Sword Play Read Online Free PDF Page A

it is you. But I thought you moved away.”
    “I just moved back.”
    “That’s wonderful!” He tucked his foil at his side. “It’s great to see you again.”
    “You, too. And these must be your kids?”
    “Timothy and Lismari. Or for tonight Aramis and Porthos,” he added, fondly patting their heads.
    “I’m Aramis,” the little girl said proudly. “The bestest musky-teer.”
    “I’m the bravest, Porthos,” her brother put in.
    “And I’m Sabine,” I told them with a smile.
    “Milady Sabine?” Little Aramis asked.
    “Huh?” I said.
    Mr. Landreth glanced fondly at his daughter. “She means the villainess from the Three Muskateers movie. The lethally beautiful Milady Sabine de Winter.”
    “She’s really bad and gets her head chopped off,” his son added with a wave of his plastic sword.
    “Should I be afraid?” I joked.
    My ex-teacher chuckled. “You’re safe, but I’m not sure about myself with these mini swashbucklers.”
    “I can’t believe you’re a dad,” I told my ex-teacher as I handed each child a goodie bag. “You always seemed like a big kid yourself.”
    “Guilty as charged. What better job than playing with swords? You were one of my most skilled students. I hated losing you.”
    “Well … it was a difficult time.”
    “None of it your fault,” he said firmly. “The whole school was struck by mass hysteria.”
    “Except you,” I said gratefully. Mr. Landreth had been the only teacher who stuck up for me. I’d heard that he had a shouting match with the principal, calling him an idiot for blaming me for Kip’s death. My teacher even threatened to quit his job. Fortunately that didn’t happen.
    “It’s so great you’re back.” Mr. Landreth smiled. “Don’t forget to sign up for my advanced class.”
    “I won’t be going to Arcadia High.”
    “Oh? Too bad, although it’s understandable. Where will you go?”
    “I’m not sure. Probably a private school.”
    “I recommend Saint Marks. They have a solid fencing program. Talent like yours shouldn’t be wasted.”
    “Thanks,” I said, blushing. I wasn’t used to praise and wasn’t sure how to reply.
    “I mean it, Sabine,” he added sincerely. “Have you kept up on your fencing?”
    “No,” I admitted. I could have explained that Sheridan High didn’t offer fencing, but that was only part of the reason.
    “You can’t be serious!” he exclaimed. “You need to get back in—”
    “Daddy, we wanna go to more houses,” Lismari interrupted, tugging on his arm. “Come on, Dad,” Timothy added.
    “Just a minute,” he told them. Then he gave me an earnest look. “Sabine, you can’t neglect your skills. We have to talk about this more.”
    “I’m not that interested in fencing.”
    “I don’t believe it. You had a real passion for the sport. I know that upsetting things happened at Arcadia, and I’m ashamed at the behavior of some of my colleagues and your teammates. If you’d continued you could be competing nationally by now.”
    I glanced down at the candy dish, shutting out memories. “I’ve moved on,” I told him simply. “It’s over.”
    “It doesn’t have to be.” Mr. Landreth reached in his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Take this, Sabine. In addition to working at Arcadia, I’m also teaching fencing classes at the Learning Express. I’ll give you private lessons.”
    “I’m not interested.”
    “Just think about it.”
    I shook my head. “I’m through with fencing.”
    “But fencing isn’t through with you.” He reached out, opened my palm, and placed his card inside. Then his kids pulled him away and the door shut with a soft thud.
    Biting my lip, I looked down at the card in my hand. The tiny outline of a sword cut to my heart, and I realized Mr. Landreth was right. I had missed fencing. My fingers closed around the card, imagining the firm feel of a sword hilt in my hand. But I couldn’t get involved. Not after all the hurt and betrayal.
    I shoved the