The Duel
“Amidst the storm, unfinished business fell upon me.
V’aleera Lhuil is a Sun-Seeker Dragoon who lived in a city of Elezen and Hyur. I met her one sun in Thanalan where I fought her after she assaulted an archaeologist. Mayhaps Ishgardians do not consider it assault to merely punch a person, but the Brass Blades were not happy with what she did.
Our fight was interrupted, and brought to an end as we came to find we were on the same side. That is another story. However, from that moment on, she saw me as a warrior. ‘Twas odd to me as I had always seen myself as a hunter. Looking back, I understand now that a Lancer is a warrior. I was standing between two things once again. I was trying to solve problems the way any fighter with a melee weapon would, yet I proclaimed my heritage as a scout and hunter at every turn. There are differences…
Many Moons later, V’aleera came to me, and challenged me to a duel. She respected me, but she had aught to prove, and I still think it comes from a life of others who tower above her, and consider her lesser because she is Miqo’te. She claims those who are Dragoons judge by merit, and not race, but I do not believe for a moment that V’aleera never feels pressure from other Ishgardians that would judge her every move. It is my belief that she is use to it, and has accepted it. But she had aught to prove, and I had aught I wanted to learn. Could I defeat a Dragoon in a duel? I accepted her challenge.
Adorned in the armor in which I first fought her, and armed with my guisarme, I traveled to an isolated clearing with V’aleera, Nihka and Sehki. I will describe the fight in great detail…â€
--
V'aleera Lhuil glances around with mild curiosity at the surrounding area.
Sehki squeaks happily, and babbles to Nihka as the trio walk through the beds. Once at their destination, Nihka carries her child to the massive bed of flowers.
V'aleera stands near Kiht, while her comrades situate themselves a fair distance back, clearly happy to observe if not interact.
Kiht Jakkya comes to a stop and turns. "Here we are. Back in the suns of the Morbolvine Clan, many duels were fought here. Nothing to break, and quite isolated."
Nihka Mioni's ears lower. ".... lot.. injure.. cause..."
V'aleera taps her chin, peering about and nodding. "Very fitting indeed. Spacious too." She nods several times, "This shall be as good a dueling ground as any, I think."
Nihka sits down, half hiding behind a tree, and holds her child in her lap. "...Sehki... close.. stay please.... " The cub, of course, tries to squirm away but Nihka doesn't allow it.
Kiht pulls a black cloth form her belt. It's a bandana. She wraps it on her head and ties it tightly in a knot to secure it. She loosens the strap on her spear.
"Very well then, in what manner shall we conduct the duel? In Ishgard, it is common for an honorable duel to be fought until one or both contestants have been soundly struck and had blood drawn three times. Is this agreeable, or would you propose an alternative?" V’aleera asks.
Kiht nods. "Very well. I can agree to that. Or until one is too wounded to fight further. Whichever comes first."
Nihka ears lower against her head. Sehki giggles and grabs at some flowers....
V'aleera nods, moving to walk about the area and finding an agreeable patch of dirt to stand on. She unfastens her spear from her back, deftly taking it in hand and swinging it about in deft, powerful motions before assuming a practiced battle stance. "Aye. And should one of us be in a position to otherwise deliver a killing blow, she shall be considered the victor!"
Kiht unslings her spear and spins it about in her hands before bringing it into position. She takes a deep breath. Then adjusts her stance with her boots digging into the dirt. "Agreed."
V'aleera grins widely, hands adjusting on the length of her weapon, the polished spearhead and wicked blades adorning the sides below it gleaming in the rays of sunset.
Kiht suddenly bursts into a charge; spear tip first. As she closes in on Val, she lashes out to strike her spear aside and thrusts at her left leg in swift motions clearly meant for speed rather than power.
V'aleera stands steadfastly in place, not moving to evade but rather digging her heels in deep. She grits her teeth, genuinely impressed with the other Miqo'te's speed, choosing to respond in kind with a show of strength. With a single strong movement of her body she forces the attacking lance aside, then shouts as she lunges forward to deliver a blow of her own.
Kiht swiftly brings her attack up to parry, and redirects the blow to her chest plate, but the power of it causes her to stagger back. She stops the stagger with an almost dance-like spin then twirls her spear and swings low to sweep her hook at V'al's legs.
V'aleera attempts to avoid her opponent's swift and agile rebuke, but as she moves to leap from her present position the head of Kiht's lance crashes against her ankle. As she lands several fulms away, she grimaces as she places weight on her struck ankle. "Clever maneuver, Shroudwolf.". She tenses for a moment, shifting her weight, before leaping forward in a flurry of short, powerful thrusts.
Kiht abruptly sends her spear into a twirl. It spins in a windmill-like motion then she brings it back into position in time to intercept Val's blows. While their speed was not the issue, the strength behind them was. Kiht is hard-pressed to prevent any real damage aside from the denting and tearing of her armor in some places. She grits her teeth and charges again. She swings her spear-head to bash aside any further attacks that might be incoming then lunges forward in a powerful thrust as she lets out a growl.
