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"Perhaps because the beans are ial; at least until the trade treaty is finalized Maybe Brazell’s been using other southern ingredients or equiper to have a treaty You’ll have to take a good look around when you visit the factory"

"What?"

"The Commander has scheduled a trip to MD–5 when the southerners leave And where the Co too, aren’t you?" The panic welling in my throat made my voice squeak

"No I’ve been ordered to stay here"

"One, and two, and three, four, five Keep fighting like this and you will die," Janco sang

I was pinned against the wall My bow clattered to the floor as Janco’s staff tapped ? You’re rarely this easy to beat" Janco leaned on his bow

"Too distracted," I said It was only a day ago that Valek had infor here?" Ari asked He and Maren had watched the ht have heard when I was delusional, I had a hard tiaze "Next round, I’ll try harder," I said as Janco and I caught our breath Reviewing our fight, I asked Janco, "Why do you rhyht?"

"It helps keep ive you a hard time about it?"

"Not when I beat them"

We started another ain

"Now you’re trying too hard I can see you planning each offensiveyourself away, and I’m there for the block before you even strike"

Ari added, "We drill for a reason Offensive and defensive moves must be instinctive Let your mind relax, but stay alert Block out all distractions Stay focused on your opponent, but not too focused"

"That’s a contradiction," I cried in frustration

"It works," was all Ari said

I took a couple of deep breaths and cleared the distressing thoughts ofthe bow, I concentrated instead on the s to h the bow

A light vibration tingled through rain My consciousness flowed through the boisting and turning along the grain, and back along my arm I possessed the bow and my body at the sahtened awareness Intuitively, I knehat Janco was planning A spilt second before heto defend myself, I had more time to counter as well as block I pushed Janco back A beat of uide ," Janco shouted "Did you follow Ari’s advice?"