A/N: Enjoy.
Revenge
Chapter Seven: Practice
By: DarkDracon0
Kel snuck through the long corridors of the palace like a thief, keeping an eye out for any servants that would even be about at this ungodly hour. The sun wasn't even out yet, for Mithros' sake. Padding softly, she stopped at one of the practice courts and looked in, checking to see if anyone was there. And there was. A man stood at the center of the court, naked at the waist and sweating lightly. His well-muscled back to her, she goggled at the sight. The man shifted and moved and Kel could see that he was holding a sword in his hand. She felt a slight tingling at the pit of her stomach, feel her muscles go lax.
Before she tear her eyes away, the man turned. It was Sir Joren. Kel felt her face heat with embarrassment at being caught staring, especially by Joren. Joren started at her for a moment, surprised. He hadn't expected anyone up. Remembering etiquette, he mock bowed to her and straightened and again, Kel couldn't help but stare at him. His chest was well defined, with chiseled muscles and strangely hairless. His golden hair was ruffled, giving him an even more provocative appearance.
"Hello, Lady Araine. What brings you here at such an early hour?" Joren tried for cheerfulness, but even he could hear the false tone of his voice.
As Kel searched for reasons and excuses, Joren called out again, " Perhaps a training session with the traditional Yamani glaive?" Kel's heart nearly stopped. Was she that transparent? She looked down at herself and realized it wasn't that hard to figure out. She was wearing loose clothes and soft boots, ideal for training. And she was a Yamani lady awake in the morning, so if one put two and two together… Hell, Kel thought, amused. I'm such an idiot.
Stepping into view, she waved to him, struggling to be casual and not remember the ride into the city. And not want to stomp his face in. Joren watched her walk to him, enjoying the view on her long legs. She was tall, mostly leg on her part, but there was nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. She was slender without being thin, her hair long and tied in a messy strip of leather. Kel walked past Joren to the rack that held staffs. She chose the longest and heaviest one, anything that was close to a glaive. She tested the staff thoughtfully. Not bad, Kel thought. Good balance, not the best, but this is a practice staff, not a real weapon.
Turning around, she took a swing at Joren. He automatically blocked with the flat of his sword, so as not to damage the staff. Kel had to credit him for having fast reflexes. Not many men could block as easily when attacked by a woman without warning. Joren raised his eyebrows now, couldn't help but be impressed with the speed and force she had demonstrated. Very good, my lady, Joren thought.
" I suspect you've kept yourself fit, Sir Joren?" Kel asked, letting the staff slide back into her hand and away from his sword.
"Of course, my lady. A knight must keep himself in the best condition if he wishes to survive a strife with bandits," Joren answered, watching her move back to the rack of staffs and pick up another one. She tested it, and nodding with satisfaction, tossed it to him. " True, though many knights neglect that fact. Are you any good with a pole arm?"
"Passable." Joren tossed his sword away and gripped the staff, switching to the warrior stance. Kel did the same.
It was Kel who attacked first. Not forgetting the differences of weight and length of the staff to the glaive, she feinted to the left and lashed toward his legs, also testing him as she had tested the staff. Joren blocked with the same fast reflexes and jumped away. Circling each other, Kel went for his head. He blocked again, countered by jabbing toward her right arm. She shifted and he missed, throwing himself slightly unbalanced. Lightening fast, Kel whipped the staff around and slammed it up into his chin. His head snapped back and Joren's vision exploded with stars. Shaking his head to clear it, he brought his hand up and felt tenderly at his chin.
He was lucky that he hadn't bit his tongue off, Joren though sourly. Kel watched from a few feet away, leaning on her staff and grinning. "Consider that your payment for the kiss," Kel called out merrily, feeling outrageously pleased with herself. Joren moved his jaw, just to make sure it wouldn't fall off, and glared at Kel. He had to grudgingly appreciate her skill with the staff. She was damned fast.
Tossing away the staff he picked up his sword and gestured toward the sword rack, an obvious challenge. Kel obliged him. Picking up a sword at random, she walked to Joren and crossed swords with him. They stared at each other for a sliver of a second before both threw their weight into their swords. Their swords locked, Kel shoved her sword upward to free herself and sent sparks flying off the steel as it grated. Circling each other like before, there was the occasional lunge and parry. Joren was the first to move this time.
Swinging the sword skillfully, he swung it down and Kel blocked. The force he put behind it sent tremors running up and down her arm, forcing it into a state of numbness. Kel broke away again and attacked, sweat dripping into her eyes. Like a dance, they both dueled, swords clanging and clashing. Joren swung his sword up again and brought it down hard on Kel's sword. A loud rending sound ripped through the silence of the room. Kel stared at her sword. The blade had fallen off and she was still holding the hilt.
"I suppose this would mean that you won, Sir Joren. For my lack of checking that sword before using it," Kel said after a moment.
"It was a good duel. You're very skilled to have lasted that long with me, my lady." Was that a hint of conceit she heard? The compliment sounded as if it pained him to say it. Probably did.
