"I studied theatrical swordplay. It’s not the same, since it’s only designed to look good to the audience." Gently, from his sleeve, Tenn draws out a thin, silvery wand – the weight at one end gives it the appearance of a conductor’s baton – to show him. It's an elegant upgrade from the basic wooden ones they had practiced with prior.

"But I sometimes wonder if this and my voice would be sufficient in a fight. I’ve never been in real combat." Fist fights don’t count, probably.