Linet and Lucius

Ambush

Gareth gave Lucius back his sword, and Linet took out hers. “Begin, she stated, as they crossed swords. Almost immediately, Lucius feinted a blow toward her shoulder, but instead went for her stomach. She just barely dodged it, twisting out of the way just in time. Still twisting, she rotated three hundred and sixty degrees and brought the flat of her sword down on Lucius’s chest. His armor softened the blow, but it was still enough to throw him back a few feet. He was dazed for a second, but was able to dodge the next blow that Linet sent at him. He ducked her swipe to the upper chest, and swung his sword at her legs. She jumped over the sword, and swung again at his chest. He again dodged the blow, rolling away from Linet. She turned to face him, and the fighting resumed. After twenty minutes of this, however, it was evident that they were very evenly matched.
Before Lucius could attempt to strike again, Linet held up her hand. “Hold. I knew you were the best dueler in Rome, but I did not know you were this skillful.” She seemed impressed.
“You underestimate me, as most do. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to resume the duel.”
“Very well,” Linet replied, and readied her sword once again. There was a fire in her eyes, one which no one had seen before. Her eyes narrowed and she lunged so quickly that her sword was a blur of silver. She struck at Lucius’s sword handle, and there was no way that he would be quick enough to block it in time. The sword flew out of his hand, and became embedded in a nearby tree. Linet came at him with her sword, and he stumbled backward. Lucius tripped over a root and fell flat on his back. She towered over him and placed the cold steel of her sword to his throat. “Do you yield?”
There was a long pause before he whispered softly, “I yield.” Linet helped him to his feet, and Lucius held out his wrists, ready for them to be placed in chains. “I am a man of my word, so I will not run. If you wish to put me in chains, I will not struggle. I only ask that I be able to see my future wife before you take me away. I would do anything for her, and I do not wish to break her heart. Please, allow me to see her one last time, and I will do whatever you wish.” Lucius's eyes pleaded sorrowfully.
“If I may ask, what is her name?” Linet inquired.
“Kiarra,” Lucius answered, letting his arms drop to his sides once more.
“Hmm... where does she hail from?”
“Egypt, I think.”
“And does she know her heritage, or wish to know it? For I believe I knew her mother.”
The surprise on Lucius’s face was apparent, and he answered, “I have often heard her express a desire to know of her heritage, and I do not believe that she knows it. But if you wanted to know the truth, it would be better if you would talk to her yourself.”
“I understand, and I will go see her right now. Gareth, if I am not back within three days’ time, take him to the castle without me. I will catch up.” Gareth nodded, and Linet set off deeper into the forest. She ran for about a mile before she came to a small village. Immediately after entering the village she ran to where horses were being sold and bought two with some of the money she had taken off of Lucius. Once on her new horse, she galloped toward the palace as fast as she could. While she rode, she let one horse follow behind, but still keeping pace. It took an hour or so for her to reach the palace, and when she did she stealthily climbed up the outer wall, in a place she had noticed no guards ever looked. Once inside, Linet went to the servants' quarters and changed into a maid’s gown. Then she went down to the kitchens, took a cart of food that was waiting there, and headed to Kiarra's chambers.
        No one took any notice of her as she walked up the stairs to the floor that Kiarra was staying on. When she arrived at her room, she knocked on the door and asked to be let in. Kiarra came to the door and opened it, revealing an elegantly decorated room. There were velvet curtains covering the windows, a huge, beautifully decorated bed, a rustic-looking oak desk, and a bookshelf overflowing with books. But the most enchanting feature of the room was not a piece of furniture, it was Kiarra’s long, elegant, red gown.
There was a man in her chambers, however, and it was obviously not her fiancé. He was balding, and appeared to be at least in his late forties. Dressed in a toga, he seemed regal, and almost royal. Linet wondered who he could possibly be.
Kiarra stood there, waiting for her to enter the room. When she did, Kiarra questioned, “I did not order any food to be brought up here. Who sent you?”
Linet bowed low, and replied, “Your fiancé, my lady.”
At this, the man jumped up in shock. “You have heard from my son? Is he safe?”
“You must be Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. It is an honor to meet you. Yes, I know where your son is. He is safe, for now. My husband has him in his custody, and he will be moved in three days time, regardless of whether or not I am present. If you wish your son to be returned to you safely, you must do whatever I say. If you do not, you will never see your son again.”
Kiarra gasped and asked, “Never? Please,” she begged her, “let me see him one last time, before you take him away. I would do anything in the world to be with him.”
Linet smiled and replied, “Yes, you may see him one last time, for he asked to see you as well.” Kiarra heaved a sigh of relief, and Linet continued, “If you wish to see him, I will blindfold you and take you to see Lucius.”
“So you call him by his first name, do you? What, are you two close are something?” Kiarra grew suspicious.
“Fairly, but not in the way you think. You see, I have bested him in a duel, so he respects me. Also, we had made a bargain before the duel that if I won he would not try to run or escape. If he had won, I would have freed him.”
“You have bested my son in a duel? That is impressive, for even I cannot best my son in a fight.”