V'aleera growls as her last blow is swatted aside by the scrappy Keeper, who proceeds to strike true, dashing the scales off the mail covering her upper arm and drawing blood. Rather than fall back, V'aleera presses through the pain, howling as the Shroudwolf's spearhead rends further along her arm. Deftly letting her spear shaft fall through her hands, the Ishgardian charges up close and engages her opponent with a much shorter grip on her weapon.
Kiht may have been in a fury, but she didn't lose her focus and speed. Her nerves were still a cool as ice. She dances aside from the attack then twirls her spear back into a guard position.
V'aleera refuses to relent, striking out with empty, probing thrusts before committing to another plan of action. She swings her bladed spear in short, powerful, controlled arcs, attempting to force Kiht back in an effort to seize the momentum of the battle.
Anstarra Silverain pads up along quietly enough pausing to watch. Eyes not turning away as she moves to sit alongside Nihka in the flower bed. Anstarra gives the sky a look, then pulls a rolled-up something shiny out of a pocket. She snaps it open, into a hat, which she proceeds to apply to her head.
Nihka has Sehki in her lap, held tightly so the cub can't escape as the pair duel across the grass.
Kiht runs right into one of Val's swings with her haft held out before her like a quarterstaff. She blocks the swing and locks her muscles to stop it. She grits her teeth. "I am no rookie Lancer, V'aleera!" She growls out then attempts to swing both their weapons down then thrusts for Val's legs.
V'aleera grits her teeth as her strike is blocked full-stop. Her tail lashes behind her as her weapon is forced downward, opening her to be struck by the driven spear of her swift opponent. But with her own deft movement, she forces her spear up, bringing its haft to forcefully crash against that of Kiht's. Weapons locked, V'aleera's face sits ilms away from the other lancer's, "If you were not a skilled warrior, I would not give you the honor of fighting me!" She grunts and shoves forward, attempting to shunt the smaller woman off her feet with sheer strength.
Anstarra's tail lashes in the flowers, eyes bright as she watches.
Kiht grunts as she barely keeps her footing. Every muscle in her body locking up to hold V'al's push. It makes her too rigid for her own good, but she holds fast. She suddenly shifts the weight of the push as she turns her spear haft to free it then swings the butt end of her spear to bash Val.
V'aleera growls as her attempt to move her opponent off her feet is stymied, the Keeper holding impressively strong. In spite of being off-balance, Kiht is nonetheless the faster combatant; V'aleera sees the strike coming, but her position only allows her to twist and take a glancing blow to her side. She breathes deep, locking her gaze with Kiht's and grinning toothily, "No more tricks with you; we're blow for blow and you have my respect for it, but I am ending this duel!" She cries out to her Goddess and charges forward with a single, powerful lunge.
Kiht braces herself for the charge then suddenly attempts to dash aside. The blade of Val's spear trusts by, but just barely; the edge cuts into the leather of Kiht's upper leg. There is a moment of delay before blood leaks out from the cut.
Nihka winces, ears folding back. She clutches Sehki tighter.
Kiht is quick to try and use V'al's momentum against her as she charges spear-tip-first for Val's upper arm.
Anstarra watches intently, her eyes practically glowing under the rim of her hat. Her hands, in her lap, twitch reflexively, as if remembering moves, and strikes. The shape and flow of a spear's movement... Her teeth bare, as blood flows.
"Hmph." V'aleera swats the blow away, the head of Kiht's spear barely glancing her armor. The Seeker takes a moment to breathe, eyeing the bleeding cut she had claimed from her opponent before setting herself into a low stance. Strong legs propel her forward as she feints with a thrust toward Kiht's torso before transitioning into a full swing toward her arm.
Kiht is not able to dodge the swing and is hit hard in the arm. She staggers back then growls, but clearly is starting to reach the point where her stamina is running out. Her arm quivers a bit, but she focuses to keep it steady. "I am not done yet! Were you not going to end this now? Mayhaps Halone does not favor you just because you are Ishgardian. Open your eyes, I will tell you what I have told no one else... She is -my- patron as well!" Kiht charges forward, but then sends her spear into a series of spins that end with a spike of her weapon swinging in towards Val.
V'aleera narrows her gaze as Kiht speaks, then smiles. Positioning herself to block the blow in such a way as to place the burden of the force on Kiht's struck arm, she nods, "Halone grants her blessing to all who carry the spear with honor and righteousness. I have no cause to doubt your words. I say to you then: let the victor of this battle claim her victory for the honor and glory of the Fury!" Shouting a short war cry, the dragoon pushes forward, spear driving hard and relentless.
Kiht keenly manages to keep pace and parry each blow with changing angles and spins of her spear. A loud clacking sound echoes through the area as the weapons clash. Kiht suddenly dashes to the side then jumps over Val's head; making a flip to land on the other side, and attempting to throw her off-guard.
V'aleera blinks in surprise as the other miqo'te makes a sudden aerial maneuver. Not to be caught off-guard, she nonetheless is forced to waste a precious moment turning an about face, and attempts to make up for this with a quick, aggressive assault.
Kiht dances aside once more; being an annoyingly agile Miqo'te. She makes a quick thrust at Val's lower flank.
