Cabel puts his sword down and walks toward me. "I didn't expect you back so soon," he says as way of greeting.

"I didn't expect to be. It's good to see you training." I leave the bike idling unsure why I'm here.

He wipes sweat from his brow. "It's hotter than usual today. I'll give the men a break if you'd like to come inside."

I turn off the ignition and lift my leg over the bike's engine. I look around while we walk the hundred or so yards to his front door. ...