Out by the lake: Elaine's sword lesson

[the_lioness]

*Alanna stands by the lake, humming and examining a set of throwing knives. Elaine's next sword lesson is scheduled to start soon, and Alanna keeps an eye on the bar door in the hopes that George, Svava and Archie put in an appearance as well.*

[OOC: Anyone is welcome to come watch or join in. :) ]

Comments

[collects_ears]

He laughs.

Recognizing the feint for what it is, he whirls away, to keep himself out of her reach. He brings one dagger towards her throat, watching all the while for the real attack he knows will follow.

[the_lioness]

*She dances to the side again, her blade clashing against his as she deflects the strike. Gaze steady, she continues to circle him. Eventually, she drops and rolls, coming up behind him. She stabs toward the bottom of his arm with one hand and prepares to try wrenching him over her hip when he counters.*

[collects_ears]

As their daggers connect, he's already calculating his next move. As they break apart again, he lets one of the daggers drop deliberately.

Her next tactic is to try to throw him, and were he a less skilled opponent, he's quite certain it would have worked - he is however, NOT a less skilled opponent - at least not with knives. When she attempts to throw him, he latches onto her arm with his now free hand and quickly twists it behind her back. He pulls her against him, and slips the other dagger against her throat.

[the_lioness]

*Alanna snarls. Breath shallow, she presses back against him, putting as much distance between the blade and her throat as possible. Now, if she can only squirm out of his grasp... *

I'd forgotten how cursed talented you are with a knife, much less two.

*She tugs on her arm.*

[collects_ears]

As she presses against him, he can feel his heart racing. Hopefully, she'll think it only a result of their exertions.

"Yield?" he suggests in a drawl, keeping a firm hold on her arm.

[the_lioness]

*Alanna tilts her head back and looks up at him. Eyes narrowed, she considers the wisdom of trying to toss him over her knee again.

Even she has a sense of self preservation.*

Yes. *Voice raspy, she nods.* For now.

[collects_ears]

He smiles, letting go of her arm. "You did very, very well." he says, knowing her pride will be slightly wounded. "And before you go off telling me not to give you platitudes, I'll remind you that you know I'm right."

He retrieves the dagger he dropped, cleaning it on a pocket handkerchief, then returning the dagger and its partner to their hidden sheathes.

[the_lioness]

*Alanna steps forwards silently, rubbing her arm and thinking.*

I know I did well. It has been awhile since we practiced, after all. *She stops and watches Faith and Svava for a moment.* Like I told Faith, I'm not going to miss a chance to learn just because of misplaced pride.

[collects_ears]

He brushes off his hands on his tunic, and reaches over and squeezes her shoulder. "A big change from the little girl I used to know.." he says softly, unable to express in words how proud of her he is.

[the_lioness]

The little girl, or the little boy? *She smiles wryly, finally turning to look at him.* Sometimes I wish I knew what you were thinking when I finally told you.

[collects_ears]

He laughs. "Well, it made me wish I didn't habitually sleep naked.." he says, grinning unabashedly. "Later, I was simply impressed by how thoroughly you'd trumped everyone. I've given it a fair amount of thought since then... have I told you that?"

[the_lioness]

*Her quick laughter at his first statement trails off, and she looks at him a tad suspiciously.*

No? In what way? *She swallows.*

[collects_ears]

"Why the council took so poorly to finding out the truth. The reasons for their so called 'moral outrage' and continued antagonism toward you" -his tone clearly indicates his disgust with their petty behaviour - - "..because a child dared to show intelligence, outwitting her adult superiors.. and moreover, a GIRL child, who our wonderful patriarchal society teaches us from the day we're born, are somehow second best to boys. Girls cannot inherit, girls cannot rule land.. common girls cannot attend school.."

He shakes his head, continuing. "They only see that you lied to them, all the while refusing to admit that the system of chivalry in our kingdom is archaic and outdated, and if they would simply admit that women can be warriors in their own right, doing at least as well as the men, and," he pokes her forehead, "in certain cases, surpassing the men - you'd never have had to lie to them in the first place."

[the_lioness]

*Alanna is momentarily speechless. She blinks, her eyes bright as she looks out over the lake.*

Thank you, George. *She tosses her remaining dagger in the ground and walks over, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.* Thank you. I wish... I wish they could see this. *She turns her head and watches Elaine, Meg, Faith and Svava.* More than just about anything.

[collects_ears]

He hugs her tightly, fitting her under his chin. "Maybe someday they will." he says, "I'm sure that some day very soon, another little girl will make the same choice as you, and decide she wants to be a knight. Who knows, by then, maybe she won't have to pretend.. maybe, they'll rescind that stupid rule and admit their mistake.."

[the_lioness]

*Alanna smiles* I certainly hope so, George. I'd have to spend more time around the palace, helping with training and the like. *Her eyes flash.* It will be hard to overcome such long held beliefs. If that happens, I suspect a lot more Ralons will surface.

[collects_ears]

"You'll teach them the error of their ways.." he says, smiling. "With your sword if necessary, I'm sure."

He glances over at the sword students. "Now, it looks as though I'm not needed.. so I'll take my leave for now. If m'lady Elaine wishes a dagger lesson at another time, I'm happy to oblige. And anytime you want someone to spar with, you know where to find me.."