Week 9: I Came, I Saw, I Conquered....

"You ready for this?"

Q's impish grin is etched deeply around his eyes as I fasten the last few straps on my chest armor. I'm nervous as hell but I give him my best grin.

"Sure am! Order of prestige right? That means..." I trail off and look over my shoulder at an imposing looking fighter who's busy fastening his vambraces. Q's grin widens and he bobs his shaved head, the metal of his roman style armor creaks with the motion.

"That's right kid! You get the King first."

"Oh. Great."

***********

"You've got some good defense, but you're not really throwing any shots."

Sun glints off Vey's helm as I climb back to my feet. I'm gulping mouth fulls of air in an attempt to catch my breath but he's barely broken a sweat. Guy's in his forties and putting me to shame...great.

"Yeah...I'm thinking too much." The back of my leg is burning like a mother; I gotta watch those leg shots. Vey nods a little and shoulders his weapon, a piece of ritan wrapped in tape and with an iron caged hand guard.

"Try to find a balance. I remember when you first started your aggression was your best asset. Now you just have to use that and keep in form."

"More aggression huh? Yeah, I can do that." I flash him a wide grin and settle down into a ready stance.

***********

"Yes!"

Cedric's roar of approval rang out from the side lines as I slipped a leg shot past Vey's guard then followed up with a kill shot, the solid ritan blade rang off his helm like the toll of a small church bell. Panting I stepped back and offered Vey a nod as he stood up with a grin.

"That was much better." the larger man rolled his shoulders then rested his shield against his hip. I nodded a little and blew a breath out between my lips. I was getting better, breathing had become easier and I was just stronger in general. I turn a little as Ced nudges my shoulder.

"That was a big improvement." he nods once then goes over to talk with Bill. I can't help but grin at his words, if both he and Vey say I'm doing better...that means I'm on the right track. I shoulder my own weapon and look back at Vey.

"Ready for another?"