The Lord of Shadows Rises by James Terzian Read Free Book Online

the young lady said no, gentlemen,” he said, glaring at the thugs.
    “This is none of your business, punk,” said one of the thugs as he took a pistol out and pointed it at Alexander’s head, the cold steel touching his forehead.
    Before the man could voice another threat, he found himself dropping his gun and clutching his chest in pain as Alexander’s right fist flashed out. Alexander followed with a spin kick, knocking the man to the ground, out cold.
    As the other thugs advanced on Alexander, the leader was attacked by the young woman with a swift knee attack in a Muay Thai style. The leader losing consciousness as blood poured out of his nose. For good measure, she kicked him between his legs, felling him for good.
    Seeing that the other thugs were knocked out, the young female visibly relaxed. Alexander joined her, “I guess you did not need help after all. Did you have to hit him there?” he winced.
    The young lady glared at him. “I didn’t need your help at all. Don’t interfere next time,” she replied before storming away with a scowl on her face.
    “You’re welcome,” said Alexander to himself. He took out his medallion and turned south as one of the crystals glowed brightly. Leaving the thugs on the ground for the police, or whoever, he walked away.
    Alexander continued to follow the direction of the medallion and found himself at a dojo for Muay Thai. He knocked on the dojo’s door, and an older man in his thirties with black hair and bandages around his fists appeared. He had a scar over his right eye going from top to bottom.
    “May I help you, young one?” asked the man.
    Alexander bowed his head and said, “I would like to take lessons in Muay Thai. May I speak to the Master?”
    The man looked at Alexander. “I am Master Paul Thompson of this school, I’m going to need to see where you are to be placed, said the master.
    “No problem, Master,” said Alexander as he bowed again. “I saw that you won the match this morning at the AFC. It was a great match.”
    Master Thompson walked into the dojo, motioning for Alexander to follow him. “I would like to see if you have any skills, and in which form.” Alexander joined the Master in the middle of the mat as the ten students present in the dojo gathered around them both.
    The Master addressed his students, “This young man would like to join the dojo. To help gauge his competence I will now allow him to face our star pupil.”
    A young woman, clearly agitated, appeared from behind the Master. “What are you doing here?” she asked rudely.
    Master Thompson looked at the exchange with puzzlement. “Hey, fancy meeting you here,” replied Alexander, a little embarrassed.
    “So you’re the one I am fighting,” she said with a snort.
    The Master looked at both with amusement. “You know each other?”
    “Yeah, this loser intervened in a fight with some thugs that were trying to force themselves on me,” she glared at Alexander.
    The Master sighed. “You shouldn't be too proud to accept help when it is offered, Lenora. Being overconfident will lead to your defeat if you’re not careful,” said Master Thompson with a disapproving look. “You two can settle any differences in the ring.”
    Alexander faced his opponent and bowed to her. Lenora bowed as well. Alexander then positioned himself in his favored Crane style.
    That stance he is using leaves very little opening to any attacker, thought the Master.
    Lenora got into her stance, ready to show the upstart why she was Master Thompson’s star pupil.
    “Begin!” shouted the Master.
    Alexander keen to be on the offensive, went for a backhand to Lenora’s face, but throwing her forearm up she blocked it with ease. She then thrust back with her knee. Alexander grabbed with an open palm, hissing with pain as the knee connected with his hand. His strength though throwing her off balance as he pushed back against the blow.
    Alexander kicked low, hoping to make the woman lose her