Fancy Footwork
“Again,” Kotallo instructed. He watched the boy incorporate the moves he’d shown him on the eastern cliffs just outside The Base and nodded with satisfaction. Valrún was a quick study and took to direct commands well. While he wasn’t as comfortable with asking for clarification on things he didn’t quite grasp, he excelled at problem solving in a way he’d not observed in those even twice his age. “Good. Now, this time, use your entire body when you thrust your spear forward. It shouldn’t just be your arms moving. That will strain your back and you’ll tire more quickly.”
This time, when the boy ran through the set, Kotallo grunted with a hint of a smile. “Yes, like that.” Seeing the sweat coating the boy’s brow despite the flakes of snow falling, the Marshal strode over to a nearby boulder. “Rest. You’re doing well, but if you overdo it, you’ll lose momentum.”
“That’s a lot of fancy footwork you got going on there, pal. You teachin’ him to dance or fight?” Erend asked, drawing the attention of both Tenakth warriors.
Kotallo smirked. “We can’t all rely on swinging a hammer and hoping for the best.”
“‘Ey!” the Oseram complained, but he was quick to smile, too. Trying to play off his reason for coming out here, he rubbed at the back of his neck. “Say, uh, you weren’t thinking of going hunting later, were you, bud?” Erend asked of Kotallo’s pupil. The big man made a face. “Zo’s got some feast going on in there. No meat,” he whined. “I don’t know how she expects us to survive on no meat.”
Rather than answering for him, Kotallo also turned to look to the redheaded boy seated at his side.
@ofdeathandfear










