Exton

Guunnar grins, “Gif me mine sword, I vill spar mit the ambassador. Haf you ever fought a Viking? I tink my sword is bigger than you are ...”

Dimitri and Ramji exchange glances. Neither one wanting to look a fool, both having heard first hand accounts of the Ambassadors skill with a sword and her bravery.

Inari gives Keon a slight grin and he hands her his practice sword.

She feels its weight, swings it a couple of times, then looks at it again. “Wood? Really? I havent practiced with a wooden sword since I was five or so...”

'Vhat did you practice wif den?” Guunnar asks.

“My sword, what else?” and Inari unbuckles her belt, slipping it from her pants. She hands the worn brown leather sheath with her sword in it to Keon, who is trying with all his might to stop the grin he feels spreading across his face at the disbelieving look on Gunnaars face.

"Du ready, den?"

"Whenever you are." And with that statement, Inari goes utterly still. Guunnar takes some practice swings, trying to feel her out, but only her eyes move, tracking his movements. She might as well be carved of the same wood as her weapon.

Now Guunnar goes on the attack in earnest, but still tentative, unsure how to respond to Inari's lack of motion. His "blade" comes close enough to blow her hair to one side, but she doesn't react; only her eyes show that she's alive at all - recording, assessing, calculating faster than a supercomputer.

Frustrated with his inability to provoke a response, Guunnar starts to get "fancy" with his attack, tricks that are more suited to tournament fencing than actual combat. Suddenly there's a crack! and his blade spins from tingling fingers, propelled by one lightning-like upward strike - and before the blade hits the ground, Inari is back on guard… not so much as an indrawn breath to indicate she's ever moved.

Guunnar holds his hand, the tingling starting to shoot up his arm. “Vhat is it mit you Fae ones? Little sister is fast like that too.” He bows to Inari then holds his hand out to shake hers. “Danke, Ambassador.” He turns to the Riders, “It is too early for drink, but come, I vil buy breakfast. Maybe Monty is serving crow...”

Dimitri and Ramji laugh, slapping Guunnar on the back on their way inside.

Keon smiles at Inari and taking her hand, raises it to his lips, lightly grazing her fingers. “Ambassador... Inari... would ye have breakfast with us?”

“Yes, I would like that. But Keon,..”

Handing Inari her sword and belt, he pauses, “Yes?”

“If Star is fast like Guunnar says, she should be taught to defend herself. Actually. it would be remiss of us not to teach her..”

Keon nods, “I doubt she could hurt a fly though, so kind she is..”

“If Ruarc or Mera were threatened, like at the naming, I dare say we would see a different side of her.”

Stopping at the door, Keon opens it and lets Inari pass. “I will speak to my brother in arms. I think you are right.”

Still talking they move down the stairs into the tavern....