Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 7)

Gaius dipped his head. They reached the top of the stairs fairly quickly, and he led her down the hall, which wasn't particularly populated with soldiers. There was a set of double doors at the very end on the right hand wall, which he opened.
The clang of metal on metal could be heard immediately. Two figures battled at the far end of the room while four others trained separately. The walls were lined with weapons and armor, and a couple attendants stood off to the side with water.
The two people at the end of the room were vastly different in appearance. One was a hulking behemoth of a man who looked to have Far Northern blood--his hair was white-blonde and his eyes were blue--and stood at about the same height as Rönn. His bulging muscles gripped a greatsword almost as long as he was tall.
His opponent was tiny, even without him standing near her. She had to have been 4'11 or 5', but she had lean muscles and quick feet. Her skin was very dark, and copper and gold eyeliner and lip paint brought her features alive. Her black hair was kept in short dreadlocks, and in her hands were two long, straight blades that she was currently using to block a ringing blow from the big man's sword.

Ky blinked, having to work very, very hard not to react. She wasn't sure what was more terrifying -- this literal mountain, or the girl who was taking him on? Ky had the feeling Kezhra was going to come out on top, if they watched long enough.

The six people in the room paused as Gaius entered.
"Don't stop on my account, please," he said, dipping his head. "We're just here to watch." Kazhra's eyes flickered to Ky and her brow furrowed, then they continued.
Gisli was an excellent fighter; he didn't rely on his size for everything and he was almost as quick as Kazhra. But it was obvious he was growing weary with her constant attacks and unending movement. She dodged and struck ferociously, swords pinging off the metal of his armor without ceasing. She was waiting for a mistake big enough that she could sweep him off his feet, and that seemed to be nearing. Her movements were controlled but very fluid.

Ky buried her hands in her pockets to keep them from fidgeting and betraying her anxiety. She couldn't help but imagine it being her instead of Gisli on the receiving end of that. Would she be gentler with Ky? She wasn't so sure. And she wasn't sure she wanted to find out. The last thing she needed was someone as skilled as Kazhra to be impatient with her while also being armed. She wouldn't hurt Ky, obviously, but it would still hurt.

It seemed like forever, but finally Gisli stumbled, and Kazhra butted him in the chest with the pommel of one of her blades. He staggered again, gripping his sword tightly even as he lost his balance and came crashing to the ground. Kazhra held her weapons to his throat.
"I yield," he puffed, chuckling good-humoredly. Kazhra grinned and offered him her hand, and he stood. "Another worthy fight," Gisli congratulated her. "I don't know why I try anymore."
"Because I'm fun," Kazhra reasoned, sheathing her blades. She glanced over at Gaius and Ky.

Ky was thoroughly impressed and was doing a poor job of hiding it. But as Kazhra looked at her it snapped her out of it, and offered a polite smile, keeping her hands buried in her pockets to keep them from fidgeting anxiously. Right, then. Time to go. She'd suggested they watch then leave, not actually interact with the person that'd just kicked a tree's ass.

Gaius limped toward her, and she came to meet him with a respectful nod.
"How are you today, milord?" she asked.
"Busy but well enough otherwise," Gaius replied. "I'm showing my niece Ky some of our star soldiers today; I figured you'd be a good one to start with."
Kazhra gave a nod. "That's very kind of you, sir." She looked to Ky and held out her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, miss Ky. I've heard a little about you. You're training in swordsmanship, right?"

"Yes, ma'am." Ky nodded, catching herself on that one, but it was too late. She cringed slightly, but forced a smile back and shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well." Kazhra looked her over. "You look limber, good for versatile weapons. Is there a particular blade you've been using or shown a preference for?"

Ky smiled at the compliment. "We've just started with a short sword for now. I'm still very early on in my lessons."

"Who did you have before? Ka'Nor Wai?" She frowned. "He goes easy from the start, as I recall."

(I'm sticking Bay, Xander, and Kazhra in Discord.)

(Ayeee)

“Yes, m-“ she caught herself before she finished the syllable. “He’s been very patient with me.”

"Let me tell you something, Ky." Kazhra looked up at her gravely. "Patience has a place on the battlefield and in a fight, but not in teaching. Opponents aren't going to wait for you to get up and shake off a blow. They're going to leap on that opportunity and then you'll be dead." She glanced at Gaius. "I'm sure you're looking for other trainers as well and I'm probably not what you have in mind. But just remember that."

Ky nodded, barely resisting the urge to say ‘yes, ma’am’ again, and instead settled for, “that makes sense.”

Gods, she hoped Gaius wasn’t going to pressure her to choose Kazhra, and yet she half expected him to. It seemed like just the sort of thing he’d find funny, to make her choose between asserting herself and getting the living tar beat out of her. She didn’t want that to have those be her options. Please god don’t make those be her options.

"Thank you, Kazhra." Gaius glanced at where Gisli had sat down to have a drink of water. "We'll let you get back to work now; we ought to find the General before he gets too busy."
"Thanks for stopping by, sir." Kazhra nodded to him and to Ky. "Good luck."