Thread: Squire's Secret (Benny and Gunner)

Clearly mercy was for the weak and foolish. Even with his armor of Jacqueline hadn't wanted to harm Friderick. He had no blade, no shield in which to defend himself with. Even with the other squire she hadn't actually tried to hurt him. Not until the others tried to intervene anyways. Her expression was serious even as she only tapped the sides of Friderick's armor. Right until her blade suddenly halted. Jacqueline suddenly went cold as she looked at the sharp steel clutched in the larger man's hand. She didn't try and wrench it free or pull back. Rather she held utterly still, turning her blue eyes onto the knight. In that same moment his hand lashed out. She gasped just before her neck was grabbed, the pressure crushing. Though he didn't hold for long. Boot heels skittered in the dust as she was heaved backwards. A solid blow to the back drove some air from her lungs. Jacqueline gasped and coughed, trying to reclaim the lost breath as Friderick approached. Just as she managed to claim some air a heavy, booted foot fell on her chest. She groaned at the sudden and jarring weight. Not enough to crush ribs but certainly to crush already smashed breasts. She wheezed faintly for breath as Friderick leaned down with his threatening reprimand. Yet he wasn't done. The other booted foot crushed down on her hand and she was quick to release the sword. I already said I would, she growled up at Friderick. How on earth had she been saddled with such a man? She certainly preferred him more quiet. More calm as he had been in the night. Finally release she slowly sat up then got to her feet. Her chest, hand, and throat ached from the rough treatment. She glowered some as he tucked her sword away. Jacque's sword really. Everything actually belonged to him. With a small huffed sigh she folded her arms petulantly. Very well. I know nothing and I shall replace the training sword. Clearly the apology wouldn't be the most contrite of speeches. Yet it seemed Friderick wasn't entirely done with his strange lessons yet. Her eyebrows quirked at the demand but she was quick enough to obey the command. The shield was a painfully massive and heavy thing. Sure she could carry it but holding it, especially with one hand, for any long time would be quite the ordeal. Work on her endurance. She could only guess what that meant even if her suspicions were confirmed almost instantly. Hold it up, nose to groin. For her it was nearly nose to knee. Her eyes narrowed untrustingly for a moment. No, she was supposed to learn from this man. She had to work hard to be able to fight, to be able to compete. Not just against bullish little shits like the other squires. Against real fighters. So the shield was held aloft as instructed. It wasn't long before the task became harder and harder. The longer they went the quick the shield would slip. Sometimes she would managed to get it back aloft before an attack and sometimes not. Her arms shook, she could barely feel them any more. It didn't help that her hand still ached from being stepped on. Finally she simply couldn't any more and let the shield rest in the dirt. I conceded....chop my head...and be done.... she panted, arm resting on the top of the shield. Her fingers were numb, it was a wonder she could even move her arm at all. Damn the man for forcing an admission of failure. She did need to work on her strength that was a certainty.