Chapter 105

IN THE TRAINING ROOM THE sound of the wooden swords cracking together echoed sharply. Lieutenant Patel worked Loi hard, and sweat poured off her while they moved around the room. She threw her sword up to deflect a blow he aimed at her head, his sword slamming into hers and she wavered under the weight.

'Yield to it!' Patel bellowed. 'Allow your attacker to over extend, it reveals their weakness.'

Loi nodded and they backed apart to try again. This time when his sword crashed into hers, she relaxed her wrist, allowing the sword to flick back, and made to slam the pommel into his nose.

Patel jerked his head to the side just in time and grinned. 'Excellent move, my Lady! Next time, go faster. If you catch me, then it's my own fault. And remember to bring your short sword up and under when you release your long sword like that. A quick thrust up and it'd be all over for your opponent.'

Double swords might look pretty cool in the movies, but in reality, it was damn hard work. They cont