The Shielding
Morning light comes through the thick wooden shutters.
The morning air in my room was cold enough to show my breath. I stood near the hearth in my gray training tunic. Cassian stood two paces in front of me with a short wooden practice sword in his hand.
"Again," Cassian said. His voice was rough from lack of rest.
I stepped forward and swung my wooden blade toward his shoulder. Cassian did not even blink. He flipped his blade up and knocked my weapon out of my grip with a loud c***k.
My wooden sword clattered across the stone floor. My palms stung from the vibration.
"You are swinging with your arms Arianna," Cassian said, stepping closer to me. "A noble lord wears heavy iron plate armor. If you swing with your arms your blade will just bounce off."
"I don't have time
