A Quick Spar

Kirigan's POV

I walked to the training hall with the general as we talked about Jane. 

"Maybe she is right," the general said. "Maybe you need to train more and more to get the immunity you need for the health within you."

I wasn't great at medicines or the related fields but I knew training to be a better fighter was not the only way to beat this disease.

Besides, I was already better at fighting. What was this man possibly going to teach me now?

"I'll teach you a secret move that I haven't taught anyone."

I wondered what he was going to teach me but I was ready to learn from the man.

I entered the grand training hall of the palace, my heart pounding with excitement and a hint of nervousness. 

The man took his stance before me in the filled hall as people were training.

"Today, I will teach you the art of controlling your breathing and fighting even when your weapon is broken."

Was that the new technique? I wondered.

I listened intently as the man explained the importance of breath control in combat. 

He demonstrated the proper techniques, showing me how to regulate my breath to maintain focus and stamina. It was a crucial skill that would allow me to remain calm and composed during the chaos of battle.

This was a new tool for me as I had not had my weapon broken before during little battles but it was one I could use in intense situations.

We moved on to the next lesson, and the general instructed me in various fighting styles that would be useful when I found myself outnumbered or without a weapon. 

He demonstrated each technique with precision, his movements swift and powerful like a tiger. Then, it was my turn to put them into practice.

This was going to be difficult and I tried to imagine the stances he had taken before looking at him.

"You seriously want me to replicate what you did in less than two minutes?" I asked with a light chuckle.

"Either that or you can go back to your room and lay with the women in your kingdom."

Now he was being an asshole. But either way, I was going to focus on getting good at this new fighting style.

"All of you, out!" The general screamed at the other people in the hall which had them leaving us alone.

Using this empty hall with no distraction as a stepping stone to learning this lesson, I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves as I faced off against the formidable general. 

We circled each other, our swords drawn and gleaming in the light. 

"You seriously want me to attack you?" I asked as he nodded. "Fine. Here I come."

I attacked first, attempting to catch him off guard with a swift strike. But he parried effortlessly, his movements like that of a snake.

He countered with a series of lightning-fast strikes, forcing me to retreat and defend. 

I had not fought with him having this new skill before. This was something I needed to learn how to defend against if I had a shot at learning anything.

His skill was evident in every move, and I struggled to keep up with the rapid pace of the fight. But with each clash of our swords, I learned, adapting to his technique and finding ways to counter his attacks.

The general pushed me to my limits, testing my endurance and determination. Blow after blow, I fought with all my might, refusing to yield. It was a grueling battle, the sound of clashing steel reverberating through the hall.

"So why do you think she wants you to learn new skills?" He asked while we circled each other.

"I don't know," I lunged with my sword going for his chest which he dodged effortlessly. "She wants me to heal faster or something like that."

He did a backflip with his leg kicking me away as I held my ground and flew towards him with my fists ready to beat him down.

He dodged me and kicked me away.

"Why would you tell her anything about you? You don't know her," he asked as I got to my feet. 

"Look, as much as you're right, you have to remember that she saved my life a couple of times…"

"And endangered it," he laughed. "From day one she has been trouble. If it's the poison incident then let her go. She's not worth it. Focus on something else or better still tell her to leave and…"

"No!" I growled. "She stays."

We stared at each other for sometime before he nodded.

"Let's just get back to sparring," he said.

As we fought, the general continued to instruct me, pointing out areas where I could improve and offering advice on how to outmaneuver an opponent. 

His words were filled with encouragement and critique, pushing me to push my limits and strive for greatness.

Time seemed to blur as we traded blows. Sweat poured down my brow, and my muscles burned with exertion. But I refused to let fatigue overcome me. 

Just as he had taught me, I focused on my breathing, finding a rhythm that allowed me to maintain my strength and concentration.

I could feel the burn taking over but slowing down my breathing seemed to aid me in controlling the pain which would have taken over my body quickly in the past.

Suddenly, he disarmed me with a swift strike, sending my sword flying across the training hall. I stood there, weaponless and vulnerable, but the general did not relent. 

He continued to attack, forcing me to defend myself with nothing but my bare hands.

"What are you doing?!" I said with an alarm about my voice. Was he trying to kill me?

"If you're done being a prince and you're ready to die then say so."

He swerved the sword dangerously about him as he lunged for my neck which I parried away and jumped to my feet ready to kick him away from me.