Whitewater Gorge Floating

You only fail when your teacher fails you. There's truth in that statement, but it comes with implications and baggage. He gauges Finley's reaction-- she seemed unimpressed. And had they all sparred with Donovan? 

Colin had served time in the army-- all Forster men did-- though not as a soldier, but as a chaplain. He'd gone through the brutal training that made killers out of young men, the nights inside cramped dens, the constant sparring, but he had never had to go out on active duty. Perhaps Finley could tell. There was a thousand-yard stare in any soldier's face who had glimpsed war, true war. 

The attention is back on him once again, though he's beginning to feel much more comfortable in their presence. "I am a reverend. I keep peace whenever I can." He considers. "Only in self-defence." But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 

Finley's tail is now drawn in a stiff line, and any casual looseness to her has hardened. He knits his brow, but stays silent.