"Good afternoon, your highness." The Guard at the front doors of palace barracks bowed to the prince. "How can I help you this evening?"
"Has Victoria Company finished its training exercises for today?" Jarvan said, looking over as a pair of soldiers emerged from the main doorway. They saluted informally, and Jarvan responded in kind, nodding his head as they passed.
"I believe they're in process of winding down now." The guard said, looking in the doorway. "Lieutenant Vorscham is expecting you sir. Please, go on in."
"Thanks." Jarvan said, nodding to the young guard as he stepped past, into barracks, his bodyguard following him in as well, checking back over her shoulder to see if they were being followed. "Hey Del, I have a question." She blinked a few times as she looked over at the prince in surprise.
"Of course, sir." She said, nodding her head. "What's up?"
Jarvan frowned slightly. I need to ask Shyvana to the ball, but I have no idea how. Jarvan stepped around a pair of guardsmen as they snapped to attention and saluted Jarvan. He returned it as he passed, frowning slightly. I suppose I could just straight up ask her. He shook his head and frowned. No, that's not romantic at all.
"Sir?" Delancey said aloud, looking to Jarvan, slightly concerned. "Are you alright?"
"Huh?" Jarvan shook his head, trying to clear his mind as he stood up a bit straighter as he knocked another soldier down, sending a young man crashing to the ground. "Sorry, sorry." Jarvan grumbled, extending a hand to the young man.
"Oh, excuse me your highness!" A soldier said, scrambling to his feet, saluting promptly and then ducking away, just about breaking into a run as he retreated.
"I think he's scared." Delancey said, chuckling. "Maybe it was your face?" The prince scowled at her as he shook his head, looking over his shoulder after the trooper who had scampered away.
"Just like that." Del said, chuckling. "Anyways, you had something to ask me?"
"Um, how goes your training with Forsythe?" Jarvan asked, looking straight ahead, refusing to look at Delancey. She glared at him accusingly. She can tell that wasn't the right question.
"Pretty good." Delancey said, sighing and shrugging. "Forsythe is surprisingly good with his depth perception despite the fact he's just got one eye."
"I believe he spent most of his time in the hospital trying to overcome that." Jarvan said, frowning slightly. He shrugged. "Knowing Forsythe, I would be willing to bet he had a hard time sitting still through most of that, even despite all of the medical procedures and the various different doctors he had to see constantly." Delancey nodded.
"He's a really good fighter, even better than I am." She looked almost angry at that and Jarvan chuckled softly.
"Jealous?" Jarvan said, grinning.
"Not really." Delancey shrugged "I've tried to figure out where he learned to fight so well, but he doesn't really seem to want to talk about it. Sometimes I can get little things out of him but not very much."
"He's had a hard life." Jarvan said, shrugging. "But he's always been a strong fighter, something he picked up early on."
"And he plays dirty, too." Delancey muttered as they passed through the building. "He has more little tricks than I ever thought possible." She growled, shaking her head. "I haven't won against him once."
"Flash a little skin." Jarvan said, grinning mischievously. "That'll catch him off guard long enough for you to land a knockout blow. He may be a seasoned warrior, but he's still a young man in a lot of ways."
"I don't want to whore my way to a victory, sir." Delancey mumbled, rolling her eyes.
"Maybe try a feint?" Jarvan said, shrugging. "Feint towards his blind side, wait for him to over correct to make up for the lack of vision and then attack from the strong side?"
"That might work..." Delancey said thoughtfully. "I'll have to give it a try next time."
"Do so and see if it works." Jarvan said, nodding and laughing. "And if that doesn't work you can always-..."
"Not going to happen." Delancey said, rolling her eyes. "Who'd you pick that idea up from anyways?"
"Shyvana." Jarvan said innocently, watching as the sergeant slowed to a surprised halt. "Not intentionally, mind you."
"Shyvana did that?" Delancey said, blinking. "I would have never thought she would have been capable of something like that..." Jarvan shrugged and grinned as they emerged from the barracks into the courtyard. Vorscham stood off to the side of the arena, a short officer that Jarvan didn't recognize standing beside him. Alicia and Shyvana were in the arena, sparring.
"How goes it, Lieutenant?" Jarvan asked, stepping up beside Vorscham.
"Good evening, your highness." Vorscham said, stiffly, gesturing to the officer standing next to him. "I believe you know Major James Seymour?" The officer had his hair greased and slicked back over the top of his head, dark eyes that were beady and bounced around as if he had nowhere to look in particular but as if he wanted to look everywhere at once. His back was just barely stooped and he had a long nose and pronounced cheekbones that stretched his skin a bit too tightly over his face. He bowed gracefully deep, and held the bow for an exaggerated length of time before he stood up again and extended his hand to the prince.
