Disclaimer: Just the usual. Nothing special.
Reviews! How I love them.
Kelsey Estel – Boy are you smart. Slow down, we'll get there eventually. You're right about Westley and Will. Willing to risk anything for their true love, somewhat half-hearted pirates, extremely cute…
immortalwizardpirateelf-fan – Thanks for your suggestions. As you will find very soon, I didn't really follow up, but I had fun. It isn't a 'real' duel, anyway, so I will probably get more technical in the more important ones. Glad you've come back, Mr./Ms. Regular Reader.
CHAPTER THREE
"'Kay, let's see what you can do, Turner."
Will had brought three swords on board today, two across his back and one neatly positioned on his leather belt. This last slid from its oiled sheath like water. Westley nodded appreciatively. This was a weapon to rival the six-fingered sword made by Domingo Montoya, despite its simple appearance. The blade swept gracefully to the tip, keeping a perfectly straight edge, and shone like a mirror in the early sun.
Roberts said nothing, and raised his own steel.
Will held his blade like it was as familiar and natural to him as the sky over his head or the sun that warmed the Caribbean. Perhaps that was the problem, Roberts thought, you can't know the sun and the sky personally. He shifted to a defensive position, and let his opponent strike first.
Will stepped to his right, crossing his left foot in front of himself, and swept his blade in an easy motion that the dark pirate casually blocked, and returned with a swift thrust. Will accepted the challenge, stepping lightly and playing up the pace further.
Roberts let his sword almost guide itself, until suddenly he tickled his weapon over Will's ribs. A thin line of crimson made itself visible in the morning light, but the blacksmith didn't let it faze him. He began working his blade against the pirate's, faster, faster, and sweat gradually began to find its way to his brow. Roberts lowered his eyes from Will's to watch his sword.
"Loosen your wrist a bit. That's right. Now try to hit me."
Will had done this before. He had crossed blades with stranger, a pirate who had talked to him like this, and somehow it made him feel more acquainted to this… legend. That duel had been deadly earnest at first, but at the end of it he probably couldn't have killed Jack Sparrow.
He hadn't even known his name yet.
Will waited a little longer, and as he realized it was likely that none of his attacks would get close to harming this master, he began hitting like he would in a real battle. Sparks flew from the keen swords, and Roberts found himself further impressed. With some time, this boy could make a master; perhaps, even a wizard. He attempted a swipe at Will's legs, which he jumped, and brought his blade over his head with his right hand on the flat of it to block a blow from Will as he landed. Deciding the test had been long enough, he flicked Will's sword out of his hand, where it turned through the air, gleaming, until Westley caught it.
Roberts smiled. "Turner, you're very good. Who taught you?"
"Nobody. I taught myself. Ever since I was a boy I wanted to… I practiced every day of my life so I could get rid of every pirate there was. It's a strange reason, considering what I've done in my life…"
"Like this?" offered Westley.
"Exactly. And the thing with Sparrow. I'll tell you about him someday."
By now most of the crew, finished with their tasks, had been drawn, first to the duel, and then to the odd conversation. Roberts looked around, and asked Westley, "Are we ready to sail, then?"
"Yes. We can set off tomorrow at high tide."
END OF CHAPTER THREE
