Chapter 17
Paris
David Maillot swished his epee' before him in a salute toward his small class. The seven senior girls of Academie de Sacre' Coeur returned his salute smartly and turned to face each other with a bow. He'd arranged them for this final exam according to ability. Sophie and Lisabet... the least likely were the first to fence. The winner would face Simone.
David spared a swift glance at the best of them... Alisaunne. When Liam Riley had begged him a few years ago to set up a class at this small school... David had been reluctant. Teaching a new immortal the ropes occasionally was one thing... but a bunch of schoolgirls?
"There is a girl there I once promised Darius I'd help keep an eye on... After his death... I tried to, but I have no real reason to keep showing up at the school. You've taught classes before... perhaps...?" Liam had raised an eyebrow.
So David had checked the situation out. For the last six years he'd been teaching at the school about once a week. Of all the girls who had passed through his classes... only the young pre-immortal Alisaunne appeared to have a flair for it. She had taken to the art with a grace that belied her youth. Of course... this was only tournament fencing... and an epee' could in no way stand up to the onslaught of a true immortal... but... at least when and if something happened to the girl... she'd have some idea of how to proceed.
Sophie emerged victorious from her match... as expected. David had always chuckled at Lisabet's graceless inability to perform even the simplest moves. But she tried... and that was important. David nodded at Simone who saluted Sophie and the two began their match. These two were evenly skilled... neither was that good... but then... neither would ever have to be.
David watched Alisaunne as she followed the movement. Already in her eyes he could sense that she was memorizing her possible opponent's moves and already considering how best to counter them... not that she'd even likely face either of them in this competition. But it indicated to Maillot, that the girl was beginning to see beyond the current moment... to a time when she might have to face one of them... or someone like them.
David had given her extra lessons... explaining to Mother Magdelena that Alisaunne might be interested in joining a universite' fencing team after graduation... that she was that good. Of course one of the sisters had always been present for each private lesson... but David'd had no problem with that... he was just here to teach the girl. Perhaps after she moved on... he could step up some training. Private lessons... yes... possibly sometime in the future.
Sophie defeated Simone. David nodded. For all her inabilities... Sophie did not like to lose and could sometimes surprise the other girl. Well... this next duel would tax her abilities. David nodded to Marie. Tall and graceful, Marie could move fluidly. She had, however, little interest in fencing... but if she had... she might have been... adequate. Sophie again triumphed! David smiled... this might prove interesting for a while.
Sophie's next opponent would be Marisol. But since she'd fought three matches... David called a break so she would have the chance to recuperate. He motioned to Alisaunne. He'd use her to illustrate some additional techniques.
Back and forth they fenced... Alisaunne concentrating on his every move and countering it beautifully. David... all the while... kept up a steady stream of explanation to the other girls. He explained what the moves and counter-moves were and how best to deflect the opponent's move and how best to defend and guard oneself. The six girls nodded... but he could see several eyes glass over. They were more interested in other things... especially their up-coming graduation.
"Touché!" David suddenly ended the match with his touch to Alisaunne's heart. He smiled and bowed at her. She was far ahead of the others... but she was light-years still behind him. Removing her mask... Alisaunne bowed to her instructor and re-took her seat... breathing heavily.
"Good," thought David. "She may be pressed later on."
Sophie... Marisol!" The two girls masked and began their match. Once again Sophie triumphed. Desire outweighing skill.
"Jeanne!" he barked. This time... Sophie was clearly out-matched and the duel was over almost before it began.
David then stood back to watch the final match with satisfaction... Jeanne and Alisaunne! They were clearly the best. Jeanne had been coming on recently... improving as if she were determined to finally beat the other girl. Jeanne was the one who usually got the top grades in all the classes and being second to anyone was not something she liked to accept. Determined to finish first... even in fencing... a class she had little real interest in... Jeanne had been practicing on her own.
Alisaunne almost looked like an expert though... against the girl... and then she seemed to just toy with Jeanne... allowing the match to go on... obviously leaving openings for Jeanne to take advantage of... openings that Jeanne either failed to see... or simply did not wish to. David nodded and smiled... this was good. For once... strategy was coming into play in Alisaunne's fencing... not just her skill. Finally... it ended, as he knew it would. The pre-immortal girl called "Touché!" and the match was over.
"Bravo Jeanne!" David clapped his hands. "Magnificent effort."
In the distance they heard the soft chapel bell announcing the end of classes for this day. David dismissed his class. "Alisaunne... a moment of your time." Sister Annuncion paused at the door instead of following the remainder of the girls. David nodded his head toward the nun. "Only a moment Sister... I shall only keep her a moment."
Sister Annuncion re-took her seat by the door.
"Following your graduation... you will be moving over to the universite' I understand."
"Yes, Monsieur Maillot. I will be taking a few summer courses as I settle in."
"I hope you will continue with your fencing... I know the fencing coach there... I could put in a word with him to observe your technique."
"My thanks, Monsieur..." Alisaunne grinned. "I would like to... if I have the time."
David nodded with a smile and dismissed the girl. He sincerely hoped she would have the time. Time to finish growing up... time to live a life before being caught up in the game. He worried about her being at the universite' and out in the world. He shrugged... alas... that is the way of it. At least she would have some skill if something happened.... and he would continue to keep an eye on her.
***
Kenny was still hanging around that silly girls' school watching and observing the comings and goings of all. He'd seen MacLeod yesterday emerge from the place and had been thankful that he had been out of range. But... curious as to MacLeod's purpose in being here... he'd crept up closely to the iron grill fence and tried to figure out the Highlander's reasons for his visit.
When he'd sensed the pre-immortal girl... Kenny had grinned. This might be fun... especially if she'd leave the school-grounds. True... there would be very little power... but if it would upset the Highlander... then it might be worth it.
That was before that other immortal had showed up this afternoon. Kenny had luckily been on the roof of the building opposite when the tall, rapier-thin man had arrived... obviously carrying a sword case. Kenny had only briefly felt him and had immediately backed out of range. The other... hadn't seemed to have felt him... he must be quite a bit younger... or perhaps he was focused on other things. At any rate... Kenny had wondered if he could somehow get this one, too. Perhaps the little lost waif act would work on this one.
He could always get to the girl later.
