Madelaine: 268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj26BUcpVYR
“My lady?” Tomas asked me as a flurry of servants set up chairs, tables, and food around him.
Hamish jogged up to stand before me, kneeling at my feet, “my lady I apologise.”
A flood of relief at Hamish’s obedience ran through me.
“Tomas,” I said, facing him, “why don’t we have a bet?”
“My lady?” He asked again, frowning.
“If Captain Hamish can beat Captain William in a duel you will allow me to talk to the prisoner.”
“And if William wins?”
“I will know that I am protected sufficiently and will allow my captain to return to my father.” Hamish below me stilled for a moment but remained silent.
Tomas cocked his head, watching me, “we surely have better things to do with our time,” he said, but then turned to watch his court make its way to the provided seats. I followed his eyes and smiled at them, beckoning them closer.
Tomas bowed to me, taking my hand to gently press it to his lips. “If William wins,” he said softly, “you shall also join me in my study every evening and read my daily reports to me.”
He looked up to smile into my eyes, his dazzling eyes crinkling with the challenge.
“Give Hamish twenty minutes to prepare.” I said without looking at the captain, “you had better summon William.”
Tomas nodded, striding off to find his seat and order his staff. One gave him a new shirt and he took it, wiping his face with a provided towel. A boy raced back towards the castle to find the other captain.
“Laine?” Hamish asked from his position, rising to stand before me, “is this what you want?”
I looked down at the grass, taking a breath to steady my emotions, “Sarah is right, I truly have no good or noble reason to keep you here. I cannot treat you like a pet for you are not one. Time for you to be useful to me.”
“Laine-”
I tilted my head up to meet his eyes, “this is what I need you for Hamish. Win for me.” I pulled from my sleeve a handkerchief embroidered with the white flowers that had become my namesake.
He took it from my hand, searching my eyes, before nodding. “I will win my lady.” He vowed before moving away to warm up and gulp down water a servant held out for him.
I walked towards my waiting seat, meeting the eyes of my betrothed. He smiled, allowing me to take his hand as he guided me to my place. I will win my lady.
Hamish:268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z524dtHQE
I closed my eyes, centuring myself. Using borrowed guard armor, I flexed my muscles. Loosening my body. No more thought of Madelaine not being able to meet my eyes. No emotional swordplay, no conflicting emotions battling inside my skull. No more.
I opened my eyes in time to watch William jog into view, his sword pressed against his thigh as he slowed to a walk. He calmly looked up at me, a helmet in the crook of his arm.
“When did we become entertainment?” He asked mildly.
I grimaced, willing my eyes not to glance at the lord and lady seated behind us. “I fear it may be partly my fault.”
William smiled slightly, as though he was privy to an inside joke. “No, I think you’ll find the brunette beauty is even more talented than believed.”
I frowned, processing his words, “sir?”
He waved my concern away, “enjoy this match Captain, learn from it. I mean no ill will against you personally, but your presence has stirred my city. I am captain here.”
I grinned, “I don’t want your job William, I have no interest in running the castle defences.”
He slapped his helmet on, unsheathing his sword, “I don’t think you could even if you wanted it.”
I heard the jab, but it flowed over me, unconcerned, “my lady requires a win.” I tied her handkerchief to my belt before drawing my sword.
“My lord’s trust in me is unshakable. However, you better be a quick study.”
Lord Tomas stood from his chair, smiling at the gathered crowd. “Let us see whose champion will win this match. The winner shall have my favour and a feast in his honour. Two sword taps to the winner.” He threw out his hands, as though bringing us in for an embrace.
“Begin!”
I stepped back just as William lunged, aiming for the space I no longer occupied. I darted to the side, tapping at his side. He parried easily, using fast strokes to unsettle me. Back and forth, our eyes meeting in the battle dance. Uppercut, parry, feint, parry, thrust. His footwork was exceptional, allowing him to whirl around me. But my guard was impregnable, built over the course of a lifetime.
He stepped back, watching me with surprisingly dark green eyes. “What’s your play?” he asked quietly.
“Trying to work out yours.” I replied, darting to the right side of his body. He moved a fraction too late, allowing me to tap him lightly on the elbow. He conceded, his helmet lifting with a smile.
“One.” He said, before spinning his sword in one ark and charging. I stepped out the way, twisting so I had him in sight. We circled eachother, smashing swords against each other. Parry, thrust, parry. I moved back and he followed. I moved to the left and he was there, ready to slide his steel into my belly. Too late I realised he was guiding me, moving me to his own whim. I pulled to the side, just as a foot skidded under my boot and had me lose my balance for a moment of a second. He sliced his sword through the air just as I threw back my hands, tilting my head so as I went down, I soared under the sword. I fell to my knees and threw a leg out, spinning around and pulling myself to my feet. Just as his sword nicked my shoulder.
“Fancy.” He said softly.
I spun to face him just as his sword met mine. The metal sang between us, meeting again and again as strategies ran through my head. He was agile, quick, and clever. He had excellent spatial awareness and the ability to make snapshot decisions.
Sweat tricked down my neck, my hands glistening. I had to end it soon. He waited for me, his stance perfect, his eyes never leaving my face.
“Okay,” I muttered.
The crowd cheered; the noise muted by my concentration. All that mattered was the man before me. His tanned skin was hidden within his armour. But his eyes shone under his helmet.
“You’re very good,” he said evenly, “we’re evenly matched.”
He was right.
I darted towards him, running straight for his chest. It was a move a swordsman would never attempt. Distance allowed time and strategy. He parried my thrust and went for the tap on my back, unaware I had switched hands to intercept it before switching again and tapping him on the arm.
A split-second decision. One which I would never attempt. So, neither would he.
He tore off his helmet, surprise bright in his eyes. “You are a madman! I could have run you through.”
“But you didn’t.”
“You anticipated the hesitation.”
I offered him a hand and he clasped it; eyebrows raised. “You wanted this win more than I did.”
“You had less to lose.” I admitted, “it was an honour. You truly are an interesting warrior.”
He shook out his hair, smiling ruefully, “this isn’t my choice weapon. I’ll show you sometime.”
Then he turned to bow to the crowd, motioning me with a hand. “This bodyguard is worthy of his position my lord.” William was not the kind to cradle loss. He was secure in his abilities, his humility and honour shinning from him far outweighing the defeat.
I turned to look at the lord and Madelaine, seeing her smile and nod at me.
My chest tightened and exploded in a moment. Lord Tomas gave me a wistful smile, his blue eyes catching mine. This isn’t over.
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