‘Before we get to that and teaching, I’d be interested to see your style,’ Bruno said, eyeing the tall warrior speculatively.
‘Certainly,’ Freddie responded amiably and selected one of the wooden practice swords laid out. ‘Anyone wish to spar with me?’ Freddie asked the gathered students directly. Several immediately stepped forward but Jason wasn’t one of them. ‘You, what’s your name?’
‘Marko.’
‘Are you ready Marko?’ Freddie enquired, as he stepped through the barrier into the arena where Marko was already standing.
‘Why did you pick him?’ Natalya asked privately on their link.
‘Because you didn’t want me to. You were thinking about him,’ Freddie told her, a hint of jealousy creeping into his voice.
‘He badly injured Jim.’
‘That is not so difficult,’ Freddie responded. ‘Besides, I’ve been known to badly injure opponents too. Do not worry my love. We are only going to be sparring.’
‘No, he will be testing you,’ she told him.
‘Of course he will try,’ Freddie told her complacently.
Natalya silently watched as they got started, determined not to divert his attention further with idle chat. She moved back to the seating and allowed his confidence to calm her. Freddie began by giving Marko a small half bow, his eyes never leaving Marko’s face and forcing Marko to hastily and rather sloppily follow suit. He stood facing Marko, appearing completely relaxed and unconcerned and letting Marko make the first move.
Freddie parried the first move with such blinding speed that it took everyone by surprise. Marko’s sword flew from his grasp to land in the sand several paces away. He’d been disarmed and was completely vulnerable in a split moment.
‘Do I have your attention now?’ Freddie asked.
‘Yes sir, sorry sir,’ Marko stammered, more than a little daunted.
‘Good, let’s start again,’ Freddie told him and watched Marko scramble to pick up his sword. He knew he shouldn’t have done that, but Marko’s bow had lacked respect and furthermore he had been ogling Natalya. This time when Marko engaged him he met and countered each move in a long unbroken exchange that had them moving about the arena. Freddie allowed Marko to dictate the moves and also to push him back, letting Marko think he had the upper hand, although not one blow of Marko’s landed. As soon as he became sloppy Freddie took control and began to attack. He increased the speed of his blows forcing Marko to try and match him. ‘Enough,’ Freddie said abruptly. ‘You’re tiring.’ He didn’t mention the fact he’d just been able to land quite a few blows, or that whilst he’d checked the force he’d used, Marko would bear quite a few bruises. If that fight had been for real and using steel Marko would probably be dead. As it was he’d had a good workout and might have learned a few things.
‘So, will I suffice to teach Natalya?’ Freddie asked Bruno.
‘I suppose so. I’d rather have you teaching the seniors though. I didn’t know you were so skilled. I thought you were a hunter,’ Bruno added.
‘I am a warrior first and a hunter when we are not under attack. I have hunted virtually everything that breathes however. We are the clan’s primary defensive force, its guardians,’ Freddie told him simply. He nodded to his men sitting behind Natalya in the stands. He hadn’t noticed them arrive but they looked as though they’d been there a while.
‘Are your men similarly skilled?’ Bruno asked following his gaze.
‘We all have had the same training but have separate areas of expertise,’ Freddie said with a shrug.
Bruno nodded, realising that these men were Clan Green Bear’s elite warriors. They already held a highly respected place within the Clan hierarchy and had no need to brag of their skills. They simply went out, day after day, bringing back meat for the school, but also defending the school’s borders. That was all of more immediate importance and use than asking them to help train students.
‘How do you normally train and keep your skills sharp?’ Bruno asked.
‘If we ever get time off and have the energy we practice. Obviously we are using some of our skills every day but I haven’t touched a sword for months.’
‘You and your men are all here now. They could practice if they wished. You are all welcome to come and use this facility when it suits you. It does the students good to see what will come with experience and also what a good swordsman looks like.’
