Dennis
**Aurelian Kallandrim
Vineyard District, Rikolto, Akno**

Sadly for Aurelian, it appeared that he'd already given away his very high level of competence in this duel, which put his foe, Derringer, on edge. All the same, though, Derringer responded, and Aurelian saw fit to capitalize on it. The quick and small slash was caught and batted aside by Aurelian's own training sword, and the Paladin immediately found himself thrusting his sword forwards in an effort to counterattack. The reaction speed, and speed in general, of the Paladin was startling, even to the likes of a veteran swordsman like Derringer. Where Derringer refused to let Aurelian dictate the battle, so too did Aurelian refuse to let Derringer dictate the battle.
Thomas
Lord Regent Derringer Hecate
Rikolto, Terresol

When Derringer's tip was batted away, he let the weight carry it towards the ground, holding his sword vertically and upside down.  This was the perfect position for him to slash again as Aurelian stepped in for a stab.  Quickly he pulled his elbows around and in, turning his block around and into a downward slash at Aurelian's head.
Dennis
**Aurelian Kallandrim
Vineyard District, Rikolto, Akno**

Aurelian had hoped the stab would land, but he figured Derringer was much too quick for such a trick to work. Aurelian was left with but a moment to react as his foe's sword came bearing down towards his face, but the Paladin was more than quick enough to react. What did not go in Aurelian's favor, though, was the result of his hasty block of Derringer's strike. Due to the somewhat awkward positioning of the swords as a result of Aurelian's quick move, as well as the force with which Derringer struck, Aurelian's already rather light grip upon his wooden training sword was knocked loose. Aurelian, for the first time in a long time, was disarmed by another opponent. Aurelian's eyebrows raised and his eyes lit up; not with fear, though, but with a mixture of surprise and happiness. Finally, the Paladin had found someone able to give him a genuine challenge in swordplay! Aurelian had been disarmed, so he knew immediately where to go next: Into his greatest forte, unarmed combat. Aurelian willingly chose to not grab his sword, and shifted into a strange but adept unarmed stance, seeming to bid Derringer to press forward and try to attack him despite his lack of a weapon.