Kevin Wade Johnson
"You're halfway to being a remarkable warrior," said Gilbert, leaning back against one of the granite blocks while he caught his breath from another sparring session. "What do I do?" "The other half. You've got the warrior part, now you need the blood half." "I will." "I know you will. You're willing to work, work like a maniac, which is great. But there's three things about becoming the best you can with the blood talent." "Tell me." "One is to work at it. Let me give you an example—show me your talent." "Right." I put my hand against the block, composed my mind, and blinked. And was standing on the opposite side of the stone, sword arm against it. Of course now my gauntleted hand was sticking out in empty air. I turned so that hand was against the stone again—never use the sword hand except in an emergency—and blinked back. Which meant I was facing away from Gilbert, who promptly tripped me much as I had Geoffroi. I got up, and he said, "Your move was predictable." I blinked—in surprise, nothing more. "I see," I said. "I think you do. The second thing is, well, I'll show you once more. Do it again." "All right," I said, wondering what was coming. I put my hand against the stone, composed my— And he kicked me in the stomach. I went down in a lot more pain that from being tripped, although my armor meant it didn't hurt as much as it might have. I gasped for breath I couldn't get until finally the wind wasn't knocked out of me anymore. I got up, a little slower. He said, "You're too slow," and I realized he didn't mean at reaching my feet. "You need to be so practiced at your blood talent that you can run full speed at a stone wall, and the instant your palm touches, before your wrist starts to fracture, you blink to the other side." I wanted to ask if that was possible, but realized, that it had to be, if Gilbert said so, and that I'd be wise to get as close to that speed as I could if I wanted any kind of life. Long or thriving. He said, "When you're that practiced
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