Tipping the Scale

The Past that haunts Them (Part 3)

The disdain her proposal caused made her almost chuckle and she could almost mouth along with his following protest.

"I don't fight with the fairer sex. Again, thank you but I am not interested in your help."

Behind Cedric, she could see Warchief approach who was frowning and preparing himself to say something. Only to stop as they locked eyes. Something in her face must have told him not to interfere, as he stopped his approach and slinked away to stand at the side. He smiled expectantly at her as if he was waiting for her to start the show.

She smiled in response before turning back to her reluctant student who had turned away and was starting to walk off. Before he could, she used the same trick as before to make him buckle. Unlike Firon, Cedric hadn't been guarded and ended up falling flat onto his face, losing his practice sword in the progress. She used the toe of her boot to throw the piece of wood up in the air and grab it. Once in hand, she pressed its point into the middle of his back.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but war does not care about your morals or thoughts. Now stand up and face me. I don't ask twice."

His back was trembling as she removed the sword. Cedric hurriedly stood and turned to her, his face twisted in anger. Good. It meant that her actions had their intended effect. Taking a note out of Warchief's book, she smiled smugly at him while throwing the practice sword to his feet. Knowing it would only infuriate him even more.

At a glance, she could see that others had started to join Warchief and were gathering in a big circle around the two of them. It seems like she would start teaching today.

"Let this be your first lesson. Never expect anyone to fight fair. On the battlefield morals don't exist, only instincts and the will to survive. Now let's do this again Cedric. Attack me, and I will show you how to properly avoid your opponent while keeping the upper hand."

One of the men walked up to her, to offer his sword but she gently pushed it away.

"I need no weapon to wipe the floor with someone like him."

Lidea spoke loud enough so all would hear. Knowing the humiliation would only anger her opponent more. Pride was a funny thing that could cause the reasonable to make costly mistakes. It paid for them to learn quickly not to let their enemy control their emotions.

Looking at Cedric, his anger had turned to rage and she could practically see him spitting fire. Who knows in this group, he might actually start doing so.

"That's it, I will teach you!"

To her disappointment, the only spitting he did, was the normal wet kind as he rushed toward her. Probably thinking he could simply overpower her with brute force. She had to actively remind herself not to smile too gleefully as she waited for the perfect moment to do a simple sidestep. As he rushed passed her, Lidea took hold of the wrist holding his sword and twisted it backward. His momentum caused his shoulder to be strained and he yelped in pain as he dropped the sword to the ground.

Now that he was disarmed, she let go of his arm and he stumbled forward. Only just avoiding falling again. She stepped back and created space between them, before widening her stance.

He turned to glare at her with mutiny in his eyes as he nursed the shoulder she had nearly dislocated. Although angry, he seemed to be more cautious and in control than he had been.

I knew that he was a fast learner.

"I thought you would teach me?"

This time she let herself smile before she turned to the crowd. Speaking to them as well as Cedric.