Domain of the Orient

Chapter 1

The Combat shore rang with the sounds of blades and bodies that were clashing against one another.

A sudden, gentle sea breeze rustles through the hair of Llandra as he charged like a loose arrow towards his target. Kierra stagger backward from the sudden impact of the collision of the body, he gather his strength and stabilize himself but Llandra put more of his weight on his tackle. Kierra's balance slipped and with a heavy sound he fell completely to the ground. Llandra quickly landed into his body, pinned down his upper body and put the edge of his blade into Kierra's neck. His shadow loomed over Kierra's face.

"And you are dead!" an elderly person spoke in oriental islandic accent "The future leader of the Sword Guard is supposed to protect the Chief and yet it appears that you are the one who need a protection."

Llandra stood up and slid the bolo; a single edged type of sword used for training, back in its scabbard "Don't be too hard on him Elder Kai, I just won because I pull a fast one on him" he said as he reached his hands on Kierra and gave it a yanked.

Elder Kai walked toward him with his cane, clacking noise from his dried bone accessories can be heard as he moved. He was an elderly man in his seventies, bare chested, wrinkled and lean, tattoos are scribed to his body like a design within a vase and a red bandana was wrap on his head. A belt made from animal leather was strapped on his waist and a red fabrics made from knitted wool are equipped on his lower body. He held the highest authority within the Combat shore and also one of the most esteemed Elder of the tribe.

"That is not an excuse Young Chief." he said while bowing slightly, his eyes narrowed like a hawk as his gaze shifted on Kierra "The Sword Guard must always be prepared" he recited sharply

"The lesson had been learned Elder" Kierra said as he put his right fist on his chest and bowed toward him. He was a youth in his eighteenth year, he was tall and muscular, with a curly reddish brown hair and the coloring of the Masedonic Tribe. Blood of the Leaders of Sword Guard run through his veins and as the eldest son, he is destined to be the rightful owner of the title Leader of the Sword Guard.

Elder Kai poke his chest with the cane "Do you?" he questioned him "Then show it by fighting this warrior and I may consider your answer" he pointed to a man with muscular physique. "He is on the same generation as you and also a candidate for the Sword Guard. Let me see what the future Leader of the famed Sword Guard can do to a Sword Guard candidate."

Kierra nod courteously and stood straight with his shoulders back. His eyes sizing the man that the Elder is talking to. The candidate was bigger than him and yet he still continue to look directly into his eyes. He never swayed, not a moment. Llandra put a hand over his shoulder. "You can handle Esben, right?" he whispered.

Kierra smirked "Don't underestimate me Young Chief" He said sarcastically "You only manage to win this time because I don't react fast enough on your charge." Llandra remove his hand on his shoulders, his lip curls up "But I do win" he rebutted, sarcastically.

Elder Kai finish his talks and Esben bravely faced Kierra. They are bathed in sunlight and only a few meters apart. Getting cut and bruised on the fight is normal and become strong together; that is the simple rule on the Combat Shore but some of the Elders express that rule on their lessons as improving the ability of the young warrior in close quarter combat with real blades equipped.

No one opened their mouth for introductions, instead they let their actions and expressions do the talking. Both of them unsheathed their bolo at the same time and they both pressed the attack against one another, blades rang and metals spark as their weapons clashed.

They fought evenly for minutes but as the fight goes on the tide starts to favor with Kierra. He held his bolo high and repeatedly slashed downward and sideward with his full strength behind it. Esben did not counter, he only dodge and parried it, not because he can't but because Kierra don't give him the opening that he is waiting. Kierra's movements gets faster, wilder and heavier as time went on while Esben movements get slower and duller. His opponent was bigger than him and yet he overwhelmed him on every aspect.