Strength / Skill 2

Kallist spun, bringing the heavy pommel of the dirk up into the chin of the man lurking behind him. He caught a brief glimpse of unshaven cheeks and weak, watery eyes before the fellow staggered back, clutching his broken jaw. Blood dribbled from the corners of his mouth, flowing from the teeth marks he’d left in his own tongue. The intruder’s weapon, a heavy wooden cudgel, landed between them with a thump.

Unsure if his attacker was alone, Kallist dropped into a knife-fighter’s stance, blade held underhand and down at his side, left hand outstretched to grab or parry. It was an expert posture, yet somehow it felt wrong; off, just a bit. As though his mind knew what it needed to do, but his muscles weren’t sure how to follow.

***

Agents of Artifice, Chapter 2