"Elizabeth Moon - Paksenarrion 1 - The Sheepfarmer's Daughter" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moon Elizabeth)

midair.
"Now," said Siger, the point of his sword at Korryn's
waist. "Is it quite as funny when it happens to you? Let's

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Elizabeth Moon - The Deed of Paksenarrion [vol 1] Sheepfarmer's Daughter


hear you laugh."
Korryn was white with rage, breathless and sweaty.
"Sir," he said finally. Siger gave him a slight smile and
nodded.
"Novices, that have never handled a sword, them I expect
to get drunk on the excitement and do something stupid
тАФ and I thump them well for it. But those who claim to
know something ... Go wait for your turn again, recruit."
Each of them went a round with Siger without protection,
and each received a complement of bruises. Then he
showed them how to fasten the bandas, the quilted canvas
surcoat worn for weapons practice.
"Your turn again," Siger said to Paks. "Ready? Are you
sore enough?"
Paks grinned. "I'm sore, sir, but I'm ready. I hope."
"You'd better be. Now start with the drill."
This time Paks handled the sword with more assurance,
and kept the cadence as even as she could. "Better,"
admitted Siger. "Painfully slow, but better. Speed it up,
now, just a little. Keep the rhythm." The blades clacked
together. Again, again, again. "Now a bit harder тАФ not
too much at once." The shock of contact was making
Paks's hand tingle; her arm began to tire. Siger shifted
around her, and she had to turn and strike at the same
time. The ache spread up her arm. Whack. Whack. Sweat
trickled down her face, stinging in her eyes. Siger moved
the other way, and Paks turned with him, but she lost the

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Elizabeth Moon - The Deed of Paksenarrion [vol 1] Sheepfarmer's Daughter


rhythm. Quick as a snake's tongue his blade tapped her
ribs. "Enough," he said. "You're slowing down again.
Give the blade to someone else, and go work with the
hauks awhile."
Once they began drilling with wooden blades, they also
began to learn other weapons. By the time they marched
south, Siger said, they would have a certain minimum
proficiency with short-sword, dagger, bow, and spear.
The spear offered the most difficulty. As usual, it had
seemed simple, just thinking about it. A long pole with a