Sela arrived at the the otter training ground around lunchtime and his stomach grumbled. Stone led them both to a spot in front of a wooden dummy, and he had Sela set the swords down next to the dummy.

“Otter cracks the rock,” Stone said.

Sela looked at him as if he had two heads.

“Do you know the sword technique?” Stone said.

Sela shook his head.

“Watch.”

Picking up a sword, Stone moved through a defensive stance, blocking up, then left and right, pulling the sword close as he stepped slowly through the form. The otter looked practiced, as if he’d done it dozens if not hundreds of times.

“Now, one step at a time, move through this.”

Stone tossed the cane to Sela and he accepted it with gratitude.

“First step, block the over head attack,” Stone said, drawing the sword to block a blow.

Sela followed along.

“Next, withdraw, step one, two.”

Sela tries to keep the spry pep in his step as he moved backwards.

“Now parry, block left and right.”

Stone worked him through the end of the form. It didn’t feel difficult but Chip would be excited to see him working through it.

“Now swap.”

Sela held out a hand to accept a sword, one that felt like an iron bar.

“I’m sorry, but this… this just feels like a rock,” he said, trying to hold it up.

“Otter cracks the rock,” Stone said.

Sela complied.