Joji did not hate queer men. He had friends like that back on Earth.
Still, when anyone started pushing past personal boundaries, that was when irritation woke in him.
He left the knights' quarters with his jaw tight and his steps measured.
In the corridor, Head Knight Gregorius stood like he had been waiting, posture straight, eyes calm.
Gregorius gave him a small nod.
"Knight Joji. You've improved."
"Head Knight Gregorius. Your notes truly enlightened my way," Joji said. He bowed with real gratitude. "I almost died on my previous mission, but I survived because of it."
Gregorius studied him and found no falsehood. He had always fought close and brutal, blade work that lived on the edge of grappling range.
His own heavy short sword forced a man to fight tight, and tight fighting turned into better hands.
This, in turn, was what Joji used in normal close quarter fights when he fought Fourteen.
They traded a few more words, then Joji moved to the point.
