He saw the soldiers elbowing each other as they took in Khoth’s uber moves and then chuckled as they looked at him. He’d seen those looks and laughs before at school. Despite his many disabilities, his father had taught him to defend himself with fists while his mother had with words. While he hadn’t exactly been a champion fighter when he’d been in school, he’d managed not to get the tar knocked out of him. Jace gritted his teeth.
Here’s a little bit more information for you about Khoth! Gehenna prattled happily on, showing him images of documents that rated Khoth’s physical prowess. He was ranked First, even above his sister, in all physical challenges Oh, my! And he’s won the championship on Haseon with the rahir. He has some fancy titles like Sword Master or something like that. There’s not quite an Earth equivalent translation.
You do realize you’re making me more nervous now than if I knew nothing at all about his titles, don’t you? Jace laughed. He’s like a foot taller than me and twice as broad even with all the new adjustments to my body.
Yet despite Khoth’s heavily muscled frame, the Thaf’ell Commander moved with a quickness and fluidity that belied the layers upon layers of muscle Khoth possessed. At that moment, Khoth had easily dropped into the splits. He was limber too, evidently.
And now you tell me he’s a Sword Master! Jace continued. Like couldn’t you have told me that before I agreed to duel him?
He is a most formidable opponent, Gehenna agreed, which was again, not what he wanted her to say. You will most likely lose.
W-what? Jace turned toward her. That was what he thought but to have her confirm it was sobering, to say the least!
The squid head turned towards him. What?
No, no, I asked “what?” first so you have to answer me first! Jace cried.
I am not certain--oh! You thought your training would be enough to hold your own against him? Gehenna sounded pleased that she had teased this out of his psyche.
No! I mean… yes? Sort of? You trained me so don’t you know? Jace grimaced. And what I could do worked against the Khul. In a way. But then again, I can’t use Metal Rain against Khoth!
Multiple tentacles flew up in the air and Jace was reminded of one of those scrubbing poles at a car washer. It’s actually worse than you’re thinking!
Worse? Gehenna, you really need to work on your pep talk. Jace squeezed the top of his nose.
Gehenna continued waving her tentacles. You see, you’ve just been changed, you don’t know your body’s strengths at all! Let alone your weaknesses! I don’t fully know them either. The training is good, but… well...
Yeah, yeah, that’s about right, Jace agreed with her dryly.
So why did you ask him to duel again? She asked.
He was wondering that himself. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. The moment that he had touched the rahir’s hilt and saw the thin laser edge on it, he’d thought of Star Wars and who wouldn’t want to fight with a sword like that? He hadn’t really contemplated what it would be like to face off against someone so skilled. This wasn’t going to be the fun tap-tap thing he’d imagined. But if he was really honest with himself, he’d thought he’d do well, because of the training, but now? Khoth was flipping the sword in the air again while he stood there like a tree stump!
He attempted to put his feelings into words, I was trying to--
Impress Khoth? You like him! Gehenna sounded even more pleased at this.
Jace colored. He could feel the heat on his cheeks. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his parents watching him carefully. Both of them would notice the blush. They would talk to him about it later he was sure, especially when he lost. They were already freaked about what had happened to him--and who wouldn’t be?--and now he was taking up a weapon against Khoth, who they already didn’t like or trust. And when Khoth justifiably trounced him, making them believe he should have any say in anything might be lost.
I like Khoth just fine, Jace answered her stiffly. But that’s not the point!
I’m sorry? What is not the point? Gehenna reached over with one of her tentacles and pushed a piece of hair off his forehead. This will be a most instructive lesson when he--oh what is that delightful human phrase you’ve used before? Oh, yes!--hands you your ass!
Gehenna giggled.
Jace winced. She definitely had a way with words. Gehenna, I was trying to impress him so that he’ll know it’s safe for me to go to the Khul ship!
Impress--
Impress him! Impress the general! Make my parents think I’m capable! Jace grimaced. If you haven’t noticed, no one actually thinks I’m up to being the Pilot! Losing here will… be bad.
He glanced over at his parents then. His mother’s expression was too smooth. She was hiding what she was feeling. She smiled at him when their eyes met. His father was chewing on the nail of his right thumb. He flashed a grin, too. The fact that they hadn’t insisted he be examined had probably taken more strength than he would ever know. So if he royally messed up, the strength would drain away as their trust in him did the same.
On the way to the armory, they had asked him question after question about Gehenna, Osiris and the “training”. He’d answered as much as he could, as much as he knew. But maybe he’d been a little cocky?
* * *
There was a pause and lights appeared and disappeared in Gehenna’s squid head in quick succession. I see. Yes, I can understand your concern now. That would be bad. Everything you do now has consequences.
