Stay in the middle

"Alas, that it come to this. But if you figured me a coward, then you judge me wrong." There was a dangerous thrill in the bard's voice, a hunger for a good fight. He extends his free arm, and a sword materializes on his hand, summoned by an unknown magic. He let go of the princess arm, and took a few steps to a dueling stance. The baroness, with her demoniac looking shadow claw, was still as a panther, studying how to best kill her prey.

"Enough!" If the princess took a second longer, one or both of them would have been stirred in the ground. But she stood between the would be duelists. "You shall not fight in my father's garden's, or anywhere else in my father's kingdom". There is awe as recognition came in the baroness eyes.

The bard started to say something, but the princess sharply rebukes him "I shall hear no more of your honeyed poison, my 'teacher' " ever since she was a young girl Liandra was tough she was to speak softly, as befit her sex, but now the harsh words came to her easily "For your long services to my father's house, I thank you. But your departure is long overdue, and I see no reason for a sensible man to wait for his formal discharge" The bard's mouth cringed, but Liandra didn't relent. Defeated, he bows to the princess, and departs without another word.

The baroness resumed her staunch demeanor, her shadowy arm gone. "I am princess Liandra, and on my word your vow has been fulfilled, Envoy of Nocternia." The baroness bent her knee, and vows with dignity "I didn't know your identity, but I don't regret my actions on this day, princess"

"I know. Still it is a strange choice to send as an envoy someone who would employ black magic to serve justice in a foreign country." The baroness kept her eyes lowered, in a position of submission to the Luxian princess. Liandra couldn't deny her curiosity was peeked. Kendra had something of a vixen, she was undoubtedly dangerous. And shameless, now that Liandra loomed over the kneeling Nocterian she had a perfect view of the breasts savagely contained within the tight armor.