Sword Play
The Characters:
Larissa, daughter of Dalt, swordslady extraordinaire. (Played by Bonnie.)
Kyle, son of Brand, sorcerer without peer (except maybe Lorius). (Played by Brian)
Luke, aka Rinaldo, King of Kashfa. (Played by Paul.)
Dalt, Larissa's over-protective father. (Also Played by Paul)
Nameless Servants (Also Played by Paul)
Furniture. (Also Played by Paul.)
Narration by, you guessed it, Paul!
~~~
[It was a warm summer day in the Court of the Salesman King. Kyle had decided to visit his dear brother, after his latest Bike is eaten by hounds. Larissa was also in Jidrash, the capital of Kashfa, having lately arrived from her home shadow. Dalt wanted to show her the Golden Cirle, and thus Larissa has been living in Jidrash for awhile. Larissa and Dalt were trying out Luke's latest culinary creation...Fajitas, in the dinning room. Dalt sat brooding at the table, wondering why you need something to wrap up the meat. Not much converstaion was flowing, which always seemed to be the case when Dalt and Larissa were together. Into the room walked Luke with a hungry stomach.]
Larissa was hestiantly taking a bite of the Fajita.
Luke: It's good, Larissa, honest. That red stuff is salsa, for seasoning if it is too bland
Then Kyle walks in, dressed in black, with a copper shirt, smiling.
Luke: Ah, hello Brother...impeccable timing for lunch, as usual.
Kyle: Hello Luke, Dalt.
Dalt: Kyle
Larissa's eyebrow raises at the newcomer.
Kyle: Always pleased to try out a new recipe.
Luke (to a servant): Another setting for Prince Kyle.
Kyle (spots Larissa and bows a half bow): I don't believe we've had the pleasure...
Luke (notices Kyle's unasked question): Ah, you two have not met. Larissa, this is Prince Kyle, my half brother.
Larissa (nods in greeting): "Hello Kyle."
Luke: Kyle, this is Larissa, of Q'rin.
Kyle: The pleasure is mine.
Kyle (glancing over at Luke): So, what's on the menu today?
Luke: Decided to show Dalt and Larissa here some Earth food...Chicken and beef Fajitas to be precise
Kyle: Mmm, sounds good.
Larissa (cocks her head to one side): It is edible.
Kyle (smiles): A matter of taste, no doubt. What sort of quisine does Q'rin have?
Luke: Ah, come on Larissa...that's an answer your Dad would give.
Dalt pokes at a beef fajita guardedly.
Kyle raises an eybrow. Looks at Dalt, back to Larissa, back to Dalt. Shakes head slightly left to right. Chomps on a fajita.
Larissa (smiles at Luke): Alright then, it is . . .appetizing. (She than looks at Kyle) Depends on whether you were royalty or a peasant.
Kyle (smiles at Larissa): Touche, milady.
Larissa (seems to be appraising Kyle, then comes to a decision.): I have eaten from both categories. (She then looks at her food) I believe I prefer this one.
Kyle: I suppose that you have a very good point. Too many of us are spoiled by the luxuries our heritage allow us. I am humbled by your perceptiveness.
Kyle (To Dalt, jocularly): It won't bite you, you know, just take a chunk out, and put plenty of the salsa on it.
Dalt begins to finger the tines of his fork. Larissa finishes her food with relish seeing thatDalt is uncomfortable.
Dalt: Kyle, You should know that Larissa is my daughter
Kyle (to Dalt): Well, I thought I saw a resemblance, but her beauty threw me off the trail. Well met, uncle.
Kyle chomps a bit more of his fajita, with gusto.
Luke: I have to agree with my brother, Dalt...enjoying the fajita will not kill you.
Larissa looks at Kyle: You are Brand's son also Kyle?
Kyle (to Larissa): Yes, I am, by a different mother.
Luke: You Bet, Larissa. Brand figured that two, were better than one. ( Grins and chomps away at a beef fajita)
Kyle: Although, I confess, I am still not sure whichof us is older, what with shadow lag.
Larissa nods her head as if that answers a question she had.
Kyle (to Larissa): I've not seen you at court yet. Have you recently come to town?
Larissa nods her head yes.
Dalt finishes his plate, obviously still a bit hungry,but unwilling to continue eating the dish.
