The word had gotten around to the people in countries where the leaders were leaning towards the Erl-kings side that there was a way to fight. Some were scared because they heard that if you accepted you and your whole family disappeared without a trace. I couldn't help but be a little amused about it though, it was true. But fear of the unknown has always been a problem with mankind.
Our 'vine' had given us plenty of information on the Erl-king assembling his troops and gathering the Fae tradesman to start making sure every Fae had a weapon. His armies were not happy about it either, but were being forced by the blood oath. His wrath when he called his children to him and only one daughter and two sons showed up. Bavarthos had not made an appearance though, for that we were grateful. From everyone explaining to me and John, Barvarthos was a force to be reckoned with and to not be taken lightly. Dark magic was terrifying and very few have ever escaped a spells path unscathed. Turk, Tirnik, and myself are part of that few from when we were in Turkey.
The date was coming closer to Thietian's meeting with the countries leaders who wished to talk with us and everyone was on edge. We were going to snap them to an unused compound at the moment to talk and only after they signed the blood oath would we allow them to see anything else. They had all agreed to sign the blood oath for just meeting with us, so they couldn't talk about what we discussed and anyone's identities if they chose to not join us.
John and I had been training our recruits for over the past month and things were running pretty smoothly, we had a few hiccups and they were not perfect soldiers but that was okay. We wanted some disciplined fighters who got along with each other, not a herd of trained men who are forced to do the kings bidding. Reluctance in your men will weaken morale and your battle strength. It doesn't help when you're fighting against faces that will be familiar or belong to people you know. For the Fae we know that will be hard on both sides.
I was working today with some of my newly appointed drill instructors that I felt could handle the job. My favorite was Lily Anzo, she was a five foot spitfire that could bring a 'tough muscle guy' to his knees. Oh it was a joy to watch her break in new recruits. She was all smiles until you disrespected her or decided to not take what we were doing seriously.
She was talking to a fresh group of recruits and I was just sitting back watching on the grass like it was a spectator sport.
"You think you're going to make it fighting for your freedom when you can't even run a mile?! I'm sorry if you thought you were signing up for a box fight, because it sure doesn't seem like you all understood what your recruitment actually would mean. So if anyone here wants to give up, now is the time to do so!"
She walks in front of about twenty men and ten women, looking for anyone wanting to back out. Suddenly she stops and I notice someone has their hand raised in the air.
"This is not high school, if you want to leave just leave." Lily says is casually waving them off.
"I want to stay, Ma'am. I just had a question." The guy with his hand up drops it quickly.
"Well? Are you looking for approval or are you going to continue wasting our time?" Lily starts to get aggravated.
"Who is that sitting on the grass?" He points in my direction and I can't help but look around oblivious and point a hand at myself questioning.
Lily chuckles, "You want to introduce yourself or should I tell him to mind his own business?"
I smile and stand waving to her like it's nothing and go to stand in front of them.
"Hello, I'm Sin." Is all I say before going back to sit down like I do not have a care in the world.
This invokes a scoff from the one who asked and some muttering going on between a few people.
"This is not a meet and greet, nor is it the gossip hour! Now, since you have the breath to talk among yourselves, you have the breath to run! Another mile! Come on let's go!" Lily shouts and her aide starts them off in another run.
Smiling I get up, "Drinks later before dinner?" I ask her.
"You know it!" She shouts as she starts to run with them singing out so the are running in cadence.
"Some say freedom is free, but I really disagree!"
"Some say wars are won only with a loaded gun!"
"My grandpa fought in world war two, he took a bullet just for you!"
"My grandpa fought in world war two, he took a bullet for me and you!"
I walk away as the cadence begins to fade and stroll over to John's side of this training compound.
Once I arrive, I see that they're having some kind of competition. I can't tell what kind from the way everyone crowds around, but by the cheers and groans coming from there it sounds like it is an entertaining one. As I approached closer I could tell it was a sparring match.
I made my way through the huddled crowd and saw John and Suites fighting, with padded gloves on and just their gi pants. No shirt, no shoes, just gi pants and gloves. I feasted my eyes on all of that man, oh men... on display and almost started fanning myself with the licentious thoughts running through my mind.
