The Painting

Chapter 5: A new Champion

Annalise was now in full gear, apart from her weapons, and nearly ready to fight. Walking into the joining room Annalise surveyed the weapons set out before her. Namiavuh, while Annalise was changing, had set out the few swords she owned. There was a series short swords, her broadsword, her matching double blade pair, and her favorite; a simple single handed light long sword that was given to her by her brother when she turned 16.

As she was surveying her assortment of blades Namiavuh walked back in. "So I am assuming the weapon of choice is blade?" Annalise asked.

Namiavuh nodded, "Yes it is indeed. I laid those out so you may choose and here," she set down the bundle she was carrying, "I thought you might want these." Annalise flipped open the pack and looked inside. The contents were all that she might need to clean and sharpen her weapon of choice. grateful Annalise thanked her and picked up her paired blades. Although her favored sword was the one hand 'Degen' she often chose to use the dual wielding swords. Annalise sat on a bench and began cleaning her swords.

With one last swipe with a clean cloth Annalise stood and slid the swords in her double back sheath. Just as she was walking out the door a hand shot up and stopped her. "Hold on a minute Anna your tunics crooked." Isaretle stepped up in front of her and straightened her tunic and brushed some dirt off her shoulder. "There all better." He breathed almost to himself.

Annalise immediately knew something was off with how he was acting but at that moment a servant came around the corner. "Mi'lady your match is about to start, I was sent to fetch you." With a nod Annalise thanked him and turned back only to be met with Isaretles retreating back. Frowning Annalise followed the boy to the arena but decided it was probably just all the stress from the festival.

Not long later Annalise found herself faces a rather, well, interesting fellow. The man, and rather young at that too, who stood in front of her had on a light tunic, and some baggy pants all that made him look five years younger. Knowing not to underestimate her opponent due to appearance, she wondered how good he actually was. She watched as he walked up to the center where she stood and she heard the laughter of the crowd as he stumbled on his feet. Annalise simply smirked, but she saw how he caught himself and although she could tell he was nervous he was far from clumsy.

Placing her feet at shoulder width she unsheathed her swords and held them out. The boy also got into position, much similar to how she stood. As the ref started the count down she took the moment to assess her opposer. He was about the same height as her, maybe a bit taller, he was skinny but well muscled. By the looks of it he was a farmer by birth. She looked at how he was wielded his weapon and noticed how he held it with familiarity, that blade was no stranger to him. It was a single handed double edged sword with a fairly small hilt. She was surprised that someone who looked so poor could own such a nice blade, a family heirloom perhaps?

At that moment the bell rang and before it even finished ringing the boy jumped at her with precision. Annalise dodged the blow by jumping to the side and quickly retaliated with a swing of her right sword, The boy brought his own blade up and blocked with a ring. Thinking she had the boy by surprise she brought up her left sword and attempted to bring it down on his unprotected side. all of the sudden her sword was flying from her hand and the boy was no longer in front of her. Although taken by surprise Annalise didn't let it distract her. Spinning around she faced the boy and lifted her sword. "You are much better than I expected, I have to admit." She commented. Hoping to catch him off guard she charged him and swung her sword, changing the direction of her swing at the last moment. She scowled in annoyance when her weapon met thin air.

"Really think a trick like that would work on me?" The voice came from directly behind her and before she realized what to do she felt her feet knock from underneath her. As she rolled to the ground she heard a collective gasp come from the crowd.