Arven was not necessarily good at everything — some books were above his comprehension, some people above his patience, some pressures too much to bear. But when it came to physical skills he was a powerhouse, and took to this particular one like a duck to water — though they were only just beginning.

He parried as instructed, and again, taking a deft step backwards to do so — then he made to strike, but did not want to... giving her the perfect opportunity to make her move.