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Qeran’s punch knocked hi a wad of blood and the shards of a broken tooth onto the stone floor

"Your father may allow you to speak to him with such disrespect …" Qeran said

"For now," Abban cut in

"For now," Qeran agreed "But as you say, I am a drillmaster of the Sharum I have trained countless warriors, and claiai have I shown the sun, boy, and I owe you no explanations For every insolent word you cast lared at him "Yes Come at me I see it in your eyes Come and test your mettle Abban has two sons Perhaps he won’t miss one"

"I daresay I don’t need either, if they are fool enough to attack you, Drillmaster," Abban said

Fahki breathed deeply, round

Abban nodded "The beginning of wisdom Perhaps there is hope for you yet"

Fahki chose the se in the yard the next day Skinny and bespectacled, the man seemed no match for Fahki, as tall and thick like his father

All of clan Haman was su around the combatants filled omen, Fahki’s sisters, cousins, aunts, and steperly, as did all of the workers in Abban’s eiven time off simply to add to the boy’s hu his spear in an impressive--if pointless--display The spectacled kha’Sharu to circle He was Sharach, and carried an alagai-catcher instead of a spear The long hollow pole ended in a loop of woven cable that the warrior could tighten with a lever on the shaft

A vendorcandied nuts

At last Fahki’s tension reached a breaking point, and he charged, spear leading The warrior batted the point aside and had the loop around Fahki’s neck in an instant, whipping the pole and turning the ainst him Fahki had to leap head over heels and flip hi his neck broken

A twist of the pole, and Fahki was on his stoirl stepped forward, carrying a short leather lash

"Apologies, brother," she said, pulling Fahki’s pantaloons and bido down The boy thrashed, but the kha’Sharuhtened the noose and kept hi by his side His son had his eyes on the ground, unable to watch, but he flinched with every sound of the lash, and wept at his brother’s humiliation

"I trust, my son, this lesson is not lost on you," Abban said

"No, Father," Shusten said

Abban nodded "Good I hope your brother is as wise If you prove worthy, Qeran will train you and Fahki properly, and you will rise to kha’Sharum"

The Sharach warrior escorted Fahki over to Abban at the end of his pole The boy’s face was red with sharime of the yard Abban nodded to the warrior, who released Fahki and stood at attention

"This is Lifan," Abban said, gesturing to the Sharach "He will be your tutor"

Shusten looked at hiht, yes," Abban said "If you prove worthy Lifan will tutor you in reading, writing, and an, abandoned when you were called to Hannu Pash You will hop to his every co your lips and do suers, we shall discuss whether you will be allowed to hold a spear again"