"You're friends with Forest Dragon now, my lady?" Lionel was somewhat startled when he found out that Vienna and Maddie had come riding Emer Algon. Something no one had ever done before, and Algon was not a Dragon who was friendly to others.
Emer Algon lay, curled up at the edge of Draco Saltus' waterfall, a phoenix child perched atop one of its horns. They faithfully waited and watched Vienna.
"All my new friends here." V shrugged and smiled widely. Her hand pointed at the phoenix child who was watching V quietly. "I should give you a name. What, huh? Maybe, Ace? You like that?"
The phoenix cub bobbed its head, then flapped its wings in excitement, liking the name V had given it.
V turned to Lionel. "Let's go; you said we were practicing real swords?"
Maddie sat on one of the rocks, her eyes sparkling, enthusiastic, and eager to see the fight between Lady Vienna and Sir Farren.
Lionel nodded, expressionless. He took something out of his baggage that was draped over the horse's saddle. It showed a sword that had an artistic handle. The color of the sword was as red as blood with a black body. "This is the Red Mage Rapier sword. One of the legendary swords in Oakhaven. In the center is the red Excelsis gem. Legend has it that the body is drops of the god Xandros blood specially carved into this sword."
Vienna's eyes lit up brightly; she picked up the sword and drew it from its gleaming steel sheath. "It's a bit heavy, huh? I like the design of this sword. I've only seen a black blade."
"But I think this sword suits you."
"Where did you get this?" asked V as she could see the reflection of her face from the blade of the sword. In the noon sunlight, the Red Mage Rapier seemed to glow as if tongues of flame. "You gave it to me? Is it a gift? I haven't beaten you yet, have I?"
"No problem, you deserve it." Lionel added dryly, "You practiced hard all night, without complaining. The heavy physical training of martial arts is commonly used in the military. It took me a month to master it myself. In such a short time, you have mastered some of the techniques. That's remarkable."
"Thanks, Lionel. I like this."
"You're welcome, my lady." Lionel rubbed the cold nape of his neck, promptly casting his gaze away. Seeing Lady Vienna smiling so broadly and expressing her sincere thanks to him made Lionel uneasy. "Are you ready? Please use the safety harness."
"Yes!" Vienna was excited; she put combat gear on both hands and feet. Vienna flicked her sword nimbly many times, adjusting her grip. Taking a stance. "Don't hesitate, Lio. Strike me in earnest, so that I can measure my own ability."
"Whatever happens, I truly apologize, my lady." Lionel bowed his head respectfully. "I had no intention of harming you."
V just chuckled cheerfully. "Yes, I know. Relax. Even if I get hurt, I won't blame you."
"Cheer up, my lady!" Maddie called out; she really liked Lady Vienna's waterfall half ponytail hairdo. Proud of her own handiwork. Then Maddie was aghast as she scrutinized Lady Vienna's uncharacteristic change of expression, as if Maddie was seeing someone else. "Why?"
The sharp blue eyes darkened, V raised her sword, formed a horizontal position, and prepared to face Lionel. Suddenly the Red Mage Rapier glowed reddish in V's hand.
Lionel's eyes widened at the sight. Then he darted forward, opening up an offensive using a high stance, V parried it with powerful uppercuts. A triple combat series of kicks, punches, and elbows forced Lionel backwards. Engaged in a fierce duel, their steel swords clashed powerfully with every strike, striking against each other, creating flakes of fire as they collided.
The Red Mage Rapier throbbed, flaring up to a blazing appearance to accompany the agile parried movements and efficient thrusting, clashing, and slicing strikes, but defeating Lionel was not easy. V had to fall down and get up many times to find a way to penetrate Lionel's powerful defenses.
Now, V's fathom why, in Oakhaven, no one had been able to defeat the Knight Lionel Farren.
"Oh my God!" Maddie let out a stifled squeal, cupping her mouth in consternation. Maddie was startled out of her seat as the tension of their fight was running high. "Be careful, my lady!"
Forest Dragon and Ace were equally tense.
V spun deftly; opened space to feinting high strikes, then swiftly switched to low strikes. Vienna's genius movement almost fooled Lionel, and he didn't expect it at all. V's strike tore through his left arm.
Despite the injury, Lionel aggressively increased his assault. Lunged forward, with a sword raised in his strong hand. V was repeatedly beaten back; Lionel's combination offense was so fast that V had trouble dealing with it. Lionel brought V down with a powerful mick kick. Vienna lost her balance, almost toppled over, and Lionel launched a full cut—lifting the Red Mage Rapier in a horizontal guarding position that was able to withstand Lionel's full cut.
They writhed, holding on to each other's muscles. Lionel continued to press his sword, angling and forcing Vienna to surrender, slumping on the ground.
V's breathing was ragged, trying to find a way out of this deadly situation.
Lionel snorted. "What would you do if your life was threatened like this? You're already cornered; there's no way out or turning against me."
"It's not over yet, Lionel." V smiled slantily, deliberately flopping down with a rapid and strong flourish of her sword, then disarmed Lionel's blow.
It terrified anyone who was watching this fight. Forest Dragon even woke up alert.
It was beyond Lionel's expectations; his world seemed to stop spinning. He had mistakenly underestimated Lady Vienna's abilities and glorified his victory. Lionel was staggered; it was the first time in his life that a sword had bounced out of his hand, and it left him in a state of great fright.
Vienna kicked Lionel with a powerful side kick, forcing him to fall backwards and onto his back.
"Oh my, are you alright, Lio?!" Vienna got up, doing a kin-up. Stopping her charge; noticing the fresh blood seeping in a flood from Lionel's left hand. "Oh, I'm sorry."
"That was skillful, my lady. Impressive. I wasn't expecting it." Lionel got up, paused briefly to catch his breath, and smiled faintly. "You're getting better."
V extended a hand, helping Lionel to his feet. "I'm the one who's grateful; it's nice to have a mentor like you, Lionel."
The sight shook Maddie, who had never seen Lionel show a smile in her life. She ran over, approaching Lady Vienna. Making sure that her eyes were not mistaken. "My goodness, Sir Lionel Farren is smiling! Did you see that, my lady?! His smile is charming!"
Vienna guffawed simply. She didn't expect spending time with them to be so much fun. V let out a sigh of relief, the back of her hand wiping away the flood of sweat on her forehead. Once again, she stared intently at the Red Mage Rapier under the evening sun.
A gift that I will never forget.
In the evening, the sight of Draco Saltus' crystal-clear waterfall appeared even more splendid, reflecting Lionel blushing while rubbing the back of his head, Maddie cawing with delight as if a singing sparrow. Ace perched on Vienna's shoulder, and Forest Dragon bowed his head before V.
***