KGWrites

Iona

Whiteoak Estate, Summer District, Kingdom of Aldiron

“Move your feet!” Marius called out suddenly, breaking Iona’s concentration and making her stumble as she rushed to follow the instruction. Her foot scraped across the sand of the training yard, sending dust up in a cloud around her, making her already limited vision even worse.

Which meant she didn’t see the attack coming until the last possible second.

Gasping, Iona quickly brought her shield arm around, guided more by instinct than training. The dull thud of wood on wood sounded across the yard and Iona’s arm shook as her shield took the blow.

Shrugging off the ache from the blow, Iona shifted, gritting her teeth in frustration at being distracted so easily. She twisted her wooden practice sword into a thrust that Iona’s opponent, Meghan Whiteoak, nimbly dodged, her own blade twisting in a parry that caused Iona to stumble clumsily sideways or risk losing her grip on her sword.

And Meghan wasted no time in making use of the opening.

With three quick blows she caught Iona in the back of the knee, a precise blow that dropped Iona to the ground. Another blow followed, striking Iona’s shoulder and sending a jolt down her arm which caused her to drop the wooden sword from her hand. Meghan’s last attack simply rested her wooden practice blade across Iona’s throat.

“You’re beaten.” She said simply, though she was breathless and sweat beaded on her brow. It had been a hard fight. Iona looked up at her, groaning in frustration. Her head turned to Marius, who was stood to the side of the training field, watching the sparring match with his arms folded across his chest.

“That’s not fair!” Iona yelled at him angrily. “You yelling at me distracted me, you let her have an advantage.”

“If the sound of yelling is enough to distract you then the sound of battle will do the same. You must keep your eye on your enemy, not wandering the moment you hear something you don’t expect.” Marius replied coolly, his expression not even changing in response to Iona’s anger.

Iona huffed, blowing her hair out of her face. “I’m supposed to be listening out for you though. That’s not the same thing.” She argued. Marius shook his head.

“You are supposed to be listening to instructions and obeying, not looking to find who gave you them. Ears and eyes on different things, listen for instruction, watch your opponent.” Marius retorted. Iona grit her teeth. He was right of course, but she’d been winning until he’d spoken.

The wooden training sword was removed from her throat and a hand came into view as Meghan held it down. Iona grasped it and hauled herself up. Meghan smiled at her, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.

“You did well. But you overcompensated for being distracted. If you’d have stayed behind your shield a little longer, focussed up again, you’d have had a better chance, don’t let Marius get you riled.” She said between breaths, clasping Iona’s shoulder and giving it a squeeze. Iona smiled back at her and nodded, there was still a tingle in her chest whenever Meghan complemented her. It was like reflex.

“Get a drink you two.” Marius commanded and the two of them nodded, moving off to the side of the training yard where a small cask of water stood awaiting them. Lifting a small wooden cup from next to it, Iona gulped down the water. It was cool, cold enough on the hot spring morning that Iona could actually feel it move down her neck. Next to her, Meghan let out a content sigh as she too took a long drink.

Leaning down to brush dust from herself, Iona became aware of a quiet chuckling from the shaded gazebo that watched the training yard and she turned her head towards the sound. Violet Hills was sitting in the shade, curled up onto a cushioned couch and watching the scene with a giggle clear on her face.

Bringing Violet had been something Iona had initially been against, but Meghan had convinced her that having the daughter of one of Aldiron’s leading generals could be a benefit, as Violet had gone through similar, if somewhat less intense training before. Plus it allowed Iona’s friend the chance to spend more time around Commander Marius, something Iona was all too happy to encourage.

Though she hadn’t been counting on the sheer amount of smug glee Violet would hold over her head whenever she took a beating at training.

Sticking her tongue out at Violet, Iona turned to look at the yard again. As her breath returned to her and she felt herself cooling down, Iona opened her mouth, ready to call for another match when the door to the yard opened, stopping the words in her throat.

The first in through the door was Lord Captain Haster, his armour gleaming in the late morning sun. Following behind him were three people, the first was a thin man with olive hued skin, a stubble beard and dark brown hair. Then came a young girl, with long black hair that offset against almost pure white skin and shining blue eyes. Lastly came-.

“Alyx!” Iona cried out in surprise, hurrying over from the yard to greet them.

As she drew closer, Haster dipped into a proper, graceful bow. Next to him, the thin man and the young girl tried to follow suit, though they weren’t very good at it. Alyx didn’t move. Of course she didn’t.

“Good to see you again Princess.” Alyx said, smiling at Iona. A lopsided smirk that matched the memory that Iona had held onto the past few weeks.

