Chapter Four
Ileah's POV
I swung my sword at the instructor again, and it wobbled slightly in my hand, giving her the easy opportunity to block. She twisted with her own blade, and my wrist cracked, causing me to drop my weapon. Not that I'd had a good grip in the first place. I cradled my right hand in my left. It really couldn't take much more abuse.
The instructor placed the tip of her sword against my chest for...What? the seventeenth time today?
"Shaky." She said, lowering her hand in disappointment. I looked down, trying to look like it bothered me. I started when I felt her hot breath on my ear. "You have excellent reflexes, and you know the moves by heart. What are you playing at?" She whispered, assuming (correctly) that whatever I told her was not for the other player's ears.
"I'm left handed." I confessed, eyes darting around the room to make sure no one was listening. Though, honestly, it was so loud in there I could barely even think.
She pulled back nodding. Then, playing along, she told me "You're clearly not cut out for this. Go find something you'd be better at."
I slunk away slowly, trying to look dejected, while sending her a silent thank you.
I wandered absently, legitimately looking for something else to do. I caught eyes with that other girl, the tall, pretty one with the black hair. She quickly looked away, as if to pretend she hadn't been watching. Yeah, good luck with that. I studied her as she pulled back a bowstring, hand shaking. I watched her miss by about a foot and a half. Her shoulders slumped, defeated.
I made my way over to her, pulling her hand up wards so she had the silver front piece leveled. "Here," I said, standing behind her and fitting an arrow. "Like this."
I circled her, carefully inspecting her appearance as she nervously pulled back. I offered a few corrections, and she fired, missing the middle by inches. She smiled happily at me "Thank you!"
I allowed my mouth to curve upwards in a half smile, but simply said "Everyone deserves a chance."
And I meant it.