First Fencing Lesson

Posted on Thu Aug 13th, 2026 @ 11:38am by Lola ‘Myth’ McDowell & René Rouen

1,996 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Justice
Location: Lola's Cottage
Timeline: 26 December 2012,

Rene stood out in the backyard of the cottage to Lola's front. His hand held a wooden pole approximately one meter in length. He gestured to Lola holding her dueling rapier. "First thing you should do is become familiar with the weight and balance of your épée (sword). Yours is 750 grams, so not particularly heavy, but it may feel that way after practicing for a while at first. Take the starting stance I showed you."

“You know you don’t have to show me this? Bartholomew has promised to show me how to fight with a sword too,” Fuck, Samuel, Nathan and Cassandra had also offered but saying all of them seem over killed. She moved to the stance despite how daft she felt knowing in a real zombie fight she would not have a chance to do it.

René had seen how Bartholomew fought and though he was good with a melee weapon, the former constable was not a swordsman. "Well then. Perhaps you could show me what you have already been taught." He nodded at Lola and tapped his pole against the edge of her sword. "Try and hit me."

“He promised to show me. I have been shown nothing yet. I only got this yesterday.” She laughed. “I used a makeshift lance thing before hand.” She had used it to take out zombie brains at a distance and or trip them up to use her dagger on them. She took at the pole and the snow beneath their feet.

René nodded. "I suppose if you prefer learning swordsmanship from someone else, but I know that I am the only one in Thistledrift who holds two French National titles and place third overall the European Open Fencing Tournament in London almost two years ago."

“Don’t start that again. I just don’t want to take up more time.” Lola said with a roll of her eyes. “Fencing is different to what others want to show me. Fencing has rules whilst zombies don’t.” It felt weird to be having this conversation. She thought they had gotten over the tension from last week.

"You're right." He nodded. "Fencing is a sport, it's a sport that will teach you the basics of balance, muscle memory and discipline. It's no different than other martial arts though. It will teach you self defense. You saw me outside the lighthouse. I dispatched more of the Soulless than any two people combined on that mission. I just want you to be able to protect yourself. Not just from the undead, but from people who would want to do you harm."

“I think Bartholomew and Cass would take offence to that statement. “ She said shaking her head at the cockiness. “I have never done martial arts which is annoying seeing the current world situation.” She sighed softly as she swung the sword a little testing out the weight again.

René gave a soft chuckle at the reference to Bartholomew and Cassandra. "Well, I tend to agree with you that you should avoid fighting the Soulless without a weapon, but knocking one down may give you enough time to escape. I like having a non lethal means of defense against the living. Taking a human life...should always be a last resort." René's expression went somber. He'd had to take two lives since the Fall. He'd done it to save a woman and her teenage daughter, but the action weighed heavily on his soul.

“My lance worked but this is more solid.” She assured turning away to flex out her arm again to get the weigh of it. She was not sure doing this outside was the best approach in winter but it was getting her out of the radio station and the chair she wanted to stay in.

René nodded to the rapier. "How does the weight feel?"

“Weighty… maybe I should take up William’s offer to work in forge to get some muscles.” She laughed quietly as she turned back to look at him. “It’ll be fine with some practice.” She assured quietly as she looked up at the sky as it was starting to snow again.

René tilted his head back and forth and chuckled. "You could organize an exercise group to meet in the school gymnasium." He noticed the new snowfall starting up and gestured to the door. "We should probably call an end to practice. Go inside and fix something for dinner or head to the pub if we don't want to cook."

“It’s a big hall.” She shrugged. She would give it some thought but she had never been a fan of group exercise. “Oh I need to grab food at the pub as I have to meet Captain Skye tonight at the station.” She admitted with a shrug as they walked inside. She was not entirely sure why but she had been requested.

René had his jacket halfway off when Lola spoke of the meeting with Captain Skye. He cast a concerned expression her way. He had been concerned about Lola being in the house or radio station alone since the Europa's return. Duncan's presence had him on edge. René wasn't about to take chances with Lola's safe. "I'll accompany you. I can wait in the hallway if you and Captain Skye need privacy."

“You do not need to. I think Cassandra is going to be there it is probably about the trail.” She murmured shrugging. She tried to not think about it but it was hanging over their heads. They had agreed to hold in on the second of January but to Lola it could not come soon enough.

