Soulguard by Christopher Woods Read Free Book Online Page A

is a master of it. As our blades met, she was surprised.
                  “You’re faster,” She smiled and sped up. “Let’s see how fast.”
                  I felt the hit on my left and sped up as well. She was moving faster than I’d ever seen her go, except when battling the Demons at Morndel. I was amazed, I was moving just as fast as she was. I still couldn’t seem to connect, though.
                  We continued until Kharl’s voice boomed, “Halt!”
                  I was sore in a dozen places and sweating profusely. Kyra had worked up a sweat as well.
                  “A lot faster,” she commented. I hadn’t even got in one hit. Of course, I never get in a hit on Ky.
                  “That’s where experience tells the tale, son.” she said, as if reading my mind, “You are as fast as I am but I’ve learned a few tricks over the years. You’ll be better than me when you’ve got the experience to match your power.”
                  I doubt that, I thought. I looked around at the other Guards and both of them were smiling.
                  “I’m going to have so much fun with him,” the weapon master said happily.
                  “My turn,” Kharl said.
                  Sometimes I think the two of them enjoy this kind of abuse too much. I looked toward Trent and his dad. They both looked a bit dazed.
                  “Just wait till you start training,” I said and nodded at Trent.
                  We faced off just as Ky and I had, twenty feet apart, facing each other. There were no swords now. Kharl is my unarmed combat trainer.
                  “3...2...1...Go!”
                  We charged one another and I figured I would use my extra speed to my advantage. I jumped over his head and felt a vice close on my left leg.
                  Oh crap, this is gonna hurt, I thought as he threw me across the room to slam into “The Mat”.
                  “The Mat” is the place I end up every time I try something stupid while fighting Kharl. I think there is a permanent face print in the two feet thick padding on the reinforced back wall of the barn. Maybe several.
                  “I told you, Quit jumping around like a damn grasshopper! Your power is in the earth, stay connected to it.”
                  I picked myself up from the floor in front of “The Mat”, with a stupid grin on my face. Kharl was waiting, so I planted my feet and charged. There isn’t a lot of finesse in Kharl’s style of fighting, but there isn’t a lot of finesse in a train either. When he hits you, it feels like you were hit by a big train.
                  I found that my strength and durability was also affected by the larger Soulstream, I was holding my own with Kharl. But like Ky, he had worlds of experience and he used some of it to put me on the floor several times.
                  “Halt!” Ky shouted.
                  I was sore in places I didn’t even know I had. It never fails, if I start to think too highly of myself, a spar with either of them can set me straight right quick.
                  Tien stood up and approached. “You’re good enough at fighting to face any Mage I know, but the shield is the most important thing when facing Mages. How are your shields?”
                  I opened the portal and anchored to the ground.
                  “Try it,” I stated and stood still as Kharl swung at me. His fist hit a foot from me but I didn’t fly into a wall this time. I didn’t budge.
                  Kharl smiled and began to pound on my shield with a vengeance. Jack stood up and joined him, as well as Ky and Tien. Four Elite Soulguards couldn’t pierce my shields.