The Salle, Monday Afternoon

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Sulking wasn't a pastime fit for a king, and yet Edmund had found himself doing just that since his arrival in Fandom. There was only so much brooding Edmund could take from himself, so he made an effort to get up early and find the salle that Peter had mentioned.

He retrieved his sword from the weapons locker and, glad to have the feel of the hilt against his hand, started on a series of exercises. It simply wouldn't do to fall out of practice.

[Open as salles are]

Comments

[therhimineecat.livejournal.com]

Seregil wandered down to the salle after his last class; it had been a while since he'd down any practice with his sword and he figured it was time he rectified that.

He paused when he saw the salle already occupied. "Am I interrupting?"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund stopped mid-stride and straightened. "Not at all. I thought I'd get some practice in." He nodded politely. "I'm Edmund."

[therhimineecat.livejournal.com]

"Seregil," Seregil replied, returning the nod. "Would you perhaps be looking for a sparring match?"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

A smile appeared on Edmund's face. "Would you perhaps be offering?"

[therhimineecat.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps," Seregil said, his mouth twitching upwards. "It's always more fun to have an opponent."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"It would be remiss of me to turn down such an offer," Edmund said solemnly, then grinned. "And it would be fun. I'd like that."

[therhimineecat.livejournal.com]

Seregil stepped over to the weapons locker and retrieved his sword. He saluted Edward with the blade. "Shall we?"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund lifted his blade to return the salute, then stood at the ready, feet placed apart. He wasn't sure if Seregil was a skilled swordsman or new to the blade, so he waited to see if he would attack first.

[therhimineecat.livejournal.com]

Seregil started with an easy thrust, wanting to get a measure of his opponent before he tried anything too fancy.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund stepped back and deflected the thrust gently, then pulled his sword back to slice in the direction of Seregil's shoulder.

[therhimineecat.livejournal.com]

Seregil easily spun out of the way, bringing his sword up for a cross cut at Edmund's midsection as he did.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

That was close. Edmund stepped out of the way and brought his sword up to deflect, then tried to catch Seregil's sword with his own to bring it down to the ground. "You're quite good."

[therhimineecat.livejournal.com]

"So I've been told," Seregil said with a cocky smile. "You're not bad yourself." He took the hit on his sword, letting his blade slide down until the tongs on his guard pressed against Edward's. He twisted his arm trying to pull the sword out of his hand.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund wasn't about to give up that easily. He pushed hard, then pulled back and twirled on the spot to pull his sword free of the grip and position himself where he could try to give Seregil a shove. "Thank you."

[therhimineecat.livejournal.com]

Seregil dropped below the shove, and swung his blade at Edmund's legs.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

A little too slow, Edmund found himself smarting from the blade glancing off his shin. He took a few steps away to reposition himself and reassess the situation. He darted forward and swung up.

[stucklikadope.livejournal.com]

Giselle was wandering. Perhaps she was lost but perhaps not. As it is, she got to the salle and stopped short. "Oh! The knight! Hello!"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund couldn't resist a smile as he bowed. "Lady Giselle. A pleasure, as always."

[stucklikadope.livejournal.com]

She dropped him a curtsy. "Are you practicing to slay a dragon, Sir Edmund?"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"If one was to attack, I would certainly do my best to defend. Do you expect a dragon to stop by?"

[stucklikadope.livejournal.com]

"Not that I know of," she said thoughtfully. "But it is so nice knowing someone is prepared."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"I do my best, lady. Are you here to practice fighting?"

[stucklikadope.livejournal.com]

"I don't know anything about fighting," Giselle said. "I was enjoying the music of the wind in the trees when I came upon this place. I thought I ought to see what it was!"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"It's a place to practice swordwork," Edmund explained, "and probably other forms of fighting as well."

[stucklikadope.livejournal.com]

"Well, that makes sense," she said happily. "Do you come here a lot?"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"This is my first time. My brother used to come here to practice. I hope to practice here regularly. You're always welcome to join me."

[stucklikadope.livejournal.com]

"Should I watch?" Giselle asked curiously.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Or learn. It's said that fighting isn't for ladies, but I suspect my sister would prove anyone who says so wrong."

[stucklikadope.livejournal.com]

She paused, tilting her head, her hands echoing the movement. "Really?"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"She might even make them cry if she was feeling particularly strongly about it that day."

[stucklikadope.livejournal.com]

"Oh no! I am sure a sister of yours could never be so cruel!" Giselle exclaimed, obviously horrified at the thought.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"I'm joking, of course," Edmund reassured her when he saw her distress. Giselle certainly was a strange girl, but since he hadn't really been around any other human girls aside from Susan and Lucy for quite a while, he wasn't entirely sure if all girls were this literal or if it was just this one. "About the crying. She's a very good archer."