Black spots filled Chris's vision and her ears rung with pain. She had not been beaten this badly for at least... well, at least a few weeks. Trying to duck that last swing had been a very bad idea. Unfortunately the ringing in her ears did not drown out the cutting words of her teacher.
"Clumsy, slow, and weak! You shame everyone who has ever taught you with such a poor display." Sir Pelize hadn't yelled at her like this since her first month of training under him. "A knight must never underestimate his opponent."
She reddened at that and avoided meeting the new boy's eyes as she picked up her practice blade and rose to her feet. Chris hadn't wanted to humiliate the new boy and ended up humiliated herself. Thank Loa Borus was not there to see, for he would never let her live this down.
"You will duel again, properly this time." Sir Pelize stepped away to watch them both for the slightest flaws in technique.
Chris struck quickly and aggressively, before the new boy could react, she expected. Instead he parried and counterattacked with such speed that she could barely block in time. After several more exchanges like that, it was obvious they were evenly matched in regards to agility. She would have to best him in skill alone.
She fought defensively as she studied the boy's technique, looking for flaws to exploit. There! His overhand swing was a might bit slow, slow enough to avoid easily and have time to strike his exposed right side. When the opportunity showed itself again, she was ready.
Chris dodged left, rather than right as she was usually inclined to do. She turned and struck with the full weight of her body behind the swing. Wooden practice blades would not cleave a man's side open, but that did not mean they could not hurt. It certainly knocked the wind out of him.
She knocked the sword out of his hand and kicked it away with the toe of her boot. She stepped back, standing in ready position and trying not to look as tired as she really was. There was no doubt in her mind that he was every bit her equal.
From the surprise on his face, he had probably decided the same thing.
"Much better," Sir Pelize said. "But not good enough. Do it again."
---
By the time Sir Pelize was finished them, Chris was exhausted, sweating, and aching from a dozen spots that would turn into lovely purple bruises in a few hours. She was satisfied the new boy was in the same condition as she, and as they cleaned up the training room, both tried to appear unaffected by the grueling workout.
"You're pretty good," Chris finally said, "for a newbie." She watched out of the corner of her eye for his reaction.
"You're pretty good yourself," he stated and, grinning, added, "for a girl."
He'll do, she decided and held out her hand. "Chris Lightfellow."
He grasped it firmly. "Percival Fraulein."