Enormity // Jalex

3. My heart is as cold as the clouds of your breath

~~

"Why can't you get one of your knights to do this?" Jack complained as he took the fifth blow to the head in the past 10 minutes. He was currently kitted up in all metal armour while Alex swung swords, maces and poles at him.

"Because you," hit,
"are"  swing,
"my," jab,
"man servant" whack.

Jack toppled over in pain and the loose fitting helmet rolled off his head. Alex laughed lightly at the boy, rolling his eyes but bending over to pick up the helmet that had rolled and was now laying at his feet. He span it round in his hand, contemplating, before placing it on his own head. Jack peeked up and frowned in confusion. So he was just meant to get hit in the head without a helmet now?

"Uh.." Was all Jack managed to get out as Alex handed him a sword which just caused more laughter from the slightly elder man/jerk.

"Oh come on Jack this is supposed to be training!" He complained, "put some effort in!" He readied himself as Jack held up the sword with shaky hands. He literally had no idea what he was supposed to do with it. Swing it? Right, how hard could it be?

Jack soon found the answer to be very hard. Alex dodged every swing, swerve and jab perfectly with what seemed like such little effort and it made Jack frustrated beyond belief. "C'mon" Alex prompted again, this time picking up a shield and holding it in front of his body. Jack felt a little better about that because now he wasn't so scared that if he did get a hit he wouldn't hurt him. Still, Jack was the one that ended up doubled over in pain.

Alex pulled the helmet of his head. His hair was a little sweaty and stuck to his forehead but god that was hot and if Jack wasn't in so much pain, he'd probably be in heaven looking at Alex. Said man let out a hearty laugh and clasped Jack on the back. "Good try." He whispered, chucking and rolling his eyes.

Jack straightened himself. "Don't be such an ass."

Alex smiled as he walked away, "I hope the opponents are better than you are." He called back on his way.

/

The sun was at its highest and there was no shade from the relentless heat for the crowds of people stacked into the auditorium to watch the tournament. Alex and Jack, however, were situated in a small tent at around the back of the stadiums as Alex, with Jack's help, prepared for his first fight. "Are you nervous?" Jack asked for what felt like the thousandth time.

"No." Alex sighed, he was getting impatient and Jack's careless approach to putting his amour on was getting tireless. "Come on Jack, this isn't a nice day in the market, my life is at stake!" He snapped, pulling his wrist away and tying up his own cuff with ease.

Jack stood up straight, "so you are scared?" He smirked, crossing his arms and Alex growled angrily at him, causing him to draw back a little in fear. He thought he'd seen Alex's wrath at its fullest but apparently that wasn't the case and seeing earlier how well he could fight, he didn't want to press things too far because if one thing was certain; Alex wasn't afraid to kill. Or so Jack thought.

Deep down Alex hated battle, not just because his life was at risk but he hated all the other lives lost. He couldn't let on though, that would be seen as cowardly in the face of his father. Not that had father didn't already hate him and blame him solely for his brothers death. It wasn't his fault though. It simply wasn't.

The crowd let out a loud cheer from outside and Alex took a deep breath in, masking his emotions with a stern smile before stomping out of the tent, sword and shield in hand ready for his first fight.

Walking curiously out after Alex, Jack took a standing position near the very front of the stalls, eagerly awaiting to see his master fight properly for the first time. Yeah he'd seen fights before but none like this, never in a tournament. Alex readied himself, bringing his shield forward and bending his knees slightly in a defensive manner as his opponent, Sir Victor, bought his own sword forward.