Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

M agnus stepped into the walled practice yard to the sound of ringing metal and grunts of exertion. He paused and leaned against a pillar, folding his arms over his chest as he watched Ciara spar with Calum, their master of arms. She whirled and thrust the blunted training blade. Her strike was quickly parried by the skilled swordsman, but in one fluid movement, Ciara spun and slashed with the edge of the sword, striking Calum across the midsection. He laughed then applauded her.

“Ye’ve got some skill with the blade, lass. Some skill indeed,” Calum said. “Well played.”

“Thank ye,” Ciara replied and used a rag to wipe the sweat from her brow. “But I feel ye were goin’ light on me.”

A small smile flickered across the man’s lips. “I wasnae goin’ light on ye, me lady?—”

“I’ve kent ye most of me life, Calum,” Magnus interrupted with a chuckle. “I ken how ye fight. Ye were goin’ easy on the lass. Dae it again and dae it fer real this time.”

Calum looked abashed. “Aye, Maister Magnus.”

Ciara looked from Magnus to Calum with a glimmer of triumph in her eyes. She tightened her grip on her sword and took up a fighting position as she readied herself. The master of arms moved back to his starting position and raised his weapon. With a shrill cry, Ciara rushed forward, the blunted point of her blade leading the way. Calum parried the thrust and seemed to anticipate her next movement when Ciara spun to her left to deliver a slice across his midsection just as she had the last time.

Calum was ready for it though and easily blocked the intended blow. He seized the initiative and spun around, slapping her on the backside with the flat of his blade, drawing a pained and surprised squeak from Ciara. She spun around, her face red, and her eyes wide. From his spot against the pillar, Magnus laughed heartily.

“Yer form is good, but ye need tae mix up yer movements,” Magnus said. “’Twas Calum who taught me that. Tae never let yer opponent anticipate yer next movement.”

“Aye,” Calum said. “If they ken what ye’re goin’ tae dae next, they’ll parry the blow and deliver a killin’ blow themselves. As I just did.”

Ciara frowned. Magnus could see she didn’t like losing. That was something he could not only relate to, but something he admired about her. Stepping away from the pillar, Magnus took the practice blade from Calum, who stepped back, and squared up to Ciara.

“Again,” he said as he raised his blade. “And remember, be unpredictable.”

Ciara licked her lips and waded in. She feinted to the left but came back around to the right to deliver a strike to Magnus’ ribs. But he was ready for her and caught her arm, twisting it hard enough that she cried out and dropped the sword. He quickly let go of her arm. She rubbed it and looked at him with an expression of frustration on her face.

“How’d ye ken the way I was goin’ tae move?” she asked.

“Ye showed me the way ye’d be movin’ by the way ye were leanin’. Ye gave it away.”

Magnus picked up her blade and handed it to her with a smile. She frowned.

“Yer form is good, me lady,” Calum said. “Ye just need tae stop givin’ away the clues that tell yer opponent where ye’ll strike.”

“And how am I supposed tae dae that?” she asked.

“The first thing ye can dae is tae stop leanin’ tae the side ye’re goin’ tae be movin’ tae. Keep yerself standin’ straight,” Magnus said.

He moved behind her and put one hand on her waist and one on the small of her back. He felt her stiffen beneath his touch and had to swallow down the lump that had risen in his throat. Magnus could feel the heat from her body and smell the faint floral scent upon her skin. She looked over her shoulder at him.

Keeping his hand on the small of her back, he walked her through her movements, showing her how to keep her back straight so as to not give herself away. She moved slowly but fluidly.

“Dae ye see what we mean?” he asked.

She nodded. “Aye. Show me again.”

Magnus obliged and with his hands still on her, walked her through the movements twice more. By the third time, Magnus wondered if she was having him go through it again just to have his hands on her. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. Either way, he was glad to have the excuse to be close to her. It was only when he saw Calum giving him a strange look that Magnus forced himself to step away from her.

“All right, are ye ready tae run through it again?” Magnus asked.

She nodded. “Aye. Let’s dae it.”

Calum stepped forward but Magnus held his hand up. He wanted to do it himself. They both walked to their starting positions and readied themselves.

“Whenever ye’re ready,” he said.

Her jaw clenched, Ciara rushed forward and moved the way Magnus had just instructed her to do. Keeping her back straight, she lunged forward then spun and was able to score a hit, the blunted edge of her blade sliding along his side.

“Excellent,” Magnus said.

“Well done, lass,” Calum agreed.

Ciara smiled and looked pleased with herself. She turned to Magnus and Calum. Although it was obvious she’d had plenty of training already, she took new instruction very well. And she seemed eager to learn more.

“Teach me more, eh?” she asked.

Calum chuckled and picked up another practice blade from the rack to the side of the courtyard. Ciara put a hand on her hip and looked at him evenly.

“And dinnae go easy on me again,” she said.

He bowed his head. “I had nay plans tae, me lady.”

Magnus stepped back and just watched. As Calum worked her through her forms and taught her new ones, Magnus was transfixed. She moved with such ease and grace that it was like watching a slow, sensual dance. Watching her was intoxicating. The sway of her hips put a fire in his belly that spread throughout his body, filling him with a sense of desire and arousal he’d never known before.

As she completed another round of forms with Calum, Ciara turned and seemed to sense the desire in his eyes. She bit her bottom lip, trying to stifle the smile that spread across her face as her cheeks flushed a bright red. She seemed embarrassed by his attention but at the same time, she seemed to like being the sole focus of his attention as well.

“Again,” Calum commanded.

And as she worked through another series of forms, Magnus felt himself getting drunk on the mere sight of her. The rhythm and sway of her body were far more potent than any draught of mead he’d ever had. Magnus smiled to himself, content to watch her work out all day.