Wil’s expression immediately changed from resignation to exhilaration. He blinked as the warmest, widest smile he had ever worn grew across his face. Hearing her words of affection convinced him that all was going to be OK. Surely, the Good Lord would not have placed her in his life in the same moment that life was about to end. No, that could not possibly be the plan. For the first time Wylyam became filled with a sense of calling and purpose. In that moment the squire decided that he could indeed prevail against this enemy if for nothing else than her vote of confidence alone. He did not know exactly what his future held in store, but he felt certain she was destined to be a part of it – and there was nothing that could have possibly made him happier.<br/><br/>Reinvigorated, he leaned down and kissed her more confidently and intensely than before. This was not a goodbye, but rather a kiss full of passion from a lover soon to return.<br/><br/>“Ah shaa return, an' will make ye proud, mah loove,” he said as he sat up in the saddle and drew his sword. The chilling sound of steel drawing through leather filled his ears and helped to focus him on the task at hand. After one last look back at Elizabeth he drove Morningstar forward a few steps and looked across the grassy field to his opponent.<br/><br/>Although inspired, Wil was still acutely aware of his disadvantages. The other man had armor, a spear, and perhaps many years of combat experience on his side. On his side, Wil had a stronger and healthier horse as well as a weapon made of forged steel; shorter but less likely to shatter. His mind rapidly passed over all of these factors in search of some advantage the less experienced, younger man could eek out. That’s when it struck him – his inexperience might in fact be his advantage. If the brigand felt that Wil posed little threat, that might cause the man to lower his expectations and his guard.<br/><br/>The gears in Wil’s mind turned as his opponent spurred his horse forwards. In turn, Wil did the same, grateful more than ever for the wonderful warhorse that his father had gifted him. Within moments the two steeds were sprinting across the grass at one another, eyes wild with fear as to what was about to happen. In their own way the horses realized perhaps more than their riders exactly how dangerous the meeting was to become.<br/><br/>The brigand leveled his spear and pointed it directly at Wil. While the squire had been in combat before, the vision of a heavily armed man driving a point towards his heart was nonetheless a chilling sight. In contrast, Wil held his sword slightly away from his body, intentionally outside where the spear would fall. Wil could see the brigand laughing to himself and shaking his head at the apparent amateurish move – indicating that perhaps his ploy might just work.<br/><br/>Horse hooves churned grass and dirt in every direction as they raced faster and faster towards one another. Time seemed to slow for Wil as he became hyper-aware of his surroundings and the lethality of the coming exchange.<br/><br/>Then, finally, the moment of truth was upon him. At the last possible second Wil pushed his sword forward, closing the gap between himself and his opponent. At the same time he also executed a disengage, a motion where he moved the tip of his sword in a tiny circle – just enough to position itself just inside of the spear – enough to deflect his opponents weapon away. With the momentum of his huge Andalusian Charger behind him the sword bit into the side of the spear mercilessly.<br/><br/>The crash of steel on wood was deafening, echoing like a thunderclap around the low hills that surrounded the area. The contact happened too quickly for Wil to make out exactly what took place. Guided instead by muscle memory, Wil was only consciously aware of a terrific jolt and an incredible spray of blood. The impact was so intense that it caused him to be temporarily blinded from the shock.<br/><br/>As soon as the contact was made the contest was over. Wil found himself barely able to hang onto his horse and blade, shaken as he was from the impact. His horse rounded on its own accord as Wil wiped blood from his face with his free hand. Gradually his slight returned, allowing him to see that the brigand’s spear was broken and lying on the ground. The brigand himself, meanwhile, hung over the front of his horse for a few steps before falling off. As he fell Wil could see blood spraying out from under his right armpit – apparently where his sword had bit. Wasting no time Wil raced his horse forward and jumped down to speak to his fallen foe.<br/><br/>Once up close Wil could see that his sword had indeed stabbed into the chainmail under the man’s armpit and had severed several arteries. The younger man knew instantly that the man was no longer a threat, and was in fact beyond any help. He dropped to one knee and spoke to the brigand with urgency.<br/><br/>“Ye ur about to meit yer maker. Face yer God with a conscience an’ answer me: who sent ye tae chase us.. an' why! Teel me!” he shouted as adrenaline began to fade from his system. It was only at that point that he noticed a sharp pain on his right shoulder. Will glanced down at it see that he, too, had been struck. The man’s spear passed over his unarmored shoulder and cut deeply into the soft tissue below the skin. Wil, too, was himself bleeding profusely.<br/><br/>He placed one hand over the wound attempting to staunch the flow of blood and also to hide it from his love, who he could see was rapidly approaching.