Chapter 12: The Unusual Warrior 2
The training yard was quiet as evening fell. The usual crowd of guards and squires had left, leaving only practice dummies and wooden swords behind. Torches lit the area, creating shadows across the dirt as Beatrice stood in the middle.
"My teacher says how you stand is really important," Beatrice explained, carefully positioning her feet. "Sometimes he makes us hold this position for an hour until our legs start shaking."
Arthur watched with interest from where he leaned against a wooden post. Despite being small, Beatrice moved very precisely. Not many students at the Royal Academy, especially daughters of noble families, took fighting lessons this seriously.
"Show me what you've learned," he said.
Beatrice nodded and focused. She took a deep breath and began a series of smooth movements—blocks, strikes, and dodges that flowed together. This was the Sixth Form, designed to help smaller fighters defend against bigger opponents.
Arthur watched carefully. Her footwork was great and her balance nearly perfect, but her strikes needed more power. She was relying too much on speed because of her small size.
"Try again," he said when she finished. "This time, use your core muscles, not just your arms."
She repeated the movements with his suggestion in mind. The improvement was clear right away—her strikes were stronger, though she got tired faster.
"Better," Arthur nodded. "You have natural talent."
Beatrice smiled at his praise, slightly sweaty in the torchlight. Her training clothes showed her small but developing figure, usually hidden under her Academy robes.
"Will you show me something?" she asked eagerly. "Elliot mentioned you've been practicing different forms lately."