Combat Training

Emily decided that if she was supposed to be competing in this tournament tomorrow, she really should learn to fight. Denaasi, disappointed, stalked off away from the tent saying that she was going to get hammered anyway, and would find some fun people to hang out with. Allegra quietly announced that she was going to try to get some sleep, and Angel and Cat led Alexa out behind the command tent to a smallish area within the fence and next to the toilet block which they said would be good for training.

Emily first learned a variety of blocks; Cat showed her how to hold her sword in order to block an attack from Angel to avoid being hit on the legs, the arms, or by an overhead swing. This seemed pretty easy so far, she thought!

Then it was her turn to attack Cat. Angel barked orders, telling Emily which body parts to target while the guard tried to block the attacks. She felt as though she had learned a lot by the time the three girls rested, sitting on the grass sipping from their bottles of mineral water.

‘We should try some wrestling too,’ said Cat. Emily found herself in awe of these two girls: both were tall, slightly taller than her but with quite muscular physiques. They were beautiful too, Cat with striking blue eyes and blonde hair shaved on the left side, the rest swept over her head and falling to her shoulder. Angel had a kind, oval face with her blonde hair in a pony tail.

‘I thought we just had to use the swords?’ asked Emily.

‘Tomorrow you’ll be fighting Gerwald of Lyria in the tournament,’ replied Cat. Angel fanned her face and pretended to swoon at the mention of his name. ‘Oh yes, Angel is a little smitten,’ laughed Cat. ‘He is a bit of a monster and you don’t want to make it easy for him!’

‘He’s not a monster,’ joked Angel, ‘he’s dreamy!’

Cat turned back to Alexa. ‘Don’t let him put you off. He’s massive, and it’s true, he’s gorgeous, but you need to try to beat him. You can use your size and speed against him. Don’t get into a contest of strength – you’ll lose. I can show you some techniques to use if you like?’

Emily didn’t really like the sound of this. She wasn’t a fighter, and she was pretty sure the tournament would be scripted and Ted would look after her. But it wouldn’t hurt to look the part. ‘Okay, cool!’ she agreed.

Cat stripped off her armour to a black bikini bottom and vest top and instructed Emily to do the same. After all, you can’t wrestle in plate armour. This outfit really showed off Cat’s figure, Emily thought, feeling quite self-conscious as she stripped off her armour leaving her wearing the tight shorts and bustier.

‘Okay, try to get me on the floor,’ instructed Cat, and Alexa ran at her, arms wide.

Cat stepped aside, gripping Emily by the waist and hooking a boot under her leg, and suddenly she was on the floor, laid on her back. She wasn’t really sure how that had happened. Cat towered above her as she helped her to her feet.

‘Don’t overbalance, stay in control.’

Emily fought with Cat and Angel, all of them in their underwear in the moonlight, wrestling in the small clearing next to the toilets. She had learned a lot, and was exhausted and aching by the time they stopped to rest again, the three girls lying in the cool grass.

‘I don’t know if you can beat Gerwald,’ said Angel, ‘but you can certainly give him a run for his money!’

In the tree line Emily saw a white shape moving toward the front of the tent. At first she thought it must be a ghost, but on looking again she realised it was Allegra. Odd, she thought, she went to bed ages ago. What is she doing wandering about in the woods?