"I've heard so much about you, your highness." Seymour said graciously, smiling. Jarvan tried not to snicker; when the short little man smiled, he looked deceptively like a rat. Jarvan extended his hand, accepted the officer's, and shook, afraid he might snap his wrist and crush his hand if he did more than give it the lightest of squeezes. "It's always a pleasure to meet someone of importance, sire. I trust you've been pleased with the time you've been spending here in the barracks over the last few days?" Jarvan caught Vorscham as he rolled his eyes, and had to grin.
"Of course, major." Jarvan said officiously. "I have noticed that you run a tight ship around here and I've been very pleased. You obviously do a good job to take care of your men." Another exaggerated eye roll from the lieutenant.
"Of course." Seymour said, bowing his head in recognition. "I do try my hardest to make sure my troops and officers have everything they need to do their duty to the fullest."
"Good." Jarvan said, nodding. "I take it you have everything you need to do your duty as well?"
"Well, I believe I do..." Seymour said, obviously trying to think of something as quickly as he could. "Well there is on-..."
"Good, good." Jarvan mused, taking pleasure in cutting off the officer as he started to speak. "Please, if there is anything, anything at all that I can do that will make Shyvana's time here easier, please just let me know. I trust she hasn't been problematic for you at all?"
"Of course not!" Seymour said, waving his hands in front of his face. "She has been an amazing addition to the unit that I've been able to utilize to the fullest. She brings a wealth of strength and she has exceeded in a number of situations where someone of a more … normal variety would not have been able to. I do say, I find the king's decision to keep her here in my unit to be a rather grave mistake, sir!" Seymour said, a smile starting to spread on his face as he pressed his hands together again.
"I'm glad you do, major." Jarvan said, nodding sagely. "I'll make sure to mention that next time I see my father. I'm sure he'd love to hear your analysis of the situation! I would really appreciate the support."
The major's face paled noticeably, and he swayed slightly as if he was a tree getting buffeted by the wind. "Sir, that's really not necessary..." The major said, bowing his head slightly and trying to appear as if he was groveling.
"Nonsense, Major!" Jarvan said, smiling broadly as he clapped the major on the shoulder. "I'll be sure to make sure he knows it was you! Now if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to the Lieutenant."
"O-o-of course..." Seymour stammered, bowing slightly and then stepping away, tottering with every step he took. Jarvan and Vorscham waited until the major had left the quad and then burst out laughing together. Vorscham had tears in his eyes as he laughed, staggering backwards.
"D-d-did... you... see... his... face?" Vorscham gasped, practically crying now as he slumped down on the wall.
"I don't think we've ever gotten a reaction as good as that before... even in the academy." Jarvan said, running a hand over his face as he grinned.
"I just... holy fuck." Vorscham said, his chest heaving as he shook his head and wiped the tears away. "Oh man, good times. Good times." Vorscham stood up straight and ran his hands over his uniform tunic, straightening it out as he fought to control his beaming smile. "Now, what can I do for you, sir?"
"I'm just watching for now." Jarvan said, a grin still lingering on his face as he gestured to the center of the ring. "How long have they been going at it?"
Vorscham shrugged, pulling a pocket watch out and looking at the time. "A bit more than an hour of drills. They only just started open combat." Jarvan nodded thoughtfully, watching the fight with interest.
Alicia charged, bringing the lance around in a sweeping strike aimed to bring Shyvana's guard up high and right. Shyvana responded as intended, bringing her buckler up next to her face as she swept in to strike, but Alicia dropped her foot back and brought the spear in under her arm, ducking slightly and then exploding upwards, driving the lance upwards towards Shyvana's chest. The dragoness turned slightly, sliding a foot back as the lance skirted her chest plate, screeching against the steel and bouncing away as Shyvana snarled. She brought an arm down and locked the gunny's lance up, keeping it stuck against her chest, one of the barbs of the lance's blade hooked across the back of Shyvana's dragonhead gauntlet. Shyvana dropped her arm, bracing her rerebrace against the head of the lance, holding it firm against her chest plate under her arm.
Alicia blinked a few times, surprised as she grinned. Shyvana drew her left arm back to power into an underhand strike aimed for Alicia's gut, or at least force the gunny to drop the lance. Shyvana grinned as one of the gunny's hands dropped away and she started to lever the lance across her body to jerk the lance out of the dragoness's grasp, but a flare of orange light caused her to freeze. Shyvana rolled backwards as a ball of fire exploded up and over her shoulder, just barely singeing a strand of hair that fell along the side of her face.
"Hey, that's cheating!" Shyvana shouted, coming up in a kneeling stance, her manifer pressed against the ground to support herself, the dragonhead buckler raised back. Alicia gave her a pretty smile, her red eyes dancing as she spun the lance and tucked it under her arm, a fireball dancing in her hand.
