The large recruit's wooden sword missed her completely. It hit the empty dirt floor, sending up a small cloud of brown dust.
Because the large man had put all of his massive strength into the downward swing, the missed attack pulled his heavy body forward. He stumbled slightly, entirely off balance.
Camilla did not hesitate.
While he was stumbling, she stepped forward lightly. She brought her own standard wooden sword up in a fast, sharp, upward motion.
Smack!
She hit the large recruit firmly on the inside of his right wrist.
"Aargh!" the recruit yelled in sudden pain.
The sharp strike hit a sensitive nerve cluster. His fingers automatically opened. He completely lost his grip on his weapon. The broadsword fell out of his hand and dropped onto the dirt.
The crowd of soldiers standing around the ring gasped in shock.
