I got back into position and waited for the signal to fight. I almost didn’t hear the announcer give it, since me and Dixon were having the worlds most intense staring match. But the second the signal was given, I had my opponent charge straight at me, so it wouldn’t have made a difference if I did hear him.

We both meet in the middle, him lunging forwards and swinging with deadly accuracy. If I get hit in the wrong place, I can’t say for sure if it will kill me with the strength he’s putting behind his sword.

I block his lunging strike by raising my sword to the ‘ox’ guard causing both of our swords to run down each others blade, getting block by each of our cross-guards.

Both of use drawing a step back then continue this pattern of striking and countering, moving around each other, then parrying and striking. Each of us probing for an opening, occasionally throwing in a faint, or misdirection to cause one.

All I need is him to make one mistake, whilst he waits for the same.

I block yet another attack, before trying a risky move.

I lightly swing for his head and he prepares to parry it, likely seeing this as the opportunity he’s looking for.

However mid-swing I change directions, allowing my sword to go over his head as I arc it down in a semicircle at his right leg, putting a little more strength towards the end of the arc.

Of course he see’s this and manages to block it, but doesn’t do so efficiently, feeling the full force of my blade hit his.

However, I’m not done yet.

I then turn around his opposite side, swinging as I spin towards his chest.

This again he blocks, but can only do so with the brunt of his blade.

But since this attack was much stronger than the last, it felt as if the blade was to shatter from the force and I could see a small grimace as he received the blow.

Not giving him any recovery time I press onwards, raining down blow after blow.

After a minute of this my arms are beginning to feel numb, so I can’t imagine the condition of his. But his movements seem more sluggish than before, though I have to admit I’m starting to get worn out also.

He steps towards me, swinging at my face with a vicious expression, with a hint of desperation just behind the surface.

Too slow.

I easily parry it and bring an overhead swing down towards his head.

Again it is blocked, but only just.

After a few extra hits are blocked, increasing our growing exhaustion, a wild lunge is aimed at me.

To be honest I have absolutely no idea where it was intended to hit, as the attack was too short.

Perhaps he misjudged the distance in his weary delirium.

Since there is no need to stop an attack that’ll never hit me, I take a step to the left and swing horizontally at the half-crazed man stumbling into the place I just was. He of course had no way to stop himself from charging into my sword flashing towards him, nor does he have the energy to try.

And so, it hits him just below the ribs, causing him to fall to his hands and knees and vomit.

But not a second after, I put my whole weight behind an overhead swing into his back, resulting in a exhausted man, crumbled in his own vomit.

I’ve heard a spine break before when a man was thrown of his horse, landing onto a rock. Since, I heard no such sound, I can probably assume I didn’t leave him paralysed.

A damn shame.

The next day I woke up in agony.

My arms hurt and seemed to be threatening a mutiny because I’m sure they intend to fall off.

In addition to this I couldn’t walk.

The blow to my foot didn’t hurt immediately, though now has finally manifested itself in the form of a swelling that threatens to devour my ankle.

So I won’t be participating for the rest of the competition, but it was still worth it to teach that overconfident rat a lesson.

If I was in Taldar’s standing army, I’d probably have to deal with a superior frothing at the mouth with I’m reprimanded for my stupidity.

However, all I have to deal with are my annoying squadron insistent of mocking me at every opportunity.

I've decided, they all have to go!

And so I start devising my cunning plan at getting payback for their insolence.

A most devious plan…

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Chapter's a bit shorter today because I just wanted to rap this up to continue with the next.