We sparred for a full hour. The noise from our fighting drew every soldier, officer and even the Commander to the side of the training square. They stayed very quiet.
Paddy, Cory, Quinn and the wolves were sweating. The vampires and I had damped our clothes before we started to make it look like we were sweating.
Paddy nodded to me that we were done. The rest stopped also.
Commander Comerford walked over to us. "How is ... when did you ... Who taught you how to fight with a sword?" He finally came out with.
"My father, Sir, and his father and his father. It is a family tradition Sir. We all live in the same community."
"I see and the Ladies?"
"Everyone in our community knows how to defend themselves with a sword."
"And muskets?"
"Yes Sir."
The Commander looked at us and saw that we were sweating. "Go dry yourselves before you catch your death."
"Yes Sir."
We left for our tents and came back in our regular clothes.
"You and your people are full of surprises." Commander Comerford said as we walked back to where everyone was standing.
"Yes Sir." Paddy said.
"Can you teach my men?" The Commander asked.
"Sir you do not have enough swords. You only have enough for your officers." Paddy told him.
"Yes you are right." He looked at his officers. "Teach them. They will teach the rest. I will put in a request for more swords."
"All right Sir."
All the men of our group started teaching the officers. Scott had one of us stay nearby watching in case they injured themselves.
I was the first to keep watch. I was far enough away not to distract them but close enough for me to be aid.
One of the young officers saw me down the tent row.
"Lt. O'Malley if you do not pay attention you will be injured or worse injure me." I heard Hugo tell the young officer.
"I am sorry Pvt. Von Kessel. I was wondering why none of the women were teaching us?"
"There are only sixteen officers Sir. There is no need to disturb the women." Paddy told him.
"Yes of course." He looked at me again. "They fight so well."
"Yes they do." Paddy turned to me and signed to me. 'Change and come with your sword.' I nodded.
Hugo had the Lieutenant's full attention when I walked up to them.
I stayed quiet and waited for Paddy to finish with Corp. Myers.
About five minutes later all the officers were breathing heavily. Paddy stopped them. "Halt!" All our people froze in place the mortals did not.
"First lesson when call I out 'Halt!' You all freeze. Even in mid swing. Do you understand?"
"Do not give orders Private." Major Eagleson Said.
"Yes he will when he is teaching you." Commander Comerford said from the other side of the training area.
"Attention!" Corp. Myers yelled.
"No!" The Commander yelled back.
"When you are training with swords. You stay focused on what you are doing or you will be the first patient for Dr. Baxter. Do you all understand?"
"Yes Sir." They all said together.
"Now Pvt. Riley and his men are your instructors. You will listen to them without complaint."
"Yes Sir." They answered.
"Carry on Pvt. Riley."
"Thank you Sir." Paddy held out his hand to me. "Kylie some of these men want to spar with you."
"Oh?" I smiled. "Who is first?"
They all put their hands up.
"Pvt. Riley I think I have an idea." The Commander went back to his tent and came back out with some paper, pen and ink.
"We will write down everyone's name and put them in a hat then pick out a name to see if who would go first."
"Excellent Sir." Lt. O'Malley said.
A few minutes later the names were in a hat. "All right the first one is ..." The Commander reached in and pulled out a piece of paper. "...me." He said surprised and turned red which went well with his red hair.
"All right Sir." Paddy said. "Everyone else back up to the square perimeter."
The Commander looked a little nervous. I bowed to the Commander then waited for him to bow back. Paddy called to him. "Sir you are to bow back."
"Oh yes." He bowed.
I drew my sword from my back scabbard. He drew his sabre. I moved slowly making sure I did not accidentally nick him. We sparred until the Commander was sweating heavily.
Paddy called a halt. "Sir Do you need to take a break?"
"I think I do Paddy. Pick another name."
"Yes Sir." Paddy chose another name. It was Corp. Myers.
We bowed.
"Let me see how well you can fight me." He sneered.
The Corporal quickly realised I was not fighting the same way as I did with the Commander. It was not very long before he was enraged and went for a direct attack.
Paddy stopped him. "Corp. Myers you can not let you emotions control you. It will kill you."
"But she never did what I thought she would do." He whined.
Paddy smiled. "You must always expect the unexpected. Kylie has been a swordsman longer than me. She will fight differently with each and every one of you. It was how we were taught."
"Quinn. You and Kylie." Paddy told him.
We fought for a long time. Paddy would call out "Change!" We would change our technique.
"Halt!" Paddy yelled.
Quinn and I bowed to each other.
"Did everyone notice their different techniques?" Some nodded.
"All right. Who still wants to fight Kylie?" Five hands went up.
Major Robertson stepped forward. "Perhaps tomorrow. I am sure Mrs. Riley is fatigued.
"You are right Sir. Tomorrow that is enough for today." Paddy told the officers.
I bowed to them then walked back to my tent. Paddy was right behind me.
"Are you upset?" He whispered.
"No." I smiled.
"Good." He took my hand and kissed it. "Is it difficult moving slowly?"
"Yes I am hoping they move a little faster with practice."
"Me too." Quinn said coming up behind us. "I was ready to fall asleep."
I reluctantly changed back into my dress. We sat by the fire. Paddy was massaging my shoulders.
"She is lucky to have you here Pvt. Riley." Major Robertson said as he walked by.
"Yes I am Major."
He continued to the sentry post.
Quinn, Cory, Annabelle and Scott came and joined us.
