Episode 14

After talking to the inn's owners Gabrielle secured the barn at the back of the property for Nicole's training. It was a huge space, full of newly made bales of straw and hay around which Gabrielle laid out some swords, their staffs and even her sais. If Nicole was to be in battle then Gabrielle would not let her go in unprepared. After a while Nicole walked in and Gabrielle's jaw dropped at the sight of her. Gone was the long ankle length brown skirt and while lace top that Nicole had favoured until now. Instead she walked in with a green skirt that ended just above the knee and was slit on both sides for maximum mobility and had a mid-riff baring, sleeveless black top. Her hair was tied back and Gabrielle could only stand in awe.

"Guess that means you like the new outfit."

"Uh yeah, it's ah, It's really ah, It's" Nicole simply smiled at her, pleased with the effect she was having on her mentor.

"It's a good choice for a fight. You can move in it and you wont get too hot. Believe me in the heat of it you won't want to be worrying about getting your dress caught." Gabrielle regained her composure. "Okay. I'm gonna be honest with you. You are going to get hurt in some way. Your body is going to become more tired than you have ever been in minutes and you wont have the luxury of taking a five-minute breather. You are going to feel like you want to collapse but you will have to keep fighting because the only other option is to die and believe me, the person that sticks his blade in will enjoy it."

"Okay"

"It's still not to late. There are other things in battle that are just as important but don't involve fighting."

"Gabrielle, I've spent to long on the sidelines. I can fight, I know it. Just teach me."

"Okay then." Gabrielle picked up two swords and threw one to Nicole who caught it easily by the handle. Gabrielle started to pace in front of her. "First above all else in swordsmanship is the grip. Hold it firmly but so you have maximum flexibility in the wrist." Gabrielle began to swing the sword in front of her own body, moving it so close to her arms from left to right and back again that Nicole wasn't sure she could keep it up without cutting herself. But still she swung, a look of complete calm and confidence over her face. "You have to trust your weapon. Your weapon will not cut you unless it's in someone else's hands" Nicole nodded and tentatively moved closer to Gabrielle.

"In terms of attack and defence it's pretty similar to the staff. If they come at you from above," Gabrielle slowly lowered her sword and Nicole almost instinctively raised hers so Gabrielle's vertical blade struck her horizontal one, "Good. It's the same from the side too."

She swung the blade as if to slice her in half and again Nicole responded by making sure their swords connected in the middle before getting anywhere near her. They practised for hours with Nicole learning footwork and what signs to look out for on her opponent's body that might reveal from which way their attack would come. By late afternoon Nicole had a pretty good grasp of the basics and they began to spar.

The sunset streamed through the open windows of the barn and the women were still sparing, by now up to full speed with Gabrielle encouraging Nicole to keep looking around her to see if there was anything in her surroundings she could use to her advantage and to use any opportunity to land a blow. Nicole was getting very tired indeed but Gabrielle kept coming at her until eventually she got so tired that she started to get angry. She really went for Gabrielle, going on the offensive, pushing her back, her breathing getting heavier as she went on. Eventually Nicole managed to knock the sword from Gabrielle's hand and spun around connecting the back of her fist with the side of Gabrielle's head, knocking her back and dazing her for the briefest of moments.

"God Gabrielle I'm so sorry, I was just, I dunno I didn't think. Are you okay"

"Am I okay? Nicole that was brilliant. That's exactly what you need!" Gabrielle caught her breath for a second. "Now, I'm unarmed, what are you gonna do now?" Nicole had no idea. Gabrielle's intent then become clear, she'd let her guard down and while she had been pondering the question Gabrielle had rushed at her, grabbed the wrist of the hand her sword was in and gently twisted until she dropped it before landing a gentle punch to the gut, as if scoring a point, not to hurt her but to show she'd left herself open to attack.

With them both now unarmed and Gabrielle seemingly not wanting to retire for the night Nicole engaged Gabrielle in hand to hand. Circling her arm to release Gabrielle's hold and going for a face blow that Gabrielle ducked at the last second.

Again they continued, each landing a blow here or there until once more they were at fight speed, breathing heavily, the last of the sunset illuminating the beads of sweat over each of their bodies, the whole process frankly starting to turn them on. Gabrielle moved her ankle behind Nicole's right leg, tripping her over and landing on top of her. They both then suddenly became very aware of how hard they were breathing and how close they were, staring directly into each other's eyes.

Gabrielle moved as if to get up but Nicole placed her hand behind her neck and pulled her down kissing her hard. Gabrielle responded with equal enthusiasm, moving her hand to rest Nicole's cheek as they kissed, Nicole's hands moving to Gabrielle's hips to pull them closer to hers. Gabrielle's hand slowly made it's way down to cup one of Nicole's breast at which the slightest of moans came from the back of Nicole's throat. This enflamed Gabrielle and she moved her hand slowly down under Nicole's top and continued her work while she began to rub her aching pussy against the younger woman's through their clothes.

Nicole's moaning louder now Gabrielle sat up, straddling the other woman and went to remove her top, her arms crossed in front of her ready to pull when they both heard an old mans cough and Nicole pulled Gabrielle's body tight against hers, staring out of the open barn door. Sure enough an old man slowly walked past but did not look in. The moment broken, but both still in need of relief, Gabrielle looked into Nicole's eyes,

"Maybe we should go back to our room."

Nicole nodded her agreement and Gabrielle stood up and offered her hand to help her up. Nicole accepted and they walked silently back to the inn.