"How dare you speak like that to me? I bet you couldn't even hold a sword, let alone defeat someone with it!" Alanna screamed.
"Actually, sorry to break it to ya, but I can. The only person better than me in our fencing lessons was- is - Shadi." Miliko smirked.
"And another thing! I am not illusioned! I know I'm good, but I've been beaten enough to know I'm not invincible! To say that is to risk the God's anger! Why, I should-"
"You should what, Alanna? Challenge me to a fencing match? Well, sorry to break it to ya, but apparently, I can't even hold a sword, so it would be dishonourable to challenge me." Miliko was enjoying herself. She hadn't had a good argument since her older sister had left home.
"Well, you're just a little here Alanna says some words I cannot put down, unless I want to put the rating up!" Alanna continued in this vein for a while, and just when she was beginning to wind down, Miliko just had to say "You know what? I bet I could beat you in a sword match any day. What do ya say, Lady Alanna?"
"Well" Alanna started, but then she looked lost for words.
"Well, what? Speechless, oh great Lady Knight? Will ya fight me, or are not as good a fighter as they all say you are?"
"Fine!" Alanna snapped, violet eyes blazing, her hand already sliding her sword out of its sheath. Miliko noticed the top half was highly polished. She wondered why. Until she remembered that it was explained in Trickster's Choice – it was to help her with scrying.
"Cool. Where's the nearest place we can fight?" Miliko asked, outwardly unfazed by the Lady Knights hard stare, but inwardly shaking. She hadn't meant to do that! She really hadn't! Maybe she really was insane, like Shadi was always saying. She just challenged the best fencer in Tortall to a sword fight! Miliko looked around, wondering if there was something she could hit her head against.
"Follow me." Alanna commanded shortly.
Miliko considered taking offense at the way Alanna was ordering her around, but then figured that she had, of course, just insulted Alanna pretty badly. And challenged her to a sword fight. That she was probably going to die in.
"Sure."
Miliko followed Alanna, till Alanna stopped abruptly.
"Here." Alanna gestured towards the roughly oval shaped area in front of them, which was surrounded by a waist high wall. Suddenly Miliko thought of something to say.
"How come you're so short?" Oops. That was one BIG mistake. Miliko figured she should just slit her own throat. It would be quicker, and she wouldn't have to get all sweaty doing it that way…Alanna's eyes glinted dangerously and Miliko suppressed a whimper.
"How about you just grab a sword and get ready to be humiliated?" the Lady Knight hissed impatiently.
"Sure." Miliko shrugged, pretending to not be fazed at all, and headed towards the rack of weapons that was situated just in front of the gateway that had allowed them to enter
She tried a few, before selecting one that had a nice feel to it.
"Ready yet?" Alanna asked sarcastically.
"Yep. Are you?" Miliko shot back cheekily.
"Of course I am. Guard!" With little warning Alanna swung her sword up and around. Miliko blocked easily. Next Alanna tried a series of short, sharp jabs, but Miliko leaped away, then blocked the controlled swings Alanna had suddenly changed to. Remembering what her fencing teacher had told her, she kept her eyes on Alanna's sword, and spun and ducked her way around the arena, her sword not once touching Alanna's. Then, when Alanna was resting to prepare for another round of attacking, Miliko lunged in, whipping her sword up and hoping to get in under Alanna's guard, but Alanna was ready for it. With a quick spin, and her sword flashing so fast Miliko couldn't see what she was doing, Alanna almost hooked Miliko's sword out of her grasp. Only Miliko tripping over her own feet from tiredness (and her own clumsiness) saved her. By now, there was a small crowd gathering to watch the unusual sight of a young teenage girl fighting the Lioness. Suddenly, Alanna tripped. Thinking she had her, Miliko darted forward, but Alanna was faking. She recovered impossibly quick, and before she had a chance to stop it, her sword flew in an arc to come to a perfect stop at Alanna's feet.
"I take back what I said before. You are no way illusioned. You really are good. I bet you could give Shadi a run for her money. Actually, you could probably kick Shadi's butt. You didn't have to go so easy against me, you know," Miliko panted, picking up and dusting off the sword she had used.
"I don't take back what I said. You can't use a sword much better than most of first year squires. You have technique though; with a bit more hard work you might get somewhere. That was a fairly good match, even if I was holding back. Who taught you? I didn't recognize some of those moves you pulled." Alanna said back, breathing heavily.
"I learnt from Mistress Dottie. She was good. She learned from one of the last people in England to know how to really use a sword. But most of the moves you used would have had her sword flying instantly. The moves you didn't recognize, I probably made up on the spot. Mistress Dottie encouraged that sort of thing. Keeps the person you're fighting on their toes, was her opinion." Miliko said, rather proudly.
"Well, she was right. You should become a page. You're certainly good enough for it, and we need more lady knights. I don't like being the only one. Although, when Keladry passes her ordeal, she'll be really good." Alanna said, then muttered something under her breath.
"Excuse me, what was that?" Miliko asked politely.
"Oh, you don't want to know." Alanna grinned, then held pout her hand.
"Friends?" She asked. Miliko smiled back.
"Friends." She agreed.
"Want to go get a drink, and talk to Myles and the King like you were supposed to?" Alanna asked, stretching.
"Sure." Miliko followed Alanna's example, and stretched all her muscles, so that they wouldn't get stiff.