Young Writers Society

“What’re the rules?” Thane asked. They couldn’t just start fighting a match without laying out the boundaries for how they would do it. Plus, she wanted to know, if they were holding back, why they were doing it— for the rules or just to do it.

Railyn glanced around. He slumped down on some bleachers next to the sparring area they were in. "Uh, let's try not to kill someone. That's a good rule." He sighed. "Official sparring is boring, most of us already know how to fight."

“Worst case scenario, we find out who the fastest runner is and send them to find a medic,” Kynina said.

Thane doubted most of their abilities given how they’d decided to climb out of the building, but she said softly, “Don’t kill someone is implied. What blows are prohibited?”

Safiana gulped. "Umm yup, don't kill anyone. Good rule. Good rule. How about also umm...nothing that's likely to cause permanent damage, like the head is off limits."

Railyn shrugged. "Most everything will be protected by our auras anyway. Just don't purposely run someone's out." He stretched, leaning back. He wanted get it over with and fight with someone, but he guessed watching magic would be a good second option. He glanced behind him through the bleachers. He could make out the grassy plain past the sparring grounds, where a flock of geese were marching along. He could even faintly make out their honks. No people, though. Good. Especially no professors.

"We definitely don't want that no," said Safi. Why was everyone mentioning things that should be obvious like people could possibly forget them in a friendly sparring match?

"Yep, so no killing, and no draining auras. Cool!" Pren bounced up and down. "Go Safiana and Cyra, whoo!" He waved his pompoms around again.

"We're just going to do this?" question Safi. "No like countdown or anything." There was a honk in response and she frowned. Where on Earth was a goose wandering around here? Maybe it was a magic goose, or an alarm sound. Given no one seemed to be concerned, it probably wasn't an alarm sound.

“Ignore the goose,” Thane said quietly, though it wasn’t clear if she was telling the others or herself. “I’ll count down. Three. Two. One. Go.”

"Hold up, you heard the goose too, this might be a concern?" asked Safi.

"If I didn't hear it will you ignore it?" Thane asked.

Cyra groaned. "Forget the goose! Geese exist. Get over it." He swung his battle-ax into his hands.

"Fine...but if we get attacked in some form by a goose, I am blaming both of you," said Safi.

"If we can't fight a goose, then we shouldn't attend Lux Academy." Cyra leaned the ax on her shoulder.