Log--A Sparring Match
This scene takes place at the garrison on the banks of the Oisen:
Good day, lady Cannaugh." greets a scruffy old captain by the name of Burtold. "Take your horse for you?" offering a semi toothless smile
Nineve nods, keeping her tone lowered. "Is the commander here, Burtold?" It sounds curious enough but there's a guiltness that steals over her expression. One she tries to keep from relaying to the older man.
"Aye, he is. And in a foul mood too, if you ask me." Taking a moment to spit on the ground, "Been on high alert and we worked through /lunch/. But you'll find him up there." Points the scruffy captain.
Leto breaks from the treeline at a slow trot. His horse black and lean, an animal built for speed and bursts of power. He reigns up and puts the animal through a quick dressage drill of cantering and side-stepping as he surveys the area and finds his destination. He sets the animal in a slow trot towards the tower.
Nineve grimaces and nods. "Oh, then he will be overly joyous with me now," she mutters under her breath. She hands off to the book she holds to the older man. "Think you can put this with my bunk," and then she's off to make her way to the top of the tower.
Burtold nods, taking the book, but his eyes are fixed on a new arrival. "Can do, lady." Handing off the reigns to one of the younger stable boys, "The commander expecting company?" He spits again, away from Nineve.
Nineve looks over towards Leto. "Oh my, he's early," she comments and continues upwards to meet up with Kincaid. Butold's question going unanswered for the time being. She offers a sharp bow when she arrives. "Commander, more drills to the south?"
Leto is met by several guards at the gate of the Oisen, one scruffy older man asks, "Help you sir?"
Kincaid says, "No."
Kincaid blinks to Nineve, distracted from some thought, "I mean, yes." He points off in the distance, offering the spyglass, "They are nearly out of sight now. Skirmishes."
Kincaid nods, "Yes, please. Though I may have to depart to finish some work. You are most welcome to." He extends his hand to the air.
Raphaela appears suddenly, grasping Kincaid's hand.
Nineve seems taken aback and the response and takes the spyglass to check on the men. "Hmm," she says noncommittally. "So... a bit of both," she offers and hands back to the glass. She looks back down and calls. "He's with me, sir."
Leto brings his horse to a stop a respectful distant from the old soldier. He tsks to it and canters the animal a bit. "You most assuredly can my dear man. I have an engagement with Lady Nineve Cannaugh, and I wish to pay respects to the Commander of the Garrison. If you would be so kind as to announce that Lord Leto de Sorgo awaits them and is at their service in every regard."
Burtold eyes Leto, but hearing Nineve and the mention of noblility, waves off the guards. "That I will my lord, one of the stable boys will see to your horse. Please." He gestures inside the ford before turning to yell, "Commander! Lord Leto de Sorgo is here."
Raphaela blinks and looks down "He's like a doom. Always around." she chuckles and gives a wave down.
Leto dismounts and hands the reigns to the appropriate party. He stands patiently and gives Raphaela a gesture of greeting.
Kincaid cannot hide the smile for Raphaela, nor the roll of his eyes with Burtold's gruffness. "Thank you captain." Raising a wave to Leto, "Come lord Leto, if nothing else, you will speak of the beauty of Oisen's setting sun upon the river." He greets. To Nineve, "Yes, a little of both. Those men need be ready fight and move as commanded. They'll run the length of the river and back, forced march."
Nineve settles back on her heel, smiling warmly to Raphaela. "Just in time, my lady. Your cousin just arrived to see to our agreement," she says brightening as she looks over to Kincaid. "I've a few drills that I had been thinking of trying on the morrow, if you would like."
Raphaela smiles at Nineve, with her hand still resting idly in Kincaids. "Agreement?"
Kincaid raises a brow to the mention of agreement, but to Nineve, "That will not be neccesary. Perhaps after we discuss those concerns."
Leto joins the rest of the group and looks around. "Well, it is a rather majestic environment, don't you agree Knight-Commander? He flourishes a deep bow to Kincaid, "I do appreciate the invitation Milord." He turns to the Ladies and bows once again, "Hello mia Cugina, Greetings Lady Nineve."
Nineve dips her head to Kincaid. "As you wish, Commander."
Raphaela smiles at Leto "Oisen is a gorgeus place. Isn't it, and the view!"
Kincaid straightens and returns the bow, "Lord Leto. We honored by your visit." Turning to send off one of the officers, with orders of providing refreshments.
Leto says, "The honor is all mine Commander. And yes Cousin, the view is admirable."
Mozart wanders up out of the histle and bustle. "Ah, there you all are. Evening."
Raphaela waves a free hand at Mozart "Hello. How have you been?"
Leto nods a greeting to Jack.
Kincaid lets Raphaela's hand go, to wave at Mozart, "Brother. Glad you could join us."
Nineve looks over to Mozart, smiling warmly to the man. "You are just in time," she replies and look over to Raphaela and Kincaid. "Your cousin and I have an accord and had hoped to find a quiet place to settle the matter."
Kincaid says, "This accord? This is the agreement you mentioned?"
Raphaela's head tilts "Oh?"
