For disclaimers, look back to chapter 1.

Kai Descantor and Ariakas Kelman are characters I made up solely for this fic. Olas, Viedel and Lord Tauron are minor characters created for the same purpose.

(( followed by words in italic denote mind-speak, not normal speech))

Rapier Vs. Battleaxe

He was a worthy opponent. Kai had parried for 10 minutes, studying the boy's attack patterns before switching to the offensive. He held his defences well, and it was obvious that the other was also absorbing his own moves, seeking weaknesses that he could exploit. A roundhouse kick made the boy dodge to the side before he regained his footing, purple blade slicing upwards.

Longsword clashed with katana, and for a moment it was silent, muscles straining as they both sought to push the other back. Silver mercury locked with purple fire, then Garline heard a whisper akin to a lover's caress in his head. ((It shan't be this blade that will lance you keenly, lad.)) The young man leaped back, freeing both swords from their deadlock.

Kai was almost on top of him in the next instant, as the Sycamore Blade slashed downwards in a diagonal sweep, making a slit at the waist of his shirt and exposing a thin trail of blood. Garline dropped and rolled past him. Shifting the grip on his sword hilt, he swung it in a short vicious arc that tore into the dark lord's boot but did not draw blood. Had he scored, it would probably have hamstrung him.

Ariakas could see the concern and worry reflected in pale blue eyes next to him. He laid a hand on the shoulder to reassure him.

"He's not going to kill him, or do him serious injury. Kai's code of honour will see your friend safe."

They had been fighting for over half an hour, with no clear sign of a winner. There had been advances and retreats on both sides. Hair had escaped from their bindings, sweat stained the shirts at random places, and the heat of the sun was beginning to be felt. Both were swift and strong with the blade, but Kai had a lot more experience.

Dodging a dagger that Garline had thrown with deadly accuracy, he switched his sword hand. He had trained himself to be ambidextrous, and he had a ploy that should work, for the lad was right-handed. As Garline parried his next blow to the right at a slightly off-weight angle, his left hand shimmered and morphed into sharp, lengthened steel claws. The violet eyes widened as he saw Kai swing his left talons towards him, and as he tried to push himself further away to his own left, the battle-hardened warrior saw the opening he needed.

Launching himself off the ground, claws clamped painfully around Garline's sword-hand with swiftness that the youth had not seen. Kai was twisting all the way around gracefully in the air even as his grip tightened, his right knee crashing into Garline's back and bringing them both to the ground.

Tauron could see that the silver blade had been jammed into the ground next to Garline's neck, and the victor was practically sitting on his son's back. Ariakas thought that the pale young man next to him had stopped breathing; he was frozen in place. Garline was breathless with the weight on top of him and the impact of the landing. The pain from his arm being twisted behind his back was barely within tolerable limits. Kai bent over to kiss the silver blade, then lowered his head until he was next to Garline's ear. Black tickled his cheek.

"I look forward to our next meeting. And the choice of battlefield should make it all the more interesting." Metal slid free from the ground as the Serpent Sage rose to his feet. Larva was by Garline's side in an instant, pulling the young man into a sitting position against him. His wrist was bleeding from the shallow cuts, his clothing was torn in several places, there was a slight nick at his throat and he looked dazed. Ariakas could feel the intensity of the glare that the beautiful aqua-haired youth directed into Kai's back as he sheathed his sword.

Kai retrieved his cloak and Nyssa rose, as her master settled himself onto her back.

"Where are you going?" Quizzical gold eyes met expressionless silver-green ones.

"To the bath house for an assignation. I don't want to be late and I have a lot of frustration to work off. Good day, and enjoy your luncheon." So saying, he turned the panther around and they left noiselessly past the mansion.

The other sighed, and then turned back to those present. "He's impossible and unpredictable. If you do not mind having only me for company…" The elder lords assured him they did not. Ariakas watched Larva helping Garline into the house and up the stairs. What a coil to be in. He hoped Kai knew what he was doing this time.


The two youths came down soon to join the others at lunch. There was a slight tension between them, and Ariakas discovered himself the center of attention. It was not unpleasant, but he could see that the two had no idea what they were experiencing, which was exactly the type of situation that Kai would exploit to his utmost advantage. Still, he would see how it all turned out.
"Still angry at me? You don't understand, do you…" Garline advanced, causing Larva to back away. Sadness was apparent in those beautiful purple eyes, causing the red-eyed shinma's heart to wrench within his chest. Then he turned away.

"How could I? You left me… Now what? Can anything be said that will change what has gone before?"Silence.

"You don't know the pain I felt… but it doesn't matter now. Do you still remember that night?"

Larva could never forget. The peace, the anguish, and the last night together. All that had led up to it. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he jerked away.

Whirling around, he saw the pale rose shirt so close to his own dark robes. Then Garline was retreating. The distance pained Larva further, and he didn't know what he wanted. "I do. It's been so long, you should have improved greatly. Show me… before we must part once more." Understanding in twilight became misty.

He saw the purple blade glinting under the moon, and his own red nails gripped his scythe. The two western shinma stood facing one another for what seemed an eternity. The gentle patter of rain began to fall, but it never poured into the exposed gallery. Then they lunged towards one another.

There was no holding back.


Lemures was not a happy man. His best friend Larva did not seem to want to hang around them. He only had eyes for that… monster from over the seas. Which was why he was planning to knock some sense into that silly head if he had to. He strode through the mansion, and caught sight of Andeas.

"Have you seen Larva?"

Andeas shook her head, she was aware of only one noble and his eyes were no longer glacial, but purple honeysuckle. "But we can look together. I currently have no chores to complete." Lemures considered the idea, green eyes clouded, and then nodded in assent. The two set out together.