Blood Knot

Chapter Six

Chapter Six:

'You sure you want to do this?' Merek asked Avoca. She rolled her eyes and answered the same question for about the fifth time. 'Stop talking and fight! We've only got half an hour before you've got lessons-'

'Don't you mean we've got lessons?' He said with a grin.

'What!' Avoca was surprised. 'What kind of lessons do you do?' she said cautiously.

'I thought you said to stop talking, Avoca!' He grinned at her and threw her a wooden sword. She caught the hilt and tested out the weight. It was just as light as her elvish sword, but it was like the swords that were designed for slashing, not stabbing. That would limit her options, but she was confident she could still win with ease.

Merek started with a playful sweep at Avoca's heels, which was effortlessly countered with an equally languid backhand stroke. Avoca waited for Merek to attack rather than making a move herself. Obligingly, Merek thrust his sword forward at his sister's shoulder and she sidestepped out of the way. She deflected Merek's next advancement with the flat of her blade, using her strength to push him back. They circled one another, till they were both facing the opposite direction from where they had started. Both were motionless, waiting for the other to charge, or trying to spot a weakness they could target. Avoca was watching Merek's eyes, wary of him making a sudden movement.

She sauntered forwards, her sword hanging next to her legs. Merek smiled and moved to the left. Avoca moved right. They circled around one another, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Suddenly, Avoca danced forwards so fast and lifted her sword to hit Merek's head. Only pure instinct stopped him from been knocked out. He managed to block just in time, but then Avoca attacked his waist, his right leg, his arm in quick succession. It was all he could do to block, to step back, to dodge. As quickly as it had come, the onslaught stopped, Avoca backing away out of range. Merek stood stationary, amazed how skilled she was, how quick. He was in shock. A second wave of surprise drowned Merek when Avoca span around without warning and used the momentum to push against him. Merek managed to put up his sword to defend himself but Avoca continued with her barrage. Her sword moved so fast it was but a blur as she swiped at his legs, head and ribs and went in for a final stab as Merek was overwhelmed. He jerked out of the way and made an attempt to swipe in Avoca's direction that was easily parried. She leapt forward once more and put all her weight behind one swing. Merek caught the blade with his own, but he was unbalanced and struggling to push back. Avoca took advantage of this. She stepped forward and kicked him in the stomach, still pressing hard on the sword. He flailed backwards and his sword went sailing over the grass.

'Bloody hell!' he said.

'Now do you believe me?' She mocked. She held out her hand to him and he gripped it as she pulled him up from the ground. 'Or do you need another taste?'

'I believe you,' he panted. 'Who the hell taught you to be that good?'

'Just some old sword masters,' she said. Merek shook his head in disbelief.

'So,' Mirabelle's voice drifted towards them, 'Did you grow up with mercenaries?'

'Something like that, twin,' Avoca said brightly, sidestepping the question. Mirabelle came round and sat next to Merek on the bench.

'What are you doing here Belle?' Merek asked her. 'Shouldn't you be sewing or something?'

Mirabelle glared at Merek, her eyes saucers of poison. 'I'm not going to reply to that,' she said haughtily.

Merek said 'Whatever,' at the same time as Avoca said 'You just did!' They grinned at each other and Mirabelle looked unimpressed. 'I'm off to lessons,' she said.

'I'll come with you,' Avoca said, standing up and stretching. She hadn't slept well because when she laid down, she could feel herself bobbing up and down, as if she was still on the waves.

Merek yawned. She supposed he hadn't got much sleep either after her arrival.

'You two go on,' Merek told them. 'I just need to change into something more suitable.' Avoca looked at her own clothes and shrugged, not caring very much whether her attire was appropriate or not. She smiled at him then turned to catch up with Mirabelle, who had already set off.

'So,' Avoca said. 'What kind of lessons do you do?' Mirabelle walked too slowly in her heavy blue dress that swept the floor. She didn't look at Avoca as she replied. 'Oh, all sorts of subjects that you probably haven't learnt.'

'Oh?' Avoca said, half a smile on her face.

'Yes, Geography,-'

'Wait, you do know that I just travelled across all we know of the world don't you? I think I have a pretty good grasp of geography.' Avoca smirked as Mirabelle lifted her head higher. They were ascending the stairs up the first tower on the left. Avoca made sure she would remember the way.

'We also learn other languages, like Elven and Llaam,-'

'Just so you know,' Avoca interrupted, 'Llaams use the same language as Jarathians.' She smiled brightly.

'And how would you know that?' Her sister sneered.

'Well, I did spend some time on a ship with a crew of Llaams, then even more time with Jarathians... I think I'd be able to tell if they were talking a different language.' They stopped outside a wooden door on the second floor of the tower.

Mirabelle turned to face her. 'I'd like to see you try to be so clever in front of our tutor. He'd have you flogged for insolence!' she spat. Avoca raised her eyebrows at her twin's face which was twisted with spite. Mirabelle looked away and knocked on the door.