Had I heard right? El Rey wanted me to fight Andres? Someone who had been so kind to me? El Rey’s face did not show any sign that he was kidding us. Un sirviente lightly threw me a sword. I caught it as an instinct, but this meant that I was now ready to battle.

Andres came at me quickly, moving his sword with great agility and speed, while I blocked everything with care, trying not to hurt him. Father had taught me the basics of sword fighting, blocking and attacking, but he entrusted the maniobras to my instincts.

“Vamos, lucha!” Andres whispered to me. He gave me a wink and grinned. Only for a second, enough time for me to see, and not El Rey. Clang, cling, clang, our swords went, back in forth, blocking and attacking. Andres wasn’t taking this seriously, so why was I so afraid? That’s when I finally attacked. I did the infamous “Z” on Andres’ shirt, and as he looked to see what it was I sent his sword flying. It landed a little short of the face of El Rey.

“Muy bien,” said El Rey.