Coating her voice with sugar, Kel grinned sweetly up at Joren and said, " Why thank you for the compliment, Sir Joren, even if it is conceited with a male bloated ego. I think I'll just excuse myself now. Good day." And she calmly walked out of the practice court with Joren watching after her in open mouthed astonishment and part insult.
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Laine came down on her like a hawk. "Where the hell were you?! Gone at such an hour, I'm surprised that you look so calm and collected. Anyone could have spotted you!!"
"Hmm. Someone did spot me. And did more than just acknowledge me." Laine was red in the face and looked ready to hurt someone, preferably her. She could tell by just looking at her enraged eyes.
"Well?!"
"Well what?" Laine's eyes nearly crossed themselves in rage. A little intimidated, Kel took a step back.
"Don't play dumb with me! You half-wit, you know what was planned and you will follow it! Any servant could have seen you this morning and you know how serious that is!"
"Everybody knows that Yamani ladies practice with weapons in the morning or something like that. It wouldn't really be suspicious if I was up this morning to practice-" Laine snarled at her, cutting Kel off.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING, YOU ASS?!"
"Uhh…"
"YOU IDIOT, DON'T YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?!"
"…Don't hurt me…?" Kel said in a small voice, now feeling much like five years old. Laine resembled her mother throwing a fit and this fact scared Kel witless. She searched around her mind frantically for an excuse to save her hide. Laine hissed at her like a cat, slanted her another evil look and stalked away to her room. She slammed the door behind her, causing Kel to wince at the sharp slap of wood.
As she tried to calm her heart by taking deep breaths, Kel glanced towards Laine's room. She could hear Laine pacing and talking to herself, certainly not anything pleasant about Kel if she her angry voice was directed at her. Kel leaned guiltily against one of the chairs nearby, her hand gripping the back. I am an idiot, Kel thought. I should have already known Laine would be displeased about me being up so early. Displeased, ha! Rubbing the tips of her fingers against her temples, she could still hear Laine's furious movements.
Deciding to ignore the morning's incident, with both Joren and Laine, Kel began to undress and call for a maid to bring a tub and hot water. Soon, she was submerged in hot, steaming water and lathering herself with strong lavender scented soup. Hopefully, the rest of the day would turn out better than the morning.
A/N: Sorry for getting this out so late. I've been busy with my new Harry Potter fanfic. I'll try to get new chapters out more regularly. Read and review. You know how I dote on them. Oh, and if you see any spelling mistakes, blame them on me. And if this chapter is bad, blame that on me as well. I was in too much of a rush to look through or improve this chap. Sorry.
Revenge
Chapter Seven: Practice
By: DarkDracon0
Kel snuck through the long corridors of the palace like a thief, keeping an eye out for any servants that would even be about at this ungodly hour. The sun wasn't even out yet, for Mithros' sake. Padding softly, she stopped at one of the practice courts and looked in, checking to see if anyone was there. And there was. A man stood at the center of the court, naked at the waist and sweating lightly. His well-muscled back to her, she goggled at the sight. The man shifted and moved and Kel could see that he was holding a sword in his hand. She felt a slight tingling at the pit of her stomach, feel her muscles go lax.
Before she tear her eyes away, the man turned. It was Sir Joren. Kel felt her face heat with embarrassment at being caught staring, especially by Joren. Joren started at her for a moment, surprised. He hadn't expected anyone up. Remembering etiquette, he mock bowed to her and straightened and again, Kel couldn't help but stare at him. His chest was well defined, with chiseled muscles and strangely hairless. His golden hair was ruffled, giving him an even more provocative appearance.
"Hello, Lady Araine. What brings you here at such an early hour?" Joren tried for cheerfulness, but even he could hear the false tone of his voice.
As Kel searched for reasons and excuses, Joren called out again, " Perhaps a training session with the traditional Yamani glaive?" Kel's heart nearly stopped. Was she that transparent? She looked down at herself and realized it wasn't that hard to figure out. She was wearing loose clothes and soft boots, ideal for training. And she was a Yamani lady awake in the morning, so if one put two and two together… Hell, Kel thought, amused. I'm such an idiot.
Stepping into view, she waved to him, struggling to be casual and not remember the ride into the city. And not want to stomp his face in. Joren watched her walk to him, enjoying the view on her long legs. She was tall, mostly leg on her part, but there was nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. She was slender without being thin, her hair long and tied in a messy strip of leather. Kel walked past Joren to the rack that held staffs. She chose the longest and heaviest one, anything that was close to a glaive. She tested the staff thoughtfully. Not bad, Kel thought. Good balance, not the best, but this is a practice staff, not a real weapon.
Turning around, she took a swing at Joren. He automatically blocked with the flat of his sword, so as not to damage the staff. Kel had to credit him for having fast reflexes. Not many men could block as easily when attacked by a woman without warning. Joren raised his eyebrows now, couldn't help but be impressed with the speed and force she had demonstrated. Very good, my lady, Joren thought.
" I suspect you've kept yourself fit, Sir Joren?" Kel asked, letting the staff slide back into her hand and away from his sword.
