"Parry, block, advance…very good Anya! I think that's all for today," the man said over the vidcom.

Katya, now used to using her new name in any conversation with anyone outside of the SeaQuest, smiled gratefully. "Thank you Professor, I've been really enjoying these lessons."

"You're doing very well! If you were near, I'd say you could easily give several of my students a run for their money! Keep practicing and I'll see you again next week."

"I will, thanks again!" she said as she disconnected the call. She picked up the towel she'd set on the floor and wiped her face. She'd seen this class on sword fighting advertised, and had thought it would be something fun to do, and she'd really been enjoying it.

There were other people in the gym; it was a crowded day with a lot of people wanting to get a workout in. She smiled as she looked around at her friends; Lucas sparring with Miguel, Jason lifting weights, and Tim on the treadmill. She watched Lucas carefully, thinking that perhaps it would be the skill she picked up next. She tore her eyes away at the sound of applause.

"Excellent work Your Grace," Ben said to her. Sometimes, to be a punk, he'd address her in the formal title used when one addressed a Grand Duchess.

She rolled her eyes. "Don't call me that, you know I hate it."

"Yes I do, and it's exactly why I do it."

Smirking, she asked, "What do you want? Do you need the space?"

"No. No, I was thinking that you're doing a great job via distance learning, but how would you do versus a real person?"

"I don't know. I guess we won't find out though, since I'm the only one taking lessons."

"Taking yes. Having taken, no."

"What?"

"I took lessons myself," he said, picking up one of the staffs that the school had sent to her. They'd sent two just in case one somehow broke. "How about it?"

"Oh I see. So, you want to try me out huh?"

"Yep."

"Oh…it is so on…"

"Bring it."

Katya jumped up and picked up the staff she'd been using and faced Ben. Lucas stopped and tapped Miguel on the shoulder so he'd turn around and look. Jason, having heard the exchange, had racked the weights and sat up. Even Tim had stopped running.

The two crossed the staffs, as you were supposed to do in good faith, and then the face-off began. They stared intently, each watching the other for a sign of movement. Ben attacked first, lunging toward her. Quickly, she jumped back and blocked him and advanced.

"You're quick," Ben said, blocking.

"Dance classes," she replied, dodging his next advance.

They circled each other, thinking through the next move. In a quick flurry of advances and blocks, Katya had backed Ben up and he was quickly running out of space. He ducked under her arm and came out on the other side of her, then tried to sweep her feet, which she easily jumped.

"Cheater," she said.

"Never!" he replied, sucking in his stomach to avoid being hit as she swiped it across the center of his body. He narrowed his eyes and looked up at her, she responded with a raised eyebrow and smirk.

She quickly turned him around and backed him up again. She was better than he'd thought she'd be. Thinking the same thing, they both twisted around and came up against the staff of the other. Frustration was beginning to set in. They spun around and locked staffs again, Ben trying to force hers down. She yanked up, throwing him off and freeing herself up.

The onlookers watched in silence, wondering who was going to win. Katya again advanced on him, but he answered quickly. Suddenly, each saw an opening and went for it, only ending up having the staff of the other against their neck. It was a draw. The spectators applauded, more of them had gathered, and the two grinned at each other.

"Pretty good…for a girl," Ben said.

"I can say the same for you," Katya retorted.

Ben laughed and lowered his staff, putting his arm around her shoulders. "I'll get you next time."

"We'll see Ben…we'll see."