The eight minutes became ten the next morning.
Not because Damon had won a negotiation.
Ester simply was not in the courtyard.
Jian Yue noticed it at the same time he did.
"Ten."
Damon raised the wooden sword.
"You're learning."
"Don't get used to it."
Xue Mei was sitting on the same wall as always, an apple in her hand.
"If Ester shows up, I was never here."
Damon looked at her.
"You're not even involved."
"Exactly. I don't want to be."
Jian Yue attacked before he could respond.
This time there was no excessive caution.
It still was not real combat, but the strikes had enough speed to demand genuine reactions. Damon blocked the first, deflected the second and escaped the third by turning out of the line.
His shoulder followed.
His ribs did not protest.
When Jian Yue advanced again, Damon answered.
A strike to the side.
Blocked.
Another from above.
Deflected.
He stepped back, changed his grip and advanced again.
