Sword Quest VIII - A Z-Machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

> Can we still move ourselves when employing Faultless Guardian?
> How are we holding up?

> Take a step back and cross our swords like we did last time, except with Roukanken on top if it wasn't before.
> Rotate to the right to keep up with Meira's angling.

[Hello Purvis]

> Can we still move ourselves when employing Faultless Guardian?
> How are we holding up?

> Take a step back and cross our swords like we did last time, except with Roukanken on top if it wasn't before.
> Rotate to the right to keep up with Meira's angling.

>You can move a little, your shadow is pinned, but you can moved as though you were tethered by it.
>You step back and cross your swords.  Meira keeps hers even and close to her body, as she continues to circle and you move to follow.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Feint a step in, but then pull back and continue to circle in place to keep up.

[Hello Purvis]

> Feint a step in, but then pull back and continue to circle in place to keep up.

>You feint a step in, and she holds firm in her current position.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Continue circling in place to keep pace for another second, then take another quick step like before.
> This time, slash diagonally upward and a bit to the right with Roukanken.

[Hello Purvis]

> Continue circling in place to keep pace for another second, then take another quick step like before.
> This time, slash diagonally upward and a bit to the right with Roukanken.

>You slash again, Meira's blade snaps up to deflect the blow.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Follow this up with an diagonal slash upward and a bit to the left with Hakurouken.

[Hello Purvis]

> Follow this up with an diagonal slash upward and a bit to the left with Hakurouken.

>You follow with a diagonal leftward slash from Hakurouken. This one simply passes through air of the horse's rump as Meira keeps riding toward the right.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Bah.
> Step back and reorient ourselves.

[Hello Purvis]

> Bah.
> Step back and reorient ourselves.

>You take a step back, as Meira circles to your right side.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How much time does Faultless Guardian take to prepare?

> Cross our blades as before, continuing to turn in place to follow.
> If Meira does not make a move after a couple of beats, quickly step in and slice diagonally upward with both swords at once (Hakurouken upward to the left, Roukanken upward to the right).

[Hello Purvis]

> How much time does Faultless Guardian take to prepare?

> Cross our blades as before, continuing to turn in place to follow.
> If Meira does not make a move after a couple of beats, quickly step in and slice diagonally upward with both swords at once (Hakurouken upward to the left, Roukanken upward to the right).

>It takes a moment, but you could probably complete it before Meira could react if she is not close.
>You cross your blades and turn to follow her, but Meira doesn't seem interested in giving you time to set up whatever you have, as she launches a quick stab toward your right armpit as you start to turn!

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is she approaching our armpit from our front or our side?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is she approaching our armpit from our front or our side?

>More from the side.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Twist our torso clockwise to pull our right shoulder/arm/armpit away from the stab, and to also bring our left arm closer to the action.
> At the same time, swat at her stab from left to right with Hakurouken, pointed a bit upward so as to actually catch the stab instead of whiffing over or under it. Ideally, this swat will parry her stab by pushing it too far to the right to get at us.

[Hello Purvis]

> Twist our torso clockwise to pull our right shoulder/arm/armpit away from the stab, and to also bring our left arm closer to the action.
> At the same time, swat at her stab from left to right with Hakurouken, pointed a bit upward so as to actually catch the stab instead of whiffing over or under it. Ideally, this swat will parry her stab by pushing it too far to the right to get at us.

>You twist away, giving yourself a fraction of a second necessary, and deflect her strike with Hakurouken. It still passes uncomfortably close to your arm/

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Jump back and to the left.

[Hello Purvis]

> Jump back and to the left.

>You do so, as Meira's steed continues to circle rightward.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Are we still facing her?
> How many steps away is she?
> How fast is the horse moving, again?

[Hello Purvis]

> Are we still facing her?
> How many steps away is she?
> How fast is the horse moving, again?

>For the moment, though this will shortly change.
>About a step and a half lies between you.
>The horse is going at a relatively brisk speed, but not a full gallop. You don't think it could turn so tightly if it were going faster.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn again to keep following Meira, crossing swords as before as we do so.

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn again to keep following Meira, crossing swords as before as we do so.

>You cross your swords, turning to follow Meira. She is watching you, sword at her side.  Her eyes dart about, seeking weak points in your stance, or hints of motion.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Let's try this again.
> Quickly step in and slice diagonally upward with both swords at once (Hakurouken upward to the left, Roukanken upward to the right).

[Hello Purvis]

> Let's try this again.
> Quickly step in and slice diagonally upward with both swords at once (Hakurouken upward to the left, Roukanken upward to the right).

>You start to slash outward, and Meira's blade shoots out with blinding speed, sliding between your swords and pinning them together where the cross. For a moment you are locked. int place, then her weapon slides away as you continue to circle. You think she smirks just a bit.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Kinda figured that might happen. Oh well, the stance got her once.
> Jump back as she's circling to get several steps away from her.

[Hello Purvis]

> Kinda figured that might happen. Oh well, the stance got her once.
> Jump back as she's circling to get several steps away from her.

>You put a fair amount of distance between the two of you as she circles around. She's watching you, her face unreadable.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Sprint across the circular path so that we are on the other side of her horse.

[Hello Purvis]

> Sprint across the circular path so that we are on the other side of her horse.

>Do you intend to dart in front of her, or go some distance in front or behind her?

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Are we not currently well ahead of her, given her current circular path?

[Hello Purvis]

> Are we not currently well ahead of her, given her current circular path?

>Yes.

>_