One older boy scoffed. Makenna eyed the young soldier. He was of average height with bright brown eyes, short scrubby hair, and an expression on his face he thought made him look intimidating and fearsome. He had the body of a man, but he was not one yet. Misplaced pride and lack of humility stood in his way. “It would be unfair. I would not be able to truly fight in fear of hurting her,” the boy complained.
At this comment, Makenna jumped down and unsheathed her Secret. Colin looked unsurprised. He considered warning her that these were the sons of an ally, but decided against it.
Makenna unpinned the bulky plaid from her shoulder. “Colin, I would not mind the least in offering a few of the lessons I learned during my singlestick tutelage. I request only that you not interfere for any reason unless I ask you to.”
Upon Colin’s nod in agreement, Makenna turned back toward the smirking boy who had been joined by someone who looked to be his brother. “What are your names?”
The more polite of the two similar-looking young men stepped forward. “I am Auburn, and he is my brother Korbin.”
“I was watching you, Auburn, and you as well, Korbin, and in many ways I agree with you, I think you have the promise of being great swordsmen. I also admit to never being in battle or a true one-on-one fight for my life. However, I enjoy the art of swordplay immensely and some even consider me quite good. Do you, Korbin, think that I could ever, even at my very best, defeat a Scottish warrior? Even a marginal one?”
Korbin looked at the healthy, but definitely much smaller woman and shook his head. “I do not.”
“Thank you for being honest. I absolutely agree.”
Makenna twirled her Secret and then moved to the middle of the clearing field. She pointed its tip to Korbin and then Auburn. “I shall fight you both simultaneously. And I warn you now that you both will receive scars to remember that no matter how good you are, there is always somebody better, and oftentimes it is the person you least expect. Now fetch your swords.”
Colin was still mentally debating on whether he should stop her challenge. He had meant for her to fight one man, not two. But before he could make up his mind, they had both returned and the fight had begun.
Korbin made the first move and lunged at her with the idea of scaring her. Makenna easily sidestepped his attack. At the same time, she shifted her weight and angle so her sword cut the air in a powerful, fast arc, easily disarming her opponent when it came down. Without stopping the graceful and unexpected move, Makenna twisted and this time with an upward thrust neutralized Auburn, sending his claymore flying several yards away.
“Lesson one. Never underestimate your opponent,” Makenna stated calmly.
Korbin looked at his brother. Auburn fetched his sword and returned, looking both embarrassed and mad. “I am afraid that I will hurt you, milady, if I truly try to fight.”
A whipping sound sliced the air as Makenna moved with precision. She disarmed the young man, and at the same time carved a future scar into Auburn’s upper chest.
Upon seeing Makenna’s blade draw his friend’s blood, Korbin raised his sword and came down where Makenna was standing with all his might. Yet when he arrived, she was not there. Somehow, she had been able to move behind him and with a speed Korbin had not thought possible when wielding such a large and heavy weapon. The shock of finding her gone was immediately replaced with a fiery pain of a sharp edge cutting his upper fighting arm.
“Lesson two. An emotional enemy can be your greatest asset in combat. Your own emotions, however, are your greatest weakness.”
Colin wondered what Jaimie Crawford would think about his methods of training upon hearing who gave his sons scars during training. No doubt Trista would be even less pleased that Makenna hurt her boys. Then again, he doubted anyone could teach Korbin and Auburn the lesson in humility they desperately needed better than Makenna. This moment, while embarrassing, would someday save their lives.
Colin decided not to intervene.
Korbin and Auburn were now angry enough to fight, woman or no woman, lady or no lady. The wounds she issued were minor. They probably stung like hell, and Colin had no doubt that Makenna had fully controlled the size and placement of each slit.
Korbin began dancing around Makenna. Auburn followed his lead. Makenna looked bored. Both began twirling the swords and slicing the air in hopes of intimidating her with the sounds. Makenna let them continue their exhausting dance for several minutes, easily sidestepping their jabs and thrusts.
“Engage!” Auburn yelled in frustration.
Makenna arched a single eyebrow and then pivoted on one foot, bringing herself unexpectedly close to her opponent. Auburn shifted his weight back and at the same time, she brought her sword down at precisely the right time to ensure that Auburn lost his balance and fell.
“You won’t find it so easy to do the same to me,” Korbin taunted, continuing to dance around her.
Makenna didn’t even aim for Korbin’s sword. Instead, she thrust her blade between his constantly moving legs so that they twisted, causing him to fall. She kicked his sword away. Then with two hands, she brought her sword up and aimed it toward his heart in a mock display of what it would be like if someone caused you to fall.
“Lesson three. Maintain balance or fall and die,” she said, completely devoid of emotion.
Korbin gulped, sought his sword, and then prepared again for Makenna. He had thought sheer strength and size were all that was needed to fight and win. Lady McTiernay had neither, yet she found it not in the least bit difficult to disarm him even when he had faith he was completely prepared for her attack.
Auburn looked even less sure about continuing the lesson and wanted to say so.
Korbin moved over to his comrade. Perhaps if they fought together, not on opposite sides, they would have the advantage.
Makenna recognized the ploy at once. She moved forward, slicing the air. As expected, the two jumped slightly apart and then moved to attack her. This time, instead of sidestepping or twirling her body out of the way, she easily stepped through the two men. In their efforts to land a blow, Korbin and Auburn reacted. By the time they realized how close they were to each other, or that they were facing one another, it was too late. Both received a nasty lash from the other on their arms.
Makenna twirled to face the men who were now clutching their wounds. “Last Lesson. Train, train, and when you become very good, train some more. There are ideas, strategies, and techniques your opponent will use against you. Through training, you will discover ways to turn even the most unfavorable situation to your advantage.”
Makenna walked back to her horse, wiped her blade on the end of her bliaut, and then resheathed the sword. Once done, she turned around, beaming. It was clear she found the match to be exciting and exhilarating.
Colin was still shocked as was most of the crowd who had gathered to watch, including her guards Brodie and Gorten. Makenna was exceptionally skilled with the sword. If she had the strength and the size of a man, she would be one of the clan’s best soldiers. She could think quickly on her feet and was always aware of her surroundings. It appeared as if she could sense what her attackers were about to do and prepare a counterstrike. It was incredible.
Watching her so quickly and easily defeat the two men, Colin worried Makenna had wounded their pride to a degree it could not be recovered. Then suddenly, as if she were privy to his thoughts, Makenna addressed the small group.
“I cannot thank you two men for sparring with me. It has been some time that someone has tested what took me so many years to learn. You both should be commended. And while Colin and Dunlop can best discern whether your skills should be honed with more stick training, I can attest of your strength and talent. If you train hard and listen, you will be able to avoid my attacks in less than half the time it took me to learn them.”