Page 50 of Bride of Ice
“After ye toss away his first blow,” Colban said, “turn sideways to him. Use your blade to deflect the second thrust.”
“Like this?” Brand lifted his shield high on his left, then turned to his left side, leaving his sword arm behind him.
“Nay, turn the other way, to therightside.”
“What would you know of real fighting anyway?” Gellir argued. “You’ve probably never evenseenan Englishman.”
“True. But unless they’re twelve feet tall with horns and claws, I suppose they fight the same as any other men.”
“So like this?” Brand asked. After raising his shield, he turned to the right, sweeping his blade before him.
“Aye, exactly. Ye make a smaller target that way, and your blade does the work o’ defense.”
“Come at me, Gellir,” Brand said, facing his brother.
“’Tisn’t going to work,” Gellir warned.
“Come.”
Of course, itdidwork.
Brand was delighted.
Gellir was peeved.
“What else can you show me?” Brand asked.
“Traitor,” Gellir accused.
“’Tisn’t treason to steal the weapons of the enemy,” Brand countered.
Gellir fumed in silence.
Colban took that as a challenge.
“I have another maneuver,” he said. “But I doubt ye can do it.”
“What is it? I can do it,” Brand said. “Let me try.”
“I don’t know,” he said with a dubious grimace, rubbing his chin. “It requires a steady hand and a long reach. Maybe when ye’re older…”
“Show me.”
Gellir scowled. “Brand, he already said you can’t do it.”
“I want to try.”
Colban shook his head. “Very well. But I’m warnin’ ye, take care. Don’t hurt yourself.”
“I won’t.”
While Gellir crossed his arms and glowered, Colban talked Brand through the motions.
“First, ye sweep your sword just inches above your foe’s head, like so.” He demonstrated a leftward slice. “’Twill make him duck, aye? Then, while ye’re spinnin’ away with the force o’ your sword, ye toss your shield o’er his right shoulder.”
“Toss away your shield?” Gellir’s voice was thick with sarcasm. “Oh, that’s brilliant.”
“Aye, and here’s the key,” Colban said. “While he’s distracted by the shield, ye come full circle with your blade, dropping it low to knock his feet out from under him.”
