¤ Warrior

The next morning, Aurora was uncommonly fast in her morning preparations. Shortly after bolting down her breakfast, she dashed out of the cottage’s door and onto the streets. Because of the Selections, the village was bustling with activity as merchants hawked their wares to the many travellers that the Selections had attracted.

Salmer, holding a half-eaten piece of toast in his hand, chased after Aurora. ‘Hey, what is the rush?’

‘That fairy lord with the green hair yesterday? His name is Lord Verchiel. He promised me a place in the Selection.’ Aurora said breathlessly, as she did not slacken in her rapid footsteps.

‘Mmhm!’ Salmer almost choked on a mouthful of toast. After a brief struggle, he managed to swallow. Gasping for air, Salmer exclaimed, ‘Really?!’ Aurora only nodded, almost running now.

Sighing, Salmer chucked his toast at a stray black pig on the roadside, and ran to catch up.

The crowd around the roped-off arena at the market place roared in excitement. ‘Looks like there’s a match going on.’ Salmer said, trying his best to catch his breath. ‘They always have that for the fighters that they will train.’

Aurora’s lips thinned. So I’ll have to fight for my place, she thought grimly. Without waiting for Salmer, she dived into the thick crowd, slipping through nimbly to get to the front.

The arena was large, even larger than that in the hunters’ training school. On an elevated platform, three people sat, watching the match seriously. Behind the platform, a huge banner hung, picturing a winged lady wielding both a staff and a sword behind a scrolling ribbon.

Aurora tapped a man that stood next to her on the shoulder. ‘Sir, what is that banner behind the platform for?’ She yelled over the noise of the crowd.

‘Dunno, but they say tha’ the fairy king sent his own down this time.’ The man yelled back, his eyes never leaving the fight in the arena. ‘I reckon tha’ must be the Royal family’s badge or summat.’

‘Thank you!’

‘No problem, missus.’

Aurora looked carefully at the platform again. Presiding over the match, Verchiel sat in the centre, with the village head of El Nath on the right, and another fairy lady on his left. The fairy lady looked as magnificent as Verchiel, long deep purple hair swept away from her haughty face in jewelled combs. He turned often to this lady to discuss the match, totally ignoring the plump, balding man on his right.

Then, as if suddenly aware of Aurora’s presence, Verchiel looked away from his conversation with the lady and straight at Aurora. His lips curled slightly, his face unreadable. Standing in the stifling crowd, Aurora felt a chill run down her spine. She did not look away.

Still looking at Aurora, Verchiel gestured to the village head, who sprung up eagerly from his seat to ring a large bell before him. The sparring pair on the arena broke apart. One of them staggered a little as he was released from a vicious headlock, then collapsed onto the dusty floor. The other fighter gave a shout of victory, standing over his fallen opponent.

The crowd roared deafeningly in bloodthirsty glee.

Eriksen, who was acting referee for the Selections matches, walked into the arena and declared the last man standing the winner. Medics scurried to carry away the unconscious man, amidst jeers and boos from the crowd.

Verchiel stood up, and held a slender hand out for silence. Amazingly, the crowd quietened down. Over the sudden hush, Verchiel announced, ‘We have another challenger. Aurora, of El Nath!’

A rippling murmur passed through the spectators. The village head almost fell of his seat in amazement. Eriksen, still standing in the centre of the arena with the winner, looked stunned at that announcement. The fairy lord pointed Aurora out with a slender finger. Cheering now, the crowd moved to push the bewildered Aurora into the arena through the opening on the right. Eriksen, his face still blank, ushered her towards the elevated platform.

Stumbling a little, the girl walked towards the platform. There was a strange roaring in her ears that had nothing to do with the din from the gathered spectators. She felt as if she was dreaming, her limbs stirring numbly without bidding. As she approached, she dimly heard the village head protest, ‘But Lord Verchiel, she is but a mere girl!’

‘She claims to be good at fighting. Will you deny me this chance to test a talent?’ Verchiel waved away his protest coolly.

The fairy lady just stared at Aurora, her amethyst eyes veiled by long lashes. She murmured something to Verchiel, who inclined his head slightly in response. His green eyes flicked to glance at Aurora, then away into the crowd as he addressed the crowd again.

‘Lady Hedwig here thinks this girl does not have a chance!’ he said, a mocking tone in his voice. The spectators laughed and jeered accordingly. Aurora found her face grow hot. ‘What do you think?’

‘Fight! Fight! Fight!’ Someone started to shout. Rapidly, the entire crowd picked up the chant. Aurora flinched a little from the pounding rhythm, as she struggled to focus her thoughts. If her opponent were as harsh as the winner from the previous match, she would need all her wits around her to survive.

