Regal Of All

Chapter VIII

Ju-Ju was trying to give me a pep-talk. It was kinda working, sorta not.

"Ok, listen to me Kayeli-"

"-It's Kayelana. Or KK."

"Whatever. This is where you duel another warrior that may or may not end up in the Games. As you know, only the best of the best can get a spot."

I interrupted again, "But then if we want to destroy the dragons we need all the help we can get. Why are there limits?"

My trainer sighed impatiently. "It did not start out like this, I'll give you that. I don't know why it's a competition that lasts just four days. Entertainment, maybe? Less expensive than a full out war, I can tell you that. But that doesn't matter, you're here. So focus." She put her hands on my shoulders.

"Do not let yourself get pinned against a rock or tree. That's a bad place to be. And try to get to higher ground. Your opponent's name is Nixon. He excels with the spear. You go grab your bow; there will be several different swords, bows and spears and some other weapons. Private weapons of warriors that are dueling in a round get thrown in the mix, making it harder for you. You will start of one end and race your opponent to the other end to the stand. Don't let him beat you to the weaponry stand- that's just sad and embarrassing to me. DO NOT EMBARRASS ME. Verstehen?"

"Ok, ok. Uhh, what was that last word?" A bell started ringing, signaling the end of a round and the start of a new one. We moved towards the "ring."

The "ring" was in the Eastern side of the forest and was a square covering 60 paces by 60 paces, the boundaries marking it's sides were roped of, like a thick net. inside there were trees, logs, bushes and rocks/boulders. That can be used to either one's advantage or disadvantage. I'm in the next round, the two warriors that were just beginning were a boy with frosty-white hair, he seemed very big- and a girl. I recognized her immediately, it was Leonora!

They were sprinting to the stand, the big, burly boy was getting ahead of Lea; then she gave another burst of speed and easily reached the stand first. I wish I had her long legs, they'd be helpful when I gotta run. Although, my size does have some advantages, and luckily I knew them. It occurred to me that I didn't know what weapon she fought with, even if I somehow knew Acacia had a crossbow. then Lea grabbed this epic shield, it was awesome!

The emblem was of a white snowflake on a pale blue background with the edge of the shield lined in sparkling silver, it was simple but very pretty. I'm sure the actual shield was made of steel or something. Next, she grabbed her sword. I was taken back into utter silence by the sheer beauty of it. I laughed to myself, how such a creation could be so glorious but so designed for pain, to kill to be more exact. The sword was made of gold with silver lacing the twisted itself around the blade in an embedded fashion that made like it seem to embrace the polished metal. The hilt was made of steel with a diamond securely placed in it. The craftsmanship was superb.

The boy snatched up another sword and a large round shield. He wasted no time waiting for Lea to make the first move after she got her sword and shield, he immediately swung. She jumped back. Then she nicked his shield-arm. It went on like this for a while. Lea had bruises all over her arms and a few scrapes around her ankles. The boy was covered in scratches and nicks, cuts decorated his limbs. Oh, and along with a sprained ankle (ha, ha). Their round lasted until the timer stopped them, calling it a draw between the two. I personally think Lea did great, she was fantastic. Her style was full of tricks and misdirection and illusions. She lacked strength but made up for it with the grace of a dancer. When she saw me asked how she did, I said "Well done. Very cool."

"KK! Stop daydreaming- you're up! You goin' against some guy named Nixon. A real jerk is what the talk is about him. You don't go easy, you use your temp-para arrows, since it's currently illegal in these duels to use real explosive ones," she paused. "There was something else I'm supposed to say. Oh, that's right! 'Have fun'," she snorted. "Yeah right, just win."

That's my kind of attitude. I smiled, "will do." The bell went off, I stood ready at my position, waiting for the signal to run. Then I glanced across at my opponent.

He looked like an, what were they called? An elfin. Sharp jaw, pale-skinned with fair hair that was a shock of blonde just a few shades of white and he had icy-blue eyes. His eyes were as cold as the sword he was said to wield well. Gosh, I hope I'm not paired up with him for the Games. Too bad we don't get to pick our teams, the officials do.

The bell went off.  :) It was my turn to dominate the ring.  ;)

..::..~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.::.

I won. With ease, if I may add. Nixon was quite the snitch, always taunting and jeering if he nicked me with his blade, then mutter in anger if I shot a half-decent with an arrow and froze (temporarily-paralyzed) him for a minute. Meanwhile I basked in glory and my pride was satisfied- then we'd begin again and I get a scrap on me somewhere so I'd have to shoot an arrow at his leg or something again. Trouble was, he was fast- really fast, just like an elfin- and remarkably quick-witted. He could make a decision on a whim, with a 50% chance it was the better of the two. Sometimes it was, sometimes it would've be smarter to go with a different option. His flaw was that he was a bit impulsive and although he was sharp with a sword, he knew a limited amount of moves, unlike Lea. Needless to say, he was terribly annoying and very prudent. I disliked him with a passion.

Afterwards, Lea, Acacia and I decided to go out for dinner to a fancy place called Phantasiam. And by "decided" I mean that the conversation went like so:

Acacia: Hey KK! Lea!

Lea: Hi

KK (me): Yeah?

Acacia: I want some pie, for dinner, as a change-

Lea: Pie?

me/KK: What kind?

Acacia: Phantasiam at 5. Be there.

me: Uh, what's that?

Lea: Um...

Acacia: Bye

Lea: (*Lea looks at me*) What or where is that?

me: I am not too sure, I suggest we ask somebody that works here.

Lea: Or someone local.

me: Yeah.

So now us three were sitting at a restaurant with drinks in our hands and food ordered. Just then Lea saw something that made my eyes pop out of my head.