“First and foremost, understand the weight of the blade. A well-balanced sword is an extension of your arm, not a burden,” Eldric said, his hands on his sword for emphasis. “Maintain a firm grip to allow for flexibility and quick reactions to your opponent’s attacks.” His fingers traced the path of an imaginarystrike through the air, showing the importance of controlled strikes. His black hair fell over his eyes.
Freyah watched him intently, using her small dagger to mimic his movements as a perfect student. As for Alissa, she stared at him with her eyebrows raised and arms crossed over her chest.
“Knowing how to maintain your stance is crucial,” he continued, tapping his feet on the ground. “One foot forward and the other back to help you keep balance. Remember to shift your weight before you attack and be ready to adjust if needed.” He threw the sword up and grabbed it mid-air. “Every motion with the sword should flow naturally. Always remember, focusing on your opponent is key. You want to anticipate their moves as best as you can.”
He demonstrated a few attack techniques and stopped. “But if you reveal your own intentions too soon…”
Eldric unleashed a flurry of strikes upon the air with the same sword Alissa had stolen from him when they first met. The shining blade cut through invisible foes, whistling through the air. His muscles tensed as he dodged and rolled on the ground away from nonexistent hits.
Only after the series of exaggerated movements did he finish his sentence: “…then be prepared to die.”
“Wow.” Freyah sighed in awe, clapping her hands frantically, astonished by the Royal Guard’s skills.
Although Eldric was an undeniably skilled swordsman, his ability and control of the blade did not seem to impress everyone, because Alissa was leaning forward with her hands on her knees as she laughed her eyes out.
“That’s funny to you?” Eldric asked, panting—the physical effort of doing cartwheels to dodge nonexistent blades would do that to anyone.
“Slicing the air and rolling on the floor away from no one?” she said, still trying to contain her laughter, but it was too late. Her eyes even teared up. “I’m sorry, but yes. That’s hilarious!”
Eldric’s eyes focused on a distant point. “When you’re on the battlefield, you’ll see that all the ‘air slicing,’ as you called it, could be the difference between life and death. When you feel your sword buried deep into a man’s guts and feel the hot blood stain your hands and clothes, you’ll think back on this moment when you should’ve?—”
Before he could finish his lecture, Alissa drew an arrow—not aiming to hit him—and shot it past his face. The arrow hit a tree close to where Eldric stood.
He looked back at the arrow and then again at Alissa in disbelief. “Why would you do that?”
Alissa shrugged, unsure what to say. The truth was, she’d acted on impulse. She wanted him to stop talking, because Eldric’s vivid description of the killing reminded her of the very real possibility she would have to confront more attackers in the future.
Freyah gasped. “Alissa! Are you crazy? You could have killed him!”
Alissa clicked her tongue. “Oh, come on, Frey. I shot at the tree. I was never going to hit him! You know I never miss a target.”
Eldric landed his index finger on his lower lip. Alissa had been interested in learning how to fight in the past; she was the one who had asked him to teach them. He didn’t know why she found it hard to engage in the lessons now. Maybe his teaching methods weren’t as good as he thought they would be. But Eldric was not so willing to give up now; this had become a challenge for him. He would teach these women how to fight, even if that was the last thing he’d do.
“Okay, I propose a deal. If I manage to get this dagger pressed against your beautiful neck before you hit that tree with your next arrow, you’ll take my fighting classes seriously. You’ll do everything I say from now on. You’ll not interrupt me, give any unsolicited opinions, or make fun of me and my methods.”
“What if my arrow hits the tree before you do that?”
“If you win, I’ll do as you wish until we arrive at our destination.”
She raised her brows, welcoming the challenge. Eldric was good with the sword, but so was she with her bow and arrow.
Freyah watched it all develop with little rapture. She had become accustomed to ignoring Eldric and Alissa’s occasional banters. Instead, she continued practicing the moves she had just learned.
When Alissa nodded in agreement, they simultaneously moved. She rushed to draw her arrow while Eldric took his position next to her, aiming for her throat. He slid on the ground in her direction, passing between her legs to quickly stand up behind her. He held her tight by the waist, his fingers digging into her skin while Alissa’s arrow already flew through the air, aiming at the tree.
One second before the arrow struck the trunk, the cold steel of Eldric’s sword sent a chill through her body. She couldn’t see it; rather, she felt his damn smile—just as the other night, when his dagger had been on that same spot.
“Looks like you enjoy having my blade against your throat, darling,” he whispered in her ear, as she was trapped between his chest and the sword pressed to her neck.
Chapter 14
Daughter
155 DAYS UNTIL DHALIA’S DEATH DATE.
By day, it was easier to hide the turmoil in her heart; the sun shining brightly in the sky and the activities of the day offered just enough distraction to keep the pain hidden.
When night came and the quiet of her surroundings left her mind no choice but to wonder, she thought of her daughter. Even when knowing the result of not fighting back all the restlessness would be another sleepless night.