My Epic Fantasy Twelve Days of Christmas is speedily coming to its close, with only two more days to go, I’ve reached day ten, and “Ten Lords-a-Leaping” at last. This picture was actually one of my first ideas when I envisioned this whole series of pictures, but obviously, ended up being one of the last ones I completed.

Here I have two kingly fellows from opposing kingdoms, who are at each other’s throats, no doubt, after meeting in an uneasy truce, to attempt to find a diplomatic resolution to their war-torn history. After one too many insolent remarks on both sides, however, they inevitably came to blows. So much for diplomacy.

I almost pictured it taking place in a banquet hall, with the two men standing on the table, but rather like the unclear and sketchy nature of their surroundings, leaving it to the viewer to decide where this scuffle is actually taking place. A thick forest, a damp cave, or even an abandoned cathedral, might all be fitting settings, I would think.