Awakening - Part 8

Oliver was admiring his sword, twisting it in his hand, allowing it to roll open his shoulder, as he reminded himself of its weight and its feel. With his preoccupation, he did not notice the look that passed between Lombard and Blackwell, as the two acknowledged his immediate understanding of something that should have been the exclusive knowledge of the officer class.

"You had better give me that other blade, my Lord," Lombard said, in the end. "I make for a better opponent for the boy, given that we're both injured."

"You've lost your sword arm," Lord Blackwell pointed out. He seemed reluctant to part with the weapon. "Besides, aren't you of the Third Boundary yourself? And yet you condemn me for challenging him as a member of the Fourth?"