City of the Underground

Warrior or Damsel

Kaylana's stood limberly at one end of the circle, ready to wield her sword. Jonathan stood across from her looking up and then down, unsure of what to do. The sword she had thrown down still rested in the same position next to his feet. He tried to fight off the tumult of awkward emotion at being challenged by such a petite woman. A princess, of all people.

"Look princess," he said earnestly, "There is no need for all of this." He folded his arms sheepishly. "There's so many factors we are not seeing and..."

Kaylana cut his sentence short. He did not consider her challenge in earnest. That, above all else, was the wrong move prince, she thought. Kaylana had taken a quick step forward while he was still talking. She brought the sword up, with the grace of a dancer, into a high arch. The startled prince moved automatically to retrieve the sword beside him. He brought it up swiftly to meet her sword. With a loud clamor the two blades met. A small spark glinted off. Prince Jonathan fought to keep his surge of surprise from overtaking his features. He watched as Kaylana bore on top of him with her sword pushing down. A deep fire burned in her eyes. Her strong arms continued to bear down on the sword.

"Enough talk," she growled. "Be a man, or die."

Jonathan was still fending off her sword as she continued to bear down over him. The slight aggravation he was trying to contain turned to unhinged fury. The two met in a vehement gaze, neither willing to yield. The deep green eyes were held by the determined hazel glare of the prince. Jonathan decided he could no longer avoid using force. He steadily pushed off from his heel, each inch pushed Kaylana back. With a final shove he was freed from her sword. Though it was not enough for her to loose her balance. The folds of her dress whipped around her as she moved back. She simultaneously readied her sword once more. Jonathan stood across from her. His chest heaved at the sudden excitement. His meager manner evaporated into the readiness of a warrior. He readied his sword, unwilling to be caught off guard once more. He watched as the princess started to round the circle. He began the same dance and moved to stay across from her. Kaylana watched his feet as he moved around the circle. Perhaps he thought her gaze was about intimidation but it was much more. She was studying his stance and looking for weakness, an opening.

The prince glared hard at the woman before him. He had no idea the woman would be so pompous, or arrogant for that matter. She actually thought she could match him in skill. Jonathan took one step forward and prepared for her attack. The princess did not disappoint and lunged forward in a blur of motion, aiming the swords point at where he had been. Jonathan had anticipated the move and side turned at the perfect moment. He brought his sword down on her thrusted blade easily. A teasing smile formed as she pulled a leg in and rounded it into the flat of his sword. Her dress flew over in an arched flurry, throwing him off her weapon. Both drew back. She whipped around to face him in time to see him do the same.

Kaylana charged again bringing the full strength of her broad blade down. Each swipe of her blade was met with his. Each enthusiastic plunge was met with his match. She eagerly sought to end the match, putting forth every effort her skill could afford. She pushed and pushed while he returned each attack with ease. She went after him like a hungry lioness. A quick jab followed by a heavy swing. Eagerly, she released all her anger. Everything that she had held in since her father had taken to deciding her future for her. The broad man before her had countered each step expertly, yet never outright attacked her.

She brought in a swing that caught their swords together then, matching her blade with his, she twisted it out of his hands. She stood with a triumphant look on her face. He remained quite steadily before her, no fear in his eyes. His strong chin jutted before her. She lifted her sword to strike once more but he met the hilt with a strong hand. He forced it up easily until she could no longer grip it.