Iona came to a stop a short distance from the group, looking Alyx up and down. Her clothes were clean, her hair fell about her head in soft waves, except for the same single lock of hair that fell across her forehead in rebellion. Her left hand was wrapped in clean bandages across the palm. It wasn’t exactly what Iona was expecting. But then, since the last she’d heard of Alyx was her father going to see her in the prison cells two nights earlier, Iona wasn’t sure exactly what she had been expecting.

“When I’d heard that you were in the cells for attacking Haster, I wasn’t sure what to make of it.” Iona admitted after a second. Alyx shrugged that same smirk playing at her lips.

“I’m from the Winter District, that’s just how we say ‘hello’ down there. Besides, apparently I’m too pretty to keep chained up in a dungeon.” She joked. Iona bit her lip, trying to stay focussed on keeping a blush down following Alyx’s words. You can say that again.

Luckily, Iona didn’t have to respond to Alyx, as at that point, Marius stepped up next to her.

“You’re late, training started over an hour ago.” He observed, his voice stern. Iona turned her head in surprise to him. What training?

It was the thin man, who Iona supposed was Alyx’s brother, that responded.

“Soft beds make for late rises if you’ve only ever known wooden boards for years. We’ll try not to make a habit of it.” He told Marius, smirking slightly. Marius let out a sharp huff of breath, clearly unamused by the explanation. Iona narrowed her eyes, soft beds? Where have they been staying? How do they know Marius?

Marius waved off the guards, who took a step back, bowed once more to Iona, who returned the gesture, and left. Haster remained standing stiffly at the field’s edge, watching Marius interact with the newcomers. As their guards left, a tension seemed to seep out of Alyx and her companions. Then Marius looked to them.

“Seeing as you’re still healing James, we’re going to make your training lighter for the first little while, stances and drills for the most part, perhaps some archery training when you feel up to it.” Marius stated. Alyx’s brother, James, nodded and Iona noticed that he held himself very stiffly, not letting his weight shift to either side at all. The young girl stood closer to his side too, like she was protecting him.

“But you Alyx, if you’re going to serve on the princess’ guard, then we need to get your training underway immediately.” Marius said, turning to Alyx. Iona stared, Alyx was going to be on her guard? How? Why?

All the questions that rushed through Iona went unanswered though as Alyx simply nodded, her face turning serious. She flicked her head once, trying to throw the loose lock of hair back into place, though it refused to budge.

“What do I need to do?” She asked and Marius nodded, with a slight smile. Impressed, Iona realised. Perhaps he hadn’t been expecting such a ready response. Reaching over, Marius drew one of the wooden practice swords from the rack next to him and tossed it to Alyx. At first, only her eyes moved, tracking the sword as it twisted through the air. Then, quick as a striking snake, her arm snapped up, catching the sword deftly and tossing it around so it landed hilt first into her hand.

“I’d like to evaluate what you can do, starting with your technique.” Marius told her, his voice and face remaining passive and unmoved by the skill and speed Alyx had just shown. He gestured to the other end of the dusty training yard, where three combat dummies stood, arms straight out to the sides with a fake shield balanced on one and a wooden sword on the other.

Alyx’s shoulders sagged slightly as she looked at the men of sack and straw she was bidden to fight. Turning her head back to Marius she scowled.

“You want me to fight those? That’s your big plan for getting me ready to protect the princess?” She turned her head to Iona. “Scarecrows try and kill you often, do they?”

Iona chuckled and shook her head. Then she caught Meghan’s eye and remembered where she was. She remembered training with the dummies, how gruelling it had been, constant reminders of footwork and stances. And how dull it had been too, just hitting the same piece of wood over and over. But even then, she could see the benefit it had given her. The way she had held a sword when she’d first arrived had been clumsy and loose and her use of it had been even worse. The dummy had allowed her to learn basics in her own technique before having to consider an opponent.

“You need to learn the basics of fighting, of technique, before you get into any fights with an opponent.” Marius explained, his tone harsh and clearly on the verge of losing patience. It had been the same when Iona had begun her own training. The commander wasn’t used to those he gave orders to answering him back.

“Hey, I know how to fight.” Alyx retorted sharply, holding up her bandaged hand. Iona didn’t know what that was about, but she did remember Alyx being able to fight with her dagger in the street when they’d first met.

“In a street fight perhaps. But do you even know how to use a sword properly?” Marius challenged, folding his arms across his chest.

“Sure.” Alyx said, lifting the sword into view and pointing to the two sides of the blade and the tip. “Swing, swing, stab. It’s not complicated.”

Iona chuckled again, though this time it was not so much out of amusement at Alyx but sympathy for Marius. Even she, inexperienced though she was, knew that it was indeed, very complicated to use a sword properly. Marius though, just sighed.

“We have a long way to go. But very well, if you’re so confident, allow me to test your skills more directly.” He hefted a practice sword and lifted a wooden shield onto his other wrist. Alyx though, quickly danced around him, backing up to the centre of the dusty yard and pointing her sword towards him.

