"Perry, Steve - Matador 02 - Matadora" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Steven)

"Her," Dirisha said, nodding at the blonde.

Crinkle. "Ah, you have a good eye." Pen called out, "Geneva, would you demonstrate the Ninety-Seven Steps for Dirisha?"

The young woman smiled and gave Pen a small military bow. She walked calmly to the pattern, took a deep breath, and began her dance. She was not so smooth as Pen, nor as fast, but she made no missteps Dirisha could see from start to finish. When done, she bowed again, and walked back to her group. That she moved in her Center the entire time was a given. Dirisha nodded again. "What is the style called?"

"Sumito."

"I've heard of it. But I thought it was a religious system, taught only to priests."

"It was, formerly. The Siblings of the Shroud have given us a special dispensation to instruct it here."

"The dance is beautiful and complex," Dirisha said. "But how effective is it?"

Crinkle. "A personal demonstration?"

Dirisha nodded.

"You may attack or defend," Pen said.

"I'll defend."

"Wise."

For a long moment, neither moved. Dirisha stood in her basic relaxed no-stance stance, waiting. He would give some indication of his intentions, some tightening before he moved, and she would be ready

He waved his hands, flicking his fingers back and forth and knotting them into a blur of weaving motions

Dirisha didn't grin, but she wanted to. Some kind of kuji-kiri, maybe Neshomezoygn, organomechanical hypnosis. He'd have to do better than that, she knew how to avoid falling into the finger-trap

But he was no longer there, he was behind her, in a motion so fast he almost had her. She spun, slightly off-balance, and lashed out with a quick snap kick. Pen danced away, as if doing the pattern of steps, as if ,h^were alone and Dirisha no more than smoke to him.

Dirisha set herself in a side-stance, offering a smaller target, raising her hands to cover her face and body, but Pen didn't seem interested in striking or grabbing at her. He danced back and forth and his motions seemed an extension of his earlier hand trap. Suddenly Dirisha knew he was using his whole body as he had used the finger-weave. She looked away, using only her peripheral vision to track him

There were two muted explosions; Dirisha jerked her. gaze back to cover Pen. He was using his spetsdods! Why didn't she feel the sting ?

In her moment of confusion, Pen moved. He twirled, seeming to move away, but his leg became a spinning blade, knocking her feet from under her. It was unexpected and Dirisha landed on her back, hard, despite the padded surface. She twisted and rolled, to avoid a follow-up, but she felt a soft touch on her temple before she could regain her feet.

She sighed as she stood, then bowed. The touch could have been harder and a shot to the temple was worth the victory.

Pen stood there, looking inscrutable in his robe and cowl.

"More?"

She shook her head. "Not necessary. You know your stuff, Deuce. And judging from your students, you can teach it, too. Where do I sign?"

Pen laughed. What he said then warmed her, in a way the tropical heat could not begin to match. "Welcome home, Dirisha."

CHAPTER FOUR