Larry Correia: Warbound

Southunder had gotten the Traveler down in one piece and hidden it until the chaos on the mainland blew over. Luckily the Imperium had plenty of other things to worry about just then, so Sullivan and the others had rendezvoused with them and then gotten the hell out. “By the time we got home, I’d heard you were back with the Iron Guard. I called in some favors, and got your kit sent back with some diplomats.”

“Why did you do this?”

“I was there when you broke that sword. You said you were going to put it back together when your honor was put back together…” Sullivan shrugged. “Why would I stand in the way of a man trying to put things right?”

“When I received them, I knew only you would have done this. That was how I knew you still lived.” Toru tossed the bigger, sheathed sword to Sullivan.

He caught it with one hand. It was a lot lighter than it looked. “No offense to all your traditional bullshit, but I’m not big on the whole dueling thing. Last time I tried to use one of these things, turned out I was bad at it. You want to fight, I intend to just Spike you half way to hell.”

“It is a gift.” Toru sheathed his katana. “Keep it to remember our battle against the Enemy.”

“I wasn’t in danger of forgetting.”

“I wished to know which of us is the better warrior… I believe the question has been answered sufficiently.” Toru bowed deeply.

Sullivan returned the bow.

“Eventually, there will be a war between our nations, or the Grimnoir and the Iron Guard may again become foes. When this happens, the two of us may meet in battle and reexamine this answer… but until that time, fare well, Sullivan.”

First Iron Guard Toru Tokugawa turned and walked away.

Jake Sullivan, elder of the Grimnoir Society, kept the sword and watched the sunrise.

Someday he would pass it to his son

Thanks to Reader Force Alpha for the comments, advice, and corrections; Mike Kupari for brainstorming Grimnoir into existence; Justin Otis and Aura Farwell for the glossary art; Zachary Hill for the interior artwork; and the awesome staff of Baen Books for all that they do.