“I don’t think so pretty boy. I’d rather not mess up that perfect hair of yours. No, if I’m going to be on the princess’ guard.” She turned her blade to point towards Iona. Looking along it, Iona found herself drawn into Alyx’s hazel eyes and cocky smirk. “I want to see what the princess can do to guard herself.”

For a second, the yard fell silent. Iona and Alyx stared at each other down the length of the wooden blade. For Iona, the time seemed to last forever. Until it was broken by a sharp intake of breath from Violet off to the yard’s edge.

“Easy Alyx.” James’ voice came with a soft warning. But it seemed to fall on deaf ears. Alyx just kept her eyes on Iona.

“Absolutely not!” Meghan was saying while off to the side, Marius was moving in front of Iona, blocking her from Alyx. Iona glared at the back of his head. She’s challenging me. It’s my choice whether to take it on. Not yours.

Stepping backwards half a step, Iona lifted her own sword and shield from where she’d laid them. Then she strode forwards, putting her hand out to push Marius back to the side. He turned, eyes widening as he saw what she was doing and held his arm forwards.

“I can’t let you do this Iona, if your father knew…” He started and she cut him off.

“If my father knew I’d taken a few bruises while training he’d tell me I need to do more training.” She responded before lowering her voice so only Marius could hear. “She’s untrained and overconfident. Two things you told me are shortcuts to losing a fight. Let me show her why she needs the training. And if she wins, then I feel confident about my new guard.”

Marius shifted his jaw, still clearly unsure. Then he looked up, past Iona to Meghan and Haster behind her. Iona didn’t turn to look, just kept her gaze forwards, watching Alyx and trying her best to remember the instruction she’d been given on reading an opponent before a fight. Whatever the others said though, Marius dropped his hand, letting Iona step forwards.

Across from her Alyx grinned, spinning the sword in her hand and dropping it to her side. Lining up opposite her, Iona looked into her eyes again.

“How do we know who wins?” She asked, not taking her eyes off Alyx.

“Oh, you know, we just go until one of us yields to the other.” Alyx said with another grin, taking a second to actually wink at Iona. The princess was pretty sure she forgot to breathe for a second out of shock.

“First to three blows struck on their opponent.” Marius said, ignoring Alyx as he stepped into position to watch the fight, much as he had a few minutes earlier with Meghan and Iona. Alyx and Iona both nodded.

Iona carefully moved her feet into a strong defensive stance, bending her knees slightly and lifting her shield to place it between herself and Alyx, watching her opponent over the top of the wooden board.

Alyx, for her part, dropped low, her knees bent. She seemed ready to pounce forwards and attack quickly. Which she’d need to do, Iona realised. Alyx had never picked up a shield, instead just holding her wooden practice blade alone. It made her lighter and faster, but she had very little she could do to defend herself without one. Many of Iona’s first lessons had been about using her shield before her sword. Better to stay alive than risk yourself trying to kill the enemy quickly Marius had said. Iona hoped he was right about that, if she lost now Violet would still be teasing her about it when they were both old and grey.

“Begin!” Marius barked suddenly.

Alyx sprang forwards immediately, closing the gap between herself and Iona in a couple of lightning fast strides. She swung her sword wide though, which gave Iona ample time to move her shield into place, feeling the dull reverberating thud as she cleanly blocked Alyx’s blow.

Iona didn’t have time to counter attack though as Alyx bounced away from her before springing back towards her with another swing. This time, Iona barely managed to get her shield around to block the blow, hitting Alyx’s sword away with the edge of the shield.

Alyx was fast, faster than anyone else that Iona had trained with so far. But her lack of experience with a sword showed. Her swings were clumsy and easily predicted.

Alyx swung again and once more she found nothing but Iona’s shield in the way. But she was twisting around Iona, making her turn further and further. Any further round and Iona wouldn’t be able to reach with the shield.

Move your feet.

The command, in Marius’ voice, rang out in Iona’s head and she rushed to obey. Moving a few quick steps that spun her around so that she was always fully facing Alyx, Iona lifted her shield again.

This time, as Alyx came forwards, Iona was ready for her. She moved slightly to Alyx’s left, causing Alyx to reach across herself in the way she’d been trying to get Iona to. This left a whole side exposed as she moved to reset herself. An opening Iona could use.

Stepping forwards, she stabbed her sword forwards, causing Alyx to step backwards and swing her sword to try and parry. A swing that Iona met with her shield, pushing Alyx’s sword arm away and leaving an opening that let her bring her sword down in a blow that clipped Alyx’s thigh.

Alyx grunted in surprise and stumbled backwards, out of Iona’s reach. Iona held back rather than pursuing her, letting Alyx get her feet back under her.

