Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Escaflowne: All you need is love, Isn't it?

Chapter 77

The knight's training hall behind the courtyard of the Queen's Palace in Palas

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Drawing his sword, the handsome young knight assumed an attack posture but held his ground, waiting to see what his opponent would do first.

The older, taller man drew his sword as well, setting his right leg back. He clasped the handle of the sword with both hands, his right hand on top, grasping the hilt firmly but loosely and positioning it close to his body.

Recognizing this as a classic defensive posture, the knight smiled. "Allowing your opponent to attack first in order to read and study his attack so you can counter it. A very smart way to start, Lord Baschan."

"Thank you Sir Allen, but when fighting a knight of your reputation, I don't feel I have any other choice." The Fanelian Minister replied.

"Very well then," The knight tightened his grip on his sword and said as he charged, "let's begin!" Allen began with a thrust toward Baschan's heart. The minister countered by sidestepping to his left while blocking the knight's thrust to the right, then quickly slashed diagonally across Allen's body. The gallant knight drew his blade back quickly to block the minister's attack. Planting his right foot firmly on the floor, he stepped toward the larger man and forced his blade back then continued to attack with a series of slashes, each aimed at a vital part of the body. Baschan worked quickly to block each of Allen's attacks while backing away, always moving slightly to Allen's left.

Seeing his opportunity, the older man stepped into Allen's next attack, blocking it then countering with an attack to the knight's left side. The Asturian managed to react just in time to bring his sword back to block the attack, but just barely, as the point of Baschan's blade tore through the shoulder of his shirt.

The knight back peddled quickly giving himself a safe distance from his opponent, who chose not to press the attack but rather took the opportunity to catch his breath. "Your reputation is well deserved, Lord Baschan." Allen took a deep breath and readied himself for another attack.

"You flatter me Sir Allen." The minister smiled as he assumed his defensive stance once again. "Such words from you are truly high praise indeed."

"Praise well deserved." Allen replied then charged with all his might.

Their swords clashed as each man tried to press their will upon the other. They stood toe-to-toe, steel against steel for several long and painful seconds before Allen gave way and stepped to his left, starting his attack anew. Their swords crossed again and again as they maneuvered about the training hall, trying to find a weakness in their opponent's defenses. Baschan's ability to defend against his relentless attacks continued to surprise Allen throughout the contest. But as fatigue began to take its toll on the older man, he took the offensive. Baschan charged the knight with a long series of slashing attacks that had the Asturian back on his heels, until Allen slipped in under a high attack and struck the minister across his abdomen with the blunt side of his blade.

The point of the Fanelian's blade struck the ground as the thirty-six year old man used his sword for support. Bent over and gasping for air, the minister managed to whisper, "Your reputation as the finest swordsman in Gaea is well deserved, Sir Allen Schezar."

Allen sheathed his sword and walked over next to the older man. "I'm afraid that title now belongs to your king but I thank you none the less." Grabbing the minister by the arm and helping him over to a nearby bench along the wall, he added. "I must say, there are but a handful of man who could match my blade as long as you just did Lord Baschan. Never have I met a man that was not a soldier who is as skilled with a blade as you. You do your family and your kingdom proud."

"I thank you, Sir Allen. You are every bit the swordsman and the gentleman Lord Van made you out to be." Taking a few deep breaths to gage his readiness, he added. "If you are so inclined, I would like to have another go at it."

"It would be my pleasure, but rest a moment longer. Believe me, I can use a moments rest as well." The knight smiled.

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In the Palace of Fanelia

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"Come on, Lord Van." Merle wined.

"I've had enough already." Van replied.

"No you haven't. Now have some more." The catgirl insisted.

"Merle, I told you I'm not all that hungry. Now, I have business to attend to." The king set his napkin aside and started to rise from his seat but the catgirl leaped up onto the table and forced him back down. "Merle!" Van's eyes went wide in shock. Never before had his childhood friend ever done anything like this.

"Lord Van, you've lost so much weight since Hitomi left. What will she say when she comes back?" She looked into his eyes with sadness and concern.

Seeing this the young king softened his expression and slowly began to smile.

"I'll tell you what she'll say. She'll say, Merle, why weren't you taking better care of Lord Van? That's what she'll say. So you're not getting me into trouble just because you're lovesick. Now eat!" She frowned.

Van couldn't help but chuckle slightly, then nodded his defeat. "Okay Merle, I'll eat."

"Good." She smiled as she jumped back and laid down, resting her head in her hands with her elbows on the table, and watched him.

Sitting up, Van picked up his fork, scooped up some food from his plate and started bringing it to his mouth, stopping momentarily to ask. "Are you just going to lie there and watch me eat?"

"Mmm Hmm." She gave him a big toothy grin.

Laughing silently, the young king shook his head then placed the food in his mouth. "Mmmm, good." He said facetiously, patting his stomach.

"Keep eating." Merle demanded.

Again Van laughed to himself grinning widely and shaking his head, but doing as his childhood friend instructed. "Mmmm… Mmm" He continued to eat.

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AN: One battle down and two more to go. I know that wasn't much of a fight but they were just training and are on good terms and all. Hope you liked the little addition with Van and Merle. I was thinking of doing the same thing with Hitomi, but the events that are currently taking place actually occurred while Hitomi was still in the middle of her summer track practices. So that would be going back in time from where we left her last. But fear not, she will be making an appearance again after a couple more chapters.

Thank you for all your wonderful and supportive reviews and comments. And a special thank you to you new readers out there who've only recently started following my story. I'm glad you've decided to start reading my story and I hope you'll stick with it. I'm sure you'll enjoy the ride. ^_^

Again, I'd like to thank my wonderful new beta-reader, Janice, who has been doing a wonderful job for me, especially when it came to making the battle scene both exciting and realistic. Thank you so very much Janice. ^_^

A. Amishi