Нэйко
05.03.297 — tournament in honor of the birthday of Deus Mariarnelia
XI
Opponent — Milady Alsira Vecchi d'Arcrede, Knight of the Moon Shadow from Forun, servant of Ciel Pinkoflight
First, Alsira swallowed an olive, and then took Zephyr out of the fight, just as she had done with other steeds earlier in the tournament. I, albeit only on my third shot, knocked out her pegasus in return. A duel of lance and bow began.
I landed the first hit, but it was Alsira who struck painfully. While I greedily gulped down a healing potion, the Knight of the Moon Shadow kept piercing me with her lance again and again. Having somewhat patched myself up, I fired a series of shots, but by some miracle my opponent managed not only to dodge them all, but also to land another blow on me. And then another one.
Having drained the entire contents of my flask, I no longer believed in any victory. But that didn't mean I should give up. The warriors of Guildaria fight to the last! So I began to play by Alsira's rules, spending energy on dodging instead of healing.
For a while we seemed to dance together: Alsira swung her lance, and I missed, gathered my arrows, and then missed again. And this went on until I raised my bow higher and struck the Moon Shadow in the head.
Note: despite the wound Alsira received, the healers did their best — not a trace of a scar remains. And that is pleasing! I would not want the beautiful face of this lady to suffer, especially from a friendly tournament rather than a serious battle.