Leto chuckles and interposes himself quickly, "It is a small matter. I wished to test the mettle of my Cousin's teacher. We are going to spar, and made a small wager on the outcome. As I said, it is a small matter."
Raphaela oooohs "A bet." she grins "I'm in."
Nineve nods, chuckling softly. "Yes, and a good natured one at that." She glances over to Kincaid, her smile fading. "Unless you'd prefer we settle it another time, Commander."
Leto laughs, "All right dear Cousin, a bottle of brandy verses a new dress that I win. Do you agree?
Mozart says, "Double wager. Hrm."
Kincaid says, "The yard is yours and lord Leto's if you wish." Turning to Mozart, "What say you brother? Should we place a friendly wager upon this agreement?"
Raphaela grins "I'm betting on you of course, House principles and all...So what of the two do you get if you win? I have exellent brandy and awesome tailor." she blinks innocently. Then grins.
Mozart holds up a hand. "It's a blind bet for me, and I'll pass, thank you."
"You are bruising my ego, commander," remarks Nineve candidly, shaking her head. "Shall we sate everyone's curiosity now, my lord? Or shall we see if another happens along."
Leto spins to Kincaid, "Commander, it appears that Raphaela is betting on me, let's put her wager on your shoulders. Brandy verses a new dress?
Kincaid chuckles with Mozart, but to Nineve, "I mean no offense. Only that I have seen you fight and know it will be no small feat to overcome your skill."
Raphaela looks at Kincaid and chuckles.
Kincaid nods to Leto, "I will take that bet."
Leto nods, "Excellent," He turns to Nineve, "Well Lady, I am at your service. Blade gaurds only, I believe we agreed?"
"That it was," Nineve replies and heads back down the tower. One hand slips down to the pouch to pull free a leather strap when she lands and begins tugging the long har back and into a ponytail.
Raphaela smiles and folds her arms behind her back "Oh this should be fun."
Kincaid smiles warmly to Raphaela, "Indeed. After you my lady."
Raphaela smiles back at Kincaid, inclines her head and bounces after Nineve.
Leto follows his opponent as he removes his cape. "Someone find me a gaurd for my blade, please."
Mozart hefts his cane and follows.
Kincaid pats his brothers shoulder and follows last. Coming down into the yard, "Captain Burtold, a blade guard for lord Leto and Lady Cannaugh." The scruffy captain answers with an 'Aye Commander.' and the blade covers are fetched.
The yard is large, good for housing stored goods and supplies. A small training square is laid compactly in the northern corner, fixed with benches and a stone sparring ring, though the ring is square.
Raphaela smiles at Nineve and Leto "Good luck...And remember Leto dear, it's house honor you're defending, you're not in only for the dress." she grins impishly.
Mind you, she does say that quietly enough for nobody outside company to hear.
Leto unsheaths his sidesword, a percusor to the rapier. It is a short weapon, made for cutting and thrusting. He enlists the aid of a nearby soldier to assure the bladegaurd is secure. After flipping the man a coin for his service, he turns to his Cousin and salutes her. He removes his weapon belt leaving the main-gauche in its scabbard.
Nineve disappears from sight for a time in the stables. The cause perhaps re-emerging in a scabbard in one hand as she makes her way towars the stone ring. She takes the blade guard from the soldier. "Thank you," she replies and pulls it over the blade of the sabre.
Mozart rests both hands on the pommel of his cane, which digs into the ground before him.
Raphaela finds something to lean back against, grinning.
Leto steps into the ring and begins a warm up. It is apparent that he is not an attack/counter attack fighter. It almost appears as if he is dancing, except that he is holding a gaurded blade at an odd angle. He stops and awaits his opponent's arrival.
Kincaid signals over a young man who carries a tray of refreshments over to a long bench. "Thank you." says, Kincaid, whose attention is more upon the two competitors, "How will the contest be measured?"
Leto says, "By style and skill....and whoever ends up on their butt first."
Nineve steps into the ring. No care having been taken to replace the skirts with the leathers, an agreement is an agreement. Her gaze appraising as she watches his warmup and spins to step backward, one foot behind the other. "You seem as though you might be a lovely dancer," she offers to Leto with a salute of her own guarded sabre.
Leto returns the salute and grins, "I am a lovely dancer, Lady Nineve. If I do say so myself."
Raphaela grins "Don't trust him. Your toes will be grateful."
Mozart chuckles and watches.
Kincaid smiles between Mozart and Raphaela. Then stepping forward, taking to announce the event, "Fighters! Take your positions behind your lines. Present arms for salute." Taking a deep breath, "Begin!"
Nineve steps back to the line, another quick bow. She does take a deep breath, unbothered by the skirts and soon dropping into a fighter's stance at the call.
Raphaela chuckles at Mozart, eyes focusing on combat.
Leto salutes his opponent once more. He shuffles gracefully towards his opponent and suddenly takes his gaurd. He begins a Compasse, and assumes a defensive stance of stesso tempo trying to circle his opponent.
Nineve 's own steps do not seem the type to run into combat. Intead she twitches the blade to catch at Leto's with each casual swing. Her attention on his face while she studies his stance and circling about her opponent. A subtle smile tugs at the corners of her lips.
