“You train here?”

“Yes, Master Jin lets me practice with what ever i want. My father pays him well for my training, so i am able to fight if i ever went to war.” I admired the weapons on the stand, running my hands along my favorite sword i smirked.

“It is a strange request to have a woman train with such dangerous weapons. Are you the only child from your father?” As he stood next to me i could feel him looming over me. I didnt look up to see if he was admiring me or the weapons.

“I have an older brother whom i adore. Though i know im adopted.” My gaze was lost in the thought of when i was young. I snapped myself out if it and turned to him changing the subject. “Do you know how to use a sword? I couldnt imagine you needing it much where you are from.”

“I have dabbled with one or two in my days.” He chuckled. “Im not sure my skills are quite to your level my lady. Never needed such things on the farm other then our normal tools.”

“Well we could spar with them if you are up for it?” I twirled the sword around to my side and handed him one. His eyes widened at my gesture.

“I dont want to hurt you in any way.”

“Oh trust me, you wont hurt me.” I smirked walking to the center of the practice mat. I turned to him taking my stance. He stood there studying me for a minute then joined me.

I took a couple swipes at him and he parried as designed. He did a couple of undiciplined swings at me. I dodged and parried them with a triwling fashion.

He laughed at me, “What was that?”

“Have you never seen anyone parry an attack before?” I responded with a devilish grin.

“Not with such sass and grace. I would almost guess you are toying with me.”

“Then lets kick it up a notch.” I teased with a wink lunging at him my sword pointed straight ahead.

He dodged it just as i had done with a twirl, only he added a tap of his sword on my ass. I gasped and turn to face him, “How dare you!” I exclaimed holding onto my backside.

He laughed louder, “Well beauitful lady what are you going to do about it?” He stood still as his laugh turned to a chuckle.

I took that lowered defense as my opportunity to attack. I darted from side to side as i raced to him this time taking to a forward roll swiping downward with my blade.

Staggering back he met my blade with his in a loud metal clank. We traded more blows, more loud metal clanks errupted. Every now and again sparks were born out of the metal clashing.

“I say Elijah you have more skill then you let on. Quite impressive for a farm boy.” I managed to say trying to steady my breath from our fun little battle.

“My true skill is in hand to hand combat. The sword might be a close second. Id show you but with my strength and skill i know i would surely hurt you.” He said putting the sword back onto the weapons shelf.

“You want to bet on that?” I asked.

“My lady are you serious?”

“I am willing to bet on my skills. Are you? Or are you afraid to be bested by a woman?”

“I am, but not on you.” He replied looking very hesitant.

“I will make it worth your while, i promise.” I winked again at him and didnt give him a chance to react. Throwing a couple punches at him i nearly got his jaw. He had dodged them once again, he didnt try to strike me back. He only parried my moves. Once i had made him annoyed enough he finally did start to throw in a lazy punch, which he knew id grab and twist it around so he ended up on his knees from the compromised direction i twisted his arm in.

He stared me in my eyes with this look of admiration i had never seen from anyone.

“My lady i would let you best me in any thing in this world, so long as i can look upon your beautiful face for the rest of my days.”

I couldnt help but smile.