Max and Kessa were fighting in the yard. They had been fighting for hours and quite the crowd had gathered to watch them. Neither of them spoke as they fought. No battle noises. All you heard was the thunk of wood on wood. When the swords came out, the clink of metal on metal.
Kol stepped beside Frego, “how long have they been doing this?”
“It’s been awhile.” He sighed. “I’m waiting for one of them to get hurt.”
As they watched, Kessa would change hands. “I didn’t know she was ambidextrous.”
“She’s favoring her right arm.”
“How about her hip?”
“Max hasn’t tried to use that yet. I think he’s saving it for later?”
“Do we need to put an end to this?”
Frego gave his dad a look, “I’m not.” He turned his head back toward the fight. “Did you two get into it last night?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Watch her. She’s angry. I am going to say something to her about that. Especially since she made it a point to remind me to control my emotions.”
Frego was right. The longer Kol watched her the more he knew she was upset. He left Frego’s side.
Kol was getting ready to walk out onto the field. Marcus stopped him, “ that’s not a good idea, sire.”
Kol’s voice was flat. “I understand.” He motioned and two white flags on either side of the field started waving. Max and Kessa stopped fighting.
He walked out as a hush fell over the soldiers gathered to watch. “Max you are relieved.”
All Max could do was give Kol a blank stare. Deep down he was grateful. Tired, hot, covered with sweat and sand. He finally said, “hurt or not; your in for a fight.”
Kessa was never one for show. No showing off her moves. No loud noises. No taunts or teasing about her adversaries inabilities. She just waited. Waited for Kol to make the first move. And he did.
Max was beside Frego. “Forgive me my prince, does he know what he’s doing?”
Max felt movement beside him. Lilly asked, “how long can they do this?”
“All day.” Frego sighed.
“Who taught you?” Lilly asked Max.
“She did.”
“Who taught him?” She pointed at Kol.
“She did.” He and Frego answered at the same time.
“Because neither has quit, does that mean they are evenly matched?”
“For the most part.” Max answered.
“Remind me not to make her mad.” Lilly sighed.
“Max,” Frego leaned in to whisper. “Do you have any idea what’s going on?”
“Let’s end this.” He pleaded.
“Okay.”
At that moment, Kessa threw down her weapons and walked away. The crowd started to break up.
“What does this mean?” Lilly asked. Kol lowered his weapons and followed her.
Frego answered, “now it’s private.”
Max made a motion with his hand and the group of soldiers scattered.
“Let’s get out of the sun for awhile?” Frego smiled.
Max was gone.
They turned to leave, “I will never understand this.”
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