Chapter 55: Edge of the Blade
The next morning, the inn’s training yard stirred to life as we began.
Alessio and I had taken one side for our advanced dagger practice, just as he’d outlined the day before. Emir and Amira were farther off, running through separate drills he’d assigned them. I didn’t know the details, but judging by Emir’s frustrated grunts and Amira’s sharp corrections, it looked... intense.
Alessio stood at the center of the yard, already twirling a dagger between his fingers like it was an extension of his hand. I hadn’t even seen him draw it.
"Dagger throws today," he said, voice clear and calm. "This isn’t about strength, but about control and precision."
I shifted my weight, trying not to look as awkward as I felt.
"Watch carefully," he continued.
He raised his arm and, in one smooth motion, flicked the dagger forward. It spun through the air with perfect rotation and struck the wooden post with a solid thud. The blade sank halfway into the wood.
"Now you," he said simply.
No pressure, right?
I gripped the hilt of my dagger. It was sharp, and I’d used it before in real fights. I tried to mimic his stance with my arm pulled back, knees relaxed, and grip steady but not rigid.
Then I threw.
The dagger wobbled midair like a confused insect and hit the ground with a clatter.