The men didn’t mind moving the tables around, as they finally had solid seating while they ate. Two of his men also had skill enough to carve the clan emblem into the wood, so they were set to do that during their off hours.
The Peaceful Fist ended with all of the men smiling, as it no longer felt taxing to them. Those smiles faded when they weren’t dismissed.
“Today, we start working on more training,” Davis addressed the men. “Sergeants, take your men and get back to work on the course.”
Freddy Milton, the half-dwarf, and James Townson, the part elf, got their squads moving away from camp. Both squads wondered what they were missing, but did as they were ordered.
“We’ll be rotating who works on the course over the next week or two so everyone gets a chance to be here for weapons training,” Davis announced, and the men who’d been walking away looked happier to hear that. “We’ll be splitting you into pairs, and each sergeant will cycle you through your fellow squadmates. On top of that, Magi Pettit will be sparring with us. If you get picked, don’t hesitate— he’s said he won’t use his foresight when fighting, and he wants you to push him.”
That got a lot of raised eyebrows, but no one said anything.
“Sergeants, break them into pairs. Sir,” Davis said, turning to face Gregory, “I’ll be your first opponent.”
“Very well, Lieutenant,” Gregory smiled, then suddenly was holding a training guandao in his hand. “As soon as you’re ready.”
~*~*~
It was into the afternoon when sparring halted. No one had beaten Gregory; Davis and the sergeants pushed him, but the men who’d been able to face him weren’t able to even come close.
“Before we dismiss you,” Davis said, looking over the men, “some of you know you need to improve. Talk with your sergeants and we can arrange extra time for you, but we’re ending with a demonstration by our magi. I want ten volunteers to fight him all at once.”
Sergeant Daniel Glasson stepped forward before anyone else did, his panther tail twitching. “Me, sir.”
Sergeants Howard Donald and Adam Bunson were only a second after him, also volunteering. After them, some of the men spoke up, offering to fight with their sergeants.
Gregory smiled. “Lieutenant, they can all fight me.” The training guandao was replaced by the wooden naginata. “I’ll just switch weapons to the one I prefer.”
Davis gave Gregory a glance, then nodded. “As you wish, sir. You don’t mind if I join them, do you?”
“Not at all. Men, this might bruise your egos, but that’s not my intent. I want to show that I’ll be at my best in the middle of any trouble with you.”
“But sir? Nineteen of us?” Glasson asked skeptically.
“He dismantled ten of Warlin’s guards as a novice before the first academy tournament,” Bunson grunted. “I was one of them. That was before he knew what his magic was, if the rumor is correct.”
That had a lot of the men worried.
Gregory moved so everyone was in front of him, even Davis. “Lieutenant, I’m ready when you are.”
He already had foresight going, his resonance flowing with it. That’s how he knew to sidestep when Davis lunged for him with no warning. Gregory just smiled as the naginata spun, hitting both of Davis’ legs with stinging slaps. No one else had moved in the second that took to happen, so Gregory turned back to the three squads of men.
“Gentlemen, come on. If my magic is up, a sneak attack doesn’t work.”
He sidestepped again, the haft of his naginata catching Willof’s training blade and pushing it out with ease. Gregory didn’t stop, just flowing with the future— he bodily shoved Willof back roughly enough to stumble the older man before the wooden weapon caught him in the chin.
Then, he had to move in earnest when Glasson led his men in a rush. The other two squads held back to watch, their mouths open in awe at the display. Gregory wove through the six men like a river around boulders. In less than a minute, he had the six of them down and spun to face the other two squads.
“Not fighting, after all?” Gregory asked.
Donald and Bunson glanced at each other, then split their squads to either side of Gregory. If not for resonance, Gregory was sure it would’ve been much harder, but he just followed the best path.
The sergeants controlled their men into attacking as units, not in a rush like Glasson’s group. That would’ve done Gregory in if not for his magic. Instead, he let them advance on either side, looking impassive. His sudden rush at Donald took both squads by surprise. He was among the six men in seconds and had them down before Bunson could even reach them.
“It was a good thought,” Gregory said as he backed away to buy time. “If Glasson had been with you, I might not have had the time to single one squad out, but now, it’s basically over.” He stopped retreating and went to meet the last six men.
Gregory stood unmarked when he dropped Bunson last. “That’s what I can do. I can’t conjure flame, earth, air, or any of the things you’re familiar with. I can’t hold foresight all day, either. In a known fight, I’ll be the most dangerous person on the field, even against physical enhancement magi.”
