Mind Games
The first light came faster than she'd wanted. Maya listlessly opened her eyes and pushed herself up on the bed. With a heavy sigh, she picked up Dakran's pillow and hugged it to her chest. She had no clue when he would return or how long it would take to drag Haren's behind back to Ironstone, but she was already dreading the day she would have to face Haren. Maya, pursed her lips, resting her chin on the pillow trying to come to terms with the fact that she was responsible for everything and everyone in Ironstone. Eisza! Maya jumped out of bed when she realised she would be late for her training. The stalwart woman wouldn't be pleased with her being late to the very first training.
Maya pulled on a pair of trousers, layering on a few tunics, to stave off the prickly cold air of the North. Her hair was all over the place so she tied it in a bun. Maya giggled, at the heap of hair plopped on the top of her head. She snapped out of it and scurried out of the door with her cloak in one hand and her dagger in the other.
Falkirk popped his head out of the kitchen, watching her run down the stairs, and out of the door with a deep frown. As expected Eisza was already on the grounds, pacing back on forth, dragging the sword behind her. She was late judging by the stern look on Eisza's expression.
" You're late!" Eisza deadpanned halting her steps, and turned to face her, stoic, impassive. She was swimming in deep waters and Eisza wouldn't think twice before dropping her sorry behind if there she wouldn't show that she was able to stand against her.
" I'm sorry" She tried to sound repentant, but Eisza didn't seem to be swayed by her words. Her dour nature wasn't so easily swayed.
" You're the Lady of Ironstone. Presence" Eisza straightened herself, tipping her chin up, a little snobbish" You're not late. I was early. It is important, to know how to demand respect in the North. You're meek, timid, weak" Eisza carried on listing all the things she was, and it seemed that she was in for a lesson -a long one. Even so, Eisza was right. She had to give her that much. There was no leeway for someone like her in the North by the looks of it.
" I know" Maya meekly said, and hugged herself, feeling rather small in front of Eisza.
Eisza sniggered " Soft. Be proud of who you are. Those attributes won the love of a very good man. Why so quick to agree? He must have seen something in you, that you don't." Eisza was playing mind games. It was far too early for that. She wasn't fully awake to handle a brisk walk through the mental maze.
" It's still quite early" Maya pointed out with a sigh, a little whingy. The sleep daze still lingered in her bones. Unwonted with this new run of the mill, she shook her head trying to wake herself up, properly this time around.
Eisza hummed, frowning " Always be ready." She closed the distance between them, and Eisza leaned in, close enough so that they were nose to nose " The North is not kind, my dear. Blade?" Eisza cut it short, unable to deal with her sissines. And she had a feeling that it wasn't the end of it. There will be more of that on the blackboard, as the dish of the day.
Maya raised her hand to show her the dagger that Dakran had given her as a gift when they reached the North.
Eisza broke into a fit of laughter, wholehearted, a little mocking, hands slapping together, loud. So loud. Maya scrunched her eyes closed, ashamed. Eisza seemed to have a strange effect on her. Her aplomb and the ability to make one cower with her sheer presence were enough to offer her insight into what Eisza was capable of.
" Are you planning to tickle me to death?" Eisza asked with levity, chortling. It seemed that she found her dagger, amusing.
" No. It is a gift from my husband. One which I hold dear to my heart and has saved from trouble, once." Maya candidly answered, wistfully glancing at the dagger. It reminded her of him. The man she held dearest to her heart. Maya puffed her cheeks. It didn't feel the same without Dakran. Even the air was heavier, and harder to breathe. Maya felt her eyes sting but blinked the tears away. It wasn't a good time to sit down and weep. It would provide Eisza yet another opportunity to pick at her and frankly, she wasn't in the right spirit to handle yet another one of her probing, mind games.
" I see." Eisza paused for a beat, and turned on her heels, sauntering to a pile of blades on the ground and returning with a sword. Smaller than hers, thinner, a cutlass. Maya recognised the blade the moment Eisza placed it in her hand.
" Will start with this one" Eisza stepped backwards, taking her battle stance, fiercely waiting for her to attack.
" Show me what your brother and that friend of his, taught you" Eisza challenged with a wicked grin, and sparking with excitement. It seemed that she was itching for a fight. Looking ready to chop her into the tiniest bits. Maya shuddered, at that thought and placed the dagger on the ground.
With a nod, Maya curled up her finger around the hilt of the sword and moved her feet. Eisza was lofty, so she will swing high, Maya frowned as she took stock of the women before her. She had to wait for Eisza to attack first. But, Eisza just did what she did, and matched her steps, circling each other. The hunter and the hunted.
" Attack me" Eisza tipped her chin, proud.
Maya giggled " You first" She halted her steps, defiant, challenging Eisza and so did Eisza. It was more a battle of wills, than anything.
Eisza scoffed " I don't think so, red" She tried to irk her with her words, grimacing in disdain when she said the word red.
But, after dealing with Haren and Corvin, Eisza's words sounded like flattery compared to those two.
Eisza blew out a breath " We're not getting anywhere " I won't parry your first try" Eisza haggled. She doubted she would make good on her word.
" No, you first, but I can't make the same promise" Maya smirked, with every intention to show Eisza what she was made of.
Eisza nodded, resigned and charged towards her, blazing faster than the wind. As predicted Eisza swung high, and Maya slid under her lofty figure, placing the tip of the blade in her ribs, not enough to wound but, enough to show she wasn't as meek as she thought.
Eisza chuckled " Better than I expected. Not enough." She glanced at the blade poking at her ribs and lowered her blade.
" I'm pleased and I expected no less" Eisza bowed " Now, take your stance and attack. Your defence seems good. I'm sure your attack is faulty. Your brother would have taught you mostly defence. That's what I would do." Eisza was correct in her assessment. Rom and Sylus had focused on teaching her how to defend rather than inflict wounds and counterattack.
" Yes. It started when he had to leave and he feared I might get into trouble." Maya added and Eisza nodded.
" Sensible man. Enough with the mushy talk. I do see that happening. You getting into trouble. You're like a little rabbit, wide-eyed, skittish. I will make sure to beat that out of you." Eisza took her stance before her, poised, holding her blade ready to evade her attack and she was sure she would have no trouble in doing so.
Maya sighed and did the same and only this time around she attacked, Eisza straightforward frontal and Eisza stepped aside and raised her leg, tripping her and she kissed the ground, ungraciously.
Eisza chuckled " Less" she amusedly said, offering her hand to help Maya stand up. Maya pushed herself off the ground, spitting the dirt she breathed in when she gasped and stood up before Eisza. At least Eisza was smiling which was a change for the better. She had a pretty smile.
" Less?" Maya asked with a frown brushing the dust off her clothes.
" Less of everything. Watch what your opponent is doing. Do charge blindly, or you'll end up with your face in the mud. Walk before you run. Will start off slow, and go from there." Eisza stepped aside and took her stance once more, less stiff this time around, smiling at her.
" Again" Eisza barked, ready to send her flying into the nearest wall. Well, that was over rather quickly. Maya nodded and took her stance before Eisza, a little more apprehensive this time around, watching Eisza with a keen eye. Maya stuck her tongue out and charged towards Eisza, and as expected Eisza spun around, out of her way letting her run into the nearest wall.