‘We all hear he wants the kingdom under his rule, but in all honesty, Scarlen, do you believe wyrmocs are coming to destroy us?’
Since being in prison, she didn’t know what to think anymore. So many of the inmates had a different version of what was happening to the one her father had preached, and Gerridan often went around telling people to fight for the resistance once free.
‘Things will get worse.’ Dionne cuddled herself to keep warm from the icy breeze whipping up. ‘But it’ll be us fighting each other, not wyrmocs.’
8
Every mat time since Scarlen’s first, Kylar had kicked her ass, and it was starting to get embarrassing, but Scarlen was determined to turn things around this time, as she now knew all of her opponent’s moves and how anger drove her.
Bear was waiting for her at the door to the gymnasium. ‘Word is Ky’s paid Goolan again to spar with you. Quick lesson with me. Here.’
Scarlen was sure that wasn’t allowed but followed him to a corner close to Amber side. ‘We can’t spar,’ she whispered.
‘No, we can’t, but I can show you this.’ He pointed towards two lads grappling on a mat, both around Scarlen’s build. ‘Watch the smaller one.’
She did, noticing straight away how he used his elbow to land blows rather than his fists. ‘I use my elbows,’ she told Bear.
‘Kylar likes to come at you from behind, attacking your knees, right?’ He nodded at her, and she mimicked his action. ‘So, use your elbow to catch her in the solar plexus, then turn, she’ll be bent, and that’s when you strike with your elbow again, straight in the jaw.’
The smaller lad on the mat demonstrated as Bear finished explaining.
‘This kid makes good use of his elbows.’ Bear tapped hers. ‘Strong part. Fingers not so much. So stop with the flying fists to her face and start taking her air.’
Zana had taught her how to throw a punch, and how to wriggle free of certain holds, but she was yet to spar using so much of her elbows. Worth a go.
Scarlen bobbed her head, then made her way to her mat in time for Goolan to call out her name along with Kylar’s.
‘Oh, come on!’ complained Dionne. ‘Every week?’
Miss Goolan ignored her and started the match.
Kylar had her usual gnarled expression in place, but Scarlen was no longer wary of her. She pitied the woman more, but not enough to be kind.
‘Always so tightly wound, Ky,’ Scarlen mocked. ‘Judd not giving you enough dick time?’ Kylar paused. ‘Or are you still pissed off you can’t have Bear?’
‘Why would I want some northerner?’ Kylar spat, her nostrils flaring as her cheeks burned, and Scarlen knew she had hit a nerve.
‘Because he’ssogood in bed.’Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh.Scarlen caught Bear watching out of her peripheral vision, his brow raised in amusement, and she felt heat creeping up her neck. It was best if she shut down that line of thought, but before she could think of something else to add to wind up Kylar, she hit the mat with a thud from Kylar’s aggressive charge, the battle cry still vibrating through the air.
The two women wrestled angrily, Kylar growling, Scarlen hissing, saliva upon both faces, then Kylar got in her signature move, hooking Scarlen from behind, and Scarlen slammed her elbow backwards, hitting the solar plexus. Kylar was on her knees, gasping, so Scarlen took the opportunity to smashbackwards once more, catching Kylar’s jaw, knocking her sideways.
‘Hold her. Hold her,’ yelled Dionne, and a few others around the mat started clapping.
Scarlen quickly pinned her rival by the throat, but Kylar wouldn’t tap out, and it was obvious to the spectators it was from pure stubbornness. Kylar was losing consciousness, her eyes closing, her mouth gaping, and it was only her hand drooping to the mat that had Goolan class that as a yield and called time.
‘Yes!’ Dionne cheered before explaining to Elbar what had happened.
Elbar raised her stick triumphantly as Temple frowned over at Scarlen.
‘What’s with him?’ Scarlen asked Dionne, limping her way.
Dionne laughed. ‘He’s been placing wagers on your matches with Ky. Looks like he just lost more than he won this time.’
Scarlen turned to Temple and gave him a thumbs-up while grinning to herself. ‘Thanks for believing in me,’ she muttered.
‘Temple only believes in money.’ Dionne’s smile was wide. ‘I just won some chocolate from him. See, I believe in you. We’ll have that later.’
They both watched Kylar hobble away to the water stand, then Scarlen caught a wink from Bear before he stepped onto a mat for his own fight. With Judd.
