Yeah yeah, knee deep in women my ass. Knee deep in headache. Look. I apologize for that. Not your fault. I flirt with pretty girls alright? You're prettier than most. Sue me. Just do me a favor and lemme know if I cross the line. Saves me a headache.
Grayell turned to check on the other two, still sizing each other up and then faces Marg again.
Alright, how about this. Do me a favor and try to drive my teeth down my throat alright? Clear out some cobwebs or something. Go for it.
Grayell lifted his left arm, hand loose and stopped her hook beside his head. He turned his hand over, loosely held her wrist and then shot his palm into the inside of her elbow. It didn't hurt, but shot her arm back. His right hand recoiled, turned and cut off her center, his leg checked. He didn't so much as lean back.
Says you. I like bitchy, in case you weren't paying attention.
His voice was flat, but his eyes were looking through her, no longer on her face but focused.
Maybe I can be a blue china doll for you, sir. She came back from being rebutted and aimed a jab at his gut, coming up with her other hand, palm outward, in a flathand against the middle of his ribcage.
Again, his voice was not so playful. He was focused on her attacks of course, but Grayell was in fact tired of the dilemma in his head, the constant back and forth with Serenity and Liseth. He'd thought about just returning to his old ways, wenching and drinking but that simply wasn't going to happen. Semi-fond memories. Less complicated memories.
Margrett's new attack showed more promise, she was thinking now, trying. That was good. Unfortunately, her dual attack was prone to textbook self defense and his hands both wound in, locking her hands in place on his gut and chest. He'd stepped back and absorbed the blow but his hips had turned, pulling him much further away than a usual pace. His elbow folded down, over her arms and with the length of his stride and her arms now yanking her forward, she was pulled off balance. Her head snapped back, chest falling forward and as abruptly as she came in, she was stopped.
The knife of Grayell's hand was a mere inch from her throat. His other hand had grabbed her shoulder and stopped her before he connected. He slowly stepped back and whistled, cracked his knuckles.
Fine talk for you. Of everything my father taught me, hand to hand combat was not one of them. She jumped forward again, throwing another right hook, but stopped short. Her foot lashed out and tried to hook and pull out his legs from under him.
Grayell responded by dropping his leg, her kick thwacking into the side of his calf but having little effect. His leg rotated out though, forcing her leg to plant too early and ruining her stance and Grayell stepped in, knocking her back with his shoulder.
Talk is cheap. I didn't learn at my leisure Margrett and you can choose to learn anything you like. Your strong enough and you know it.
Grayell sighed, but restrained it. He didn't want to insult her.
Gray. Well I'll feel comfortable calling your Marg. Listen, you cannot depend on anything. Possessions, people, comforts - you can't be sure they're going to be there. I know you know this. And that's not to say you can't have faith, but counting on your weapon is a weakness.
You're not weak. You're tough as nails. But the opponent who wants you dead will get it done any which way they can. Don't give them the option. I'm not asking you to devote your time.
Grayell stepped to her and shifted her lead hand in. He pulled her rear hand out. He nodded, then walked beside her, his foot urged her lead foot out a little more.
I can teach you if you ever decide you'd like to learn. But in the meantime, as commander of the guard, I am going to insist that you trained in multiple forms of combat. It's your job. Can we agree to that?
Well I could tell you a lot or a little. Something tells me that holding your tongue to the roof of your mouth and cinching your anus and so on is a little more than you're interested in though.
Oddly enough, there was no humor in his voice. Grayell shifted behind her, stepped close. His leg shifted her rear leg out, forced her knee to bend. He planted both hands on her hips, pulled her back just a little. He looked, nodded. Walking to her other side, his hand lifted her chin a little.
Better. You should be able to hold this comfortably. Your guard like this is far improved, as is your balance. Now believe it or not, you already know what to do. You understand the mechanics of movement and you know how to hurt someone.
But you might not have studied precision, decisive offense. A big hammer leaves very little room for error. Your fist, it's much smaller of course.
Grayell circles to her front and stands square on.
Let's start with your hips. Every woman knows how to work her hips and you're no exception captain, so this generally comes easier to women than men. Your strikes don't start with your arm. It starts with your feet, comes from the ground - but most of your power will come from your hips.
I want you to keep your feet as they are, but when you punch, push your hand with your hips. Swivel. Keep your power within your range. Don't over-reach.
Grayell straightened up and smiled. He folded his hands behind the small of his back and pulled his feet together.
Margrett stood still for a moment, silently fuming. Then she tried to do what Gray said, throw a punch with her hips, letting them move her body and torso, backup up her fist.
Her knuckles slammed into his abdomen, to the right. It moved him, though his standing un-moving might have detracted from the satisfaction of the blow. But Grayell smiled and Marg could feel the hit was indeed solid. It wasn't a reckless haymaker, but it had connected solidly, firmly and as she removed her hand, she could see it had left a mark.
Very good. Very good indeed. Allow me to elaborate a little. I won't go into the entire principle, but when you strike - a heavy strike, you should push firmly from the ground, the power in turn winds through your leg and to your hips. Your shoulder should only move when you are sure of your target and your elbow should remain firm. Never fully extend your arm, it will leave it weak and an easy target.
Now, I'd like you to coil a little and push hard with your rear leg, then chamber to your hips and through your hand. As hard as you like.
Grayell was still smiling. She might be fuming but Grayell was impressed with the immediate aptitude she had shown.