All Of Us - Part 1: Summer

Chapter 38 - Class in session

- Dæor -

"So," I begin, my back to her, "I've heard that you're relatively comfortable with all of the weapons on this rack, and that you've found your specialty weapon. The sword, right ?"

"That's correct," she replies.

"I've also heard that in a couple of months, you've gotten good at it. Real good at it. The kind of skill Liam can't spar with." She doesn't flinch at the mention of his name. I can only hope they've sorted whatever there was between them. "Well, I've been assigned as your new sword fighting teacher," I inform her, careful not to mention that there was more volunteering than assigning involved. "We'll be meeting here every day, 'kay ?" She nods.

I turn to toss her the weapon and miss a beat. She truly looks stunning today. The wide carmine pants she's wearing hug the floor, barely showing the curve of her hips. Her long hair is tied behind her, but a few strands hang loose. I feel a sudden urge to reach out and tuck them behind her ear. Shaking the feeling away, I hand her the sword and unsheathe Shadow. "Lucky for you, I'm the best sword fighter in the camp," I wink at her. She smirks. "That's because I've only been here for a couple of months," she retorts before lunging, lightning fast. I hastily parry and sidestep.

"Wow, you are fast," I admit. "Impressive." She smiles and spins, using her momentum to bring her sword sideways. I block the blow, but have to skid back at the force of it. She darts to the side and strikes out. My sword bobs downwards and clashes against hers. I acted on pure reflex, and my speed takes her aback. Using her surprise, I turn in till our two bodies are pressed against each other. I ram my arm into the nook of her right elbow, and her weapon goes flying in the air. I step back as she watches soar, a bemused expression on her face.

"Impressive," she finally utters, tuning her red gaze on me.

"I know," I boast, passing my hand through my hair.

"Though I must say that I thought we were swordfighting, not waltzing together."

I can feel heat rising into my cheeks. Maybe I didn't need to get that close to her. "Actual fighting isn't a game. So there aren't any rules. You can't expect your opponent to play nice. Who knows - they might decide to punch, wrestle, or even tango to best you," I reply, trying my best to keep my face calm.

A smile pulls at the right corner of her mouth, but she turns and picks up her sword before I can see it bloom on her lips. "Alright. Do you have any other tips for me ?" she asks, bending down to grab her weapon.

"Yeah, I actually do. Your attacks are really good, but your defence is sloppy. Remember, you need to be protected to attack." She straightens up and nods, her blade dangling from her right hand. "Okay. I'll try to be more defensive this time round."

"Ready ?"

"Ready."

This time, I dart towards her, keeping close to the ground. Feinting an attack on the left, I actually strike on the right. She had begun to block on the left, so when my real hit came, she wasn't prepared. Arching her back, she bends backwards and watches silently as Shadow wooshes in an arc over her chest. I stumble back a bit from the force of my own attack, and she uses the chance to retaliate.

My eyes widen in surprise as she lets go of her sword and tosses it a couple of centimeters upwards. When it comes back down, she catches it but changes her grip. Instead of a normal fencing position, she curls her fingers at the top of the hilt and places her palm underneath it. Her hand is a fist, centered around the blade. It's almost as if she was about to stab-

Sickeningly quick, she brings her blade down on my chest. I clumsily move to block it, but her new grip brings her extra strength, and she is easily able to knock Shadow away. Her blade keeps coming down, down, till it stops literally a few centimeters above my frenetic heart. "Wow," I exclaim. "That was amazing."