Wood cracked against wood across the training ground, the sound echoing off stone and dead trees.
Five undead pressed in on a woman from all sides, their bones the color of old ash, their joints clicking with every hungry step.
They came at once. Skeleton arms rose and fell.
Four strikes she met clean, whip handles and forearms taking the force, her feet sliding in quick half circles to keep the ring from closing.
The fifth slipped through. A clean blow. The wooden sword the skeleton wielded met skin.
Blood beaded and ran into wheat blond hair, turning it darker in a thin line. A bruise blossomed under it, purple and quick.
Radeon flicked a pill toward her.
Fay caught it without looking and swallowed, throat working once.
No complaint. No pause. The fight did not wait for pain.
It was the third week of their training, and Radeon could not deny she had progressed.
The first ten days he had made her try everything. Staff. Blade. Bow. Short spear. Hook.
