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They're all panting by the time they reach the path they followed from the academy. Deline is in the lead. Behind her, Jax calls back "How much time do we have?"
Oberon reaches up and grabs his optics as he runs. "Two minutes."
Triss stumbles forward and gasps "We can't be late on our first day!"
Lyra is still trying to fasten her top as she jogs behind them. "It's not Obi's fault his optics got wet!"
"There it is!" Deline calls. "I can see the academy building!
Cady reaches the crest of the rise and passes between two of the tall stone blocks but then she sees Harn standing in the center of the stone ring and her legs go rubbery.
"In the future, I'll expect to begin at the appointed time." Harn folds his arms over his chest and glances at Cady. "I'm going to start by inspecting your lightsabers. After you're ready, pair up and I'll see your understanding of forms."
Cady is the last to have her lightsaber inspected. Harn passes Triss her lightsaber hilt and turns as Cady struggles to clip her lightsaber back to her belt.
(She couldn't decide whether to have it in her hands or on her belt.)
"It won't be of much use in that position." Harn's voice makes Cady bump into him and she takes a quick step back. Her hands are suddenly uncomfortably damp when she holds her lightsaber hilt out in front of her in both hands like an offering.
Harn turns her lightsaber hilt over and flicks it on, his gaze never leaving the hilt. The blade shrinks and vanishes and he hands it back to Cady.
"Now, show me your natural form."
<span class="mu-i">
This is my chance to impress him!
</span>
Cady takes a deep breath and clutches her lightsaber hilt tightly with both hands and then turns sideways and raises her arms.
(It still looks like she's holding a baseball bat.)
Harn watches for a moment as Cady sweats before he closes his eyes. "They did say your tutors were incompetent."
<span class="mu-i">
Too harsh!
</span>
She can't stifle a gasp as his immense hands fold around her own. "Don't squeeze the base so tightly. Use a relaxed grip."
<span class="mu-i">
Did he have to phrase it like that?!
</span>
"Your arms are shaking." Harn pivots himself to stand with Cady half-cradled inside his own stance. Her chest is pounding. Harn's palm is unexpectedly smooth as he repositions it along the back of Cady's hand. "Focus on your surroundings."
<span class="mu-i">
That's just making it worse!
</span>
(She just realized Harn isn't behind her anymore.)
"All your lightsabers seem to be soundly built. Begin sparring with your partner."
The sounds of lightsabers buzzing fills the air. Lyra and Deline have already paired with Oberon and Jax.
Triss holds up her own lightsaber hilt and hesitantly ignites it. "I don't use my lightsaber very often!"
>Let's make this a real sparring match!
>Why don't we just practice our forms?
>I need Master Harn to help me with my form...
