Barbara watches Ruth disappear into the alleyways, running away from the police officer that seems to have been following her. Waiting for Pepito to get back down from the rooftops, she hands him the bundle of wooden practice swords, and makes her way through the crowds to try to help.

Not wanting to draw attention from the guard towers by running around on the rooftops, Barbara walks through the alleyway with a brisk pace, listening intently, hoping to hear the heavy footsteps of running, instead, met with an uncomfortable silence.

Disheartened, and fearing the worst, Barbara is about to turn back to let everyone back at the tortilla shop know about the situation when she spots the broad back of the officer that was chasing Ruth. Backing up, hiding around the corner, she realizes her sword was left back home. Remembering how Alex knocked out the police officer last knight by dropping down on top of him last night, she hops up wall to wall to the rooftops, peering over the edge, ready for her assault, she stops herself, noticing Ruth’s body language.

Ruth leans on the wall, her signature cross-armed stance she assumes when she disinterestedly listens to what others have to say. Barbara makes sure to not be seen, hoping to hear what is being said down below.

“There’s no reason for you to be associating yourself with thieves and ruffians.” Says the officer.

“They’re my friends.” Retorts Ruth.

Barbara observes the interaction closely, noting the man’s light brown beard, and a scar running down from the left side of his jaw, down to his neck.

The officer lets out a sigh. “That’s fine, Ruth, but you can be doing so much better than this. Do you think your father-”

“Don’t talk to me about my father as if you knew him better than me!” Ruth raises her voice.

“Come on, you know I didn’t mean any offense. I just want to do right, I owe your pops at least that much.”

“If you want to help, get your police friends to back off.” Ruth pushes off of the wall and starts walking back towards the street she came from.

“At least let me know where you’re staying to report that the area is clear.” Pleads the officer.

Ruth doesn’t turn back, continuing her course. Barbara waits for the officer’s next move, surprised that the man is no longer tailing Ruth, rather, respecting her wishes and leaving in the opposite direction. Once he’s gone, she jumps down to the alley below, jogging towards the exit to the main street, hoping to catch up to Ruth.

Pepito and Ruth wait for her at the entrance to the alleyways. Barbara, wanting to ask Ruth about what she just saw, decides to postpone the discussion. The three of them walk back to the tortilla shop in silence, frequently looking over their shoulder to make sure they are not being followed. Inside, Ruth dismisses the event, stating she lost the officer in the alleyways, further raising Barbara’s suspicion of something awry going on.

“Close call.” Says Alex, relieved. “You think we have anything to worry about?”

“Nah.” Replies Pepito. “We should be fine for now.”

Eddie inspects the quality of the wooden practice swords, clumsily swingin one around, nearly missing a clay jug of water.

“Will you be careful with that?” Demands Herlinda.

“Hey, Ma, are you going to join the kids practice waving sticks.” He jokes.

“You think you’re any better flipping around a ring with your meat-head friends?” She replies.

Eddie purses his lips, deciding to not continue the banter with his mother.

“Where do you guys plan on practicing?” Asks Alex.

Barbara didn’t expect such a question, assuming the answer was obvious. “Uh, the roof I guess.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“Might draw attention from the guard towers. Not every day you see kids practicing swordplay on the Pillotlan rooftops.”

He’s right, Barbara had not thought about that. She lets out a heavy sigh, unable to come up with any type of response.

“I know. Follow me.” Says Eddie.

He leads his four guests downstairs, the tortilla machine churning despite no one feeding it any batter. Exiting the shop, he walks to the other side of the street, where, taking out a bunch of keys from his pocket, he opens the lock, opening the door and inviting them in.

Barbara, Peptio and Ruth had followed him across the street each with a wooden practice sword in hand. Alex, aware of Azucena’s reluctance to step outside, watches them from the tortilla shop’s door, the timid little girl clinging to him.

