It was not just Thalassa. Most of those who Hadama trained with were quit a bit shorter than the Tidebreaker, and they had a tendency to aim for the targets within easiest reach - knees being a particular favorite target for many. And in their defense, it had worked every time when he was still new to his legs, unable to move quickly and still finding his balance on the strange, split flukes.
But he was no longer new to them, and if he still moved with deliberation now it was by choice rather than necessity.
His return blow was - mostly - dodged, and there was silent approval in his eyes as Thalassa utilized her own strengths to counter his advantage. Even if they had been fighting for real she would only have been wounded, not killed, and therefore could have continued fighting or fleeing. But if they had been fighting for real he would not have paused to see if she was unharmed...
And so he did not pause. He took a swift step after her, spinning the trident to carry its momentum into a second attack, but the glint of metal caught him off guard. He stopped as soon as he saw it, twisting to avoid the flying dagger, but he was too close and could not dodge it completely. He suffered a slice across his shoulder as it sped past, jaw tightening briefly at the unexpected flare of pain.
It made him disinclined to allow it to happen again.
Thalassa was out of his immediate reach, but Hadama continued to spin his trident until the tines dug into the sand beside him. He lifted the weapon free with a powerful flick of his wrist, sending a spray of sand at the wily captain to blind her vision and give him a chance to approach more safely.
But he was no longer new to them, and if he still moved with deliberation now it was by choice rather than necessity.
His return blow was - mostly - dodged, and there was silent approval in his eyes as Thalassa utilized her own strengths to counter his advantage. Even if they had been fighting for real she would only have been wounded, not killed, and therefore could have continued fighting or fleeing. But if they had been fighting for real he would not have paused to see if she was unharmed...
And so he did not pause. He took a swift step after her, spinning the trident to carry its momentum into a second attack, but the glint of metal caught him off guard. He stopped as soon as he saw it, twisting to avoid the flying dagger, but he was too close and could not dodge it completely. He suffered a slice across his shoulder as it sped past, jaw tightening briefly at the unexpected flare of pain.
It made him disinclined to allow it to happen again.
Thalassa was out of his immediate reach, but Hadama continued to spin his trident until the tines dug into the sand beside him. He lifted the weapon free with a powerful flick of his wrist, sending a spray of sand at the wily captain to blind her vision and give him a chance to approach more safely.
