Slowly Grace walked along the salty shores. The tide moved in washing her
feet with the cold salts of the ocean. From the rocks, Drake watched Grace
for a long time, his eyes never leaving her. A complexity of thoughts had
entered his mind, it was like thinking a million of thoughts at once, all
thoughts intersecting and diverging and twisting around each other in a
matrix of creative logic. The prophecy of the Dragon-Stigmata haunted
Drakes soul. He wondered who Martian Orodruin was talking about when he had
mentioned a chosen one to save the land from a terrible evil that was
coming. His thoughts seemed to unfold as he came to a theory of
realization. He focused more towards Grace wondering if she could have been
the chosen one to the Dragon-stigmata.
Drake caught Graces blue-green eyes staring back at him. Her rosy painted lips registered a slow sweet smile toward him, Drake reacted nervously fixing a smile back but some how couldn't take his eyes off Grace. He watched as she took her steps delicately through the light ocean tide, her porcelain face was washed with predawn ocean mist and her evening lit cheeks were framed with white blond cherubic curls. Drake couldn't recall how long he had been staring at her. But he knew his emotions he had carried for her spanned Longley, just like a deep blue ocean of hidden secrets. The late afternoon sun was beginning to fall over the nightshade horizon of the moving tide. Drake emerged slightly from the rocks he was perched on. He rose stretching his enormous span of wings across from him and leaped off the rocks gliding safely toward Grace with a smooth landing.
" Having fun?" Grace asked peering up at Drake. Drake flipped his wings back," yes" he responded looking over the brisk ocean then returned his gaze toward Grace," we should head back the tournament will be starting very shortly". Grace nodded," well then what do you think". Drake released his wings from their stiffening fold. " Shall we" he asked, offering Grace to climb aboard. " Lets go I want to see Geoff win" Grace said with much excitement in her voice. As soon as Grace was safely seated, Drake took off back to the castle just in time for the tournament.
An orcastra of music sailed about the audience with in the theater of the ring. The clash of arms, shouts and cries of encouragement announced every knight and warriors arrival at the weapons hall. Martian Orodruin and Mansel had met up with Grace and Drake who, had just shortly arrived, while knights and warriors had been battling in competition against each other. Geoff and a heavy set man were at the center of the ring of warriors, sparring with a matched pair of dull edged two handed swords. Drake made his way with Orodruin, Mansel, and Grace to the side of the ring amongst the crowd of lords and ladies and watched the two fighters spin a web of steel with their heavy blades. Both knights were skilled, the big swords man stronger and Geoff the faster of his opponent.
They continued the fray of the two. Sir Ronald near the group of four fighters next to Drake a few feet away shouted", don't let him beat you, he's only a stable boy, a half pine weakling!". Some of the knights around him laughed in agreement. Beside Drake, Graces expression scowled as she slowly approached Ronald. She grabbed his attention, others following behind her. Ronald slightly inclined his head toward her. He noticed Graces determination to interrupt him first. Her eyes seemed to pierce his, like shard of cold ice, looking at him straight serious in the face. " Perhaps you would like to cross blades with him yourself, unless you're to chicken to". " Chicken?" Ronald replied with a knitted brow over his princely features.
Orodruin held up an inclining finger adding," I will wager Geoff out last your champion yonder Ronald". " I need no champion old man!" Ronald said with a slight sneer", I am Sir Ronald a knight with the old code and I say he falls". " A hundred gold pieces on it Sir Ronald?" inquired a silver clad knight next to him lifting a heavy purse. " Done!" shouted Ronald confidently. Grace shook her head turning toward Drake and the others", who does this guy think he is? I swear". Drake looked at Grace with a gentle smile", do not worry he is sure to be quite the challenge, but Geoff has a few tricks up his sleeve". Grace smiled at Drake as they turned their attention back to the battle. Ronald slightly peered over at Grace who stood with the monk. Priest and the Dragon. His thoughts scrambled, wondering who she was and where she came from, he pondered if she had been the mystic maiden that was rumored about the kingdom. She had to be! He thought, what else would explain the 21st century clothing she wore and the nicely combed hair not to mention the silver chain pendant of diamonds and two dragons holding an ocean blue heart ruby around it.
Only king's and Queens of noble birth wore such riches as the one Grace had laced over her neck, perhaps she was a princess? Ronald thought then dismissed the subject concentrating on the finished fight in the ring. Geoff's opponent was moving with less precision, his agility kept him from striking any continuing blows during their long set of exchanging with complicated combination of moves, which brought a gasp of admiration from the crowd. Geoff beat down the warrior of Grondar and struck the heavy blade from his hands. The fallen warrior bowed his head and said", I yield". Geoff bent down and retrieved his sword, handing it back to the warrior", it was an accident sir, I saw you slip upon the sticks on the floor and struck my blow before you could recover". Geoff bowed," my apologies for striking such an unfair blow". Grondar grinned", no shame in losing to a knight like yourself, perhaps you will partner with me in a malice tomorrow?" he asked. Geoff answered in equal courtesy", the honor would be mine to fight with you, shield to shield sir". Grondar nodded his agreement and they clasped forearms.
