The swords let out another resounding clang as they met half way between their wielders. The two men in armour seemed to slow for a moment as their eyes met above the blades, before the brunette drew back first and the blonde, making his move, kept pushing forward. Only the brunette dodged to the side, avoiding the thrust and banged the hilt of his sword against the now undefended back of the blonde, sending him stumbling forward. The brunette took a few seconds breather while behind his back, the blonde regained his footing and whirled around wildly, sword swinging. With reflexes fast as a cat, the brunette turned to face his attacker again, bringing his sword up to block the strike and the two weapons clanged again. The men pushed all their weight against their swords, bringing them chest to chest, the blonde grimacing at the force of the smiling brunette. Determined to be the stronger of the two, the blonde heaved forward with all his might, but the brunette, instead of falling backwards, crumbling under the pressure or returning it, slipped to the left and the blonde was left leaning on empty air. The forces of gravity held against him and he fell forward, the brunette giving him an extra kick to the ground. Immediately after hitting the muddy floor, the blonde rolled over, armour clanking, reaching for his sword and was met with his attackers blade at his throat. There was a heavy pause.
"Yield." The blonde man gasped and above him, the brunette nodded and withdrew his sword, all around them the circle of young men began to applaud.
The brunette spat at the ground before offering his downed comrade a gloved hand, which was accepted and the man pulled his fellow knight to his feet, flicking his hair out of his eyes as he did.
"That was a good fight." The brunette breathed. "Your stance has really improved, Kayne."
"Thank you Sir Gwaine." Kayne bowed, still breathing heavily from exhilaration. His face was flushed and mud splattered but his eyes beamed with the compliment.
Sir Gwaine clamped him on the shoulders and sent him back into the circle of young Knights-to-be who all stood eagerly around him. "Now," he started, speaking to all of them, "while that was a good fight, who can tell me where Kayne went wrong?"
"He was too slow."
"He kept losing his footing."
"He fought you."A young one jested making the others laugh and even Sir Gwaine chuckled before holding up his gloved hand for silence.
"These are all true," he said, and Kayne flushed, looking down. "But there is one specific move that led to Kayne's loss. Who can tell me what it was?" There was silence as the knights looked at one another. Some avoided Sir Gwaine's gaze while others shuffled their booted feet. "Come on, anyone?" Sir Gwaine spread his arms, "No one?"
"He lost his composure and let it turn into a battle of strength," A voice beyond the circle called, and the men all turned to see a knight trudging towards him.
"Ah, Sir Elyan," Sir Gwaine called good-humouredly, "Come to spy on my teachings have you? Secretly looking for tips on how to become a better Knight? Because you know, espionage is not the only way to go about it. I would be more than happy to give some private tutoring on the skills of the sword, you need only ask."
Sir Elyan rolled his eyes at his friend and joined him in front of the class, the men parting to let him through, bowing their heads in respect. Sir Elyan turned and looked Kayne in the eye as he carried on speaking kindly to him; "Right at the end of your fight, you made the mistake of putting all your weight through onto the sword, creating a poor base footing and a wide opening for your enemy on both your left and right. By creating that position, you gave Gwaine advantage over you, which he then took. But even if your enemy had buckled under the force of your sword, with the stance you had, you still would have fallen to the ground, though this time on top of him."
"That being said," Sir Gwaine carried on quickly, "you really have improved immensely, not only as a fighter, but as a thinker. Your moves are generally well strategised and then carried out with precision; your blows are true and their reach their mark."
"Your only problem," Sir Elyan continued, "is by the end you were becoming desperate and frustrated and got ahead of yourself, assuming that brute strength alone would win you the fight."
"But you all must remember," Sir Gwaine spoke, raising his voice to all of them, "that strength is only one part of swordsmanship. You must also be swift and cunning. Your moves should be graceful and should flow like water while your stance and balance remains grounded and as hard as a rock."
"But you should also be light on your feet like air and every blow you make should be with fire." Sir Elyan added. "You must be able to keep your cool within a fight and not let your emotions rage."
"But rather speak through your sword, as it is a part of you. Understand?" Sir Gwaine finished. The young-knights-in-training stared at them, confusion etched across their muddy faces.
"So, what you're saying is," A young man with piggy eyes broke the silence first, speaking slowly, "is that we should be like the elements?" He frowned at them.
Sir Gwaine sighed. "I think perhaps, Sir Elyan, that another demonstration is in order?"
Sir Elyan drew his own sword and turned to face his friend with a grin. "I think perhaps, Sir Gwaine, that you are right."
And the young Knights-in-training stepped back a few paces to give two of the legendary Knights of Camelot some space as they began to circle each other.
Soon the sound of clanging swords could be heard again, ringing up high across the lawns outside the Citadel.
Love Elle x
