AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks for the tip,” she said mildly. “I’ll braid it from now on.”
* * *
She had to admit, in a particularly grueling training session a few weeks later, that it was more practical to have her hair out of her eyes.
Not that it was preventing her from being pummeled by Ileana.
“Good, Ileana, well done,” said Agner brightly, when Ileana scored a solid hit to Merletta’s tail. “I do wish you’d decided to stop at the end of your second year. We would be glad to welcome you into the guards.”
Merletta grimaced as the other mermaid withdrew, a smirk on her face.
“Thank you, Instructor, but I plan to be a record holder.”
“Yes, yes, you all do,” sighed Agner. “But the life of a guard is much more active, you know, much more invigorating.”
Merletta winced as she touched a tender spot on her chest. “Invigorating, you call it?”
Agner chuckled. “I didn’t say it was easy. You did well, Merletta. Your reflexes are good, but you’re still not fighting strategically enough.”
He swam forward, tapping his staff to her arms in a clinical way, a slight frown on his face. “More upper body strength would definitely help. You’re still a little too scrawny to really fight at the level of the older students. One bout with Emil, then he and Ileana can join the guard squad for patrol, and I’ll run you through some weights exercises.”
Merletta nodded, gripping her spear tightly as the fourth year merman swam forward to meet her. His face was as unexpressive as ever as the two of them circled one another. She had learned to be a little smarter since her first fight with Ileana, and she waited for him to make a move.
His arm flashed out, as quick as an eel, and she was only just in time to parry the move. Emil drew back, then struck again, still using the blunt end of his spear. She was ready for him this time. She deflected the wooden handle, thrusting hers toward him in an attempt to break through his guard.
He blocked her easily, then came back at her with such force that she knew she wouldn’t be strong enough to deflect it. She twisted nimbly, propelling herself through the water and dodging his attack.
Emil spun as well, keeping her in his line of sight. Merletta made a bold thrust while he was still in motion, hoping to catch him off guard.
But he was too quick, and the next thing she knew, the end of his spear was connecting forcefully with her chest, pushing water from her mouth with an oomph.
“And you’re speared through the heart,” Agner said cheerfully, calling the hit.
Emil withdrew the moment Agner spoke, looking neither triumphant nor apologetic. Just his usual impassive self.
“You’re improving, Merletta,” Agner said, as Emil swam away to join Ileana where she was preparing to leave with the guard squad. Merletta followed him with her eyes, a little jealous. She couldn’t wait until she was advanced enough to get to join patrols. It would be an interesting change to go outside the barrier on official business instead of sneaking out.
“I think you’re ready to start with the sharp end next week.”
That got her attention.
“What? But you just said I was speared through the heart.”
Agner chuckled. “Obviously we’ll start simple.” He observed her shrewdly. “I believe in pushing my trainees hard, Merletta. Provided the potential is there, I think it’s the best way to get results. You’re excellent proof, in fact. Look how far you’ve come in a few short months.”
Merletta nodded. “I’m just grateful you’re willing to push me at all, Instructor.”
Agner raised an eyebrow. “The other instructors still giving you a hard time for being from Tilssted, are they?” He shook his head. “They’ll come around. Just show them you have what it takes. They’re worried about seeing their fusty program overrun by the lower classes, but they know how to appreciate intelligence.” He grinned at her. “Tilssted was my favorite part of the triple kingdoms to patrol, you know, back when I did such things. There’s a rawness about the merfolk there which I like.”
“We are pretty raw,” Merletta agreed, grinning back. “Sometimes I miss it. At least you know where you float with Tilssted dwellers. Here, it’s a bit harder to know what’s under the surface.” She was probably being too honest, but she couldn’t help liking the casual cheerfulness of the combat instructor.
“Well, like I said, they’ll come around when you show you’re capable of keeping up,” said Agner. He flashed her a wink. “And if you’re not capable, and you flunk out of their classes, you can always apply directly to be a guard. I’ll whip you into shape in no time.”
Merletta chuckled, appreciating the encouragement, but not at all interested in taking the offered out. She wanted to learn to fight well, to be able to defend herself from both merpeople and other sea creatures. But being a guard didn’t interest her. She wanted answers, and she was becoming increasingly convinced that she wasn’t going to get them in first year. She had to progress, whatever it took.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“How’s this?” Heath asked, squinting as he tried not to look directly at the noonday sun.
