Celebration
Metal rang against metal as the young Kinnaran warriors dueled. All around them were their people, and even the queen and her guard watched on quietly. It was the day of t Kinnaran's yearly festival in celebration of their warrior heritage. And to begin the festival a tournament was held between t young Kinnaran warriors.
It was a time to show off all they'd learn. And while they did they were evaluated by the queen and her guard. For many of the young warriors hoped to one day stand among them. The queen's guards were considered to be the greatest warriors. And to join their ranks meant your skills as a warrior were among the best.
Joining the Kinnarans watching the tournament were the younglings. And cheering for one of the combatants was a young Zabrak. Wrath cheered for his girlfriend, Saphine, as she climbed the ranks of the tournament. She beat foe after foe, showcasing her amazing swordplay and impressing the members of the queen's guard.
With one final swing she disarmed hr last opponent. The pink Kinnaran raised her hands up in surrender as Saphine pointed her sword at her. Saphine smiled, looking to the crowd and smiling at them in victory.
She looked to the younglings and waved, taking a moment to throw Wrath a wink.
"Saphine!" The Kinnaran girl straightened up as Thrush hovered above the sparring ring. "Congratulations on winning the tournament. Saphine nodded. "As per tradition you now have the opportunity to challenge any warrior of your choosing. Including a member of the Queen's guard," she reminded her.
This was an opportunity for Saphine to showcase her skill against an older Kinnaran warrior. And if she challenged and defeated a member of the guard she'd be guaranteed a spot among them.
The Kinnaran swallowed before turning her head to lay her eyes on her chosen opponent. She raised her sword in challenge. "I challenge Queen Toothiana!" she shouted aloud. A hush went over the crowd. Queen Tooth may have had a guard, but she was known to be the greatest swordsmen among her people.
Everyone looked to the queen as she sat on her throne. She smiled at the young Kinnaran's challenge. She stood up as a member of the guard drew her sword and handed it to the queen. "I accept!" Toothiana declared. She beat her wings, flying over her people before landing gracefully on the sparring ring across from her opponent.
Saphine could feel her heart beating in her chest as the Queen stared at hr with a smile. "Shall we young one?" the Queen asked. Saphine nodded. They gave each other a bow. Saphine gripped her sword by the hilt with both hands, taking breaths as she prepared herself.
The Queen waited patiently, sword pointed down at the ground, leaving herself exposed. Without warning Saphine charged. Within striking distance she swung at her left. The crowd gasped as the queen remained perfectly still.
Then at the very last second she deflected the attack. As Saphine's sword went in the other direction she froze as she felt cold steel pressing on her neck.
"I do hope you can do better than that young one," Toothiana teased. Saphine swallowed as Tooth backed away. Saphine readied herself, preparing hr secret tactic.
She looked to Wrath, shooting him a smile. Everyone watched as the Kinnaran girl took a stance no one but those who worked alongside the younglings and the Jedi.
She raised her sword above her head and extended her free and outward, spreading her index and middle finger.
Toothiana hummed curiously. "A Jedi stance?" Toothiana noted. "I wonder where you learned that?" she asked as her eyes shifted to Wrath. Saphine remained silent, waiting for an attack. "Not going to attack?" Toothiana asked.
"Very well," she said as she slowly began to advance. Saphine waited, keeping her defensive stance as the queen came to stand before her. With a flash of metal the queen attacked. Everyone watched in amazement as Saphine managed to block and parry the queen's attacks, the defensive Jedi style throwing her off ever so slightly.
As she parried another strike she threw her leg out. The queen saw it coming and took a step back. As the foot came toward her she grabbed and shoved it aside. Saphine yelped as she was thrown off balance. She staggered before catching herself. But before she could turn around she felt the queen's sword over her shoulder.
Toothiana smirked at her. Saphine growled as she whirled around and batted aside the queen's sword before pressing the attack. Saphine threw a flurry of slashes, attempting to get in a strike. But the queen's reflexes were faster. Allowing her to parry and block all her attacks.
The queen returned her attacks, throwing them with startling speed and strength, every strike making the younger Kinnaran stagger backwards. The queen spun and twirled her blade as she kept up the attack, overwhelming the younger Kinnaran warrior who only managed to defend due to her use of the Jedi style.
But eventually even that began to fail her as the queen's strikes became faster and faster. She attempted a counterstrike, throwing a downward swing that the queen side stepped and then brought her blade down on Saphine's sword. It fell from her grip and before she could pick it back up the queen's sword was pressing on her neck.
The queen pressed harder, forcing Saphine away from hr sword. She raised her hands up in defeat.
"You are definitely skilled young one. In time, you may yet join my guard," she complimented with a smile. With that the queen flapped her wings and flew back to her throne. She gave the guard her sword back.
"With that the tournament is over! Let the festival begin!" Toothiana shouted jovially.
The Kinnaran people cheered in glee as they took to the air, filling the city in a cloud of vibrant colors. Kinnaran warriors were joined by their children, the many small Kinnaran babies flying around in excitement.
The younger Kinnaran warriors led the younglings through the city, showing them the festivities. Kinnarans danced on the ground and in the air, the sounds of drums, woodwinds, and stringed instruments filling the air with an infectious beat.
From what the Kinnarans told the younglings, the celebration would last all day, continuing until the late hours of the night. All around the Kinnaran warriors danced, and sparred in makeshift sparring circles throughout the city, all in celebration of their warrior spirit.
Kinnaran smiths offered warriors their best blades. Polished to mirror shines and like works of art. Clothing and jewelry was being peddled in the streets.
The girl youngling girls accepted the beaded jewelry, wearing the necklaces and bracelets with smiles. Being guests, and liked by most of the Kinnaran people the younglings were given most of their stuff for free.
The last part of the celebration was dancing. Lots of dancing. The younglings danced with the Kinnaran teens. Wrath of course danced with his girlfriend, having fun as the Kinnaran girl giggled and smiled with delight. She flapped her wings in excitement hovering and circling him in a blur of blue.
The night wore on, the Zabrak boy grew tired, panting in exhaustion even as his girlfriend tried to drag him back to the dancing bodies. He was saved by fireworks, exploding in the air with a myriad of colors and designs.
The Kinnarans and younglings gasped in amazement and wonder, settling back and watching the night sky.
Wrath wrapped his arms around Saphine, pulling her close. She settled back against him with a smile.
The Kinnaran and Zabrak were happy. And they were happy together. The Kinnaran girl never thought she'd meet a boy and fall in love. And the Zabrak boy never imagined he'd meet a girl who wasn't a Zabrak. And that she'd actually like him. Like a lot.
And though they were young, they could hardly imagine life without each other.
and I'm back. I wanna finish up this story. So teh nxt few chapters will focus on the Younlings' families coming for a visit. And we'll start with...
NUNA!
