The dirt explodes backward as Kellan charges again.
This time he doesn't come like before. Now there's adjustment. He uses the left jet to correct his angle mid-entry, bringing his body inside my guard instead of just crossing the circle like a heavy animal.
The rapier is still in my hand, but the room to use it has shrunk.
I give half a step back and tilt the blade to touch the opening near his right shoulder. Kellan doesn't try to pull his arm. He lets the point enter enough to cut skin and answers by closing his elbow over it, trying to trap the blade between the gauntlet's plates.
If I insist on piercing, I lose the weapon. I release the pressure and draw the rapier out before the gauntlet can grab it.
He learned. Late, but he learned.
The left fist comes next, short, aiming at my hand instead of my chest. I accelerate clear, but the edge of the gauntlet scrapes my knuckles. Pain climbs my arm and makes the rapier's grip tremble for an instant.
