Chapter 23 - An Icy Morning

14 0 0
                                    

The next couple of weeks passed in much the same way; there were lessons for the young prince under the tutelage of Thane and Kabel, while Kane began reluctantly to spend more and more time with Dawn Marie. Despite himself, he had to admit she was an impressive woman physically and mentally. Very capable, with the determination to succeed regardless of the obstacles he put in her path.

She made no secret of her desire and pressed him to begin teaching her the first form Gen whenever they began their morning exercises. Eventually he began to relent. Laura had expressed some trepidation like any mother would but had not forbade Kane from teaching Dawn Marie all that he knew and all that she wished to learn.

It was a cold brisk morning and there was a slight breeze in the air beneath overcast skies. The back garden of the estate was packed with freshly fallen snow that crushed easily underfoot. Kane stood in the middle of a pristine white field in loose fitting clothes, Kingslayer driven into the snow and his hands crossed, resting on the pommel. Dawn Marie watched him expectantly, biting her bottom lip in anticipation. Sixteen balanced throwing knives were strapped around her person.

Three targets had been placed around the yard at different angles and distances. A small cloth tied to a nearby tree moved gently in the breeze. Her breath hung in the crisp air as she gently calmed her nerves. At last Kane nodded.

Dawn Marie quickly drew her first two daggers and threw them at the nearest target. Quickly she drew two more and they struck the target again. Turning she lifted her right arm and in rapid succession threw the four daggers strapped to her arm at the medium range target. Switching arms, she hit the distant target with four more daggers and spun back to face Kane. Smiling she flung two knives to either side of his head as he stood there unflinching. The last two knives in her hands rose upwards and she threw them the blades spinning. With a shake of his head Kane picked up Kingslayer and slid into the Dou stance, the divine wheel spinning in front of him deflected the daggers and sending them crashing into the snow.

"Well?" Dawn Marie asked expectantly.

"That was very good, Dawn Marie. You clearly have skill when it comes to throwing knives. Excellent speed, precision, and accuracy." Kane said in an appraising tone.

"Thanks, Archon. I'm better then you expected aren't I?"

"You're a talented young woman. You could become skilled blade master if you devoted yourself to the art. But the Kundye isn't an art for simple combat, it is grand and illustrious. It showcases the power and glory of the empire. The forms were created hundreds of years ago to defend the emperor and empress in any situation, whether it was against a lowly assassin or an angry mob. Are you truly ready to devote yourself to the Kundye?"

"Yes."

"Are you prepared to endure any trial?"

"Yes."

"Are you prepared to endure the intense rigors and discipline required to master all seven forms?"

"Yes."

"Then I accept you as my student, and will teach you everything I know."

"I'm ready, Archon."

"Alright then, watch carefully as I demonstrate the first five forms of the Kundye." Kane drew the Kingslayer with one hand and spun the blade around his waist swapping hands mid flow creating a spinning circle of death around him, changing speed and direction without warning.

"This is Gen, the water slash." He shifted his stance and brought the blade up with an air splitting slash, then lashed downwards with both hands.

"Hou and Reverse Hou, the stone breaker." Kane shifted again and Kingslayer became a spinning blade in front of him the same circle with which he had so effortlessly deflected Dawn's daggers.

LegacyWhere stories live. Discover now