Welcome back, everyone. After a long absence, I at last return. Enjoy and review.
The Duel Begins
"We who are Evabon shall obey our laws of combat." Uttered Gard, staring at Donalbain with an icy gaze. "May the Spirits be with us."
Donalbain merely replied: "I know no law save for the orders of my master Mumm-Ra."
Gripping his axe, the Old Savage stood and looked his foe in the eye. No respect for the law of their people… Truly, Donalbain had been removed from Evabon culture for too long. Even those who were cast out from their clans would recognize the laws of combat.
Watching as Donalbain held aloft his sword, Gard took a breath and held the shaft of his axe in both hands, bringing it up to meet the sword of Mumm-Ra's minion as it came down. When the sword made contact, the Old Savage released the shaft with his left hand and swung in retaliation with his right, aiming for Donalbain's right shoulder.
It made contact, drawing blood. By Evabon law, the duel should have ended then and there, but Donalbain never cared for the laws of his people, even when he had lived amongst them and had only avoided punishment by serving under Procyon who had needed every abled-bodied warrior in his war against the cats.
As Donalbain attacked once more, Lion-O looked to his adoptive brother and exclaimed: "We have to help!"
With wide eyes, Tygra could only stare. How many cats had seen something like this? A duel between two Evabon… If only Donalbain had adhered to the laws of combat. "Gard can still defeat Donalbain, I have no doubt about it." At least, Tygra hoped it would not have to come to that. Gard was old, half-blind, but still he was among the greatest warriors on Third Earth, as Tygra had come to view him.
Tygra had spent his entire life believing Gard had been a monster. When he had finally met him, everything changed. He was not a monster, he was a man, a man that he counted as one of the greatest warriors of Third Earth alongside his adoptive father Claudus, yet even then he had seen his adoptive father fall. Would he see another of Third Earth's greatest warriors fall?
From her own vantage point, Pumyra scowled. The Old Savage fought well, but sooner or later he would be finished. Mumm-Ra's magic had made Donalbain strong and as invulnerable as she was. She had come to Dalv once when she had been someone else, someone foolish. Now she saw the Evabon as they truly were, with Donalbain being a credit to his race. Perhaps there was some hope that these barbarians could be civilized.
When sword and axe next met, the latter went flying from the hands of its wielder. Gard stumbled back and watched as Donalbain did not throw his sword aside as the laws of combat dictated. Quickly, Gard grabbed Donalbain by the wrist and hurled him against one of the standing stones.
Under her breath, Pumyra uttered: "Donalbain, you fool! Will you let Lion-O's ally defeat you?"