The practice

I looked at the loud noises of knights as I stomped my foot on the ground.

"Maria, go and ask the head of the knights to come here." since they both were too reluctant to fight with me. I better let them spar with each other.

"Yes, my lady.'' Soon Julian walked towards me and stood erect in front of me. His straight shoulder, wide chest and that intimidating aura was how a man should behave. His face was devoid of emotions. Not like those young kids who behave like an open book.

"My lady, I am back too. I hope I did not make you wait for long." Liam came running towards us and stood in front of me but his breathing was uneven and his face was full of sweat.

"I could not believe that you have turned weaker since last time.'' I remarked and he looked down. For the very first time the man did not retorted or spoke incessantly.

"Both of you will look at us and try to imitate our steps. I want you to fight for all you have. If I felt that you are not giving your hundred percent to it. I will throw you in front of wolves so that you can learn better.`` They both stood erect listening to my words. At least they learn the posture easily.

"Shall we start, Julian?" he took out the sword from his scabbard in response and took his position.

"Try to dictate important tips to them. I want them to learn as much as they can." he nodded as we both stood in front of each other with our weapons ready.

"Always keep the proper gap between your legs and hold the sword like this. Your grip on the weapon should be strong but not stiff or else you will not be able to attack comfortably.

For trial, swing the sword in the air. Like this. And you will be able to analyze your strength before attacking.`` We both showed our sword in the air a few times for them.

"Now try both of you." he replied but instead of doing so they both were looking at each other as if they were asked to kill each other.

"My lady. I forgot to tell you that I have brought all the papers of the complaints from the trades you have asked brother Caleb to bring. A few of them need your urgent attention, so I shall go and arrange them and study them. So that I could help you later to understand the matter.`` With that the man ran away without giving a second to react.

"Coward!" I shook my head and then looked back.

"Since he is gone, you just concentrate for now. I will spar with you after then one ends. Sir Julian, let's start."

The man nodded and then without waiting for a second, he attacked straight at my torso, the vital point, below my stomach, while I turned and bent in a defensive position.

I took a few steps back and when he moved closer to me I flipped and tried to hold his neck. But he moved and hit my sword with his. The sound of a sword almost made people deaf and his whole body jerked due to the impact.

I could see he had used all his force in that. If he had bent a bit more, he could have injured his feet. I turned and created a distance between us, giving him the chance to stand properly but instead of relaxing, he moved and attacked my hands this time. But before he could do so, I parried and he staggered.

But in the next second, he attacked straight at my neck. And a smirk formed on my face as I bent and used my sword to defend. All these are his old and we have practiced it more than hundred times.

He had never won from me yet he always decided to put his life at stake to once taste the flavor of defeating me which no one could have!

I attacked his chest but he just flipped, I turned and aimed his hands which left a small mark, before it could go deeper, he flipped and back turned. He showed that he was retreating but I knew it was his secret trick.

He would show his opponent that he was retreating, when the opponent would try to attack, taking its benefit he would suddenly aim at the heart of the opponent. I have seen it so many times that I could defend myself with closed eyes too.

Instead of going forward as he was expecting, I took out the dagger and threw it in his hands. The dagger passed wounding his upper arm, I could see the sleeves turning red. His eyes widened and I smirked.

"You need to improve the game, it is being too boring!" I remembered the man who gritted his teeth.

"You are just learning all the tricks, my lady. I am not able to resist you.`` That pleading voice did not affect me at all. I knew never to feel haughty when it comes to life as it may cost you, your life.

It would have been in the past, but not anymore. I moved forward and aimed at his other hand, which he had defended at the last moment. He must have been surprised. I flipped back and bent and aimed at his legs, but he jumped in the air.

I gripped my other hand in the last dagger I had, in case he used another trick. He swiped his sword, and I lifted the blade again to block his attack. But this time I parried, I pushed away his sword and then moved to attack his wound.

He stepped away and attacked my arm with the sword. I could feel the pain, though I was sure it was not deeper than the one I had given him.

This time he tried to stab me. So when he tried attacking, I blocked his move with my sword. Putting my full force to hold his sword, I lifted my feet towards his groin. I pushed with my feet against his body to push him off balance and attack him.

He fell and I was about to attack his chest, giving it a small wound to end the fight, but he flipped on the floor and jumped. He stood back straight and attacked my neck straight but I was already prepared so I moved and attacked his shoulders instead.