Once Alyx had recovered from the initial surprise of being hit, she moved forwards on the attack again, with a ferocity far greater than what had come before. Blow after blow rained down on Iona and she barely had time to block one attack before the next fell. But still she steadily fell back, always keeping her shield between herself and Alyx. Meghan and Marius had told her that a strong shield arm would always work to make the enemy tire themselves out, letting you get the upper hand on them.

Still, Alyx was fast, and she wasn’t showing signs of tiring yet.

One of her quick blows managed to hook the edge of Iona’s shield, pulling it away and leaving her open. An advantage that Alyx followed up on with a quick cut that sliced across Iona’s ribs with a painful thud.

Gritting her teeth, Iona ignored the pain from the blow and quickly pulled her shield arm back in, pulling Alyx forwards by locking her sword arm to Iona’s side. Then Iona spun and released her arm, sending Alyx stumbling clumsily across the training yard. Completing her spin, Iona brought her arm down in a long slice that smacked across Alyx’s back.

It had come down much harder than Iona had meant it to though and Alyx cried out in surprised pain as she continued stumbling forwards. As she registered how hard she had hit the other woman, Iona sucked air across her teeth.

She opened her mouth to speak an apology, her arms dropping to her sides.

Which gave Alyx an opportunity.

With a snarl of someone more used to a serious fight than sparring in a training arena, Alyx sprung at Iona, causing the princess to step backwards in surprise. Alyx didn’t raise her sword but instead wrapped her arms around Iona’s waist, catching her off balance and tackling her into the sand.

The wind was knocked out of Iona as her back hit the hard ground, her grip on her shield and sword slipping. Dust flew up around the two of them as Alyx crashed down on top of Iona.

Iona grunted as she felt Alyx’s wooden training sword smack her on the left arm, no longer protected by her shield. One more hit and I lose.

Her hand scrabbled around in the sand, desperately trying to find the hilt of her sword.

She could already see Violet’s smug look, and Marius and Meghan’s disappointment.

She’d deny them all.

She wasn’t losing here.

Her right hand found purchase and she looked up at Alyx, catching the other woman’s eye and smiling at her.

“You’re good.” She said simply and Alyx stilled for just a second, confused.

Which was all Iona needed.

Her left hand, now free of her shield, quickly lashed upwards with a handful of sand from the yard, throwing it into Alyx’s face and causing Alyx to pull back from her with a surprised splutter.

And then Iona moved.

Pushing with all her strength she threw Alyx off her chest and rolled, coming down atop the other woman. Her knee pressed down on the wrist of Alyx’s sword arm, pinning it to the ground. Her own practice sword came up and pressed gently across Alyx’s throat, just giving the tiniest bit of pressure so that Alyx knew it was there.

“But I’m better.” Iona finished, grinning down triumphantly at Alyx.

Alyx stilled beneath her, her hazel eyes staring up at Iona from her now dust covered face. Her breathing was quick and sharp, her chest rising and falling rapidly beneath Iona. Frustration was clear in her eyes; she obviously hadn’t thought she’d be beaten. And yet, a breathless smile played at the corners of her mouth.

They stayed still like that, just smiling at each other and catching their breath for what seemed a long time to Iona, before Marius came forwards and laid a hand on Iona’s shoulder, pulling her to her feet and guiding her to take a step back. Then he reached down and gripped Alyx hand, pulling her to her feet.

“Well done Iona.” He said, taking their training swords from each of them as Meghan came forwards and handed each of them a cup from the water barrel. Iona took a deep gulp of the cold water, sighing and letting her breathing steady. Alyx took a quick drink before she threw the rest of the water from the cup into her face, wiping the dust off on her sleeve.

“You’re better than I thought.” Alyx said once she had caught her breath. “Where the hell was that on the Tide Road?”

Iona laughed.

“That’s all new. I’ve learned it here the last little while.” She looked from Alyx to Marius and back. “You’d do well to listen to Marius, he’s a good teacher.”

Marius straightened slightly with pride and nodded a stiff thanks to Iona. Alyx turned to him.

“So, see what you needed to see? I told you I can fight.” She said and Marius laughed and shook his head.

“You’re not a complete novice, I’ll give you that.” He replied. “But still, Iona’s still only just learning. A more experienced swordsman with an actual blade would have cut you to ribbons after your first blow.”

Iona watched as Alyx sagged, disheartened.

“But that’s why you’re here. To get to the point that you cut them to ribbons instead. And if you stop arguing back, maybe we can actually start getting somewhere with that.” Marius reassured her, though the firmness was still solidly in place.

Alyx watched him for a moment, her eyes tracking him up and down before she wordlessly nodded. “Good.” Marius said, passing Alyx back her training sword, holding it by the blade so that she could take the hilt. “Because we’ve got a long way to go.”