Chapter Five - Duel

 

Chapter Five

 

Duel

 

“I'm not entirely sure I like this anymore” This was Erika, grumbling out in the dusk of the day. The three of them had made their way to behind the inn. Apparently there was a hidden clearing on the other side of the road, away from Alowen and prying eyes

 

 

“So, how are we going to do this?” SynHawk was leaning against the wall

 

“How do you mean?” Avia had collected her things and was stringing her bow

 

“Well, it may have escaped your notice. But I don't actually have a sword” his hand wavered over Avia rapier, the strong thin blade glinting against the now lit fire

 

“I can fix that, Erika?”

 

“Yes?” she was sulking over by the end of the table. Wanting to see the battle but not wanting to do extra chores

 

“Cheer up, this was your idea. Can you fetch one of the long-swords in the basement?”

 

Erika got up and walked to the door, slipping downstairs

 

“Only some of this was my idea” she grumbled as she went. Leaving Avia and SynHawk alone

 

“So Hawk, how exactly did your sword break?” Avia was making conversation as she absent-absentmindedly did up her bow, SynHawk playing with one of her arrows as he waited for Erika

 

“One too many battles I suppose” he neglected to mention the high-pitched scream of Valis' sister that shattered the blade. Handing the arrow back to Avia he saw Erika come back from the basement. A plain, and slightly worn long-sword in her arms. She handed it to him and gave a toothy grin

 

“Thanks Erika” he held it out and frowned “Any chance I can get a cloth?” he had noticed the dust and grime on its blade. She pulled one from behind her back and giggled

 

“It's kind of mucky down there; I figured you might want to clean it”

 

Grinning, SynHawk took the cloth and began to wipe down the blade; His experienced hands wandering the tempered steel. Avia watched him out of the corner of her eye, noticing the way he held the blade, the way his fingers traveled gently over its hilt. She whispered to herself

 

“I was right, a few battles... as if” then she spoke aloud “Ok you two, lets head out. I'll poke my head into father as we go”

 

That was half an hour ago. Now the group was in the clearing, Erika sitting on a fallen log with her legs tucked up under her. Avia and SynHawk were standing together in the middle of the clearing

“So, here I stand with a sword and daggers. Against you with your bow and rapier, Fair enough odds?”

“I'm fine with it” Avia winked and started to walk backwards, away from SynHawk “Are you ready and willing?”

“As far as I know, I am” he smiled and turned on his heel, making his way to the other end of the clearing. Erika was gaining interest now, Avia had a bow and SynHawk only had close-quarters weapons... how exactly was SynHawk going to get close? They had agreed that magic was out; it seemed to tip the scales however you looked at it.

 

 

A gentle breeze drifted through the now moonlit clearing, SynHawk and Avia now facing each other as adversaries. Slowly raising his blade, SynHawk twisted it slowly with his wrist and caught the moonlight. A flash of light filling the clearing. With a silence of prelude in the air, Avia bound back her hair and raised her bow. The string tightening as she pulled back an arrow, the limbs once again creaking under the stress. SynHawk narrowed his eyes and watched, before suddenly jumping forward and running towards Avia. Acting quickly, Avia let fly with her arrow and it veered towards SynHawk's body. With a twist SynHawk spun in the air and the arrow slipped past his chest, tip catching his rippling shirt. With his sword down at his thighs he continued to run at Avia. Erika gasped as she watched him spin around the arrow and she bit her lip, entranced. But Avia was wide awake, she felt the feathers on her arrow brush her cheek and she let it spring forward towards her mark. Cutting the air, SynHawk swung his sword up and braced the middle with his palm. The arrowhead struck the flat side of his sword on the opposite side, jarring his wrist but sending the arrow spiraling off into the forest. He was now almost upon her, but Avia however was faster than she let on. Flicking her hand up she strung another arrow and jumped to the side. Having just enough distance between her and SynHawk, she let the arrow go. SynHawk quickly dived to where Avia used to be, but her arrow caught him on his boot and flung him around to land on his side. Not phased for a second, his hand lashed out and threw one of his daggers towards Avia. As she landed she twisted to avoid the dagger but it struck the string on her bow, cutting it finely in twain. SynHawk got up, and Avia threw her bow to Erika. Who caught it and placed it on the ground. She had almost dropped it; her eyes were stuck to the scene before her. Never had she watched someone best Avia's bow, at least unscathed. But she knew what her sister had with that rapier.

