Darsidian Myths, A Promise Heard

Chapter 32

Jayden swung his sword feebly at Lauren. Throughout their entire battle she managed to defend herself against all of his attacks, but only just. She was getting tired and he knew it, however, he was tired. But he wasn't about to give up, this was the closest he had been to defeating one of his sparring partners. This was also the longest training session he had experienced. They had been battling for so long a crowd had gathered around them. From that audience the spectators cheered for both fighters.

"Don't hold back just cause she's a women!"

"Show him how a lunvarin fights!"

"She's losing focus, get her!"

"Watch out! You're almost out of the circle!"

Lauren was extremely skilled with a sword, more so than Rufus. Unlike her counterpart she was much faster. Despite having a small stature she was also deceptively strong.

Unfortunately for Jayden he discovered these attributes the hard way. He was covered with bruises from head to toe from previous matches he had with her. She never held back for a second. He had been kicked, punched, and even hit by her blade a few times. If it wasn't for his armor he would be hurting much more than he was now.

He gritted his teeth and attacked her with what strength he had left.

Like countless other times she blocked his assault with her own weapon. Yet as the two swords collided she lost her grip, causing her blade to be sent flying from her hand.

Jayden was caught off guard as her sword left her. During their training sessions he had never disarmed his opponent before.

Taking advantage of his hesitation, Lauren swiped his blade aside with one of her scythes. Before he could recover she stepped forward and slammed her fist against the side of his face. Next thing he knew he was on the ground with a dazed mind as a painful throbbing sensation radiated from his cheek. He blinked his eyes repeatedly as the night sky spun above him. From all around him he vaguely heard the crowd erupt with applause and disappointment. He raised his head groggily, seeing the blurred image of Lauren as she pointed her sword at his chest.

"Had enough?" she asked.

He smiled weakly and let his head fall back to the ground. His body ached all over. He wasn't just tired from the battle; he was also weary from his constant travels through Borderland. As much as he wanted to continue with his training, he couldn't. "Yes," he managed to breathe. "I was...so close."

Their swords disappeared in a yellow flash as Lauren offered her hand to Jayden. "Close doesn't cut it in battle. You would be dead if I were an enemy."

Jayden accepted her hand and was helped to his feet. "You know...if you didn't have those scythes I would have won," he said as he rubbed his face.

"Maybe," admitted Lauren, "but your skills will improve from our unfair fights."

"You admit our battles are unfair then?" asked Jayden.

From the departing crowd Rufus squeezed his way toward the pair. "Jayden, what in the world is wrong with you?" he asked accusingly. "You were about to win! What happened?"

"Tired," answered Jayden as he wiped sweat off his brow. "Do you two have to be so rough on me?"

"If you can't handle our sparring matches what makes you think you can handle an I'ra," said Lauren, "or anything else for that matter?"