(Chapter 2)

Hmmm, bruise on her left shoulder blade… and that is starting to turn, a good sign. That lump on her head is starting to go down as well… Hmmm, I wonder what that scar is on her neck, and what is that one on her chest...

As he lightly touched it with his fingertips, a hand firmly grasped his fingers and lifted them away from her chest. Her eyes flew open and she stared up in fear and anger at the man leaning over her.

"Shh. Just relax, I was just checking for broken bones…" He glanced pointedly down at his hand and she released him.

"My name is Henri Ducard, I was the one who gave you a few of these," gesturing to her bruised cheek and her sore shoulder blade.

She merely blinked at him. "Well, I am pleased to report that you have passed."

Her eyebrows creased with a question.

"The events that occurred earlier this day were a test. It was a test to gage your reactions and your abilities. I can see that you have had some… basic martial arts training, and that, will give me a foundation to work from. Now if you are able to move, we need to stretch your muscles. You do not want them to become stiff. Once you are able to stand, we will begin."

Ducard spent some time later that evening helping her to stretch her stiff sore muscles until she relaxed sufficiently enough to sleep.

It was about three days before she was able to stand on her own without any hint of dizziness or nausea.

He pushed firmly but gently on her shoulders but was unable to move her, "Good, now lift your right leg," she looked at him in fear. In a gentle voice, "Ah-ah, do not react, just act. Now, lift your right leg." She lifted it and immediately wobbled. "Hold your balance…" She looked down with her head. "No!" he grasped her chin and firmly lifted her head. "Your eyes, do not move from mine."

Again she found herself on her back. "pay attention! You are not paying attention!" he stood over her and held his hand down to her. "All right, on your feet..."

She shakily stood and wiped the sweat pouring from her brow.

"Use your senses and concentrate! Your enemies will not spare you compassion, so you must learn to defeat them! They will use your compassion against you… Pitty, Regret, Concern for others, criminals know nothing of these thoughts! It is only through your will to act, your will to do what you must to defeat your enemies. That is all that separates you from your enemies, and the end of their sword... Now, begin!"

Ducard unsheathed his sword and quickly advanced. She met him in mid-stride and their swords clanged with a sound that made her ears ring.

Her sword was caught in the claws on his wrist and the harder she tried to pull out, the closer she was drawn to Ducard.

He smiled at her, "The blade is not the only part of a sword," and he elbowed her in the face and shoved her backward.

She began to get frustrated. This sucks! I am never going to…

With a speed that caught her totally by surprise, he swept her off her feet and had the blade of his sword at her neck. "Stop that, right now!!"

Her mouth fell open in surprise.

"Beating yourself up for a mistake solves nothing!! On your feet, again!!"

After finding herself on her back for the twenty-fifth time that afternoon, he called the exercise to an end. "That's enough for today." He began to walk away from her, still lying on the floor.

"But, Master…"

He turned quickly and threw his sword at her, its blade lodging itself in the floor less then a quarter of an inch away from her neck. "That is enough! For today." He walked away leaving her in stunned and fearful silence.

Author's Note: Ah, the Ducard we all know and love! His brutal training tactics do serve a purpose though, you learn from your mistakes VERY quickly. Don't know who the student is yet? Some of you think you do, but sadly you are mistaken. They've NEVER been in the DC Comics Universe before. Hmm, wonder who she is…