‘Thank you,’ Freddie said sincerely. He was glad Bruno wasn’t asking them to take on students; none of them had the energy. Day after day they were chasing after elusive game in the woods whilst always having to be alert for ambush.
‘Natalya, come and pick a sword,’ Bruno said briskly. ‘Don’t just grab the nearest. Look at them and feel their weight. You’ll notice we have three different styles, but also within those we have ones of varying lengths and weights. This is because people come in different sizes, have varying strength and different preferences on fighting style. So to help our students find what works best for them we have several choices of sword to mimic real blades. The one you’ve got in your hand is a broad sword which is longer and heavier than this one which is designed for close formation fighting. Some favour this curved scimitar blade while others prefer the skinny rapier which we don’t have in wood. Each requires a different method to handle effectively.’
Natalya put back the broadsword she had in her hand in favour of one a little lighter. ‘I assume it’s better to use the same weapon as your opponent?’
‘Not necessarily. It’s better to use the one you know best and have the greatest skill with. A broadsword for instance has a lot of power, can cut through light armour and has a long reach. But because it’s heavy it’s slower to swing than a lighter blade.’
‘So an inferior weapon can prevail over a stronger blade if it’s in the hands of someone knowledgeable.’
‘Or quicker to swing,’ Bruno told her. ‘Remember, in a real fight it is irrelevant how well armed someone is. If they aren’t quick enough to effectively defend themselves then they’ll fall.’
She nodded and joined Freddie in the arena. She was glad the other students had paired up and were already practising; she didn’t want to be the focus of attention. But if she could learn to move as gracefully as Freddie she would be delighted
Freddie began slowly, showing her how to stand so her weight was balanced, how to grip the sword; too tight was as bad as too loose. Then he worked his way through a number of moves, sometimes standing beside her so she could follow the move without having to think of doing it in reverse as she would if he stood in front of her. But mostly he guided her through their link, showing her what he saw of her moves and also what exactly she was doing wrong. In each exercise he made sure she had the motion correctly mastered at the very slow pace before moving on.
‘Ok, you now have enough moves to try parrying me properly,’ Freddie told her. He brought up his sword swiftly and met hers with a thwack. They went through the entire sequence, correcting anything as they went along and letting her get a feel for how each move felt and flowed if done correctly. He increased the pace to one approaching normal human battle and smiled that she made very few errors. Their link enabled him to send her his approval or chiding as appropriate so she needn’t have any of that audible to her classmates. Once she’d mastered each move he mixed up the order he threw them at her, forcing her to figure out how to react to his motions rather than expect a certain move and thus reaction to come next.
When they paused for a breather, Dustin came to the fence. ‘Perhaps a better test would be against someone she’s not linked to,’ he suggested.
‘Are you offering?’ Freddie asked.
‘Yes.’
‘Ok,’ Freddie agreed. ‘You’ve probably seen I’ve just covered the absolute basics so far, so nothing else yet.’
‘No problem,’ Dustin said taking a fresh sword from the pile. ‘Are you ok, or do you need a few minutes?’ Dustin asked her, well aware unaccust
omed exercises like this were very tiring.
‘I could certainly do with a fresh pair of arms,’ Natalya admitted. ‘But you’re here now,’ she added and moved into a ready stance.
Dustin’s bow seemed more genuine than Freddie’s had been to Marko, but then she wasn’t a stranger to Dustin. She mirrored his bow keeping eye contact and was surprised that Dustin seemed to change character with this formality. She’d never seen this cool calculating side to him. He was every bit the warrior now and he was more than a little daunting to face. He came at her quickly and she was hard pressed to match him.
‘You’re right, this is very different with you,’ she told him. He grinned at being proved right. She struggled to keep up; he moved with a lazy elegance of motion that was deceptive in its speed.
‘Let his body language help guide you,’ Freddie advised mentally.
‘I hadn’t thought of that. Why didn’t you tell me that earlier?’ she complained on their link.
