She was in trouble. He was better then her, much better. It was an experience she was completely unfamiliar with. While the other ladies of court were practicing their graces she was practicing her ka-ta. While they studied the latest fashions she was learning new weapon styles. While they danced, she was performing choreography of another sort. While they were being courted she sought out the strongest and most skilled swordsmen in the world and defeated them.
She had her share of trysts and liaisons, but nothing serious. She couldn't see herself with anyone she did not respect. Unfortunately men who were not swordsmen were intimidated by her and those that were failed to meet her skills. If it weren't for the occasional encounter, with performers and bards mostly, there were likely to be many more rumors about her sexual orientation. As it was she maintained the position of Royal Weapons Mistress with the decorum the position entailed.
She ducked under a double handed slash that could have removed her head and shoulders from her body. He wasn't pulling his attacks which forced her to fight with the same intensity. Even as one sword was knocked aside by his swipe the other was darting forward. With momentum dragging his only weapon aside, leaving the right side and most of his lower body completely exposed, she would never have a better chance. Instinctively she traded the damage of a slash for the speed of a thrust. She felt the impact as his sword returned, sending her second weapon wide. She arched back, shifting her weight, as his sword flashed forward. His single bastard sword should be no match for her twin scimitars, but with arms wide all she could hope was to avoid his attack. Her back arched in an attempt to duck the incoming blade, knowing it wouldn't be enough.
He was handsome. The moment she saw him enter the pub she appreciated his body. He had the lean, weathered look of a man living on the road. Even as he moved to the bar and ordered an ale she saw the economy of motion inherent in the best swordsmen. She groaned inwardly as the guards began to hassle him. She was flattered, they often goaded visiting sell-swords into duels for her to test her metal. Unfortunately they were being particularly vicious today. Quickly they offended his honor, as he stood to face the Sargent-at-arms she stepped forward to take the hapless guard's place.
The duel, until one party yielded, was accepted with the simple request for an hour for preparation. When he arrived at the Salle he was wearing similar leather armor to hers, perfect for a master who expected no need for heavy defense but ample agility. She expected the fight to be over quickly but it lasted nearly twenty minutes before that first decisive blow landed. She knew he was better then she but something was wrong, he was making mistakes he shouldn't have been. It wasn't intentional, if she had to guess he hadn't faced an opponent as close to his own skill as she was in years. When she trained the new guards it was often hard to return to sparring against more worthy opponents.
She felt the sword press against her chest even as she dodged back. Desperately she brought her delinquent swords back in even as his thrust was blunted by her lithe maneuver. In came the scimitars forcing his sword away. As she regained her balance he stepped back, sword in a low guard, allowing her time to assess the damage. Looking down she was surprised to see the cotton strap she wrapped around her chest in order to hold tight her breasts. The leather was sliced completely up the center, her armor now little more then a vest.
In frustration she looked up, meeting his eyes. There was a deep respect there, but also something she couldn't identify. Tossing a sword in the air she quickly slipped off the now useless armor. After catching the sword with ease she repeated the process with the other. Placing herself on guard she stood before him, topless but for the cloth wrap around her breasts. She had never before felt uncomfortable about her body, but suddenly, facing off against this master she was slightly embarrassed, and very glad she had locked the Salle against intrusion for the duration of the fight.. As she prepared to continue the fight she saw his respect for her grow while the unidentifiable gleam outpaced his respect.
Suddenly he seemed to come to a decision before hefting his sword and charging. Even on guard it was all she could do to deflect the flurry of blows raining down on her. Somehow his decision had overcome the discomfort of fighting someone considerably more skillful then he was accustomed to. She almost didn't believe it when she saw the opening. A moment later it was gone and her concentration returned to defense. All previous embarrassment and contemplation of the mysterious look in his eyes were forgotten. Half a minute later she spotted the opening once again. He was trapped in a pattern, unfortunately the opening was getting smaller as he subconsciously corrected his weakness. She had two, maybe three more reps before the opening would be gone entirely.
She waited, keeping her right sword ready as best as she could for the imminent opening. She felt, more then saw, the attack that preceded the opening and quickly thrust even as she parried his blow. He twisted deftly aside avoiding most of her attack. As she looked in his eyes the respect remained but the surprise she expected was nowhere to be seen, instead there was laughter as he retreated.
The point of his sword dug into the Salle floor as he shrugged off his own, now useless, armor. She gasped as she saw his bare chest, he was even more attractive then she had thought. Now he was standing with a hand casually on the hilt of his sword, tip still buried in the floor. He launched straight into another series. His sword flashed time and again at her. She felt the breath of air as she barely managed to parry less then an inch from her body time and again. Finally he leapt back again. His eyes laughed at her. The bastard was taunting her. She knew he was goading her to attack but she couldn't stop herself. She charged.
With a quick double flick of his wrists her swords flew across the room. Momentum would carry her forward onto his sword, she closed her eyes as she fell. Instead of cold steel his soft warm arms wrapped around her. He leaned close and whispered in her ear. "I yield." She couldn't understand it. He had forsaken his honor when he literally had her dead to rights.