Ronald held out his hand toward the silver clad knight who had bet on the challenge. The knight gaped as if in surprise and said," he admitted that he cheated, I'll not pay off such a wager", he then turned to go. Ronald turned and grabbed the knight's arm firmly. He stopped the knight with a look,' you owe me an apology and a hundred gold pieces of calling me a lair!". Geoff waltzed up to both the knights breaking the fight by grabbing Ronald's arm. " Hey let him go he owes you nothing. Ronald struck down on Geoff's hand and spat out", don't lay a hand on me peasant!". He released the other knight letting him go as he turned towards Geoff," perhaps I should challenge you to a match stable boy, a duel to the death!". Geoff pushed Ronald", bring it on all high and mighty". Ronald clenched an angry fist, and then struck Geoff in the face and to the ground. Drake at the same time felt the blow, and at the same time registered a snarl reclining a bit in pain, Geoff glared looking up at Ronald that spat at him," humph! I have no chivalry to be wasting my time with a weakling peasant".
Out of the sudden spur of the moment Grace walked up to Ronald cursing," you know what! Your nothing but a cheap prick, pigheaded tough guy who thinks he can tell everyone what to do and where to go!'. " Oh is that so?", Ronald declared looking down at Grace," perhaps you would like to join your peasant friend". He then grabbed her by the arm ready to strike a blow, when a booming voice shouted, " stop this at once". Osric walked over to the conflict and as he did Grace hurled a punch at Ronald giving him a bloody lip. Ronald flinched back glaring at Grace,' on that does it!' he murmured, whipping the blood from his lip and began walking toward Grace with heavy steps. Just as he did, Osric stepped in.
Ronald stopped in his tracks gaped and taken by surprise. Calmly Osric added," strike this lady and I assure you your punishment will not be that pleasant". Grace blinked in surprise as Osric turned toward her with a wink, and then turned back to Ronald. " How about a fair deal I challenge you to a match for striking one of my knights and if you win then your punishment will be called off, if I win however then there will be no changes". Osric grinned holding out a hand toward Ronald", do we have a deal?". Ronald decided to accept his challenge and chose broad swords as weapons for the duel. He then strode angrily to the center of the ring awaiting Osric, who helped Geoff off the ground. Afterward he took a few steps toward Grace, as he came forward he inclined his head in a gesturely nod, taking her hand and placed a red rose within her fingers. Grace quaintly plenched her hand from him, as he stared at her then turned and walked to the center of the ring where Ronald stood awaiting his challenge.
Geoff leaned on the hilt of his two-handed sword and watched the proceedings with interest. The match was with sword and shield. Ronald roared and took offensive, immediately, his arm churned out blow after blow, but Osric was full of surprises. Ronald was discovering that very fact, much to his concentration. He had expected an easy victory over his opponent, but Osric fought like a demon. He had not even broken a sweat yet, and Ronald was breathing heavily getting careless. With a frustrating growl, he threw his shield at Osric's head and tried to cut him low. Osric instead of ducking out of the way, and becoming easy meat for Ronald's sword, cut the whirling shield in twain; the two halves falling to either side. There was a sudden hush in the crowd. A shock of disbelief and silent fear chilled through the windows of everyone's soul.
One step took the point of his silver blade to the throat of his suddenly shocked foe. " I yield the point!" stammered Ronald quickly, " I apologize for my foolish words and take back everything that has happened here" He dropped his sword. Osric grinned, nodded his acceptance of the apology, and lowered his blade. The crowd was hushed in awe, staring at the remains of Ronald's shield. Grace raised her brow at the strange supernatural event, as did Drake, Geoff, and Mansel including Martian Orodruin who thought it to be more strange than amazing.
The knight Grondar took up a sword and began to beat it upon his shield with it the other knights followed suit as a salute usually reserved for the performance of a master of art. The king shouted and cheered from his royal seat of the theater as Osric bowed to the crowd placing his sword and shield back into the hilt of the weaponry, and walked from the ring letting the next to knights have the skill to practice yet another challenge. From a distance, Grace watched Osric walk off into the shadows and disappear into the darkness. Something about the duel he had with Ronald had been strange. She noticed the dark red blood rose spinned within her fingers and with it a tea dyed colored paper with the note attached. Like a miniature scroll, she opened it and read the questioning reply. Dinner? Geoff placed a heavy hand on her shoulder leaning over looking on at the note," what's that?". Grace looked at Geoff as if he had grown a third eye," just a rose with a note inviting me to dinner from that knight". Geoff shrugged then turned away starting a conversation with another knight.
