Chapter 24

• I was having a blast. New bodies, fresh minds, and a totally different style of fighting. Not like the same guys from the gym. A few times Rafael and Ira let me step into the center of the recruits and show them how to correct their stance and reach—minus the heavy sword of course. Rafael tossed me a lightweight wooden one, so I could show the recruits how easy it was to disarm someone with sloppy form.
• Troy stood back and watched, not saying much. I realized it was because he was a king. If he spoke it would come across as a command.
• I was standing off to the side, talking with Rafael and Ira when two of the men got a little loud. One tossed his sword a few feet away and motioned for the other to come at him. The second straightened up and, without looking, tossed his weapon—it was coming right for us. I tried to step out of the way and bumped into one of the others. It hit my thigh.