🚀 go-pugleaf

(Armas and Arliana just finished dinner, Armas invited Arliana to a sparring
 match...)


  After a very satisfying dinner--satisfying in both the food and the conversa-
tion--Arliana was very tired.  SHe looked at Armas and said, "Well?"
   Armas gave Arliana a confused look, "Well?"
   "Name your time and place."
   Armas nodded, chuckling to himself and thinking, "An anxious one, she is."  
Out loud he said, "Tomorrow, just after dawn, in the green field by the river.
Do you know of this place?"
   "Yes," she responded with excitement in her eyes, "I saw it when I came into
this town. Now, if you will excuse me, I must get a good night's rest and pre-
pare for tomorrow."  She stood up, placed a sufficient amount of money on the 
table to cover her meal, and gathered up her cloak.  It was then she realised
she did not know this man's name.
   "I have told you my name is Arliana, but you have not told me yours."
   "Sulo Armas,", he said, "but simply 'Armas' will do."
   "Well, then, Armas, I thank you for your company, and will be ready tomorrow
just after dawn."  With that she turned and went to the innkeeper to see about 
a room for the night, assuming Armas would do the same.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Arliana entered the room assigned to her by the innkeeper.  It was a crudely
furnished room---a small wood-framed bed, a table, two rickety chairs, and a
fireplace--but it would do well enough. Arliana was used to sleeping with 
nothing over her head but the starlit sky, so tonight would be a well-rested 
night.
   She placed her cloak on the bed, then removed the harness that held her 
sheathed sword in place across her back.  Though her body felt relief because
of the removal of the extra weight, she felt rather naked without it.  She 
unsheathed the sword, as usual with her left hand, and walked toward the fire-
place.  Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she rested the great sword across
her thighs.
   While in this position she was deep in thought.  SHe knew that though she 
was excited about the match, she was also nervous.  Armas would be perhaps her
most challenging opponent, and she must be ready to face him.  "Voleare," she
said quietly--her words directed to the sword, "I thank you for your service.
Help me to prove myself worthy of Armas's respect tomorrow.  Give me the 
strength, the agility and the skill, and I will do us both honor."
  For a moment the sword glowed violet in her hands and she felt a sharp sen-
sation of accordance.  "Thank you, Voleare," she whispered, "thank you."
  After a while longer of silent contemplation, Arliana stood up, put her sword
away, then undressed.  She slipped under the thin cover on the bed and let the
much-needed sleep overtake her...   


Donna  (: