I yawned as I stretched . Last night had really taken a lot out of me . Tori stirred beside me, the blankets hiding most of her form. I smiled softly , before looking at the time .
"Shit!" I exclaimed jumping out of bed . It was nine thirty! I was gonna be late for my swordsmanship class! I vaulted over Tori's sleeping form and started slipping into my training clothes as fast as I could . Sadly, this also woke Tori .
"Huh......uh?" She yawned giving me a questioning look.
"Swordsmanship class." I said breathlessly. I could swear I heard her giggle as I rushed out my bedroom door.
Finally I was there . Swordsmanship class at the dojo, better known as LARPing with friends in Jessi's back yard . I hoped her fence to see Jessi and Adam in the ring , Jess with her staff and Adam with his sword and shield combo . It was all made of foam, of course. Jessi's staff, for example was basically a shaved down pool noodle with a rod shoved in the hole.
"Uncle !" The voice of a young girl called out as I reached for the ax and shield on my rack. As I heard my nieces voice I cracked a smile . " Hey kiddo, how are you ?" I asked kneeling down to pick her up. Lylas giggle as she gave me a hug that could choke a bear.
" I'm good Uncle, how are you?" She said , releasing my neck so I could answer .
"I'm good little one." I said smileing as I began to set Lylah down, but her small hand gently grabbed the pendant on my necklace.
"What's this Uncle?" Lylah asked
"It's a pendant my father gave me." I said .
"It feels funny." She said , her face scrunched up in thought . Now that she mentioned it , I had noticed something off about it before .
'Where am I.....'
"What?" I said aloud. I know I had heard a voice but I had no clue where it had come from . Lylah picked up on it faster than I did .
" Your at my house ." She giggled
" Draven! Your finally here!" Adam called out , as he an Jess came over to us.
" Hey guys ." I said . The voice had gone silent , so I'd figure it out later.
" Ready to start ?" Asked Jess as she brought up her staff.
" Yeah , sure ." I smirked and and raised my ax . We got into the circle and she had me on my ass within five minutes .
'Amateurs' The voice. In my head scoffed . I could tell now it was female
'Kiss my ass ' I thought back at it as I stood again, taking Jess's helping hand .
'When she strikes , counter with your shield . It's not just there for decoration' the voice said .
'Alright' I thought back at her and sure enough , when her staff came down , my shield went up. She began a reverse strike but I pushed her off balance and took a defensive stance . Jess tried jabs and unorthodox strikes , all were deflected by my shield . As Jess drew back for a jab I let the ax slide down my hand till I had the very edge of the handle. As she began to swing I flicked my wrist and sent the ax flying , but retained the hilt dagger. I sidestepped her blind strike and got behind her, tapping her back 3 times .
" Out." She said softly. " But you had help. " Jess glanced at the necklace and I nodded . Before I could say anything else , a woman in black armor with gold accents and a bastard sword appeared. Her raven hair was in stark contrast to her pale skin. But she was very beautiful .
" I am Nicole, Dragon Queen of the lost Dragon Knights." She said standing proudly , before her eyelids fluttered and she collapsed .
" Well, shit ." Jess said.