Suites threw a couple a jabs and hooks, he had some boxing skills but other than a few light jabs, no major connects. John had the multiple martial art training and started to use it lightly and advance on Suites. However, John went to kick Suites leg to take him down but Suites had a trick of his sleeve. He blocked and and used a judo move Mae-geri, grabbing John's leg and using his own momentum to throw him away.
John was able to maintain enough control to stay on his feet and turned back with a smile on his face. I knew what he was thinking, 'oh a challenge now?'
He moved forward advancing quickly and faked another kick and Suites took a hit to the face before he blocked the next one. John was continuing to move faking some to take advantage of opening making a couple of hits on Suites, who was doing good at keeping up with his defense, but was sacrificing taking a hit to try and play offense. He got John a few times making him back off from him.
"You know this isn't a fair fight right?" I yell out giving John a wink as I devoured the feast for my eyes from head to toe and back again.
He laughed a little out of breath, "Nonsense, he was doing fine. It's just friendly sparring to teach anyway. "
"Teaching techniques?" I ask curious but my playful skeptical smile sends out a challenge.
"Yes, to know how to read your enemies next movements, and to know not to show off anymore moves then required, but still stay fighting." Suites says spitting out some blood.
"Oh, okay." I say UN-impressed just nodding.
"Well then... Why doesn't the legendary Sin show us how it's done with a demonstration?" Suites throws his hands up gesturing to everyone around who start agreeing with him.
"With you?" I ask disbelief on my face.
"Oh hell no." He shakes his head, "I'm not as stupid as I look, with John here." He motions towards John and I.
"Shall we dance?" John asks raising an eyebrow at me.
"Toss me your gloves, Suites." I say with my hand out.
"Alright!" He strips them off quickly enthusiastic about what he's about to witness.
I put them on and tighten them and ready my stance. "You may begin whenever you'd like to begin teaching.. Sensei." I finish my sentence with a teasing tone and he grins back at me.
"Best thing to do in hand to hand combat, is take your opponent out quickly. This will not be a paid for match where they want it dragged out. So if you can move quickly to take them out, do it."
He moves towards me quickly and I block and counter putting him in a hold. "Never underestimate any opponent you may have. For even a weak looking female can take down giant bag of muscles."
I release him from the hold and we retake our positions. He cracks his neck and goes for me again, we block each others attacks and keep going back and forth between making advancements with attacks. Never really gaining or losing. He takes a few steps back and I go to advance on him and suddenly his leg comes up for a high kick. I quickly have to block with both hands, but he's faked me out as suddenly he's jumped and moved his weight onto that leg and brings the other up for a roundhouse kick.
I just barely duck in time and sweep him with my own kick not catching him well enough to take him down, but trip him up. I rise as he regains his balance and I immediately advance throwing fists and arm strikes up high, with lower kicks to the calves trying to hook him.
He blocks my kick and dodges my upper strikes to give me a good jab into the kidney. Suddenly, were both on the ground struggling for dominance. It sounds like people are taking bets on who's going to win.
"Come on babe." John whispers in my ear. "Let me have some face in front of my men."
I smile and flip him on his back to pin him, but he slips through my grasp and he grips me around the waist flipping me instead.
"What do I get if I do?" I whisper back struggling to hold myself back with the arm bar opening I want to instinctively use.
"Whatever....." He starts off.
"Deal." I grunt and let him overtake me still trying to maintain a struggling face.
He pins me in a choke hold and whispers in my ear, "You are so fucking sexy when you fight. If all these people weren't here...." He lets me go and stands to have his men cheering for him.
He gets up and extends a hand to help me up and I grin devilishly up at him. He catches on a second too late.
I swipe his footing and he falls on top of me as we roll about trying to gain traction to gain control of one another. This time I don't have to fake it as he gets me in an arm bar, pining me to the ground effectively.
He releases me and we get up laughing at each other. The people present are clapping saying it was better than watching a fight.
"Thanks for taking it easy on me babe." John muttered out the side of his large smile.
"No problem there, I'll give you my terms later. I want you showing up in what you're wearing now though." I wink and snap to the offices.