Page 49 of Skyshade
She grinned, not looking too upset that a dagger had just been pointed at her. “This close, you look far less menacing than I thought you would,” she said, seeming stunned as she looked Isla up and down. Even though half her face was covered with her scarf, Isla didn’t like how closely she studied her.
“Stop following me,” Isla said, trying to make her voice as firm as possible. “Stop leaving me things.”
The woman just tilted her head. “I meant no offense. Just gratitude. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“You don’t need to,” Isla said. “Just please keep yourself safe.”
With one final nod, she turned on her heel.
“Help me, then.”
Isla turned around again. “What?”
The woman raised a shoulder. “Teach me.”
Isla just stared at her.
“It’s not the first time something like that has happened. Teach me to defend myself, in case you’re not there to save me next time.” Isla almost laughed. She shouldn’t be teaching anyone anything. But the woman just looked at her. She blinked.
Isla sighed. “If I teach you this, will you leave me alone?”
The woman nodded, grin widening.
“Fine.”
Isla looked behind her. Paused. When she was confident she wasn’t about to be ambushed, she took out one of her daggers—one with its own sheath—and handed it to the woman.
She beamed. “My name’s Sairsha, by the way.”
Isla ignored her. “The blade is sharp. Make sure not to stab yourself while trying to wield it.” She took another dagger between her fingers, and demonstrated the right way to hold it. “Like this.”
Sairsha tried a few times before getting it right.
She nodded. “Keep it sheathed. If you’re being attacked, the best thing to do in your case is run. If that’s impossible, then first try to go for their nose. Or their groin. If none of that works, use the dagger. Get in a strong stance.” Isla demonstrated a simple one. “And go for anywhere you can. The stomach is a good option. The ribs are hard to get through. The neck...is messy.” She closed her mouth, wondering if she was doing more harm than good. “If you aren’t skilled, the dagger is more likely to be used against you. It’s a last resort.”
Sairsha nodded. She carefully sheathed the weapon, pocketing it like a treasure. Her voice was reverent. “Thank you.”
Isla didn’t say anything in response before she turned and left.
Sairsha didn’t keep her promise. The next time Isla visited the town, the woman was waiting on her favorite rooftop with a basket of pastries in her lap.
She smiled and waved, and Isla turned on her heel and left. The next night was the same. She was close to visiting another town entirely, when she finally found her spot empty.
Good. The woman had given up.
Not an hour into her watching, Sairsha noisily opened the door opening to the roof. “Oh you’re here already! I had—”
Isla had her hand over her mouth in less than a moment. “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.
“Helping you,” she whispered from behind Isla’s fingers. She held up something in her hand, as if to show her.
It was the dagger Isla had gifted her.
She dropped her hand. “If I tell you to leave, will you listen?”
The woman shook her head. Isla sighed.
They ended up on the rooftop, side by side. Sairsha chewed the pastries loudly, crumbs falling all over her lap.
