Thread: Spoils of War (Decay&Maria)

For people who knew little about the war going between these two powerful kingdoms, they would believe that this was just a mere quarrel amidst two great warriors. In reality, this duel would most surely decide which kingdom would leave the battle victorious. The Cardonian men needed this mysterious warrior to arise as the winner and defeat the fearsome Ranoc general. Without his leadership on the front lines, the Ranoc army would be lost. Along with that aspect, with the defeat of the young prince would extinguish the morale of the cocky Ranoc kingdom. If things went easily for Maria, she would even be able to kill the Prince in front of her bearing his sword . That would ensure a confidence boost for Cardon kingdom and ultimately cause the Ranoc army's strategies would crumble to the ground. Maria was a realistic person, though. She knew there was no way in hell this sword duel would be anywhere close to being smooth. From the rumors she heard from wounded soldiers that she helped stitch up, it seemed as if he had almost been untouched. His skills were out of this world and the best in the every nation. His pure size, muscles, and quickness alone could win this battle against the smaller princess. Maria knew and accepted that. So why did she fight this man? She saw his one weakness and it wasn't his thin armor on his leg. His over-confident ego was the key to winning this battle, or at least putting on a good show. Maria stayed silent as her sword clashed loudly against Tristan's. Though it did not show, she struggled to match his tremendous haste and vigor. He allowed no chance for her to make a jab towards his armor to wound him. Of course, she avoided his lunges with her quick footwork. As she looked around, her fellow Cardonians held back the ruthless Ranoc men to let this battle end in an honorable way. Silently they rooted for her to win this battle which inspired her to keep fighting though her strength was dwindling beneath Tristan's powerful strength. The thought of this battle bringing her death onto her was creeping into her mind. It was highly possible, but the stubborn woman refuses to let it happen. She never backed down from any of his strikes of his steal weapon, no matter how much her body protests. Maria gritted her teeth as he made that arrogant comment about her skills. This vain man before her truly believed he could analyze her skills in battle with him right before her. Did he really think that was appropriate and honorable? It was like rubbing dirt into an open wound. Her blood boiled even more as her weapon flew out of her hands on onto the ground between them from a flick of his sword. She glared at him from beneath his helmet. I was raised to never give up. Especially against a cocky bastard like you. She growled back at him, trying to disguise her voice with a deeper tome but still sounding quite feminine. In a rash movement, she swung her foot up to kick him up in the chest. The kick was hopefully powerful enough to send him on his behind or stumbling back a few steps. With this she reached down to pick up her sword, stumbling to her knees as a soldier from behind had bumped into her. She quickly crawled to her sword, holding it up high on her knees. She prayed he was still unprepared by her last attempt kick that she could get back up and fight.