Parry is difficult to time and achieves the same effect as simply moving out of the way with the additional cost of yellow bile. Currently there's absolutely no incentive to even try to parry something, when dodging is more cost effective and easier to achieve.
I propose there be an additional level of sword skill (Art of the Blade or whichever name you prefer) that gives parry an additional effect. There are obviously several options, but disarmed (lose use of sword for the next X minutes, or drop the sword on the ground) seems like a reasonable effect to make the risk of parrying worthwhile. Alternatively it could create a stun effect if simply removing access to the damage from thrust doesn't seem to be worth the risk.