Sibylla of Earth by A. D. Baldwin

Author:A. D. Baldwin [Baldwin, A. D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A.D. Baldwin
Published: 2018-07-12T22:00:00+00:00

22

Empty

They trained. It was incredible how intricate the art of swordplay was. It was nothing like the rigid lessons that her Blade instructor had preached to them in class—the emotionless step-by-step instructions that lacked any passion or insight, but a dangerous ballet, a lethal dance between partners, where Sibylla could sway with her opponent’s moves, recognize their intentions and react accordingly. It was incredible.

But as exciting as all this was, the day’s training from earlier had already taken its toll and Sibylla felt as if she was going to come apart at the ends. Her joints were like weak noodles, and she had to lean over at the waist just to keep from falling over.

“What are you doing?” Atra asked.

“Catching my breath.”

“No,” he said. “There is no time for rest.”

“So everyone keeps telling me.” She threw her shoulders back and took a deep breath. “Let’s call it a night, dude. I’m spent.”

“But we are not done yet.”

“I am.”

“Fine,” he said. “You want to stop? Hit me.”

Sibylla stared at him in confusion. “What?”

“You heard me. Hit me and you can leave.”

Sibylla turned to the Eagles who were watching them from the sides of the dome, finding them just as puzzled as she was. They exchanged confused glances from behind the scopes of their rifles, seeming unsure of what to say.

“Don’t look at them,” Atra chided. Sibylla looked back at him. “They cannot help you. No one can. Only yourself. Now hit me.”

Startled, Sibylla idled in hesitation. “But you’re…unarmed.”

“Your compassion will not be something your enemy shares. You must remove this sense of mercy and do what needs to be done. Now hit me! Now!”

Reluctantly, Sibylla fell into her stance, trembling as her muscles fought to steady beneath her. Blinking, she peered through the haze of exhaustion clouding her sight and took a deep breath. If this was what he wanted, then so be it. With all her strength, she leapt out and swung at his hand.

Atra was quick. He backed away, avoiding her strike completely. “What was that?” he asked, disgusted.

“You told me to hit you,” Sibylla said. “So I tried to hit you.”

“Don’t try,” he commanded. “Do!”

Sibylla swung at him again, trying for his shoulder, but he quickly spun to the side, slipping in behind her and kicking her in the butt. She stumbled forward uncontrollably, tripping over her feet and falling to the ground, where she remained motionless, stuck under the weight of her own exhaustion.

“You sleep better than you fight,” Atra remarked, nudging her body with the tip of his boot.

The gesture was insulting and she forced herself up, suddenly fueled by anger. If this was how he was going to play it, so be it.

“Okay,” Sibylla said, her fingers tightening around the handle of her blade. “You want me to hit you? How ‘bout this?” She leapt at him, thrusted her blade into his chest. But he simply rolled into the attack, spinning around, and elbowing her in the back.

She fell forward with a searing pain in her spine and she dropped to her knees, bracing herself against the floor with her hands.

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