Chapter 65: Learning from the Skilled
Back at the farm, Leon tossed the groceries he had bought into the fridge, then pulled out the straight sword Clint had given him and started fiddling with it in the yard.
Liking cold weapons was one thing;knowing how to use them was another. While Leon could manage basic thrusts, sweeps, flicks, and chops, he wasn’t sure he could choose the right attack for the situation in a real fight.
Still, even if he knew nothing about practical swordsmanship, that didn’t stop him from having fun. If there had been a field of canola flowers nearby, he’d be having an even better time.
Of course, it wasn’t just playing. He was building up his feel for the weapon, making sure that in dangerous moments, when he pulled a weapon from his backpack, he wouldn’t be fumbling with it.
Just as Leon was swinging the sword in the air, practicing the so-called “wild slashes” from urban legends, a teasing voice came from beside him.
“Practicing swordplay? Your stance looks awful.”
“Oh, Abigail, what brings you here?” Leon stopped immediately, reversing the sword to hide it behind him as he turned to see her crouching a short distance away.
“I’m here to scrounge some food,” Abigail said matter-of-factly.
“At this hour? You skipped lunch?” Leon glanced up at the sun still high overhead, baffled.