Ep 4

Scene 9

There's swords clattering on the walkway on top of the wall. Talon and Garret are enjoying a rather exciting sparring session. As promised...

There's a brief moment of relief to catch one's breathing...

(Look at your shirt Garret ! See...)

- Thank you again for agreeing to spar with me.

- The pleasure... is all mine.

Surprised but not disturbed, Garret take off his severed shirt like it's just a normal thing to do now.

(Mmm, that's interesting... Hey ! Talon ! Focus !)

- Although I must say, I'm surprise you ask me, continue the half naked captain. I mean I was trained by the Prime Order finest.

- Oh really. Fancy !

- Yeah, there is only a handful of men still alive with my level of training.

- Really ?

(You speak to much...)

- Well, how about women ?

(... have you got something to prove ? So just do it !)

And they engage another session of assaults and parries. Talon is clearly leading the dance and ends with a kick to Garret's ribs. Just enough to push him away. Always smiling she teases him, daring him to come back to the attack, waiting in a stance she fancies.

(I'm just beginning to have fun. Come on, please...)

- That stance is Old Nordjorian. Is that where you trained ?

- Keep guessing...

(You're more studying me than fighting, this will lead you nowhere but to defeat !)

He attacks, she parries and returns the blows. He thinks he is taking advantage when she laughs despite her position and surprises him with a move coming out of nowhere. He is at her mercy.

- Oh ! That ! Is a nice move. Very unorthodox ...

(You were better too, but not enough. Show me what you really have.)

- You're going to try now ?

- All right. All right.

Back to a waiting stance he adds :

- I stop holding back.

(I don't think so. Don't you see ? You never even try to punch or kick me... You just can't. You are so proper, too decent a captain...)

And again she manages to land a blow with her elbow. He needs to catch his breath so she wants to tease him a little more.

- I fought two kinds of men before. Ones that fight harder against me cause they get aroused out for fighting a woman. And ones that are afraid to hit me. They feel guilty.

- Haha is that so ? And which one am I ?

(Really ? Don't you see ?)

- You're the kind that's easy to beat.

- Oh, oh, really ? We must go again.

- Sucker for punishment are you ?

- Oh I won't go easy on you this time.

(You'll have your punishment... it will be a real pleasure for me...)

Twirling around him she quickly overthrow Garret, landing on his chest and grabbing his two arms.

Unable to move he stares at her asking :

- Where did you learn to fight like this ? hey ?

But she just laughs. Pined to the ground and still talking...

- Who trained you ? I tell you what, if I force you to submit, then you have to tell me.

- Sounds like a good deal. Means I won't be telling you.

- Does it now ? ... Yeah... You ... Wow ...

There's no more sparring, something else may be beginning.

(So now you've got no more to say... Is it me ? Are you willing to... )

And as she loosen her grip, Garret takes advantage of her bewilderment.

(Son of a hmmm ! Where is proper captain Garret now ? How come you fooled me like that ?)

He looks so satisfied, a bit cocky. He has totally reversed the situation, he is now upon her grabbing her arms.

- I win. Now pay up.

- You cheated.

- Oh you let your guard down. How else am I supposed to beat a stronger opponent ?

(So you remain honest, I'm the stronger opponent. Still a decent man after all.)

- So you admit it. I am a stronger opponent.

- I still win. Now tell me, who trained you ?

(You really want to know. Well...)

- Me.

- Come on now, we had a deal.

- And that's the answer : me.

Garret knows that the fight is really over, he loosens his grip. But he wants to keep their eyes locked.

- You expect me to believe that you taught yourself all that ?

That's when she lowers all her defenses.

- Yes. Plus I was kind of born with it. I've always been faster than anyone, stronger than I look... and somehow I can anticipate my opponent's next move.

(You have your answer Garret and, believe me, I'm not used to tell so much to anyone.)

- But you obviously practice a lot.

- Everywhere I go, I look for people I can learn from.

- Like me ?

- Yes, like you, she answers with a small chuckle... Are you going to get off me now ?

(Or maybe you're gonna come even closer ?)

However he chooses not to move.

- You surprise me.

- I get that a lot.

(And I'm liking it. What now...)

But suddenly Gwynn is there :

- Talon !

Garret rises up, trying to get a contenance.

(Now Gwynn ? This is the moment you choose to show up ? Maybe you won't be so eager to offer me your friendship.)

- Gwynn, Gwynn we were just uh..., starts a disturbed Garret

But Gwynn just ignores him and go straight to hug Talon that's trying to escape.

- I should go.

Actually she's slightly more convincing than Garret.

- Don't be silly. I've been looking for you all over. Someone told me I can find you here. At the wall with Garret.

- We were sparring.

- Is how what is called.

(Oh Garret you seem so obviously embarrassed...)

Scene 9 (with Gwynn)

- Just so you know, Garret isn't easily distract by a woman. Other than myself of course.

(So that's what it is, do you see me as your rival ?)

