The black dance was nothing like Key expected. He wasn't sure what to expect with such a dark and mystical name, but it certainly wasn't just blocking. The foot patterns were similar to what he had practiced before, stepping off with the forward foot to move forward and back foot to move backward, with a twist. He and Trudie were instructed to move in a seven-point circle, pivoting at each point and then performing one of eight parries. It was confusing because after doing a full circuit, the foot patterns and parries mixed.

Key was utterly bored and finally asked, "Is this it? This is the black dance?"

Trudie gave him an irritated look for asking the heedless question.

Sefulu laughed, "Of course not! But you have to learn the rules before you can break them. The black dance is about fighting, and fighting is savage, primal, and aggressive. It's also passionate. When you are on the battlefield, no one is thinking, "Are my feet in the correct position?" They are going to be trying not to piss themselves. The only training people are going to use is the training their body remembers, not their heads.

"There are eight different directions someone can attack you with, and surprise, surprise, eight different parries in the form. We practice in a circle because battle isn't always straightforward. Sometimes it's left, or it's right, or back. Once your body remembers, then it's time to break the rules."

Sefulu took Trudie's wooden sword and stepped out into an empty spot on the training field. He held up his sword, bent his knees, and physically leaped to the first position. He didn't block from that position as much as he attacked from the blocking position. The blow wasn't meant for a friendly duel; it was meant to destroy. He flew to the second position and again attacked from the next blocking position. It was, like he said, savage, aggressive, and passionate. Key was glad Sefulu was on his side.

When he had finished, Trudie slowly lifted her hand and asked, "Can you show us the attacking part?"

"No, today you only learn the blocks."

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When they had finished at the training grounds, Key and Trudie walked back to the barracks together, beat by every definition. Key had won several of their spars and felt supremely pleased with himself. Trudie had won the last five matches, but that didn't stop Key from walking on the rose petals of victory. Just outside the Barracks, he wished her a good night, but she stopped him.

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"You aren't getting out of this so easy. You owe me the men's bath, and I want to collect."

Key would have preferred to fulfill his end of the bet at a less busy time, but he broke under the pressure of her silent pleading. "Fine, just hurry up and get your things. I'll meet you over there."

Trudie squeaked with excitement and ran off, Key following her into the barrack's common room to get his own things.

They met sometime later outside the bathhouse. Key told her to wait while he checked inside. No one was there, so he waved Trudie in and told her to enjoy herself while he got comfortable on the cold stone steps of the entrance.

He sat and waited, upset that he had forgotten to bring an hourglass. Castor had warned him that Trudie would take her time, but he had doubted it at the time. He had been wrong. He started feeling anxious as a group of guards approached. They weren't ones he knew very well. He wasn't in uniform, but he had seen sergeants pull rank out of uniform before. He just hoped it wouldn't come to that.

"Hey guys," Key greeted, stepping in front of them. The two of them were both carrying bathing supplies. There was no question that they were on their way into the bathhouse. "The bath is closed for just a little bit longer if you don't mind waiting a little while."

"How much longer?" One of them asked. He wore a pair of sandals that looked like they were cut from a table.

"Not too much longer now," Key replied and then mumbled under his breath, "At least I hope not…."

"What's this about?" Someone else approached, having heard parts of the conversation. "They didn't tell us about any bath maintenance. We all have watch soon."

"I'll check to see if they're almost done," Sandals said helpfully, moving for the entrance.

Key stopped him and explained. "Listen, Trudie is in there, and she asked me to make sure no one goes in. I am certain that she's almost done, so just wait out here a little while longer. When she comes out, you can go in."

"Trudie's in there?" The newcomer asked. "Naked?"

"Does she know this is the men's bath?" The quiet one asked.

"If she didn't know, she's about to find out - the hard way," Sandals said as he pushed past Key.

"Oh no, you don't!" Key grunted as he grabbed his arm and flung him on the ground. The two grappled until Key fell, too. Newcomer stepped around them and announced that he was going to check on her first. As soon as his foot broached the entrance, a loud smacking sound echoed off every solid surface around them.

"You know, I can hear everything you guys say out here," Trudie announced stepping around Newcomer who was holding his face. "I hope you are all properly ashamed of yourselves."

All fighting stopped as Trudie walked passed them. Her hair was wet and hung neatly brushed to one side. No one had ever seen her hair down before and it's length made her look like someone completely different. That wasn't the reason why she had their attention. She was wearing a dress. It was a simple blue gown, but it was distinctly feminine. It was a look no one had ever seen on her.

She continued walking away from them as if letting them consider everything they should be ashamed of. When she was gone, the men all got to their feet, brushed themselves off, and collected their things. Without another word, they walked into the bathhouse in an orderly fashion, as if nothing had happened, as if they all hadn't just seen the same stunning sight.