Chapter Four: The duel
The king had allowed Natsuki the use of a small sword only under the presence of Miyu for practicing.
She thrusted the sword around with more force than it actually needed feeling frustrated.
What the hell was I thinking…?
Then a voice replied in her mind Wait Natsuki… you WEREN'T thinking at all. Look what you've gotten into…
"Dam it all!" Natsuki placed a frustrated hand on her forehead as Miyu who had been observing her from afar raised an eyebrow as an angry Natsuki sat on the ground blending the sword unable to concentrate.
"Anything wrong?"
She spun around and saw a pair of crimson eyes staring back at her.
"Err no--"
"You were talking to yourself?"
"I didn't mean to…"
Shizuru laughed. "Usually people would deny something like that"
Natsuki gripped the sword a bit tighter feeling slightly nervous.
"So, you were training for tomorrow?"
"Yes…"
She felt the princess's hand grip her shoulders gently "Don't tire yourself too much"
Natsuki felt her whole body burn upon the contact with Shizuru. "Do-don't worry about it, I won't train too much if not tomorrow I won't be able to perform..."
"I didn't mean that…"
The knight's eyes fell upon the concerned face of the princess who smiled a bit painfully before she walked away. What did she mean then?
The next day arrived, a bit too soon for Natsuki, and as she headed down to the garden she saw some of the members of the court rushing by her to where the duel would take place.
She headed to the garden and saw the king and sitting next to him on his right hand side Shizuru, who noticed Natsuki's gaze and gave her a sweet smile.
The knight felt her face go hot. I have being blushing a bit too much recently…
In front of her was a girl with dark green hair and grayish eyes staring hungrily back at her. That is who I'm going to fight? Her emerald eyes quickly analyzed her opponent, she seemed the same size as her, and was wielding a spiked mace slightly bigger than one would usually wield.
But what worried her wasn't her weapon. It was the hungry look in her eyes. As if she was a hungry rabid dog and she was a delicious piece of meat. The piece of meat being Natsuki of course.
First thing was first; she had to win to get back the sword.
Miyu guided her to a table where she could choose her weapon. She saw spears, swords, bows, nets…
She looked at her opponent's weapon with the corner of her eye and picked up a spear.
The girl snorted and the crowed mumbled.
Natsuki positioned herself in the centre of the garden, placed the spear behind her back letting the tip poke out from the side and waited.
Tomoe raised an eyebrow. This girl wants me to make the first move with her stick? Very well you insolent brat I'll show you what I can do!
The French enemy plunged her mace above her head, Natsuki dodged it and step to the side, keep her weapon behind her back. The force of the attack made Tomoe to take a few steps forward away from Natsuki as she turned around once more to re-commence her attack.
Natsuki sidestepped once more but this time barely dodging the dangerous weapon.
"You think you can keep dodging me?" Tomoe yelled angrily
Natsuki of course didn't understand but she was pleased that the tone seemed somewhat angry.
Tomoe attacked one more time and this time Natsuki didn't dodge, but launched herself forward like her opponent and stopped the mace from hitting her head by grasping it by the handle a little above where Tomoe's hands were. The weapons shaked as the two opposing forces were fighting for dominance.
Then without warning Natsuki's free hand (the one carrying the spear) moved and Tomoe jumped back in order to avoid collision with the end of the spear.
Tomoe sniggered; yes this is the opponent I was waiting for.
Noticing the French woman's reaction to the attack, she took a few steps back, her eyes fixed on the grey. Those eyes were prepared to kill her. She wanted her life.
Natsuki quickly took an offensive stance, extending her arms to cover more of the spear's body and her eyes hardened.
I thought this duel would be a bit friendlier…
"Your name?" The knight asked seriously
The French woman didn't look like she understood the question. So Natsuki made an effort to remember the little French she knew.
"Votre nom?"
The angry woman pondered for a few seconds whether to reply or not but then she said "Tomoe Margarite"
The English knight lunged as soon as the name left Tomoe's lips. The grey eyes widened not expecting this and dodged a few of Natsuki's attack, but barely.
Natsuki started thrusting the spear and managed to stab the woman's left shoulder which caused her to fall backwards on the ground. With the spear still tearing her flesh Natsuki placed a foot upon her other shoulder to avoid the woman getting up as she added a bit more pressure on the spear.
The woman yelled in pain, and Natsuki looked at the King to see if he acknowledged the victory, but he didn't budge. No one moved or made a sound.
Slightly confused she looked down at Tomoe, not sure if she should finish her off or not.
Natsuki pulled the spear out of the wound and aimed for her throat.
What are you doing Natsuki? Finish her off!
Swoosh was heard and this time the knight, who had been distracted by her thoughts didn't have time to dodge.
A nasty sound of flesh being ripped filled the air. Natsuki felt a blinding pain on her left arm as she saw the floor being tainted in crimson. Blood. Her blood.
The experience in battles that Natsuki had made her react to the attack smashing the side of the spear into Tomoe's face and they both fell backwards.
Natsuki quickly reincorporated herself; the pain unallowing her to think clearly as Tomoe got up with a smirk on her face blending the mace tightly between her two hands but suddenly halted and her attention fell upon the princess.
A gasp escaped the princess's lips as a man had grasped her from the back pulling her away from the king.
A few soldiers surrounded the threat but didn't dare to approach in fear of their princess's safety.
Natsuki's eyes witnessing this quickly reacted by taking with her good arm the spear and throwing it in their direction.
The spear whistled as it soared in the air and hit its target on the chest, the force throwing him off his feet, which allowed the princess to run to safety and the soldiers went to capture the man.
Shizuru looked astounded at the English woman as well as everybody who had witnessed this scene.
What did I just do?
Natsuki looked as surprised as they not understanding what she had just done.
I saved the princess?
The king was the first to react. He raised his hand to announce the duel was over, and the people cheered at her.
They are cheering me?
Natsuki looked at the hand that had thrown the spear.
OMAKE:
Asuka: Sigh…
Natsuki: what?
Asuka: Sigh…
Natsuki: stop that…
Asuka: Sigh…
Natsuki: If you're gonna keep doing that, stop typing this stupid omake and go write the next chapter