laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

     "Father Jeremy; do not trouble yourself, I am always willing to help. It is our duty as followers of Arhus. What problem troubles this town and the church?"

     "Several travelers have been attacked by bandits near here; we have no one available to bring them to justice. It seems when Knights from Carbost come to investigate, they seem to hide until the knights leave. Would you be willing to put yourself in danger to bring these brigands in?" A young knight enters the hall and waits quietly of to one side.

     "Father Jeremy, you do not have to worry about me, Arhus has always watched over our family and my father has taught me well. I would be honor to bring these thugs in."

     The young knight overhearing the conversation, pipes up, "Father, you can't let this lady put herself in such danger, it is no place for a female. Besides, she'd most certainly fail."

     Ehlana snaps back "What! You think just because I'm a woman that I do not know how to handle myself in combat! I have news for you, you arrogant fool."

     "Ehlana, mind your manners," the priest corrects.

     "I will not, this foolish boy needs to be taught a lesson"

     "Lessons, what lesson could a foolish girl teach me?"

     "Well you must have been sleeping when they were teaching knights never to underestimate your opponent. Do you care to find out how skilled I am with a sword?" The argument goes back and forth for a few minutes. Ehlana turns to the priest "Father would you happen to have some practice swords, so I can teach this baboon a lesson or two?"

     "Ehlana, you mustn’t challenge everyone that thinks you are not capable of handling a sword. One day it will get the best of you. And for you young knight you should have been taught better manners"

 

     The young knight "If the foolish girl insist, I would be glad to teach her the use of a sword.

     Father Jeremy "Very well then, follow me you two." Once retrieving two practice swords, he leads them outside to a field. "I do not care for arguments to be resolved by violence, but from my experience, some time one must let two young passionate people resolve things by a test of skill or humiliation thru violence. So, respect each other as you were taught no matter which one of you wins."

     The young knight, expecting his opponent to have little to no skill at all, took a relaxed stance. Ehlana took full advantage of the young knight's stance, attacking him quickly. For the next several minutes, all he could do was block or parry with his sword. Not wanting to be humiliated by a female, the young knight would not give in. Before long, he was able to get in some offensive attacks. As they fought each other, the priest watched. Thirty minutes passed, neither giving in, then all of a sudden Ehlana started instructing the young knight on technique, "Sir, do not thrust so far, it will put you off balance" as she gently pushes him, knocking him off balance. "Do not leave yourself open, one can easily take advantage." She tapped him across the chest with her sword.

 "May I inquire on who instructed you in the skill with the sword, young lady" the young knight asked.

 "My father did, as he taught my two brothers," Ehlana responded as she caught him off guard, knocking him on his back.

     "I give," announced the young knight as Ehlana put the sword to his chest. Ehlana saluted the young knight with the sword then offered her hand in helping him up. "Who is your father?" he asked, as he accepted her hand.

     Father Jeremy chuckled, "Sir Allaster Stormfrost, and this is his daughter, Ehlana."