Dragon Binder: Book One of the Dragonblood Priestess Series (First Draft)

Chapter 3: The Spar

Yina strolled out into the middle of the sand ring each step a little harder then normal as the sand shifted causing her to have to fix her balance.  Spinning she got into a medium stance and two wooden blades flicked out of the vembraces both on the outer side of her body.  

"You know I hate those."  Tyn stated strolling with more grace then Yina seemed to have of the sand.  His wooden practice sword was still in its sheath as he placed his hand on it and got into a very similar stance as Yina.  Now it was time to see which of them had the better chance of winning the Endorsement.  

"Alright you two, I want to see a clean fight, well as clean as you two can make it."  Clous stated as he raised his hand and then dropped it signifying the start of the spar before backing away quickly using his Bound strength to clear roughly ten feet in a second.  

"You only hate them because they tend to beat your ass."  Yina stated as she pushed off the ground with as much force as she can dashing forwards powering through the sand.  Slashing towards Tyn with great speed.  

Tyn smiled, if anything Yina was predictably rash.  Taking a deep breath he focused and as soon as she made her move he released the breath and drew the blade with one fluid motion slamming hard into Yina's blade sending the blade back the way it came throwing her off balance.  With a quick step he pulling the sword hand back down and slammed her hard in the stomach sending her skidding back in the sand.  Flipping the sword around he re sheathed it, "We talked about your reckless nature."  Tyn stated slyly.  

The blow ripped the wind from Yina's lungs as she slid to a knee glaring at her young friend.  It was not wrong though, she tended to move first think later.  Her natural talent had gotten her through a lot but it was a weakness she had.  Smirking she laughed, "I see you have improved."  Dragging her blade swiftly through the sand she sent a large amount through the air towards his face.  

Cursing he slid back protecting his eyes but leaving him open as Yina charged forward and slid elbowing him in the side front of thigh with the wooden vembrace.  The metal one would have did more damage but it would suffice for now.  

"I said a clean fight."  Clous muttered but he knew the two of them were ignoring him at this point.  He had seen the two get way to serious in the past.  

Tyn growled in pain as he sidestepped away trying to ignore the fact that she had split his thigh muscle the leg moving a bit sluggish.  Drawing his blade he shifted and went for a jab, instead of a normal slash.  Her instincts were still good as she rose up her other blade just enough to alter the direction the blade jabbing just above her shoulder.  

In a swift motion Yina swung up her free hand while pulling Tyn's blade the opposite way with the blade that blocked.  Her free blade made contact just above where he was holding it and the force of the two blows caused the blade to snap out of his hand flying through the air.  

Yelping in pain he retreated a few steps, but did not give in.  Instead he used the fact that Yina had to still get off the ground to his advantage and charged.  Seeing through her moved she attempted to jab at him as well, the saver choice when off balance.  Moving just enough to the side the jab went between his arm and torso as he clamped down on the arm and raised it up.  

Sharp pain coursed through Yina's arm as the lock had pinned her down and caused her to be at his mercy.  A good amount of her weight was now pulling down on the raised arm.  Hissing she swung her free hand at him.  Deftly he raised his knee and blocked the attack, the sound of wood hitting bone echoed in the small area.  The block had to have hurt him, but he did not let it faze him as quickly snapped the foot down and back up hitting her squarely in the chest releasing her arm as he did.  

The force and timing of letting go of the arm send he flying.  Rolling through the sand until she sled to a stop coughing slightly in a heap.  Tyn picked up his sword and strolled over to her ready to finish the spar.  Yina had other plans as she spun around flailing out her legs and taking Tyn off his feet.  Jumping up she raised both of the wooden blades in a attempt to slam them into his chest.  

A loud thunderous noise ripped through the training area as sand rose from the ground.  A wave of pure sound slammed into Yina tossing her to the side.  "Enough."  Clous stated in a firm voice walking over to the two.  Yina yelled and tried to get up but a constant wave of sound left Clous's hand and kept her pinned to the ground.  "Calm down Yina."  

It only took a few minutes before she finally calmed down and Clous released her.  "Sorry."  She muttered to both of them.  It was not the first time that the heat of the moment had taken over her.  She had been angry at Tyn for countering her move and it had caused her to lose control.  They all knew it was a natural instinct to survive, but she still hated losing that control.  

Tyn had regained his footing first and walked over to help Yina up.  "I knew what I was getting into.  I just forgot how resilient you are."  He smiled pulling her off the ground and misjudging where she would be as they were less then a inch apart.  He could feel her breath on his neck, instantly he started to blush and took two awkward steps back.  

"To be fair, I did not know if that move would work after such a hit."  Yina stated pushing her wooden blades back into the slits in them.  Turning she strolled over to Clous and slapped him gently across the face.  "And you, you used magic on me.  Should I tell my father?"  

Clous's face quickly turned red from the hit as well as his face becoming terrified.  "Um, please don't."  He pleaded as he took a few steps back.  "Anything but that."  

"I  hoped you would say that."  She stated walking up next to him and whispering so only he could hear it.  "Then you will meet me at the south gate three hours before morning.  You will then take me to the farthest mountains.  I will find me a dragon egg or my father will be told.  Not to mention I know about your little affair."  Yina's voice turned sinister at the end.  She was a woman who knew what she wanted and was going to get it.  

As the whisper went on Clous's face got more and more terrified the color draining from his face.  Gulping he pulled back to look her in the face and knew that she was not playing.  How had she found out about the affair, and why was she so diabolical.  "Yyyes, ma'am."  He stammered as he sauntered off as fast as he could.  

Tyn stood confused but laughed anyways.  "I figure that if you wanted me to know you would have talked openly.  It is always fun to watch you terrify grown men like that."  The two of them walked back over to the bench and sat down.  

Yina pulled out a box and opened it.  Inside were a few sandwiches and snacks, Tyn was not the poorest in the city but he was not as well off as herself.  She tended to feed him quite a bit, to help him build strength and because well he was her best friend.  Together they ate in silence watching others practicing for the Endorsement.  "One day, we will both fly side by side through the skies."  Yina wistfully stated finishing her sandwich.  

"YINA!!!"  A shout came from the edges of the training grounds.  Looking up a the sun Yina grumbled.  It was passed time for her to be out of class.  Turning she confirmed her guess and standing at the edge of the grounds was her father.  

He was just a inch taller then Yina was, she got her height from her mother who was six foot tall.  The man was like most typical nobles and had a gut on him.  Luckily for Yina he was one that also was solid built instead of just fat.  He wore fine silk clothes of a rich green color, it was mostly why he had not set foot in the actual training grounds.  

Brown hair and a full brown beard covered his face.  He had silver eyes, almost nothing of this man she had inherited looks wise.  Everyone always called Yina the splitting image of her mother.  Yina wished she had more of him in her looks.  

It was probably a good thing that he had been the one to come for her and not her mother.  Yina's father and least supported her desire to be something besides a binder.  Not openly in front of his wife, but still he supported her and that was enough.  

"Well that is my cue.  See you later, hopefully before the Endorsement."  Yina stated giving him a quick hug and rushing towards her father.  

"Where you will get second place."  Tyn stated with a sly smile as she rushed away.  He had been so close to beating her this time.