"I think it was less than a little." she muttered as she shoved coffee in Holly's direction. "Today we learn the side step block, it will put you in a position that you can counter attack from."

Holly sipped at her coffee. Her nose wrinkled, she was yet to get used to the taste of coffee. Holly drank it regardless, knowing that she more than likely needed the energy. "That sounds good to me," she smiled.

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"It better, because I'm your trainer." she said with a wink to prove she was teasing. She downed her coffee and finished her food. "are you ready?"

Holly finished the last mouthful of her breakfast and drained her coffee mug. "I'm ready," Holly said as she dabbed her mouth with a napkin. Holly stood and waited for Lairiel.

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She stood and took Holly back to the training grounds. "Now, face the practice dummy and take the stance I showed you yesterday. Remember how I lunged at you? Picture that, but instead, do this." she took the stance, then showed Holly how she sidestepped, knocked the "sword" away and poised for a strike. She stepped back, motioning for Holly to repeat the actions.

Holly nodded and fell into the defensive stance with ease. She swung her sword up to block the attackers sword and sidestepped as Lairiel had done. In this new position she brought her sword down sharply, ready to strike the attacker.

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"Good, just make your movements fluid, not so choppy." She took out her pipe and lit it. "Bring your sword across, bringing it down will do little damage, where as bringing it across will do more. Again." she puffed on her pipe.

Holly stopped, letting her sword fall to her side. She listened eagerly to Lairiel's advice and nodded. More determined this time, she stepped back into her stance. Holly made sure that she was loose, but alert. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and raised her sword to block an attack. In the next second she glided to the side and drew her sword along to attack. Holly fell back into her relaxed pose. "Better?" She asked looked over at Lairiel.

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"Much. Now try it faster." she puffed on her pipe again, her eyes twinkling with excitement. She was proving to be a fast learner, and an eager student.

Holly nodded as she returned to her neutral stance. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders to loosen her posture. The next second she was in her defensive stance and the next in her offensive stance. Holly swung the blade through the air swiftly, thrusting it along and into her opponent.

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"No actual attacking yet." she laughed gently. "Now again, in the other direction. That was good!" she watched, silently puffing her pipe, grinning. She would have to show her more offensive ones soon. But first, the foundations.

"Sorry," giggled Holly. "Getting carried away with myself." She straightened, returning to her neutral stance. With determination and concentration she fell into her defensive pose, stepped in the opposite direction and drew her sword along ready to attack.

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Lairiel stuck her pipe in her mouth and clapped. "Well done! Just don't get stuck, be sure to move your feet from that side as well." she walked around to the other side "Now I want you to do that on both side, switching it up. Try to surprise even me so I can't calculate what your next move will be. Surprise and unpredictability is key."

Holly nodded to Lairiel. "As you say." She grinned as moved into her defensive stance without hesitation. Her hands gripped her sword, but she made sure her body was loose and her arms were not locked. "Go for it," she winked.

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"I meant against the practice dummy." she laughed "We'll get to sparring once you've learned more!"

"Oh!" Holly giggled awkwardly. The fact she hadn't slept the previous night was starting to show. Holly shrugged it off and moved into position in front of the dummy.

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