Chapter 24
"Occasionally you will be disarmed." Fox paced around the training circle. The male students watching her in open admiration.
Sure, she had given up her Bloodfang, but this new uniform turned out to be much worse. The boots came over her knees with thick buckles. The black chest armor covered her completely. It was the freaking pants! They were not pants at all. If she owned a pair of shorts, the kind that were really abbreviated, they would still be preferable to these. It left her smooth white thighs exposed. A tender expanse of silky cream skin that crept up to who knew where? She had no idea.
Never trust a Dwarf to do your shopping. When she penned the letter to Sully, who happened to be the first one headed over to any capital city with an auction house, it would read like this:
Gee thanks! Sully, dear, could you try to be sober next time you hit an auction house for me?
There had been no chance to change before this days lesson. So here she was looking like some sort of succubus wanna be. With what she could only assume was half her rear on display.
Even Adian crossed his arms, and nodded in approval. Leaning to the side to stare as she walked past. The brown eyes narrowing on him. "There are several ways one could lose their weapons in combat. As such you should always be ready for hand to hand."
Fox locked eyes with Adian. The mere tilt of her head was enough to make him straighten back up. Several of their students caught the interactions and laughed.
Fox looked around and smiled brightly. It should have been Adian's first warning she was pretty upset with him. The one male she had started thinking she could trust. Since she had just recently crossed Sully off that list. "Well then, I guess we can show you some of the moves you could be using. But remember these are merely suggestions. Anything you do that gives you the upper hand is acceptable. This is life and death. There are no rules. Your enemy can and will play dirty. So should you. Adian?"
"Yes, ma'am!" He moved in front of her. Wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "Just let me know when to start."
Fox's answer was to drop into a low sweep taking his feet out from under him. The large man hit the ground with a sickening thud.
"Damn Fox!" That was all Adian got out before her knee connected to his throat. The air supply cut off.
"Using your legs when ever possible. It keeps your hands free." She looked down at Adian's bulging eyes. "I like to make sure I give myself every advantage."
Adian reached up and grabbed hold of her calf twisting it hard and bringing her down on top of him. Fox's hands flew out trying to get hold of his wrists. It was a struggle, but she slammed them down on either side of his head.
"Oh baby! I like it rough!" Adian pushed his arms out across the ground.
"Don't make me hurt you, Adian." Fox struggled to keep her hold on the wriggling man.
"But I am using my advantage!" The arms pushed out more.
Fox scowled realizing that with his longer length, she was being dropped down lower with each inch he gained. "Damn it Adian, Stop messing around."
With her head just inches above his, Adian lifted his shoulders, letting his lips press against hers. The cheers of the SI-7 students going wild at his victory.
A short lived one, since Fox dropped her hold so that she could sit up. The whistles of the crowd causing her to see red. Pulling back her fist she popped him in the nose.
Adian cupped his face. "By the Light! I was just having fun."
Fox slipped off him and came to her feet. Around them the students starting to cheer, "Adian! Adian! Adian!" He rolled to his knees and pushed himself off the dirt.
"Go ahead and heal yourself, Adian. Then we can try something else." Fox reached to tighten her ponytail. Looking up at a sight that made her step back.
"Leave the man alone." The sound of Stormwind's King brought everyone to their feet. Ripples of excitement stirring through the SI-7 agents
Involuntary a hand rose to her chest. The last time she had seen King Wyrnn she was in his arms. He had been furious with her. Fox knew that there would come an encounter with her trapped in Lion's landing. But considering how much time had passed, she began to think he was openly avoiding her. It would be so much simpler if that remained the case.
Shaw standing next to him. The warning expression of the SI-7 leader was not boding well for any of them. "King Wyrnn has decided to join you in the sparring lesson's today." Shaw clapped his hands together. Seeing Adian had finished up healing his wounds, he motioned the man forward. "Adian, would you do the honors?"
Varian narrowed his eyes at Shaw as he pointed at the new rogue. "Him, really? Fox just bested him in under a minute."
"Half a minute actually." Fox tossed back with a sharp nod.
"My apologies. Half a minute." Varian's voice was smooth, as he added, "Clearly she is the best fighter you have out here at the moment. Considering I am a Gladator Champion, I want only the best."
Shaw squirmed under the pressure. Adian he was willing to hand over to whatever brutal beating Varian had planned. But Fox? It was not the fear of her being injured that worried him. It was that if Shaw actually let her go up against a superior fighter, she had a tendency to rise to the challenge. That would expose speed, strength, skills, Shaw would rather no one, that remained alive, suspected. "You don't..." Shaw struggled to think of a reason to stop this fight. "I mean, she's just a woman." Considering half the agents in attendance were female, Shaw knew there would be ramifications. He didn't care. He was desperate.
