This particular entry deals with rape and its aftermath. If you are uncomfortable with those topics you may want to skip this one…..
Part 8
Birth of a Warrior
"Again."
Sarah positioned herself and waited for her enemy to charge her. She felt her breath coming in short pants as the three soldiers came at her. She quickly dropped to one knee and used the blunt end of her practice staff to drop the first of her opponents to the ground.
Swiftly she spun around and leaped over the head of the second unsuspecting enemy. Sarah tagged him in the back of the head. Technically he was out of the practice. Sarah had effectively knocked him unconscious.
The last opponent circled the young blonde. He carried two short blades and was considered to be at a master's level of skill.
Sarah watched him closely. Her mind focused on his every move. Since Abigail had enhanced her senses, Sarah could see further and hear the simplest of sounds. Her smelling had increased as well. She could almost see her opponent move before he made the decision to move.
Sarah concentrated on her final opponent. Her thoughts telling her that this could be the last obstacle between her and Robin.
The man taunted her. Easily side stepping her strikes. Sarah wisely kept her cool and waited for an opening. Abigail watched as the young woman transformed before her very eyes. It appeared as though Sarah was born to be a warrior.
The spec saw the change come over Sarah before the young slave turned warrior even knew what had happened. Confidence quickly replaced uncertainty and hesitation faded away to skillful patience. Luna favored the young woman. That much was evident.
Abigail watched as Sarah executed a perfect flip and expertly disabled her opponent.
"Very good Sarah."
The lady of the ship smiled in satisfaction at the spec. But before Sarah could respond to Abigail, movement from behind her caught her attention. She smoothly fell to one knee and brought her staff above her head blocking the deadly blow from her last opponent.
Before he could react the young blonde had knocked his legs out from beneath him and stood over him. The blade of her staff pointing against his neck.
The man looked up in awe at the woman who had so easily defeated him. He felt it an honor to spar with her.
"Very good lady Sarah. You fight as if you have been a warrior your entire life."
Sarah stepped back and removed the blade from her weapon of choice. She pushed an unseen button in the middle of the staff, causing the weapon to compact immediately. Then she concealed the weapon in the leather holster attached to her right thigh. The blade fit nicely in the top of her boot.
"Thank you Devon. I may call on you to spar with in the future."
"It would be my greatest honor my lady."
The three officers stood at attention and then left the large arena. Sarah pulled her long hair up off her neck as she let out a deep breath.
"Abigail…how did I do. And you better answer me truthfully."
Abigail smiled at the sweating young woman.
"Sarah you are magnificent. Luna favors you. I have never seen anyone transform so quickly or smoothly. You are a natural."
Sarah felt herself fill with pride. She never would have guessed her life to turn out this way. But here she stood in the training arena of the Phoenix, getting ready to rescue the woman who rescued her.
"Only one more thing to take care of Abigail."
"What's that Sarah?"
The blonde smiled as she walked out of the arena with Abigail perched on her shoulder.
"You'll see…"
Sarah instructed the small spec to wait on her in their quarters. Abigail did not protest as she felt it would give her a moment to try and contact Otis. She hoped he had figured out the name of the ship. Or at least who commanded it.
Sarah watched as the older man stepped behind her. She could see his reflection in the mirror. She let out a deep sigh as he reached into a well-worn apron and pulled out a shiny object. She closed her eyes and refused to watch any further. The sound alone was enough to make her cringe. But this needed to be done. She was a warrior now and didn't want anything to distract her or get in her way.
"Okay…you're all finished Sarah."
Slowly, green eyes came open and the finished product wasn't as bad as she had suspected. She smiled at her reflection before letting her eyes drift up to the slayer of tangles.
"Thank you Malcolm. It feels much better."
The older man reached for a small vacuum device on the wall and began cleaning up all of the blonde hair lying at his feet.
"You're welcome Sarah….you look great."
Sarah stood and ran her fingers through the short blonde locks of her hair. She couldn't remember a time her hair had been this short. But none the less, she loved it. She just hoped Robin would like it.
As her thoughts turned toward her captured soul mate, the smile on her face faded away. It was now time to head back to their chamber and fall onto a plan. Robin needed her and Sarah vowed she would not fail.
Feed the bard…..still with me…..loubug@zoomnet.net
Thanks…..loubug