Hedwig continued to stare at Aurora, her face a mask of apathy. Aurora frowned, a strange hooking feeling in her stomach. Briefly, her mind showed her the same face, but this time it was framed by a luxurious background of gold and silver trappings. Its scarlet painted mouth opened, a scornful voice echoing in her memory, ‘Why, if this isn’t His Majesty’s newest pet?’

Shaking her head, Aurora concentrated, breathing steadily to clear her mind. All that speculation can be left for later! She told herself sternly.

Another roar brought her out of her meditation. ‘Lo Anshark, from Perion!’ She heard Verchiel announce. Her opponent was a heavy-set young man of medium height, fully suited in heavy Crusader chain armour. A leer spread across his scarred face, as he swung the heavy Dankke axe in his hand.

The numbness came back, the roaring in her ears increasing in volume. She felt someone tap her on the elbow; turning, she saw Eriksen offer her a Cutlus and a Battle Shield, his face full of concern. ‘Do you feel alright?’ Numbly, she nodded and took the sword and shield.

Right before the two opponents separated to stand at opposite sides of the arena, Lo walked up to her and sneered into her ear, ‘Little girl, you’re going down.’

She just stared back at him, her deep blue eyes emotionless.

Lo felt a little unnerved as he walked to his side of the arena. The little girl did not even flinch from his taunt, and her eyes… They were unearthly, like they could stare through your soul. Shuddering, Lo silently offered a prayer to the heavens. Unnatural, she was.

The bell clanged, signalling the start of the match. The crowded roared, shouting Lo’s name over and over again. He smiled and saluted them with his axe, confidence flooding back. Clearly, he was their favourite to win.

The girl was not moving from her spot. Lo laughed and called, ‘Is the little girl scared now?’ The spectators jeered together with him. ‘Run back to your mummy then!’ Chortling, he strode confidently up to her, quickly reaching the centre of the arena.

The girl still did not move. Annoyed, Lo walked closer to his opponent. ‘Are you here to fight or to play?’ All his fights so far had mostly been with hot-blooded men in battle rage. Those men were easy to confuse and taunt to make them lose concentration. He tightened his grip on his Dankke, starting to become a little apprehensive at this strange opponent that would not attack.

Giving up the wait, he dashed forward and swung his axe at Aurora, hoping to catch her off-guard. However, the girl caught his axe on her Battle shield, and with a deft twist, used the shield’s edge to butt him in the ribs. The sharp pain winded him and he staggered backwards a little.

The crowd yelled in surprise. Verchiel watched impassively from his seat, cold emerald eyes unflitchingly observing Aurora.

Again, the girl waited. This time, she presented her sword low, pointing downwards. More careful this time, Lo approached cautiously, guarding his side. His muscles tensed as he started to bring his axe up again. However, before Lo could complete the swing, Aurora lashed out with the Cutlus, opening a deep cut on his cheek.

So the battle went on in that pattern, Aurora waiting patiently for Lo to attack, and then skilfully parrying all his attacks, sometimes landing a hit with her sword. Swinging the heavy axe, Lo began to tire. His chain mail started to drag at his shoulders, and his wounds stung in the sand of the arena.

Letting out a loud cry, Lo rushed the girl again, aiming to disarm the girl. Faster than the eye could blink, Aurora swept up the sword, and slashed downwards at the man. He caught that slash awkwardly with the heavy wood of his axe, the strong impact leaving his hands tingling.

At that moment, Aurora slammed her shield upwards, catching Lo unawares. His chin caught on the sharp metal edge and his head snapped backwards hard. Seeing stars, he fell to his knees on the ground, feeling as if his jaw would never be the same again.

‘Do you yield.’ Aurora’s soft, steady voice cut through the commotion around the arena. He felt the cold edge of the girl’s Cutlus against his neck.

‘Yes. Yes!’ Lo gasped, out of breath, lower jaw still aching. His blood pounded through his head, as a voice in him screamed in humiliation, Bested by a girl! Bloody useless fool!

Smiling in cool satisfaction, Aurora lowered her sword, and bowed in a fighter’s salute. Turning, she walked away from the arena.

A split second later, the crowd erupted into renewed chaos.

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Links to previous chapters:
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Fight scenes kill my brain cells. But they are too fun to write.

Sighs. Wherever I go, there are people fried because they stayed up past 5 in the morning to watch World Cup. (Woe to Asians who are World Cup fans.) And there are people fried because they supported France. And there is school on a day with such nice weather for sleeping. Makes for a most depressing atmosphere, it does. So I’m fried too.[/groaningandmoaning]

Lo Anshark is dedicated to my sister’s permanently retired fighter. His name is l0anshark. XD

Cookies~ ChipsMore White Chocolate Chips are nice, surprisingly. Thank you for reading!