‘Sorry, it’s so automatic; I didn’t realise you wouldn’t be considering that.’
She assessed Dustin afresh. He was animus and understood body language. It was after all, the primary way animals communicated. To change into an animal successfully an animus person had to study their chosen creature and that included the way it communicated to others of its kind. She began to see the way he shifted his weight in readiness to change direction to either evade her or attack from a different side.
‘Are you reading my mind?’ Dustin asked suspiciously, as she suddenly began to move with him and it became far more difficult to get around her guard.
‘No, your body,’ she told him aware they weren’t meant to be using magic whilst fighting in here.
His expression cleared; that he understood. He’d forgotten how good it felt to spar against a new quick opponent. It wasn’t just testing out each other’s reflexes and skills physically; it was also a battle of wits and will. Natalya had the raw ability in abundance and when she increased her skill levels she’d be a formidable opponent.
‘Good work,’ Dustin told her and disengaged. He could see other students beginning to part and guessed they would have a break soon.
‘So what’s your verdict?’ Natalya asked him as they walked back to the side.
‘You’re learning well. You’re also tired and need a break,’ he added with a glance to Freddie, aware he was listening.
‘Time for break everyone,’ Bruno announced at that point and those still fighting broke apart. ‘Are you coming with us to the house for break?’ Bruno asked Freddie and glanced at his men to include them. ‘We have much to discuss.’
‘In that case, certainly,’ Freddie responded amiably and they left the building. ‘Why do you walk all the way back to the school for break?’
‘It’s better for the students. If we had a quick drink up here they wouldn’t truly relax or calm down. Also it’s a bit isolated up here. The boys tend to stick together at lunch, but break is more relaxed and they can mix with other students more easily.’
‘Ah, flirting time,’ Freddie grinned.
‘You could put it like that,’ Bruno agreed and tried to hide his smile that Dustin hastily tried to smooth his hair and Rupert surreptitiously sniffed his armpit.
Natalya was very glad to grab a mug and sit down. The last two hours had been strenuous, physically as well as mentally, trying to remember what she was meant to be doing. Reacting quickly to an attack, or get thumped was exhausting, not to mention painful. Whilst she knew Freddie had actively tried not to hurt her when they made contact, inevitably each blow that did land ached. Her hands felt bruised too from swords pounding her sword. To her credit none of the blows that landed had forced her to whimper and run away. She’d withstood them without backing down. She knew from her link with Freddie that he regarded her ability to handle the pain as quite remarkable. Usually it took time to learn to handle the inevitable consequences of fighting; the pain. Everyone instinctively tried to veer away from and avoid pain. Learning to continue moving through pain or even injury was something she’d already learned the hard way from the wizard and his son’s attacks in her youth. Wailing at them to stop hurting her had only increased their glee and satisfaction. She had quickly learned to grit her teeth and endure in silence if she couldn’t get away. Only the old stable man had given her the perspective to learn that what was done to her was wrong and cruel, rather than something she should not only expect but deserve. He had treated her wounds and been a shoulder to cry on. But he didn’t allow self pity to creep in to her soul. He taught her to become self reliant and how to survive. He and the stable lads looked out for her and provided a refuge and company when no-one was about. He tried to teach her to be comfortable alone rather than continue being rebuffed by those who actually wanted to be friendly but whom were ordered not to be by their supervisors. It was hard; she needed company. She now knew that was an aspect of her wolf’s nature. Under his advice she’d turned to befriending animals; they wouldn’t betray her trust or stab her in the back.
She wasn’t worried about stepping into the pens housing the massive hunting dogs. They weren’t aggressive towards her, but they did serve to put off some of the boys seeking to torment her. The dogs accepted her presence amongst them and would even snarl at any person approaching her, regardless of who they were. She learned a lot from watching the dogs interact with one another. She learned how they displayed their strength to one another to settle disputes or rise in the pecking order and that there was strength in numbers. She was surprised to discover only those at the bottom seemed to fight amongst themselves or bully another. It gave perspective to how she was treated and was proof that what the horse master had tried to explain to her was true. Her wizard tormenters were low in rank amongst their peers. They did not deserve respect or deference. Equally, she knew better than to show defiance; it only sparked greater fervour in their attacks.
