Chapter 62
Thursday afternoon, three days after we'd arrived at Camp Half-Blood, We had our first sword-fighting lesson. Everybody from cabin eleven gathered in the big circular arena, Luke would be our instructor.
We started with basic stabbing and slashing, using some straw-stuffed dummies in Greek armor. Percy did amazingly well. He understood what he was supposed to do and his reflexes were good.
We moved on to dueling in pairs. Luke announced he would be our partner, since this was Percy's first time.
"Good luck," one of the campers told us. "Luke's the best swordsman in the last three hundred years."
"Maybe he'll go easy on us," we said.
The camper snorted.
Luke showed Percy thrusts and parries and shield blocks the hard way, but James easily got the hang of it. With every swipe, Percy got a little more battered and bruised. "Keep your guard up, Percy," he'd say, then whap Percy in the ribs with the flat of his blade. "No, not that far up!" Whap! "Lunge!" Whap! "Now, back!" Whap!
By the time he called a break, Percy was soaked in sweat.
Everybody swarmed the drinks cooler. Luke poured ice water on his head, which looked like such a good idea, We did the same.
Instantly, We felt better. Strength surged back into our arms.
"Okay, everybody circle up!" Luke ordered. "If Percy and James doesn't mind, I want to give you a little demo."
He told everybody he was going to demonstrate a disarming technique: how to twist the enemy's blade with the flat of your own sword so that he had no choice but to drop his weapon.
"This is difficult," he stressed. "I've had it used against me. Most swordsmen have to work years to master this technique."
He demonstrated the move on us in slow motion. Sure enough, our swords clattered out of our hands.
"Now in real time," he said, after we retrieved both of our weapons. "We keep sparring until both of you pulls it off.
Ready, Percy?, James?"
We nodded, and Luke came after us. James easily did the disarming maneuver. Somehow, Percy kept him from getting a shot at the hilt of Percy's sword. Percy's senses opened up. Percy saw his attacks coming. He countered. Percy stepped forward and tried a thrust of his own. Luke deflected it easily, but Percy saw a change in his face. His eyes narrowed, and he started to press Percy with more force.
It was only a matter of seconds before Luke took him down, so Percy figured, What the heck?
He tried the disarming maneuver.
His blade hit the base of Luke's and he twisted, putting his whole weight into a downward thrust
Clang.
Luke's sword rattled against the stones. The tip of Percy's blade was an inch from his undefended chest.
The other campers were silent except for James my older brother, he was whooping and cheering. Luke wiped the sweat off of his brow. He appraised at us with an entirely new interest.