SCARRED; The Dark Tower

Chapter Eight: A Foe and a Friend

Jerrick barely had time to react as Lerth flew toward him, his sword raised. But the next thing he knew, he was standing to the side and Lerth was tripping over his own feet. Jerrick hurriedly prepared himself for another attack.

Eyes flaring, lips curling, and sword raised with fury, Lerth lurched forward again and swung at Jerrick with all his might. But Jerrick's reflexes took control over his body and helped him to duck speedily -- and just in time. He felt the air move above his head and heard Lerth's sword swoop just over his temple. Jerrick's sudden movement surprised Lerth and rendered him motionless for only the fraction of a second; but this was just enough for Jerrick. He noticed Lerth's vulnerability and swiped his right foot through his opponent's legs, tripping him to the dusty ground. Jerrick scrambled to get to his feet and hold his sword above his competitor as he had seen done earlier by the owner of his sword; but Lerth had already rolled to the side and gotten to his feet before Jerrick got to him.

"You can't beat me," Lerth sneered.

This time, his mind spinning with Lerth's taunts and insults, Jerrick attacked. He swung his sword at Lerth's shoulder, but Lerth blocked it with his own blade. Jerrick pulled back and stabbed at his opposer's leg, but Lerth lept to the side, striking Jerrick's blade aside. The two continued on like this, swinging, blocking, ducking, rolling, kicking, stabbing, and leaping. Jerrick began to feel his arms grow sore with weary. He became blind to everything but his challenger. He could hear Lerth's heavy breathing as he deflected Jerrick's blow and counterattacked with a stab.

For a second, Jerrick noticed the crowd watching with intensity from the corner of his eye. Some were gawking at the battle, while others had grim expressions upon their faces. At a time when Lerth had backed up to catch his breath for a brief second, Jerrick had glanced toward Aradus and saw that his face was expressionless as he followed battle with his eyes.

Jerrick only had a couple brief seconds from time to time to think, and every time, he hastily wondered how he was still alive. Lerth kept looking more and more furious.

Just when Jerrick was feeling he could no longer take the screaming of agony from his muscles, Lerth made a mistake that cost him the duel. Jerrick had just  ducked Lerth's blow and had counterattacked with a stab toward Lerth's arm; Lerth had dodged to the side, barely avoiding Jerrick's weapon, but leaving his leg held out near where Jerrick was kneeling; and Jerrick, seeing the opportunity and taking it without hesitation, slid his sword forward and pulled it back with as much speed as he could muster. As Jerrick brought the sword back to him, his blade left behind a bloody gash across Lerth's lower leg. Lerth gave a grunt of pain and fell back, unable to keep steady with his wound. Jerrick did not miss a beat, but leaped forward and knocked Lerth's sword out of his hand.

The crowd cheered as Jerrick touched the tip of his sword to his enemy's chest.

"Give up?" Jerrick said, his chest heaving.

The corner of Lerth's lips twitched as he snarled a submission. Jerrick backed up cautiously, watching Lerth carefully. Two young men hurried forward to help Lerth out of the arena. When Jerrick saw Lerth's loathing expression, he got the unnerving feeling that the duel was just the beginning of a long rivalry.

The crowd hurried to Jerrick to congratulate him. Jerrick felt exhausted and his mind was racing with confusion. He felt like the whole duel had been nothing but a dream; his aching muscles told him otherwise.

"Good job, Jerrick!" said the girl who had given him her sword.

"Thanks," Jerrick rasped, unable to find his voice. He gave the girl back her sword as a boy patted him on his shoulder and congratulated him.