O’Donnel took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. His opponent might protest the delay, but even that would buy him some time to get himself under control … and break Jester’s momentum.
As it was, nothing was said by either the director or the Legionnaire until the major stepped up to his on-guard line and raised his sword.
“Ready, sir!”
“Allez! Fence!”
To O’Donnel’s surprise, Jester did not immediately press the attack. Instead, he stood waiting in his guard … just a second! The classic picture wasn’t there! Instead, the point of Jester’s épée was above his bell guard … not much, barely an inch, but …
The major was attacking even before he finished the thought.
BZZZ!
“Halt! One light! Touch is left! Score is three to one!”
That was more like it! In an épée guard, holding the sword at an angle to the arm, however slight, was a dead giveaway that there was target exposed, even if you couldn’t see it. Slipping his point past Jester’s bell guard, O’Donnel had caught a piece of the underside of his opponent’s arm … not much, but enough for a touch. Now to see if the bastard had figured out his mistake!
“Allez! Fence!”
BZZZ!
“Halt!”
Got him again! Three to two now!
The major was waiting at the on-guard line as the touch was awarded, eager for the bout to resume before his opponent had a chance to analyze the hole in his defense.
“Fencers ready?”
“Ready. “
“Ready, Sir!”
“Allez! Fence!”
BZZZ-UZZ!
“Halt! Both lights are on! Double touch! Score is four to three!”
Four to three! He had to be careful now. One more touch and … No! Jester had been lucky to catch a piece of his arm as he came in on the attack. He had to keep the offensive. Still, his opponent was expecting the shot to the underside of the arm now. Maybe a feint to draw his reaction …