****
An hour later Jeremy and Avon found Iramy behind the mansion behind the fountain and formal garden. The lawn was green and soft, the perfect place to learn and practice. As they approached, they noticed Iramy twirling a longsword. Her movements were artful and graceful. It resembled a dance; a ballet.
"That was beautiful," Avon exclaimed. "I want to do that."
"This was just me warming up and stretching out. What I am about to teach you is not so beautiful. I'm going to teach you how to fight."
Avon and Jeremy noticed several swords lying on the ground. Jeremy smiled as he saw another longsword. He was intrigued by the ancient style swords, long and heavy, sharp on both edges. It took strength and agility to wield them. He also saw a pair of backswords, both with straight single-edged blades and hilts with a single-handed grip.
"The backswords are good for having a little fun," Iramy chuckled. "But you need to know how to use the broadswords. They are heavier and much more dangerous. Once you learn to wield one, everything else is easy. You will need lots of upper body strength and agility. Not just with your arms but the rest of your body as well."
Jeremy started to reach for one of the broadswords when Iramy stopped him. "Sorry, Captain but I need to start the two of you with something a little less dangerous. I have a couple of bamboo rods. They're the right length and they'll still do some damage if used properly, or improperly for that matter."
Jeremy groaned impatiently while still admiring the broadsword. "In time, my dear Captain," Iramy chuckled. "I'll demonstrate some basic moves with the real thing and then you can imitate the moves."
Iramy placed the sword back into the scabbard. She showed them how to remove it without getting hurt. "I like a slightly shorter sword," Iramy advised. "It's a bit more personal, you have to be closer to your opponent. They are easier to carry on the back of a vest, crosswise. Once you become ambidextrous with a sword, two is a lot better than one."
"So we will learn to fight with both hands?" Avon asked.
Iramy nodded. "First using both hands then one handed. This way if you are injured you can flip the sword into the other hand and defend yourself. The trick, of course, is not to get injured. There are many techniques to learn both offensively and defensively. I will teach you both simultaneously."
"How hard can it be?" Jeremy mused.
"Remember your first shot into the ceiling the other day?" Iramy laughed.
Jeremy's cheeks turned red. "Oh yeah."
"Always be prepared for battle. Have your sword ready. It can be a matter of life or death if you're wasting critical seconds pulling it out. Practice and practice a lot until it is second nature. We'll do that a little later. The two of you can practice drawing your swords while I prepare lunch."
Iramy reached down and tossed a bamboo stick to Avon and Jeremy. "This won't emulate the weight of the real thing but until I know no one is going to be gutted, we will use these and learn proper techniques first.” Iramy picked up a bamboo rod. "Hold it with two hands, dominant hand on top. I'll show you everything right handed. But remember to practice left handed as well."
Iramy watched as both positioned their hands on the bamboo. "Hold it tight. The last thing you want to do is have your opponent disarm you or worse, drop your sword because your grip was weak. It's not only embarrassing but possibly lethal."
Iramy stepped in front of Avon. "Hold the rod in front of you extended. Now hold on tight. I'm going to knock it out of your hand." Avon did as instructed. Iramy took her stance and swung. Avon's rod flew out of her hands and landed several feet away.
"We're going to need to work on your grip," Iramy laughed. "You're next Captain."
Iramy moved in front of Jeremy. She could see the determination on his face, the tautness of his grip. "Hold on," she laughed as she swung. Likewise, Jeremy's rod went flying. The look on his face was priceless.
"What the frack," Jeremy called out, completely surprised and shaking his hands as if trying to return the blood flow to his palms. "That hurt."
"Hitting the sword in the right spot will disarm your opponent. I'll teach you more about it later. I'm going to teach you how to kill your opponent offensively. Then I'll teach you a lot more."
Avon and Jeremy retrieved their rods. "Always ensure your body is properly positioned and balanced. Stay relaxed and take deep breaths. You will need to make split-second decisions during a duel to ensure survival. Stay focused."
Iramy turned to Jeremy. "During a fight you will be either attacking or defending. Sometimes it's hard to discern one from the other. If your opponent is striking first, you'll be defending but you have to move quickly to attack. You can't spend the entire fight defending yourself, you'll lose in the end and die. We'll start with you defending yourself. I'll attack."
Iramy stepped closer to Jeremy and stood slightly to the side. Pointing the bamboo rod towards Jeremy she lunged forward. Jeremy jumped out of the way but didn't counter.
"Good job moving out of the way but you really didn't defend yourself. Try again."
Iramy swung around, hitting Jeremy in the side of his chest. "Ouch," Jeremy called out.
"Defend yourself," Iramy called out. "If you don't want me to hit you, then stop me." Iramy continued to attack, aiming for Jeremy's torso. Trying again and again, he failed to block her attack. "It's harder than it looks," Iramy laughed and then stopped.
She reached into a duffle bag sitting nearby and pulled out two black vests. "Put these on," she advised Jeremy and Avon. "I've done enough damage for one day."
Jeremy lifted his shirt and saw several bruises on his side and chest. "At least nothing is broken," he groaned.
"I have an herbal remedy for bruises," Iramy informed him. "You'll be as good as new in a couple of days. We wouldn't want to leave any marks on that perfectly chiseled body of yours."
Once both Jeremy and Avon had donned the vests, Iramy started walking away. "Have fun you two. Remember to aim for the vest. I don't have time to heal either of you."
"That's it?" Avon exclaimed.
