Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians by Unknown Page B

past metal. Aryaunna was flat on her
back, swords still in hand at least this time though one of his was aimed for
her chest, the other held higher as a back guard in the same stance he’d shown
her a hundred times before “Are you done?” he asked her coolly.
    She
had a split second to respond. Though winded she brought her right sword hard
into his as she rolled up to her feet, barely level with his knees. She parried
with her left sword against his as she rolled her body so close to his that his
swords would be of little use as she threw her shoulder into his legs. It
brought him down.
    As
he fell, she pushed against him to bring her back to her feet as he went down.
Dropping one sword, his free hand grabbed for her ankle while his armed fist
rose back above his head. Both her swords came down to meet with his in the
middle, locking his motion. “Stop worrying you’ll hurt me, Aryaunna. You see
the way out, now take it!”
    She
yelled as she brought her foot down on his gut. He balled up and released her
ankle. As she scrambled back he rolled onto his side. “Uhh,” he groaned. “That’s
better. Next time go for the sternum.” His fist pounded the center of his
chest. “Crack the ribs, maybe splinter the heart. From there the kill will be
swift.”
    Panting,
Aryaunna sheathed her left sword as she walked over to him and offered him her hand.
“I have no intention of killing you. You do realize that I hope.”
    With
a bitter laugh he took her hand and stood to his feet. The next second the tip
of his blade was pressed into her neck. “Aren’t you lucky I feel the same about
you?” He grinned.
    “You’re
a horse’s ass.” Aryaunna glared up at him.
    “And
you are sweet as mule muck.” He pulled back with a chuckle as they stepped off
for a break.
    They’d
been in the Hollow a few months. Aryaunna started training days after she
arrived. She’d needed the time to regain her strength. For the first time in
years she was able to eat as she wanted which was thankful as she was always
hungry.
    “You
two are as horrifying as you are childish,” Elizabeth scorned as she filled two
wooden cups from a pitcher. Aryaunna and Allos sheathed their swords at nearly
the same instant as they approached Elizabeth. Allos swooped down and grabbed
the hilt of his discarded blade, sheathing it at his side.
    “You’re
the one that insists on watching, you know,” Aryaunna kindly reminded as she
gratefully took the cup, drinking deeply.
    Allos
said nothing but fought a smile as he nodded his gratitude. His eyes held
Elizabeth’s for a moment before he turned away and drank. “Yes, dear sister, I
watch on in horror waiting to treat one of you for what I can only pray isn’t a
fatal wound.” She tried to sound brash but it came out almost flustered
instead.
    “I
know. And we’re ever grateful you care so.” Aryaunna laid a wet kiss onto
Elizabeth’s cheek. She scoffed in mock disgust as she wiped the side of her
face dry with the sleeve of her dress.
    They
were in an underground arena that was far larger than anything the two women
had ever expected to find in the Hollow. They’d learned in the past couple of
months the Hollow held many surprises, though.
    “My
thanks to you,” Allos side stepped to place his cup down on the bench.
    “Of
course. Would you like some more?” Her hand reached for his cup, but as they
touched they stepped away from one another automatically. Aryaunna’s brow rose
but she hid it quickly.
    “No.
And no more for you either, Aryaunna. We’re not done yet. Too much will make
you ill, and slow you down.” He gave her a stern look as she drank deeply.
    Her
brow furrowed into a pout as she relinquished her water to Elizabeth. “Very
well.”
    “Elizabeth,”
Allos called for her attention. “It is good of you to worry, but I do hope you
know that I would never intentionally cause her harm.”
    “I
know…” her voice softened. “Must you really always work with the