NOVEMBERLAND: the little shieldmaiden

25

The sound of the arena dimmed off when I heard a voice shouting from one of the plateaus, which was the royal one. "We are gathered here today to find the new shieldmaiden of our Lynrike!" Grandfather shouted with his well-known voice. People respected him, he had shown that he was fighting for Lynrike throughout many conflicts in his long life. 

"It will be a battle where no lives are lost! Heirs and people are important, and we need no bloodshed. A sword or any weapon placed somewhere the other could easily be killed will be said as a win. Like a sword to the throat," He said as he drew his sword and showed on one of his guards. "If the eldest is defeated other heirs above the remaining contestant are allowed to take part in the fight," he said and continued looking at the crowd. "The one given the shieldmaiden title will be known as the real heir of Lynrike, and can take the crown whenever it will also be known as our kingdoms protector and saviour," he said with a loud and clear voice. Then he sat himself down in his king chair whilst looking down at us. 

"The fight will start on out king's demand!" one of the guards said that had a blow horn in his hand. 

The crowd was still silent, only hearing small mumbling of people wondering when they would see their king giving the sign. I looked up at him too, he was just sitting there. Beside him stood Mother, Storm and Grim. I felt my blood rushing through my body, and the adrenalin starting to burst. It was really happening. Then he looked down at me and I nodded slightly to him, and then he looked at the guard. He lifted his hand up calmly and the guard did as he was told. The horn shattered through the air and the people started shouting and cheering.

I looked at Alva, she was still looking up at our family. Checking if my sword was being firm in my hand and my shield hanging on I started walking slowly towards her. The arena was big, and she was on the other side. As I came closer she still had her eyes looking up. When I was only a few meters close to her she finally came out of the hypnotic-like stare. I finally got a good look at her, her eyes showed the sign of fright. She was wearing the shieldmaiden belt, symbolizing.  

We started circling around. Although she seemed terrified she had a good form as we walked. Holding her sword like she should as well as her sword.  I did not yet want to place an attack, she had to come to me. I could place one and it might be over with, but I wanted to give her a fair shot. 

The people that had shouted had dimmed off, only a few in between. Everyone was waiting for something to happen and so was I. I kept having eye contact with her, Father's voice kept repeating in my head to not break eye contact when it came to this. 

"For the gods' sake fight! Attack Alva!" a voice shouted, it was Mother's. And it was as if something clicked inside Alva's head. She ran towards me placing an attack as mother commanded. She swung her sword to directly on my shoulder but I blocked it and the sound of the swords colliding rung through my ears. Alva grunted as her sword did not do as she wanted. They were in that position ever to I lifted my sword and swayed my sword around but she managed to block the attack with her shield. 

Many blockades and sword clashes occurred, and I knew what was happening. She was not sure, and chose the safe way out of things. Now our shields had smashed up against each other, and a stab could easily be done and one of us would win. But I used her with my sword as I was stronger, and she almost lost her balance. Our swords clashed together again, and this time we came close. "Fight me," Alva said only so that I could hear. Her voice was tired and her eyes too. 

"I am," I answered back and kept my sword intact.

"No you aren't, I know what you can do," she said and you could see her struggling.