Chapter 132

It seemed everyone had stopped what they were doing and started to gather round. As the primary weapon's Master, Bjarkë had worked to train most of the older men there and everyone had felt the side of his blade often, to their great misery. They looked at the tiny woman facing Bjarkë and could not imagine how she would fare well against the grizzled veteran. The younger men who'd been working with Frang and Ailene with the rapier gave her a slightly better chance because they knew how good she was, but looking at their comparative size, it seemed impossible she could win. Only the men who'd actually witnessed the fight between Frang and Thorburn thought she had any chance at all. After all, she was a woman.

Cyrus McTeague was one of those watching and he stood beside the largest of the men who regularly practiced with Bjarkë and felt his blade more than most because more was expected of him. He said, "The poor lassie doesn't stand a chance."

McTeague looked at him speculatively for a few moments and asked, "Are you willing to wager?"

"What kind of odds would you be wanting?"

"Even money," McTeague said, turning to watch again.

The big man said. "Five coppers."

"Done," McTeague said. "Bjarkë gets stuck more often than he hits Lady Cameron. Two more says he's blooded first."

"Easiest money I ever made," the man said, agreeing to the terms.

Frang made all the people back up until he had a good sized space giving Ailene an opportunity to move around. He looked at Bjarkë and said, "I don't want you to hold back, uncle. She can't get better unless she fights the best and knows she can take a blow and get back up."

"Is that okay with you, lassie?" Bjarkë asked Ailene.

"Aye. He's right. Give me your best."

They took up positions in the middle of the training ground and Ailene got in her stance, saying "En Garde."

Bjarkë decided to try a bull rush to start. He screamed loudly and began a rapid advance whirling his sword from side to side. He was pleased to see Ailene didn't turn to flee but retreated calmly, maintaining her balance at all times. She took note of the rhythm of his attack and after she'd gauged the movements, brought her rapier up deflecting a backward return stroke up and touching her point to his chest. Bjarkë smiled at her and rubbed his chest where she hit him.

"Good one, lassie. I'm glad to see you remained calm."

She nodded to him, smiling back, acknowledging his praise.

"Thank you, uncle."

"The next few won't be as easy, lass."

"I hope not. I'm expecting some competition," Ailene said.

Bjarkë laughed. "Stuart picked himself a good one. You remind me of Thorburn's mother."

"High praise, uncle. I understand your sister was a fine woman."

"The very best."

"I'm honored to be compared to the incomparable shield maiden, Brynhildr."

McTeague nudged the big man standing beside him in the ribs. "That's two you owe me. You want to give me the rest now?"

"I'm still planning on getting the other five from you. Let's wait until the fight's over." For the first time he started worrying about the contents of his purse. It might be a lot emptier than he ever imagined.

Bjarkë realized he wasn't going to surprise Ailene into making any sudden mistakes. He started to circle slowly, watching her foot work as he moved, noticing if she remained balanced. She did. She'd been well trained. He tried beating her blade aside as Thorburn had with Frang, but not following up, watching for her response. She moved her rapier slightly and his passed harmlessly by but she saw he was prepared for her riposte so she just waited on the balls of her feet. Alert, good for her. For twenty minutes they danced around, probing each other for weaknesses, Bjarkë making several attempts to get through her defenses. She repulsed every one. Their battle started to draw even more attention. Isobel came out and started cheering for Ailene. So were her students. She heard them screaming in the background, now realizing the skills they learned would allow them to compete against bigger and stronger opponents. They were proud she was their teacher.

As time went on, Ailene started feeling more confident in her skills. She was breathing easier and didn't feel tired. Bjarkë didn't look particularly winded either, but he hadn't made any aggressive moves for several minutes, trying to figure out to get around her guard. She started to go on the offensive. She initiated a series of attacks, two of which brought her touches on Bjarkë's torso. He attempted blocking both but her blade was faster than his and she got through each time. Bjarkë got sick of being on the defensive and went on the offensive again, which resulted in two more touches for Ailene. That's when she became over confident. His guard seemed to drop as if the sword was getting too heavy for him. She saw an opening and went for another lunge into his torso. At the last moment he interposed his free arm and took the point there, a wounding, but not killing touch and his sword snapped around and smacked against the side of her head and Ailene dropped as if she'd been poleaxed. She lay still on the ground, unmoving.

Bjarkë was immediately at her side, checking her breathing. Frang and Isobel were right behind, as were several others. Thank God, she still breathed. Bjarkë picked her up and carried her into the house, Isobel rushing ahead calling for smelling salts, water and fresh cloths. He practically leapt up the stars and laid her on her bed. He started to loosen her clothes, realized what he was doing and asked Isobel to continue loosening her clothing so she could breath easier.

When the leather jerkin was unfastened, Bjarkë said to Isobel, "Lay your ear on her breasts and listen for breathing and a heart beat."

Isobel laid her head on Ailene's chest and heard a steady heartbeat and shallow but unlabored breathing.

"She's been knocked unconscious, but she's alive and breathing well."

Bjarkë gave a huge sigh of relief. "I didn't mean to strike her so hard. It was so frustrating fighting this wee chit of a lass and not laying my sword on her. I saw my chance and moved quickly before she could defend and I hit her much harder than intended. I'm so glad I didn't kill her."

"She's not out of the woods yet, Bjarkë," Isobel responded. "She could still die if the blow was hard enough. She could have bleeding on the brain. Unfortunately, she's the best doctor we have but she's unconscious. She'd know what we need to do now. I don't. We need to get her awake."

The maid came in with the salts, water and cloths. Isobel waved the salts under Ailene's nose and they saw the flaring of her nostrils, but she remained still. Isobel dipped the first cloth in the water and began stroking Ailene's head and brow with the damp cloth. After doing her head, she dipped in the water again and began running it around her neck and upper chest.

"Frang, make yourself useful," Isobel ordered. "I want you to hold her hand and squeeze it while talking to her."

"What should I say?" Frang asked.

"Anything you want. I just want her to hear a voice speaking to her. We need to get through the fog clouding her mind right now and everything we can do to that aim is good."

Isobel continued to bathe Ailene's face, head, neck and upper chest with damp cloths. She sent the maid for more water. "As cold as you can find."