"You thought you were the only one who could use fire magic, eh?" Alicia said, grinning, the ball of fire dancing on her hand. Shyvana snarled as fire flared around her buckler and she extended her arm towards Alicia, sending a ball of fire in the shape of a dragon snapping out at Alicia. The gunny grinned and raised an arm across her body, a wall of blue hexagons springing to life in front of her. They flared a brilliant royal blue as the flames splashed harmlessly over her shield. Alicia dropped the shield as Shyvana leaped at her, arcing through the air, her fist raised back for a vicious strike. Alicia slid two steps backwards to let Shyvana crash to the ground just in front of her, the gunny raising her lance back to jab the dragoness just as she landed. Shyvana snarled, rolling and sucking in a deep breath, exhaling a cloud of flame explosively, sending her rolling away out of reach of Alicia's lance. Shyvana bounced along the ground several times before she caught herself, sticking a foot out to stop her roll. She skidded up onto her knees, immediately raising her guard to defend against an incoming attack, but Alicia stood back, the lance raised, wearing a wide grin.
"That was a fun trick." Alicia said, chuckling as she lowered herself into a fighting stance. "Can you breathe flames like that all the time?"
Shyvana coughed a small cloud of black smoke, bumping her chest with a fist twice and then exhaling another dark puff of smoke. She grimaced at the taste, smacking her lips. "I could if I wanted, but it's not very fun." She shook her head, sticking her tongue out. "It also tastes horrible."
Alicia let her head hang back as she laughed. "I suppose it does. Again?"
Shyvana nodded, and grinned. "Ready?"
Alicia tucked her arm back as fire danced in her hand, throwing it at Shyvana, the ball exploding in the air as Shyvana dived out of the way, rolled one and then sprinted in a circle, wrapping around Alicia. Flames welled in the palm of her buckler and Shyvana tossed out a ball of fire, the flames aimed directly at Alicia. She threw up the blue shield, the flames splashing over the barrier. Alicia dropped it and prepared for the attack from Shyvana, but the dragoness had cloaked her legs in flame, accelerating quickly in a circle around Alicia, almost all the way around her already. Shyvana ducked and came up at Alicia from low along the ground, letting her gauntlet drag along the dirt, leaving a trail of flames as she brought it up to attack. Alicia started to bring the barrier up but Shyvana was too close, and all Alicia could bring to bear was the lance. She braced for the impact and it came hard and true. The lance shattered inwards as Shyvana delivered the blow, practically launching Alicia into the air. She landed on both feet, clutching the two ends of the lance in hand. She started to get to her feet but Shyvana was already moving, charging relentlessly forward.
Shyvana kicked off, throwing herself at Alicia, arcing through the air, her arms both raised up and laced together. Alicia, ducked slightly, the blue barrier erupting in a dome over top of the gunny. Shyvana snarled, as flames cloaked her arms and she brought them down hard on the very top of the barrier. Shyvana snarled and poured flames into the top of the barrier trying to break through. There was a moment where it looked as if nothing was going to happen, but the barrier sunk a bit deeper into the ground, the blue hexagonal dome sparkling brightly as flames billowed around it, sending massive waves of heat and flame washing over Shyvana. She roared as she poured more of her power into the top of the barrier, trying to buckle the shield, but it did not budge. Shyvana raised her arm back and let a tornado of flames swirl around her fist and she brought it crashing down onto the top of the barrier. There was a moment where the barrier looked as if it were going to buckle, but the barrier pulsed brightly and then exploded, sending Shyvana cartwheeling through the air, end over end until she hit the ground. A wave of flames and a pressure wave passed over the entirety of the courtyard, shattering windows and sending out a thunderous crack.
Silence filled the courtyard, save for the tinkling of broken glass.
Jarvan and Vorscham picked themselves up off the ground from where the shockwave had bowled them over. Jarvan tried to blink the ringing in his ears away as he looked around, steam rising from everywhere, snow and ice almost instantly evaporated in the explosion.
"Well that was exciting." Delancey chirped, blinking a few times, eying the cloud of steam that enshrouded the area. She bounced to her feet with an excited smile on her face as she looked around, trying to peer through the smoke. She let a sour, disappointed frown slide onto her face when she couldn't see anything. "This smoke is annoying. I can't tell who won!" She started as the sharp crackle of breaking glass sounded from behind them.
"For fuck's sake." Vorscham growled, shaking his head and growling softly as he tugged himself up and leaned heavily on the wall of the arena. He winced as more tinkling glass echoed through the silent courtyard. "I fucking told her not to use that spell in the courtyard for that exact reason!"
"Has this happened before?" Jarvan asked with a grin as he pushed himself to his feet, shaking off the disorientation from the blast wave. Vorscham nodded with a soft grunt as he got to one knee, pain playing across his face as he started to push himself up.
"A few times." Vorscham grunted shaking his head. "And every time, Seymour chews my ass out."
"I'll have a chat with him." Jarvan chuckled, extending a hand to the Lieutenant. "So who won?" Vorscham shrugged, frowning as he tried to peer through the veil of steam. He looked at the hand Jarvan offered as if he regretted even needing help, but finally he grunted, ashamed, and he accepted the hand. Jarvan hauled the LT to his feet and patted him on the shoulder. A moment of disgrace and pain played over his face as he bumped his hand against his fist, grimacing. He inhaled sharply and then exhaled softly, opening his eyes and looking towards the center of the arena. A wide grin broke over his face as he pointed into the veil of steam.