Kyle (To Dalt): Perhaps I could conjure you up a desert? Leg of lamb, maybe?
Dalt: Just remember, nephew, I don't stay in a Forest
Kyle (to Dalt): Well, if you don't want any dessert, just say so, uncle.
Larissa (looks from Dalt to Luke): I thought Julian lived in the forest.
Kyle smiles ingratiatingly at Dalt. Dalt almost growls at the servant who replaces his dish with a fresh cup of wine
Kyle (laughs): That he does, along with his hoards of wee beasties.
Larissa (frowns): Thought there were big.
Luke Laughs!
Kyle (nods to Dalt): Come, uncle, lighten up and enjoy the party.
Luke: Kyle here, Larissa, played a little joke on Prince Julian once...and now fears every time he goes into Arden
Dalt: I believe this was intended to be Lunch
Kyle (To Luke): Kyle here fears very little in this world, but is content to let Julian play his games.
Dalt (looking at Larissa): Sword Practice in sixty minutes
Larissa (nods her head in agreement): Yes Father.
Kyle (To Dalt): Lunch, party, both social events. Wouldn't hurt much to be a bit more social.
Larissa (looks to Kyle): What kind of joke?
Kyle (looks a little embarassed): Well, I put him to sleep in his potatoes at a state dinner.
Dalt (laughs): I will admit you embarassed Amber that day.
Larissa surprisingly laughs outloud and Luke smiles as does Kyle.
Kyle: Well, I'd say that Julian shows his behind enough to embarass any civilized court.
Larissa (looks Kyle up and down): Do you sword fight?
Kyle: Well, I've been trained by the best on my own shadow. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean much around these parts. Smiles.
Larissa: Perhaps we can practice after my session with Dalt
Kyle: I believe that Benedict once remarked upon seeing me practice with the castle guard, "Slow and stupid."
Dalt: I would enjoy observing that, daughter
Larissa (looks at Kyle): I don't think your stupid.
Kyle (To Larissa): Thank you. I think he was commenting more on the swordplay than in general, although it is hard to tell.
Luke: Prince Benedict has a strong work ethic.
Kyle (To Dalt): Like you enjoyed watching my wrestling drills with Gerard? I hope to deprive you of any broken bones today. (Smiles.)
Luke: Face it brother...you simply won't meet his standards.
Kyle (To Luke:) Oh, I doubt if too many meet that man's standards.
Larissa (begins to get up): Then I will see you on the grounds later?
Dalt: My daughter could use the practice
Kyle (To Larissa): Certainly.
Kyle (To Dalt): At bone breaking? I hope not.
Luke: Should I print up tickets?
Dalt grumbles.
Larissa (nods to all present): Till later...I have things to do. Nice meeting you Kyle.
Kyle (To Larissa): Nice meeting you, Larissa.
Larissa leaves the room to attend to other business.
Kyle: I am probably not good enough to give her much of a workout, if she takes after you, Dalt. Still, I appreciate her offer, I may learn a thing or two.
Dalt: WE will see you later, Kyle
Kyle: Bye
Dalt exits
Kyle (To Luke): What crawled up Dalt's butt today?
Luke: That is his one and only daughter. The slightest bit of flirting is going to make him an unhappy man.
Kyle: Aha, and I have been nothing but a gentleman today. Courlty manners and flirting are two different things. Besides, I'm from Earth, and we have this thing about first cousins there . . .
Luke: Not to Dalt, they aren't! I know that, you know that, Dalt knows that, but do you think Dalt cares?
Kyle: Well, I could hardly ignore her. The big ape would get offended at me for insulting her.So, what do you suggest we do to curb daddy's protective streak?
Luke: Say as little as possible to her
Kyle: OK, that sounds reasonable.
Awhile later . . .
[Larissa is on the practice grounds going through her drill and stretches. Dalt is loosening up with his broadsword. Kyle follows Luke to the grounds. Kyle is not about to go without Luke to reign in Dalt.]
Luke: Wouldn't miss this for the world! Too bad Nayda is off in Begma visiting her father
Larissa (finishes up and looks over at the arriving party): Hello again.
Dalt (looks up): Luke (pauses) Kyle.
Kyle nods to Larissa and Dalt
Larissa looks to see if Kyle brought a weapon
Kyle flexes his wrist. A nicely made katana appears in his hand.
