He grinned "There are many styles" he said. "Smart girl" he said "I'm observing and learning it" he said. "It's a talent i have so to speak... me and an 'old friend' of mine" he said. He moved back and twirled. "Your way of fighting is ideal for duellign. One on one" he said "The opposite of mass warfare..." he said. He stared straight into her eyes. He was becoming quite intrigued by her. They exchanged blows again, high, low, side, high, low, he stabbed nad bumped her belly button just as she managed a glancing blow to the shoulder. He nodded. "Good" he said. Than the did it again... and again.
They both fought longer and longer before the next round. Thane fought strange in her eyes too. Duelling with the gladius... was not his main goal. He seemed to fight to kill. Thrusts a lot. And he probably preferred having a shield too. But he adapted fast. The gladias was actually less suited for prolonged man to man combat compared to long duels. But it was ideal for a quick stab... instant kill in theory. Andrea fought indeed like an Arena fighter... fighting long fights against one foe. It were opposite fightingstyles but she quickly adapted to his... . Using more thrusts herself where he blocked more. Blades crossed, he suddenly 'pushe'd and she fell back on her behind "Boo..." he tapped her nose. "Barbarians are big and strong. A legionnary will usually use speed and precision to win..." he said "If you cross blades like this... move away... most men should have more mass and will use it if they have half a brain". Suddenly she slapped his hand with her blade and placed hers against his groin and smiled warmly than nodded and they got up. Continuing for an additional hour it began to become boring for those watching. Half of the time nobody even knew what the two swordfighters found amusing... not even noticing the flaws they detected in each other. Thane was precize, strong and cunning but Andrea had an irritating fluent movement that seemed an ideal counter.
Suddenly he stopped as he accidentally hit her too hard on the hand and she grabbed for it. Concerned he moved towards her and she rose up her blade, stopping the tip at his throat.
"Stop going easy on me just because i'm a woman" she frowned than relaxed and Valerios nodded "Alright... tommorow" he said. They were both sweating.
He smiled at that "You my dear... are daring" he said as he rose up. Unbuckling his belt, he cast it asside and slipped off the rest including the leg shinprotectors and his sandals. Most remained hidden by his desk and he knew it.