Free Mage-Guard of Hamor by L. E. Modesitt Jr. Page B

possible.
    â€œThere are techniques. Physical techniques, not order techniques,” Taryl added.
    â€œBesides,” Rahl replied with a grin, “I’ll get into less trouble if I’m working hard and no one can ask questions.”
    â€œThere is that.” Taryl’s face was expressionless.
    Even so, Rahl caught the sense of amusement.
    â€œYou’ll need all the practice you can get,” Taryl added. “After you finish, wait for me in the library. I trust you can find some suitable reading material to pass the time.”
    â€œWhat would you consider most suitable, ser.”
    â€œI’d suggest one of the histories of the mage-guards. It might give you a better feel for the traditions, but try to read between the lines and the words. What is not written is often as important as what is. Try the most slender volume first.”
    â€œYes, ser.” Rahl had to wonder how he was supposed to determine what had not been written. Taryl was sounding like Kadara, and that bothered him.
    â€œOff with you. The armory and exercise chambers are in the smaller separate building to the south, across the paved rear area and next to the stables.”
    Rahl nodded and headed for the main entry foyer, passing several other mage-guards and nodding politely as he did. Outside, even as early as it was, the air was warm and nearly as damp as it had been in late summer in Swartheld. The green-blue sky was faintly silvered with a thin haze that did nothing to reduce the heat and glare of the sun.
    Unlike the main headquarters, the armory was a low one-story building with two entrances. Rahl took the eastern one and found himself in a foyer with three corridors branching from it. In the middle of the foyer was a table with a fresh-faced mage-clerk seated behind it.
    â€œMight I help you, ser?”
    â€œI’m supposed to meet with armsmaster Khedren.”
    â€œYes, ser. He said he had a sparring session.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m supposed to be doing,” Rahl admitted.
    â€œHe’s in the main sparring chamber. If you’d take the right corridor to the second set of double doors halfway down.”
    â€œThank you.” Rahl smiled and followed the mage-clerk’s directions down the empty corridor. He passed one door, and he could sense a number of people beyond it. He also heard a strident voice.
    â€œâ€¦juniors! All of you…the next one who makes that mistake gets to spar with a senior…”
    A faint smile crossed Rahl’s lips.
    When he reached the second set of doors, Rahl paused, taking a long, slow breath and wondering exactly what to expect. Then he opened the right-hand door and stepped inside. The stone-walled chamber was well lit by four large skylights, but each had what looked to be a black shade to one side and a rope dangling from one end.
    Rahl nodded. The arrangement was similar to what Taryl had used in Luba to train Rahl.
    â€œTaryl said you’d be here.” The man who stepped forward wore a worn khaki uniform of a mage-guard, but without insignia. He was the only one in the chamber besides Rahl.
    â€œYes, ser. You’re armsmaster Khedren, ser?”
    Nodding, Khedren picked up two staffs, extending one to Rahl. The armsmaster was one of the few men in Hamor taller than Rahl, yet even in the few moments Rahl had observed him, Rahl saw a spare grace in his movements and gestures. He bore only the slightest traces of white, but Rahl suspected that was because of the effectiveness of his shields.
    Rahl set aside his visor cap, hanging it on one of the polished wooden pegs on the rack beside the door, then took the proffered staff.
    â€œYou might as well strip down to your undertunic,” suggested Khedren. “Taryl said to give you a workout.”
    â€œYes, ser.” After leaning the staff against the stone wall, Rahl took off his shirt and hung it on another peg, then took out his truncheon and laid it across