V'aleera hisses softly through her teeth as the Keeper barely dances out of harm's way -again-. She laughs, frustration and exhilaration showing nakedly on her expression in equal measure. As the scrappy Kiht strikes back, V'aleera elects to simply shift her body into the blow, a brief sensation of pain flashing in her lower flank as Kiht's weapon bounces against her armor. She moves forward with only a few deliberate steps, thrusting in a practiced pattern, attempting to land a single strong blow through a small hail of feints.
Kiht is tired, and it's finally slowing the swift Keeper down. While she dodges most of the blows, it takes only one. Val's spear stabs into the same shoulder that bears the bruised arm. She cringes in pain and staggers.
She pulls herself from the stagger as her legs lock in place and moves into a stance that favors sudden balance. She has one functioning arm left, and with that arm being the only thing holding her spear, she makes a reckless thrust towards Val with no regard for her own defense.
V'aleera furrows her brow as she watches the other woman recoil from her blow, a glimmer of concern alighting in her face for a moment before the battle resumes. In a disciplined fashion, V'aleera wards off Kiht's counterattack, suffering no injury but to her surprise finding herself impressed Kiht is somehow still standing as the wounded huntress makes a fierce assault. She swats away yet another strike, her tail sweeping in short strokes behind her as she sets her brow and moves to make her own attack through the flurry of Kiht's own.
Kiht holds her lance in one hand! She now moves with a different style as if trained to use her spear with one hand as well. She smacks her spear against Val's last strike then kicks forward towards her torso.
V'aleera coughs and grunts as Kiht's boot suddenly makes contact with the exposed midsection, forcing the dragoon to stagger back several fulms and leaving her winded. She grimaces as pain flows hot from her torso, a boot print already showing, clearly defined over her abdominal muscles. Shaking her head and clearing her mind, she sets forth into another deliberate and disciplined series of strikes, thrusts, and sweeping blows.
The Seeker Dragoon narrows her gaze, pressing slowly but implacably forward, one step forward for each step the Keeper takes back. Though having suffered many a blow from the skilled lancer opposite her, none were so great to be such a strain on her stamina as Kiht's are. Her attack is persistent, relentless, but not yet decisive. With each parry and block the Shroudwolf slows further, until finally the Ishgardian finds her moment. The shafts of both spears crack loudly once, twice, thrice, in rapid succession ending with one final swift movement, as V'aleera thrusts her spear forward through the created opening and leaving the gleaming head a mere ilm from the Keeper's throat.
Nihka Mioni jumps to her feet, or would if Sehki weren't in her lap. She starts to jump, but she has a cub, so she just sort of tenses up and sits up rigid.
Anstarra claps. "Bravo~".
Kiht drops her spear to her side as she lays on the ground. She begins to chuckle through labored breaths.
V'aleera ignores the applause, burying her spear in the soft dirt beside her, her eyes remaining trained upon the Keeper huntress as she offers a long, deep bow.
Anstarra plucks the squirming kit out of Nihka's arms, tossing her up as she stands, so as to let Nihka have free hands for inevitable health-checking.
Nihka stands, and runs over to the pair, once Sehki is in An's arms. She's already reaching into her bag to pull out potions and other fun things!
"You do yourself great honor with the display of skill you have presented this day." V’aleera says to Kiht.
“.. Kiht...†Nihka speaks.
Kiht smirks almost as if she hadn't lost. "You mean I was a pain in your arse." She says teasingly. "....I am glad I accepted your challenge." She says in a tone of relief of all things. She weakly glances to Nihka. "I think I am bleeding...."
â€.. Yes, bleed...†Nihka responds. She rushes close and kneels next to the woman, already prepping bandages and unscrewing jars of her alchemic salve.
Anstarra's eyes are bright as she looks over the contestants, with a brief glimmer of envy quickly suppressed. "It's been a while since I got to enjoy spearplay. It's almost enough to make me nostalgic."
Nihka's ears lower a bit as she works, her tail twitching all serious-like.
V'aleera gestures to Nihka and Kiht, moving several steps back and allowing treatment to be directed toward her defeated opponent before herself.
"Nay.... Treat my wounds, but do not dull the pain this time. I want to enjoy this for a bit. Let the pain be a reminder of all I have learned from this." Kiht speaks out.
Anstarra bounces Sehki a little, looking a bit put-upon as the kitten uses her head and shoulders for stepping stones.
Nihka pauses, her ears twitching... But she nods, and gets to work, letting the salve sting as it starts to mend the flesh.
"You were most certainly a pain, Shroudwolf." She looks down at the boot-print on her belly, grimacing before offering a small, genuine smile and nod of respect, "But yours is a lance I would have fighting at my side against any foe." V’aleera interjects.
Nihka pulls out a bandage and smears on more salve; she pulls out a needle and some thread, and begins to stitch the flesh wound closed with small, delicate stitches.
--
"At the time, I did not think that loss would change anything about me. Indeed I would learn, and mayhaps become stronger, but in a real battle, there is no living to learn from defeat. There is only death.
It was time I stopped trying to be what I was not.
It was time I let myself be something better."