Fighting was not something new to Svala, she was someone who liked the fight. Not picking on someone or just using brute force. But there was a sportsmanship in it all and beyond that she liked knowing she could hold her own with the men who trained daily as she did. Walking out into the training yard today she held her chin up high. It was crowed, and more then the usual spectators hoping to see a little sport or just gawk at the men. She stopped near enough to the center, looking around slowly. She spotted her brother, then her father who was sitting with his brothers. She didnt spare the smile she felt bubbling up, much like she did at Club Scarab, she let her scowl speak for her.
When Damian stepped out there was whispers, speculation and intrigue were a very real thing when it came to the son of Baldur. Rumors had spread about him, his aging and powers and as yet he was untested here. But Svala didnt take for granted he could and likely would boast a raw talent, and she didnt know what the best corse of action would be with him. When their uncle stood to speak both heads turned to face him. His vice boomed out around the yards. “Today makes the second fight of this type and the fourth in the yard fights. Another Son of Baldur facing off against his cousin Svala, daughter of Loki.” He repeated the rules, no magic and no damage that would last sticking out among the others. When he called for them to grab weapons and fight Svala didnt hesitate.
Damian grabbed a sword, that was broad and thick, and a spear which confused Svala as a choice but she didnt speak on it. As she usually did she plucked up a broad sword and then her ax, the first sitting in her belt, the other being twisted in her hand in a smooth circular motion. She was debating, whether she should rush him and go on the offensive, or test him and play defense. But before she could make the call Damian sprang into action, shocking both Svala and the people watching them intently.
He rushed her, his sword also held at his side, he was testing her reflexes, the quick harsh jab making her jump back and not on the most steady foot. He then swung the thick firm beam towards her, making her jump again, the whistle the spear created clear as day as it rang out. Instead of jumping back again and again Svala dropped to the ground and rolled clear, her hair kicking up a mild cloud of dirt as she jumped into a crouch, Damian turning quickly to face her again. This time she was ready and when he swung the spear out at her she matched it with her ax, the curled blade catching his tip so she could yank it clear of him.
He didnt let go so easily and so when he tried to pull back Svala slipped her ax free and the next time he tried to jab it at her her ax drove it down into the ground, shattering the wood of the handle with the blunt edge of her weapon. Damian abandoned it then and there pulling free his sword to face off with her. His movements were the smooth ones of the typically trained but they spoke of a sureness like he had used these muscles this force and this know how before. Knowing now this wouldnt be as easy as she first thought she jerked her chin at him an invitation to move in on her again.
He didnt however, Damian waited her out. And when in frustration she moved in quickly with a wide arch to her ax he knocked it form her hold, the same hit that connected with her ax continuing on so he moved in to close and his elbow hit her splitting her lip. With a grunt she spit blood onto the sandy ground and pulled free her sword. Even when he messed up it was working to his favor and Svala wanted to fix that. So she focused on the throbbing in her lip as she squeezed her hand around the hilt, this time not inviting him in closely.
Because Damian was great with strength and had the force to make things hurt Svala realized keeping with their first weapons might have ended up with him beating her. But he didnt have the formal training she did, days knocked on her ass as she tried again and again to best her brother and other cousins. So when she moved in now, her steel swinging it was confident and sure in every blow. Still he was good. Not only did he deflect every blow she tried to drive down on him he managed to toss some of his own making sure Svala didnt advance him right to the edge of the pit where they fought.
Her saving grace came when he stepped to broadly again, and she took it. Instead of brushing back and trying to move him back into his own space she dropped down kneeling before him with one leg out to the side to keep her steady. While he just as easily could have struck down and got her in a locked move she was fast. Using her sword she swung out behind him knocking his heels out form under him and smiling as she watched him fall heavily into the dirt. Much as she had when she rolled he created a little cloud of dust around him when he fell. But that cover meant that he didnt see Svala right away, who was leaning over him now, her sword resting against his shoulder, the tip not to far from his throat.
Thor rose then, moving to stand beside his niece, holding up her arm as he spoke, “The winner of the third fight of the yards is Svala, daughter of Loki.” Svala tossed the sword she held to the far side of the pit and held her hand out to help Damian to his feet, smiling then before she winced, pulling at the swollen lip she now sported though she stopped short of touching it and making it dirty on top of bloody.
