Six Weeks Later
A clear, clean thwack split the afternoon air as Oliver blocked a blow from Aldric. Their wooden practice swords bounced off each other, showing splinters. Oliver backed off a pace, his arm tingling from the impact.
Aldric stepped forward again and hacked at him. Oliver ducked under the blow and gave the muscular recruit a light jab to his thigh with his practice sword. His body just seemed to move all on its own, flowing into the well-practiced movement.
Aldric sighed and let his arms hang to his side. “Another point to you. And I believe that is game, as well."
Oliver leaned against the fence encircling the practice yard and wiped his face with his sleeve. “Well fought," he panted.
Camp Bracken was quietly baking in the sun, without a breath of wind to disturb i
