Broken Wings Read Online Free PDF Page B

glittering white gathering.
    “Is that your talent?” She was surprised.
    “One of them. I just shrank the statues and increased the density. They are still the same weight, but they are much smaller.” He chuckled. “I have never seen someone take to psychic sculpture as well as you have.”
    She wrinkled her nose and lifted Poppy onto her shoulder. “I used to be good at finger painting.”
    He brushed his hands off and smiled. “Well, I hate to rush you, but I have another class I have to teach.”
    Minerva blinked. “Oh. Well, thank you. That was very refreshing. My mind feels clearer, cleaner.”
    “Good. That is the purpose of this sort of artwork. You think of what you want to create and you keep working on it until you see what is in your mind.”
    She nodded and hesitated. “Can I do this again?”
    “You don’t need me to be here, but yes. This is an art space. A quick check on the schedule can tell you if it is available.”
    Poppy chirped and her wrist com pinged. Minerva was flustered. “Well, thank you, Astien. It was a good experience.”
    She nodded and followed the map’s instructions on how to find her next class.
    Poppy was surprisingly quiet as they travelled through the base. When Minerva checked on her, her mind was humming happily and enjoying the sun.
    The second course was in a small auditorium, and there were six other students in the class. All female.
    The women waved at her to come down and sit closer to them, so she did. Introductions were made and everyone was excited to see Poppy.
    One of the other women commented. “It isn’t like him to be late. The instructor is normally very prompt.”
    Another one sighed. “And fun to look at.”
    A shadow emerged from one side of the small stage with some small bots trundling along with a variety of targets. This was going to get interesting.
    “Good afternoon, class. I see we have a new face in the…hello, Minerva.” Master Astien inclined his head.
    She blinked. “I am sorry. I didn’t know that you were teaching this course as well.”
    He waved it away, and the other women looked from her to him and back again.
    “Now, I am here to teach you how to use everyday objects for self-defence. On many worlds, you are restricted in the type of weapons that are allowed on the streets as well as on your person. Being a Citadel Specialist will get you some preferential treatment, but you still have to be able to defend yourself using what is around you.”
    He began the demonstration, taking small objects out of a case and expanding them to normal size. He demonstrated attacks with a rolling pin, a rasp, a saw and the devastation of a hammer.
    “Now, I would like a volunteer to demonstrate some of these attacks.”
    Three of the women raised their hands, but Poppy chirped frantically with her little wings flapping to get Astien’s attention.
    He smiled. “Minerva, I believe you have been volunteered.”
    She sighed and got to her feet, walking to the stage and putting Poppy safely out of the way on a countertop. Her little feet crunched into the marble and she crouched with her eyes wide.
    Minerva stood in front of Astien with the other women watching. “What would you like me to demonstrate?”
    “Pick a weapon and attack the target.”
    She nodded and lifted a thin skewer and a hammer. With her left hand, she pinned the target, and with her right, she destroyed the place where the head had been.
    One hard swing snapped the target and broke the hammer.
    She dropped the broken handle and turned to Astien, bowing slightly. “Anything else?”
    He gave her a considering look. “What would you use on an opponent you wanted to disable but not kill?”
    “Frying pan.”
    His lips twitched. “What about binding? Tying up an opponent.”
    “They would have to buy me dinner first.”
    The group laughed.
    “I would use that tape and twist it into a rope instead of using it flat. From there, I would tie up whatever I needed to tie.”
    He