The dual kusarigama lay before me on the training ground's stone floor, its twin sickles gleaming in the afternoon light. Each blade curved wickedly, connected by a length of sturdy chain that seemed to mock my inexperience.
I'd chosen this secluded corner of the training grounds deliberately - far from curious eyes and potential casualties.
"Right," I muttered, picking up the weapons. "Let's figure this out."
The training manual I'd downloaded and skimmed from the web, suggested starting with basic stances and single-blade techniques.
Master one sickle before attempting to coordinate both.
Sound advice, probably.
But as I held both handles, feeling their weight, I knew I'd ignore that completely.
The first challenge was simply finding a comfortable grip.