"Work on offensive and defense. We'll work on technique later. I want the two of you to become comfortable attacking and defending. See you for lunch." Iramy continued to walk away. Both Jeremy and Avon stood there watching her.
"I don't get it," Avon pondered aloud.
"Me either," Jeremy replied. "But I guess she knows what she is doing. She's good; really good."
Avon looked towards the house and at Iramy. "I never knew. I didn't know any of this. I wonder when she practices. She was so graceful as if she's been doing this all her life."
"I wouldn't want to go against her and if I have to go against anyone who has as much skill as her, I will be dead in a matter of seconds."
"I guess she wants us to learn together, novice against novice."
"Why don't you attack first," Jeremy suggested. "I'll defend."
"I'm not sure I'm going to do this right," Avon chuckled apprehensively.
"I'm sure in a fight, a real fight, you take any attack you can."
Avon shrugged. "Ready when you are," she announced and pointed the bamboo rod towards Jeremy. Jeremy took his stance and readied for the parry. Avon lunged at Jeremy's shoulder and he blocked.
"Again," he called out.
Avon lunged and swung again and again. Sometimes she made contact with Jeremy's body, most of the time she didn't. After ten minutes of the two of them twirling and lunging, Avon stopped. "This is harder than I thought. But it's fun. I like it. I can already feel it in my arms and shoulders."
"This is a good work out," Jeremy agreed. "Now it's my turn."
Avon took her stance to defend and Jeremy attacked. His first lunge connected with the side of her ribcage. Surprised, she stumbled back and fell to the ground. "Damn," she cried out.
"Are you okay?" Jeremy asked while stepping forward.
"
I think my ego is bruised," she laughed. "You're stronger than me and you outweigh me by quite a bit."
"Why don't we just fight and see how it goes?" Jeremy suggested.
"Okay," Avon agreed. "I might be better on offense than on defense."
"You have to be good at both," Jeremy quickly countered.
"Both of us do," Avon stated with a strange tone in her voice. "There's a reason Iramy is determined we learn how to use swords. I wish I knew why."
"You get that vibe too?" Jeremy asked. "Something is going on. I wish I knew what it was."
"Me too," Avon replied, nearly whispering. "But I don't think we are going to get any answers from her or anyone else."
"So we train?" Jeremy asked rhetorically.
"Yes," Avon agreed. "We train as if our lives depend on it."
"Let's have fun today," Jeremy requested. "I already have a few battle bruises."
"Okay," Avon giggled. "I'll take it easy on you."
Avon jumped forward to attack and Jeremy effectively defended himself. Twirling and swinging the two continued to attack and defend. As they became more comfortable, they became more confident and more assertive. After only thirty minutes, both were equally covered in perspiration and out of breath.
"My shoulders hurt," Avon grimaced while backing away from Jeremy. "Shall we call it quits for the day?"
"Good idea," Jeremy agreed. "I need some of whatever Iramy has for these bruises. I'm in pain."
"But I thought you liked pain," Avon giggled.
"That woman can swing. She's a lot stronger than she looks."
Avon nodded and the two gathered all the swords. Silently they walked back to the mansion. Iramy met them in the kitchen. "Remove your shirt Captain," Iramy demanded as soon as they entered.
Jeremy glared at Iramy in horror. "I need to heal you," Iramy explained. "Avon, please give us some privacy."
Avon knew better than to question Iramy. It would be both inappropriate and confrontational. As each revelation about Iramy was exposed, Avon was learning just how dangerous and lethal Iramy could be. Her mild-mannered nanny was not as docile and helpless as she looked. The tame housekeeper and cook had secrets and skills.
Avon nodded and scurried out of the kitchen. "Your shirt Captain," Iramy repeated.
"I can do this myself," Jeremy countered.
"I got a few good hits on your back. You may not have felt it before but trust me I know where every thrust landed."
Jeremy looked around as if assuring they were alone. Hesitantly he removed his shirt. Looking down he saw several bruises on his ribcage and sides. He couldn't even imagine what his back looked like.
Iramy smiled looking at Jeremy's muscles and physique. He worked out every day and it showed. Iramy picked a bowl off the counter. It contained a gooey purple substance with the consistency of mashed potatoes. "This is going to be cold, but it will feel soothing," she warned. Dipping her fingers into the goo she began rubbing it onto Jeremy's back.
Jeremy could feel the homemade remedy instantly cool the bruises. He could feel it pulling out the pain and replacing it with relaxing warmth. "That feels good," he sighed and turned around. He did not complain when Iramy continued to apply the purple goo to the bruises on his ribcage.
"Leave it on for at least fifteen minutes. Then you can shower or hit the sanitation stall. We'll apply more later this afternoon if we need to. I'm sorry for hitting you so hard, but both you and Avon need to know how to defend yourself in a sword fight. There are other planets and other galaxies which still use swords. If the General's warning comes to fruition, you will both be prepared."
Jeremy looked down at Iramy and stared into her blank eyes with suspicion. "What do you know?"
"Nothing definite," Iramy replied. "But if I read the General correctly, something out there is brewing. And it's going to be bad. I know the Academy trained you for modern weapons and hand to hand combat, but when it comes to the real thing, you will need more. Ancient fighting techniques will be invaluable."
"I know you know more than what you are saying. Even Avon thinks so. But we both agreed not to ask."
"I only have my suspicions at this point and I'm not going to speculate or put erroneous information out there. If and when you need to know more, then I'll speak up. You have my promise."