Two men, first friends and now partners, stood facing each other, rapiers in hand. Both were slender, average-looking men. Jared the Grey, lived up to his name by being immediately forgettable- the man who is overlooked in every conversation. Lemon had earned his by growing up with a punishing disposition.

It was he who moved first.

Jared parried the sword thrust with some difficulty. His sword arm was crudely bandaged at the shoulder.

“You’re not getting any better!” Lemon said.

“Hmph. Says you.” Jared neatly sidestepped the next attack and danced around looking for an opening. “Personally I think you’re getting rather sloppy.”

“Me? All of this is for you. I wasn’t the one that let myself get stabbed by a mere wisp of a girl.”

“She tricked me!”

“So you’ve said before. Now move!”

Their blades met, first haltingly, and then more and more rapidly. The sound of steel on steel filled the air and it wasn’t long before both men were drenched in sweat.

“Enough. I yield. Tomorrow don’t hold back.”