Exactly, Svava. It's the only dance I'm any good at. *Grinning, Alanna moves toward Elaine.* Right. Elaine and I have done a great deal of defense work, but as I said, I want to focus on attacking today. However, the quick basics... *She lifts her sword and motions for Elaine to do the same.*

Deflecting blows is not as instinctual as one might suppose. A great deal of the time, your mind tells you to jump back, when in reality it is easier to step into the blow in order to cut off some of the power. Block with the center of your sword, and push back at the blow. Fight the reverberations.

*At this point, she waves Faith and Meg over. Without a word, she whirls and launches an attack on Elaine, ready to pull back if the other woman doesn't automatically defend.*