giving the lessons then?’
‘Indeed. Perhaps I shall remain and watch. I might pick up a few pointers.’
Korhien laughed.
‘I somehow doubt that, Prince Iltharis, but you are welcome to remain.’
‘Well, I am interested in your latest pupil anyway. I am writing another monograph on the Blood of Aenarion.’
Tyrion spend the next few hours sparring, losing himself in physical activity, learning everything Korhien had to say. He was aware all the time that Prince Iltharis was studying him with a watchful eye. He found that he was getting a little bit tired of being inspected so closely all the time.
Prince Iltharis eventually said, ‘Your new pupil is quite exceptional, Korhien.’
‘Indeed,’ said the White Lion. Tyrion was annoyed at this fop passing judgement on him.
‘Perhaps you would care to try a turn with the blades,’ Tyrion said. Iltharis looked at him and smiled mockingly.
‘It is not something I would usually do, but in your case I shall make an exception.’
He sauntered over to the sword rack, examined the wooden blades like a connoisseur selecting a bottle of wine and picked up the one that he liked the most. A moment later he was strapping on the practice armour.
Tyrion could not help but notice that for all his languid manner there was muscle there. Iltharis stretched like a big cat to get the kinks out of his muscles, saluted Korhien and then turned to face Tyrion. ‘When you are ready, young prince,’ he said. The rest of the students watched with interest. Some of them smiled. One or two laughed. Tyrion wondered what he had gotten himself into.
He approached Prince Iltharis, sword held ready. They exchanged two blows and his sword was out of his hand. Tyrion replayed what had happened in his mind. Iltharis had used a similar trick to the one Korhien had played when first they duelled, but had done it much faster. His speed of reflex was uncanny. Tyrion suspected that for the first time in his life he had encountered someone even quicker than himself.
‘That was a pretty trick with which you disarmed me. I will wager you could not do it again.’
Iltharis raised an eyebrow. ‘What will you wager?’
Tyrion felt his embarrassment deepen. He owned nothing, not even the clothes he was wearing. ‘It was a figure of speech,’ he said lamely.
‘Prince Iltharis is also very wealthy,’ said Korhien. ‘Or his family is, which comes to the same thing.’
‘Your plebeian roots are showing, Korhien. One would think you almost jealous.’
‘The only thing I envy you, prince, is your skill with a blade.’
‘Well, it’s always nice to be envied for something. But I was talking to your young friend here about the terms of a wager.’
‘I have nothing to offer,’ said Tyrion, thinking as always that honesty was for the best. ‘As I said, it was a figure of speech.’
‘I will lend him a gold piece,’ said Korhien.
‘Are you sure, my friend? I know it is a large sum of money for you.’
‘I do not want it,’ said Tyrion.
‘You may not have the wealth of Aenarion, but you have some of his pride,’ said Iltharis. ‘I can set a term for the wager that I believe will be acceptable.’
‘Go on,’ said Tyrion.
‘If I win, you will do me one favour when I request it. If you win, I will do the same.’
‘Fair enough,’ said Tyrion.
‘I would not be so quick to accept, doorkeeper,’ said Korhien. ‘You do not know what the favour might prove to be.’
‘Nothing dishonourable or hurtful to your ancient pride,’ said Iltharis. ‘Be sure of it.’
‘Very well,’ said Tyrion.
They fell into fighting stances again. This time Tyrion’s attack was less reckless and he watched for Iltharis to try the same disarming technique. When it came, he was ready for it. His response was swift and sure and almost successful. Instead of being disarmed himself, he almost disarmed Iltharis.
Only the other’s cat-like quickness of reflex saved him. He sprang backwards, aimed a blow at Tyrion’s knee, paralysing it and then knocked him off his feet with a powerful blow to the chest.
Ruefully, Tyrion picked himself up. His leg felt numb from the nerve-strike. ‘I guess I lost the bet,’ he said.
Iltharis shook his head. ‘No. You won it. I could not disarm you with the same technique again. You were quite right.’ He raised the wooden blade in an intricate salute and then returned it to the rack. ‘I congratulate you, Korhien. Your pupil is everything you claimed and more.’
Tyrion glanced at the White Lion. It seemed