The Link between a page and a knight - PSL for Link in Tortall

[chicklet]

 Passage into this world would not have been easy, and there would have been an odd sensation like ripping through the remains of a barrier that tried to keep him out, but was too tattered and torn to work properly. Thankfully, the gods were with him in one respect. He could have easily landed in a company of the King's Own, or the Queen's Riders, or the Palace Guard. Instead he dropped down just outside the palace in front of a youngster, all of eleven years old - though topping five feet already at that age, heading to the city proper. 

Kel stopped dead, seeing a boy with pointed ears appear out of nowhere, then drew her small knife, wishing she had her naginata, or even one of the horns the pages used on their field trips. She didn't even have her dog or the birds with her, all of whom had proven themselves this past year. But she was still a page of the kingdom, to the shock of all, and she was not going to let some immortal get past her. Even if this was the first time she'd ever seen an immortal that looked like a kid.

But with those ears, and appearing like that, he had to be an immortal? Right?

All of this was running through her mind, but none of it showed on her face. Her expression was blank, as though she were a carved statue of a person rather than flesh. Her stance was practiced, though she never thought to be fighting off an immortal with just a belt knife, no matter how fine the black handled blade was! Her brown hair was cut short above her ears, her hazal-green eyes watched him with no seeming concern. No seeming emotion at all, really. 

But Mithros' spear! She could at least have a weapon or back up or something!

<i>No, Kel. Stone</i> she reminded herself sharply. <i>No, not stone. A serene lake. </i> she needed to be able to flow into her motions, rather than stiffen up.

"Who are you and what business have you here?" she asked, and her voice - as emotionless as her face - was pretty much the first, last, and only hint that the person menacing him with a short blade was female. 

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[chicklet]

She gave him a very odd look at his name, then finally shrugged. "As names go, it's better than the Claw, I suppose."

"What can we of Pirate's swoop do you you, young master Link?" George asked, his hazel eyes twinkling.

[younghero]

"I'm partial to it," Link said quietly. "And you'd have to ask them."

He didn't know what to do, so he stared at the floor.

[chicklet]

"He was speaking with Keladry of Midelan," Daine said softly, to Alanna. "About wanting to go home, and wanting to try himself against our swordsmen."

"And no one is better with a blade than our Lioness. Except maybe a Shang Warrior," George said, dancing out of the way before his wife could kick him. She didn't try that hard.

"Watch it, Laddybuck," she warned. Then she shrugged a bit at Link. "Not sure how we could get you home. If you need a ship, that's on George, not me, but we could warm up and I could see what you've got."

[younghero]

Link flicked a glance up. "I can get myself home, but, so far, I haven't been allowed." He'd attached a song to the Southern Gate of Nautilus. All he actually needed was a moment of privacy to play the Ocarina, but, he wasn't terribly optimistic about getting one.

He took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Okay. Only if you promise not to go easy on me."

[chicklet]

"Not allowed? Well, after you dance with the Lioness some you can chat with me about what that means."

Alanna snorted. "I won't kill you, but if you can meet me on my level we can go harder. But this isn't a duel to the death, no matter how skilled you may be."

[younghero]

"Who said anything about to the death?! I'm not trying to kill anyone, I'm trying to improve my skills, which is hard to do if one of us is dead!"

Link huffed, crossing his arms, tapping one boot anxiously.

[chicklet]

"You said not holding back. I am a Knight of the realm, when I don't hold back, people die. When I hold back at the wrong time, I could die. I've had to the death challenges before. I have learned to make it very clear that I will not accept them anymore."

Rodgir still haunted her some nights.

[younghero]

Link gave her a flat look. "First of all, it wasn't even my idea to come here, why would I kill you? Do you get a lot of murdery kids my age?"

A pause, but, his expression didn't change. "Secondly, you're already assuming you'll win. And that's a dangerous attitude to go into a fight with, even if it is friendly."

[chicklet]

Her lips actually twitched up a bit at that. "I'll be in the training yards, apparently," Alanna told her husband.

