One More Chance

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Out of nowhere, a voice boomed, "What is going on here?"

Cathy jerked her head to meet a pair of azure blue eyes. It seemed to penetrate and look through her disguise. The eyes were part of a face that looked like a Greek god had come alive with sharp features and a strong jaw. He had copper gold colored hair that was slightly on the longer side. His head sat upon an impressive and muscular body. Cathy was momentarily breathless. She had never seen such an impressive male before and she had seen quite a number of them, mostly her father's knights. She knew who he was without a doubt. This must be the very famed Sir Christian Ashford.

His gaze left her to pause on Alvin. She didn't hear the exchange between them. She was too busy keeping her emotions under control and admiring his physique.

Suddenly, something Alvin said snapped her out of her reverie. "Would you like to duel him sir? He might challenge you well."

What duel him? The best warrior in the kingdom? Alvin was out of his mind if he thought Cathy would agree. She would be down within a couple of minutes. Just look at the size of him, she thought.

"I don't duel with lads or young boys," Sir Ashford said.

That convinced her. What arrogance she thought. She would teach him a lesson, she decided. She would try her very best to beat him. "Why Sir, afraid of losing?" Cathy asked with a challenge.

His blue eyes took on a menacing glint. "Let it not be said I did not live up to my reputation," he countered and walked over to take the sword from Alvin.

The crowd seemed to gasp in shock. Whether it was because they knew she was a girl or whether it was because they feared she stood no chance, she didn't know. But she did not bother about that. She sized up her opponent from top to bottom. He looked confident. She knew that was what was going to be in her favor. A lot of people underestimated her due to her slender figure. But that gave her great speed and agility that allowed her to win her opponents. She was sure she could give him a tough fight.

She took the fighting stance once again and the duel commenced. They circled, each wary of the other. She waited for him to attack first so that she could assess his strengths and weaknesses. Just when more than a few seconds passed and she didn't think that he was going to start the first move, he attacked to her left. Cathy quickly blocked it and threw in her own thrust of the sword to his right. He dodged it effortlessly. His eyes never left hers. He seemed to be anticipating her moves. Their swords continued to clank as each attacked and defended. Cathy wasn't able to find fault with anything. His footwork was perfect and his balance was good. His defense was strong and his attacks were extraordinary. She never thought that someone that big could move with the speed and agility with which he did. If she continued like this for a bit more, she knew she would lose. Her stamina would not match his. Also, she knew her her attacks were not as strong as his and that he had hardly used up any effort in dodging her blows. She had to take a chance if she wanted to win. She decided to try her knew move again. She feinted to the right and tried to aim at his neck when he followed true. But he was quicker, he saw her right side was exposed and quickly attacked from that front and knocked the sword out of her hand. Within a minute she was on the ground with his sword over her heart.

"That was bloody good!"

"He was so fast."

"No wonder he is called the best knight in the kingdom. I have never seen anyone with his speed and strength"

The crowd started whispering excitedly. They seemed to take her loss in good stride. But it pained Cathy. This was her first defeat in a year and that too to such an arrogant man. But she knew he had won it fair and square and hence she muttered, "I accept defeat, you win!" She slowly raised her eyes to meet his arrogant look. However, there was no arrogance there. His eyes were thoughtful. "You are actually very good. Good job at the fighting. I think you are one of the best I have seen in a while and I mean it," he responded sincerely. Cathy was surprised. Had she judged him wrongly? Was he actually not a self-centered pompous man? She wondered.

"Yes, boy. Cat's your name isn't it? Christian here isn't exaggerating. You are the first lad would has faced him for over fifty counts. I have managed only fifty myself, so you are really good," the other knight who had been standing next Sir Ashford earlier said and came forth to give her a genuine smile. She smiled back. This man had a warmth radiating from his face that seems to be missing in Sir Ashford's.

Just then, Sir Ashford removed his sword and threw it aside. He offered her his hand to give her pull up. She accepted in graciously. What she didn't expect was the force with which he pulled her. Her cap flew askew and her red-brown tresses came tumbling down.

Sir Ashford and his friend stared at her in shock. The silence in the crowd was deafening as they watched the proceedings with baited breath.

"You are a girl!" he exclaimed.

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So he knows she is a girl. What do you think will happen now?