Page 6 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke
He did not spend long before coming back with two swords in their scabbards.
“How about we have a mock duel before you leave?” James asked him.
William smiled and collected one of them.
“Of course, where is there space for us?” William replied.
“Follow me,” James answered.
He walked out of the room, down the corridor before turning to his left and taking a short staircase up. He pushed open the door at the end of the stairs to reveal a wide empty room. The walls were old and washed; there was a lingering smell about the place. William turned up his nose upon entering before asking his friend.
“What is this place?”
“It was once used as a piggery but that has long ended. You discover that the smell doesn’t leave easily if the room isn’t used for something else,” James answered.
“This was where I was practicing when you came,” he continued.
William jumped into the center of the room and removed the sheath from the sword. He sliced the sword through air and twirled in different directions through different angles.
“We have to be quick. We don’t want to be late,” William said.
“We should get there late, ruffle a few feathers. Let’s see if we can unravel a few of his tricks if we do get there late,” James replied.
William saw sense in what he said and turned to face him in an aggressive stance. James pointed his sword back at William before returning William’s bow.
James attacked first, the slice of his sword was sharp and quick, making a shrill clanging sound as William parried. William was known for his incredible footwork and quickness of mind in a sword fight and he was already trying to turn around James’ free side. As James turned with him, William flicked his sword at James’ head making James duck then in a sudden change of direction brought the sword to a downward stroke. James scrambled out of the way, losing his footing and ending up on all fours a few feet away from William’s shining sword.
“Stand up,” William said.
“That was close. You won’t get another chance like that,” James replied.
William smiled and nodded his head. He gestured with his other hand for James to come forward. James got up and walked to William, putting his sword forward as a screen for any of William’s probing flicks. William moved in two steps, slicing towards James’ midriff but he blocked it and pushed back, becoming the aggressor. James hit at William’s chest, a thrust that got blocked close to his chest but James was not done. He sliced his blade on the blocked blade, using brute strength to push William’s blade backwards. William had to jump backwards to prevent his own blade from digging itself into his chest. He took more backward steps as James rushed forward with what looked like fury. His swipes were everywhere, attacking William’s head, legs and midriff.
William seeing that his friend was pressing him, cutting off his space turned quickly to his right. He had moved out of the way of the blade instead of blocking it, freeing his blade to be used to attack. He skipped closer to James who was dragging his blade back towards William. William had other plans. He was within blowing distance of James and parried away James’ sword before kicking at James’ legs. James crumbled to the ground and was attempting rising up again but for the blade now at his throat.
“Yield or die,” William said, a smile creeping into his sweaty face.
James laughed back and swatted the blade away with his sword before putting it back into its scabbard.
“I see you haven’t lost your nimble feet,” James said.
“Did you want me to?” William replied while he sheathed his sword.
“I will take this sword along with me,” William said to James.
“Yes, I think you should. I did see that the Duke stated that swords would be provided for you. Make sure you get to pick your sword first,” James told him.
William using his sleeve to dab the sweat gathering at his forehead, answered his friend while walking out of the room.
“I will do that. Now let’s go. My duel awaits me,” William replied.
James said nothing. He followed his friend out of the room before leading him to the stable. There was a young boy attending to two brown stallions at the stable.
“Take this weapon. You do know where to keep it right?” James said to the boy.
The boy nodded eagerly and rushed out of the room. James led the horse out of the stable and mounted it, kicking gently into the side of the beast. William was already on his horse, gradually increasing the pace of the horse.
“Is it noon already?” William asked James.
