Thread: Squire's Secret (Benny and Gunner)

Jacqueline heard the heavy boots across the compacted sand. She perked up and turned to see Sir Friderick striding towards her. His expression was hard to read. Was he angry? Irritated? Hungry? Did he see what had just happened? Well if he did he would know she was no slouch when it came to combat at least. Little of that mattered anyways. Fully suited in his armor he was an imposing figure. Tall, strong, his dark hair curling around his brow and ears. Blue eyes fierce in a finely boned face. For a moment she felt her knees shake. Her legs were weak, her body suddenly heavy, face and ear incredibly warm. Heaven above she needed to get ahold of herself. Jacqueline tore her eyes away, shaking her head somewhere as she made sure the blade was clean. Her sudden swell at Friderick's presence quickly deflated as he spoke. Rather than praise for a battle well won he berated her. She looked up at him as he scolded. Truly taken aback at his accusations and lecture she place a hand to her chest in her shock. Taken a beating from those hooligans? Why on earth would she left those dregs get the better of her. Nothing of what he said made any darn sense. Why should she care about being an outsider? If those ruffians had a thimble of sense between them they would do well to stay away. Sir Friderick began pacing, twirling the broken training sword in his hand. Her eyes narrowed curiously at him. He wasn't thinking...no that would just be foolish. Again she was surprised at his challenge. Fight him with her sharp sword of steel while he wielded the broken wooden sword. Her head tilted as she frowned in confusion. The offer of knighting on the spot was tempting but it was a stupid challenge. Either she was going to win the fight or be devastatingly humiliated. Friderick was experienced, more so than her. She honestly didn't know if he had been in real combat or just in tournaments. Either way he had spent far more time in real combat than she had. Of course he was hampered by the armor, he would be slow. She stared him down as he moved but he stopped. The spray of sand from the toe of his boot forced her eyes closed and head down a little but she didn't move. You obviously saw my fight with the other squires. If you wish for me to apologize to the boy I will. Though I will have you know they are the ones who surrounded me. You would have me do nothing? Take a beating just to appease their idiotic egos? I will never stoop to appease the male... She caught herself and cleared her throat. ...male-icious...malicious...egos of fools like them. And I don't think it's entirely fair of you to challenge me with half of a wooden sword, Sir Friderick. Jacqueline huffed a short sigh. With no warning she ran right at him and swung. Her movement were no longer haphazard like they were with the squire. Yet they weren't as fluid and swift as when she was going through the motions by herself. She was pulling each strike. Friderick might be wearing armor but she wasn't willing to possibly hurt someone who didn't have a proper weapon to defend with. Just like with the other squires. Still she moved like a dancer. Her strikes not particularly strong but they were fast, like a little snake.