Hearts and Stones - Robin D. Owens Page 0,51

softly around Holm's arm and the man withdrew. Holm raised his brows.

"Oh, ah, Allspice. That is, newly GraceLord Allspice. Pime. Pime Allspice."

"Greetyou, GraceLord."

"Greetyou, GrandSir Apple."

No one had ever called Holm that, the title of a younger son of a FirstFamily. Never. And now he realized his friends in Druida hadn't addressed him by any sort of a title at all after his disinheritance and before he and Lark moved here. Some new pang and assault to his sense of self to cope with every day. Tiresome.

The man walked from the entry chamber into the large room now graced with huge mats in the center and others rolled up against the walls to use as necessary or for, Holm hoped, seating for observers. Pime Allspice stared around as if he'd never seen a physical training area.

Holm let him gaze his fill, as he scanned the man himself. Didn't move well, beginning student, but limber and good enough body, Holm sensed potential.

When GraceLord Allspice met his eyes, he smiled and Holm became aware that the shy smile didn't quite match the studious—and sharp—gaze. "I work with T'Ash. I'm a merchant specializing in gemstones."

Holm's good friend T'Ash had sent the man. Holm could only hope it wasn't part of a sale or bargain between the two. No. Do not take insult that this might be a pity student. Put that out of his mind, and deal with the man as-is. "My first question is what you hope to get out of a course of training with me?"

A flush colored the man's face and freckles stood out. "As you may have noticed, I'm not a graceful guy. I'd like to, uh, get better balance. Move well." He flung out a hand, barely missed grazing his knuckles on the wall. "Like you."

Holm nodded. "This we can work on, bringing you to be more physically balanced. How are you at meditation, and emotional balance and grounding?"

This time Allspice's smile flashed quick and sincere. "I'm good there, and mentally, too."

"Excellent." Holm himself had finally become grounded himself in the last couple of months. Didn't want to think of his past life. Nothing hurtful to distract him from the needs of his pupil.

Allspice cleared his throat. "Also, my oldest daughter has found her HeartMate and we will be having an elaborate wedding ritual, including paired Earthan dancing. This training will help me with dancing?"

"Absolutely, but perhaps you should simply consider working with a dancing master."

The man stiffened as if Holm had insulted his manhood.

"I've worked with many dancers," Holm said. "They're fine athletes."

"I want to learn to fight!" Allspice took a deep breath. "Gael City isn't the great town with big criminal problems that Druida City is, but I've had tough elements come into my store and try and threaten me. I've reported them to the guards, but I am not ... I am not a man who inspires fear in others."

"So you'll also need to have a presence," Holm said. He stood straight, thought of himself as he'd been as the arrogant HollyHeir, knew that he could fight and win against any man in this city.

"Zow. Yes, like that! A presence so I won't be seen as an easy person to be intimidated. I'm not, but I need the—"

"Attitude," Holm said, releasing into a more casual manner. He made a show of scanning the man's body. "I think we'll have no problem with meeting your goals. I believe you have potential, you just have to be trained into it. You could make a very good hand-to-hand fighter."

"Thanks!" Excitement lit within the man. Holm had done that, and it felt satisfying. In the first minutes he'd met with the man, Holm had inspired his new student.

"How long of a course do you wish to sign up for?" Holm asked.

"As long as it takes." Allspice set his chin.

"I think you'll find as we go along, that you will like the movement of your body, the exercise, the discipline, and want to make it a part of your lifestyle. Not only will I be offering lessons, but I will be opening the studio as an athletic club and offering such things as group melee nights, ah, et cetera. There will be membership levels."

"Sounds really good. Can we start right away? I brought some casual clothes, but I'll need some standard training robes. And belts, I want to win colored belts as I advance." More anticipation from the GraceLord.

"That will happen," Holm assured him. Mostly the guy had energy he needed