 

 

A gentle sound of metal being drawn slipped into the night. Avia's rapier surfaced as the two separated again

“Not bad Hawk. Seems those few fights taught you well...” she said this with jest in her voice, a grin on SynHawk's face

“I suppose I can hold my own”

“Well lets see shall we?” with this Avia flicked her thin blade up and darted towards SynHawk. His feet following hers, their blades collided quickly and they spun off in different directions. Spinning, they came back together again. As their blades glanced off each other, Avia's foot lashed out and gave a light blow to SynHawk's knee. Jumping away and smiling slightly as he got up. He stretched his leg and spun his sword in his hand

“You're a lot faster than you, or your body lets on”

“Don't judge a scroll by it's gilding Hawk, you should know that” Avia winked as he laughed a little and then started to circle her again.

 

 

This time they were sure of each other. Warmed up and ready. Their feet left the ground at the same time as they ran together, Avia swept her sword towards SynHawk's chest and he dived under it quickly. Spinning back as he hit the ground, he swiped his longsword at her feet. She leaped back with ease. As soon as they found their footing they were off again. SynHawk went on the defensive, parrying Avia's razor rapier away from his chest. She twisted the strike and grazed his side, her unnerving speed getting the better of him. Grinning, she backed off and gave a wink. SynHawk adjusted his shirt and smiled

“Your fast Avia, I'll give you that” He jumped at her and swung down. Ducking under the blow confidently, Avia found a back-hand strike along her shoulders as SynHawk's hand lashed out with speed rivaling her own “But you have a few things to learn”

 

Rubbing her shoulders, Avia smiled in frustration. But, ever the confidant girl she came at SynHawk again. He was now standing there, sword down and with his hand welcoming her closer. As she was almost upon him she swung her blade at his chest, his own sweeping up quickly at blocking it. Their swords raised and their faces only an inch apart, breathing heavy

“Here I thought you might have a trick up your sleeve”

 

He laughed and spun to his right, sending her rapier to the left. He darted up behind her and ran his longsword around her leg, cutting her leggings left leg almost clean off. She spun around and lashed out at SynHawk's dancing form. He jumped back out of her reach

“I wouldn't get ahead of yourself Avia; you never know what you might find your opponent will have”

 

Sheepishly, she looked down at her smooth skin. Now visible under the long slit on her leggings. As she looked back up she saw a glint in his eyes, as if he was smiling at her. He winked and raised his sword

“Come on Avia! You can get him!” Erika's voice speared the night; the two looked over at her. She was standing now, cheering her sister on

“Don't worry Erika, I'm not finished just yet...” she quickly ran at SynHawk. Her blade swerving behind her, he braced himself and then darted off to the side. Dancing away from her thrust as he sent his blade up, catching her own and sending her off in the other direction. Once more they darted towards each other, night falling and light lessening in the air. The only thing lighting their way was the moonlight that lit their blades and eyes.

 

 

Avia sliced the air at SynHawk's waist. The blade an inch from his skin, he pushed off the ground and grappled Avia's shoulder. His foot connected with her knee and he leapt up and over her, sending her own body under him and towards the dirt. She dived and rolled perfectly, springing back up and turning she saw SynHawk land fifteen feet away

“Not tired already are we?” Avia winked as she drew breath, SynHawk's own chest heaving as they parted

“Not just yet, but I do think a little magic might be in order”

“Nah uh, no magic allowed remember”

 

Grinning he mouthed its ok and then threw his hand up

 

