This chapter continues my story, the one that puts a different, more unique spin on the age-old vampire myth. But, because uploading chapters is faster than building them, it may take time before another makes its way to your desktop, sorry for the delay, the reality of writing I suppose.
I received a complaint that my chapters are too short and that nothing happens. Oh well...if you haven't figured it out by chapter 11, don't skim my work - you miss too much.
As this is a science fiction tale there are aliens, good ones and bad ones, and yes, the good ones are here to stand against those who would subjugate the more physically fragile human race. They all face challenges.
I hope you enjoy reading this chapter, leave a comment once you've finished. Good feedback, positive or negative with specifics, is the lifeblood of any writer.
I'm working hard to add to this catalog, so please be patient...dreamweaver594.
13-A Guardian Apprentice
It was seven in the morning and Maura, looking rather frazzled given the events of the previous night, strode onto the training grounds in front of the ancient shrine. Yet, no one was around, birds chirped and insects buzzed but otherwise the place was peaceful. She stood there for several minutes, waiting, but her patience was beginning to grow thin when from behind her head, a blade sliced through the air.
Maura dodged it quickly and turned to look for her attacker, but no one was there. Another whoosh of wind and a blade sliced through the air nearly missing her head as once again her reflexes reacted instantly to the attack. She scanned the practice field. So this is how training begins with Master Yaol, she thought. No longer waiting for another attack, she began to move quickly around the training grounds attempting to see her attacker before they were able to launch another strike.
She spotted a metal bar on the ground and picked it up, then moved quickly to her left to keep the advantage. Another whoosh and a strike came from her right. She dodged, and parried the blow, then swung the metal bar against the attacker she still could not see. It clanged against the sword and sent sparks flying. She dodged to the right reversing her movements from retreat to advance. She slipped to the right and parried. Then another thrust. This time she moved to thwart with a bind across the blade to push it away from her chest. Another blow came from below and she pushed off the ground with the metal bar and flipped backwards. She kicked against her attacker with her boot. She felt a thud as her boot struck something solid before she landed.
She sprung to her left and waited for the next attack but none came. "Well done, daughter," growled Yaol, appearing from nowhere as energy bands swirling around him began to dissipate. "You've trained well! You reacted instinctively and improvised impressively." He wiped the perspiration off his face with an old worn handkerchief then moved his hand to his chin to massage a bruise.
"You had me at a disadvantage, sir." Maura was breathing quickly. "But thank you for the opportunity to spar. I hope we can do this again soon."
Yaol laughed heartily. "We will Maura, we will. Perhaps next time I'll be learning blade work from you." He bowed with a wry smile. "Now that you're warmed up we can move on to energy work. Obviously, those energy bands gave me the advantage so today we'll start with a simple exercise to develop your skills."
The rest of the morning's training sped by as Yaol introduced Maura to the fundamentals of developing the weave. It was nearly noon before she managed to bring a simple flame of energy into a small band that she could extend around her body. Her face was filled with delight as the colorful band wrapped and coiled around her. She was so enthralled by the experience that she failed to see Jason standing on the edge of the training area until he applauded her latest attempt.
Jason stood clapping and grinning. "Well done, Maura."
Yaol stood up from his bench and crossed the distance to stand next to Maura. "A fast learner, Jason."
Jason strode across the training ground to join them, his grin spread from ear to ear. "She nearly bested you earlier, old man, I was watching from a distance."
"True, she's a master swordswoman. I'm considering asking her to train the advanced guardians in basic swordplay."
Jason nodded. "A good plan, I've seen her practice, she's well trained."
"I think you both place too much value in my sword skills," Maura said, as Jason turned from her to her teacher, his expression grew more solemn. "What's the latest from Truenock and his team?"
Yaol turned slowly and shook his head. "Apparently, the Terrians have developed a new weapon, I gave one of those we captured to the 'doctor' for examination. Another reason for guardians to learn the art of sword play," he said as he strode off the practice field and approached his bench.
Jason stood a moment and considered a visit to Master Brehan, or the 'doctor', as Yaol called him. A mention of a new weapon worried him. Perhaps Master Brehan would be able to understand the physics of such a new threat. If Yaol was worried and because of it, considering the need for sword training, then he should investigate this issue as well.
Yaol reached for a jar of water. "They captured one of the marauders. They're interrogating him now."
Maura turned to him. "Can I watch? With my background, perhaps I can be of some help."
"Not yet daughter, but soon." Yaol turned and wiped perspiration from his neck. "That's all for today, Maura. It was a good start. Tomorrow we'll continue where we left off."
Jason wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Let's see what Grandmother has fixed for lunch, I'm hungry." They walked off hand in hand on the path that led to Vera's cottage. He smiled blissfully, although his mind was elsewhere.
Each day, as Maura arrived to train, she continued to excel as Yaol's apprentice. They would begin with twenty minutes of sword work and her skills continued to convince Yaol that his thoughts about her were correct. She would be a tremendous asset to the guardians, training them in the tactics of the sword.
During the break, Yaol suggested that she lead a class for advanced guardians in sword work. She was doubtful that she could be of much use but Yaol insisted.
"Master, I appreciate your support, but I'm still a novice when it comes to work with my sword."
"In relation to your work with your teacher on Terrus, I understand your reticence. However, here, in Ravenswood, you are a magnificent swordswoman and I believe that if you share your skills with the other guardians, they will benefit as well. If the Terrians are developing a new weapon to challenge our guardians with the sword, then we have to find a way to face that challenge."
Maura lowered her eyes with a nod and accepted his decision. "Very well, sir, I'll do my best."
Three days later, adjacent to Vera's cottage on the commons green, she held her first class and found that she was teaching several students she already knew, including Fen and Carl. She gathered enough wooden swords to pass out to her class. "We'll begin today with these weapons made of wood, they'll hurt when they strike but at least they won't cut. Practice with enthusiasm, your work here will help you later against a more formidable enemy." And sure enough, as the practice continued bruises gave over to confidence and better sword work with fewer winces from her students.
She trained them as she was taught, presenting a form similar to European sword work historically from centuries past. However, there were slight differences, especially as these techniques were derived from lessons developed by her teacher on Terrus.
