Veylan drew a line on the floor. Then another, at an angle to the first.
I waited for him to add something that justified putting down my sword. He put the chalk away.
"Stand there."
I took the mark at the point where the lines met.
"Step out. Return."
I did.
"Again."
The second attempt pulled beneath the bruise. I shortened the movement and brought my rear foot in early.
Veylan watched it settle.
"Who taught you that return?"
Several people. One armsman. A combat instructor. Years of watching someone perform it while I sat in a chair. Only two of those answers belonged to Cedric.
"The household training included it."
"Included it how?"
I looked at the mark. "With a weapon."
"I can see that. Your hand starts the recovery even when there's nothing in it."
He crouched and moved the end of the second line closer.
"Try from here."
