Of The Sea : John Murphy

Salt and Ice

"Commander, with all due respect I don't think we should be doing any of this training right before a long journey, we need all the strength we have." I debated, trying my best not to come across as rude for refusing to attend her training.

"Fine, the two men don't have to do it if only you do." She said with folded arms.

"What?"

"Show your people you are willing to partake." She smirked.

I swallowed and looked at Thore and Adrian who just nodded.

I rolled my eyes at them, internally imagining their deaths while I stepped into the open space surrounded by Lexa and my people.

My crew cheered and clapped, shouting out recommendations for what weapon I should use which I responded kindly with a nasty glare accompanied by a curled lip.

"You may use one weapon, and your opponent shall be let's say..." She glanced around the crowd then pointed at a tall, bearded warrior covered in tattoos across the ring. "Tolé."

I gulped and looked at my people, my eyes screaming help.

Áki's voice stuck out from the crowd as I looked around. "Use your shield!"

My opponent had a sword tossed at him and he swung it around in his hands.

I grimaced then ran over to my second hand man, "Why a shield?" I asked in panic.

Today was not the day I got defeated and humiliated in front of my people.

"I've seen you with one, you're good." He assured me with a hand on my shoulder and another shoving a shield into my chest.

"You better be right." I muttered and turned quickly to face the forest dweller.

I held the shield tight and got into a defence position while the opposing side got into attack.

"Start!" Lexa yelled.

I got down low and held the shield towards my middle so that wherever Tolé attacked, I would be able to move the shield quicker.

He went for it, pulling the sword down on me which I blocked perfectly. Okay I lied. The force of the blade against my shield was so great it caused it to whack into my forehead and knock me back.

Áki screamed at me to get back up. "Attack! Damn it!"

Tolé not seeing me as an immediate threat let me get back onto my feet.

The crowd laughed and cheered, their voices getting loud in my ears.

I brought up my shield once more and prepared for his next blow.

Tolé came at me again but instead of using my hard shield, I spun to the side and threw the iron edged weapon into his side.

"Now you put up a fight." He chuckled after a small stumble.

I decide the only way I could possibly win this is if I got rid of his weapon some how.

His sword flashed under the sun as he repeatedly struck my shield as I blocked him.

His moves got faster as he got more confident as well as frustrated and I could see the flaw in his fight. He had little patience.

He strokes got harder and sloppier, and though it hurt my arm with his every blow against me, I persisted in blocking him.

I saw his next hit from a mile away and though there was a risk of injury, I had to take the opportunity. His arm swung back, exposing his chest and I rammed into him with all I had. The round metal piece at the centre of my shield hit his ribs and the grip on his sword slipped over the shield. I felt a stinging pain run down my shoulder blade but I clenched my teeth and pushed him to the ground.