Without looking she asked, “Leo. That’s a common name for your generation of nobles, isn’t it? Named after the Young Prince?”
Young Princeindeed. I was twenty-and-five years of age!
But what she’d said was true and why I could get away with using at least part of my real name. “Yes, I’m Leomund of Seven Stars, but you can call me Leo if you like.”
“Done. Leo. I’ve never liked formalities anyway.” She glanced over at me. “I’m assuming you didn’t bring any clothes for fighting?”
No, I hadn’t. “Are we beginning now?”
“Yes. I want to test you. You up for it?”
Someone had finally agreed to teach me, I didn’t want to lose that. “Of course. Whatever you desire, I will oblige.”
Her one brow raised again. “Indeed?” We walked in silence down the long laneway. “I will want to get changed before we begin. Do you have time to wait?”
Everyone thought I was at the Library of Wisteri, but I’d slipped out the back. I had all day if I wanted it.
“Yes.” My heart began to beat faster. I was finally going to begin my training. Though… Perhaps I shouldn’t be too excited as she only said she would test me. Did that mean she might still turn me away? I had to impress her.
“Wait here,” she said when we reached the yard behind the house. She continued on to the small cottage and went inside.
I looked around. A large barn stood to my right, from within came the bleat of sheep. That must have been how she kept that large lawn out-front so well-tended. Beside the barn was a large garden, stretching away toward the back of the property. On the other side of that was a stand of decorative trees, including a copse of closely planted junipers, which oddly had a stone arch and wooden doorway on one side. Paths led back to other shade trees and sitting areas toward the back of the property as well.
Very quaint.
An elderly woman emerged from the barn and stopped when she saw me. “You here to see the mistress? She’s out, gone off with?—”
“I am yes, and she just returned, I believe.”
The old woman nodded. “Good, so you’re sorted?”
“Yes, thank you.”
She nodded and went toward the gardens.
Odd.
Tisera emerged from the cottage a moment later wearing what looked like a padded gambeson, with more sedate clothes beneath than the dark blue and black she’d been wearing before. She held two swords made of wood and threw one at me. My reflexes were quick enough that I was able to catch it and she seemed surprised. “Not bad.”
“I may not know how to fight, but that doesn’t mean I’m an awkward clod,” I clarified.
She nodded. “Point taken.” She set herself in a fighting stance, lifting her sword. “Defend yourself.”
I thought to ask: “Do I get any padding?”
“Not until you’ve earned it. Pass your test first.”
That was clear enough. I expected I was about to be in considerable pain. But, since I did know some basics, I held the sword as I’d been taught and set myself.
She tilted her head to one side then the other observing me, quirking her lips. I couldn’t tell if that was a good sign or not.
Then she attacked: a blur. My sword went flying.
I yelped. My hand ached from the force of having the sword torn away. In addition, she’d hit me twice. My right shoulder throbbed with a stinging ache and my side was going to have one Hells of a nasty bruise.
I stumbled back and unceremoniously fell on my ass.
Tisera had reset to her ready stance and for an instant, I wondered if she had moved at all. Perhaps it had been some trick. She might be a Phorasti, with mystical powers. But that seemed less likely than the possibility of her just being incredibly quick and skilled with a blade.