“Lux lucis” his voice echoed through the forest. Suddenly his hand burst into colour and light as a ball drifted upwards into the sky. It suddenly shattered into thirty balls, all of a different colour. They came down to rest like stars around the trio. Peppering the air with pockets of light, simulating the soft feel of daylight around the clearing. He smiled warmly at Avia as she noticed one red ball hover near her, before changing into a rose petal and then fading quickly. Blushing, Avia looked at him and bit her lip, ever lost in the passion of the fight. He did not have her trust, but he did have her attention

“I'm not done with you yet Hawk” She swiped the air and then dashed quickly at SynHawk, her mind set and her heart fluttering. SynHawk parried away from her blade and then lunged at her middle, her own blade deflecting his. But SynHawk finally did have a trick under his belt. He spun and dived under her next strike, grabbing her wrist and twisting it slightly. She tried to get away from his grasp but he had strength as well as speed. He rose up behind her and lifted his sword to her neck. Rapier on the ground and her wrist pinned behind her, against his front. Avia smiled as she leaned back against him gently

“You're faster than you let on Hawk”

“Not as fast as some” he spoke into her ear as her hair settled. Avia turned and looked back into his golden eyes

“Careful, you might lose something” Her own green eyes sparkling. He felt something press to his side, looking down he saw one of Avia's arrows against where his kidney would be. Standing there for a few seconds in the stand-off, they then smiled and parted. Laughing at each other, Avia sheathed her rapier and SynHawk lowered his sword.

“What?” Erika had run over to them when she saw that the duel was over. Even if she was still in awe of what she had just seen

“Nothing” Avia grinned and walked to Erika, ruffling her hair. Erika looked at SynHawk questioningly

“It was a draw, either way we would have both lost that”

 

Thinking, Erika tilted her head

“How? You seemed to be on top of her at each blow”

“Well, other than the ending. I'm more experienced, so I had the advantage. But your sister is a lot faster than I am right now” he smiled at Erika and then looked at Avia; she had a glint in her eye... something unsaid. It dawned on SynHawk and then he laughed “no, no I think we can call Avia the winner here”

“See! I told you that you would win sis!”

“Uh huh, now... isn't there something you have to do now?” Avia was giggling and smiled thankfully at SynHawk. Erika paused and then it dawned on her too

“Oh goodie... chores”

 

 

A handful of glasses clinked against the bar top as Erika set them down, sighing tiredly. She glanced out the window and saw Avia and SynHawk walking out to the village. Avia was going to show him where she wandered every night to keep the village safe. She smiled as she looked at Hawk, and then giggled to herself as she saw Avia next to him. She shook her head and wandered off to find her father.

 

“And the last one was Valis. You know the unfortunate story behind that one” Avia paused and peered around the darkness

“So that makes what, seven in total. In as many months” looking beside him at Avia, he frowned “I would have thought the village would have been in an uproar. But everyone seems, happy”

 

There was a deep sigh and Avia turned back to her new partner

“It hasn't sunk in. We're always under harassment by bandits and looters from the mountains, but we usually send word to Cimcaler and they send protection if it gets too much to handle. But for this little amount of people, and not knowing what is actually happening or how long the soldiers might be stationed here away from their families...”

“The higher-ups don't think it's worth it” he sighed and kicked a stone in the ground “I know about Cimcaler and it's guard, they're good men and they would come under orders. But most of the commanders that look after the land are more into control and wealth that keeping their citizens happy”

“That's what father thinks, about the commanders anyway. We're looking after our own unless we're under siege”

“Since you're not under siege, and there are no guards here... everyone doesn't know what kind of danger they're...we're in I suppose. Have you tried to get the word out?”

“For what purpose? Getting everyone worried, stressed and at each others throats? No, at the moment all we can do is find this thing and kill it” she looked down at the ground and then closed her eyes, before looking back up at SynHawk gently “I am thankful for your help Hawk, don’t think otherwise”

 

But he didn't hear, his mind was already closed off, thinking of Valis, and how much longer he would be able to keep it to himself; before it started to endanger more people.