𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

Chapter 7: You Can Stick That Sabre Up Your-

Aelin plopped on the seat and adjusted the white stocking on her heavily coated suit.

"How old is this school that they're making us fence for sport?" Nehemia groaned but Aelin didn't reply.

Girls fumbled around the changing room, some tripping over their own uniform and others grumbling to themselves while they figure out which part goes where.

"Aelin!" A voice called. She lifted her eyes from her shoes to a panting Elide who was putting a hand on her waist, bending down a bit.

"I am so sorry for how Lorcan was acting, I honestly don't know what's gotten into him," Elide breathed, sweat gleaming down her forehead.

Aelin shook her head telling Elide that it was no worries.

She noted how Elide was already so trusting and gullible that she would side against her own boyfriend.

"Ladies! Let's go!"

Grabbing her mask, she held it at her hip and walked away with Nehemia and Elide at both her sides.

They weren't taken to the gym but instead a smaller room with white tiled floors and glass walls. A wooden desk on one side with a few chairs.

They would be sparring against the boys.

Aelin grinned and for once didn't mind being held prisoner at that so called Boarding School.

A man with fiery red hair stood in the middle of the room, hands folded behind his back while he looked at everyone who came walking in.

Aelin noticed how his stare landed on her longer than anyone else.

His silver eyes bore into her and she winked at him. His stance faltered a bit but he returned a charming smirk. She realized he wasn't much older than her, maybe in his late 20s.

"Arobynn Hamel. Vice Principal and sports instructor," Elide whispered.

So, he's the one who sent me the letter. That bastard.

The boys joined them a few minutes later. Their class was small, seven girls and six boys.

"Good afternoon," His voice was clear and low. Everyone was standing in one straight line and Aelin guessed most of them were frightened of him, "We will be continuing our lessons in fencing and since we understand the basics by now, I will be dedicating this hour to competitions."

No one uttered a word.

"Girls pair with the boys," He didn't have the cliché French accent Aelin was expecting, it was more American.

Spinning on her heel she glanced around the room and found everyone in pairs already, not one person left for her to duel with.

Sending Nehemia a betrayed look, who just shrugged in an apology. She turned to find Arobynn pointing his finger at her.

Rude.

"You. Seeing as we have an extra girl, you can sit this one out," He said glancing around the room, "Has anyone seen Mr. Hunt?"

"H-he was taken out of last period," A girl murmured shyly, nobody moved.

His eyes narrowed on the girl before saying, "Grab a sabre, all of you. I want three pairs on the floor, the other three will sit down until told to fence."

Soon enough six students were putting on their masks and standing in front of their partner, weapons pointed to the floor, dressed in full white suits.

"En Garde," He glanced between them for a second, everyone lifted their weapons making an ex shape with their partners.

He swiped his hand down, "Allez!"

The sounds of metal clashing against each other blared in Aelin's ears but she wouldn't go an hour without doing anything. Leaving the small group seated on the chairs she went to their instructor.

"I need to fence, you can't keep me out today," Aelin ordered, or more like begged Arobynn Hamel to give her permission to fence.

He didn't glance in her direction but kept staring at the others, "And why, Miss Ashryver, would I do that?"

"I'm good, like really good," She fought and his eyes glistened in amusement, "You don't believe me? Pick one person in here and I'll fence them. Anyone."

She plopped her mask on as if proving her point and her vision was greeted with black stripes and the smell of sweat.

The doors to the room opened wide and a person ran in, adjusting the mask on their head. They were rushing inside straight towards the teacher and Aelin.

"Sorry I'm late sir, I was called in to meet with Principal Rolfe," Their voice was deep. A boy then. Aelin couldn't see his face other than the sharp outline of his jaw and cheekbones.

"You want to fence?" Arobynn questioned and Aelin nodded, "Him. You will go against him in an assault."

The boy's head whipped towards her and she grinned. She knew he couldn't see her through his mask and hers.

She almost felt bad for the guy.

Almost.

Hm. I wonder who he his?
Any guesses?
Love you all for reading! I'd to know what you think of the book so far <3