Free Amazon Chief by Robin Roseau Page A

said, "but I've never started with raw recruits."
    "You've seen it done enough times," Ralla said. " You'll be fine."
    Omie nodded. "Let's do it this way. Ralla, if you can stand here, holding a staff. Beria and Jasmine, behind her and try to copy her."
    We each took a staff. Ralla took her staff in two hands and stood with her legs offset about shoulder width apart. I studied her for a moment then tried to emulate her. I saw Jasmine doing the same.
    Omie walked around both of us, making adjustments to how we were standing.
    "The staff is both weapon and shield," she said. "Ralla and I will show you. Quarter speed, Ralla." She squared off to Ralla, sideways to us so Jasmine and I could both see. She nodded to Ralla, and Ralla took a swing with her staff. Omie blocked it, then it was her turn. She swung, slowly, at Ralla, who blocked it. The two of them took turns like that for a while, then Omie said, "Hold" and stepped back.
    "That means 'stop'," I said.
    "Yes," Omie said. "That means stop fighting. New companions train with their warriors. Once you've had a little experience, you will start training with others, but we don't allow that at the beginning because one of you is likely to make a mistake, and we don't want anyone getting clobbered."
    I looked at Jasmine. "I wouldn't hit you too hard," I said.
    Jasmine looked at Ralla, and she looked a little nervous.
    "Trust me," Ralla said, and Jasmine nodded.
    "You're with me, Beria," Omie said. She pulled me to the side, then whispered to me, "Don't tease Jasmine."
    "I'm sorry," I said. "Did I do something wrong?"
    "No, not normally. Jasmine is scared. She would be a good companion, but she won't be a warrior any more than your sister will. Just don't tease her about training, okay?"
    "Okay."
    We separated a little, and then Omie said, "We start slow. It's not about power at this point, it's about getting used to holding the staff and building your reflexes. When we start real sparring, there are rules we'll teach you. Those rules, by the way, are ignored in a real fight."
    I nodded.
    "You saw what Ralla and I did. You can start."
    I took a gentle swing at her with the staff, holding on with both hands, but trying -- slowly -- to hit her with one end. She blocked my swing and immediately returned it with the other end of her staff, also swinging slowly, and I blocked it. We did that a dozen times each.
    "Hold," she said. "Good." She turned away and watched Ralla and Jasmine for a minute.
    "H old," Ralla said, stepping away. "Omie, did you see it?"
    "Yes," Omie said. She stepped sideways and took a position in front of Jasmine. "Swing at me," she said. Jasmine did, and Omie said, "Hold!" in a firm voice. "Freeze like that. "
    Jasmine froze, and Omie stepped away, then around behind Jasmine. She adjusted Jasmine's stance, saying, "If you were swinging faster, you would fall off balance like this. You need to remain centered."
    Ralla stepped forward again. "Again," said Omie, watching. Jasmine and Ralla exchanged a few strikes, and Omie said, "Better. Try a little faster now."
    She watched them for a minute, then stepped in front of me, raising her staff. "A little faster," and I nodded.
    We practiced that for an hour with Ralla quietly adjusting Jasmine from time to time, Omie concentrating on me. Then I heard Ralla cry, "Hold," and step away from Jasmine.
    "We're going to head out," she said. "I don't want Jasmine tired out before we even get started." I was sweating, and so was Jasmine, and I was ready to be done, too.
    "This doesn't seem that bad," I said. "Actually, it's kind of fun. Why does my sister hate it?"
    Omie and Ralla exchanged looks. "We should show them," Omie said finally. "If we're trying to be as honest as we can."
    Ralla nodded, then Omie said, "You two, sit down. Ralla and I are going to spar, full speed, but we'll pull our blows." She looked at me. "Ralla is much better than I am, but I will do my best."
    I nodded understanding, taking a seat next to