The first blow came without warning. She wasn't stupid. She'd known it was coming and was waiting. She moved ever so slightly, dipping low as his fist
connected with the wall. She reared up - head jutting into the chest and sent her assailant flying halfway across the room. He tumbled, he rolled with a a jerky
sort of grace. He was on his feet again and lunged towards her. Her eyes darted to the left, as did his. They both dived sideways and lunged after the swords on
the table.
Not quick enough to stop the other, each lurched away out of reach. The mere five feet between them seemed like thousands of miles. The both held matching
fighting stances, legs apart - balance perfect, rolling their weight from one side to the next.
"What do you want to do most right now?" He asked, sharp eyes focused on hers, absorbing her every move.
She swallowed hard, forcing her body to relax - fighting to steady her breathing. Her forehead was shiny with sweat.
"Come at you with everything I have." She answered but she didn't come after him.
She maintained her wary stance. Her eyes never left his face. She waited for any subtle change - the slightest motion
or expression that might betray his intent.
"Why don't you?"
"Because you said. I have to wait for the right instant. To see what you will do."
"You completely missed my point." He moved. He was lighting fast with his blade held high.
She barely side stepped him in time. She felt a sliver of cold wind by her arm. She moved back - a knee jerk reaction, over compensating. It gave him a chance
to rush her. To knock her back with a swift kick to the midsection. She crashed backwards into the wall. The impact knocked her forward, made her bite down on
her tongue. The sword slid out of her hand. She tasted blood. Furious eyes leaped upward to meet his.
He stared down at her dispassionately.
"The lesson was to Be, not an instruction on how to act. Your actions are too deliberate. Predictable."
"I don't understand."
"Pick up your sword," ordered the Teacher.
After a moment of consideration, she struggled her feet. She wiped the blood away from her mouth with the back of her hand and re-assumed her fighting stance.
He nodded approvingly.
"Again."
The Lesson
