“Sneak attack!” A shout came from behind.

Instinctively, Nirio ducked, rolling forward. Something metal glanced over his right ear.

His roll carried him forward, tumbling head over heels, and back onto his feet. Nirio reached for his longsword, pivoting left to face his attacker. Iza Gen, his “friend” rushed forward, his razors slashing at Nirio’s belly. Nirio leapt back twice as he finished drawing his sword, finally lifting it up to repel another slash.

The razor hit hard, driving Nirio backward. He absorbed the second attack better, and countered by driving the heavy metal ring on the butt of his sword into Iza’s chest. The silver fox stumbled backward, the wind knocked out of him. He gave a grin.

“Warn me… Iza.” Nirio said as he caught his own breath. “Warn me when you want to spar!”

Iza shrugged, lifting his razors upward. “Sneak attack, Nirio. It’s not a sneak if I give you warning.” He lowered his weapons, shifting his weight backwards to contemplate another attack. “You have to be ready for sneak attacks, Nirio. You never know when one could happen…”

“Sneak attacks from who? Someone out there, or you?”

Iza’s half mad grin grew wide at that. “Yes!”