My heart pounded as she circled my position, her blade held at her side. She wasn’t fooling me, though, and I held my training sword in a guard position. I knew how fast she could get a weapon to my throat.

As she moved, I watched her emerald scaled tail flick calmly back and forth. Long, muscular, and flexible in both terms of attack or defense. Bruises covered my back to prove that lesson.

A flash of pointed teeth was my only warning. Her yellow eyes were wide as she darted in. I changed my stance and raised to block—a feint. As quickly as she came, she ducked backwards and lashed out with her tail towards my ankles. I jumped, feeling the wind pass underneath me from the force.

She had enough control not to break my bones, but she wouldn’t be gentle. My mind raced as I ran over that various vectors of attack until I remembered the words she had drilled into me. Strike Hard! Strike Fast! Strike Suddenly!

Words her family had lived by in the waters of the northern swamps. Expert advice too, considering how many lingering threats hunted in those waters. I blocked another feint as I looked for a way to counterattack. Her defense was excellent, and she was more practiced. So I decided going for trickery might be my best bet.

I feinted with a simple thrust, hoping to catch her off guard. She didn’t block, instead she swayed backwards so far she faced the sky. A mistake? I moved to capitalize before the doubt could well up inside me, and sprang forward to deliver an overhead chop.

She dodged it, using her tail to push herself to the side. Appreciative clapping came from the neighbors watching from balconies. A distraction and one that nearly cost me. I threw myself back, dodging a swing that I heard more than saw.

“Good work,” Her words ended in a snakelike hiss. “But do pay attention.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

She glowered at that, and I gave her a swift salute with my sword. I already saw her forming ideas on retribution, and that it would hurt. No matter, worth it for now. She blocked my thrusts. I dodged her parry. We circled around the courtyard to the sound of our cheering neighbors.

It didn’t surprise me to hear them anymore; they had gotten bolder in letting us know of their presence over the last few sessions. A couple had asked for lessons themselves. Sarlaxx had turned them down, though. She said she had her hands full teaching a talentless human.

I didn’t take it too personally. She always laughed when she said it.

It was an interesting business idea for when we returned, something I’d need to remember. She had said she was looking for work outside her dreary office job. My ear stung, and I refocused on the figure who stuck out her tongue towards me.

I sighed and readjusted my stance once more; I wanted to be certain it didn’t happen again. The way she fought changed as she forced me to move. She forced me around our makeshift arena, and I could do little but give ground as I dodged the occasional swipe of her tail.

The gravel under our feet crunched, and the clacking of our wooden swords filled the air as the crowd went silent. My sword arm felt heavy, and I looked around for an opening.

If I could get her talking, maybe she’d let her guard down? I needed time to breathe either way, and so I asked a question.

“Think I’ll survive in the swamps then?”

It was the question that had gotten me out here four weeks ago. Her mother had written to invite me to a family gathering in her hometown of Rookmort, and she had told me, bluntly, I would die if I accepted. Couldn’t back down after that.

She snorted at me, and the colorful frills around her neck extended. “No. Not without me to protect you.”

“Aww, come on,” I gave her my best smile. “You don’t think I could take one of your cousins?”

That got a full-throated laugh. “Yes, I believe you could survive against Tharax. Maybe.”

Tharax was the newest member of Rookmort, 6 months old, with the cutest little frill. He’d been gifted his first sword recently, though it was more of a knife.

“Hurtful.”

“Truth can be,” She said as she readied her sword. “Enough talk. Shall we continue?”

With a shrug, I copied her motion. I was still breathing hard, but it was better than nothing. She lowered her frill flat against her neck once again and charged. No tricks this time. I could see it in her eyes. She wanted to show me how far I needed to go.

I threw myself out of her way and attempted to roll as she taught me. My shoulder flared in pain, but there was no time to stop. She pressed forward with a vengeance, her swings precise and deadly. There were no lessons here, only pure brutal combat.

Her blade hit my side with a thwack when it snaked around my guard. I cried out and did whatever I could. Block? She swept it aside with superior strength. Dodge? Her tail came out of nowhere to trip me up. Parry? She ducked and weaved like a champion boxer. When the point of her wooden sword rested against my throat, I was already on the ground.

She grinned as our audience applauded. Even though I was sore, I smiled too, couldn’t help it. Something about combat was exhilarating, even the mock kind.

“I concede.”

“I know.” She helped me to my feet and sheathed her sword as I dusted myself off. “That means you’re buying dinner.”

My sigh got a laugh from my the watcher. I should have known this was coming.

As we walked back inside, her tail thumped lightly against my leg.

“You did better today. Well done.”

When she turned to smile at me, I could feel my heart pound in my chest. This vacation was going to be fun.