Master Kirsch called an end to the session, though he first delivered a short lecture on footwork, pivoting, and the importance of measured aggression. "Some of you," he noted pointedly, glancing around, "need to practise stepping into your strikes rather than retreating at every hint of trouble. A good offence is often the best defence, especially at low levels. Bear that in mind."
Richard didn't linger. The moment the class was officially dismissed, he made his way over to Nadia, who had retreated to a quiet corner, fiddling with the straps on her armguard.
"You all right?" he asked softly, leaning his shoulder against the wall. He caught a faint whiff of lavender from her hair, which was still slightly damp with sweat.
She gave a half-hearted shrug. "Fine," she said, although her voice was tight. "It was just a spar. I lost—badly, yes, but that's nothing new. Angel was always better than me."
