The student ahead of me failed by half a step.
He stared at the edge of the ring as if the line might move out of embarrassment. The assessor marked the point, offered him another attempt and received a furious nod.
I understood him immediately.
Unfortunately, understanding did not stop the second failure.
He left the ring with his practice sword held too tightly. I stayed clear of the path between him and the benches.
"Valdrake. Last place."
I set my approved agreement beside the assessor's board and entered the marked area.
He checked the name, then asked me which hand I would use. I showed him the left. His eyes went to the support on the right, but his pen stayed above the form until I answered aloud.
"Left hand. No powered work."
"And if the other hand begins to hurt?"
"I stop."
