Chapter 6 - Nul (5)

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With Kell leading the way, they headed towards a practice arena. Roran gave up trying to keep track of where they were going. After going through a couple hallways, back outside to maneuver through a couple side streets, then back inside to traverse more hallways, Roran accepted that he would be perpetually lost in this city.

When he asked Kell how to get around she just shrugged and said, "You get used to it after a while. The streets have a sort of rhythm. Once you understand that, it's easy."

After a while, Kell led them to an indoor structure made of rickety wood. Sunlight filtered in between the boards and walls and soft sand covered the ground. The room was mostly empty, with a handful of targets dispersed along the walls. It looked old and abandoned.

"A little out of the way," began Kell.

"But it's not very crowded?" finished Roran.

Kell stuck her tongue out at him. Roran smiled while Nul rolled their eyes.

"Go easy on him," said Nul. "You don't want to break him like the last one."

"That wasn't my fault!"

"It wasn't not your fault either."

Kell pouted at Nul but didn't argue. Roran decided he didn't want to know and kept his mouth shut.

"Go ahead and ditch your sword and shield by the wall," said Kell. "Then we'll begin."

Roran did as he was told then returned to Kell.

"Now what?" he asked.

"Hit me."

"What?"

"Hit me," said Kell.

"I don't...I'm not sure..."

"I'm a seasoned fighter and a champion, just hit me."

Roran raised his fist but hesitated. He knew how dangerous Kell was, that she could snap him in half with little effort, but she was still a girl half his size. His fist fell impotently to his side.

"I'm sorry," said Roran, "it's harder than I thought."

Kell scowled for a moment before grinning.

"No worries," she said, "I know just the thing."

Moving close to Roran, Kell leaned in and reached a hand up to his face, as though she were going to pluck a stray hair from his cheek. Instead, she grabbed his ear, twisted, and pulled. Roran shouted in pain as Kell attempted to rip his ear off. He clutched her wrist, trying to push her away, but Kell held fast.

"Hit me," she said again. "Hit me and I'll let go."

"I can't!," said Roran, fighting desperately against Kell's savage grip.

"Hit me or I'll keep pulling." To make her point, Kell twisted his ear and pulled harder, forcing Roran to his knees.

In pain and desperation, Roran balled up his fist and struck Kell, punching her in the midriff. It was like punching a wall.

"Come on," said Kell, "you can do better than that."

Roran struck again, harder this time. The impact hurt his hand but Kell didn't budge an inch.

"Harder!"

Roran lashed out, again and again. He slammed his fist into her stomach harder and harder until he was punching her with all of his strength. When that didn't work, he screamed in frustration and threw his whole body into the punch, striking her with every ounce of strength he had.

Finally, Kell let go of his ear.

"Good job," said Kell, rubbing her stomach, "That one hurt a little."

Roran's hand ached and throbbed and he couldn't catch his breath. His heartbeat was pounding in his ears. There were stars in his vision but Kell was smiling and Roran was beginning to come back to himself.

In the corner, Nul let out a sigh and began scribbling some notes, muttering to themself as they wrote. "Motor enhancement, physical protection...maybe some pain nullification..."

"Okay," said Kell, helping Roran to his feet, "now try again. This time, keep your wrist straight and aim here, at the solar plexus."

Catching his breath, Roran nodded, and balled up his fist again. With only a moment's hesitation, Roran struck Kell in the stomach again. Kell frowned at him.

"Hit me like you mean it or I grab your ear again."

This time, Roran slammed his fist into her stomach without hesitation, the fear of pain overriding any lingering doubts. Kell was a warrior, if she said to hit her, then he would hit her.

"Again," said Kell.

Roran went again, and again, and again. Kell made him keep going until his hand was bruised and raw and he was gasping for air. Tears burned in his eyes but he refused to let them fall. When Kell finally stopped yelling 'again' and grinned at him, a bruise was just beginning to form on her midriff.

"Now we're getting somewhere. Okay, enough of the easy stuff. Go grab your sword and shield and we'll start doing some real training."

Roran did as he was told while Kell began twirling her spear around in lazy circles. She went through a few slow motions, going a little faster with each repetition. As Roran squared up against her, Kell stopped her warm-up and brought her spear to bear.

"Now, the real fun begins. Keep your shield up and don't let my spear touch you."

"Or what?" asked Roran, his eyes glued to the razor sharp blade at the end of Kell's spear.

"Or I go for your ear again. En guarde!"

After what felt like hours, Kell called it quits. Roran dropped his sword and collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. Kell hadn't even broken a sweat.

"Well," said Kell, looking up at Nul, "what do you think?"

"I think he's better than the last couple," said Nul, "but not quite as good as Ulrick."

Kell shrugged. "No one will be as good as Ulrick, no one will be as dumb either. I like him. He's a quick learner and clever. He even managed to keep up with my exercises." Looking down at Roran, she said, "Good job Roran, I know it was hard but you did well," and extended a hand to help him up.

Roran flushed despite himself. He hadn't received an honest compliment since his mother had passed away.

"Thank you," said Roran, accepting the hand and being pulled to his feet. Kell's strength would always surprise him.

"Come on," said Kell, "let's call it a day."

"Not yet," said Nul, "You promised to let me start on your focus markings."

"Fine, but let me take a bath first. Roran needs one too."

"Fine," said Nul, "but be quick, I'll be waiting for you in the workshop."

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