Inside the Beast's Castle

Chapter 23--Vespers

A few days after fighting, I was outside for a lesson in the same thing.

Which is loosely translated as a "let's-see-how-beat-up-Zara-can-get" lesson.

I was honestly just happy to be outside again. The fighting lessons had been few and far between, and they were the only way I was able to go outdoors. Between the until-noon times I cleaned the castle and the rain which plagued the castle grounds for a week, going outside became a very rare and virtually impossible feat.

So, when I finally had the chance to feel the sunshine hit me, I didn't think twice about asking for a lesson. Trying to fight off Beast was more of me dodging out of the way and praying he'd keep his word. I would've lost a fight with the vespers too, Vadik's knife or no Vadik's knife.

"Lizavyeta!"

I jumped and glared up at Kvirfrom my sitting position on the ground. "What?"

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh, I'm sorry. I must have just imagined that you said you wanted a lesson today. Never mind then. Let's go inside."

I rolled my eyes. "I was just enjoying the sunshine for a second. Get over it."

"Mhm." Beast pointed up at the sky, which was covered in dark clouds. "I see that sunshine you were enjoying so much. Wow, it's nice!"

It wouldn't go well if you slap him now. Just wait until he starts showing you some weird move or something. You can mess it up and blame it on that.

I counted to ten before I started to move, just to aggravate Kvir. Slowly, (and I mean slowly) I rose to my feet.

"So, what are we doing today?" I pulled my arm behind me, feeling the stretch in my shoulders.

His eyes twinkled as he dug through one of his pockets, fishing for something. When he finally grasped it, the skin around his eyes crinkled in a smile and he pulled the thing out with a flourish.

It was a knife.

"Here," he said, holding the hilt toward me. "Take. Use."

Already have one.

Still, I took it. "Well, unless you want me to stab you again, I doubt I'll be using it."

He rolled his eyes. "Come here."

The grass crunched beneath me as I walked two feet to Kvir and stood, knife in hand. "Now what?"

He twirled his fingers. "Give me the knife and turn around."

What was the point of giving me the knife in the first place if you're just going to take it away again!

I thrust the knife out--which he took-- and turned around, slapping my hands against my thighs. His clothes rustled with his movement behind me. My heart sped up. What's he doing?

A long hand touched my shoulder lightly. A shiver ran up my spine.

"We're doing headlocks today," Kvir chirped brightly.

And he proceeded to wrap his arm around my neck and squeeze.

The pressure of his arm against my windpipe disturbed me for a second, but only for a second. My brain went into overdrive, trying to remember what to do in that situation.

I stomped his foot.

He let go of my neck fairly quickly. "Don't do that!"

"Whaddaya think I'm going to do if someone chokes me? Give 'em a prize? Just be glad I stomped your foot and didn't aim higher!"