Game, Set, Match

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The contest entry is in.

 

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He bowed over her hand.

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Days passed at a slow pace, Valan insisting on pausing at every cluster of houses that could plausibly be called a town, protesting that he would be bankrupt if he was forced to keep moving. Besides, he pointed out, smiling smugly, the Seanchan would be suspicious of a caravan that did not perform. Mat gritted his teeth and bore it as gracefully as he could manage.

 

Every time he turned around, there was Tuon, her fingers flickering gracefully at Selucia as the pair of them giggled behind their hands. He scowled at her and stumped off, muttering, but she only found that more amusing. He tried smiling at her, but that sent both her and Selucia off into gales of uncontrollable laughter. He wondered if he could bribe Selucia into telling him what Tuon was saying about him. Probably not.

 

He was sure that she never talked about him when he was not there. Only when he looked at her would she lift her hand to cover her laughing mouth or flicker a message at Selucia that made the both of them double over with giggles. All the time, no matter how hard she was laughing, she watched him, gauging his reaction, watching what he was doing, her wide eyes calculating, weighing, watching his every move as if he were some specimen she were studying.

 

The whole thing stretched his temper to the breaking point. The third day Valan Luca insisted on stopping in a village that must have had only thirty inhabitants, including the sheep, Mat picked a fight with him, needing to snap at someone and not particularly wanting to snap at Tuon. When it reached the point that he was shouting at Luca that he was paying good money to get out of Altara and they were hardly getting anywhere at this pace, he distinctly heard Tuon behind him whisper loudly to Selucia,

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Mat woke up feeling dizzily unlike himself and badly needing a drink. For a moment, reality and the dream/memory mingled and he wondered where Kaisendrin was and where he was, but he shook his head, already feeling the effects of a pounding headache that felt like a hangover, but without the pleasure of the drink the night before. Scowling already, he slouched over to the mirror and pulled out his razor. Looking at his bleary eyes and still feeling unsteady, he thought better of bringing a sharp blade near his throat.

 

Leaving his itchy stubble alone, he exited into the sunlight, set on finding Thom and letting him know that under no circumstances was he doing anything this morning other than going down to the pathetic cluster of houses Valan Luca called a town and finding a tavern.

 

Mat was expecting Tuon to say something scathing, and prepared himself to stay silent and not lash out with the reply on the tip of his tongue. However, she just looked at him with her big, owlish eyes and smiled slightly before turning to Selucia, her fingers already flickering. Resolutely he turned his back and stalked off, back stiff, ignoring the giggles that trailed after him.

 

He found Thom shamelessly showing off for a gaggle of admiring young women from the village. He rolled his eyes and called to Thom. He bowed, flourishing his cape (not his gleeman's patches, but he had managed to procure a cape from somewhere) and excused himself, leaving the girls whispering among themselves.

 

 

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It took him a few days to find out where Kaisendrin

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Mat woke up late with a headache that felt less like a hangover and more like an actual headache, which was peculiar. He wasn't really surprised, though

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He found an excuse to get out of the town as soon as possible. He didn’t want to have to see Kaisendrin gliding along with a smug expression on her face, knowing that she had won. He thought if he saw her give him that mocking half-smile one more time, he would probably have to strangle her.

 

He got himself a patrol that rode the hills around Ebou Dar and scouted for the things that supposedly were half beast, half man and hunted like both. A few weeks passed before he found himself in a situation with any real danger, and he had begun to think that the so-called Trollocs were traveller’s tales or women’s legends told to keep the children in line.

 

He and a small group of other men were riding out a little further, scouting a little farther away than they had before, when they heard a piercing, female scream.

 

If it had been a story, he would have raced off immediately without a thought to his own safety. As it was, they formed into the closest they could get to an attack formation, and kicked their horses into a uniform canter, wary of traps. Another scream burst from the small copse ahead, and they hurried forward, more sure, and soon they burst into a clearing, their horses rearing and trying to run from the foul stench that rolled off the creatures in the clearing. The pair was enormous and hugely muscled, one with the head of a hawk and the other with the head of a goat. His eyes flicked across the clearing, trying to take in a seemingly impossible scene. They moved over the carcass of a horse with its side laid open, the hawk-headed beast lifting its blood covered head from its feast and made a gobbling noise in its throat. He noticed the curved, cruel blade clutched in its clawed fist and moved away over the second beast, moving back and forth with teeth bared in a grimace or snarl. His eyes froze on the crumpled figure behind a solidly set woman holding a stick, her cheek slashed and bloody, wavering slightly, but shouting determinedly, “Get back! Get back!”)

