Heir of the Sword

11 | Berula

Berula {Herb}

"Faster, your opponent is looking for ways to strike you! Speed is essential!" Madame Kenna said to Arya.

She nodded before making her movements faster than they had been mere minutes ago.

"Zelie, don't go easy on her." Madame Kenna scolded.

Arya had been extremely astonished to find out that Lady Zelie would be joining the practice sessions with Madame Kenna. She had not mentioned anything to her earlier when they had crossed paths. Imagine her surprise when Madame Kenna said that they would be dueling!

Lady Zelie looked offended. "I would never dream of doing something like that."

"Well than, your moves are sloppier than they were back in the day. Do you still train as usual?" she questioned.

Arya shook her head slightly, only Madame Kenna could get away with talking to Lady Zelie like that. If it was someone else, they would probably been under her sword by this moment.

"I haven't gotten much time, if you haven't noticed; I'm busy running an academy." She replied cattily.

"What good does the academy do if the headmistress isn't as sharp as she once was?"

"That's why I'm here." Lady Zelie responded.

Madame Kenna smacked her forehead. "You do know there is going to be an exhibition match?"

Arya's ears perked up. She hadn't heard anything about an exhibition match before.

Lady Zelie gave Madame Kenna a mock serious look before pointing towards Arya. "Nobody is supposed to know that! It's one of the surprises for the tournament!"

Madame Kenna rolled her eyes. "Hush now, Arya practically knows almost everything and it's not like she is going to tell anyone."

Lady Zelie looked at Arya apologetically. "She didn't mean that you don't have friends because I know you do-me."

Madame Kenna gave Lady Zelie a glare. "You just made matter's worse, don't say anything else!"

"I'm not offended," Arya said. "I just like keeping to myself, it's not a crime is it?"

"Certainly not," Lady Zelie said.

"That is enough of this chit-chat!" Madame Kenna roared. "Let's get back to practice before I have students coming in and asking pesky little questions."

Lady Zelie and Arya obliged by facing each other.

Madame Kenna had a wooden sword with which she would give them a light tap when they were doing something incorrect and they would receive a jab if an Arya remained open. She tapped both Arya and Lady Zelie immediately.

"What?"

"Respect Zelie, I don't care if you're the princess of the country you always respect your teachers no matter what. By the way, your posture isn't relaxed. It was tense making it harder for your muscles." Madame Kenna said.

Lady Zelie bobbled her head in respect and relaxed her posture.

Madame Kenna turned her gaze towards Arya, "on the other hand, your posture says that you aren't ready to fight. You need to get in the zone, it doesn't matter that this is Lady Zelie, be serious. Your opponent could be a traitorous king but you need to be able fight for your country."

Arya fixed her stance and mirrored Lady Zelie's movements. They both stared at one another until it was Lady Zelie who made the first move. Arya was taken back and she barely managed to block the blow. But Lady Zelie didn't stop there. She continued pressing Arya back by attacking Arya one blow after another.