Dalt: Cheap trick
Kyle (To Dalt): That trick cost me a month's pay to learn! (Smiles)
Dalt (steps over by Luke): First blood or disarm
Larissa takes up a relaxed stance and waits for Kyle's move
Kyle (smiles): This shouldn't take too long, then.
Kyle takes a three point stance, sword out front, waiting. He cautiously begins to circle to
Larissa's offhand side, watching.
Larissa lets him circle around wanting to see what he has got.
Kyle doesn't seem anxious to attack. Then Kyle suddenly feints high, comes down with blade to outside of leg, leaps back.
Larissa brings sword down to parry the attack but doesn't advance yet
Larissa easily parries the attack, and Kyle's katana bounces harmlessly off
Kyle (to Larissa): You're fast.
Larissa nods but doesn't answer.
Kyle comes in with a high stroke, attempts to simultaneously sweep Larissa's foot while she parries the blade.
Larissa parries the blade while jumping to advoid the sweep.
Kyle attempts to roll a shoulder into her midsection while she is in the air.
Larissa twists like a cat in the air, and pushes Kyle's blade bone-jarringly out of the way...and as Kyle tries to roll a shoulder into larissa, she spins enough to continue her attack, and prick Kyle's sword arm, though, surprisingly it does not draw blood.
Larissa tries another attack this time on Kyle's other arm.
Kyle fights purely defensively, using footwork and blade both, hard pressed to defend himself.
Larissa begins to steadly advance waiting for an oppoturnity to arise, and strikes at Kyle's arm in due course, with enough force to draw blood.
Luke: Game set and Match!
Kyle (smiles thinlipped): Enchanted blade, I see. Would've taken the arm had I not been prepared, no doubt.
Dalt: You could have beaten him minutes sooner, daughter.
Larissa (looks at her blade with a frown ignoring her father): You are right Kyle. I apologize. I meant to switch swords before practice but it seems I forgot.
Kyle (To Larissa): Ah, well, it's only a flesh wound. By the gods, you fight like the Morrigan herself!
Dalt: Kyle used some sort of magical protection
Luke: Gee...I feel like this was a boxing match
Larissa: I am glad he did! If I had hurt him... (she doesn't finish the sentence)
Kyle (To Dalt): No shit, we weren't playing with dulled blades. I'd have given it to her on the first blow, but she's so fast, I didn't have a chance to concede.Do you have a problem with that, uncle?
Dalt (crosses his arms): I merely observed.
Kyle: Fair enough.
Larissa: If it had ended to quickly, it would not of been educational.
Dalt: I believe one of the points is made, isn't it Kyle?
Kyle (To Larissa): Ah, and I learned that you are simply too fast with a blade for me to spar with.
Are there any observations you'd like to share with me? Any pointers?
Larissa (thinks it over): Your basic moves are fine but slow. They will improve with practice.
Kyle: Aye, I am a bit deficient compared to most around here. I suppose it was for lack of a worthy opponent.
Larissa: Practice and time will cure that.
Luke nods in agreement with Larissa
Kyle (To Larissa): My thanks, Lady. I shall endeavor to improve my speed.
Larissa (seems to think a moment): If you like, I could practice with you sometimes.
Kyle tosses katana, which dissappears as it leaves his hand.
Dalt grumbles
Luke: You might actually learn something not involving magic, brother.
Kyle: (smiles at Dalt): I'd be more than happy to tutor you in the Arts, uncle.
Dalt: Unnecessary
Kyle (looks at Larissa):Alright, then! I'll take you up on your offer. The castle gaurd are able opponents, but they don't seem to challenge me enough to encourage improvement.
Dalt (low voice): A one-winged chicken would be an able opponent for you.
Larissa (gives Dalt a sad look): Combat is not everything.
Kyle (To Dalt): A one-celled amoeba would be more than your match in a mental contest, uncle.
Dalt (looks at Larissa, ignoring Kyle's insult for now): Suit yourself.
Larissa (shrugs): One can learn from being the teacher.
Kyle: Besides, a warrior uses all of his resources, uncle.
Larissa (looks at Kyle): If you stay awhile I can get you started on a routine. One you can use even when I am not around.
Kyle (flashes a brillant smile): I would like that.