"Of course, my lady. A knight must keep himself in the best condition if he wishes to survive a strife with bandits," Joren answered, watching her move back to the rack of staffs and pick up another one. She tested it, and nodding with satisfaction, tossed it to him. " True, though many knights neglect that fact. Are you any good with a pole arm?"
"Passable." Joren tossed his sword away and gripped the staff, switching to the warrior stance. Kel did the same.
It was Kel who attacked first. Not forgetting the differences of weight and length of the staff to the glaive, she feinted to the left and lashed toward his legs, also testing him as she had tested the staff. Joren blocked with the same fast reflexes and jumped away. Circling each other, Kel went for his head. He blocked again, countered by jabbing toward her right arm. She shifted and he missed, throwing himself slightly unbalanced. Lightening fast, Kel whipped the staff around and slammed it up into his chin. His head snapped back and Joren's vision exploded with stars. Shaking his head to clear it, he brought his hand up and felt tenderly at his chin.
He was lucky that he hadn't bit his tongue off, Joren though sourly. Kel watched from a few feet away, leaning on her staff and grinning. "Consider that your payment for the kiss," Kel called out merrily, feeling outrageously pleased with herself. Joren moved his jaw, just to make sure it wouldn't fall off, and glared at Kel. He had to grudgingly appreciate her skill with the staff. She was damned fast.
Tossing away the staff he picked up his sword and gestured toward the sword rack, an obvious challenge. Kel obliged him. Picking up a sword at random, she walked to Joren and crossed swords with him. They stared at each other for a sliver of a second before both threw their weight into their swords. Their swords locked, Kel shoved her sword upward to free herself and sent sparks flying off the steel as it grated. Circling each other like before, there was the occasional lunge and parry. Joren was the first to move this time.
Swinging the sword skillfully, he swung it down and Kel blocked. The force he put behind it sent tremors running up and down her arm, forcing it into a state of numbness. Kel broke away again and attacked, sweat dripping into her eyes. Like a dance, they both dueled, swords clanging and clashing. Joren swung his sword up again and brought it down hard on Kel's sword. A loud rending sound ripped through the silence of the room. Kel stared at her sword. The blade had fallen off and she was still holding the hilt.
"I suppose this would mean that you won, Sir Joren. For my lack of checking that sword before using it," Kel said after a moment.
"It was a good duel. You're very skilled to have lasted that long with me, my lady." Was that a hint of conceit she heard? The compliment sounded as if it pained him to say it. Probably did.
Coating her voice with sugar, Kel grinned sweetly up at Joren and said, " Why thank you for the compliment, Sir Joren, even if it is conceited with a male bloated ego. I think I'll just excuse myself now. Good day." And she calmly walked out of the practice court with Joren watching after her in open mouthed astonishment and part insult.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laine came down on her like a hawk. "Where the hell were you?! Gone at such an hour, I'm surprised that you look so calm and collected. Anyone could have spotted you!!"
"Hmm. Someone did spot me. And did more than just acknowledge me." Laine was red in the face and looked ready to hurt someone, preferably her. She could tell by just looking at her enraged eyes.
"Well?!"
"Well what?" Laine's eyes nearly crossed themselves in rage. A little intimidated, Kel took a step back.
"Don't play dumb with me! You half-wit, you know what was planned and you will follow it! Any servant could have seen you this morning and you know how serious that is!"
"Everybody knows that Yamani ladies practice with weapons in the morning or something like that. It wouldn't really be suspicious if I was up this morning to practice-" Laine snarled at her, cutting Kel off.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING, YOU ASS?!"
"Uhh…"
"YOU IDIOT, DON'T YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?!"
"…Don't hurt me…?" Kel said in a small voice, now feeling much like five years old. Laine resembled her mother throwing a fit and this fact scared Kel witless. She searched around her mind frantically for an excuse to save her hide. Laine hissed at her like a cat, slanted her another evil look and stalked away to her room. She slammed the door behind her, causing Kel to wince at the sharp slap of wood.
As she tried to calm her heart by taking deep breaths, Kel glanced towards Laine's room. She could hear Laine pacing and talking to herself, certainly not anything pleasant about Kel if she her angry voice was directed at her. Kel leaned guiltily against one of the chairs nearby, her hand gripping the back. I am an idiot, Kel thought. I should have already known Laine would be displeased about me being up so early. Displeased, ha! Rubbing the tips of her fingers against her temples, she could still hear Laine's furious movements.
Deciding to ignore the morning's incident, with both Joren and Laine, Kel began to undress and call for a maid to bring a tub and hot water. Soon, she was submerged in hot, steaming water and lathering herself with strong lavender scented soup. Hopefully, the rest of the day would turn out better than the morning.
A/N: Sorry for getting this out so late. I've been busy with my new Harry Potter fanfic. I'll try to get new chapters out more regularly. Read and review. You know how I dote on them. Oh, and if you see any spelling mistakes, blame them on me. And if this chapter is bad, blame that on me as well. I was in too much of a rush to look through or improve this chap. Sorry.