The morning sun filtered through the treetop, dappling the yard in golden light.
Birdsong echoed through the crisp air, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves overhead.
Clang!
Sparks flew as steel met steel.
Two figures blurred, moving with speed and precision.
Clang! Clang!
The clash echoed again as Sari twisted and lunged.
Alaric met her blade mid-swing, deflecting it in a swift motion.
"You're fast," she said, "Sharp. Every strike's clean."
She feinted low. Alaric adjusted, but too late.
Crack!
Her heel slammed into his ribs.
He grunted, crossing his arms just in time to blunt the blow. The impact skidded him back.
Sari didn't follow. She stepped back, lowering her blade just slightly. "But your body's still too rigid."
Alaric blinked. "Rigid?"
"You fight like a swordsman with a lifetime of discipline and no muscle memory," she said, circling him now.
"Your mind knows what to do, but your limbs hesitate. They don't flow with you."
