The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

I changed my pattern and changed my attack, he was already committed to defense of his upper body. If I did not mortally wound him on the leg, then I most certainly did when he opened his defenses to react to the pain.”
    Brelg broke from the group and strolled near the horseback square.
    “Pain is a distraction you cannot afford to react to on the battlefield! Fight through your pain! If you allow yourself to lose your concentration and give even one tiny portion of your thoughts to your pain, you will die.” shouted Brelg. “A leg can be mended. Once you forfeit your life, you are of no use to us.”
    Kael blinked hard. Was that his father? Brelg was hard on his sons when they misbehaved, but this man acted differently. Kael looked to his father’s eyes. Brelg stood steely eyed and cold. No trace of the kindly innkeeper could be found.
    “You look at him like you don’t know him.” whispered a voice.
    Kael turned and looked into the face of Manfir. The prince smiled at Kael while Brelg continued to lecture the recruits.
    “You may see him as somewhat ..... harsh right now, Kael.” continued Manfir. “But trust me when I tell you that all your father says and does is out of a love for his men and his country. Some of those recruits will listen and some will not. Some will understand. Those that do possess a much greater chance of surviving on the Scythtar Mountains than the others.”
    “....speed is your ally,  not strength. The Ulrog are incredibly strong, yet their movements are ponderous and slow. They were not built to think, just to fight and to kill. Do not guess their movements, react to them. If you are quick enough, you will be able to defend and then return with an attack of your own. If you guess, the odds are stacked against you. Eventually you will guess wrong. Remember the Ulrog....”
    “This is where they first met.” said Manfir smiling.
    Kael turned to the prince, puzzled.
    “Yanwin and Brelg.” stated Manfir. “My sister always looked for ways to share the burden. She gathered her ladies together one day and informed them of her desire to contribute in any way she could. They decided to come to the Hold and help the recruits in their chores.
    They came and stripped the recruits bedding, giving it a good wash and hanging it over the balconies to dry. They swept the rooms, mended clothing, and even spent time in the kitchens. Your mother felt it her duty to support the troops.”
    “That’s how they met?” prompted Kael.
    Manfir pointed up to the balconies rising for five stories above them.
    “There are no hallways on the upper levels. The balconies run a complete circuit around the yard. Your mother and her ladies dragged wash basins from room to room in order to scrub the bedding. Periodically, the women took a break and relaxed in the sunshine on the balconies. Those windowless rooms tend to get a little stuffy. No one likes to stay in them too long.
    That is when my sister became fascinated by the art of warfare. She studied the instructors and their recruits. She studied the adjustments the sergeants made to men’s stances and technique. She realized battle wasn’t as haphazard and chaotic as it appeared. Combat can often times be as choreographed as a beautiful dance. The partners of this dance simply desire a much more sinister conclusion.” laughed Manfir.
    “When did she first speak to my father?” asked Kael.
    “Brelg may be a gentleman.” smiled Manfir. “But his first calling is that of drill sergeant. Your father saw the pains the ladies were going through to retrieve water from the well and haul it to the wash basins on the floors above. Brelg never passes an opportunity to use work as a teaching tool. Those recruits who faltered during training were given the job of hauling fresh water up the stairs to Yanwin and her ladies. Since it appeared likely we would be fighting on mountainous terrain, Brelg forced us to carry our weapons held aloft in one hand while we