Story 9. Powersuit (part two).
"Isn't it dangerous?"
"Gryvon, we've already discussed it. The powersuit is absolutely safe for a person wearing it. It is your opponent you should fear of".
Helping the youth to put his hands into the copper bracelets, Ashka observed the result. Fifteen-year old Gryvon was standing in front of her, afraid to move in the heavy Spellbinder powersuit he somehow put on.
"Every time you put the powersuit on do it as accurately as possible, - the Spellbinder instructed him, - even if there's no time. Because if you damage any platen or a wire – the whole mechanism will be uncontrolled. And the Spellbinder in the broken powersuit is useless".
"And if the powerstones are depleted?" – Gryvon asked.
"In this case you have to take the new powerstones. And to charge the used ones. Got it?"
Gryvon, confused by the heaviness and the working mechanism of the powersuit, nodded. Ashka fixed one of the two wooden shields on his forearm and took the other one for her.
"The shoulders are the weakest part of the body, - she said, going further from her Apprentice, - but as far as we use the shields during the duels you may get nothing but a hit, a kind of a push. Of course if you listened to the theory and do everything right".
The words sounded not without sarcasm. Gryvon got a better grip on his shield. He'd got used to such a tone of his teacher.
"Anyway, try to dodge properly, especially to the left, - Ashka said at last, - let's start".
They made their powersuits work nearly at the same time, putting the plates on the wrists together. Before that day Gryvon had already worn it and even fired the powerbolts, so he was calm now, seeing the lightning in his palm. He aimed, preparing.
"Attack", - Ashka ordered.
He fired, not too abruptly and not too masterfully.
"So this is it, Gryvon? – Ashka made a step to the side gracefully, not leaving the circle drawn on the ground, - didn't you have enough sleep?"
"Sorry, Spellbinder", - he said quickly, aiming for a new attack.
This time the powerbolt looked better, flying quite close to the Spellbinder's hand. But she ignored it, moving her shoulder a little.
"Now this is something, - she said with approval, moving her hand back, - my turn!"
Her powerbolt was professional and technically perfect. Covering himself with the shield, Gryvon was nearly knocked off. Then there was a second powerbolt, almost searing his ear.
"Gryvon, don't sleep! – Ashka shouted. - nobody will dodge for you!"
He met the third powerbolt with his shield, parrying a blow. Then fired. Ashka passed it, turning her body. He liked this fight. Without a pause he threw his palm forward one more time. The powerbolt pushed Ashka in the chest. The Spellbinder gave a start but kept her balance.
"I'm sorry, Spellbinder!" – Gryvon exclaimed, trying to reach her but was stopped with a hand.
"We have a duel, silly boy, - Ashka said imperturbably, - stop apologizing and attack!"
He fired a powerbolt that was destroyed by the shield in Spellbinder's hand. Gryvon tried to parry the next blow just like this but didn't catch the right moment. He felt a push making him give a start. Stepping backwards in order to keep his balance, Gryvon crossed the circle line.
"You've lost, Apprentice, - Ashka commented his movement, - your opponent wins".
Tired, Gryvon removed the shield from his hand.
"What you think you are doing? – Spellbinder asked with surprise. - We haven't finished. One duel is lost, the next one comes. To the circle, now!"