Page 34 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
Auslin huffed in annoyance. “If you can’t understand it, I’m not explaining it to you.”
“You are aesthetically pleasing, so I do not understand where your protests stem from.” Kitaro shrugged, doing a poorjob of hiding his ongoing amusement over Auslin’s self-consciousness.
Auslin couldn’t process the fact that Kitaro had complimented him in such a way. He hid his face in his hands with a groan. “Can we please get on with it before I die from embarrassment?”
“Very well.” Kitaro went over to the wall to grab weapons for the lesson.
Auslin was expecting more archery practice, so it surprised him when Kitaro came back with two wooden swords. He hesitantly accepted one that was proffered to him. “I’ve never actually used a sword before, so…”
“That is why you are here to learn.”
“My companion did all the fighting, so I mostly tried to stay out of the way.” Auslin needed to justify why he was inevitably going to be awful at defending himself. “I could use my powers, but I try not to do that unless absolutely necessary.”
“And what did you do if a human appeared to attack you while you were alone?”
Auslin’s mind automatically reflected on the two times Kitsuki had saved him when Kio had left him alone. “Whenever I found myself in that position, someone thankfully saved me.” It still confused him why Kitsuki had come to his aid back then.
“Then you have been fortunate. However, you should be able to defendyourself against people you cannot use your powers against. Now, show me your stance.”
“But I don’t have one.” Auslin had never received any formal training in self-defense other than what he learned through encounters on the road.
“Then do what feels natural.”
Still feeling a sense of hesitancy, Auslin held the sword up in front of him in a mimicry of the position Kio used at the start of a fight.
Kitaro quirked an eyebrow. “Are you modeling your stance on your companion’s?”
“Trying to.” Auslin was unsure of how to judge Kitaro’s expression.
“No wonder you had to heal him,” Kitaro commented. “That pose is suited to a brawler at best. He must be disarmed often.”
Before Auslin could readjust his position, Kitaro launched an attack. He easily disarmed Auslin when their swords connected, sending it clattering to the floor.
Kitaro nodded to himself as he picked up the weapon and handed it back to Auslin. “You need to put more power into your defense.”
“I didn’t think you were going to come at me,” Auslin muttered.
“You should always expect someone to be coming at you.” Kitaro held up his own sword to signal to Auslin that he should prepare himself once more.
Instead of assuming Kio’s stance again, Auslin tried to model how he had seen Kitsuki standing. He drew his sword closer to his body and shifted into Kitsuki’s posture to the best of his memory. “Is this better?” Auslin asked, still feeling unnatural holding a weapon.
“Much improved.” Kitaro gave him an approving nod. “Perhaps your companion has had some training after all.”
“Actually, I’m basing it off of a different shifter I’ve seen fight up close.”
“He clearly must be a skilled warrior with such a balanced stance.”
Auslin smiled sadly at the thought of the dragon monarch. “There’s no one better.”
Kitaro tilted his head as he regarded Auslin. “Why does that seem to trouble you?”
Auslin tried to put Kitsuki out of his thoughts. “Never mind.”
Before Auslin could say anything further, Kitaro rushed at him. This time, Auslin didn’t immediately drop his sword, but after parrying a few blows, he was once again disarmed.
“Better,” Kitaro praised Auslin, although the human still felt like he was underperforming. “Let us start with some basic forms first.”
Auslin picked up his weapon again. “Okay.”
