Jazzman (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} jazzman87) wrote,@ 2004-09-15 10:54:00 |
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Chapter Three: A Bandit’s Gamble
“Pardon me, Miss, I believe you may have dropped this.” I turned around. I was shocked to see Red standing behind me with his hand outstretched wearing a grand smile. In his hand rested my change purse. As his devilish grin beamed I felt my anger flair up through me. With a cry I quickly snatched it back, “You dishonorable bastard!”
“Aha! I may very well be a bastard, but I gave back the purse didn’t I?” Red shot back, still grinning.
“You thief!” I gasped. A few merchants passing by slowed pace and focused their attention to our discussion. A worried look briefly flashed across Red’s eyes but then dissolved, “Hey, shhh. Let’s not start something. Besides,” he said lowering his voice, “I’m a bandit, not a thief.” Then he winked.
As if his gesture somehow, in the most bizarre of ways, pierced me, I felt my anger tranquilize. Even as I looked at Red I could feel a betraying grin start to spread across my face. I let out a soft giggle to myself. I added under my breath, “Damn.”
“Perhaps we should promenade, miss?” inquired Red, still smiling.
We walked down the street. The market atmosphere was intoxicating. I began to grow curious. I asked, “Where do you suppose we go?” He looked at me for a moment as we walked and the gave his reply, “Shopping.”
As we brushed by people in the street Red conversed, “First off, I have to apologize. I meant to be an ally. I only not wanted you to stick around a bit longer. Still, my behavior was quite...”
“Dishonorable,” I supplied.
“Dishonorable,” Red agreed, “But I couldn’t lose you, Janya.”
“If you think...”
“I assure you, nothing of that sort,” he cut in, “I’ve always been inquisitive type. It’s only, I couldn’t pass up a chance to meet a Royal Berduman Dragon Knight. As you so elegantly put it, you kill dragons. That is a feat I wish to see.”
I laughed. I asked Red, “Where do you suppose there are dragons to slay? You do realize that I am merely a slayer by title. I am trained to kill dragons with the practical application that I serve King Berduma. There are no dragons. They are myth.”
Red smiled. “When you’ve traveled as much as I have you see the hint of truth held by every myth.” His eyes twinkeled. “I am a traveler by nature and I don’t intend on stay here much longer.”
“Why are you here?”
“The Festival.”
“Hotshot,” I mocked, “Think you have the sharpest dagger, huh?”
“Exactly. Here we are.”
We stopped walking when we reached the shop on the street corner. Red pushed open the shop door and a jiggling bell overhead welcomed us. “You see,” Red continued, “I’d like to test out my skills.” The store was lined with shelves and cabinets. Each display rack showed the finest weaponry in Lyndton. With his back to me, Red carefully inspected each dagger in the case against the far wall. He continued talking, “The festival is a true test of gladiator spirit. I would very much like to see a dragon knight participate. Aha!” Red picked up a dagger and flung it whirling into the air. The blurred, spinning, razor hung at the pinnacle of the toss for a moment then dropped down into his hand. With a satisfying thud, Red’s palm and the dagger’s handle connected. “Nice balance,” concluded Red, “So? Shall I have the honor of battling side by side with the lady knight?”
While Red talked my eye swept over the numerous display cases. Most displays contained swords. There was a very nice selection of short swords. A display case to the left housed some of the finest double-edged broadswords I have seen in Lyndton. A grand weapon for any knight I thought to myself; however, I always found swords constricting. I walked over to the weapon rack on my right. Here I found a few pieces that were more familiar to my touch.
“I’m curious,” Red added, “as to who’s blade will be sharper, miss?”
“I accept your challenge. Unfortunately, I carry not a blade to match yours with.”
“Oh, what’s that supposed...” Red inquired as he turned around to face me again. Handle firmly gripped, I rested my new twelve foot lance over my shoulder. Red stopped mid sentance. Faced with the thought of contending a lance Red seemed somewhat intimidated. I grinned.
