"Don't stand with your feet together. It would be too easy to knock you over."
Elowyn widened her stance. She had no weapon. Chord said a good mancer didn’t need a weapon.
Elowyn took a step forward and tripped on her dress. She frowned and looked down. Chord tapped her on the shoulder.
"Always keep your eye on your opponent." She nodded but motioned to the dress.
"It gets in my way."
Chord frowned.
"Hmm... I'll have to see if I can find you some boys' clothes to wear. Perhaps I'll steal some from Erik. You two are about the same size. But don't tell anyone," he winked at her. She smiled.
They continued. He moved his hands around slowly, showing her the easiest ways to block an attack. She mimicked his movements. They continued like this for some time, each movement getting faster and faster.
"What are you doing?" The voice startled Elowyn enough to jump. She spun to see Erik watching them.
"Just teaching the little lady some basics."
Erik smirked.
"The captain is looking for you."
Chord nodded. He began to walk away then turned to Elowyn.
"Stay here. Don't go anywhere until I get back."
Elowyn nodded. Erik began to slowly circle her as a hunter would circle its prey.
"You want to learn to fight?" he asked. She nodded again. He stopped in front of her.
"Why?"
"I...I am the One True Ayer. I am supposed to save the world from demons. But how can I be expected to fight the demons if I don't know how to fight?"
Erik smiled.
"Well said. How about you try and attack me?"
Elowyn frowned. She didn't move.
"Attack me," he repeated. Elowyn shook her head.
"As your prince, I command you to attack me!"
Now Elowyn moved. She swung her fist at him, but he easily avoided it. She swung again. This time Erik moved almost imperceptibly fast as he ducked toward her, grabbed her wrist, and threw her to the ground. She sat on the ground, stunned. She had never seen anyone move that fast.
Erik laughed.
"You look as though you are surprised. You don't honestly think I would let you fight me if I thought you could beat me?"
Elowyn looked at the ground and slowly shook her head. Erik laughed again and began to stride away.
"You won't tell anyone!" Elowyn called after Erik.
"Won't I?" he paused.
"Please. Don't tell. If my lady finds out, she will make me stop. She won't let me do anything that she doesn't believe is ladylike."
Erik shrugged.
"I am sailing with Captain Dmytro tomorrow. What you do once I'm gone is none of my concern."
And with that, he left. Elowyn stayed on the ground. She felt a bit embarrassed. She knew she was inexperienced, but she didn't realize quite how bad she was. Erik was also a child, she hated to see how bad an adult could beat her.
"What's wrong?"
She glanced up at Chord who was regarding her with some worry.
"Erik."
Chord sighed, "What has the little codger done now?"
"He threw me. And mocked me."
Chord snorted, trying not to laugh.
"He mocks everyone. He's one of those prissy little princes who thinks everyone is below him. And as far as him throwing you, don't you worry about that. Dmytro has been teaching him to fight for some years now despite his young age. But it's reached the point that even Dmytro is having trouble beating him."
"So he... he's a good fighter?"
"One of the best." Chord offered her a hand and pulled her up.
"Unfortunately, he doesn't have a good disposition to match."
He picked her up and lifted his hands, motioning for them to continue.
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