- Do you think... Gwynn it's nothing like that. Men just have a hard time believing I can fight. They want to test me. I mean they're not convinced until I knock them on their asses.

(Usually, yes, But tonight ? Do I believe it myself ?)

Gwynn shows out a questioning smile before going further.

- I'm sure. But still it would be a pity if you mistook his ... (she searches for the right words) occupation interest in you for something more than that.

This time the tone of voice of Talon is kind of slightly dryer.

- If you're afraid I try to come between you and your man, I assure you I have no intention.

- Of course you don't.

Gwynn's voice, on the opposite, has return to her natural lightness.

(So Gwynn, you are not convinced, are you ? Well, I'm not sure I am... Things are turning weird.)

Scene 10

Waking up with Marshall Wythers casually threatening her with a crossbow isn't going to stay on Talon's best memories. Then Garret's arrival doesn't lightens the mood, at all. You can sense the tension in his voice.

- Do you care to explain ?

- Explain what ? It was a perfect duo from Gwynn and Talon.

(Oh, awkward now we are both responding when he talks... That might not help...)

- You ditch your escort, went out the back of the tavern and disappeared. I feared you were both dead !

(Dramatic much ?)

- We had a little too much to drink, comes Talon. Got some fresh and then came back here and passed out. Is there something wrong with that ?

(Have to say the answer is probably 'yes'.)

- Everything is wrong with that.

He steps into the room.

- She could have been attacked or killed.

- We were never in any danger. I was with Talon all the time. Apparently she can trounce you in a fair fight, so Talon is a better protection anyway.

Talon approuves in silence while Wythers chuckles mockingly.

(Oh but he can really be annoying sometimes. Maybe he doesn't like to be remembered that I am the stronger opponent.)

- Gwynn, come with me.

- I do as a pleas...

- Now !!

Even Talon is taken aback by Garret's slashy tone.

(Hey Gwynn ! he just snapped at you...)

- Your father is about to castrate the men whose job was to protect you... so maybe show some respect.

The voice is not so harsh, still he makes perfectly clear how annoyed he is.

- Well, then take me to him... Captain.

Gwynn has responded in a cold voice.

(Okay, I have to say he's not wrong about those poor guards. As stupid as they are they don't deserve that.)

Gwynn out, Garret wants to have a word toward Talon before leaving.

- From now on, you stay away from her.

(There again, you want me away from her. But SHE invited me !)

Scene 11

Thanks Janzo for letting me all these kegs to take care of.

As she turns to take another one, she faces Garret who almost bump into her. Ignoring his apologetic gesture, she goes on her way to take the next keg.

(Why are you here captain ? I'd rather not see you now.)

But he is not there by mere chance, he wants to talk.

- I must politely insist that you never pull anything like that again.

- I didn't see you there... Sorry.

(Take that and go away. I'm pissed off, don't you see ?)

- I meant with Gwynn.

(Again !)

- Gwynn ! Your precious lady Gwynn isn't as straight and nice as she seems. She's perfectly capable of causing her own trouble.

(Can you believe it ?)

But Garret isn't taking aback at all.

- Oh well, that's saying a lot ; coming from you !

(Don't start on me, I want to talk about Gwynn !)

- What are you afraid of. That some of my lower class might rub off onto her ?

Taking another keg, she heavily pulls it in Garret hands.

(Stop thinking I'm a threat for her ! What kind of threat ?)

Conversation is not running like Garret could have hope and he's not sure how to go on. He senses that Talon is hurt, he should have known. And there's something else... he wasn't expecting to feel confuse himself.

- I... I wouldn't expect you to understand.

- Oh I understand perfectly.

- I swore an oath to protect her. It's my first duty.

Facing each other, they have forgotten about the kegs.

(Go on Garret, you have more to say.)

- What ? Because she's rich ? Because her father commanded it ?

- No... It's more complicated than that.

He's a bit patronizing saying that. Talon looks away before coming back with her last arrow :

- Because you're in love with her.

And Garret doesn't know what to say now. He looks quite sad.

(That's it, you're in love with her, hum, don't say more...)

- She was safe with me Captain. Or have you forgotten about your bruises on your backside ?

(Now it's over. Let me go. Cause I feel even more upset...)

But he's not ready to let her go like that.

- Speaking of which... are we still on for tonight ? Top of the wall, start of the first watch

(And there comes the smile for the invitation... if you only know how I'm felling now, you wouldn't take your chance cause you wont stand a single round... A shame, I cannot come.)

- Tonight he's complicated. I have things I need to do.

- Do them quickly then. I won't wait all night.

The genuine smile is there, he mimics curtsey, like she has done the first night.

(You're impossible !)

- Presumptuous.

(Did you're hear that ?)

...

(Really ? Why am I so upset ? Why bother ? Maybe this is the real him. Such a shame it would be if... He appears so... likable. I was really having good time sparring with him... talking with him... feeling... no, there is no connexion Talon, stop that... He's a jerk.)