Disclaimer: I only own the plot.
The practice court was filled up. It seemed that everyone at the palace was there to see the practice duel between Alanna the Lioness and Duke Gareth of Naxen. King Jonathon's coronation had been nearly a year ago and the palace still needed some repairs but everybody had abandoned whatever work they had to do for this.
At the court, both fencers were stretching, surrounded by friends, giving encouragement. Alanna of Olau, Lioness and King's Champion of Tortall, watched her opponent nervously. A lot of people were staring at the two. Alanna could feel eyes boring into her and she didn't want to lose be in front of all these people.It was supposed to be a nice, private match between her and Gareth the Elder, but somehow word had gotten out and now there was a large crowd surrounding them.
Her betrothed, Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop was behind her, waiting for her to be ready. She stood up, and he handed her new sword and kissed her cheek. She stepped into the center of the floor, watching the Duke. Alanna knew this would probably be the most difficult fight she would face for a long time. Her hands were already starting to sweat against the hilt of her sword. Duke Gareth and Alanna saluted each other and Jon, the referee of the match, then put their swords in the "guard" position. Duke Gareth made the first move, an extremely quick downward strike. Alanna blocked it and put a thrust to his stomach. The clash of blades reminded both fighters they were using real blades instead of dull practice swords, and they had to be careful.Thefight went on for a while, strike after strike, block after block. Then came Alanna's least favorite part of the duel: when the lesser swordsman became to tire, which in this case she knew to be her.
Then, the Duke's sword managed to knock hers out of her hand. The blade went flying behind him. Then without thinking, Alanna executed one of the shoulder rolls she had learned as a page. She rolled behind the Duke before he could bring his blade up, grabbed her sword and sent Gareth's flying in
his moment of surprise. She lifted her sword to the "kill" position at his neck. For a moment it was silent, and then the practice court erupted in cheers. All of Alanna's friends came to congratulate her and George ran up and gave her a passionate kiss. Alanna felt a pat on her back, but wasn't sure who came from.
Even Duke Gareth came up and said "Well fought, best two out of three?"