The Grey Tower

Her blow was, naturally, blocked easily. The Gaidin's strike came swiftly toward her side, and she wasn't sure what to do.

I should have practiced something to block a strike to my side! Adra stepped back as fast as she could, trying to make distance between herself and the Gaidin. Hopefully that would protect her. The problem was that now she couldn't attack him easily. This is a bit like dancing, like he said. You need to learn to move the right amount, not too far, but make sure you go far enough.

She came forward, regaining most of the distance she had put between herself and Prewtez Gaidin. She attempted lightning of three prongs, starting with a stab and coming around with a strike from her right side.

Her quick feet had allowed Adra to avoid his slash but left herself open as she retreated. Prewtez did not follow up on his advantage, however. He didn’t want to strike a killing blow too soon. Adra needed the practice, putting her down would serve no purpose at this point. Instead, the Gaidin allowed his student to close once again.

As she launched the first Thrust of Lightning of Three Prongs, Prewtez stepped back and then quickly forward as her slash followed. He employed The Grapevine Twines to bind her blade momentarily before he slipped the tip of his own to her hilt and twisted in an attempt to disarm the Drin.

Adra felt the Gaidin's blade catch her own, and was unable to stop it from twisting out of her hand. It fell near her feet, clattering on the ground. Prewtez Gaidin's sword ended up just in front of her throat. Well, I can't do anything. That technique is cool. I want to learn it!

After Prewtez had lowered his sword, Adra picked her own up. Now I need to do something interesting. I think I'll try Lightning of Three Prongs again... but instead of following the stab with a horizontal slash, I'll use Low Wind Rising.

Adra stood unmoving in her stance, then lunged forward with a stab. As soon as the stab was mostly completed she changed her attack, cutting up from her left arm, attempting to hit Prewtez Gaidin just under the armpit.

As the sword clattered from Adra’s hand, Prewtez stepped back and said but one word, “Again.” No need to point out what he had done, she would either recognize the move or research it later. The point of a spar was to practice, not lecture.

She came at him again, using the same form as before. Disappointment flickered across his consciousness as he parried the stab. Was this the only form she had learned? But his disappointment turned to surprise as she switched to Low Wind Rising in mid-form. Even he had not tried such an advanced technique until well into his time as a Ji. Adra’s sword point grazed his jacket as he could only deflect it from taking him in the armpit. Already into Black Pebbles On Snow, Prewtez sliced down against her blade and stepped towards her, forcing the Drin to either retreat or allow him within her guard.

Wow! I almost hit him! The jubilant thought shattered the void that she had just barely been able to hold on to. Honestly, though, it wouldn't have helped her much anyway. Switching from a stab to Low Wind Rising had put her hands in an awkward position. The moment the Gaidin's sword hit hers, the sword twisted out of her hands and clattered to the ground.

She stepped back hurriedly, not wanting to get hit as well. Her face gained a rosy tint as she looked around, embarrassed to think somebody might have seen her failure. Caught up in her shame, she felt as if everyone everything did must be aimed at her. The drin over there was holding his sword tightly, it must be because he didn't want his sword knocked out of his hands too... The people sparring over there were laughing, too. It must be because of her failure.

Adra looked up at the Gaidin, her face having gained a cherry colour. "Sorry" She mumbled, stepping forward hurriedly to pick her sword up again.

“Do not apologize, Drin,” it was an effort to keep his voice firm. Her embarrassment was touching if not somewhat humorous. Noting her reaction to the laughter coming from the two Ji sparring nearby, Prewtez gave them a stony glare that quickly killed their mirth.

“Do you know how long I’ve practiced with the sword, Adra? Many years before coming to the Tower I assure you. Even with such training I have been disarmed while sparring with a swordsman better than myself. It is nothing to be ashamed of,” pausing to gauge her reaction, the Gaidin continued:

“The key is to pick the sword up and get right back at it. Think for a moment as to why you dropped your weapon and how you might prevent such an occurrence in the future. Once you’ve done that, come at me again.”

He took up The Ox Lowers His Horns peering at his student over the hilt of his practice sword.