She fought tiger-swift
A blaze of angry fire in her eyes
She caught his arm
An upper-cut
A blow.
A deft, sharp throw
Calm strikes,
Caught in palm
Excellence.
Surprising to Yassen how her elegance
Could be so beautifully carried
Even though
Parry for lunge
Lunge for parry
They fought.
Calm strikes
Palm caught
Upper-cut
Twist, turn,
A swift, deft, sharp row
Of needles,
Straight for his neck.
Kept... last minute... in check.
"Well done," she said to Yassen.
Smiling. Taking out a fan.
Walking ladylike out of Malagosto.
Fa Mulan, if you must know.