George chuckled lightly. "Thought that might be the way of it, lass."

She turned and started leading the way.

[younghero]

Link followed solemnly. He walked tensely, trying to make sure he wasn't walking into a trap.

[chicklet]

She led him to a huge interior courtyard setup with practice dummies and archery targets, as well as a larged cleared circle for sparring. A small building was set to one side for weapons and armor, to keep them safe from the elements. She was rolling her shoulders as they walked. "Sword and shield, I'm guessing, or did you have some other preference?"

[younghero]

"Sword and shield is fine." He paused. " I'm sorry you got drug into this. I didn't mean for that to happen."

[chicklet]

She shrugged. "Don't be sorry, be good. I could use a work out. Besides, not you I'm mad at. Any rules you want to set?"

[younghero]

"I'm decent."

Link blinked. He'd never even really set rules when he and Shadow sparred.

"I guess not?"

He drew the razor sword and readied his shield. The fact that he was left-handed was now apparent.

[chicklet]

She nodded at that, grinned, and swapped her sword to her left hand, her shield to her right. "The rules I want to propose. Maximum time one hour. Go to yield or third blood. No magic. No death blows. No crippling blows."

[younghero]

Oh, so like a session with Shadow---both left handed.

Link's expression reminded stoic. "I'm just gonna disarm you."

And that was fully what he intended to do.

[chicklet]

She grinned at that as she stepped into the ring. "Do feel free to try." She studied unarmed combat with the Shang Dragon. She'd never be as good as Liam had been, but she knew what to do against an armed knight when she had no weapons. Normally for a sparring match that wasn't in full mail she'd kick off her shoes, but not if she was going to be kicking against a sword. The good metal lined thick sole would help her there.

And not JUST like Shadow, she isn't left handed. She's learned that swapping at the wrong time is stupid, at the right time? Victory.

My fighting writing is abysmal, my apologies

[younghero]

In fairness, sparring with Shadow was unique for a myriad of reasons.

"In that case---ready, steady---go"

That was all the warning he gave, before launching himself directly at her only to weave and jump up behind her at the last second.

I am bad at it too

[chicklet]

She watched his hips and shoulders more than even his weapon. He didn't try to trash talk her, which already proved him smarter than most of the opponents she faced. Alanna never understood losing one's breath to insult the person you were fighting, plus she found that not responding tended to make people stupid mad. She could use stupid.

She turned with him as he moved behind, and fainted with her shield for a bash that was clearly going to fall short because she wasn't letting go of her guard. Let him think she was making a fool move, let him focus on her arms. While she was moving her arms, her leg slid into the pivot, to try and sweep his feet.

[younghero]

Link jumped up and pushed forward with his own shield, before leaping backwards and assuming a defensive position.

[chicklet]

She smirked a bit, though she wished she'd thought to put on a headband. She tried a feint for another leg sweep, too far off by a hair to connect, to see what he'd do.

[younghero]

He could tell she was off, and instead focused on going at her. Even worse, he had an inkling that it was on purpose. Link took the pommel of his sword and went for her gut, to try and wind her, and hopefully disarm her while she tried to get her breath.

"Hey, I said not to go easy on me. Stop messing up."

[chicklet]

She danced back and smirked. "There is a difference between going easy on you and taking your measure." Besides, her strength is in her stamina. Well, one of her strengths. She likes wearing her foes down. Basically anything that makes them stupid. So anger, exhaustion, ego....

She rolled her shoulders as she circled slowly, as uf utterly unconcerned about what he might do.

[younghero]

There was a glint of gold from the Triforce of Courage on the back of his left hand.

"Four foot two."

It was almost impossible to tell if he was joking or not. But, the flicker of gold, coupled with a very deadpan expression, pointed towards a positive.

[chicklet]

She snorted and while snorting, lunged for a thigh cut keeping her shield high to cover her sword arm, neck, and head.

She wasn't really all that much taller than he was, and she had learned how to turn a small strike zone into an almost impossible one.