One well-placed thrust would run me through, one good blow cut me open—but I dared not turn away from this armored monster. Even if I wanted to escape, I realized now, I could not do it. Slower though he was, with his longer reach he could spear me before I could pivot away. My only escape lay in victory.
Desperately I feinted him aside, and as he angled his weapon to meet the supposed attack, I reversed my motion and slipped in again. With elbow, wrist, and point carefully in line I lunged deep upon my bent knee, and with a beautifully straight thrust struck into the heavy flesh of the upper thigh. I recovered and sprang back as his blade swished sickeningly close over my head, near enough to ruffle my sweat-matted hair.
I glanced swiftly down at my opponent’s unprotected leg, now slick
