Edward's movements at Sabbas's attack were again quick and defensive, but minimalistic. He didn't add any flourishes, nor any unnecessary movements. He only moved enough to block Sabbas's sword, never anything more, and never anything fancy. He wanted to block the sword, not show off his skills. Turning this into a match of fancy abilities would benefit neither of them.
Simple and modest that is what he is up against. Sabbas has to admit that he likes the way King Edward is fighting and moving. He is more used to all the fancy and extra moves that Prince Alejandro would use against him. Fast paced and on the toes too. And yet, the pace for this match is going back and forth between the two. "Bueno," He panted while moving three steps back. "Bueno."
Edward smiled a little at the panted words, nodding slightly. "Yes. Good." he echoed in English, holding his sword at the ready, but moving back as well in order to give them both some room to breathe and rest for a moment.
His brow arched as he heard King Edward speak. Sabbas forced a chuckle as he grinned lightly. "Sí. Bueno," He copied, replying back. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face. He lifted his chin to look at His Majesty, letting his eyes observe up and down. Flicking his sword, he held it up in front of him. "I like the way you fight….the way you move,, Your Majesty. You are a good fighter. Shall we go for another round, my king?"
"Your fighting is excellent as well, Lord Valiente." he replied, inclining his head very faintly. "Thank you. We can start anouther round, yes." he flicked his sword faintly, shifting his feet.
Sabbas bowed once hearing the compliment. His free hand, laying over his heart. "I am honored by your words, Your Majesty. You are too kind to a man such as myself," He said. With another flick of his sword, he added, "As you wish, Your Majesty. To repay your kindness, I will warn you an say that I am going to throw an attack now." Then he rushed forward and did as he said, attacked. Nothing extra or for show, just a simple plain fencing move.
He didn't respond verbally, but he flicked his sword up to block the move, feet shifting on the ground that they were fighting on. He knew that this was merely a fencing match, and not a real battle; that was why neither was being very aggresive in their moves. Nothing was truly at stake here. Not lives, not blood. That was perfectly fine, though.
Sabbas is actually grateful for the steadiness of the match. For once, he is able to relax his shoulders naturally while in a fencing match. His left foot stepped back as King Edward moved his sword. He held his sword sturdy. Letting his grip relax for a second, he took a deep breath as he removed his blade. Again, he took a step back, wondering what will happen next. Should he attack again? Perhaps a series of attacks?
Edward was silent, keeping his gaze resting on Sabbas. His mouth twitched very faintly, eyes narrowed in concentration. Then, in a quick movement, he charged at Sabbas, sword flicking into quick offensive movements. He was not sure if this movement woul throw Sabbas off, so to speak, but he wanted to see.
Could Sabbas have taken such a swift move? Yes. But did he feel like it in that moment and wanted to add some quote on quote more fun with this match? Yes. And as his mind was somewhat quick, he tried to hold his defense. Yet, his foot moved a bit too back to hold him and he fell, hitting the back of his head. "Dios," He groaned underneath his breath.
Edward paused when Sabbas fell, pulling back a little. "Are you alright, Lord Valiente?" he asked, raising his eyebrows and extending a hand to help Sabbas up. "We can stop, if you need to stop." he said softly.
First he just gently took King Edward's hand then slowly stood up. There was a little pain, yet it was beginning to fade. Sabbas sighed then smiled at the king. "I believe I am alright; I like it rough anyways. Besides, why stop when the fun is just beginning?" He asked, following with a swift wink. "I appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty, but I have had my fair share of falls during matches and I know that this won't be my last."
Edward smiled back, releasing Sabbas's hand once the nobleman was upright and steady. "You're welcome." he replied. "Now, if you're sure that you are ready to begin again, then we can do so." he flicked his sword lightly, running a hand through his hair.
Sabbas broke eye contact only to look down at at hands before the king let go. He took a step back. Rolling his shoulders back, he cracked his neck. A long sigh drew from his lips. With his free hand, he ran it through his hair then ruffled it. "You are swift, my king. I like it," He chuckled. "We can start up again whenever you'd like, Your Majesty."
Edward gave Sabbas another soft smile. "Of course. I shall have a guard count us off, then." he gestured to one of the guards, who cleared his throat and then counted down from three. Edward shifted faintly when the guard finished counting down, but did not strike.
His chest heaved another deep breath. Watching as the king gave another smile, his eyes then flickered over towards the guard. While foolish to look away from the opponent, he was hoping to give His Grace an opportunity to get him again. Yes, Sabbas is not necessarily fond of falling more than once on the account of his pride, but for his own sake, it would be worth the trouble.
