Free Spirit of Empire 4: Sky Knights by Lawrence White Page B

greeted them as they entered. “I’ll be your weapons instructor during our voyage,” Guarl informed Galborae. “By the time we reach Tranxte, you’ll be an expert with stunners and blasters of all types.”
    Galborae eyed him with curiosity. “I met two of your people on the Knight’s ship, though I had little time to get to know them. Can you use weapons in each hand?”
    Guarl shrugged. “Depends on the weapon. Today we start with the sword.”
    Galborae raised his eyebrows. “You’re a swordsman?”
    “I like weapons of all kinds. Let’s find out. I’ll only use one blade this time.”
    Havlock excused himself and left on other business. Guarl brought out wooden practice blades, weighted to simulate Galborae’s broadsword, and he and Galborae sparred for a while. Galborae reveled in the process, using muscles he had not tested since his fight with the gleason.
    Then Guarl switched Galborae to his new, tiny sword while keeping his own heavier sword. The heavier sword made short work of the tiny sword in Galborae’s hand, but when the two men traded swords, Guarl’s skill with the lighter weapon had Galborae in a heavy sweat as he tried to keep up with Guarl’s faster movements.
    “You’ve made your point,” Galborae finally admitted, breathing hard to get the words out. “But that knife does not have the weight to penetrate chainmail, nor does it have the necessary reach.”
    “Agreed,” Guarl said, lowering his knife. “Are you planning to fight other knights?”
    Galborae rolled his shoulders, keeping his broadsword at the ready and his eyes on Guarl’s sword. It had been a long time since a master swordsman had surprised him, and he was not going to let it happen now.
    “Maybe. I’m supposed to introduce Colonel Havlock to kings on Tranxte. It will not always be a smooth process.”
    Guarl nodded thoughtfully in agreement. “Our blasters are excellent for long and medium range work, and they’re acceptable for close-up fighting, but in hand-to-hand fighting I prefer a short sword or knife.”
    “Or bare hands,” Galborae said nodding in agreement. “I’ve spent a lifetime with the sword. As much as I appreciate the benefits of blasters, I will always carry a sword.”
    “Colonel Havlock knows. It’s why he had the new sword made for you.”
    “A new sword for the—what do you call me?—the barbarian who knows no better? I understand, but this time he’s wrong. I know what I’m talking about.”
    Guarl shook his head. “No, you don’t understand. He admires your survival skills, so much so that he has given you a great gift. Keep in mind that he will likely be by your side when weapons come into play. It might be his life you save with your new sword, and he knows it.”
    “My old sword.”
    “Maybe. You might change your mind.” He put Galborae’s new sword back into its scabbard and called, “On guard!”
    The tip of Galborae’s broadsword came up, but when the knife cleared its scabbard in Guarl’s hand, the black metal blade was gone. Instead, the outline of a shimmering yellow blade sprung into existence. The blade was as long as his broadsword, but its shape was like an elongated leaf, narrow at the hilt, widening out in the middle, then narrowing back to a sharp tip.
    The tip of his broadsword held, but he stared at the glowing blade with a look of bafflement. Guarl moved in on him. With a few light flicks of his wrist, the flat, nearly invisible glowing blade destroyed Galborae’s practice sword. Galborae backed away with wide eyes. The light outlining his new sword died, and it returned to its dull black knife shape as Guarl sheathed it.
    “What just happened?” Galborae asked in awe.
    Guarl drew the black knife again. As soon as it cleared its scabbard, the sword sprung back into existence. He stepped up to Galborae. “This sword will never need sharpening. I can’t explain how it works, I’m not certain myself, but it has a field around it that, in effect,