“Pardon me, Miss, I believe you may have dropped this.” I turned around. I was shocked to see Red standing behind me with his hand outstretched wearing a grand smile. In his hand rested my change purse. As his devilish grin beamed I felt my anger flair up through me. With a cry I quickly snatched it back, “You dishonorable bastard!”
“Aha! I may very well be a bastard, but I gave back the purse didn’t I?” Red shot back, still grinning.
“You thief!” I gasped. A few merchants passing by slowed pace and focused their attention to our discussion. A worried look briefly flashed across Red’s eyes but then dissolved, “Hey, shhh. Let’s not start something. Besides,” he said lowering his voice, “I’m a bandit, not a thief.” Then he winked.
As if his gesture somehow, in the most bizarre of ways, pierced me, I felt my anger tranquilize. Even as I looked at Red I could feel a betraying grin start to spread across my face. I let out a soft giggle to myself. I added under my breath, “Damn.”
“Perhaps we should promenade, miss?” inquired Red, still smiling.
We walked down the street. The market atmosphere was intoxicating. I began to grow curious. I asked, “Where do you suppose we go?” He looked at me for a moment as we walked and the gave his reply, “Shopping.”
As we brushed by people in the street Red conversed, “First off, I have to apologize. I meant to be an ally. I only not wanted you to stick around a bit longer. Still, my behavior was quite...”
“Dishonorable,” I supplied.
“Dishonorable,” Red agreed, “But I couldn’t lose you, Janya.”
“If you think...”
“I assure you, nothing of that sort,” he cut in, “I’ve always been inquisitive type. It’s only, I couldn’t pass up a chance to meet a Royal Berduman Dragon Knight. As you so elegantly put it, you kill dragons. That is a feat I wish to see.”
I laughed. I asked Red, “Where do you suppose there are dragons to slay? You do realize that I am merely a slayer by title. I am trained to kill dragons with the practical application that I serve King Berduma. There are no dragons. They are myth.”
Red smiled. “When you’ve traveled as much as I have you see the hint of truth held by every myth.” His eyes twinkeled. “I am a traveler by nature and I don’t intend on stay here much longer.”
“Why are you here?”
“The Festival.”
“Hotshot,” I mocked, “Think you have the sharpest dagger, huh?”
“Exactly. Here we are.”
We stopped walking when we reached the shop on the street corner. Red pushed open the shop door and a jiggling bell overhead welcomed us. “You see,” Red continued, “I’d like to test out my skills.” The store was lined with shelves and cabinets. Each display rack showed the finest weaponry in Lyndton. With his back to me, Red carefully inspected each dagger in the case against the far wall. He continued talking, “The festival is a true test of gladiator spirit. I would very much like to see a dragon knight participate. Aha!” Red picked up a dagger and flung it whirling into the air. The blurred, spinning, razor hung at the pinnacle of the toss for a moment then dropped down into his hand. With a satisfying thud, Red’s palm and the dagger’s handle connected. “Nice balance,” concluded Red, “So? Shall I have the honor of battling side by side with the lady knight?”
While Red talked my eye swept over the numerous display cases. Most displays contained swords. There was a very nice selection of short swords. A display case to the left housed some of the finest double-edged broadswords I have seen in Lyndton. A grand weapon for any knight I thought to myself; however, I always found swords constricting. I walked over to the weapon rack on my right. Here I found a few pieces that were more familiar to my touch.
“I’m curious,” Red added, “as to who’s blade will be sharper, miss?”
“I accept your challenge. Unfortunately, I carry not a blade to match yours with.”
“Oh, what’s that supposed...” Red inquired as he turned around to face me again. Handle firmly gripped, I rested my new twelve foot lance over my shoulder. Red stopped mid sentance. Faced with the thought of contending a lance Red seemed somewhat intimidated. I grinned.
