The other disciples gave a short round of applause, the defeated boy retrieving his sword and then bowing to Calum in respect. "You've got a very good understanding of the first three sets of skills. You deserve the win." He returned the practice sword to his instructor, who tossed it to the second boy to volunteer.
"Get in there, Handel."
"Er, Instructor. My stomach is a bit upset, so I think I'll pass." With that, Handel shamelessly passed the practice sword along to the third volunteer.
The next boy rolled his shoulders and removed the top part of his robe, revealing a lean, sweat-covered body as he faced Calum in the hot sun. While the two readied themselves for the next engagement, Alistar mused over the fact that the previous fight had played out similarly to the spars that he and his friends often entertained. For all of the study, practice and self-discipline that went into learning the ways of the sword, actual fights tended to end in a matter of moments.
