Jason vs Ferrin

Jason nervously chewed the lining of his mouth. He wished Aram weren’t watching. He began tentatively, somewhat concerned about injuring his teacher.

“This is embarrassing,” Ferrin goaded, slapping Jason’s sword aside.

Jason put more power into his swings, and his sword began to clash with Ferrin’s, the blades ringing through the clearing.

“Attack me, not my sword,” Ferrin said.

That proved tricky, since the sword was always in the way.

“Don’t fret about a counterattack,” Ferrin encouraged. “Take advantage of the situation. Use reckless abandon. I will not strike at you.”

Jason pressed in closer, hacking wildly. The displacer stood his ground, deflecting blows directed at his neck, chest, and legs.

Jason broke his rhythm of chopping and suddenly lunged forward, stabbing at Ferrin’s heart. The displacer casually parried the thrust.

“Better,” Ferrin said. “Now show me some real vigor.”

Jason charged, his blade hissing through the air. Instead of intercepting the blow with his sword, the displacer dodged away. Jason stayed after him. Relying on clever footwork and feinting, Ferrin evaded every swing without using his sword. Jason began to tire.

“Are you appreciating the beauty of defensive footwork?” Ferrin asked.

Jason nodded, brushing sweaty strands of hair away from his eyes.

“Had enough?” Ferrin inquired. “This may be the only time I allow you to engage me recklessly.”

Forgetting all caution, ignoring proper footwork, Jason rushed the displacer, getting so close before swinging that he could not imagine the displacer merely dodging the blow. But Ferrin ducked and spun away. Jason kept after him, grunting as he wielded his sword like a baseball bat, swinging relentlessly.

Finally compelled to use his sword again, Ferrin deflected the mighty strokes. “You have strength,” the displacer conceded.

“Issue blows like that, and an unprepared opponent might drop his weapon.”

Jason kept coming. Eluding an overzealous swing, the displacer patted Jason on the shoulder. “Of course, swinging too hard can also leave you defenseless.”

Chapter 13