Fox was about to argue that demeaning statement. But she realized what it really was. Shaw tossed her a cautious look that was meant to pacify her. It was one thing to show off for the recruits. It was another to pummel Adian. But there would be an entirely different thing if she were to take on their King.
"Don't take me for a fool, Shaw. I have been watching these training sessions off an on for an entire week. If you don't think I already realize that she has been kid gloving everyone, you are surely mistaken. To be honest, I want to see what she can do." Varian moved his blue eyes to lock on Fox, "With everyone as witness, I am telling you not to hold back Fox. Show your King what you are capable of."
Shaw drew Fox's attention with a hand signal. She opened her eyes at it. Had Shaw just directed her to openly take a dive by going against the King's order? The hand fluttered again. Yes, yes he had. Fox looked to the ground. She was conflicted. Knowing that there was no way she could take Lo'Gosh in single combat. The challenge of trying in a real match had been exciting. Dare she say almost stimulating? "Very well, your Majesty. But please go easy on me."
"I would never consider it for a moment. Any mercy I have ever shown you has always been swiftly and brutally turned against me."
The murmurs went through the crowd at his statement. Rumors about the former body guard had been the favored topic this past week. No one knew exactly what had cause Fox to be reassigned. What they did know for certain was that Varian had not replaced her.
Stepping over the knee high rope that had been set up to section off the sparring area, Varian brought his hands up. "You signal when you want us to start."
Adian called out, "I tried that too, your Majesty!" His warning drawing the King's attention. Seeing Fox throw out the same sweeping kick and dropping Varian to the ground. "Yup. That's pretty much how it went for me too."
Varian was only stunned for a moment. Then he smiled. He had just stepped into that one. Springing back to his feet. "That was a nice move. A bit dirty though." Varian was forced to raise his forearm to block the high round house Fox aimed at his head. The leg connecting with more power then he had suspected.
"Don't try talking to her!" Adian called out. "It only encourages her to be more aggressive!"
"Stop trying to coach me!" Varian shouted back at the man. Turning his attention back to where Fox was. Correction, had been. Realizing she had disappeared on him. Damn. Not good. Varian spun checking behind him. In doing so presenting Fox with a rogue's favorite target, his back. The shot to his kidney actually hurt. He spun reaching out to grab hold of her arm. She moved in closer and twirling on the ball of her feet launched him over her head and back to the ground.
"It's been over thirty seconds, your Majesty!" Adian shouted out. "Be proud, you just broke my record."
Varian pushed up on his hands. Now, there was an encouraging thought. Sure he was still in this match, but he had been tossed to the ground twice. He rolled to the side and saw Fox's heel land right where he had been laying. Okay, well one thing was for sure, she was being serious. Varian realized then, he had miscalculated. He believed that he could control the flow of this fight. Toy with Fox before finishing it with his superior strength. As he rose he watched Fox move out of his reach. She was fast. When you added it to the precision of her strikes, it just moved this into a dangerous zone.
Varian rose and rushed her. Capturing one of her hands. She moved to strike with the other. A turn of his wrist caught it. She did not pull back as he was expecting. She dropped her weight. Believing she was going to his legs. Varian pulled upward. It was another mistake. Fox used his force to launch the soles of her feet into his chin. Using his arms to counter her own weight. Varian was forced to drop his hold and stumble back. What the hell kind of move was that?
Fox flipped back and landed on her feet. She was doing well. No better then well. Of course, it was clear that the King was not even trying to attack her. She smiled proudly at her achievements. Looking over she saw Shaw's face. He was turning red. Why would he be angry? The last move she had done. The smile faded. That was not something to display, and there was so much more that might accidentally be revealed if she kept going.
Shaw flicked his wrist, and the hand signals were curt but clear. Take. A. Fall.
"I'm impressed, Fox. There really is more there then I suspected. And to be truthful, I suspected much out of you from the beginning." Varian watched her look over at Shaw. Could see something about the other man had grabbed her attention. She moved more hesitantly again. The graceful attacks restrained to half speed jerky motions.
This fight was done. Blast Shaw to the nether. Varian knew begrudgingly that there was only one way it would end. Fox had to lose. Nothing he said now could change it. He maybe King, but Shaw pulled her strings.
A few more motions and he grabbed her about the waist. The dark eyes closed waiting for the finishing blow. Unable to stop himself, Varian pulled her near and settled his mouth on hers.
