For a moment, neither moved. They simply watched each other.
Then Katherine blitz forward and Piers met her advance.
Their swords collided with a sharp ring that echoed across the courtyard. The impact sent a small ripple through the air, but neither gave ground.
They held the clash, testing each other's strength. Katherine pushed forward. Piers pushed back.
Then they disengaged for a moment, before Katherine quickly swung her arm to create a horizontal slash aimed at Piers's midsection.
He deflected it with a sharp swing of his arm into upward motion, redirecting her blade high as well.
She recovered without pause, flowing her hand movement into a downward cut that forced him to take a step to the side.
Piers lunged his sword forward with a thrust aimed at her shoulder. Katherine shifted, angling her body just enough to let the blade pass by her.
