Rachel looked on while Reginald barked orders to the military students. He told them to pair off and spar with each other. She noticed George and James partnered up. They both already had swords holstered to their belts, while other students used weapons that were provided by the academy. Swords looked to be the most common weapon available and chosen by the students to use. George led James to a spot on the field with space for movement. He drew his sword, then James drew his. They stood there for a minute, swords in hands and holding stances ready to receive an attack. Rachel wondered during this time who would attack first. George, she thought, he was the more dominant between the two. But she had guessed wrong. James plunged towards George swinging his sword at George’s arm armor. The attack frightened Rachel. George was able to dodge the swing and while James’ body was still caught in the motion of the swing George was able to strike James’ side armor. James fell to the ground from the force but was able to get up. Every time he got up, he tried different attacks on George aiming for the different armored areas, he even tried faking attacks and trying to displace his sword, but nothing worked. George was seemingly impenetrable. Rachel’s initial fear for George was now for James.
James was now tired from attacking George as best he could. Now it was George’s turn to attack James. George easily striked James' armor with his sword. He could get James to guard his left side so he could strike his right. James would move to block a frontal strike from George only to find that George had moved behind him to strike his back. In a way, it was almost as though George was dancing around James. Rachel was impressed. None of the other students could compare to George. James was just as impressive trying to keep up with George’s attacks.
The sparing came to an end after a long while, Reginald walked around to every student and talked to them. He would study a pair for a time and then coach them on their mistakes and praise their improvements. After the partner sparring, they were told to change partners and spar again and again till they had sparred against everyone. Rachel noticed that not all the students fought the same way that George and James did. Some of them used different weapons and those students were harder for George to dance around. It was as if George could predict James' moves because they were familiar to him. Even though George had some trouble against those students, he was still able to manage strikes to their armor. James was just as good as George in sparring with the other students.
After the final sparring session Reginald instructed the students to advise their classmates on anything, they needed to fix that they noticed during the activity and that when they were done, they could leave for the day. Reginald then turned and walked back to Rachel, who was still seated on the benches.
“So how do they look?” He asked Rachel.
“Well, I don’t know anything about Military Arts, but George and James sure are something,” Rachel replied.
“They sure are. They will probably be sent to serve in the military if a war breaks out in this area of Gerais. And if they survive, they could both be leaders in the military,” Reginald agreed, sounding disheartened about the fate of the youngsters.
Rachel couldn’t respond. She realized now that George and James’ lives were in danger if a war were to break out. But a crazy and impossible idea began to form in the back of her mind. One that had the potential to save George and James and perhaps end Gerais’ wars with the countries close to Serra.
“Reginald, before you go. Is there any way you could set up another ceremony for me to officiate?” Rachel asked with determination.
“I could, the military students could use another tournament soon. But are you sure about this?” Reginald said confused about Rachel's decision.
“I’m sure. I need to know how it works. And I think it would be safer to do it here, than anywhere else,” Rachel confided.
“Okay, we’ll schedule a tournament next week,” Reginald replied before walking off the field towards the door leading to the Military Arts area of the academy.
“Thank you!” Rachel yelled towards Reginald.
Minutes after Reginald had entered the academy, George and James walked up to Rachel wondering what she was thanking him for.
“Rachel, what was that? Why are you yelling ‘Thank you’ at Sir Reginald?” George asked, with James nodding in wonder.
“I, uh, was just thanking him for letting me watch your practice,” Rachel replied.
“Well, how did we look out there?” James asked.
“Pretty good. I don’t know anything about fighting, but I think you two are the strongest ones out there,” Rachel replied.
“You aren’t just saying that to be nice, are you?” George poked fun at Rachel.
“No, I mean the way you dance around your opponents is amazing,” Rachel replied honestly.
That reply from Rachel made George blush a little. No one has ever described George’s fighting style as dancing.
“And James, while you can’t beat George you had everyone else looking like fools!” Rachel added.
“Aww, thanks, Rachel. George is on a different level. Even though we grew up together and have spent a long time sparring together I have never beaten him once,” James replied, acknowledging Rachel’s comment.
“We are going to go clean up. We’ll see you around!” George said, beginning to walk back to the academy.
“Yea, let me know if you want to buy us food!” James added while following behind George.
When George heard what James said he punched him in the side telling him that was a very rude thing to say but kept walking away. Rachel laughed at the sight of George getting flustered and punishing his friend. This was the second time today that Rachel had laughed thanks to George and James and upon realizing that Rachel smiled looking forward to the day her first ceremony officiation would take place.
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