A gentle smile spread across René's face. "I know you don't need me to. I want to. You're my friend and I want you to be safe until this mess with Duncan is cleared up. I...care about you." His cheeks grew warm as he spoke the last part. He had almost admitted what he truly felt and had caught himself just in time.

“Cleared up indeed.” She sighed softly shaking her head. It seemed simple from her point of view with how many people have spoken up around it. “I care for you too,” she said quietly as she put the sword in the place she had designated for it.

René took Lola's hand and gently held it in both of his. "Everything is going to be alright. Just have faith in yourself and those around you."

“I am trying. But the fact is it going to trial it’s just… it’s unnerving.” Lola said with a small sigh to herself. She was not at all happy about having to stand there in front of witnesses and have to discuss what happened.

René released Lola's hand and nodded. He could only imagine what the upcoming trial was going to be like for her and the other women. They would have to relive what that monster, Duncan Smith, had done to them. "You're strong Lola. You will testify and Smith will get what he deserves."

"I hope everyone sees it like that." She shook her head, wishing she could go back and change things, but the dead rising was more of a probability than something like that from a film happening.

"Go warm up by the fire for a few minutes. We'll head to the pub for supper in a few minutes." Rene seemed adamant in his position to remain by her side until Duncan was behind bars permanently.

Lola shook her head as she went inside. She really did not need the protection but she was relieved deep down for it when so much change was happening. She was not prepared for any of the changes but she was trying to.

Rene took both their jackets and hung them up on pegs neer the stove. He turned to Lola. "How about a tea to warm up our insides before heading to the pub for dinner?"

“I am okay but sure.” She promised as she slipped into the living area and knelt by the fire making sure it’ll keep going whilst they were gone. There was nothing worse that coming back to a cold home especially as she needed to still get the boiler checked but that meant getting someone from the Europa and she did not feel comfortable with that right now.

René joined Lola a few minutes later with the tea set prered he placed the tray on the coffee table in front of the sofa and poured the water over a cup with a tealeaf ball. He added what she liked in exact quantities, having seen how she liked her tea numerous times. He handed her the cup with a friendly smile. "Your tea Mademoiselle. I hope you find it to your liking."

“You always make it the way I like.” She giggled looking over to him where she was knelt. “Are you warm enough?” She wondered quietly scooting over to the table to take the mug with a smile.

René thought to himself he would feel warmer cuddling with Lola under the blanket draping the back rest of the couch. It was a reoccurring thought he'd had several times in the evening as they sat in the living room reading books together, her on the couch and him in one of the chairs. He smiled and nodded. "I've watched you make your tea enough the last three weeks and yes, I am warm enough. What about you? Are you warm enough?"

“I am. I should get someone from the Europa to come and check the boiler but I just can’t bare the thought of someone connect to him in my home.” She sighed a little. She knew she was a guest in the house even after living there for nearly 2 years but she felt funny about calling it hers when there were still items that belonged to Mr and Mrs Binns who had died in the first few months of the chaos.

René understand her reluctance to have someone from the Europa come and look at the cottage heating system. At best it would be awkward given the situation with Duncan. It could also be dangerous were the person a friend of Duncan. "I could look at the boiler system if you like. Can't promise I can fix it. I can check it tomorrow if you like."

“No. It’s needs someone professional to check it but thank you. Nathan offered to escort someone but that’s just awkward right now too.” She sighed wishing there was a woman in that department that could check it properly. She shook her head and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear trying to not offend but she did not want to mess with things.

René nodded. "I understand." He added boiler maintenance training to his mental checklist of things to do. He glanced at the wall clock before returning his gaze to Lola kneeling on the floor at the end of the coffee table. "It is nearly four thirty now. What time is your meeting at the radio station?"

“Six.” The woman said glancing at the clock and sighed. “If we want to eat we need to go now.” She sighed softly thinking she wanted to eat before speaking with the Captain. She had no idea how long it was going to last and she only had basic stuff in for something to eat without having to make things.

"I will grab our winter jackets and meet you at the front door." René stood up and went to retrieve the coats from the pegs by the back door. He held up Lola's jacket so she could slip one arm in.

“Thank you.” Lola said thankful for him being so kind and wanting to help her in the little random ways. It certainly was different than most men had been in her life.

 

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