Unveiled

~ Chapter 9 ~

Once again Naya is following the same routine and so she finds herself in the clearing in the woods. And once again her uncle is too busy to help her train. So Naya does the same as she did the day before.

She practices a few manoeuvres and then head on the knife throwing. She weights the knife in her hand, throws her hand back and this time instead for flicking her arm she flicks her wrist and lets go. Xander was right there is much more speed and strength in the knife. Naya practices this for about an hour until it all feels natural and she can most likely do it in her sleep.

"You're getting good." Xander remarks, leaning one of the pine trees covered in snow. She jumps slightly, almost throwing, yet again a knife towards his face. "Is your uncle busy today as well." she nods. He comes stalking towards her. He nods slowly his bright blue eyes scanning her curiously. "May I be of any assistance?" he asks.

Naya never thought that Xander would help. "I thought you said you don't trust me and quite frankly neither do I."

"I don't"

"Then why would you help me?"

"Our kingdoms are seeking alliance, do they not? So should I not help you, so if you indeed go on the battle field you wouldn't kill yourself." She laughs hoarsely at that. "And it is to my kingdoms benefit that I know your every move." He grins.

"If you put it like that I don't need your help."

"I was partially joking with that last bit, but as I said yesterday you're not like other girls. So do you want to learn to fight or not. I believe your uncle is quite busy."

"Fine" she says raising her sword, the knifes forgotten. Xander snarls as he unsheathes his. He circles her like predator toying with his prey. She must not underestimate him. Considering he is much more experienced than she is, he is much stronger and much faster and has been watching her every move for the past week. She has to play this smart, there is no way she will win this with skill.

Finally he lunges and she blocks his attack, just in time. Without a second heartbeat he moves to his next attack bringing his sword to her left and she blocks it with her bracer on her left arm. Xander knew that if she blocked the attack with her blade she would turn into him and leave her right side exposed, but thankfully Naya knew that too. Xander move on from the next attack to the next and she keeps blocking the attacks.

Naya decides that she is done letting him play with her. So she starts attacking and Xander is the one on defense. He blocks one of her attacks, leaving his left side exposed and she strikes, but before she could touch him he slides to the side and holds his blade to her neck. She tenses and drops her sword and he lowers his.

"You're not bad but we still have a lot of work to do."