A Friendly Duel
Eskall and Kiremor stood toe to toe, their ears twitching impatiently and the claws of their feet digging into the soft grass of the rolling prairie. The twins regarded each other evenly as they each drew their preferred weapon. The setting sun's autumn light reflected off Eskall's turquoise sword, and Kiremor's grip tightened on her staff as powerful magics flowed from between her clawed fingers, pouring over the carved surface of the wood. Eskall hefted her silver round-shield, thick muscles undulating under her fur as she rolled her shoulders with a haughty air. She smiled mischievously at her sister.
"Ready when you are, dear sister," she growled, incisors poking out from between her lips.
Kiremor snarled in contempt. Her thin, sinuous muscles tensed as she lowered herself into a defensive stance, the sun causing her ebony fur to take on an amber sheen.
Though the two were twin Firran, they looked nothing alike. Oftentimes new acquaintances scoffed in disbelief when told the two were not just sisters, but twins by birth. Eskall more closely resembled their father, who took on the strong and blunt characteristics of a tiger, while Kiremor took after their mother, who, being the very definition of sleek grace, was in possession of a body sculpted much like a panther. This always led to the two, with a habitual and simultaneous sigh of exasperation, to explain that they were "fraternal" twins.
"I'm ready. Since I proclaimed the duel, you may begin," Kiremor stated, emerald-green eyes flashing.
"Have it your way," and with a guttural roar, Eskall charged. Her sword flashed, sending arcs of magic flying as the blue-tinged metal connected with her sister's staff. Kiremor dodged and blocked the blade as Eskall swung the sword tirelessly, throwing her off balance with each blow. She desperately searched for an opening, but Eskall was a stone wall. Snarling bits of fire and electricity shot from her staff as she danced in and out of Eskall's reach, but the magic seemed to merely tinge her whiskers and face, as the thick plate armor she wore deflected most of it.
Stepping back for a moment, Eskall raised her shield and prepared to pummel the heavy instrument of metal into Kiremor's light body. Seeing this, Kiremor clenched her sharpened teeth and crouched, working her toned legs like a spring, and executed a backflip. The shield swung through the air, connecting with nothing, and Eskall immediately charged forward again, rolling to the earth as a thick bolt of fire scorched the air above her ears.
With a final piercing roar, Eskall's sword swung for Kiremor's neck. Her staff couldn't move quickly enough to meet the metal, and she raised her hand on instinct. Thick magic flowed out from her outstretched arm, and a shimmering magical shield bloomed from her palm just as the sword connected. It shattered. Kiremor fell to the ground as the remnants of her magical shield rained to the grass.
Eskall lowered her sword so it brushed up against Kiremor's collarbone. Emerald met sapphire eyes, neither twin lowering their gaze.
"You've lost," Eskall snickered and retracted the sword, sheathing it with a swift motion. She bent over her twin, offering a hand up.
Kiremor hesitated, pride stinging more than anything, and finally took it.
"For now," she mumbled, brushing the dust from her fur.
Eskall watched her in mild amusement, "It was a good duel."
"No. It was not," she replied testily, shouldering past Eskall and picking her staff up from the ground. "My physical defense is laughable, and my attacks barely did anything. I'm much too vulnerable." She licked the backs of her paws thoughtfully, black ears flicking in irritation.
"Come on, don't be so hard on yourself," Eskall wrapped her arm around Kiremor's thin shoulders. "It takes much longer to grow into magic than it does with swords and shields. I get to just swing my weapon like a club and bash things with my shield; doesn't take much skill. I'm sure you'll whoop me once you get farther in your training." Kiremor brushed off her twin's arm and began walking away, back towards the inn they were staying at. Eskall was being much too modest, and it sent a flare of annoyance through her twin. She was talented, and knew it.
"Besides," Eskall jogged to catch up to her, "we've just begun our grand adventure." She smiled, large canines poking out from between her lips.
Kiremor didn't reply and the two walked in silence down the dirt path leading to the center of the village. The soft rays of the setting sun bathed the plains in an amber glow, coloring the clouds bright shades of orange and pink and drowning the twins in a swirling sea of tall grass. Once they reached the old cottage, Kiremor opened the door and walked briskly in. Eskall lingered outside the entrance, eyes sweeping over the vast plains one last time before following her sister and allowing the door to swing shut behind them.