Hierarchy (Book Four of the Torrent Skies Saga)

Chapter Forty: Secrets

The manor's basement was warm, today. A far sight more comfortable than the snowstorm that raged outside. Katerin panted, shifting her stance on the sandy floor. The torch light cast long shadows on the wall, making Lugaria look larger than life. She wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, and tensed her shoulders, holding her staff steady.

"I thought your wrist healed," he said.

Agrata made a noise from the corner where he watched them spar. "She's just out of practice."

Katerin blinked. Lately, it seemed Agrata had been far kinder towards her. Warmer than she expected from either of them. She nodded to him. "It's been awhile, alright?"

Lugaria raised an eyebrow. "Its like you need stakes, to fight well. That's a dangerous game, Katerin."

"Stakes, hmm?" She smiled, letting his insult slide away. "Then how about we make some?"

There was a quick exchange of the wooden weapons clacking.

"Like what?" The tone of Lugaria's voice did not seem enthused by this idea, but he was humoring her.

"How about—" she blocked an overhand blow and ducked back, giving her staff the advantage as they stalked around the floor. "How about if I can knock you down, you tell me why you were so upset in Bristlecomb."

"Oh," Agrata said from the side, smirking.

Lugaria bristled.

Katerin held up a finger. "And if you knock me down, I'll pay your inn tab, for a month." She grinned, knowing she had enticed him. He was incredibly tight with his coin. He had plenty of it, as he might have been the highest paid soldier in all the world, but that did not change that every year he complained of taxes, and never ceased to suspect any expense.

Lugaria tensed, and there were a few moments of silence where they exchanged blows, and were a whirl of motion.

"Come on," she said, trying her best to be taunting. They both stepped back several paces, resetting stances and wiping sweat from their brows.

"Fine," he said, voice as cold as ice.

Once Agrata had counted to three, Lugaria attacked with swiftness.

Not a minute had passed, and both had garnered several bruises. Katerin thought she must have struck a nerve. He was not directly trying to knock her down, but she knew he was waiting for his opportunity. Both breathed in a controlled manner, and Katerin had to admit that for some time, she was solely on the defensive.

She thrust her staff forward, hoping to strike Lugaria in the chest. She saw the flash of a smirk on the corner of his mouth. Felt his wooden sword catch her ankle, and tug.

Reeling, Katerin fought for her balance. She let go of her staff and grabbed his shirt, raising her knee into the side of his leg, as she teetered.

They fell together with a thump, landing on their sides, arms tangled, ribs bruised.

Agrata let out an amused snort.

Katerin rolled and sat up, shaking her hair to free it of sand.

"You lost," Lugaria said.

She quirked an eyebrow. "We both fell."

"You could call it a tie," Agrata said.

Both of them flashed glares at him, but he did not seem bothered.

"A tie, then," Katerin said, taking the chance she saw.

Lugaria huffed and stalked out of the basement, only pausing to put his wooden broadsword in the rack before he was gone.