“Congratulations on making the semifinals in katas,” Gwaynn said to Krys, who’d lost to B’dall in the final match the previous day. Still making it to the final four was considered a great success for any seventh year. “Master Kostek must be proud of all of you,” he added though he was looking directly at Vio. They all beamed in youthful pride, each realizing that as a group, they were doing quite well.
“Are you nervous about your upcoming match?” he asked Vio directly. There was a formality in his voice that he did not want, but for some unknown reason he felt tense whenever he was near her.
She shook her head. “Not really I’ve made it this far.”
“I’ve been watching B’dall closely. He likes to feint in low with his left before coming in for a head shot with his right,” Gwaynn added using his hands to demonstrate. “He favors it.”
“Giving a few lessons,” a voice came from out of the fog behind him. Gwaynn turned, but already knew it was B’dall. “It’s a bit presumptuous, since you’ve been on the island only a year, and are not a true student. Is the training on Noble Island so poor that just anyone can teach here?” He walked up, purposefully getting close to Gwaynn, hoping to make the newcomer either take a step back or feel inclined to defend himself. But the younger boy did not move.
“Anyone can learn. Anyone can teach,” Gwaynn answered.
B’dall only grunted and then turned his attention to Vio. “I will give you a few lessons this afternoon…traitor,” he spat at her, eyes blazing.
Vio said nothing, just stared back at him.
“You’ll be fortunate if I don’t break up that pretty face of yours,” he added, walking so close to her that she had to step aside or be run into.
“I will be glad when he finishes,” Tam said softly, afraid that B’dall might overhear; though he was already lost in the fog. “He is getting unbearable.”
William shrugged. “He’s been the most dominant student in our quarter for over ten years, which…I guess would go to anyone’s head.”
“And it doesn’t help to have his King fawning all over him,” Vio added.
“His King?” Gwaynn asked.
“I told you I was never going back,” Vio snapped, and Gwaynn held up his hands in consolation. “I’ve already discussed with Master Kostek about the possibility of continuing to train on the Island after my schooling ends.
“What did he say?” Tam asked excitedly, as they all began to stretch for a short run. Gwaynn joined in without asking.
Vio looked at the ground. “He said it would be a Council decision but at the rate I was progressing he could not foresee any problems. He was sure Tar Amon would put in a good word about me.”
“I’m sure he will,” Gwaynn added, and the rest agreed.
“Remember only two miles this morning,” William said as they all took off down the river together. “No need to tire yourself out before this afternoon.”
Vio agreed and they all fell in step, at least until she and Gwaynn began to pull away.
ǂ
That afternoon the arena was packed to capacity and then some, as the general populace prepared for the match that was the highlight of the entire Competition; the kata finals. The fog had long since burned off, and there was a strong southeasterly breeze clearing the sky, pushing what clouds remained quickly across the deepening blue. Workers were still busy laying down sawdust on the damp arena floor to draw out any further moisture as Vio and B’dall entered led by Tar Kostek. Gwaynn was sitting in the Council’s box with Tar Nev on one side and Tar Amon on the other. Tar Endid, who was selected as judge for the match, was down on the arena floor with the two students, who apart from their dark Deutzani features could not have looked more different. Obviously Vio was female, but aside from that she was lean and wiry. She looked very small next to the broad shouldered and powerful B’dall. Their physical differences necessitated that they each develop different methods of fighting. Vio relied mostly on speed and guile, where B’dall relied on power. It would be a classic conflict of styles. The Tars, and in fact, most of the more knowledgeable spectators, were eager to see the distinct techniques clash.
The air in the arena was electric as both students and Endid walked to the center of the floor, Vio testing the footing as she went. It’s passable, she thought as together the three bowed to Tar Amon and the rest of the Council, then in unison they bowed to all four corners of the arena. The crowd grew very quiet as the two students stepped back and bowed to Tar Endid, then to each other and without a word the fighting commenced. Vio immediately darted in for a quick surprise strike, but B’dall was ready and though he had to retreat, he managed to hold her off without either scoring a hit. Vio quickly backed away before B’dall could counter, her left foot slipping just a bit.
Gwaynn, who watched from his seat above, was on edge, far more nervous in the stands than he would have been on the arena floor. He noticed Vio’s foot slip and frowned. The dicey footing would definitely favor B’dall and his lumbering style. Vio would have to be very careful or her opponent would get in a few easy points, and it only took seven strikes to win.
Vio was thinking much the same thing as she caught and righted herself from the slip, then she circled B’dall, testing the footing once more, which seemed adequate in most places, but she did come across another area which was a cause for concern. B’dall made a move to come in, but slowed as Vio skipped back away from him. Still he came on, quickly realizing that his opponent could not use all of her speed. He maneuvered after her, unaware that he had a slight smile on his face.
B’dall continued to pursue and Vio continued to attack quickly then pull away, never wanting to get into a long engagement where her opponent’s power could be brought to bear. The first few minutes of the contest were a slow, methodical feeling out of each other’s abilities. B’dall was almost always the aggressor and he finally worked Vio into a small damp area near the back of the arena close to the north wall, and then he moved in very quickly. He attacked and she parried, the smile never leaving his face until she ducked under one of his especially hard blows and made contact on his elbow with her left kata. It was a glancing blow, unlikely to cause any real pain or handicap, but it was spotted by Endid, who shouted and raised one hand for Vio. The crowed cheered, as B’dall backed away then moved in again, now a grimace on his face and with three powerful blows knocked Vio’s right kata aside and came down full force on her left wrist hard enough to break it. A gasp went through the crowd as Vio yelped and dropped her kata, dancing back. She managed to block another blow with her remaining right kata before moving off to relative safety.
Endid yelled again and raised his hand in B’dall’s favor. B’dall did not hesitate now that he had his opponent at a distinct disadvantage. He rushed in and attacked. Vio, with only one kata, parried, ducked and retreated with no thought of attack, no thought of scoring a hit, only hoping to hold off her relentless attacker. She held her wounded arm close to her body, which hampered her balance and speed. Yet she somehow managed to deflect or dodge a half dozen fast, powerful attacks with one arm before finally scoring another miraculous hit with a kick to the knee of B’dall, who went down with a curse. Vio retreated quickly as he rose and tested his leg. It held but he had to flex his knee several times to drive away the numbness. The crowd roared its pleasure.