Chapter Fourteen

Sharrai struck first, a rather basic horizontal slash. Hamaf had seen proper duels, at this stage such a blow had little actual potential. Sharrai had struck harder than needed, but clearly her intent was still only to probe Polly's strength. It had been blocked with an almost desperately hard cross blow. Polly seemed sure to lose, for all her confidence. She held her sword too low, letting the point drift lazily. And her feet were too close together to allow for any quick movement, a dodge in any direction would throw her dangerously off balance. They were beginner's mistakes, not a single one of the soldiers in the army would make such mistakes.
Sharrai swung high, aiming not to kill her but to humiliate her by slicing a few strands of her neatly tied back hair. Polly brought her sword up to block it, but was to slow. Her pink ribbon hung on the end of the blade. Sharrai twisted her sword, playing with the thin cloth mockingly.

Polly grunted in frustration and lunged, tripping on her own inadequate footing. Her sword fell from her hand as she stumbled forward. Sharrai went to push her aside, laughing. Then stopped abruptly as the young noble rolled aside, recovering her blade in a single swift motion. She flipped backward to her feet and spun to face the treacherous officer.
"I think you've had enough fun for one day."
Sharrai did not hold back any longer. She struck a close upward blow, pushing against Polly as she did. But Poly met the blow with her own blade and forced it aside as she flung her weight against Sharrai to counter her momentum. The two braced themselves against the other, struggling to force the other aside enough to land a blow. At last Sharrai flung her head back to butt against her foe and gain the advantage, but Polly ducked her head aside at the last moment and disengaged her self by turning aside. Sharrai stumbled forward but still brought her sword about to parry a careful blow.

A spark flew as the blades ground against each other. The bright silver curve of Polly's elegant edge contrasted to the bloodied, beaten, and battle-worn blade that Sharrai wielded in the dim fluorescent light. Sharrai stepped back, her anger and frustration were clearly wearing away at her strength as much as the combat itself. Hamaf couldn't help but feel a little pride swell as he watched his strongest officer hold her own against a properly trained noble.

They circled, each one cautiously awaiting the other's slightest mistake.
"I shudder to think that this is the sort of fool who thinks they can lead the empire." Polly mocked.
"And if this is the best of those who lead it now than I should rule it already." Retorted Sharrai.
"Hardly, I hear that His Majesty the Prince bests ten men with his sword in a day."
"I suppose it could be called that, how is the young avian enthusiast?"
"Tsk tsk, such insolence is unbecoming of the empire's next great leader."

Sharrai swung high and kicked low. Polly deflected the sword and deftly sidestepped the armored boot. Swords still upraised and locked against each other once more, Polly brought her soft leather soled shoe down upon her opponent's ankle. It did little harm, but it was nonetheless annoying to the already agitated traitor.
Sharrai swung a fist at the young woman,who rolled her body out of it's way. She then quickly brought her arm down, locking the outstretched blow in place as she grabbed Sharrai's sword arm with her free hand. A quick twist and the simple martial blade clattered against the steel floor.
Polly stepped back, lowering her blade. "Pick it up."
Sharrai lunged at the young woman, drawing her soldier's knife from a sheath at the back of her belt. Polly turned aside, the knife grazing her arm as Sharrai passed. And then the traitor fell, for Polly had stood between her and the pit. She screamed as she descended. Polly relented, and gazing into the depths called forth a flame and cast it down after her. The screams ceased, and it was quiet for several minutes. One of the soldiers dropped his sword and fell to his knees.
"Well, I think this rebellion has burned out."
Polly sheathed her unbloodied sword and ignoring her wounds proceeded to leave as they had came.
There could be no question in his mind, Hamaf knew that the coming age would be just as those of the past. The soldiers, farmers, and laborers would continue to serve the mages and nobles as they had since the legendary contract of old was first signed in the blood of dragons. And it had been bought of noble's blood and peasant's life.