"Take a look for yourself." Vorscham said with a grin.
"Looks like it was a draw." Delancey chuckled softly.
As the steam cleared, the scene unfolded in the very center of the arena. Alicia had collapsed onto the ground, one hand clutched at her chest as Shyvana stood over her, the dragonhead buckler aimed at Alicia's head. Jarvan started to open his mouth to inform Vorscham he was wrong but he realized that Alicia still clutched something in her other hand. She had planted the shattered end of the lance into the ground, the bladed head aimed directly up into Shyvana's stomach. Any closer and the dragoness would have impaled herself on the blade. Shyvana wore an excited grin, and though there was a smile on Alicia's face, her eyes were weary and pain played across her face as she clutched her heart. Her breathing was strained and labored as she winced, looking up at Shyvana.
"I don't know who won there." Shyvana said standing up and extending a hand to Alicia. The gunny accepted it graciously and let Shyvana pull her up to her feet.
"Well..." Alicia said, panting softly, a weak smile on her face, "I think we would have both been dead if that were a real fight, so I think we can call it a draw." Shyvana half carried the gunny over to the wall of the arena and lowered her down to rest.
"I'm impressed, I didn't expect you to be such a competent magic user." Shyvana said, grinning broadly. "That was a fun fight."
"I know a little bit of powerful magic, but it always drains me so fast..." She shook her head weakly as she took a few moments to catch her breath.
"That's because you always overdo it!" Vorscham growled, posting his fists on his hips, glaring down at the gunnery sergeant. "That's why you're still a gunnery sergeant in a training company and not a high level tactical sorceress!" His glare was angry, but he softened it slightly with a frown when Alicia looked sadly to the ground.
"That's not the only reason." She mumbled quiet enough that she obviously didn't want anyone to hear, but both Shyvana and Jarvan glanced at each other, surprised by the admission as Delancey crossed her arms over her chest, glaring back and forth between the three of them. "Proudmast..." He shook his head as she started to speak.
"I don't want any excuses." He said sternly. He caught Jarvan, Shyvana, and Delancey all glaring at him and he withered slightly, turning to look at Alicia as she glared at the ground, still clutching her chest. He tried to remain obstinate but he finally sighed and patted her twice on the head before turning away and crossing his arms over her chest. "You fought well though. Hell, you did a better job than I did."
Alicia blinked a few times as she looked up, surprise clear on her face. She cracked a smile and blushed slightly, the color in her cheeks standing out against her snowy white hair.
"Thank you, sir." She said meekly, dropping her gaze to her lap as more color flooder her cheeks. She stole a look at Shyvana, the dragoness grinning at her broadly. Delancey winked at the gunny when she looked to the sergeant and she blushed again, dropping her gaze.
"Now that you're done, gunny, can I borrow Shyvana for a few moments?" Jarvan asked after a few minutes.
"Of course, your highness." Alicia said weakly, still slightly winded, her voice sounding almost frail. "How about you step in and take over for me. Shyvana just keeps going and going and I'm worn out."
"Aww, we haven't been going that long." Shyvana said, grinning, the gunny rolling her eyes and laughing softly.
"Yeah, yeah." Alicia murmured. A sly grin spread on her face as she looked to the prince as Shyvana messed with her gauntlets. She leaned in towards the prince and elbowed him in the side. "Is she always like this? I bet it makes for fun evenings."
"Bite your tongue." Jarvan hissed, blushing slightly as he waved the gunny off. Alicia laughed aloud and shook her head, gesturing for him to get into the ring.
"Go on, take her down a peg." Alicia said, dropping down onto the wall. "I warmed her up for you."
"Now there's an image." Delancey muttered as she dropped onto the wall next to where Alicia sat. The two sergeants laughed aloud as Jarvan followed Shyvana into the arena, releasing the safety on his lance. He pressed on of the two buttons on the lance, looking up as the lance extended to its full length, spun, and then retracted with a clicking sound. It whirred for a moment and then clicked again, the weapon warming slightly in his hand.
"Not pulling any punches this evening, are we?" Shyvana said, smiling as Jarvan clicked the heel of his lance against his sabatons, making sure it had settled properly. The weapon whirred in response as he checked his lance over a few more times and then raised it up onto his shoulder, blushing slightly when Shyvana flashed him a smile and a glance that asked if he were finished.
"Not with you." Jarvan said, grinning lightly, lifting and dropping the lance a few times, letting the bladed pommel dig into the ground. "Considering I don't think that you will, should I try to hold back?"
"That hardly seems fun." Shyvana said, a mock pout on her face as she made sure her gauntlets had settled properly on her hands. She pulled the leather enarme tight across her vambraces with her teeth, an eager grin replacing her pouting lip.
