s good for them to see you, too.” Ari inclined his head, indicating the other soldiers in the yard. “Rumors about you have not been kind.”
“Let me guess. ‘He’s too old. We need fresh blood in the high ranks. He’s too scared to come out and fight.’ Sound about right?” Valek asked.
“Just about. Are you in any condition to fight?” Ari asked.
No. “It depends on who’s asking.”
“We’re teaching Lieutenant Odell how to use a bo staff, and I thought a demonstration of its versatility would help her. And you.”
Ah. More of a show that their leader doesn’t have one foot in the grave. “All right. Who wants to spar me?”
“Your choice, sir.” Ari said with a smile.
Ari’s strength versus Janco’s speed. At this point, he thought Odell would be enough of a challenge. “Janco.”
“Woo hoo!” Janco bounced on the balls of his feet.
“This is ademonstration, Janco,” Ari said. “Half speed or Odell won’t learn anything.”
“Pah.”
“Next time, Janco,” Valek said.
“Oh goody.” He rubbed his hands together.
Valek peeled off his shirt without groaning or wincing—no need to show any weaknesses to the growing crowd. He climbed over the fence and Janco threw him a bo. Valek grabbed it, placing one hand approximately one foot and seven inches from the top and the other the same distance from the bottom of the staff. Basically, splitting it into thirds. Carved from cherry wood, the bo was an inch in diameter and the ends tapered to half an inch with a flat top and bottom. Swinging it around, he warmed up. Fire raced down his back as his muscles protested the motion.
“Whoa. That’s?—”
“Janco,” Ari warned.
“Quite the bruise, sir.”
“Shall we start?” Valek asked.
“I’m ready.” Janco slid his feet into a fighting stance. He held his bo straight out and parallel to the ground. A defensive position.
With his bo underneath his right arm, and his left arm across his chest, Valek moved into an offensive position. Ari explained the significance of the stances to Odell. The young woman stared at Valek with large blue eyes.
“Begin,” Ari said.
Valek performed a series of basic offensive strikes. Chin, temple, temple, ribs, head. Each move lacked his usual grace. His bruises limited his motion. Janco countered them all with ease.
Ari pointed out the various steps to Odell. “This is mostly a non-lethal weapon. The point is to knock your opponent unconscious so you can?—”
“Hit and git!” Janco said, then he launched into a counteroffensive volley that was quicker than the first series. Valek managed to match it.
“There are only four killing moves,” Ari said. “A direct smash to a person’s windpipe, which will crush it and suffocate the person. An upward blow to the nose. It would break the cartilage and shove the pieces into the brain. A strike to the base of the skull and a head strike. But they only work if your bo is made from hard wood, and you have enough strength.”
Janco increased the speed of his attack. “Hit hard and fast and your opponent won’t last,” he sang.
Valek blocked. Each impact with Janco’s bo sent spikes of pain shooting through his arms and right into his temples. At least, his muscles had warmed, improving his flexibility enough to keep Janco from getting through his defenses.
