Chapter 7

(Sorry this is only part 1! I don't have time to finish this chapter today. =( )

"Up Colleen! A flick of the wrist! What are you doing? How long have you been with us?!" Djaq's sword flashed towards my unprotected stomach and my light rapier* swung down and fended it off. Up in an arc, I tipped her sword awkwardly to the side and switched from defense to attack. My green dress swished deliciously around my legs and brushed the leaves carpeting the forest floor. The late summer sun dappled the scenery and sent flashes of light off the swords.

I was distracted by this picturesque moment and Djaq landed me flat on my back, her sword tip pointed at my throat.

"You're too easily distracted." She helped me up.

"Can we try again?"

"Let me rest a bit. You're quite my match now. How do you like that sword?"

I looked at in the sunlight and flipped it around, testing its perfect balance. "I still feel bad that Robin let me have it."

"You snatched it off that nobleman! And it doesn't fit anyone else in the band. I'm too short and the men like heavier swords."

"I like practicing with you. The rest always feel guilty when the beat me. I get that they don't want to hurt a girl, and I like that a lot about them." I said.

"You have no idea how nice it is to train with a girl and be able to beat her as much as you want without feeling like she's letting you win. Let's try again, shall we?"

Djaq soon resumed her orders. "Try to predict what I'm going to do! Watch your footwork!" We both spied Will coming with his brother Luke and father Dan at the same time. "Look!" Djaq cried. "Here come's another one of the sheriff's men!"

Will picked up one of the sword's we had brought along and started fighting me with Djaq.

They both started goading me. They knew how to get me riled and I suddenly put on twice the energy. Djaq's sword sailed through the air and I held my cold piece of steel at Will's neck. He put his hands up, his sword dangling loosely. Suddenly, my rapier had left my hand and his sword was at my neck.

He grinned. "Always make sure your enemy is disarmed. And never, let your guard down – because you've never won. There's no honor or fair fighting with the sheriff's men."

*The rapier did not actually start to develop until the 15th century and was not commonly used until the 16th and 17th centuries. I just loved the thought of Colleen having a light, girl sword.