Masked

Chapter 8

"Derik?!"

Arya was shocked to find him outside her room.

"How-"

"Your father called me over...to talk strategy, thought I'd drop by and say hello." He sported an easy grin on his face.

Arya smiled. "Hello then. "

"Hello."

"What are YOU doing here?" Someone rudely barked.

Both Arya and Derik sighed. William.

"Nothing.... and you?"

"Arya's late for training...again. I came here to drag her to the training room."

"It's not her fault that your training is unbearable. " Derik smirked.

Arya and Derik high fived.

William let out an annoyed sound. "I beat your 'brother' in a match, I could beat you too." He finger quoted the word brother.

Derik rubbed his hands in glee. "Sure. You and me. Duel. Tonight, at 8:00....training room."

"You're on..."

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Arya was nervous. The rules of the duel were simple. The one who draws first blood wins.

The boys stood facing each other under the bright lights of the training room. Each held a sword and sported a smirk of confidence.

"May the best man win."  Derik said breezily.

"You mean me." William grinned.

"We'll see..."

Soon the clash of metal against metal filled the air.Arya looked on, eyes wide and mouth agape.

The two were almost equally matched. Each of them taking turns on the offensive.

They circled each other, looking for an opening, panting heavily.

William sprang forward suddenly. Arya's heart skipped a beat. Derik!

Derik moved aside just in time, the sword tip slightly grazing his skin.

"First blood. " William said delighted.

Derik wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Don't be so sure." He smirked and looked at the front of Will's shirt.

Arya followed his line of sight and gasped. How?!

Will stood shocked. There was a trail of blood along his shirt, a shallow wound.

Somehow, Derik had managed to strike, without any of them even noticing.

"How.....?" William was at a loss of words for once.

Derik winked. "I think now would be the time to tell you....I'm not who you think I am...."

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