Rise of the Blade - Charles Moffat [12]
"Ignazio d'Or?" the Doctor said more than asked. He had to remind himself to ask these questions. Too often in the past people started to catch on to his powers. He hid them on the basis that he didn't like being separated from the crowd. It was lonely being the only one.
The red-headed youth turned, batting away the rope without even looking. He stepped closer and looked up at Pierce. "Yes, but its Ignazio the Fourth. Yes milord?"
"I'm not a lord," Pierce said with a grimace and leaned against the tree. "But you didn't tell your instructors that you've already had formal training."
Ignazio nodded. "My uncle Valentino suggested that it would be better if I was enroled as a commoner so as to not appear too fancy." He looked up, his thoughts betraying his admiration for the warrior before him. "My family isn't very rich, Sir, but we do maintain certain disciplines." His voice trailed off and he recited mentally the family motto: Pride Is All There Is.
"I know your family well," Pierce said quickly, drawing the Ignazio's attention back to him. "They would sooner have let Valentino die rather than admit to his mistake." The youth's face flushed as he agreed with him yet his pride demanded that he fight back against the insult to his family. "Yet," the Doctor said quickly. "You and I both know someday your family will shine again." He paused. "Thats why you want to adventure right?"
Ignazio swallowed and nodded.
"Well then lets get started," Pierce said abruptly. He stood up straight and drew the silver longsword that had been his mother's. He took several steps back and gestured with his left hand to the youth's swordbelt lying on the ground. "You're going to need a good instructor for the amount of wealth you desire, and I'm the best there is."
Eyes down, yet mind reeling, Ignazio stooped and drew his rapier from the embroidered sheath. When he raised his eyes it was accompanied by a fierce swing and follow up thrust.
Which could have killed Pierce were not the warrior expecting the thrust. He deflected the boy's attacks effortlessly, all the while he was assessing the boy's strategy. Which was non-existent, he quickly concluded. Everything was pure hack and slash, all the speed and agility was there, but it lacked any form of plan.
A plan. Pierce had learned that so many years ago, but he hadn't learned it until his father had put him in the boxing ring and showed him what boxing was really about. Strength forged of guts and intelligence. If you lost either intelligence or guts you'd soon be knocked senseless and the rest of the fight would be wild swings, and thus miss.
Pierce almost yawned as he deflected another attack effortlessly. "Lad, you have got to start planning more. My father told me of that acting trick you pulled in the amphitheatre. That was a good move but you still need to strategize each and every swing."
"Every swing? I can't do that! I can't even pull that acting trick since you won't swing back!"
"You want me to swing back?"
"Yes!"
Pierce shrugged and tossed the longsword to his other hand and brought it down in a half swing. He waited for Ignazio to move to deflect it, then he rolled his shoulder and brought the blade into a thrust from the side, ripping the youth's shirt. He pulled back on the thrust, not wanting to disembowel him.
He gave a quick stretch, knowing he would need it or else risk putting a really bad krink in his back. He feinted up and then dodged under Ignazio's parry, his blade snagging the shirt once more and shredding the back of it.
Many thoughts of awe awakened him to the fact that there was many people watching now, pausing in their own fights to watch the excitement. He took two steps back and knelt as Ignazio turned quickly.
And