Burning Water (In process of editing and re-writing)

Burning Water Chapter 17 *edited

Chapter 17

Jason and Lily were stuck in the royalties’ hospital room all that morning. They did not speak much, but they lay in their beds while listening to the joyful crowds below them in the streets. 

Ethel had come in and told them that to relieve the stress that had happened the night before, with the warning of a traitor, King Etzel set up a before-feast party. Jugglers, pupeteers, poets, dancers, musicians, signers, and many others entertained their happy audiences. Laughter and cheering of children, the stringed and wind instruments, everything heard was pleasant. But they were stuck inside, and couldn’t participate. 

Jason told Lily about the groups, although he didn’t know which group she was in. He told her what had happened the night before, what King Etzel had told them, and that they would have to train quickly.

“Well I’ve already lost two days of training.” Lily said in her bed, feeling her soft hair. How am I supposed to become part of those going to Ferocia and the other castles if I don’t do any training? Ansel… How can I do this? She thought.

“So.. Why are you even here?” Jason asked her.

“Well we were fighting, see, two days ago, and so Miss Ariel knocked me over by just a little push. I’m… I’m not very strong. I could barely hold the sword.” Lily said, for they had nothing else to do. She remembered Miss Ariel in front of her.

“Okay, you will want to bend your knees and bring the sword closer to you, yes like that.” She had said. “When someone makes an attack on you, you want to move your sword so that it is directly opposite to the direction of the attack. So for instance if I attack from the top,” Miss Ariel raised her sword. “You will bring your sword above your head horizontally, yes, a bit higher, yes perfect. And you do the same for the left and right. If I lunge to your right, you will push your sword out to block it.”

Lily hadn’t spoken as they trained, and had tried her best. She clumsily lifted the sword and waved it around. Miss Ariel decided to pratice a few small lunges to her sides, and head. Lily dodged them, trying to use the right techniques.

“Good, but you want to keep the sword firm in your hands, and always slightly pointing to your opponant. The object is to deflect all the attacks thrown at you, so that in any case of attack you can defend yourself and gain precious time to escape. Here, I will be the enemy. Don’t be afraid to attack me, remember our swords are rounded, and cannot stab or slice.”

Lily nodded and lifted her sword. 

Miss Ariel moved around Lily, and they both walked in a circle, keeping close watch to their opponant. Miss Ariel lunged at Lily’s head, with precaution. The girl lifted her sword just in time and blocked the attack, but right then Miss Ariel brought back her sword and lunged at her side. Lily abrutly swung her thin sword but too late. She felt the poke from the sword in her side.

“Okay, good block at the top, but right after defend you must go back to your defensive stance, like this.” Miss Ariel bent her knees and straightened her back. Lily copied her actions best as she could.

“Now most attackers will try and point to three areas: the head, the sides, and the hands. Since our armor does not protect our hands, we put these gloves on our hands. If an attacker hurts your hand, it is much harder to swordfight. Most people will think to just move your arms away, but then you are leaving your torso and stomach unprotected. You must then do your best to slam your sword out of the way, just like if they attack to your side. Let me try.”

Miss Ariel stepped back and bent her knees. Lily went to a defensive stance. Something caught her eye. It was a boy who was training. He looked at her with big eyes and Lily was frightened. The swordmaiden lunged at Lily. She looked at her and then felt a heavy poke on her stomach and the world around her fell, no, she fell. Her head hit the ground.