This is the last installment for the sparring, giving credit to Ell and Jenn for using Asim. ;-)
By the way, I have this wicked idea for a sparring match between Ardeth, Legolas, Haldir, Aragorn and anyone else I can think to throw into the mix. Believe me if this snippet comes to life, it will be posted here for you're reading enjoyment.
There is a surprise for you all, a second upload of a small snippet I wrote not too long ago and it covers something that I doubt anyone really thought of…Medjai dating problems.
For now, enjoy this one and as always, while I may not give a shout out to all of you for reading, I do thank you for your reviews.
~*~
If the noise from the scimitars had almost been deafening, the daggers were even worse. Ardeth and Asim grimaced from the sound but watched in amazement as Nabil lunged at Berin. The warrior managed to block the deadly thrust then brought up his scimitar to jab at Nabil, spinning his body around to follow through with his dagger aimed straight at Nabil's heart. The blow was miraculously deflected drawing shouts of surprise from the crowd.
It seemed to the spectators gathered that the duel was a choreographed ballet of metal, of parry and lunge, of thrust and jab. It was a harmonious dance of glistening bodies, of strength and endurance. Many of the warriors in the crowd started to speculate amongst themselves how long the two men could last under the depleting rays of the sun.
"I have changed my opinion," Asim informed Ardeth during a momentary break in the sparring. "And have come to the conclusion that you are correct; they are insane."
"Then I must be suffering from the same affliction," Ardeth laughed and leaned forward. "I think I shall challenge the winner of this match."
Asim nodded his head, reluctant to tear his eyes away for just one moment in case anything was missed. Berin drove his dagger at Nabil, intent on his aim for the heart but at the last moment, Nabil spun away from the attack, his own dagger glancing off Berin's. He parried with his scimitar and above the noise, they heard Jameel yell that it was a point as the blade barely touched Berin's skin.
"The score is tied again!" Jameel called out. He jumped down off the railing and showed the score sheet to whomever felt the need to look. Warriors crowded around him and seemed amazed that the session had lasted for so long with no blood drawn.
"I cannot believe both warriors are still standing," Ardeth commented to Asim. "What happens now?"
~*~
Nabil held his scimitar and dagger in one hand and grinned and extended his forearm to Berin, who promptly clasped it. Both men were now thoroughly drenched from perspiration, the water they had thrown on themselves from not to long ago having dried up in the heat.
"Shukran for the session," Nabil said with a chuckle. "Tonight as I ease my aching body into my pallet, I will know who to blame for all my pain."
"You owe me a rematch," Berin replied, his face impassive as always except for the slight twinkle in his dark eyes. "I will not accept a tie for our scores."
"Nor will I," Ardeth spoke up from behind the two warriors. He quickly disposed of his sash and belts, shrugged off his robes and stepped forward, pulling his scimitar free from its sheathe. His eyes were bright and alive with pleasure; the prospective of testing his own skills against two of his commanders a temptation too strong to resist. "Which one of you old women would like to go first?"
Nabil looked at Berin, a slight smile dancing around the corners of his mouth. By Allah, he was tired but…
"Should we?" Nabil asked and jerked his head towards the waiting Ardeth.
"Why not?" Berin growled. He took a moment to stretch his long, lean body and swung his scimitar in a few whistling slices through the air. "Let us show Ardeth that we are far from being two old women."
Nabil and Berin faced Ardeth in the middle of the corral and all three warriors saluted one another with their scimitars raised in front of their faces. Suddenly Ardeth bellowed his battle cry and rushed his two astonished commanders across the sand like a charging bull…