"My thoughts exactly." Jarvan said, chuckling, glancing around, catching Vorscham's gaze and grinning. He turned back to Shyvana. "Shall we see if we can ruin this courtyard?"
Shyvana grinned imperiously, laying a hand across her chest and batting her eyes, feigning surprise. "The man after my own heart." She said teasingly, looking around the dusty circle of dirt and the low stone wall. "You know me so well."
"Just look out for rock walls this time." Jarvan said, running his hand along his neck where thin scars still marked the last time Shyvana had lost control of herself. "I must say, I really don't appreciate getting kicked through a slab of solid rock. It's really not very fun"
"Never gonna let me forget that, are you?" Shyvana said, shaking her head and grinning meekly.
"Not likely." Jarvan murmured as he matched her grin, blushing slightly as he raised his lance up and let it fall backwards, settling it on his shoulder. His smile fell slightly as he looked to the ground, color flooding his cheeks. "Hey Shyvana, if I win this fight... I want you to agree to something." Shyvana shifted from foot to foot, letting her gauntlets drop to her side, posting both on her hips with some effort as if she were cross, a moment of surprise playing over her face.
"I don't think you've ever asked me to do something that I haven't agreed to." Shyvana said, frowning slightly. She glared at the prince with a mix of curiosity and displeasure on her face. "Jarvan, if you have something to ask me, just go ahead and do it."
"Well..." Jarvan said, blushing and frowning slightly. "Would you..." He looked down at the ground and shook his head, scratching his cheek just below the steel cheekplate of his helmet. "Um..." Shyvana crossed her arms over her chest and grinned, watching the prince squirm in his boots, obviously enjoying watching Jarvan out of his element. She leaned heavily on one leg and raised an eyebrow, blushing slightly as she watched the prince frown, his lips moving slightly as he shifted from foot to foot with an uncertain frown.
"Something on your mind?" She said, chuckling softly. "This isn't like you, Jarvan."
"Give me a break." Jarvan said, rolling his eyes and exhaling heavily, frustration playing over his face. He glanced up at Shyvana, blushing lightly as she grinned, giggling at him, trying to hide her laughter behind her hand. "It's not something I've ever done before!"
"I have doubts that there's much you haven't done, Jarvan." Shyvana said, fitting the prince with an exacting glare. He seemed to wither slightly, still blushing as he glanced away, making a show of messing with his lance.
Jarvan mumbled something that Shyvana couldn't hear.
"You're going to have to speak up, Jarvan." Shyvana said frowning slightly. "I can't hear you."
Jarvan ran a hand over his head and scruffed his hair about furiously, grimacing. He brought his hand up and pointed his lance at Shyvana as if he were about to attack. Shyvana brought her guard up, but the fact that Jarvan's face was furiously blushed and the wild look in his eye caused her to dropped her guard slightly. He shook his head once, casting his black hair over his shoulder as he looked to her with determination on his face. "Shyvana, if I win, I want you to go to the Royal Ball with me!" Jarvan practically shouted, glaring at her fiercely, keeping his massive lance raised in a single hand.
"What?" Shyvana said, blushing deeply. Her mouth hung open as she blinked slowly, her hands falling to her sides. "Y-you... you..." She shook her head and stamped her foot, flames crackling along the ground as a thin cloud of dust billowed around her, her fists at her side as she glared at him accusingly. "You've got to be kidding me!"
"What?" Jarvan said, defensively as Shyvana hung her head, shaking it slowly, her red bangs dancing from side to side as she sighed. She looked up and glared at him with a frown that softened.
"You could have just asked." She said, rolling her eyes but a smile slid onto her face. She huffed once and then her frown deepened slightly, shaking her head again. "Have you never really asked a woman to a dance before? For some reason I highly doubt that."
"How do you figure that?" Jarvan said, still blushing slightly, but he softened his frown with a grin. "I may be royalty, but it's not like I'm exceedingly worldly either."
"Well I've never even been asked to a dance." Shyvana said, blushing slightly as she glanced away. "I've never actually been to a dance anyways. So I don't know." She turned away, swinging her hands at her side as if she were a little girl, an elfin grin on her face.
"Exactly." Jarvan said, chuckling slightly. "And yes, as surprising as it sounds, I've never actually had to ask someone to a dance before." Shyvana looked to him with doubt and a raised eyebrow. A mischievous grin slid onto Jarvan's face as he kicked his lance as if he expected the lance to have stopped working. "Usually they just flocked to me and I got to pick the best looking one of the bunch." Shyvana blinked a few times in surprise as both Delancey and Alicia laughed aloud, glaring at him with disbelief. Jarvan shrugged and chuckled nonchalantly. "Though I do think I lucked out and the best looking one found me anyways." Shyvana shook her head and pointed back at Jarvan, an ambitious smile on her face.
"I'm going to make you eat those words, Jarvan." Shyvana growled, though she wore a broad grin. "You better be ready to earn the right to take me to that dance, because now I'm really going to lay into you!"
