This is Part II of Princess for the Night. Part I of Princess of the Night is here.
very swings the wooden practice sword and Umfrey easily blocks it.
“You’re telegraphing, Avery. I saw where the blow would land before you even got close to me. Try again.”
Yes, a prodigy with a sword, but still young. Nobody becomes a master overnight. Prodigies just speed up the years.
Umfrey is middle-aged. And huge. And has real life battle experience. Avery won’t be a squire under him. However, the Lord had Umfrey initially train Avery because Umfrey’s technique is top notch.
After about twenty more attempts, Avery finally whacks Umfrey on the arm.
“Ouch!” Umfrey smiles. “Well done.”
Repetition. The same exercises over and over again until everything is right.
First, you master the footwork. If you have bad footwork, Umfrey tells his student, you’ll never be a good fighter.
That night
Isabella waits for her parents to sleep. Then sneaks out the window. Avery waits for her by the twin birch trees.
She runs almost full speed into his strong arms and they kiss passionately. She then looks deeply into his eyes. He returns the gaze and concedes a smile. “Yes, you are more beautiful than Tonna.”
“But she’s prettier.”
“But she’s stupid. Stupid people do stupid things. And ten years from now, I can assure you that you’d be significantly more beautiful. Plus look at her ass. Do you think I want to be squeezing that ass ten years from now?”
Isabella laughs. Avery gives her another smile, then initiates another passionate tongue kiss.
Ah, the feeling of young love, when it’s just passion. Before it turns into need then companionship. That’s why it’s so much more fun to write about.
“You need to get some sleep. You got more training tomorrow and Umfrey is mean.”
“He’s not mean. He’s strict. Big difference.”
“He seems really mean.”
“That’s because he doesn’t want me to die in combat. Good war teachers aren’t nice. They’re strict. I need to learn to do things right.”
“Can’t he be nicer?”
“I don’t want him to be nicer. I want to learn how to fight. He’s teaching me war, not etiquette. That’s another guy.”
“But seriously Avery, you need to sleep.” This time, she initiates the passionate kiss. And breaks it off. Turns around and starts rushing away. And turns around one more time to blow him a kiss with the most heartwarming smile you’ve ever seen. Then lifts her dress so it won’t drag on the ground and rushes quickly back climb the tree to get back inside her window.
Avery watches every step she takes with intense pleasure. “Some day that beautiful girl will be my wife,” he says to himself with a confident smile.
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