If only, if only. He flicked his sword out, only to see King Edward there across from him. Sabbas took a step forward, but didn't move his sword. He made for another and another, yet kept the rest of himself still.
Edward watched as Sabbas approached, gaze on the Spaniard as he came closer. Edward kept his sword at the ready,, lifted up and poised to strike or defend as necessary. His mouth twitched in a faint smile, but he didn't otherwise move. He simply watched and waited.
Spectating. Observing. Circling around the king as he kept his sword downwards. These were all things that Sabbas was doing to make a game of his own. Is it foolish to act in such a manner when in another country, an empire, and to spectate the he should be the one being spectated? Yes, but he is Sabbas and only Sabbas can be a fool to get away with such things. He just wonders how far can he get away with this time.
Little by little though; he doesn't want to be bold right away. Returning back to the spot he was, a few feet close to the king, he spent no time in thrusting his sword out to attack.
Edward waited and watched as Sabbas circled, before bringing his sword up to block that blow, eyes fixed on the Spaniard. This fight was not going to be over soon, he knew, and he rather relished that knowledge. Reveled in it, even. It was not often that he got to have a true duel.
Sabbas did not react much other than his typical smirk. Like the previous attacks, the king had returned with a swift block. As he dropped his shoulders, he forced a deep sigh. A match can only go on for so long. He wondered how long it would be till the king decided they were done. Lifting his sword up, he stepped forward with each attack he made. Oh well, he shouldn't be worrying about when this duel will end; he hopes that after this, it will only escalate.
Edward continued to fence with Sabbas, sword flicking about as he blocked Sabbas's attacks. This match had gone on for a good amount of time, by this point, though he was loathe to call it off. Perhaps the next time one of them stumbled or fell, he would call an end to it. For now, though, this was fine.
Between the panting and trying to break the king's defense, he smiled a little. Time seemed to have froze. They barely have spoken aside from when Sabbas had fell. Swords colliding, making sharp yet light clinking sounds ringing through the air. He doesn't want it to end, but he knows it will have to sooner or later.
Bringing his sword away, he loosened his grip a little in order to give his hand a momentary break. As his fingers tightened, he took three steps back then waited.
Edward shot forward when Sabbas stepped back, his sword raised. He wasn't going to give the Spaniard a break; this had gone on long enough, and the time for breaks was over. Now, he wanted to charge forward.
As swiftly as he possibly could, Sabbas flung his sword out to stop the king's. While they have attacked, stopped, attacked, stopped, he figured it is time they moved past that. So, he let go and lunged forward to attack before taking a few small yet quick steps ahead.
The king's face twitched into a small smile as they finally reached the real meat of the fight, swords clashing together. Now their little spurts of attacks stopped, and it became a true, real fight. Edward knew it would likely be over soon, but that was alright. It had been a good duel while it lasted.
They both must have finally gotten comfortable with each other, Sabbas thought, or at least comfortable enough for a sword fight match. He kept on with attacks and defense while doing his best to lose his balance. The end of this match is inevitable but he wants to keep it going as long as possible. There is just something in the air that is pleasing to him.
Edward continued with the fight. He had, quite honestly, enjoyed it. It had been a good fight, and Sabbas was an excellent duelist. So, really, he did not mind if it took a little while for it to end. No matter what, though, Sabbas had been quite good at this. The king's golden hair was a touch messed up now from all the fighting, sticking up just a bit.
Ah, he had almost forgotten the one thing that he kept reminding himself beforehand, he must let the king win. Sabbas took a good look at King Edward for a second, taking in the slightly messy state of his hair. He still looks mesmerizing, but Sabbas wondered whether or not he should say anything about it after the match is over. Obviously he cannot go up to His Majesty and fix it himself despite wanting to.
Edward would fix his hair afterwards, as long as he noticed it. Someone would point it out eventually, even if the king himself did not notice at first. His mouth twitched faintly as he continued the match, gaze remaining fixed on Sabbas as he took more of an offensive, intending to bring this to its deserved end.
His mind went back to the goal of giving the king his win. With the way things are going now, he shouldn't do something as feasible as losing his balance; it's dramatic but it's not exciting or worthy enough. Sabbas is maintaining a defensive position, perhaps if he broke it, something might happen to counteract this. He decided to be bold and go forward in an attempt to steal the offensive position.