Free Firestorm (The Sword of Light Trilogy Book 2) by Aaron Hodges Page B

he blocked again. Gabriel was not holding back any longer; each blow carried the full force of his strength.
    Ducking beneath a wicked swing, Eric leapt back out of Gabriel’s reach. He brushed a hand through his hair, already feeling the heat of exertion burning off the morning chill. Gabriel paused to do the same, a wicked grin on his face. He was enjoying this.
    The break did not last long. Gabriel brought his sword about and returned to the attack. Eric swung to counter, but his feet slipped on the damp grass and his sword went wide. Pain lanced from his side as Gabriel’s weapon struck his hip. Swearing, Eric kicked out, catching Gabriel on the knee. They both stumbled backwards.
    Gabriel’s grin widened. “There’s more where that came from.”
    Eric did not waste energy replying. He panted heavily, breath fogging the crisp air, the exertions of the night already catching up to him.
    This is exhausting! Eric now had a new respect for Caelin’s endurance. He had watched the sergeant take on three men at once while hardly breaking a sweat.
    The ache in his hip throbbed in time with the beat of his heart. Cursing his clumsiness, Eric allowed his anger to take hold. He gripped the practice blade tighter, and leapt to the attack.
    Gabriel’s eyes widened. He raised his sword in a clumsy block, but Eric’s sword slipped beneath and struck him in the stomach. Gabriel staggered backwards, wheezing as he fought for breath. Eric stepped back, allowing him to recover.
    When he did, Gabriel leapt at him with a roar. Eric stood his ground, fighting to hold his own as Gabriel unleashed a string of blows. His arm shook with each clash. He began to retreat, ducking and dodging, while making the occasional attack of his own. Several times Gabriel’s blade snuck through, biting at Eric’s flesh. Within minutes his arms and body stung from the kiss of Gabriel’s sword.
    Gabriel kept on, seeming to gain strength with every blow. Swearing, Eric fought on, his strength waning rapidly. His boots grew heavier, his weary legs unable to move with the same speed as earlier. He struggled to keep his blade moving, to jump from the path of Gabriel’s blows. He all but gave up counterattacking.
    His foes grin widened with each swing. It seemed adrenaline now more than countered whatever fatigue he felt from his time adrift.
    At least, even exhausted, Eric still moved faster than his opponent. He found himself studying Gabriel’s movements, watching for the first clench of muscle or flicker in his eyes to reveal his next attack. Gabriel’s bulk made him slow and his inexperience provided more than enough warning for Eric to avoid most of his blows.
    Not all of them though , Eric winced as Gabriel’s blade bounced from his own and smashed against his elbow. Arm numb, Eric backed away.
    Sensing blood, Gabriel pressed the attack.
    Eric swore, feet carrying him to safety as Gabriel’s blade glanced from his shoulder. He lashed out to cover his retreat.
    Gabriel knocked the blow aside, contempt on his face. “Not so tough without your magic, are you?” he mocked.
    “Least I’m not a bumbling buffoon like you,” Eric snapped back, pain driving his anger.
    Gabriel only grinned, and struck again. Eric raised his sword but Gabriel knocked it aside, his shoulder driving into Eric’s chest. The force of the collision knocked the wind from his lungs, sending Eric tumbling across the ground. The sword spun from his grip, landing a few feet from where he lay.
    Gabriel laughed and raised his sword over Eric’s head.
    Dimly, Eric heard Caelin shouting something. His ears rung, making Caelin’s voice seem distant and frail. He summoned the last of his strength and threw himself from the path of Gabriel’s blade. A soft thud came from behind him as mud sprayed the air.
    Gabriel wrenched his blade free of the earth and came after him. Eric gasped for breath, unable to summon the strength to move. The sword appeared overhead, already descending