Timbal Palpatine Training Facility,

House Acclivis Draco Headquarters,

Heimdall Mountain Range, Li Gandor Continent,

Antenora, Cocytus System,

Dark Brotherhood Territories

The human/Anzati hybrid stood before his opponent, bowing to show respect before the match. His opponent also bowed as well, showing the Archpriest his due respect and honor.

They both lit up their lightsabres, the Archpriest’s blade a cool blue, while his opponent had a cerulean blade that was a touch darker.

The gathered Journeymen and several higher-ranking members stirred a bit at the sight, the excitement of two legendary warriors going at each other clearly exciting them.

The Archpriest held his blade in a standard guard position, covering his entire front arc from his waist up to his head with the meter-long blade. His opponent mimicked the stance, and they both stood there for a moment, eying the other.

The Archpriest made the first move from there, with a quick slash in at his opponent, but retreating back just as quick, readying himself for any counter. He had good reason to be skittish, as this was his first real skirmish with his lightsabre in quite some time. He knew that his opponent was good, so he wasn’t going to provoke him.

His opponent, apparently, also knew that, but had discarded that theory. He came at him fast, his lightsabre flashing into an arc in front of him, attempting to bat aside his blade. This was, of course, not going to happen, as the Archpriest was stronger than his opponent, but that didn’t stop the follow-on attack.

With remarkable quickness, the opponent went into an obviously pre-rehearsed sequence of strikes, lunges, and slashes, never giving his opponent any time to think, just to react. He was able to block them all, but just barely. One of the slashes had come so close to the top of his head that he knew that some of his hair was trimmed by lightsabre, which annoyed him. He quickly forgot his caution and threw his entire determination into the battle, which quickly became a blur of two expert lightsabre dualists going at it.

It was becoming clear that the Archpriest was indeed stronger, but his opponent was just a touch faster, his mastery of Soresu clearly evident, as his precise blocks were almost supernaturally just there in time. It also was clear that by a common unspoken agreement, they were not using Force powers that could end the fight much sooner. This was strictly a battle of two duelists having it out.

For a few minutes the Archpriest had the upper hand, his form not really conforming to any set standard, but then again his opponents’ mastery of Soresu kept any harm from coming to him. Finally, the opponent went on the offensive. Although it was not athletic, it was precise and calculated, every move designed to out-maneuver or feint in another direction.

The Archpriest managed to bounce back, however. His raw anger and emotion fueling a counter-assault that left the both of them breathless. Finally, the opponent took several rapid steps back, clearly disengaging from the fight. He closed down his lightsabre, and put it back into it’s sleeve holster, then bowing to his honorable opponent the Archpriest.

“Very well, Journeymen. I hoped that we have inspired you to take your dueling studies quite seriously. As you have seen here, such studies can save your life and give you a fighting chance. You’re dismissed,” the opponent said casually, bowing in response to their own bows of respect towards both the combatants.

Once they had departed, the opponent looked at each other, then broke out in grins. “Damnit, well done! I almost had you, but your damn Soresu is too much. I couldn’t get anything through!” the Archpriest evaluated.

The opponent smiled, “That’s kinda the point. I’d rather live to fight another day than die in some flashy Vapaad move.”

“Well, that’s damn good of you. What say we get drinks? I’m kinda thirsty for a Timbal Vodka Special…”

Timbal Palpatine laughed, and said, “Sure, brother. Let it never be said that I wasn’t accommodating to the great Rhaub D’ar Aghasett Palpatine!”

The pair laughed easily, and departed to the cantina.

--

Greetings, brothers and sisters of HAD!

I hope everyone has enjoyed another little fiction that I put together. This time I got Rhaub in this little sparring session, which was more of a challenge than you think, being that his character sheet isn’t up to date. (Hint, Rhaub! =P) I hope it did him justice! That said, here we go!

Things to Cover (Clan / House Stuffs):

• Competitions: Dark Tides complete! A huge shout out to Koryn for basically blowing the competition away. He earned an Anteian Cross for his excellent work. Congrats, Koryn!

• Get ready for the next GJW! It’s coming sooner than you think! ;)

• CSP Shadow Academy Course: Still waiting for the go-ahead by the Clan Summit.

• Royal Gazette: To be released soon, or so I’m told…

Random Other Things:

• I’ve decided that the upcoming holiday season is going to be sucky. Too many toys, not enough loot! ;)
  

Real Life Stuff:

More random stuff going on in my life!

• Work: Meh, this week is going to be another killer of time, since I’ve got to do a bunch of training again. On the plus side, I get lots of overtime… ;)
  

Well, that's about it, peeps. Until next time!

KE Timbal

QUA guy

Random medals and stuffs go here.