Day 4: What world does your character exist in? Real or imagined? Scientific? Fantastical? Write a scene where your character is shown in their world.
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Aian cried out as he attempted to dodge another brutal blow from Balayn’s sword. The blow met Aian’s shoulder and knocked him to the side and off balance.
A noble man, is Aian, thought Trey, but not nearly skilled nor aggressive enough.
Aian regained his footing and ducked below another of Balayn’s mighty swings. A quick twist, and Aian’s own sword smacked Balayn in the side. The sword met mail with a clatter and Balayn grunted.
Still, Balayn is sloppy, so there’s hope for Aian.
Another swing from Balayn caught Aian on the wrist and off balance. Aian’s sword flew from his hand. Aian and Balayn watched the sword fall. “Hah!” shouted Balayn, as Aian plopped to the ground.
The tournament crowd squealed and shouted at the sight before them. Balayn! Balayn! Balayn! they chanted.
“Hah!” cried Balayn, and he turned his back to the junior Mark-bearer. Balayn looked smugly at Trey and the King, who sat side by side under a canvas awning. Balayn bowed to the King, then turned his eyes to Trey with a glare. He turned with a snap and marched off the field, as Aian rose gathering his dropped sword. Aian turned to his King and bowed deeply, before walking off the field himself.
Gilbert leaned to speak into Trey’s ear. “So sloppy. Shameful.”
“And yet. And yet,” said Trey with a grin, indicating toward the screaming crowd.
“Aye. Perhaps one day he’ll become the grand man he thinks he is!”
“Maybe,” replied Trey, with a chuckle. “Probably not. Bother.”
Gilbert leaned back into his seat. Trey looked past him toward the crowd of women below. The Queen’s ladies-in-waiting all tittered and giggled about the show of masculine prowess that tournaments always were. All except one. His Lady – his love – Hanna, sat among the gossiping girls in silence, her eyes following Balayn’s every move, her countenance making plain her disdain for the man.
The weight of Trey’s gaze must have been heavy upon her, because she suddenly turned and looked up toward him. A faint smile crossed his lips as their eyes met. As suddenly, she lowered her eyes to avoid his stare. Pain was evident upon her face. Trey frowned. He had missed her company this past few days.
“Pine not for that woman,” the King said to Trey, breaking into his thoughts. “Foolishness,” the King continued as he turned his attention to the next pair of Mark-bearers walking onto the field. Trey turned to look at His Majesty, who said, “Now this should be a good match!”
Travis and Markus stood on the field and bowed to the King, the Queen, and then to Trey. Trey nodded his approval, trying to appear interested, but frowned and sank back into his thoughts when the duelers turned away. He stole another sideways glance at his love. If he were King, things would be different. He sighed. Or would they? he thought bleakly.
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 