 

He recognized the indigo dress through the mud spatters, the pale cheeks, and the long dark hair matted against her head. It was Kaisendrin, and the woman trying to valiantly to defend her master was Noriha, the despised harridan. He could see no wound on the fallen lady, and hoped that she had just fainted from fright. From the corner of his eye, he saw his comrades fighting the hawk-head, one already writhing on the ground with a gash in his belly. He winced and looked away, setting himself to defend Noriha and her mistress when his commander swept past him and directed him brusquely to go to the unattended lady and see to her.

 

He dodged behind the rock, trying to ignore the roar of rage that sounded uncomfortably close, trusting his commander to deal with the creature that he now realized was a Trolloc. He bent down next to her, wishing he had some smelling salts or something else genteel to use to wake her up. Instead, he pulled up some foul smelling weeds from beneath the trees nearby and waved them under her nose. Kaisendrin coughed and opened her eyes. For a moment they were blank, and then they cleared with recognition. “You,” she said sourly, and then the Trolloc roared behind them, and her eyes rolled back as she went limp in a swoon, again.

 

________________________________________

 

When they got back to the caravans, Thom and Luca still hadn’t returned, and the circus was even emptier. The sun was beginning to fall, and Mat assumed that they had probably gone down to the town to entertain and be entertained. Glad that he and Tuon would have some time to themselves – with Selucia, of course – and with the prospect of a Stones game with Tuon, his mood had brightened. Tuon dismounted and tied Akein, removing her light tack and grooming her quickly. Selucia was finished just as quickly, and Mat watched them out of the corner of his eye as he removed his own tack and groomed the sweat out of Pips’ coat.

 

Tuon flicked a message to Selucia, who shook her head and crossed her arms under her marvelous bosom. Tuon widened her eyes and drew herself up, flicked the same message again. Selucia stared at her, her fingers moving slowly, reluctantly. This time, Tuon’s motions were perfunctory, almost annoyed. Selucia turned on her heel and stalked away, her back radiating affront and disgruntled frustration.

 

Tuon looked satisfied. She smirked after Selucia’s retreating back, and turned to face Mat, offering her arm. “Well?” she said quietly. “Shall we, Toy?” He grimaced, but supposed that he couldn’t expect too much change in one day. She set up the board and took the first turn. He looked at the board for a while before responding, already looking forward to the challenge.

 

She moved her stone, and without looking up, said, “Selucia is not here, so I may speak more freely than I might otherwise. What do you suggest for the stakes of this game?”

 

“Stakes?”

 

“Without something at stake, there is no game.”

 

“I never pegged you for the gambling type.”

 

She smiled, a mysterious little grin. “There are many things about me you don’t know.” With any other woman, it would have been blatant flirtation, and maybe even an invitation. With Tuon, it was almost a warning. Or maybe just a reminder.

 

“Fine,” she said. “What will you give if you lose?”

 

“Give yours first, and I’ll match it.”

 

“If you win, I will call you Mat and not Toy, and you may kiss me.”

 

He stared at her. “Are you serious?”

 

“Do I look like I am joking?”

 

He stared at her, and decided that she didn’t. “That’s a difficult wager to meet.”

 

She smiled, but said nothing. He thought for a while, and finally sighed. “If you win, Tuon, I will do your will in all things that do not put my men or anyone in the caravan in danger. And I will not complain about you calling me Toy.”

 

She smiled, a little patronizingly, and turned her hand up on the table. “Set,” she said. “And agreed.” He looked at her hand, wondering if he was supposed to do something, but after a moment she pulled it back and looked at him intently. “Your turn.”

 

He moved.

 

The game continued for a long time, and he lost track of the things they talked about, though he remembered mentioning his sisters once or twice, and Tuon asking him about what he had been like as a child. It finished on the sixty fifth stone, when he finally trapped her, and she sat back with a sigh.

 

“Well played, Mat. I have not played such a game in years. Even Selucia is not at the same level as you.”

 

It was a compliment, and for a moment he hardly registered it for the use of his name. It sounded strange, in her voice, drawn out and drawled, but it did not sound bad. Only strange. “Thank you,” he said at last. “You played very well also.”

 

She looked at him, her owlish eyes wide, and stood. “You may take the second part of your stakes, Mat. I owe you a kiss.”

