K'shalt Chronicles - Iceflame (B1)

Of sticks, and swords

Scarlett

     As Amone and I  ran in to the training area, I almost ran in to Sarah,

"Woah!" She hopped back, just as Amone ran in to me from behind, making me stagger,   "Where's the fire? Wait..?"  She raised her eyebrows a bit, realising this what she said, "Py-" 

"Shut up Sarah!"  I wasn't going to let her finish the thought, and she got the hint.

     "Oh fine!  You'd be cute together though!  Anyway, why the rush? You've still got-" The bell rang, three times. "Oh, okay fine... you didn't have time"

     I smiled, because although Sarah was our 'Coach', she acted more like a friend.  A highly competent friend that gives you sword drills, but a friend nonetheless.

"Well, hop to it then guys!" she called out to everyone in the circular, earthen, room behind her, "You all know what we're working on for the rest of the day!" 

     A couple of kids groaned, why they don't like fencing, is beyond me.  Even if you've got bad memories of it, fencing has got to be the best, and most efficient way of fighting. Provided, of course, you have a sword.   I pulled mine out of its sheath on my left hip and paused for a moment to examine it, to make sure that it was spotless and shiny as I had left it the day before.  It was, of course.  I'm just a little bit protective of my sword, no matter how average it is, although I couldn't wait for the ceremony, because after it, -chosen or not- you would be allowed to have personalised weaponry made for you.  You'd need to be able to carry it all without much difficulty though, because you would have it 'on' during all training hours and if you were chosen, it would be 24/7.

     I smiled and flipped my swords in my hand, "Alright..." I mumbled to myself, "who to choose?"  Most of the others had already partnered up and were half-heartedly jabbing and parrying.  I turned to Amone, who hadn't yet moved,

"No." She took a step back and put her hands up in front of her, "No way, it will rain sparkles and toad-farts before I even think of fencing with you, and you know it!"

     I gave a mock pout, but she was right, it was hopeless.  But hey, who said I couldn't try, right? 

     Her mouth quirked up in to a grin, "Why don't you challenge Sarah again?"   I blushed slightly and said, in my most 'matter-of-fact' voice,

"I was six."

"Yeah, but you still challenged her.  An hey, at least she has a heart; she only whacked your ass once and told you that you could come back after she'd taught us all how to hold the sword."

"But still..." Amone raised an eyebrow at me, "Okay fine. I hope you're proud of yourself"  I rolled my eyes, even as Amone smiled.

"I am. Very."  I sighed and started off in Sarah's direction, Amone would be Amone.

     When Sarah saw me, she smiled, nodded and started over to me.   My step faltered as I hesitated, what if she embarrassed me again?  No, this is my weapon of choice and even if I lose, which is likely, I won't be embarrassed.  This, will not be like last time.

   I kept my resolve in mind and nodded to myself as I quickened my step to Sarah.  We met near the center of the training area, what was this?  Some perfectly organized plot to embarrass me?  No, I'm not going to be embarrassed. Not going down without a good fight.  "Well then, what a surprise Scarlett." she smiled, "I don't think you've come to me for help, so... what can I do for ya?" I smiled too, trying to remember my resolve and stammered a bit,

"Hehe..." why hadn't I gone over this in my head earlier? "Oh, right! Well... Sarah...  There aren't really many others left that want to fence with me and-"

She cut me off, still smiling "You want me to fence with you." I shifted nervously from foot to foot.

"Yeah... That's what I was hoping but if you're busy..." I was ready to turn tail and leave, What happened to my resolve?

"No, don't worry Scarlett, I've got the time.  And I'm sure you'd like the extra training since you're definitely going to be chosen by Pyro." She smiled kindly and lowered her voice, "you must be full of nerves, but excited too hey?" I nodded shyly, "Well, I'm sure it'll be fine, don't stress too much over it.  But anyways, the sword fight."

     She drew her sword and stepped back in to a ready stance.  I did the same, noticing a few groups stopping to stare.  I stopped watching them though, as Sarah swung her sword at my feet.  I jumped and slashed at her retreating sword arm.  She turned on her heel and, lightening quick, stabbed at my stomach. I jumped to the side, and tripped on her outstretched foot that had been waiting for me.  It caught me off guard and my shoulder hit the ground, hard, but I still managed to roll away from the sword coming at me from above.  It clipped my heel, but even if the sword had been sharp, it wouldn't have pierced the thick leather.   I swiped at her feet as I stood up, she hopped back. Then I began on the offensive, striking and parrying left and right, and all the while pushing Sarah back.

      For a few seconds she looked a little worried. Worried that I might beat her?  Maybe.  But then she smiled and I realised that when I had been down, she'd pulled her dagger, that was, of course, just as dull as the sword, but could still hurt.  I managed to hide my surprise, she must have done it very quickly.  But I had a dagger or two also, one up my left sleeve, one in each boot, and one on my right hip, they came in handy in times like these. 

      I changed my strategy and struck at her head with my sword, sliding my dagger from my left sleeve at the same time.  As Sarah blocked, I slid my sword forwards against hers, grabbed her sword hand, and disarmed her, throwing her sword as far away as I could.  She looked shocked for a moment that she'd let that happen to her.  I could now tell that everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch us, and I spared a glance toward the crowd.  But I couldn't bring myself to care anymore.  So what if Sarah wins?  I've made it this far, nobody can laugh at me now.

       I didn't see her lunge with her dagger till it rammed in to my stomach.  Did that ever hurt.  But I only grunted and slashed at her retreating hand with my own dagger, as she reminded me,

"Don't ever let yourself be distracted by your surroundings."

     I only nodded, thinking of my next strategy as we circled one another.  Then I realised that she was guiding us towards where her sword had fallen, so I threw my dagger at her while drawing another from the holster beside my sheath.  She deflected it with her own blade and it clattered to the ground at her feet.  Alright... so, she's way better than me, I'm stupid for doing this, and I need a way out...  

     The answer came instantaneously and I felt stupid, it was obvious!  I had the longer blade, I had the advantage in this situation, I just had to keep moving, I had to stop her from realising how close she was to the wall.

      I stabbed at her shoulder and she took an easy step back.  Then I lunged at her stomach, she parried with her dagger.  We continued on like that for the next minute, and then she stepped back in to the wall.  I put my sword against her neck before she could stab me.  Did I actually do it?

     She looked at me, smiled, and nodded.  I let my sword drop, then sheathed it, shocked. She smiled warmly again.  She didn't looked surprised, or amazed... She looked happy, and proud, as if she'd known.

"Great job Scarlett." Sarah said, clapping me on the shoulder, "I knew you had it in you" Then she turned to the students, that were talking amongst themselves, casting furtive glances in our direction, "I think it's time we learned to use a new weapon."