Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“I’m ready,” she said enthusiastically.
His guilt had him saying, “I should have taught you sooner.”
“You teach me now and that’s all that matters,” she said with a smile. “So let’s not waste any more time.”
Arran agreed and got right to it. “First, some basic instructions. Men have much more physical strength than women, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t vulnerable. It’s knowing where to strike them that can save you from being harmed. Depending how anyone grabs hold of you, there are different things you can do. Go for his eyes, rake them good, so it gives you a chance to run. Punch him in the throat hard, he’ll gasp for breath and if you’re lucky you may cut off his breathing entirely, but take off as soon as you do. Running from your opponent is not being cowardly, it allows you to survive.”
“A man wouldn’t run,” she argued.
“No. A man would battle to the death or surrender. A woman needs to run.”
“What if she has a weapon?” Raven asked.
“That would depend on how skilled a woman is with it. You need to remember the strength a man has over you. If he grabs your wrist before you can use a knife on him, he’ll take it away from you easily and can use it on you just as easily. Your main objective when attacked is to survive and get away from him.”
“What if I can’t get away from him?” she asked, fear in her eyes.
He took hold of her hand and squeezed it. “You survive until me, Royden, or Da can find you. Never doubt we wouldn’t come for you, wouldn’t stop searching for you.”
“I know, and you should know I’d do the same for you.”
“No, you won’t. Never put yourself in danger for me, Royden, or Da. It is for us to protect you. We can take care of ourselves,” he ordered sternly.
Raven gave a dismissive nod.
“I mean it, Raven,” he said even more sternly.
“As you say, Arran,” she said, but silently swore she would do whatever was necessary if the time ever came that her brothers needed her help.
“There’s a spot on a man that is extremely vulnerable,” Arran said.
“His balls,” Raven said with a grin.
“Good Lord, Raven. You don’t speak like that,” Arran chastised. “And how do you know that?”
“I have ears and eyes,” Raven said with a dramatic sigh.
“Lenna,” Arran said, shaking his head, the irritating woman coming to mind.
“She’s always kneeing her husband in his bal—” Arran’s deep scowl had Raven quickly correcting herself. “In his private parts when he drinks too much. I don’t understand why he doesn’t drink less.”
“Probably because he’s married to her,” Arran mumbled.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing, let’s get back to teaching you what you need to know to defend yourself,” Arran said.
Two hours later, Raven was jubilant as she made her way to the barn to get King. Fear of what might come still lingered in her, but now she had the knowledge to protect herself, if not the skill—yet. Arran had promised he would work with her every day, starting the day after the wedding, after tomorrow, and show her all she needed to know. He even promised he would teach her how to handle a sword. She was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of one day having her own sword.
As soon as the kitten saw her, he tripped over his own paws hurrying to her. She scooped him up. “Ready to see, Purity?” He meowed as if understanding her. She headed to the kitchen first to get some treats and stopped when she saw Royden and Oria in what looked to be an argument. It worried her since they never argued.
She marched up to them and demanded, “You never fight. What’s the matter?”
“It doesn’t concern you,” Royden snapped.
“I’m going to stay right here until you tell me. Better yet, I’ll go get Arran and tell him you two are fighting,” Raven threatened.
“And I’ll tell Da that you’re going into the woods to meet Purity,” Royden threatened back, pointing to the kitten.
“I already told him,” Raven shot back.
“No you didn’t,” Royden accused.
“Enough you two,” Oria snapped. “Your brother and I are having words because he insists I stay here tonight and that wouldn’t be at all proper for me to do.”
“Proper or not, Royden’s right. What if your clan was attacked tonight? He’d never reach you in time. Here, he can keep you safe.”
Royden was quick to praise his sister. “Raven sees the wisdom in it and so should you.”
Oria relented. “If my father agrees—”
“I’ll go speak with him now. He’s with my da in the fields.” Royden took off before anyone could say a word.
“Come see Purity with me,” Raven offered. “I’m going to stop at the kitchen first and get some honey bread.”
“I don’t know if I should. There’s so much yet to do for the wedding.”