"Alright Lily, we have been at this for hours now, I believe I have taught you the basics of fighting with a dagger. Do you think you are ready to fight me?" Dave admired her, despite the heat and having to deal with him wanting her to perform movements perfect; she had kept at it. She had not even complained once. She picked up on some things easier than others, but she was so determined about learning it. Several times while giving her instruction, he found himself smiling at her. In the hours that he had worked with her, she had managed to turn the straw-filled training dummy into little more than flying straw and burlap.
"Fight you?" Lily questioned him. "Why would I fight you? I would not wish to harm you and suppose I accidently stabbed or slashed you?" She had discovered that Dave was a very good teacher, a bit of a perfectionist, though she did not complain since a mistake could cost a life. Lily had never heard the word 'again' in her life. Clearly she was not much of a fighter, but he had been patient and now she felt she could defend herself if needed. She frowned as he gave a quick laugh. "What is funny about not wanting to hurt you?"
"My dear Lily, I have seen many accidents happen, however, you do not need to be concerned about hurting me. I am an Angel after all, I heal very quickly. I have no desire to fight you either, but, the only way to know if you would be able to handle being attacked, is to be attacked. I would be more afraid of allowing you to carry that dagger without knowledge that you could fight if you needed to, than I am of you injuring me while we spar. I dare say I will take the dagger away from you if I do not see that you can handle it correctly, so that you are not injured. Please, trust me. I will come at you from behind and I want you to defend yourself. Are you ready?" Dave had already started to move behind, not waiting for a response. He had not even fully past her left side yet, when he grabbed her arm and forcefully yanked her.
Lily had been just about to turn her head to respond to his question when she was yanked to her left. She had not anticipated Dave surprising her with the move. She started to focus on what he had taught her earlier. Lily spun and removed the dagger from the hidden sheath at the same time, moving to slash at his arm. The dagger hit metal, as Dave was prepared and met it with his own. She made a small step to the right and thrust the dagger toward his shoulder. Dave managed to catch her wrist in his hand. Letting go of her wrist, he began to circle her. He took a few jabs in her direction, always managing to stay just out of her reach when she jabbed back. He was very much aware that he could easily win this fight, but winning was not the point of the exercise. Lily took several steps back, and as he jabbed, she rolled. That was a quick thought! Good girl! God you look…His thoughts were quickly interrupted as her dagger punctured his upper back between his shoulder blades. "OWW! Gods be damned woman that hurt!" He stumbled forward for a moment, only to be steadied by a very concerned Lily.
"DAVE! Oh my god, what did I do! I am sorry; I got caught up in the fight! I hurt you, I am sorry. Are you ok?" Lily rushed to keep him upright. She could see a stream of red running down his back from where the dagger lay embedded in his skin. "What can I do? Bandages! Let me get bandages and some fresh water and…" Lily panicked until she felt his hand on her arm.
"Lily, calm down. Breathe. I am fine, it hurt, but I am fine. First things first, you need to remove your dagger from my back!" Dave chuckled. "Figures a woman would stab a man in the back; women can be so sneaky like that." He laughed again. "You did very well, and had I not been distracted, we would have continued." He grimaced as she pulled the weapon out of him. Dave pulled the now crying Lily to him, "Come now, and do not cry. Hush. It is already healed, look." He let go of her long enough to take his shirt off to prove his injury was gone. Wiping the blood from the puncture site, Lily was relieved to see that there was no hole, not even a scar where the dagger had been. "You see? I will live many more years." Dave wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. "I pity anyone who might attempt to rob you Lily." He chuckled. "I think it has been a very long day and you have worked very hard. I am very proud of you. Let us go back inside, I will draw us a hot bath. It will relax your muscles." Dave smiled as Lily nodded. He sheathed his dagger; he did not catch sight of the familiar glimmer in her eye. The two of them were not the only ones who had enjoyed the afternoon's lessons. Deep within her, Lilith grinned. Choosing to stay silent for now, but the final fight was coming soon. She was simply biding her time and conserving her energy.