Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer is applied.
Author's notes: Here comes the duel! So unsheathe your sword and
prepare yourself for a fight of your life. Enjoy!
The Duel
From behind the highwayman rode up 3 more black-masked highwaymen, each with a pistol in hand. By their side hung shining silver blades and hidden in their boots, gleaming hilts of daggers were sheathed in their scabbards. Each man posed gallantly before the shocked witnesses.
"You are Silver Blade, aren't you?" questioned Fukuda. "Glad that you know me, My Lord. But do not interfere me. Out of the coach!" commanded the highwayman while pointing his pistol at Fukuda.
This, Fukuda obligingly did and he stepped out of the coach as if nothing threaten him. Rukawa, on the other hand, remained in the coach. Not understanding his motif, Silver Blade got off his horse and went forward to inspect. Upon reaching it, he saw the carcass at the foot of the coach.
"Come...come now," whispered Silver Blade. "Will you bury it? He's our family pet," was the reply. "Of course."
Picking up the carcass, Silver Blade brought it into the forest and gave it a 'proper burial'. All along Rukawa watched him and wondered who he was. His pale face revealed nothing but his eyes glistened with great interest as he observed the highwayman's confident and graceful movements.
When he returned to Rukawa, Silver Blade seemed to hesitate for a moment. While he was lost with words, Rukawa ventured to thank him for his kindness, coldly. Undeterred by the cold words, Silver Blade asked the reason for the untimely marriage.
"Lord Fukuda told me that my brother was to be executed this Thursday and that this silly marriage of mine will set him free. I had no choice." "I understand, unfortunately, your marriage was as silly as you have thought because it would not have helped at all. Forgive me, but I have to tell you the truth. Your brother is already dead. He had been executed last Thursday."
You can't imagine what happened next. With blood boiling, Rukawa turned and rushed towards Fukuda, giving one hard punch to the jaws. He was about to draw out his sword when Silver Blade stopped him.
"I don't thinking you're ready for a duel against the land's best swordsman." "And as if you are!" "I am. Now watch the expert duel."
With those words, he stepped up to Fukuda. "I invite you for a duel against me right now, do you accept?" "With pleasure" answered Fukuda with a smirk on his face. "Be careful now, Blade. You know he is deadly. We don't want to lose you now." Warned Silver Blade's comrades.
Both men drew their long swords and with a piercing clank, a hot duel began. Each not wanting to give the other an upper hand, they fought with all their might. At times it looked as though Fukuda was winning when suddenly Silver Blade will regain the upper hand with a slight twist of his blade.
All the while, the spectators watched with nervous anticipation, but none was more nervous than Rukawa, though he didn't show it. Cold sweat was slowly forming at his forehead. He thought that both swordsmen were good yet he observed that Fukuda was more experienced than the highwayman. Nevertheless, he had a secret faith for the highwayman and he hoped that he would win.
It had been almost an hour and yet the duel was far from over. Both swordsmen were tired but not one of them wished to end the duel. Silver Blade knew that he would lose in the end if it does not stop now. He had to do something, but what? Yet before he could react, Fukuda was already rushing towards him, sword at a ready. Silver Blade managed to parry Fukuda's sword while knocking him over, landing him on the ground and his sword flunked to a distance.
"Take back your sword. I do not fight against unarmed men."
Fukuda got up while laughing out, saying, "Ah, gallantry is for fools!" with that, he charged towards Silver Blade one more time but that would but his last, for Silver Blade was ready for him and with his last strength plunged the sword into his chest with a calculated precision. "Not a very nice saying for a man's last words."
After the duel, he returned to cheering comrades, shocked coachmen and a far paler Rukawa. Without acknowledging his comrades, he immediately warned the coachmen, "You were witnesses, but I'll let you go. Beware though, breath one word about it and I shall hunt you down. Rely upon it."
"Oh, we'll be careful. Besides, Lord Fukuda deserves it." "Oh, and don't forget to bury his body carefully. My comrades will help you with his body."
When all was settled, Silver Blade led Rukawa to a white horse hidden behind a tall, huge tree, fully saddled. "I thought you might need it. Farewell and take care, Rukawa Kaede."
With that, Silver Blade and his comrades disappeared into the forest; leaving a puzzled Rukawa wondering how did the highwayman knew his name.
Author's note: Sorry I couldn't describe the duel in more details. I'm VERY BAD at sword fighting.
