Ichabod

Ichabod's duel with Lila for the pilot position in the crew. Written by NocturneAlly

Lila steps from the crowd, her grace apparent to all her gazed upon her. Drawing her broadsword and focusing her eye on her opponent, she waited for him to get ready. Sizing him up, she noticed he had fewer scars then she carried. Lila hoped this was a sign that he was still a novice at sword fights and would mean an easy win for her.

Ichabod sways to the center of the main deck. Taking on last long sip from his nearly empty bottle, he tosses it overboard with a splash. "*hic* Well aren't ye a sight fer sore eyes! *hic* Or rather eye! Seein' as *hic* we each only 'ave one! *hic* A'ght, let's get started! *hic* " With that, he began to stagger in her direction.

Lila felt repulsed. Not only was she to fight a drunk, it probably wouldn't be much of a fight anywas! She shifted her feet, easily avoiding the swaying dragon's attempt to slash at her with his cutlass. Using the end of sword, she butted Ichabod between his shoulder blades, throwing him off balance and causing him to fall over the side of the ship and into the calm waters below. Looking over the side, she tried to make out what had happened to the drunk Pearlcatcher.

Unsure of how he managed to get into the water, Ichabod felt the fogginess start to seep away from his mind. The icy waters were sobering him and he began to think clearly. Surprised he had managed to hang on to his weapon, he quickly sheathed it and used his legs and wings to propel him to the surface. Gulping for air, he let out a whoop of laughter. Swimming to the shore and shaking off the droplets of water, he spread his wings once more and flew back to the ship's deck giving Lila a grin of appreciation.

The Wildclaw couldn't believe the transformation she saw. Ichabod had been so drunk his eye was glazed, his body moved sluggishly and slouched. His speech was barely understandable. However, the dragon that stood before her now was a different one altogether. He stood straight and his eye was a piercing pink she was sure it stared directly into her soul. Flustered, but slightly excited by the change of demeanor, she raised her sword again and stepped quick in the Pearlcatcher's direction.

Ichabod avoided her easily. Using the hilt of his cutlass to smash against her shoulder blades, as she had done to him. He heard her gasp for air as the blow emptied her lungs. Timing it perfectly, Ichabod spun around and drew his blade along the inside of her calf. A deep and clean wound opened up and crimson poured readily from it. Not wanting to give Lila a chance to rebound, he unfurled his wings and used them to steady himself as he lunged at her turned back.

Lila felt rather then heard the dragon's attack and her insticnts kicked in. Before she knew what she was doing, Lila had grasped the blade of her sword with her free had and pushed with all her might. The hilt collided with its target with a sickening thud. She stepped forward quickly and spun in the same space of time so she was facing Ichabod. Her weapon has smashed directly into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. She went to cover her laugh with her hand only to realize it was bleeding.

The Pearlcatcher staggered to his feet and raised his weapon to the Wildclaw again. They were even. Blow for blow. He wouldn't let this go on any further. Completely opening his wings, he squared his shoulders and lunged at his opponent again. Throwing her off balance, Ichabod managed to knock Lila's broadsword from her grip. Snatching it up, he faced her. He brought her own weapon down on her, slicing through her flesh again, this time along her collarbone. A thin line of blood began to bead up on her skin. Over and over, he sliced and cut the Wildclaw. Unforgiving and unyielding. Never cutting deep enough to kill, just enough to draw blood.

Lila tried her hardest not to cry out. After the first few cuts, her entire body felt like giving up. She tried to unfurl her wings to fly away, but Ichabod's next wound was along the membrane of her wings. She knew it would heal, but for now she was unable to fly. In the moments between strikes, she yanked the scarf from her neck and waved it in surrender. She knew if she didn't give up soon, the Pearlcatcher's cuts would eventually cause either permanent damage to something vital or cause her to lose consciousness from loss of blood. She wouldn't allow herself to be carted away like a used tissue. She would walk off of her own volition and be proud she had the gall to even stand up to such a formidable foe.

"Surrendering to a defeat you know is inevitable is an admirable trait." Morgiana's voice broke the silence that had fallen over the crowd of spectators. Ignoring Ichabod for a moment, she offered a paw to Lila and helped her to her feet. "It is better to live to fight another day, then risk never fighting again for something that will come and go. I would have loved to see you win and join our crew, but for now I must ask you to leave the ship. If we are ever in need of your services, we will send a messenger. Thank you." Morgiana turned to Ichabod as Lila made her way, a little shakily to the shore. " Congrats to you and your victory. While I was a little worried having a drunk on our crew as our Pilot was a bad idea, it seems as long as we keep a bucket of cold water nearby, you will prove yourself worth the effort. Congrats on willing your duel, Pilot Ichabod. Before I show you where you will be staying, please clean that weapon and return it to its owner before she gets too far away." She pointed at the broadsword Ichabod still clutched. He had hoped he would be able to keep it as spoils, but he dare not defy the Quartermaster. Not yet, anyways. He hurried to deliver the weapon to Lila who still seemed a little dazed, but thankful and then rushed back to the deck of the ship. Morgiana lead him through the same door he saw so many disappear into before and his heart lifted. He wondered if anyone had some rum to celebrate.....