I cleared my throat. “So, how do you propose to help me train?”
They must’ve planned to be creepy too because they both turned to me in sync and raised their swords.
Roran spoke first. “You’re going to fight both of us.”
“At the same time,” Rilen finished the thought.
Launching themselves at me at the same time, I spun and grabbed a sword off the wall and ducked just as one of their blades whipped through the air.
Whirling around on my knee, I threw myself forward and rolled back to my feet, suddenly behind them for just a moment.
Turning in opposite directions, Rilen took a high parry and Roran a low.
There was a whole lot of male, with a lot of sharp, powerful metal.
Dragging in a deep breath, I willed myself to just relax. They were here to help me learn. I had to pay attention to what they were doing because I still didn’t have my power back.
They did. They had loads of power.
Loads of Master Dorian’s power.
Oh, my gods. What is wrong with me?
Refocusing on the swords they were holding, I started circling to my right. Only Roran followed.
These two worked together a lot. I could see it in the easy way Roran walked away from his brother without ever really losing track of him.
They were going to be a challenge.
Finally.
I kept circling until I had Rilen between us and kept him there as I continued to move.
Rilen smirked. Sword up, he followed me around the circle. He spun the sword in his hand and was trying to distract me.
He moved, and I saw what was going to happen just as they executed the move.
Rilen dropped down and rolled onto his back as Roran charged at me—but he used Rilen’s upturned feet as a springboard, launching himself up and into the air to vault over my head.
Tracking him with the sword, I kept an eye on Rilen at the same time as he tossed himself up from the floor and came at me low, aiming for my knees.
Roran hit the ground and came at my back.
I kicked up, knocking Rilen’s sword away. I let the momentum of the kick pull me over, clearing the forward swing of Roran’s blade by a hair’s breadth. I landed in a crouch and tumbled forward, shooting a foot out into the back of Roran’s knee while I caught Rilen’s recovered blade on my own.
“Shit, youaregood!” Rilen said.
“I thought they were pulling our legs when they said you chased Master Argo around the floor.” Roran used his sword as a cane to help himself off the floor.
“Give me another sword,” I said. “See how good I really am.”
Rilen’s eyes brightened. “Oh, really?”
“Yes, really,” I snapped. “I need a workout, and you two are it.”
“Oh, brother. This little chickadee will be a delight!” Roran laughed. He snatched another sword from the wall and threw it at me.
I caught it, quickly hefting it to check the balance.
