From: rlupton@aol.com (RLupton)
Date: 28 May 1999 16:45:58 EDT
It was the basis of everything, more fundamental than even the ground his bare feet whirred across. It was the swing of steel, that elegant arc of blade trapped forever in time by a glint of light and the memories of faithful witnesses, bound as one by that founding rock that was the duels. It was the sturdy pillar in life, when nothing else existed, and it was the clashing of blades in a dimly lit basement that
remained.
It was what he held to his soul in the ritual dawn practice the day of a challege match. In the precise, fluidly graceful motions of that eternal extension of his hand on the beach of his first home, with the crimson sun breaking free of the sea and bringing darkness to light, there was peace.
Beyond the words said and unsaid, beyond the politics and challenge motivations, and even beyond the outcome of the upcoming match, he knew one thing to be utterly certain: the duels would remain.
Before the blades cross. (Lupton)
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From: casmaxim@aol.com (Cas Maxim)
Date: 28 May 1999 19:20:29 EDT
:::Cassius stared into the darkness of the empty chamber. His onyx eyes carefully, discriminately examined the various iron Roman breastplates of his armory. Finally, he reached for a sturdy, powerful specimen, looping the straps around his shoulder blades and reaching behind to tighten them. He finished this ritual by strapping the belt of the breastplate. It was battle-tested...strong..worthy. Cassius then took a knee and turned his eyes
heavenward in a silent prayer to the mighty god Mars for victory and safety in the battle
to come for both him and his opponents. So crucial this matchup....but he felt ready. A tinge of nervousness, yes, but nothing like his battle with Sartan. He had gone past that in the following defenses. More than anything, Cassius felt the burn of the duels, the adrenaline rush of the clashing of the blades, the invigorating smells of the Arena. Silently...he walked forth...retrieved Imperator..and set out:::
Cassius Gaius Maximius
Laylla's husband.
Roman pretorian
Holder of the Sixth Baronial Ring in DoS
Mage in DoM
Member of HDT
"I am an honorable man, but to duel me is not a pleasant experience, if only for the pain"
Date: 28 May 1999 19:20:29 EDT
:::Cassius stared into the darkness of the empty chamber. His onyx eyes carefully, discriminately examined the various iron Roman breastplates of his armory. Finally, he reached for a sturdy, powerful specimen, looping the straps around his shoulder blades and reaching behind to tighten them. He finished this ritual by strapping the belt of the breastplate. It was battle-tested...strong..worthy. Cassius then took a knee and turned his eyes
heavenward in a silent prayer to the mighty god Mars for victory and safety in the battle
to come for both him and his opponents. So crucial this matchup....but he felt ready. A tinge of nervousness, yes, but nothing like his battle with Sartan. He had gone past that in the following defenses. More than anything, Cassius felt the burn of the duels, the adrenaline rush of the clashing of the blades, the invigorating smells of the Arena. Silently...he walked forth...retrieved Imperator..and set out:::
Cassius Gaius Maximius
Laylla's husband.
Roman pretorian
Holder of the Sixth Baronial Ring in DoS
Mage in DoM
Member of HDT
"I am an honorable man, but to duel me is not a pleasant experience, if only for the pain"