‘Sorry, did you say something?’ Natalya asked dragging her mind back to the present.
‘I was only asking how you liked this morning’s lessons,’ Jim remarked. ‘But you seemed miles away. Go anywhere nice?’
‘Hardly,’ Freddie said, his gaze on her face and still trying to calm his indignant anger. Hearing her memories of things she would be unlikely to ever share normally, had definite drawbacks.
‘I’ve learned a great deal already this morning,’ she said to Jim, finding a smile. ‘Freddie and Dustin are very good teachers.’
‘Glad to hear it,’ Jim said and moved away. Whatever had upset Freddie, seemed to have originated with her. The hunters were now watching him with the direct unblinking and unnerving stare belonging to their wolves. Natalya sat at their centre; the men having gathered all around her as they always seemed to.
‘So how’d she do?’ Jim asked Bruno instead having moved out of earshot.
‘About what we hoped she’d be able to do. You never told me about the hunters though,’ Bruno complained.
‘What do you mean? I know they can take care of themselves but I’ve not really seen them in action.’
‘Freddie is an exceptional swordsman. He ran rings around Marko without effort. Dustin is less polished but nevertheless very accomplished. I haven’t yet seen Rupert or Johnny in action; they seemed content to relax and keep watch on Natalya’s progress. They’re all very protective of her aren’t they?’ Bruno added, as aware as Jim of their positioning. ‘I thought it would just be her boyfriend I’d have to watch.’
‘They’re wolves and she makes them into a pack with a future,’ Jim said recalling what Max had told him. ‘She roots them. I dread to think what would happen if she left. I think they’d go with her if they could,’ Jim mused. Vako hailed him then so he rose to return to the practical but mundane aspects of being headmaster.
Natalya noticed Rupert glance up quickly and stare. The other men followed suit but less obviously. ‘Hi Kathy,’ Natalya called and the only other animus female wolf came over. ‘Have you met the pack
?’
‘Mostly,’ Kathy responded nervously. Last time she’d seen them together was before Natalya’s arrival. They hadn’t been a true pack then; but a band of bachelor males.
‘You know Freddie,’ Natalya said deciding to formally introduce them all. ‘This is Dustin, he’s been helping Freddie teach me today.’ She watched Dustin take immediate advantage by reaching out to shake Kathy’s hand. ‘This is Johnny,’ she went on letting each man shake Kathy’s hand, ‘and Rupert.’ Rupert’s hand shake lingered a little longer than the others. There was no question in Natalya’s mind that he was attracted to Kathy and also that she was nervous of him. She’d certainly noticed him. Rupert had also repositioned himself when he sat back down making a space beside Natalya that was also close to him.
‘Won’t you sit down?’ Natalya asked her. ‘Rupert’s made a space.’
Rupert flushed a little, aware of Natalya’s amusement, but quickly returned his attention to Kathy.
‘Thank you Rupert,’ Kathy acknowledged and his smile returned. She quickly sat down before any more embarrassing attention or meaning could be read into the seat placement. ‘So how’d it go this morning with the warrior class?’
‘Good,’ Natalya responded. ‘But then Freddie was the one teaching me.’
‘How come?’
‘I needed to learn the basics before I could join the rest of the class properly. Freddie offered to do that so I wouldn’t be holding anyone up. So, do you do combat training classes?’
‘Yes, it’s part of our animus class. I haven’t done much yet though. The teachers are always inundated with the boys demanding tailored tuition; they can’t get around to everyone.’ She noticed Freddie frown and share a look with his men; clearly they disapproved. But what could they do, they had important jobs, they were not teachers.
Natalya: Wizards of White Haven Page 19
