Rifiuto: Non Miriena
A/N: Written: 2015, Found: 2018- Licia
"What do you say we... get a little practice in?" He held the rapier out to her, and after a moment, she took it. She worked on loosening up her wrist, spinning the sword in several quick movements, before she turned, managing to block her husband's surprise attack.
"Hey! Not fair!"
He chuckled, continuing the attack as he forced her to back away. "There's no such thing as fair in battle, Nevermore, you know that." They continued to spar, never missing a beat or falling behind. So caught up in their practice, that they didn't notice the students wandering down from the castle towards the track. Eventually, however, Mika managed to get Raven's rapier out of her hands, sending it flying, and after a moment of weighing her options, she turned back to him, seeing no other choice.
"How is it a fair fight now, my husband? I have no weapon." With a soft laugh, he tossed dropped the rapier, making his way towards her. On instinct, Raven swung; he dodged, retaliating. Mika, like Raven, had grown up learning combat of all forms; he and Targyn would often practice outside when they had time, and it had been Mika who had helped to train Raven in hand-to-hand. By now, the students were gathering in the bleachers, chatting with each other or watching out of the corner of their eyes.
Darling, as the sole girl in the class- for one of the demands of the petition had been to allow students interested in other topics to enroll in their chosen interest for the spring semester- dropped her bag by her brothers' and took a seat. She watched the pair in silence, blue eyes darting back and forth between the two. It looks like Raven and Professor Mikalos, but that's not possible. Professor Mikalos wasn't allowed to come back; we never heard about the petition, and Raven didn't say whether she was coming back or not.
At one point, he swung out, knocking his opponent off her feet, and after a moment, she stood, before kneeling down, grabbing her ankle. A moment passed, before he hurried to her. "Raven, honey-" But she looked up, a glint in her eyes, before she swung out; he managed to block her just in time.
"Rule number one, my husband- no matter if your opponent is injured, never let your guard down. Remember?" She smirked. "You're getting rusty in your old age."
He snorted in derision, blocking her next blow, and she glanced over his shoulder, spotting the rapier not far away. Without a word, she dashed for it, him hot on her heels. She managed to snatch it up first, attacking without a second thought. Eventually, he ended up on his back, not far from her abandoned rapier, and grabbed it, managing to block her next blow and climb to his feet. It soon became a series of attacks and defenses, that eventually culminated in her blocking his attack, and him, in a surprise move, grabbing her free wrist, effectively disarming her, sending her sword to the grass at her feet. He yanked her towards him, spinning her so that her back was against his chest, and he brought the edge of the rapier to her throat. She lifted her chin on instinct, giving him access to her throat; he tightened his hold on her wrist, tugging it behind her back and she flinched. "Were this my home country, and you the enemy, this would either be the moment of your execution or your surrender. There are no choices for the defeated enemy in Palmarneae."
"I know, Mikalos." She breathed, feeling her heart speed as his lips brushed against her ear. A moment passed, before he finally lowered the sword, stepping away from her. He knelt before her in a plie, the hilt of his sword held towards her, and she took it, plieing in return. Once both had straightened, they turned, to find the rest of the class sitting in the bleachers, looks of shock and awe on their faces. Mika chuckled, glancing at Raven, before turning back to the class.
"Welcome back to Hero Training, I'm Professor Mikalos." Darling quickly covered her mouth, swallowing the squeal at the realization that her thinking had been right. "Now, as you know, there have been some recent changes made to the schedule this semester, due to unforeseen circumstances from the semester before. Hero Training II and III will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, and I believe you've also noticed that there is a new addition to the class." The other students turned to glance at Darling. "Girls will now be allowed to sign up for the class as well, if they so choose." He glanced at his wife.
They don't know what they're in for. He chuckled at the look on her face before turning back to the class.
"Where I come from, it's believed that women can be just as skilled as men in weaponry; our armies do not discriminate against either sex. We also believe that knowing hand-to-hand combat is important, so you will not only be learning and honing your skills with weapons, but learning the proper techniques for hand-to-hand combat, because in a real battle, you will not always be equipped with a sword. Not necessarily in my home country, but in my wife's, the most skilled of the army are those who are proficient in hand-to-hand combat." Only Darling didn't start at Mika's slip up. "You will be expected to go up against each other in sparring exercises, and that means at some point, you will be going up against the girls. That does not mean you go easy on them, or that you fully attack; your goal will be to properly disarm them. Is that clear?"
A chorus of murmurs met him, and after a moment, he nodded. Raven tucked her hands behind her back, rolling her eyes. Typical male-dominant society.
"Swordsmanship," Mika lifted the rapier he held, tossing it lightly in the air and catching it by the hilt. "is all about knowing your blade, and being able to react to the other person in a fight." Raven stood beside him, having already silently decided that she was to be his sparring partner for Hero Training demonstrations. She could see Darling- the only other girl in the class- sitting among the boys, looking about ready to jump out of her skin at the prospect of a sparring match. He turned to Raven, nodding to her, and after a moment, she fell into a soft ready stance, rapier at the ready.
