Page 180 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Andvari

Andvari poured his focus into his movements, his form gliding in time with his breaths. Breathe in, prepare. Breathe out, move. Repeat. The mid-air battle played in his mind until the final strike of the bullet-like beak slammed into his chest.

If he’d not adjusted at the last possible second, had not had such utter control of his body, he would be dead. The bird had missed his heart by mere millimeters. There were some wounds that could not be healed even by a vampire as old and strong as he was.

As it was, the powerful blood he’d had access to was the only reason he’d survived such a close call.

Breathe in.

He’d never trained for a battle like the one he’d just completed. Swordplay was an art, the practice going back millennia, to the first one forged. Simply put, vampires had taken to the blade from that first moment, realizing quickly the easy access to fountains of blood a well-placed sword swipe could provide.

Andvari never shied away from the violent history of his people. Once they found peace among the clans, the study had changed, but even Andvari’s generation learned the old ways. The blade belonged to them, in all of its forms.

He preferred a broad sword. It was a beast of a weapon, although not as heavy as many misinformed people expected. What they required was a strong arm to heave them through the air with the precision required for accurate wounding.

A blunt stroke would do damage, of course, but a well-placed swipe, at the right speed and correct angle? Andvari could remove a head with a single blow. And had, in the past. He was a warrior of his people, after all.

What he’d never trained for was fighting with his weapon of choice while protecting his charge behind him while on the back of a dragon. He’d never had to contend with attacking birds while avoiding the wings of his mount of choice. He’d been unable to use many of the forms he prized so greatly. They didn’t work in the position he’d found himself in.

Although he had failed the challenge during the attack, receiving his near fatal wound in the process, Sawyer had survived, as had the other guardians. And now it was his duty to prepare and make sure such a thing didn’t happen again. He finished his forms and removed his scabbard.

The leather molded to his body, well-loved and worn from years of use. It had been repaired many times over the years, but never completely replaced. Until today. His expertise was needed in close quarter combat. They had a mage and a dragon’s flames for longer defense. But in close combat, a different weapon was required.

The door to the gym opened and Sawyer stepped inside. He still looked tired, but the time in bed with his guardians had served him well. He smiled softly at Andvari, let his eyes drift up and down his body in appreciation, then returned to meet Andvari’s gaze.

“Hi,” he whispered shyly.

Andvari hung up his sword and crossed to him. “Hello.”

“Are you doing your forms?”

“I just finished,” Andvari said. “I’m actually going to create some new ones today.”

Sawyer tilted his head to the side and his brow furrowed. “New ones?”

“The old ones were less than effective, wouldn’t you say?”

Sawyer’s scowl deepened. “No, I wouldn’t say that at all. You were breathtaking.”

Andvari slid his arms around Sawyer and held him close. “But I almost let you get killed. That cannot happen again. Would you like to help?”

Sawyer breathed out a huff of annoyance, but nodded. He didn’t have any of the skill necessary to actually assist, but his presence was something of a boon to Andvari’s pride. He had survived. Andvari had made sure of it, and would continue to fight with the last drop of blood in his body.

“I’ve never fought with a winged mount. It possessed challenges I wasn’t prepared to face.”

Sawyer made another of his expressive faces, this one in understanding. No one could ever doubt what he was thinking. He showed all.

“Draco’s wings prevented you from making full swings.”

“Yes. And although I could use more close quarter defenses, and did, I was still in danger of cutting him, which would have been a devastating blow to all of us.”

“No kidding. And since we’ve got two guys with wings on Team Sawyer, this could very well be an ongoing issue.”

“Precisely,” Andvari said.

“So you’re going to create something new. That’s… amazing.”

“I will be working closely with our dragon and griffin to come up with new techniques that will ensure both their safety and yours should we again find ourselves in an aerial battle.”