Chapter 60: Sword Smarts

Chapter 60: Sword Smarts

The training hall was in a separate building, next to the barracks behind the Palace. Soldiers were working out on gym gear or sparring with weapons when we walked in.

Everybody out! yelled Laney. They all stopped what they were doing, put down any equipment, and headed for the door.

Hurry up! Or do you want to stay here and play dollies with me?

I dont know what playing dollies consisted of, but youve never seen a room clear out so fast. There was genuine fear on the faces of the men who rushed past me. I had visions of burly soldiers being forced to march around a parade ground in frilly dresses and big bows on their heads.

Once theyd gone, Laney went over to a rack of swords and picked out two wooden ones. They didnt look very fancy, just sticks with hilts.

Here. She handed me one. Lets see what youve got.

Without waiting for an answer, she came at me.

In a game, you find the special training master and he teaches you a special move. Seismic Slash! Blade Fury! Leaping Hurricane! And then you go out and one-shot all the mobs.

My little sensei had something else to teach mepain.

She wasnt a big girl. Her arms were skinny and nothing about her would indicate she was any stronger than a regular teenage girl, so I didnt feel too intimidated about getting hit. And the first couple of times, I hardly felt anything.

The tenth time it kind of hurt. By the twentieth hit, I was grimacing with pain. She was just too fast. All I was hitting was air as she smacked my knuckles, my elbows, my thighspretty much anywhere she wanted.

Terrible. Whack. Wheres your defence? Poke. Block it! Crack.

Laney did not hold back. The first five minutes were spent beating the crap out of me. She always knew where I was going to aim next, and sidestepped to avoid it, followed by a thwack against my leg or arm. If shed had a real sword, Id be cut to pieces.

Did you really kill the Mouse King? I cant imagine you hitting anything. Youd probably miss the ground if you fell over. Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

I rubbed my arm where I had been pummelled with repeated strokes. A little instruction might help.

She rested the end of her sword on the floor. You dont know what youre doing and you dont know what your opponent is planning. Swordsmanship is about speed and anticipation. You have neither. You dont even know the basic stances. Youre only hope is to learn oops.

Oops?

Strike me on the head.

She didnt have to tell me twice. I took two steps forward and brought my sword down. She flicked her sword up and swatted mine away to the side. My arm went swinging wide to the right. Leaving me wide open.

Now youre out of position and I can do this. She lunged forward and drove the point of her sword into my stomach, knocking the air out of me.

Ugh, I managed to say as I fell on my backside.

She sat up, eyes still dancing, but not with her usual madness. She actually seemed happy. No, tomorrow.

Laney, I can hardly move.

She punched me in the arm. Hard. Man up, you bitch. You dont have time to take it slow and steady. Death waits around every corner. You have to get good fast. Tomorrow. She hit me again. Tomorrow.

Okay, okay. Tomorrow. I staggered to my feet so she couldnt hit me again.

Same time. Ill leave your name at the gate. She lay down and stretched like a cat in the sun, her eyes closed and a big smile plastered across her face.

I stumbled out of there and looked around. I only had a rough idea of how to get back and slowly headed into the Palace. I dont know how long it took, but somehow I found my way back to the waiting area. The Avengers were still sat in the same seats.

Sup, I said as I shuffled past them, battered and bruised.

Colin! called out a voice from behind me.

I turned to see Princess Laney walking towards me.

You forgot this. She was holding my belt and sword, which I had taken off when we were practising.

Thanks. I took them from her and tried to put the belt on, but my fingers wouldnt cooperate.

Let me. Laney took the belt and put it on around my waist. Are you going to be all right getting back?

Probably not. You could have been a little more gentle on my first time. I cant even walk straight. How about you? Are you still bleeding?

I told you, its nothing. If it doesnt hurt, you didnt do it right.

I turned to look at our audience who were staring, open-mouthed. Jenny in particular was glaring at me. I thought about what I had said to the Princess. If you didnt know what we were talking about, it might sound a little bit sexual.

Its not what you think, I said.

Laney looked up at me. She was still fiddling with my belt buckle. She turned and saw the looks on their faces and then back at where her hands were. She jumped back like shed been hit by a bolt of electricity.

Wait, you dont think that I With him Are you people crazy!? With him? I was just showing him how to use his sword.

I wasnt sure that made it sound any better. The Avengers just sat there, saying nothing.

Whats wrong with you people, she wailed at them. Disgusting perverts! She stormed off, turning just before she rounded the corner to point at me. And you, dont be late tomorrow. Im going to give you a licking you wont forget. And then she was gone.

Anything I said would probably only make it sound worse, so I just turned and limped away as quickly as I could.