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Guardian of the Hallows
Chapter 7
Slowly shifting her weight from her left foot to her right Rhiannon brought two Sais up in front of her. With lightening fast movements she shifted forward bringing the Sais down in an attack. With a metallic clang the sais were deflected by a katana. Smiling Rhiannon shifted her weight backwards as if to move away and then suddenly threw her weight forward again, surprising Ian momentarily and allowing her to pull her Sais away.
Circling each other Ian and Rhiannon exchanged smiles before moving in to clash again. Forwards and backwards they moved, their feet following the patter of the ancient dance of war. The room was soon filled with the sound of metal meeting metal; there was no need for words. From the sidelines Sara and Aidan watched, captivated by the beauty of the sparing match before them.
The end came in another set of lightening fast movements from each combatant. Dodging Ian's strike Rhiannon moved close, bringing a sai to his neck and the other to his heart as his katana moved to rest against her neck. Lowering their weapons they stepped backward and bowed to each other before setting their weapons aside and reaching for towels to dry themselves off with. Spying the two people next to the doorway they exchanged shrugs not understanding the expressions on Aidan and Sara's faces.
Sliding down the wall to sit on the floor Rhiannon began to stretch out her right leg, knowing that if she didn't she wouldn't be able to walk later on. Ian meanwhile moved to the opposite wall from which he lifted two wooden staffs. Returning to the doorway he handed on to Sara and the other to Aidan before pulling them into the center of the room. Next he tossed Rhiannon the brace for her leg and motioned for her to join them, before picking up his own staff. Sighing she fitted the brace to her right leg and then using the wall drug herself up, before grabbing her staff from where it leaned in a corner.
Martial Arts had been her extra curricular activity, her hobby, when she was younger, not that anyone had known. As she had advanced through the ranks weapons, especially sais, had become her specialty. It had been at a Martial Arts tournament that the Irish Government had approached her about joining the military. From the moment they had given her the sketchy details on the unit they were creating she had been interested. Despite her brother's objections and disapproval she had accepted the offer and started on the path that had led her to this moment in time.
Wincing slightly as her weight came down upon her right leg, Rhiannon thought dark thoughts at the Cauldron. It was its fault after all that she'd suffered that particular injury. Her team had been sent into a war torn Middle Eastern country to retrieve a diplomat. Everything had been going according to plan; she had gotten the diplomat and all the injured team members on the first helicopter. And then just as she was about to get onto the second one the Cauldron had hit her with a vague vision about something from another time and/or place. In the seconds it had taken to shake herself free of the trance a chorus of gun shots had sounded. Seconds later Rhiannon had felt fire consume her leg. In a haze of pain she had collapsed into the helicopter and the hands of her teammates.
Later on after doctors had begun the process of putting her leg back together Rhiannon had wanted to melt the Cauldron into a puddle of molten medal. Two operations later the urge was still there and had even been amplified as she learned what the vision meant. It had been about then that the Government had issued orders for the disbanding and reassignment of her team. As soon as doctors had discharged her, she had handed in her resignation and boarded a plane for New Mexico, ready to give Jake and Cian hell for their lousy tactical plan.
Moving slowly, she walked over to stand beside Ian, wishing they had waited to spar until after the teaching session. Listening to Ian, Rhiannon tried to keep a straight face as he lectured them on the history surrounding staff fighting. In the end it proved to be an impossible task, she started giggling as his lecture turning to traditions and variations. Instead of being offended Ian just shook his head, remembering in that instant that she had been an instructor and had in fact taught him a few things despite his years of training. With a slight nod in her direction he turned the teaching mantle over to her, content to watch and help when needed.
Rhiannon soon had Aidan and Sara practicing the more basic moves: low blocks, high blocks, high strikes and low strikes. She was often seen wincing at their form, but she never commented knowing that form would come as they became more comfortable with the moves. After using Ian to demonstrate a few other moves she called an end to the session. By that point both Aidan and Sara were exhausted, not realizing that they had been at it for almost 2 hours.
Settling down on a bench Rhiannon began fishing around in her weapons bag for the water and pain killers she always kept in it. Setting them aside she turned her attention to putting her weapons away. She and Ian had spared at least three times before the appearance of Aidan and Sara, using a wide variety of weapons.
Swallowing two extra strength Tylenol Rhiannon moved to stand beside her husband. She could feel the exhaustion beating at him. Taking his hand in hers she tugged him out into one of the mansion's many hallways, but only after shooting Ian a pointed look to remind him that Sara would be exhausted as well.
Watching Rhiannon pull Aidan from the room Ian felt a small spark of jealousy ignite. Not because he had more than friendly feelings towards Rhiannon, but because he wanted to have a relationship like theirs. He wanted someone to talk to, someone to hold or someone to hold him, someone to care about his well being. Shaking his head Ian fought to clear his mind as he moved to where Sara sat upon the floor. Offering her his hand he pulled her up to stand beside him before guiding her out the door towards the room he'd had prepared for her.
