Page 59 of Highland Hero
“I think ye need to be able to defend yourself, if need be.” He grinned. “Your last attempt was nae successful, if ye recall.”
She frowned. “You tricked me.”
“Mayhap, but ’twas easy for me to do since ye were nae prepared.”
The frown deepened, and she raised her chin. “Fine, but I broke my knife.”
“A good thing. That blade wouldna do much damage even in skilled hands.” He pulled out thesgian dubh. “We will use this.”
She looked at the finely honed tip and the razor-sharp edges, but she didn’t flinch. “I will get my cloak.”
“If ye want, but we are only going to the stables. The tack room will provide enough space, and there are bales of straw we can use for a target.”
“All right.” She pulled the shawl closer. “Then let us be about it.”
He hid a grin as she preceded him across the bailey. Apart from his sister, Fiona, he’d never seen a lass so keen on learning to handle a knife.
The stable was nearly empty, since most of the men were gone. A couple of stable lads mucking out stalls gave them curious looks, but before either of them could start smirking about the direction he was headed, he gave them stern looks and they quickly returned to their shoveling.
Still, he left the door to the tack room slightly ajar. There was no use starting rumors about a tryst.
Juliana tossed her shawl across a saddle rack. “So where do I stab a man with that knife?”
“First of all, ye doona want to be close enough to stab a man. ’Tis likely he could overpower ye in a thrice.”
She frowned. “Then what is this lesson going to be about?”
“Throwing a knife. Ye can do that while ye are out of arm’s reach.”
“Does it not take years—or at least, months—to learn to do that?”
“Aye, to be deadly accurate, it does, but if ye have to use it, ye will probably be close enough nae to miss.” She looked dubious and he smiled. “Hold out your hand.”
As she did, he placed the handle across her palm, then moved her thumb over the top and wrapped her fingers around the handle. “This is a hammer grip and the easiest to learn.”
She moved her arm back and forth. “It feels…comfortable.”
“’Tis a well-balanced blade, a bit more weight in the handle than the blade. It makes it more accurate to throw.” He walked toward the other side of the room and piled three bales on top of each other and patted the top one. “This is about the height of a man’s chest, which is where ye want to aim.”
“Not…lower?”
Rory managed not to wince as he realized where she meant. “That…area…is better served with a knee jab if ye canna avoid your assailant.”
Juliana tilted her head to one side. “Will you show me?”
He felt his eyes widen at her request, and, even though she hadn’t made contact, he had an urge to shield himself. “Nae. I think ’tis an action that comes naturally to females.” She smiled then, and he wondered if she’d been teasing him. In any case, better not to continue the direction of the conversation, since he’d prefer to be able to walk upright when they returned to the castle.
“Let me show ye the proper stance. Ye put your weight on your right leg and move your left leg forward.” He demonstrated, and she followed his example. “Good. Now hold your knife the way I showed ye, then raise your arm even with your shoulder and bend your elbow so the knife is alongside your ear.”
She looked at him as though he’d taken leave of his senses, so he held his hand out. “Let me show ye.”
After she’d given him back the knife, he assumed the position he’d just shown her, then quickly shifted his weight forward, the knife doing a complete spin before it found its mark in the straw bale. “Like that.”
“You moved too fast.”
“I will show ye again.” Rory retrieved the knife from the straw then held it out to her. “See what ye remember.”
She didn’t have any trouble placing her feet correctly, but her elbow jutted out and her arm was too low. He stepped closer, mindful to keep to the side where her knee wouldn’t make a temporary eunuch of him, and placed his arms around her, guiding her into position. The faint scent of heather soap wafted up from her hair. He briefly thought how interesting it would be to teach her archery, since that would entail being even closer and helping her pull the bow as she drew… He shook his head.I need to concentrate on what Iamdoing, not what Iwantto do.
