Raven stalked through the shadows as silent as a cat, unable to shake the feeling that this was all too easy. Then she saw the purse sitting on a small table surrounded by high backed chairs, clearly lit by the moonlight spilling through the wall of tall windows. As she crept closer she saw his feet propped up on the corner of the table; he was asleep in the chair with its back to her. Easing forward, she extended her rapier and caught the ties of the purse, lifting it slowly, but the coins inside jingle as they shifted… Then his blade struck in a silvery flash and the ring of steel on steel echoed through the villa. Daeron knew she would take the bait; it was only a matter of time. Springing to his feet he spun to face her as she turned from the purse, which had flown from the tip of her sword when he struck it and slid halfway across the marble floor. Even in the dim light, he was struck by her beauty, just as he had been earlier that night when he had trailed her to Jester’s Court and planted the lure to bring her here… and every other time he had watched her silently from the shadows. “That’s mine!” she declared, her dark eyes flashing with rage as she raised her rapier. “I stole it fairly!” “Did you?” he challenged with amusement. “I doubt its owner would agree with your assessment, but it’s yours for the taking… all you have to do is get through me!” “So that’s what this is about,” she shot back, tossing the advertisement for the Ring of Steel he had slipped into her pouch while removing the purse to the floor at his feet. “Some sort of game!” Not a game he thought... a test… and she had passed the first round already. She could have plunged her blade through the back of the chair, and him, but she choose to risk being caught rather than kill a defenseless man. “If you like,” he smirked smugly as he stepped clear of the furniture, his rapier at the ready. “I don’t!” she sneered, slashing at him quickly in hopes of catching him off guard, but he parried it easily. Circling slowly, they began the dance of blades, each watching for an opening as they spiraled closer till their blade tips meet. Then she lunged, striking with speed and grace of a predatory cat, while he remained solely defensive; allowing her to take the fight to him. The night rang with the sound of steel against steel as they waltzed through the darkened villa under the gentle glow of Selune and her tears. She had to admire his agility and skill as he avoided or deflected her every attack with seeming ease, but his smugness only fueled her frustration, even though she found herself enjoying the duel, which held a playful air. While, despite maintaining a façade of casual arrogance, he carefully studied every move of her delightful, lithesome body; learning more form the opportunities for lethal strikes that she passed up than he had in the months he had stalked her. Raven let several chances for killing blows slip by intentionally; although she had killed to defend herself before, she never took a life unless she had to, and while he defeated her every attack, he had passed up multiple opportunities to strike at her himself. Credits: Michael 4 by DAZ3D with head morphs and textures from Beck for M4 by Morris, Rievel Hair by AprilYSH, Jack of Hearts by Luthbel with textures from Rogue Brotherhood for Jack of Hearts by Arien, pose from DM's Legends by marforno & Danie, setting is BRC - The Clositers by Redhouse Studios, all from DAZ3D. Yes, I'm still alive and kicking... myself in the backside mostly to get out of the funk I've been in since getting canned! I've actually worked on three different series since my last posting but haven't managed to get one through to the end until now.