Standard disclaimers apply
"A duel?" George exploded, cheeks flushed with exertion. "Darlin', wasn't that a bit much, even fer yerself?"
Alanna grinned at his blustering anger, then even that faded into the serene calm she surrounded herself with. "He's a fake. There's no other explanation."
"Alanna...ye're not thinking clearly. Ye're exhausted from the trip, from finding Duo and using ye Gift. What were ye thinking? Could ye have not spoken with him first? He is the Dragon of Shang, lass. He's very good."
Alanna bristled slightly, drawing herself up to her full height, which was a good foot shorter than George. "And I'm just a two-year old chopping carrots?"
George had to grin. "Jes' saying, I don't want ye getting' hurt." She smiled and kissed her husband's nose.
"Don't worry about me. Worry about Duo and Solo. Jon wants to meet with them as soon as the duel's over. I don't want them going in alone."
"Ye're such a protective mother, caring for her kits," he teased, pulling her into a loose embrace. He didn't know what had brought about this reversion, this change back to the woman she had been. He wasn't sure if he liked it, but it had brought a sparkle back to her eye that hadn't been there before, a trembling thread of excitement that had disappeared.
"I promise, George. I'll be fine. He's just a kid. I know what I'm doing." With that, she exited their rooms with a little wave, the door slamming shut behind her.
"Aye, and that's what all the nobles said bout yerself," he said quietly, and went to find Duo and Solo.
They were in the practice courts. By the time George had arrived, the duel was about to begin. Smiling hesitantly, he went over to stand by the two younger men.
"Guard," Alanna whispered, eyes glittering. The duel was no longer about the Dragon of Shang, nor about Liam, or even about avenging honor. It was about pride, about proving that she was still the best fencer at Court, and nothing was going to change that. It was about proving something to herself--to Liam, if he was watching, wherever he was.
They brought their swords up, metal kissing metal, sparks flying as Alanna attacked first, parrying then striking with a deep slash that only Liam could have avoided. The boy danced away, face expressionless.
Alanna was a bit unnerved. Usually her opponents would screech insults at her, trying to get her angry, but this one remained silent. She barely saw the blow coming before she was forced to block it, falling to one knee. Distantly, she heard several gasps of surprise, and gritted her teeth.
Thought he had her caught, did he? She twisted her wrist quickly, catching him by surprise. He was forced to pull out or lose his sword.
They exchanged parries, never daring to take their eyes from their opponent. It seemed that they were evenly matched. She watched his shoulders, looking for a sign, anything that could betray his next move. Yes--there! She struck.
And nearly gasped as he blocked her wide slash. Gods, he was *fast*! She'd underestimated him, it seemed. She bit her lip, mind reeling. Could--
No. She brushed doubts away. From what Liam had told her, there was no way someone so young could be a Dragon. It was her duty as his last pupil to ensure that his memory was untainted. That she could do, even if she hadn't been there when he had needed her the most...
The young man smiled at her through dark bangs, his sword flicking out, trying to catch her unguarded. Each time she barely maneuvered out of the way, a bare half-step ahead of him.
Alanna lunged in for the kill, seeing an opening. A strange feeling flooded through her soul; a need for vengeance, for revenge. She would take it out on this boy, her feelings of anger and remorse, the scars that had never truly healed on her soul inflicted likewise on him. It was like when she'd held the crystal sword she had found in the Bazzhir desert--tainted. Evil. Addictive.
Duo had a bad feeling, as he watched the two warriors fencing--no, it could hardly be called fencing, could it? It was as if they were fighting to destroy each other, neither holding back.
"It's a miracle she's survived this long," one of the young pages beside him murmured to another, flipping his platinum blonde hair behind his shoulder. The other boy shook his head.
"You're just sore because he beat you, Milliardo," he sniffed.
"He beat you too," Milliardo retorted hotly. "No matter how good she is, she'll never be able to beat him. He's so fast--like lightning..." They watched as Alanna parried, then thrust, always blocked by the boy.
And it was like lightning that the Dragon of Shang's sword twisted in to kiss the read-head's throat. They stood, chests heaving, sweat glossing their bodies over like peppermint oil, and finally both laid their swords down to the floor.
Duo looked into Alanna's eyes and was surprised at what he saw there. Not anger, or shame, or defeat. Just emptiness, a blank stare as she bowed to the Dragon of Shang, who returned the gesture.
Just emptiness.
He felt like running, but the doors were barred and he wouldn't get very far with a Lioness on his tail. Solo elbowed him hard in the ribs; the long-haired boy began to protest, before realizing that he had been staring.
And she had been staring back, a faint smirk on her face, eyes glittering with some unnamed promise.
End Chapter Four
Ariana
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