Kelton winced as the wooden blade smacked into his already purpled arm. Had he not closed his eyes in reflex when he saw Vil'anous find the opening, he wouldn't have taken the second strike to the right thigh. Kelton grunted as once again as Vil'anous drove forward into his chest and forced him to the ground.
"Stay down," Vil'anous said. It wasn't the first time he demanded Kelton remain down.
Kelton shifted away like a snake and rose, ignoring his complaining muscles. It seemed as if his skin flowed loose above a sea of bruises. Nothing was going to make him stay down, not even a giant of a Nagada. He was sure Vil'anous disliked the not-born-right being offered the twin-tails. This was one test Kelton intended to pass.
"Come," Kelton said. It came out weaker than he intended. Vil'anous came forward with the same speed and energy he possessed at the start. A whirlwind of flying blades moving through the air amidst Kelton's blurring vision. Kelton caught the first with a parry, then missed the next three strikes and once again found himself on the ground, new pains merging with old.
"You are done," Vil'anous said.
"Nay," Kelton whispered, then more loudly as he found his feet again. The sun was lowering, its rays weakly finding holes in the foliage. Kelton staggered as he set himself, the wooden blades he held now many times heavier than when they had begun when the sun was high. They didn't rise quickly enough as Vil'anous attacked.
Only twice had Kelton hit Vil'anous with a faux blade, and both were mere taps. The man was skilled beyond anyone Kelton had ever faced. Even the Brothers in Aragonia were sloppy compared to Vil'anous. Unlike Kelton, both of Vil'anous's blades moved with equal determination. Kelton could only effectively use the left like a shield, depending upon his trusted right for strikes.
Kelton accepted a strike to his left side; a vicious open bladed thwap that forced air from his lungs. He could have blocked, yet accepting the pain allowed him to grab a small instance of offense. His left blade thrust forward, causing Vil'anous to swipe it away with his other sword. It went flying into the trees as expected, offering Kelton the smallest of openings. His right blade swung with power and found Vil'anous' thigh with a pleasing audible sound. The music of landing the strike was followed by a series of vicious attacks from Vil' anous. Kelton smiled, the pain a worthy cost to land a real blow, as he once again found himself forced to the ground.
"Done," Vil'anous said. He sounded out of breath.
"Nay," Kelton said, then slipped as he tried to rise. His legs were becoming sloppy, no longer remembering the order of events necessary to stand with confidence. He felt a hand push gently down on his shoulder.
"Done," Vil'anous said again. "The light fades. It is over."
"I have failed?" Kelton asked, his cheek still hugging the dirt. Of all the responses Kelton expected, laughter was not it. He rolled over and found a welcome hand thrust forward to help him to his feet.
"There can be no failure here," Vil'anous said. Kelton was glad to see the sheen of sweat reflected on the man's skin. It showed itself when he shifted in the leave filtered twilight. A sign that Kelton's defeat hadn't been without effort. "Come, they have been waiting long."
No failure? Kelton was confused. Opul had said it was a test given to all who desired the twin-tails. He thought he had to present a challenge to the challenger, declare himself by deed to be worthy of the blades that would be offered. Instead, he had been beaten down time and again with bruises to mark each failure. Only once had he delivered a strike mirroring real damage, and that given at the cost of his own life had the blades been genuine.