 

He stared at her for a few moments, meeting her eyes, and moved closer to her, letting his arms slide around her waist, tenderly lowering his mouth onto her full lips. She was small and warm and felt fragile in his arms, but he could feel the current of strength and energy surging through her. Her lips tasted like ripe, fresh fruit, heady and sweet. Her eyes were closed, and as he released her, she swayed, a little smile on her face. She let her eyes remain closed for a few moments, and then she opened them and was business once again. She smoothed her riding dress and looked him up and down critically.

 

“I am going to fetch Selucia. We will go into town and (find somewhere to eat dinner. You should get changed. You look a little scruffy.” Not trusting himself to speak, he nodded. Then, he cleared his throat and spoke slowly, warily.

 

“Tuon, eh, tomorrow. Would you like to go riding with me? With Selucia, of course?”

 

She tilted her head, considering for a moment. “That would be very fine,” she said. “Yes, T-Mat. I will ride with you.”

 

He allowed himself a small victory smile as he exited, and he thought he caught glimpse of her in her mirror, her eyes closed and a blissful smile on her face. She was beautiful.

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She woke up in the infirmary to the much more pleasant scent of herbs and flowers. He smiled at her, gamely. “I’m sorry about the flowers,” he said. “I told them you were badly affected by them but they simply refused to believe me.”

 

She looked at him for a few moments, then let her head collapse back onto her pillow, closing her eyes wearily. “I’m rather tired right now,” she said evenly. “I would appreciate it if you would leave me.”

 

“The nurse advised that you move around a bit, do some light exercise. She said it will make you feel better.”

 

She stared at him. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

 

“My commander gave me responsibility of you after we found you and your lady being attacked by Trollocs. As I recall, he told me to ‘attend to the lady.’”

 

Kaisendrin turned her face away from him, into a bouquet of flowers. “Careful, there,” he said lightly. “We wouldn’t want you to be getting sick from the flowers that were sent to cheer you.”

 

“So. What did she tell you?”

 

“That you were lying about the flowers. That’s all I asked. Though she was grateful enough to me for taking care of you that she would have told me anything. ‘Oh, that Kaisendrin,’ I think she said. ‘She is such a tease. She just didn’t-“

 

“Stop. Just stop. Whatever she said, she’s given you the wrong idea. I need to get out of here and get back to my rooms.”

 

“No, I think I have very much the right idea.”

 

He looked at her, and she looked at him. Kaisendrin looked down first. “Fine,” she said. “Maybe flowers don’t make me sneeze. So what? It doesn’t really matter, does it?”

 

“I don’t know. Does it?”

 

There was silence for a few moments. “I have to go,” said Kaisendrin briskly. She got up. “I need to be riding for home. Already I’ve been gone too long.”

 

“Ah ah. Sorry. Healer’s orders. No strenuous activity for a week, just to make sure you’re not hurt. You won’t be going anywhere.”

 

“Aren’t you happy about that.”

 

“I am. I would love to further make you acquaintance, Kaisendrin. Might I suggest a game of Stones? Noriha tells me you play.”

 

Kaisendrin sighed, and offered her arm. “Fine. One round. You may escort me, if you wish.”

 

He smiled slightly, and nodded. “I do,” he said. “Wine or tea?”

[Kaitlin 22]

Yay! Another entry!

 

How very nicely worded it all was, I really enjoyed that. Was that the first Mat/Tuon we've had? I think it might have been!

[Marie 73]

Yes that is a first for MW.

[minviendha 0]

Ooooh, I feel special.

 

Thank you! I had fun writing it. *grin*

[Olivia 26]

Great story! I enjoyed the parallel between Mat's current life and the past one in his head, and the constant switching between the two made the story flow really well and not seem long at all. I especially liked how you didn't end it with a typical 'happily ever after' and instead stayed true to their characters; even when in love, Tuon and Mat will always be competing and sublty battling each other. Welcome to MW also!

[Kaitlin 22]

How long did it take you to write? I could never be disciplined enough to write fanfic that long. *nod*

[minviendha 0]

Hmmm. I can't quite remember. Maybe about a week, after I got the idea? It had been floating around in my head for a while, so writing it was fairly easy after I got the general plot down. The last night I finished it I stayed up really late writing it... *guilty grin* But it felt good to finish it.

 

I can't usually write long fanfiction either - dedication fails about halfway through, most of the time.

[Kaitlin 22]

*is suitably impressed* XD I hope you get lots of ideas and write more! Do you take cookie bribes?

[Sivart Reborn 7]

I think this might be our first straight pairing too....