Aleksandra observed his posture with dismay, slowly sinking into her own half-crouch. He was going to make some move soon. He'd spoken of her proving she could fight. Obviously a little thing like her couldn't just go out and attack a guard for him. He intended to test her mettle himself. As he removed his weapons, she could feel the adrenaline start to flow through her, and a grin slowly crept across her lips. He was going to be a difficult opponent, but not impossible. She hadn't had such a challenge in awhile. When he threw his first punch, she barely had time to dodge it.

But dodge it she did. She let his momentum carry him past her, punching him once in the side and sending a sweeping kick to his back. Her kick never landed, because she slipped on another discarded article of clothing and crashed to the floor. She kicked out at his feet and rolled away before his next blow could land.

They roamed the entire room for the next ten minutes, trading blows until Aleksandra's lip was split open for the umpteenth time and she was covered in bruises. But she'd hurt him as well. A few very painful jabs at key pressure points, what she believed was a well-bruised rib, a few attempts at a kick to his groin that had to be sore by now. She found that she was laughing as they fought, the exhilaration of a worthy opponent too much to remain serious over.