The Duel
Katherine drew a breath and dropped her hands to her sides. She glanced up at James and then proceeded to look off to her right as she thought of what to say. She turned back to her brother who stood there like a stone, silently demanding an explanation. Katherine smiled. "Lievtenant Gillette was kind enough to escort your dear sister here, and so I thought it appropriate to make better acquaintance, 'tis all."
Norrington stood fast. His displeasure was well written on his face as he looked on down the hall after Gillette. "Even so, I would prefer –"
"You would prefer what, James?" Katherine interrupted with a taste of impatience. She sighed angrily before grabbing the Commodore by the coat sleeve and dragging him back into what she presumed was his office. She was quite perturbed now at her brother's tone and could easily guess what he was about to say, for she had heard her father say it many times before. Katherine shut the door before she continued. "Good God, James…I called him by his Christian name! I hardly think I committed a crime, Commodore, especially considering I bid him to call me Katherine first." She crossed her arms as she defiantly stood her ground.
Norrington rounded on her at the mention of his title. He was slightly hurt that his sister was angry enough to address him as such, especially with that biting tone. He suddenly realized his posture and demeanor was that of the Commodore, and not of Katherine's brother. He immediately could see the reason for her attitude, and he dropped his arms to his sides and drew a slow breath as he regained his composure. "I simply do not think it's entirely proper, Katherine. You must give these things time."
"Time?" asked Katherine with disappointment. "You have spent your entire life trying to be proper, James, and look where it has gotten you."
James blinked and quickly looked away. He could not believe what his sister had just said. "That is terribly unfair, Katherine." His words resounded of dejection. Katherine immediately realized the implications of what she had just said as her expression went from defiance to empathy. She quickly held out her arm as she took a step toward him.
"James, I'm sorry! I did not mean it like that. I was frustrated about…I don't want to hurt you," she stammered as she took hold of his left shoulder and looked to the floor. "That was unfair of me, James," Katherine slowly continued. "You've done impeccably well for yourself. I should hate to see you end up like father, that is all. Affairs of the heart just require a little…trust, I suppose."
"Yes, well, I've already been on the losing end of such affairs already, if you don't mind my saying," declared James as he leaned back on his desk, his tone expressionless as usual. Katherine looked at him for a moment before throwing her arms around his shoulders.
"I think you need to talk to me about this," she said quietly.
"Talk to you about what?" James inquired as he turned his head toward her.
"Don't even try it," demanded Katherine. Her tone was stern. "You know damned well what."
James sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "And why must I do this?"
Katherine let go and moved in front to face him. "Because you are Commodore James Edward Norrington, and knowing you, you have not spoken to a living soul about your feelings. Not to mention that I am your sister, and will not hesitate to make your life exceedingly difficult until you tell me what the Hell has been going on with you."
James shook his head slightly. But Katherine was not finished. She slowly reached for the sword at his side and unsheathed it delicately before stepping back and holding it to his throat. "I challenge you to a duel," she said firmly. "A nice little bout between siblings. If you win, I shall conduct myself like the perfect gentlewoman around Mr. Gillette and uphold your standards. If I win," Katherine paused before continuing, a triumphant little grin spreading across her face. "You tell me every thought and feeling that has been troubling since you gave Elizabeth up."
Norrington stared incredulously at the blade at his neck. It was harmless at the hands of his sister, but it was effective at proving her point. His glance moved up to Katherine's face. Her unwavering expression conveyed quite clearly that there was no way out of this one. James glanced up at the ceiling again and sighed, "Agreed."
"Good!" Katherine's smile broadened as she brought the blade back down and studied it. "It has been so long since I had a decent sparring partner." It was true – Katherine was a decent swordsman. James had taken it upon himself to teach her the art on her eleventh birthday. Indeed, she had scared away at least a handful of unwanted suitors by challenging them to a duel in good fun. Good fun it was not, for usually the gentlemen ended up retreating with their tails between their legs. Certainly a useful tactic as far as Katherine was concerned.
The two returned to Norrington's estate for the festivities. As Katherine retreated upstairs to change into something a bit more appropriate, James rummaged through some of his older weapons and found a sword suitable for Katherine. Minutes later, she returned wearing one of her lighter dresses and leather gloves. They walked out into the secluded back garden and the contest began.
"On guard, Commodore," said Katherine through her smile.
"Oh look, Katherine Norrington has come to vanquish the - "
"James, shut up and put up your sword," interrupted Katherine. Norrington chuckled as he raised his weapon and awaited Katherine's first move. Her first attacks were quick and accurate, but as where his parries. The two exchanged multiple blows. Katherine knew James was about as talented as they came. She, on the other hand, was a bit out of practice. James had taught her quite a lot about swordplay, but seeing that she was a woman, she rarely had the opportunity to tune her skills since his departure for the Caribbean. She deflected another of his attacks and paused as she smiled.
"Excellent form there," said James. "Might I inquire who you practiced with these past few years?"
"No one in particular, though an occasional spar with Thomas," Katherine began. "Mostly I've been fighting off suitors."
James flashed one of his typical smiles. "And how did you go about doing that?" he asked curiously.
"Simple," began Katherine. She raised her sword once again, and James did the same. "By using a unique little trick I developed for that specific purpose." James's eyes narrowed as he pondered her next move. He did not have much time to think, however, as her attack was sudden and decisive. She aimed squarely at his stomach, and as James went down with his saber to deflect, Katherine quickly rolled her wrist and brought her blade up and over his, forcing it down. The next thing Norrington knew was the unique sensation of a blade at his throat. He paused for a moment in disbelief before smiling and looking at Katherine. His smile quickly faded, however, when he realized he had just lost. He scoffed at himself and shook his head.
Katherine grinned from ear to ear as she watched her brother's expression change. It was time for him to keep up his end of the bargain. "I think it is about time for us to have a heart to heart discussion, dear brother."
