Weapon of Flesh Read Free Page A

age, but lacks focus and knowledge of combat.  He missed several opportunities to grasp Cho Thang’s sword and exploit the opportunities that this would have presented.”  His eyes raked the boy from head to foot, a thin smile tugging at the corners of his long moustache.  “I believe he was holding back, constrained by the order not to kill, and your additional order to defend himself.  His tactics were primarily those of survival, not aggression.  We must break him of this flaw.”
    “I give you one year to do so, minus one hour per day during which I require his presence in my laboratory.  At the end of that year, you will receive your payment.”
    “Very well,” Master Xhang agreed with a bow, then a sidelong glance at his apprentice Cho Thang.  “But may I suggest that you rescind your order for the boy not to use lethal force.  He will learn nothing by holding back.”
    “Your men will be at risk, Master Xhang.  I will not be responsible for their welfare if I rescind that order.”
    “I will not hold you responsible for their welfare.  We are warriors after all.  Risk is our life, and I would not have my men become soft with a year of sitting on their backsides risking nothing worse than a bruise or two.”  He snapped a short phrase to Cho Thang, who cleaned his sword on a cloth from his belt and sheathed it, bowing low to his master and then to the boy.
    “Rescind the order,” Xhang said with a nod and another thin smile.
    “Very well,” said the Master, facing the boy.  “You will be training with Master Xhang and his men for one year, beginning today.  You will fight each of them many times.  You will fight as you are taught to fight, and will kill if the opportunity presents itself, but only when the order to fight has been given by Master Xhang or myself.”
    “Yes, Master.”
    “Good.”  The Master turned to Xhang and said, “He is yours for one year.  At the end of that year I will assess his training.  If any of you survive, you will receive the agreed upon sum.”
    “Very well.”  He spoke to his men at length, received nods of obedience from each, then bowed to the Master.  “It is agreed.”  His narrow eyes snapped to the boy.  “Go and clean yourself, eat your fill and return here in one hour.”
    The boy simply looked at the Master questioningly; having never received an order from anyone else, he did not know if he should obey.
    “You will follow Master Xhang’s orders.  Go.”
    He sprinted out of the room, heading for the baths.  He had never had a whole hour to eat and bathe before and intended to make the most of it!

    One year later, six figures stood in the great hall of Krakengul Keep; four warriors stood at rigid attention, the boy stood also at attention, a stance he had learned from his trainer.  The Master stood at ease, a thin smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.  Cho Thang was missing the last joint of the two smallest fingers of his left hand, and bore a wide scar from his left ear to the nape of his neck.  The other warriors also bore marks and scars; even Master Xhang had felt steel part his flesh under the boy’s hand.  One of the warriors was dead.  The Master looked upon the boy with a scrutinous eye.  He’d spent an hour every day reinforcing the magic that had forged the boy into a weapon, but until now he had not noticed the added height, broader frame and surer stance.  His pupil had learned the use of every weapon the warriors bore, and how to defend against each, both with weapons and without, just as Xhang had promised.
    “You have performed admirably, Master Xhang, and your payment awaits you.”  He nodded to two servants who entered the room bearing a heavy coffer.
    “You have kept your end of the bargain, and my men have also learned a great deal in this last year.”  Xhang bowed deeply to the Master, and then again to the boy.  “Your pupil is skilled.  He will serve you well.”
    With that the four