“About time you arrived, Jack,” declared the Amazon without turning. He was quite positive she had never seen him. But she had known he was there. “You’re three minutes late.”

“Sorry,” said Jack. “How did you identify me?”

“Your breathing, of course,” she said. She spun around and planted her staff six inches into the hard soil. “Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of self-defense, I’ll teach you some basic survival techniques. You make too much noise walking. And you breathe way too loud.”

Jack sighed. He didn’t recall any of the fantasy novels he enjoyed dwelling on the hero’s tedious and painful training sessions. In books, the protagonist was always in perfect shape and a master fighter. Unfortunately, teaching mathematics didn’t require any such skills. It was going to be another traumatic morning.

The Amazon smiled, as if reading his thoughts. Mentally, Jack grimaced. Cassandra reserved her grins for days when she planned the most demanding physical torments imaginable. He wondered if it was too late to remember another appointment.

Cassandra took one step toward him when her eyes widened in sudden surprise. Something large and black rocketed over their heads. “Assassins!” screeched the bird. “Assassins!”

Instantly, the Amazon launched herself at Jack. Her right shoulder slammed into his chest, sending the two of them sprawling to the earth. Above them, the clearing exploded with the roar of automatic weapons.

Jack gulped in shock as Cassandra’s staff disintegrated into a thousand toothpicks. On the far side of the glade, the greenery vanished, swept away by a steel broom.

“Stay flat,” commanded Cassandra and disappeared into the woods. Knowing his limitations, Jack had no intentions of doing anything but.

An eternity passed in less than a minute. As suddenly as it had begun, the gunfire ceased. Still wary, Jack stayed put. At the moment, the ground seemed the safest place to be.