Before the trial

The gym was vast. A wooden walkway split the building in half, leading to a set of bleachers in the far end. On either side of the walkway were 9 fencing strips, painted in silver and red. Some strips had a few fencers already fencing on them, the rest were empty.

Destiny was standing in a line along with a few other wolves. She was going to show her skills, which would determine her rank in the pack. Fencing was one of the first steps. She recalled her lessons and repeated them in her mind like a mantra.

Advance… Retreat...... Retreat...... Advance….beat.... .... Advance....... Double disengage..... Balestra......disengage….lunge.

Her opponent accepted the touch, and she walked back to her line. Most of her wounds from the previous day had faded. Though a couple of persistent bruises were making her trial more painful than usual. She took her en grade. With every beat and parry, she imagined that she was lashing him.

Stupid m