Drake caught Graces blue-green eyes staring back at him. Her rosy painted lips registered a slow sweet smile toward him, Drake reacted nervously fixing a smile back but some how couldn't take his eyes off Grace. He watched as she took her steps delicately through the light ocean tide, her porcelain face was washed with predawn ocean mist and her evening lit cheeks were framed with white blond cherubic curls. Drake couldn't recall how long he had been staring at her. But he knew his emotions he had carried for her spanned Longley, just like a deep blue ocean of hidden secrets. The late afternoon sun was beginning to fall over the nightshade horizon of the moving tide. Drake emerged slightly from the rocks he was perched on. He rose stretching his enormous span of wings across from him and leaped off the rocks gliding safely toward Grace with a smooth landing.
" Having fun?" Grace asked peering up at Drake. Drake flipped his wings back," yes" he responded looking over the brisk ocean then returned his gaze toward Grace," we should head back the tournament will be starting very shortly". Grace nodded," well then what do you think". Drake released his wings from their stiffening fold. " Shall we" he asked, offering Grace to climb aboard. " Lets go I want to see Geoff win" Grace said with much excitement in her voice. As soon as Grace was safely seated, Drake took off back to the castle just in time for the tournament.
An orcastra of music sailed about the audience with in the theater of the ring. The clash of arms, shouts and cries of encouragement announced every knight and warriors arrival at the weapons hall. Martian Orodruin and Mansel had met up with Grace and Drake who, had just shortly arrived, while knights and warriors had been battling in competition against each other. Geoff and a heavy set man were at the center of the ring of warriors, sparring with a matched pair of dull edged two handed swords. Drake made his way with Orodruin, Mansel, and Grace to the side of the ring amongst the crowd of lords and ladies and watched the two fighters spin a web of steel with their heavy blades. Both knights were skilled, the big swords man stronger and Geoff the faster of his opponent.
They continued the fray of the two. Sir Ronald near the group of four fighters next to Drake a few feet away shouted", don't let him beat you, he's only a stable boy, a half pine weakling!". Some of the knights around him laughed in agreement. Beside Drake, Graces expression scowled as she slowly approached Ronald. She grabbed his attention, others following behind her. Ronald slightly inclined his head toward her. He noticed Graces determination to interrupt him first. Her eyes seemed to pierce his, like shard of cold ice, looking at him straight serious in the face. " Perhaps you would like to cross blades with him yourself, unless you're to chicken to". " Chicken?" Ronald replied with a knitted brow over his princely features.
Orodruin held up an inclining finger adding," I will wager Geoff out last your champion yonder Ronald". " I need no champion old man!" Ronald said with a slight sneer", I am Sir Ronald a knight with the old code and I say he falls". " A hundred gold pieces on it Sir Ronald?" inquired a silver clad knight next to him lifting a heavy purse. " Done!" shouted Ronald confidently. Grace shook her head turning toward Drake and the others", who does this guy think he is? I swear". Drake looked at Grace with a gentle smile", do not worry he is sure to be quite the challenge, but Geoff has a few tricks up his sleeve". Grace smiled at Drake as they turned their attention back to the battle. Ronald slightly peered over at Grace who stood with the monk. Priest and the Dragon. His thoughts scrambled, wondering who she was and where she came from, he pondered if she had been the mystic maiden that was rumored about the kingdom. She had to be! He thought, what else would explain the 21st century clothing she wore and the nicely combed hair not to mention the silver chain pendant of diamonds and two dragons holding an ocean blue heart ruby around it.
Only king's and Queens of noble birth wore such riches as the one Grace had laced over her neck, perhaps she was a princess? Ronald thought then dismissed the subject concentrating on the finished fight in the ring. Geoff's opponent was moving with less precision, his agility kept him from striking any continuing blows during their long set of exchanging with complicated combination of moves, which brought a gasp of admiration from the crowd. Geoff beat down the warrior of Grondar and struck the heavy blade from his hands. The fallen warrior bowed his head and said", I yield". Geoff bent down and retrieved his sword, handing it back to the warrior", it was an accident sir, I saw you slip upon the sticks on the floor and struck my blow before you could recover". Geoff bowed," my apologies for striking such an unfair blow". Grondar grinned", no shame in losing to a knight like yourself, perhaps you will partner with me in a malice tomorrow?" he asked. Geoff answered in equal courtesy", the honor would be mine to fight with you, shield to shield sir". Grondar nodded his agreement and they clasped forearms.