Cheers and whistles erupted from the SI-7 students. All clearly taking this in good fun. Believing that this was merely a nod to Adian's previous stalemate breaker.
"So hot." Adian fanned himself. Elbowing Shaw he added, "Aren't you glad you brought me out. Even the King himself likes my style."
"What are you going on about?" Shaw looked up at the man.
Adian's mouth came open in disappointment then slammed shut. "He is using my move."
Varian pulled back slightly looking down at Fox.
"Your Majesty?" The eyes fluttering open. A slight tremble in her frame that Varian was starting to expect in moment's like this.
"Varian." He corrected. Waiting for her to relent. Wanting so desperately to hear her say it. Just once.
"We have been over this." Fox whispered, her voice low. Did he really have to start the argument in front of the SI-7?
"Call me by name, or I swear, you are going to regret it." There was a smile on his face, but the warning in his eyes left little room for doubt that he did have something planned.
"No. Your. Majesty."
"I was hoping you would say that." Varian reached down and tossed Fox over his shoulder. A hand resting on the barely covered posterior. "Shaw, I am going to have a discussion with my bodyguard about how lax she has been in her duty of late."
The students parted as Adian blinked over at Shaw.
Shaw glared back.
Adian instinctively defending himself. "I didn't teach him that." Watching as Varian passed with a protesting Fox in hand. Adian added, "You think I could get away with that sort of thing? Throwing a woman over my shoulder and dragging her back to my cave?'
"I thought you liked men." Shaw came around to look in stunned surprise at the other man.
"Light no!" Adian looked almost offended, "I am equal opportunity."
Shaw slapped a hand over his face, "Damn you Adian, Are you serious?"
"Do you blame me? Look at them!" Adian pointed at the King and Fox.
"I am going to forget you said that." Shaw turned and headed for his office. Certain that in a few minutes Fox would burst in screaming at him, or a summons from the King would arrive.
Varian ignored the guards as he made his way down the hall. When they came to the choice of the counsel room or the bedroom Varian paused.
Fox lifted her head and blew the hair out of her face, "Don't you dare! Do not even think about it."
The bedroom it was. Varian had no idea why, but this entire event was doing wonders for his mood. Fox was shouting at him. He was certain all of the people in the keep could hear her. Perhaps all of Lion's Landing, and he didn't care. Fists pounding on his leather clad shoulder and back, and he was absolutely loving it.
When he finally entered the room, Fox was tossed to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Turning to the guard he pointed and said in all seriousness, "I will see no one. I mean it. Short of another cataclysm, you will not knock on this door. You will not bang on this door. You will not open this door for anyone." Then for effect, he slammed it himself.
The other guard laughed under his helm, "You want to tap on the door and see if he wants tea."
"Your Majesty!" Fox came to her feet. Her shoulders were heaving in anger. The black hair was tossed about her head.
"Varian, woman! Varian!"
Fox ignored him. "Do you have any idea the amounts of crazy you have just put on display for the entirety of Lion's Landing."
"I don't care." Varian stalked toward her. He was enjoying her righteous lecture. The fact she sounded like the royal and he was the one who got to openly rebel. It was freeing.
"I care!" Fox jumped back to elude him. "This is going to get back to Stormwind. The Nobles will hear of it."
"And they concern me why?" Varian swept her up around the waist. Moving to sit down on the bed. Fox was dropped on to his lap.
Fox didn't even try to wiggle out of his grip. Those cursed arms had her in a hold just to strong to break. "I get it, your Majesty. I do. But you and I, its a terribly bad match, casual or otherwise."
"That's not what my gnomes told me." Varian loved the look of confusion on her face.
Fox sputtering, "Gnomes?" A hand going to his forehead, "Are you feeling well?"
"No, I have been terribly ill. Admiral Rogers had to send for the priests, and she also demanded I was compliant to their medical advice."
Fox's face filled with worry. "What did they say?"
"They said I need you."
Author Note: This part of this story is coming to an end. Tomorrow is it! I only ever intended for this story to be in Lion's Landing. So sad, right? How could there possibly be an upside? I mean, will Besty ever get to retire? What happens to Fox? More importantly, how will you get your Varian fix now? Admit it, your all addicted to the hair. Don't worry, it's fine. We all want hair that great.
FEAR NOT! The sequel is in the works already. If you listen very carefully, you will probably hear the clattering of little computer keys. Soooo, the new arch, it will be called: Echo of the Lion's Roar, rating M. It will not be Humor. Going with Drama/Romance. Until Tomorrow, Salute!