Alicia blushed and Delancey snickered from the sidelines as Shyvana realized what she had proclaimed aloud. Vorscham ran a hand over his face and turned away, shaking his head disapprovingly. Shyvana turned on Delancey who tried to hide her snickering but only made it more apparent that she had been laughing. "You shut up before I come over there!" She blushed furiously, turning back on Jarvan. "And I don't know what you're smiling about! You are SO going down!" More snickering from the sidelines. "Damnit!" Shyvana shouted, flustered as both Alicia and Delancey burst into laughter this time. Delancey went top over teakettle and fell backwards off the wall, ending up in the dirt because she was laughing so hard.
"Delancey, you keep laughing and I'll bring you into the ring and let you enjoy being Shyvana's punching bag, okay?" Jarvan shouted with a bit of a chuckle, struggling to keep a straight face, blushing slightly as Shyvana glared at the ground, her shoulders tense and her face a bright red. "Hell, bring Forsythe with you and we can have a party." Jarvan dropped his lance, driving the sharpened point of the pommel into the ground, letting the lance stand tall in the packed soil. He adjusted one of his own gauntlets, cinching the leather band down tighter.
"Two on two?" Delancey said, appearing from behind the low stone wall, grinning as she finally picked herself up off the ground, leaning heavily on the wall for support. She brushed dust from her cloak. "You're on, but you've got to take Shyvana on first. You two sort out your unresolved sexual tension and then I'll see if Forsythe wants to fight. I don't much want to get between you two while that is still an issue."
"Yeah, yeah." Jarvan grumbled, running his hand through his hair. Shyvana shrugged but smiled at him, color in her cheeks as she beamed.
"Alright you randy lovebirds, save the eyefucking for later, it's time for your fight!" Vorscham said, limping towards the wall and gesturing for them to close to fighting distance. Jarvan and Shyvana each took several steps forward, Jarvan ripping the lance from the ground and bowed his head to Shyvana and then Vorscham. Shyvana matched him, bowing shallowly at the waist to the prince and the Lieutenant. "You may begin!"
Shyvana started to pace, but Jarvan slammed his lance down into the ground and watched as a standard arced through the air, landing just behind and to the side of Shyvana with a heavy Thunk! She jumped slightly out of the way, surprised by the weapon, glancing over her shoulder at the standard as the flag atop it shivered in the gentle breeze.
"I forgot it did that." She said, grinning as she lowered herself into her customary fighting stance. She turned her body slightly to the side, lowering one shoulder and keeping the manifer in front of her defensively and raising the dragonhead gauntlet up and behind her head in a position to either attack or defend if need be. She grinned as she turned the manifer upside down and gestured for him to come forth with a finger. "You missed."
Jarvan grinned and took two steps forward, breaking into diagonal run putting Shyvana directly between the fluttering standard and himself, sliding to a halt and slapping the trigger on his lance, extending his arm as the lance exploded outwards. Shyvana snarled as she danced away, ducking just out of the way of the lance as it raced past, one of the many barbed tips just brushing along the edge of her chest plate.
"I forgot it did that, too." She laughed, looking up and down the lance with a cheeky grin. "You missed again, love." She looked to the barbed tip, expecting him to swing it around to strike her.
"Not quite." Jarvan proclaimed, grinning. There sound of metal striking metal surprised Shyvana and she looked behind her, the farthest tip of the lance hooked around the standard.
"Oh right..." She said, remembering the trick that Jarvan had used multiple times before in his fight with the dragons in the past. She looked back to Jarvan as the metal creaked and the standard shifted in the hard packed soil. The rattle of the blade retracting rapidly told her that something was going to hurt. Jarvan slid along the ground, one of his steel booted feet tucked to his chest. God damnit. Shyvana exhaled explosively as Jarvan lashed out with his booted foot, catching Shyvana in the stomach, launching her into the air. Jarvan slid up to the standard and dropped his other foot to the ground, pulling himself up, the lance snapping into position as he brought it up to bear, putting it between himself and Shyvana. The dragoness dived towards him, a wall of flames descending towards him as if it were great waves of flame like that of a dragon's wings. Jarvan ducked his head and grunted as he threw up his light shield, blue wisps floating around the golden bubble of energy, rings of gold spinning around his orb of safety. Flames splashed over the shield as Shyvana dropped to the ground, buffeted back by the shockwave of the orb erupting.
Shyvana licked her lips as she stood up, grinning at Jarvan with a vicious smile. She started to circle him like a predator who had finally cornered her prey. "You think you're funny, yes?"
"I have my moments." Jarvan said, shrugging, spinning the lance in a flourish designed to impress. "Perhaps you'd like to join me for another one of them this evening?"
"Maybe if you lose I'll let you entertain me." Shyvana said, licking her lips again.
"I might be okay with that..." Jarvan said, chuckling. He raised the lance up and rested it on his shoulder as Shyvana dropped low and started to close. She watched him with playful fire dancing in her eyes.
