Sweep of the Blade

Otubar reached over and plucked Helen from the bed. “Come with me, child. It’s time we tested you with other weapons.”

“If you do well, I will give you cake,” Ilemina said.

Helen’s eyes lit up. “What kind of cake?”

“The delicious kind,” Otubar told her. He set her on his massive shoulder like she was a parrot and carried her out of the room. Ilemina watched them go with a smile, followed them, and paused in the doorway.

“By the way,” she said, “I was going to tell you once you both had properly recovered, but since you’re awake, I might as well. A human is here to see you. I was going to turn him away, but he is an Arbitrator, which presents some difficulties. His name is Klaus. He says he is your brother.”

THE END