AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter three
Crossed Swords
AweeklaterLucinda set off for the rendezvous, two training rapiers concealed beneath her outer gown. All week she had been eagerly awaiting this day, this hour, this moment when she could take up a sword once again. She tried not to get her hopes up. Cutpurses were not the most reliable of characters, so it remained to be seen if Moll would show up as she pledged, but the swords beneath Lucinda’s skirts, pressing hard against her thighs, were a potent reminder she had given her word. A promise is a promise after all. So despite a growing bank of misgivings to match the rapidly darkening sky, she put her head down and forged steadily on.
Hurrying as best she could with two swords attached to her middle Lucinda rehearsed the drills she planned to teach her new pupil in her head. This helped the time to pass quickly, and she soon found herself on the far side of the bridge, the bustle of Southbank behind her as the bells of Saint Mary Overbury tolled an hour past noon. At the garden gate she checked no one had followed her, not that there was a reason for anyone to do so, but when she had something clandestine in mind she grew more cautious. Her last meeting with Moll had reinforced that need in no uncertain terms. Leaving the gate unlocked for Moll, she hurried along the towpath. Arriving at the clearing the scent of tobacco smoke lingered in the air.
“Who’s there? Show yourself!” Lucinda challenged, her hand gripping the hilt of her concealed dagger. According to the bells she was a good half hour earlier than the time she had arrived last week.
“Took your time,” Moll said with her usual grin, suddenly materializing from behind the broad trunk of a gnarled and ancient willow. She was like a ghost the way she appeared and disappeared. Lucinda startled at the “man” standing before her in doublet and breeches. It was one thing for Moll to look manly when wearing women’s clothing but quite another to see her new acquaintance in the full guise of a well-dressed man. It was difficult to believe she was truly a woman.
“Sneaking up on a person like that is a dangerous business. A volatile sort might draw swords first and ask questions later,” she snarled, a sudden stab of unfounded jealousy causing her to lash out at Moll. If only she could still pass as a man she could go on as she used to, fighting at the academy instead of sneaking around behind her father’s back.
“You knew I was coming.” Moll shrugged before turning her shoulders this way and that. “Like the new apparel?”
“Stolen, I presume?”
“Liberated from a drunk who did not appreciate it,” Moll corrected. “I did not steal it. I won it off him in a wager.”
“A likely story,” Lucinda said as she stripped off her outer gown, unstrapping the rapiers from where she had bound them to her thigh. “If you still desire a lesson, we best make a start.”
“Indeed I do. Is that sword for me?”
Lucinda handed Moll one of the rapiers along with a caution. “It has a blunted tip, but it can still cause plenty of damage.”
“I can take a bit of damage,” Moll said and ran her hand down the blade.
“I am more concerned about damage to me.”
“So you think I might give you a run for your money?” Moll flashed her surprisingly white teeth in a wide grin of self-satisfaction.
“Not to any great extent. Beginners tend to lack control and accuracy which poses more danger than any skill you might possess.”
“I am not a beginner,” Moll protested. “Let us fight, and you will see.”
“Very well.” Lucinda raised her rapier into the en guarde position. “You do know your grip is all wrong?”
“Nothing wrong with my grip.”
“Oh really?” Snapping into action Lucinda feinted right, causing Moll to lunge too early before her sword was fully outstretched. This gave Lucinda the opening she intended. She stepped to the right and whacked Moll across the wrist.
“Ow!” Moll screeched, dropping her weapon.
“Told you your grip is all wrong. It leaves your wrist too exposed.” Picking up the fallen rapier Lucinda threw it back to Moll. “Now let me see what other bad habits I need to correct.”
Somewhat chastened Moll adjusted her grip to the manner Lucinda instructed. Though begrudging at first, she proved an attentive student, nimbler than her ungainly appearance would suggest. She had a good eye for following her opponent’s movements, a skill quite likely derived from her occupation. In order to steal someone’s purse it is essential to watch them carefully, firstly to identify the location of their purse, and secondly to seize a moment when they are distracted. It was while she was pondering the similarities between thieving and fencing that the first raindrop splattered onto the tip of Lucinda’s nose. It was only a single drop but a large one at that, swiftly followed by another, then another.
“Oh dear.” She looked skyward. “I am afraid we must cut the lesson short.”
“I was only warming up.”
“You won’t be warm for long if you are soaked to the skin.”
“I know somewhere we can go,” Moll said. “It is indoors with plenty of space. Follow me.” Without waiting for an answer she grabbed her cloak along with Lucinda’s gown and took off down the path. The drops grew larger, the sky grew darker, and the clouds were tinged with an ominous green.
“Where are we are going?” she shouted after Moll’s retreating heels.
“You’ll see. It is quiet this time of day. It only gets busy after dark.” Since Moll was still in possession of Lucinda’s gown as well as one of her father’s training rapiers, she had no choice but to follow wherever she might lead. All of Lucinda’s instincts chimed a steady insistent warning, but she really wanted to put her trust in Moll.