"You know, we never did set the record straight regarding our duels." Shyvana said with a smile. "It seems like it's about time we fixed that."
Jarvan nodded and extended his lance, aimed at her stomach. She giggled as she danced around the extension of the lance, the steel brushing her side as she ducked left and dropped low as Jarvan swung the lance to the side to try and catch her, but she only ducked under the extended blade. She spun and slapped the blades of the lance aside as she ignited flames under her feet, sprinting towards the prince, aiming to get within his guard. Jarvan slapped the trigger of his lance as it swung far out and braced himself as it drew in and retracted, rattling as it did. He brought it back across his body to try and strike Shyvana again, but she ducked the blade as it passed rapidly overhead, dropping into a flame fueled slide, her legs looking to tangle with Jarvan's. He let the force of the retracting sections of lance slamming back into the barrel of the weapon drive it back and over his head, pivoting the blade up, bringing the pointed hilt down towards her chest piece in a windmilling blow. Shyvana brought her guard up just in time, driving the force of the blow just to the side of her chest, breaking through the plate armor and ripping her tunic. Shyvana hissed as Jarvan got a view of the barest of white skin, and he gave her a playful grin.
He started to pull back, but Shyvana tucked her knee into her chest and lashed out, catching Jarvan in the breast plate, sending him sailing backwards, tumbling onto the ground. She launched herself forward after him, rolling up and bringing a flaming gauntlet up, slamming it down towards his gut. Jarvan pushed himself backwards quickly, the fist crashing to the dirt between his legs. It was his turn to hiss in surprise as Shyvana gave him a sly grin. She rolled backwards, coming up in a defensive stance. She tossed her head back to clear some of the red bangs from her face and coughed, blinking a few times and blowing a ring of smoke towards Jarvan as he got to his feet and grabbed his lance. He chuckled as the ring of smoke crested his face.
"How about we get some dinner after this?" Jarvan said, grinning. "I hear they finally fixed the window in my room."
"Is that so?" Shyvana said, raising an eyebrow. "Perhaps I'll have to check that out for myself then. As your future... bodyguard, I should ensure that your quarters are properly secured." Jarvan chuckled.
"And tomorrow you do not have muster, correct?" Jarvan said thoughtfully. "Perhaps you'd like to go into the city? I should think that your armor from the ambassador is almost done."
"I'd like that." Shyvana said, smiling broadly. She looked down at where Jarvan had put a hole in her chest plate and tunic. "I grow tired of dealing with this flimsy armor." She tugged on it slightly, giving Jarvan a greater view of her breast. Jarvan's eyes were obviously drawn to the pale skin because he blushed, dropping his guard for an instant.
Shyvana exploded forward, barreling Jarvan over with a wall of flame, steel and flesh, bouncing off his chest and kicking herself away as he hit the ground and she rolled up to her feet, keeping her guard raised.
"That was a dirty trick." Jarvan grunted as he got to his feet and raised his lance in front of him. Shyvana nodded and grinned, chuckling softly. She went to blow him a kiss, but Jarvan knew what was coming and had dropped his shoulder, as his light shield erupted around him, the golden orb burning a deep orange as flames washed over his shield.
He grinned as the flames died, and he stepped forward, glass crunching underfoot as he stood, having formed in a crescent around where his barrier had driven the flames down into the dirt. He toed the glassy crust and whistled, grinning at Shyvana through the golden barrier. He dropped his shoulder and charged, catching the dragoness by surprise as a wall of shimmering gold energy bowled her over. She bounced backwards as the force of the blow finally broke the barrier and Jarvan brought his shoulder up so not as to impale her on the large, black claws that served as the stop-rib. He brought his lance down across his chest, leading with the barrel, and struck her side with the grip of the weapon. The force of the blow sent her crashing to the ground, gasping for breath.
Jarvan stood above her and raised his lance up, bringing it down, hard, just as Shyvana managed to get her guard up, pressing the two gauntlets together. The lance struck with the sound of a gunshot, sparks showering down atop the dragoness. Jarvan leaned down as he poured power and weight on behind the blow, Shyvana's arms shaking slightly.
"Give up yet?" Jarvan hissed, an even grin on his face as Shyvana gritted her teeth, trying to force the lance back. She snarled as she tried to force the blade back, but Jarvan had the upper ground and he was slowly starting to lever the weight down on top of Shyvana. Shyvana tried to kick him, but Jarvan dropped one leg over her left as he kneeled inside the other.
"Never!" She growled, groaning under the force. Jarvan watched blue scales started to creep up along her cheekbones and her eyes began to shimmer with the tongues of golden flames. He felt her start to push him back, and he realized that she would soon overpower him. Jarvan leaped back as a bolt of flame erupted from her hands, cleaving the air where he had just been. He landed on his feet and dropped to one knee keeping his knee low as he started forth, pushing off as Shyvana got to her feet. Jarvan raised his lance as if he were a knight charging without a horse, sprinting forth towards Shyvana. She braced as the blade came forth and then she disappeared from Jarvan's vision. It took him several crucial moments to realize she had ducked, letting herself fall backwards as the lance passed through the air above her. She grabbed the lance and wrenched it down into the hard packed ground, the tip of the lance quickly finding purchase and sending Jarvan vaulting through the air. Shyvana held onto the lance as it cartwheeled up, the weight of the weapon practically ripping her arm out of her socket, but she grimaced and held on as she was tossed through the air.
