Battle on the Week's End
Character: Michelle Clancy (Ty and Zane, briefly)
Author: Kathleen Hayes
Rating: Some language and violence (minor)
Word Count: 714
Summary: Michelle Clancy kicks butt during her time off. ;)
Disclaimer: I do not own Cut & Run or any part of the universe. It was created and is owned by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux.
Battle on the Week's End
Clancy grunted as the broadsword glanced across the armor on her right shoulder. It hurt like a bitch but she had to keep going or she was going down. With a wince of effort she knew she didn’t let show on her face she brought the arm holding her short sword up to block the enemy warrior’s next attack while waiting for the perfect moment to strike with small dirk in her other hand.
As his arm recovered from his missed swing, he let down he was unable to keep his left side protected. Clancy struck an unmerciful disabling blow. As her enemy fell, she brought her sword around and held it against his throat. She kicked his sword of his reach.
“I yield, my lady.” The grounded warrior croaked. “Just allow me my life and I will flee your lands forever.”
Keeping her eyes on the man under her sword, Clancy raised her head and shouted to all those around her, “Shall we let this swine of a man live?”
Shouts arose all around her, seeming to shake the ground beneath her feet. From out of the defeated masses, one figure emerged. As she tore her helmet from her head, a long flow of dark hair was revealed. Her clarion voice rung through the surrounding cacophony.
“Battle Chief Charin, I beg you to spare his life. He may be a swine but he is my father. You have my word as a scion of the House of Muerig that we will leave this place and return – on pain of death.”
Michelle was moved by her words and inclined her head a fraction of an inch. The man beneath her squirmed out from under her sword and ran to his daughter.
A great cheer went up and then everyone began to shed their more burdensome pieces of armor in order to return to the pavilion in the middle Burtonsville Park that acted as base camp.
A shot of pure adrenaline and joy shot through Clancy. It had been a good battle today. Her shoulder would be a little stiff because, despite the fact that Steve’s broadsword was not made of metal it still packed a decent punch. She smirked as she glanced down at her own dirk and thought of the bruise she had probably left on his abdomen.
As she made her way back to the pavilion for burgers and beer, Michelle was greeted by many friends – both allies and enemies on the field of battle. It hit her anew that she was glad she hadn’t given this up when Tim got transferred to North Carolina.
He was the one who had introduced her to LARPing. It had taken weeks for him to convince her to come to one his bi-monthly events but when she had she loved it. She had been uncertain about joining in once he was gone. These had all been his friends first after all.
But then, about three months after he moved, she took a chance. And it turned out they hadn’t all been only his friends.
Clancy was lost in thought until a shout of, “Red?” filtered into her consciousness.
She glanced up to see Grady and Garrett, decked out in baseball gear, staring at her from about thirty yards away.
She smiled and jogged over to them. “That’s Battle Chief Charin to you ingrates.”
Grady continued to goggle at her but Garrett brought his fist to his chest and bowed slightly. “Of course, Battle Chief.” The smile on his face made Clancy pretty sure she was never going to live this one down at work.
Oh well. If it wasn’t one thing it was another. “You want to come join us for burgers and beers?”
At that Grady perked up, kind of like a puppy begging for treats. Garrett gave him a sidelong look. “Game starts in fifteen, Grady.”
“Aww, come on Lone star. Girls in armor. And beer.”
Garrett’s eyes narrowed. “No. Come on. Let’s get over to the diamond.”
Grady started a pout but thought better of it. “Fine.”
Clancy was a bit mystified by the exchange but smiled and waved goodbye as they walked away.
Grady turned back and waved over his shoulder as he shouted, “See you at work tomorrow, Battle Chief.”