“He beat them all during the tournament,” Willof said, rubbing his sore jaw.
“Sir, can we try again?” Davis asked as he got back to his feet.
“Once more; I don’t want to exhaust myself. The longer I keep my foresight going, the more strain I feel.”
“Men, form up!” Davis barked.
Gregory stepped back again, but he looked at Willof. “No more sneak attacks right now, please?”
Willof nodded. “Let’s see how they do.”
The next few minutes were much harder, as the three squads moved as a unit. Gregory had to work to slowly pick them apart, always moving to not get hemmed in easily. One of the men even threw dirt at Gregory to try blinding him; it failed, but it was a good attempt. When the fight ended, Gregory had only been grazed once.
Panting, Gregory let the naginata slip back into his ring. He’d pushed his aether to keep up with the two fights. “Much better.”
“Did I clip you?” one of the men asked.
“Yes,” Gregory nodded. “I couldn’t dodge as fully and not go into another attack. Good job. I’m out of aether for the day. Lieutenant, you can dismiss them.”
Davis looked over the men. “We’ll work on our tactics and be shifting people around tomorrow. Good work today. Dismissed.”
As everyone broke apart, Gregory watched the conversations spring up. He didn’t see anyone upset, which was good; he’d worried that pushing himself like that with them might cause problems.
Rafiq came to a stop next to Gregory. “I need to ask you about your magic.”
“I figured you would,” Gregory replied. “Let’s go back to the tent. I want to clean my face and hands before dinner.”
Rafiq fell into step beside him. “You can shift a fight all by yourself. I’ll have to note the number of people involved.”
“I know, Rafiq. When are your records going back to the archive?”
“I will be sending dispatches every time we go to Grakle.”
“Good to know,” Gregory murmured. “Master Damon paid for them to be sent that often?”
“Sarinia did,” Rafiq replied. “Her budget was expanded for the archive just for this.”
“I’m sure she’s using that increase well,” Gregory chuckled.
“Without a doubt,” Rafiq grinned.
~*~*~
Dinner was nearly done when one of the men stopped by the table. “Excuse me, sir. Can I have a moment?”
“Have a seat,” Gregory said, motioning to the bench across from him. “Lazarus Colter, right?”
“Uh… yes, sir,” Colter said, his surprise at Gregory knowing his name was clear as he sat.
“I try to know all of you as best I can. What can I do for you?”
“I was curious why you sparred with a guandao, but then fought us with a naginata, sir.”
“I’m better with the naginata, so I try to get practice with the guandao as often as I can.”
“Oh…” Colter said slowly, then blurted out his question, “Would it be possible to learn how to use the naginata from you, sir?”
Gregory considered it for a moment; most guards carried a weapon and shield, since they were more practical in an urban environment, but the idea of a few of the men with training and better reach was appealing to him. “I’ll see about picking up more training naginatas next time I’m in Gardenia. After that, it’ll depend on how serious you are.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” Colter beamed as he got to his feet. “I won’t disappoint you, sir.” With a sharp salute, he walked off.
“Hmm…” Rafiq murmured, his eyes already tracking another of the men coming up to the table.
~*~*~
Gregory was bemused by the end of dinner— eight men asked if he’d train them with a naginata. Davis had stopped by the table after the fourth, and Gregory explained what had been happening. He looked thoughtful, then asked if Gregory had extra funds to meet the request or if he’d have to shuffle the pay chest around. After assuring Davis that he’d pay for it, the lieutenant asked him to pick up naginatas for the entire unit.
“All of them?” Gregory asked in surprise.
“If possible, sir,” Davis said. “They’ll at least want to try it. If we can get them interested in it, then we can drop the shields. Naginata would be their normal weapons, with their shorter weapons for more confined spaces.”
“That would send a visual message,” Willof said. “It would definitely make your unit stand out from the others.”
“Okay,” Gregory said. “I’ve told them that they have to be serious. I won’t let any of them slack on it. Make sure that’s known across the board.”
“I’ll handle it, sir,” Davis saluted.
“Dinner’s done,” Gregory exhaled. “I’m going to retire for the evening, Lieutenant. See you in the morning.”
“Good night, sir.”
Gregory wondered if trying to teach all the men his preferred weapon was the right thing. Only time would tell, but he felt hopeful. He could practically see his men in uniform with naginatas in hand, marching down the street.
