“You, behave yourself!” I turned a disapproving eye on Hideie. “And you—what did you say to get him riled up like this?” The old tengu’s dour expression belied the mirth in his voice. “I merely implied that the tutelage I’ve been providing you in kenjutsu is vastly more practical than instruction in magic. And many times more likely to save your life.” Click jumped at the yōkai, forcing me to stiff arm him to keep them separate. “Take it back, ya’ cock-swabbing feather duster! I’ll clobber ya’—nay, I’ll send ya’ back in time is what I’ll do. Take ya’ back ta’ when ya’ were just a wee egg in
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