Barbara walks to the middle of the street, extending her hand, inviting Azucena to grab hold. Hesitant at first, Azucena slowly steps outside, with both feet out the door, she hurries to Barbara, taking her hand.

“Come on. I made a promise, remember?” She says to Azucena.

Azucena nods, and they both follow Eddie into a gym, a fighting ring at the center of the room, mirrors covering the wall to their right, weightlifting equipment to their left, and enough space for them to practice swinging around their wooden swords.

“This place is amazing.” Says Pepito.

“I don’t use it as often as I used to. Before the resistance mobilized, I used to rent the space out to aspiring luchadors. Now the only fighting going on in these parts of Aztlan are done in open battlefields.” Eddie gulps, clearing his throat, he continues. “You guys can use this place for whatever you want. Just make sure to keep it nice and tidy.” He gently runs his hand across the lowest rope on the ring. “This place is sacred to me.”

“We’ll make sure to not make a mess.” Promises Barbara.

“I’ll make sure to make anyone bleed too much.” Says Pepito, swinging the wooden sword on his hands.

“Yeah, sure.” Says Eddie. “Anyways, lock up when you’re done.” With that, he walks back across the street, leaving the four kids behind.

Azucena walks around the room, inspecting everything she comes across. Barbara looks at her with a smile, turning her attention to Alex, who doesn’t seem as pleased.

“Are you going to join us?” She asks him.

“Nah, you guys do your thing. I’m going back to the house to see if I can help around with anything.”

“Always the pacifist.” States Pepito as Alex walks out the door.

Barbara turns to Ruth, surprised she’s joining them.

“How about you? Want to join us?”

“I don’t know much about swordplay. You’re not too bad at it, might learn a thing or two.”

“Did your father teach you how to fight?” Asks Barbara.

A vein in Ruth’s forehead twitches as she leers at Barbara.

“I didn’t mean to offend. I overhead you and the off-”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m not here to make buddy-buddy with you. I just want to learn how to properly swing a fucking sword.”

Pepito lets out a sigh. “Chill out, Ruth.”

“Whatever.” Ruth takes the practice sword in her hand, assuming a quick draw stance.

Barbara raises an eyebrow. “You learned that just by looking at me?”

Ruth darts forward, her swing, lacking the proper form, is easily blocked by Barbara.

“Not bad. I’ll teach you what I can, but I have to get you guys to learn the fundamentals, first.”

“Fine.” Scoffs Ruth.

They start with stretching routines. Barbara, aware that Ruth or Pepito wouldn’t need much help further improving their flexibility, focuses on helping Azucena with the exercises. Azucena appreciates the extra attention, intent on learning as much as possible. Once they stretch every inch of their bodies, Barbara then grabs jump ropes hanging from the wall in front of them, again focusing on helping Azucena execute the proper form.

“Take one of these ropes home, practice as often as you can.” She pats Azucena’s chest. “We need your heart to be nice and strong so you don’t get winded in the middle of a fight.”

Struggling to control her breath, already dripping in sweat, and red in the face, Azucena nods.

“We’ll start with the basics.” She grips the practice sword close to the cross-guard. “Your dominant hand will apply the force of the swing.” She grips the other half of the hilt with her left. “Your other hand is for controlling the direction of the swing.” She raises the wooden sword high over her head, taking a step forward, she swings down with a loud swish.

“Woah.” Say Pepito and Azucena, quickly following instructions.

Barbara takes her time to help them perform the proper footwork, performing the move multiple times until they seem to be getting the hang of their first lesson. Ruth on the other hand seems to have picked up the proper form almost immediately, her powerful swings violently displacing air just as loudly as Barbara’s swing.

“You guys are doing great. Do this a thousand-thousand times and you’ll have mastered your first swing.”

“What? Why do we have to do the same thing so many times?” Protests Pepito.

“It’s the only way to learn.” Barbara smiles. “We’ll do the same thing we did today, tomorrow, the day after that, and the day after that. Next week I’ll teach you a horizontal swing.”