Ronald held out his hand toward the silver clad knight who had bet on the challenge. The knight gaped as if in surprise and said," he admitted that he cheated, I'll not pay off such a wager", he then turned to go. Ronald turned and grabbed the knight's arm firmly. He stopped the knight with a look,' you owe me an apology and a hundred gold pieces of calling me a lair!". Geoff waltzed up to both the knights breaking the fight by grabbing Ronald's arm. " Hey let him go he owes you nothing. Ronald struck down on Geoff's hand and spat out", don't lay a hand on me peasant!". He released the other knight letting him go as he turned towards Geoff," perhaps I should challenge you to a match stable boy, a duel to the death!". Geoff pushed Ronald", bring it on all high and mighty". Ronald clenched an angry fist, and then struck Geoff in the face and to the ground. Drake at the same time felt the blow, and at the same time registered a snarl reclining a bit in pain, Geoff glared looking up at Ronald that spat at him," humph! I have no chivalry to be wasting my time with a weakling peasant".
Out of the sudden spur of the moment Grace walked up to Ronald cursing," you know what! Your nothing but a cheap prick, pigheaded tough guy who thinks he can tell everyone what to do and where to go!'. " Oh is that so?", Ronald declared looking down at Grace," perhaps you would like to join your peasant friend". He then grabbed her by the arm ready to strike a blow, when a booming voice shouted, " stop this at once". Osric walked over to the conflict and as he did Grace hurled a punch at Ronald giving him a bloody lip. Ronald flinched back glaring at Grace,' on that does it!' he murmured, whipping the blood from his lip and began walking toward Grace with heavy steps. Just as he did, Osric stepped in.
Ronald stopped in his tracks gaped and taken by surprise. Calmly Osric added," strike this lady and I assure you your punishment will not be that pleasant". Grace blinked in surprise as Osric turned toward her with a wink, and then turned back to Ronald. " How about a fair deal I challenge you to a match for striking one of my knights and if you win then your punishment will be called off, if I win however then there will be no changes". Osric grinned holding out a hand toward Ronald", do we have a deal?". Ronald decided to accept his challenge and chose broad swords as weapons for the duel. He then strode angrily to the center of the ring awaiting Osric, who helped Geoff off the ground. Afterward he took a few steps toward Grace, as he came forward he inclined his head in a gesturely nod, taking her hand and placed a red rose within her fingers. Grace quaintly plenched her hand from him, as he stared at her then turned and walked to the center of the ring where Ronald stood awaiting his challenge.
Geoff leaned on the hilt of his two-handed sword and watched the proceedings with interest. The match was with sword and shield. Ronald roared and took offensive, immediately, his arm churned out blow after blow, but Osric was full of surprises. Ronald was discovering that very fact, much to his concentration. He had expected an easy victory over his opponent, but Osric fought like a demon. He had not even broken a sweat yet, and Ronald was breathing heavily getting careless. With a frustrating growl, he threw his shield at Osric's head and tried to cut him low. Osric instead of ducking out of the way, and becoming easy meat for Ronald's sword, cut the whirling shield in twain; the two halves falling to either side. There was a sudden hush in the crowd. A shock of disbelief and silent fear chilled through the windows of everyone's soul.
One step took the point of his silver blade to the throat of his suddenly shocked foe. " I yield the point!" stammered Ronald quickly, " I apologize for my foolish words and take back everything that has happened here" He dropped his sword. Osric grinned, nodded his acceptance of the apology, and lowered his blade. The crowd was hushed in awe, staring at the remains of Ronald's shield. Grace raised her brow at the strange supernatural event, as did Drake, Geoff, and Mansel including Martian Orodruin who thought it to be more strange than amazing.
The knight Grondar took up a sword and began to beat it upon his shield with it the other knights followed suit as a salute usually reserved for the performance of a master of art. The king shouted and cheered from his royal seat of the theater as Osric bowed to the crowd placing his sword and shield back into the hilt of the weaponry, and walked from the ring letting the next to knights have the skill to practice yet another challenge. From a distance, Grace watched Osric walk off into the shadows and disappear into the darkness. Something about the duel he had with Ronald had been strange. She noticed the dark red blood rose spinned within her fingers and with it a tea dyed colored paper with the note attached. Like a miniature scroll, she opened it and read the questioning reply. Dinner? Geoff placed a heavy hand on her shoulder leaning over looking on at the note," what's that?". Grace looked at Geoff as if he had grown a third eye," just a rose with a note inviting me to dinner from that knight". Geoff shrugged then turned away starting a conversation with another knight.