The battlefield, a once beautiful meadow at the edge of a wooded glade, was spattered with blood. The clashing of swords and the screams of the wounded rang like a devilish symphony as the two equally skilled opponents exchanged blows and parries with their short swords.
He watched his enemy with squinted eyes as the masked woman met every thrust with her own dagger. His dagger had caught her coat more than once, and its slitted skirt sprayed blood as she spun around to meet his charge with her own. Her girdle, a wide leather belt that hung above her hips, jangled as she moved, and despite the scene of horror, aroused him. Her eyes were huge with anger and fear, a deep brown, and bored into his, both locking eyes with the other.
Back and forth they pushed each other, until he had her in the glade, at a disadvantage, he thought. Her back was to a tree, and he rushed forward to disarm her, but her booted leg caught his knee and he stumbled, falling into her. Still equally matched, both held each other's dagger arm tightly. Eyes on hers, he pressed against her, his body searching hers for a weakness, as hers did his. Her leg moved between his thighs and he gasped.
Sensing his weakness, she thrust herself away from the tree, but he pressed her back. Their eyes met again and suddenly all sound and smell disappeared and all he could see were those eyes, softer now, he swore, and her lips, full and open. Knowing he was insane, he held her dagger arm at length and pressed his mouth to hers, forcing his tongue into her open mouth, biting her lips, as she returned the savage kiss, her tongue forcing into his mouth, exploring the roof of his mouth, his teeth, sucking his tongue between her lips.