"Don't go easy on me just because I'm a girl." She breathed, and he smirked, before attacking, a move which she blocked. They continued for several minutes, before their blades locked, stalling them.
"I'll never go easy on you unless you ask me too." He whispered with a wink. She rolled her eyes, twisting in such a way that she broke the stalemate, stepping back. "Once you're able to pick up on how your opponent moves," they circled each other, lashing out on occasion before pulling back. She thrust, and he blocked. "you'll be able to gauge the proper time for attack." He thrust out and she ducked, swinging out to cut his legs out, but he jumped back; to the rest of the class, it was a single, fluid motion- he lashed out, she ducked and swiped, and he jumped- the smooth flow of water cutting a path through the forest; not one movement was interrupted. "By then, it will all be about anticipating your partner's next move." Raven had since stood, the clashing of metal on metal was music, and she relished it, until a good stopping point was hit and he stepped back. "This class is going to be about knowing your partner as much as your weapons and how to use them, because in a real battle, you'll need to be quick on your feet, and knowing how the other's body works in regards to a fight will help you stay alive to fight another day."
"But the majority of us aren't going to go into battle, Professor." A student spoke up. "Most of us are just going to find a random princess and kiss her to break her curse."
Raven didn't bother hiding her eye roll this time, and she cleared her throat, glancing at Mika, who wore the same look in his blue irises. "My husband doesn't care if you're going to kiss some blonde bimbo for a princess or turn into a frog yourself. His job is to make sure if you ever do- Goddess help you- end up in combat, that you'll be able to hold your own against your enemy and not get cut down like the pathetic toads you all are."
Darling giggled, and Mika's attention shot to her. "Ravenna."
She met his gaze, sighing in annoyance. "How are they ever going to learn if you aren't blunt with them?"
"Raven."
She pursed her lips, a look of annoyance crossing her small features. "It's not my fault they're-"
"Ravenna, that's enough!"
She glared at him, but fell silent, stepping back to give him the floor. A moment passed, as he studied each student in turn, before nodding once. "How many of you have taken Hero Training?" A few hands rose. "Okay. And how many are new to this?" More hands than before rose. "And... how many know the basics of combat or have participated in some form of swordsmanship?" Darling's hand was the first of only a few to shoot into the air. Mika chuckled softly. "Good. Over the course of this semester and into the next, I'll be expecting you to grow as swordsmen and women," He glanced at Raven. "I expect you to hone your skills, so that if I were to drop you into a mock a battle, you could prove to me that you can hold your own. I expect hard work and dedication to training, or you will not be allowed to participate in this class, is that understood?" Nods and murmurs of acceptance reached his ears. "Good. Now, partner-"
Without a word, Raven hurried over to the group of students, picking her way through the bleachers until she got to Darling's row, and then grabbed the girl's hand. Tugging gently, Darling rose, and she led the girl back to where she'd been standing, making it clear who she planned on working with. "- up." Her husband rolled his eyes and with a quick shake of his head, turned back to the other students. "Why did I not see that coming?" He muttered softly, before speaking up. "Partner up, all of you. Come on."
It was several minutes of chaos as the guys shuffled about, choosing who they'd be working with. Once everyone was silent, Mika turned to Raven and Darling, of which the young queen raised an eyebrow. You going to challenge me on this?
He sighed, rolling his eyes before turning back to the boys. "Take a good look at who you're across from or next to." They all did as told. "You happy with your choice of partner?" No one spoke. "You better be, and if you're not, you better get used to it. Because for the remainder of this semester, they will be your sparring partner in this class. You will train to fight with them, and against them. They will be your ally and your enemy. You will need to be able to fight against them with weaponry as well as your own hands, for combat comes in both forms. If I hear any complaints, you will be asked to sit the class out, and if it continues, you will be removed from this class, am I understood?" Everyone nodded. "Good. You can go. Hero Training III, I will see you after the lunch period, for Hero Training II, I will see you all on Wednesday! You're all dismissed."
As the guys all gathered up their things, Mika took the rapier from Raven, returning the weapons to the shed; Darling turned to the young queen, throwing her arms around her with a squeal. "What are you doing back? You didn't say anything about returning this semester! And Professor Mikalos-"
"I was told that I need to finish out my year." Raven replied, her gaze flicking to Mika. "And as for Mika-" She watched him as he grabbed their bags, holding hers out to her once he got close enough. "We got the letter that the board approved your petition while we were visiting his family in Palmarneae. Neither of us could hardly believe it." She accepted the bag, kissing him quickly.
Darling grinned, glancing between the pair, before turning to Mika. "You're really back? Like... teaching for good?"
He chuckled, sliding an arm around Raven's waist. "Yes, Darling, I'm really back. I promise."
"Have you told-"
"Not yet." Raven cut her off, meeting her gaze, a grin slowly spreading on her pretty features. "I figured we'd surprise them at lunch."