Author's notes: Here comes the duel! So unsheathe your sword and
prepare yourself for a fight of your life. Enjoy!
The Duel
From behind the highwayman rode up 3 more black-masked highwaymen, each with a pistol in hand. By their side hung shining silver blades and hidden in their boots, gleaming hilts of daggers were sheathed in their scabbards. Each man posed gallantly before the shocked witnesses.
"You are Silver Blade, aren't you?" questioned Fukuda. "Glad that you know me, My Lord. But do not interfere me. Out of the coach!" commanded the highwayman while pointing his pistol at Fukuda.
This, Fukuda obligingly did and he stepped out of the coach as if nothing threaten him. Rukawa, on the other hand, remained in the coach. Not understanding his motif, Silver Blade got off his horse and went forward to inspect. Upon reaching it, he saw the carcass at the foot of the coach.
"Come...come now," whispered Silver Blade. "Will you bury it? He's our family pet," was the reply. "Of course."
Picking up the carcass, Silver Blade brought it into the forest and gave it a 'proper burial'. All along Rukawa watched him and wondered who he was. His pale face revealed nothing but his eyes glistened with great interest as he observed the highwayman's confident and graceful movements.
When he returned to Rukawa, Silver Blade seemed to hesitate for a moment. While he was lost with words, Rukawa ventured to thank him for his kindness, coldly. Undeterred by the cold words, Silver Blade asked the reason for the untimely marriage.
"Lord Fukuda told me that my brother was to be executed this Thursday and that this silly marriage of mine will set him free. I had no choice." "I understand, unfortunately, your marriage was as silly as you have thought because it would not have helped at all. Forgive me, but I have to tell you the truth. Your brother is already dead. He had been executed last Thursday."
You can't imagine what happened next. With blood boiling, Rukawa turned and rushed towards Fukuda, giving one hard punch to the jaws. He was about to draw out his sword when Silver Blade stopped him.
"I don't thinking you're ready for a duel against the land's best swordsman." "And as if you are!" "I am. Now watch the expert duel."
With those words, he stepped up to Fukuda. "I invite you for a duel against me right now, do you accept?" "With pleasure" answered Fukuda with a smirk on his face. "Be careful now, Blade. You know he is deadly. We don't want to lose you now." Warned Silver Blade's comrades.
Both men drew their long swords and with a piercing clank, a hot duel began. Each not wanting to give the other an upper hand, they fought with all their might. At times it looked as though Fukuda was winning when suddenly Silver Blade will regain the upper hand with a slight twist of his blade.
All the while, the spectators watched with nervous anticipation, but none was more nervous than Rukawa, though he didn't show it. Cold sweat was slowly forming at his forehead. He thought that both swordsmen were good yet he observed that Fukuda was more experienced than the highwayman. Nevertheless, he had a secret faith for the highwayman and he hoped that he would win.
It had been almost an hour and yet the duel was far from over. Both swordsmen were tired but not one of them wished to end the duel. Silver Blade knew that he would lose in the end if it does not stop now. He had to do something, but what? Yet before he could react, Fukuda was already rushing towards him, sword at a ready. Silver Blade managed to parry Fukuda's sword while knocking him over, landing him on the ground and his sword flunked to a distance.
"Take back your sword. I do not fight against unarmed men."
Fukuda got up while laughing out, saying, "Ah, gallantry is for fools!" with that, he charged towards Silver Blade one more time but that would but his last, for Silver Blade was ready for him and with his last strength plunged the sword into his chest with a calculated precision. "Not a very nice saying for a man's last words."
After the duel, he returned to cheering comrades, shocked coachmen and a far paler Rukawa. Without acknowledging his comrades, he immediately warned the coachmen, "You were witnesses, but I'll let you go. Beware though, breath one word about it and I shall hunt you down. Rely upon it."
"Oh, we'll be careful. Besides, Lord Fukuda deserves it." "Oh, and don't forget to bury his body carefully. My comrades will help you with his body."
When all was settled, Silver Blade led Rukawa to a white horse hidden behind a tall, huge tree, fully saddled. "I thought you might need it. Farewell and take care, Rukawa Kaede."
With that, Silver Blade and his comrades disappeared into the forest; leaving a puzzled Rukawa wondering how did the highwayman knew his name.
Author's note: Sorry I couldn't describe the duel in more details. I'm VERY BAD at sword fighting.