Page 78 of The Splendor of Fire
Hector doubled over sucking in lungfuls of air. “Did you get better in prison?”
Léo caught a skin of water from Angus and took a gulping drink. “Oui, or you got worse.”
David hopped down off the wall and sized Léo up. “So it is possible to beat Beithir. How did you know what to do?
Léo shrugged. “Seven years straight of battles, minor engagements, raids, practice drills. We grew up together.”
She waved her hands and got Hector’s attention.What made you stop after seven years?
Hector wiped his brow over his arm and repeated her question to Léo who looked as if he was still trying to figure out what she said. “Why did we stop fighting together after seven years?”
An awkward pause grew and Léo sipped from the skin, ignoring her question. Finally, Hector blew a breath out. “In truth, I lost myself to drink. Léo took care of me for the last two years, pulled me out of taverns, kept me on my feet, looked after my coin. Then he met Théa and taking care of me became much less appealing. I dinnae blame him for giving me over to it. I showed up at his wedding angry I was losing my caregiver. Gave a blootered speech that I dinnae remember, made Théa cry, and vomited on the chapel stairs. Then I ran like a coward.”
She didn’t know what she was expecting but it wasn’t that.
Hector drank from the skin of water, then wiped his mouth. “I waslost another few years after that before I finally let God in. I wasnae a good man.”
Léo shrugged. “You were. Just a broken one.”
Hector clapped him on the shoulder. “At least I have a partner worthy of me now.”
All the men groaned and went back to sparring. Hector curled his finger at her. “Your turn, Birdy. Come here.”
She hopped down and came forward, a little intimidated after what she just witnessed.
“Let’s start with holding your weapon.”
She pulled the dagger from the scabbard at her thigh, mimicking Hector’s grip, blade extending from her pinky.
He nodded. “Good. Now stance, feet just outside the shoulders, dominant leg forward—with a dagger you want extra reach. Bend the knees and stay light.”
She bounced from foot to foot, enjoying the loose feeling of the stance. “Now. Draw your arms apart, pulling your shoulder blades back and connecting this,” he touched her stomach. “Yes, tighten it, with this.” He touched her weapon arm. “I know it looks a wee bit ridiculous, but do you feel how much stronger and more stable you are with your shoulders rolled back and your stomach engaged?”
She nodded.
He motioned Léo forward and she dropped her stance. Hector cocked his head. “What?”
Turning away from Léo and keeping her thoughts private, she signed quickly.Please don’t make me fight him. Things are strange between us. I gave back his necklace. I want to fight you.
Leo walked around her, eyebrows scrunched together. “What’s she saying?”
Hector looked at her bare throat, then to Léo, raising one eyebrow.“You don’t get to pick your opponent.”
Frustration rent through her and she gave Hector a furious look, but he ignored her. She turned back to a scowling Léo.
Continuing his instruction as if everything was merry between them, and not the painful awkward mess it was, Hector ignored them. “Now. Basic attack. Your dominant leg is going to step forward, and then sweep your weapon forward and across your body in an arc.”
Stomach tight, arms strong, she brought the blade forward in a smooth strike.
“Verra nice.”
Dropping her weapon, she moved toward Léo, drawing her finger from her temple in an arc toward his neck.
Hector agreed. “Yes, aiming for his neck. But maintain your angle and your stance. Worry about your follow-through. Don’t come in sideways, don’t stab down and drop your stance. If you miss, keep your arm straight and centered with control. Always maintain stance or you’ll become vulnerable.”
The same principle applied to balancing in trees when she made small adjustments to maintain her center of balance. Moira’s mind began to analyze the instruction, her mind easily envisioning the attack and how Léo would react.
“Now attack Léo. Slow and steady.”
