“Galen,” Red said, “if you’d help us.”
Galen’s lip curled, but he stepped forward obediently while the prince smiled behind us.
“Pretend you’re attacking me with a blade,” Red said.
With a little more pleasure than not, Galen obediently extended the short sword toward Red.
“Your first instinct may be to duck, or to move backward, or to run,” Red said. “Run if you have to.”
“It’s one of my favorite things to do,” I assured him.
“If running isn’t an option—if the attacker’s too close—you should step into the blade.”
“No. I’m not doing that.”
“Not the pointy bit. Pivot to your right, putting your back momentarily parallel to the blade, and a step farther away.” Red demonstrated. “Then finish that turn, and you’ll be at your attacker’s elbow.”
Red popped his fist against Galen’s elbow. Galen’s arm jerked, and the sword clattered to the ground. Resigned, Galen sighed and picked it up again.
“Nice trick.”
“You want to try?”
“Sure. With maybe a little adjustment.”
Galen went back to his position. I stood in front of him. Galen advanced and, as Red had done, I pivoted. To make my work harder, Galen kept his elbow at his side.
I kicked the spot behind his knee. He stumbled, caught his balance, and glanced back at me again. But he kept the sword in hand.
“Well,” I muttered. “That didn’t work.”
Galen’s grin was feral. All teeth and pride.
“Go again,” Red said.
We reset. This time, when Galen came at me, I didn’t move. He stopped with the blade an inch from my chest, and I heard shuffling from both Red and the prince.
“Why didn’t you dodge?” Galen asked.
“Didn’t need to.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re going to hand me your sword.” I held out my hand.
“Why in the names of the gods would I do that?”
I opened my palm, revealing the leather cord I’d slipped from his wrist when I’d kicked his knee. Good thieving, my father had said, was about guiding a mark’s attention.
“Because that’s how you’ll get this back,” I said.
“What the…” he said, holding up his wrist to ensure it wasn’t a trick. He looked back at me, and there was a meaner look in his eyes now. “You stole it.”
“I distracted you and took it. I’m more than willing to give it back. In exchange for the sword.”
“I’m not giving you my sword.” His body was stiff with anger.
“Then admit I bested you.”
