You and I

"We have unfinished business, you and I." I knew the conversation was over when he stopped talking.

I cursed inwardly. He was going to finish what he started, as if he had half a chance against me. He was going to make me kill him. He drew out his mace, none the worse for wear after fifteen year, the blunt end wtill shot through with metal beveling and spikes.

"Don't make me. You're wounded and you haven't a chance." My hands were itching to draw my sword, a dangerous-looking sickle shaped blade, that I can fillet a fish with in a second. I didn't want to kill him, but there was no way in hell I was going to let him kill me.

"You've gone soft. No fights, you're not even drilling you're own army. I doubt you're even half as fast as you used to be, Little Fox."

I drew my blade immediately. No one had called me that in years. Little Fox. I was the youngest and quickest member of my regiment, The Fifth Legion of Set's Hand. Just remembering the old days made me push aside and feelings I had for Suet. "I smell your blood, old man." I warned, with the glinting grin I hadn't worn on my face in nearly five years. "Prepare!"

Suet pointed his mace at me. We circled each other, wary, waiting for the first strike from the other. "You had no business sending a mere boy to do your dirty work. He was barely twelve years old."

"And how old were we when we forced to Serve? I was barely ten! Now who's gotten soft? You're just a foolish old man." I saw the handle on his mace tremble. "You can barely raise your weapon, and you are feeding the earth with your blood." He attacked then, swinging his club at my head. I ducked easily, slashing him at the knees. A true soldier to the end, he didn't scream out at all, merely fell down. "You coward." I told him. I knew exaclty what he had been trying to do. "You just don't want to have to tell your wife. You'd do anything to avoid that." I flicked my wrist, cleaning his blood from my blade. "Well, you'll have to tell her, because I won't kill you."

He looked up at me from the ground, incredulous. "You owe me your life, Aket. Or have you forgotten?"

"I have not. Which is why you still have the ability of speech. I will not kill you." I closed my eyes.. remembering...