Leto grins as the blades touch. He attempts to achieve atajo, or the control of his opponents blade. It isn't quite working, but he continues to thrust and cut at strange angles towards Lady Nineve as he weaves around her. He is not making a direct attack, but many indirect, oblique ones.
Raphaela grins, bouncing against whatever she's leaned on as her eyes track the movements.
Nineve arches a brow, sliding her blade along his. Her own attack held or striking out only in defense to push back the blade. Barely giving a step back at the stranger angles employed. "You're rather talented," she mutters under her breath. After one more such advance, she tries to slip the blade free to reach beneath his guard.
Leto is making Nineve's weapon his target. He strives to control the conflict through that avenue. He continues to thrust at oblique angles and come at her from the sides as he circles. "You are not so bad your self, Milady."
"I did tell you that I was trained since a young woman," notes Nineve with another catch and push of his blade away. Her moves untiring and patient. Only the slight widening of her gaze at a near catch averted.
Leto grins slightly, "I had no idea." He jumps to avoid a particularly quick lunge, and rolls back. Immediately on his feet he begins Compasse and closes with Nineve in a blinding flurry of slashes.
Nineve retreats a step. Her blade moves faster and deliberate determination to brush aside each stroke. "Ahh, I thought it was evident telling you that I was Lyonnesian then," she jests, though her teeth grit together and the smile somewhat strained.
Leto winds his blade around Nineve's with fluid movements. The sweat that springs from his brow belies the effort his face will not show. As he bobs and weaves around the fair Knight he continues to target her weapon and control it. "In some ways I'm an idiot, Mother always said I don't pay attention to what people tell me."
Nineve presses back. Blonde tresses cling to her cheeks an threaten to obscure her vision. "Here I would have thought she'd have warned you away from Lyonessian women," she tease and continues to brush back against his attacks.
Raphaela says a bit louder to Mozart "He wants that dress really hard, doesn't he?"
Mozart says, "Not sure I want to see him in a dress."
Raphaela says "Yeah...But his legs aren't that bad.."
Leto avoids Nineve's press with by stepping around and past her line of movement. He rolls and spins. With a full frontal flip he places himself directly in front and inside her gaurd. He achieves atajo with odd-angled attacks directly on her sword. "Well Lady Nineve, do you yield? I can keep this up all day." The bravado is there, but the strain on his face gives lie to his words.
Nineve tries to retreat at finding the Sorgo beneath her guard. Her tone casted lower to reach only her opponents ears. "We had better or be here all night," her tone a little breathless from the exertion. Another retreating step, "so you get a painting and a dress, I believe." Her words wry even as she takes another step backwards.
Mozart says, "Yes, but the facial hair tends to throw off the effect."
Raphaela chuckles. "He'd look lovely in pink."
Leto draws a breath and salutes Nineve with his sword. "You Lady Nineve are a most grueling opponent. That was well done."
Raphaela bounces over "Congratulations. It was a wonderful match."
Leto bows to Nineve, and then turns and bows to the audience. He stands and says in a somewhat loud voice, "Will someone please fetch me some strong drink?"
Nineve laughs and reaches up to tug free the leather thong. "We could see to the Mead hall, but would you take my coin rather than a painting, my lord? She winks to Mozart. "I guess we should send word to Lady Estelle of her new commission."
Raphaela curtseys sketchily, lack of dress not interrupting the fluid grace "Allow me, oh, victorious cousin."
Raphaela walks to the refreshments to pour all brandy or scotch or something.
Raphaela blinks "Estelle? Sorgo has few of her works."
Mozart says, "Ironically....doesn't Estelle mean Star?"
Leto gestures acknowledgement to his Cousin, "Yes, please will you? He sits with a whuf and begins to unlace the gaurd on his sword. "Yes it does," he answers to Jack's question.
Raphaela nodnods "It does." she gives the shots to all, flashing a smile to Nineve. "Aaaah. I haven't been there still...We can go, please?"
Mozart says, "Sooooo many stars in the sky."
Nineve settles into another chair, allowing the fall of curls to hide away her face while she loosens the guard. "Truly ironic after what you said stella means," she offers quietly. Raphaela's tone enough to draw her back to her feet and reaching for Leto's hand. "Seems it is to the Mead hall." With her free hand, she holds out the sabre to one of the guards. "Could you place this with my horse again."
Leto looks from Jack to Raph to Nineve. He smiles fondly at the Knight from Lyonesse, "Why not? Let's go to the Mead Hall. I still want that painting, though."
Leto takes Nineve's hand as unobtrusively as possible. "But let me rest for a moment. Where is that drink mia Cugina?"
Raphaela chuckles "You two could use a time for destinkization...But who will care after a few meads..."she winks and offers cousin a shot.
Nineve laughs softly. "If only Cyndre were with us. She can rival all but Prince Gerard himself for her insatiable thirst of mead."
Mozart says, "And, well, it's a mead hall. The mead itself perfumes the air."
Raphaela grins "They're of same size and spirit, they can take it." she chuckles.
Raphaela contemplates "We should make them drink duel sometime."