Shyvana landed on top of Jarvan with a grunt of surprise from the prince and a sharp exhalation of breath from him. She sat up, sitting astride the prince's stomach as he breathed deeply, a dazed look on his face as he looked up at the cloudy gray sky. She raised her gauntlet up, her other arm sore, and rapping the prince several times on the helm. Shyvana giggled happily to herself as she leaned forward and lowered her face down just above Jarvan, letting herself indulge in a wide grin.
"I believe I won." She whispered, running a few fingers teasingly along Jarvan's neck.
He grunted and looked down, a smile breaking onto his face as he sat back and grinned, a surprisingly smug look on his face. Shyvana started to open her mouth to ask why he smiled so, but there was a creak of metal that silenced her question. Shyvana blinked a few times as her chest plate split apart, exactly like it had been cloven in two. Her mail had also been split, and hung open, revealing her tunic below. Shyvana felt a breeze against her chest and looked down, blushing furiously as the buttons, mysteriously gone from her tunic, were unable to keep the garment close against the feeble wind.
"Tie?" Jarvan said, grinning sheepishly, his eyes closed as Shyvana held the gauntlet over her chest.
"I ought to slap you for that." Shyvana murmured, sliding a hand out of her gauntlet and holding her tunic closed. "But for now, perhaps this should suffice." She leaned down and kissed him, blushing lightly as she did. "It's a tie." Shyvana shrugged. "We both lost."
"You know, I'd like to think that in this case, rather than both of us losing, both of us won." Jarvan said, chuckling softly.
"You know, I like the way you think." Shyvana said laughing aloud.
"Dinner then?" Jarvan said, chuckling softly. "And then we can resume training, yes?" Jarvan smiled as he pushed himself up, Shyvana clambering to her feet and extending one hand to Jarvan, holding her tunic closed with the other. He accepted and pushed himself up groaning softly as he exhaled.
"If that's what you call it, sure." Shyvana said playfully, laughing at the color in the prince's cheeks. As he got to his feet, he came face to face with the open stares of both Alicia and Delancey. They both grinned like school girls and both looked as if they were about to burst into a fit of embarrassed giggles. Vorscham shook his head, looking around the remnants of the courtyard and the destroyed training area. He glanced at Jarvan and shook his head, turning and sighing as he headed for the doorway.
"What?" Jarvan barked gruffly as both Alicia and Delancey watched him and the dragoness.
"Is this how all your fights go?" Delancey said, shaking her head as she pushed herself up to her feet. "Cause what you two need is a bed, not a training arena. I'm sure I can send message to Noel to get your room ready if you want, sir."
"Are they gonna get that far?" Alicia said, glancing at Shyvana ruined tunic. "We can start a wager on whether they make it past Shyvana room in the barracks or not."
"I'm going to have you both locked up if you keep this up." Jarvan growled as steam poured off the top of Shyvana's head, her face as red as her ruby red locks. Jarvan wheeled on Delancey and pointed an angry finger at her. She grinned and raised her hands innocently, though Jarvan could see that there was obviously something she had meant to say. Jarvan scowled at her as he spun and headed to the building.
Shyvana turned and glared at Alicia. "Why do you two always try to embarrass me?" She hissed angrily. Alicia simply grinned and pointed after Jarvan.
"He's getting away!" She said cheekily. Shyvana frowned, trying to keep her eyes locked on Alicia, but she finally shook her head and took off at a jog after Jarvan.
Alicia watched as Shyvana caught up with Jarvan and took his hand, lacing her fingers with his as she looked up at him excitedly, talking happily with him.
"Why do we tease them so much?" Delancey said, crossing her arms over her chest as she grinned, looking to the gunny.
"Aside from how fun it is?" Alicia said mischievously. Delancey grinned and snickered. Alicia shrugged and picked up the shattered remains of her lance, tucking the remnants under her arms. "Those two are made for each other. It's hard not to see it when they're together, but sometimes I worry if they're not making enough progress because of the position they're in. So I try to keep them both motivated by teasing them and trying to keep things lighthearted when I can, especially with as dark and stressful as things have been recently." She gestured to the door as Delancey nodded, falling in next to the gunny as they followed after the prince and the dragoness. "It's just one of the ways I show that I care."
"You're such a good friend." Delancey said, laughing aloud.
"Shut up and help me." Alicia said, handing off a section of the lance. "Come on, you're going to get in trouble if you lose your mark." Delancey nodded as she picked her pace up to match Alicia.