The Phantom's Princess.

Chapter 13

The boys shared a few glances, coupled with some whispers of who Alexis might be until the main instigator spoke.

"Oh, I see. Has your girlfriend come to save you?" he said sending the other boys into a fit of mocking laughter.

"I'm not his girlfriend!"

"She's not my girlfriend!"

Their words came out in unison initiating a narrowed glare from Alexis to 'Slow Joe'.

"You didn't have to answer so emphatically," she said.

"I answered just as passionately as you did, thanks," he replied. "Besides, I don't know you and I don't need your help."

"When you're done with your little lover's tiff," the boy said. "Can you get lost? I don't enjoy hitting girls but I will if you get in my way."

"I'd love to see you try," Alexis taunted.

A low scoff left the boy before he gave a nonchalant shrug and stepped forward with his fists raised.

"Let's do this," she said as she stretched her neck, tilting her head from side to side.

It was a habit Jeoffrey had that he would do before beginning a sparring match with one of the other men. He wasn't the strongest of the men, but he was always enthusiastic about sparring. Something Alexis liked to believe had rubbed off on her, and though she'd sparred a multitude of times this was to be her first real fight.

The boy was quick on his feet and his fist came out even quicker, she was sure he must have had some form of training himself. She was also sure that if one of his hits connected it wouldn't be a small affair. However, thankfully for the group of overprotective guardians, as she had, her first rule of combat was defence, or closer to the point, dodging.

Jeoffrey and Thomas had both drilled into her that no matter how strong she gets, it was always possible that someone would be stronger and she should prevent that first hit from landing at all costs. That first hit could end up being the only hit if she weren't lucky.

Hence she had trained speed and evasion first and foremost.

So when the boy's fist came in as fast as it did, Alexis was able to move, not only out of its path but also around the side of the boy where she found him wide open for some well-placed hits.

A clean, quick round to his lower back and side - Liver shots as Jeremy would call them.

They were sure to hurt which they did and had the boy keeling over to his side for a short moment, but just as his hits were quick so was his recovery and he was turned about to face her and throwing punches before Alexis had time to think of any counters.

Thus continued the short dance of dodge and weave with Alexis throwing a few combos any time she got an opening.

"Will someone grab her?" the boy eventually shouted.

The surrounding boys, who seemed to have been entranced by the fight, looked around each other before two ran towards Alexis.

"Can't handle a girl?" 'Slow Joe' called before running towards the two approaching boys and tackling them.

I guess he's not so slow after all, Alexis mused and, inspired by his sudden proactiveness, she ducked and swiped at the back of the attacking boy's leg knocking him onto his knees for an instant.

It was a short instant, but it was long enough to give Alexis an opportunity to barrage a final layer of hits directly to his liver.

"Damn ... Cow ... " the boy mumbled as he keeled over a second time, this time holding onto his right side.