War of Hearts

Chapter 5: Tag of War

A few days later, Ingrid learned of a special festival held in Adehane once every year: the summer festival. For three days, the townsfolk sold their own special food and delicacies in the local market, different events and games were held, and servants were given a pay bonus and half the day off. It was the best day of the year, second to the Winter festival, and the air was filled with energy and hype. Even the rising temperature couldn't get anyone down.

A special event was called the "Tag of War", a game played by two big teams, where the goal was to capture the flag of the second team. As a visiting princess, Ingrid was invited to be the leader of one team against Isaac. 

"A piece of cake," she said confidently as soon as she learned the rules. "That weakling won't know what hit him." Soon enough, the day of the event arrived and bandanas were put around the heads of members of the two teams: Ingrid got red and Isaac got blue. 

Isaac looked serious as he talked to his soldiers, while Ingrid, having picked big muscular soldiers, simply told her men :"just get all the bandanas of the other team and leave the flag to me." Her grin was confident and with the way she walked and talked, it was clear to anyone that she felt she was going to win. Her soldiers, boosted by her confidence and energy, cheered each other on.

The event was being held in a large, oval-shaped arena where the grass was stripped and only the earth remained. This arena was used for jousting tournaments and many other games during the festival. Surrounding the arena were wooden benchers with five levels, and on that hot summer day the benches were filled with townsfolk, young and old, eager to see the battle between Prince Isaac and the famed Princess Ingrid.

Isaac and his team waited in one side of the arena while Ingrid and her team waited for another. Isaac called his men for a huddle, and quickly began to give his command. 

"Men, split to 3 groups with 8 members each. Team A will capture the flag from the enemy team, Team B will protect me, and Team C will charge directly against all other members of the opposing team," he said in a loud, commanding voice, making sure that Ingrid would be able to hear enough of it to see how serious he was.

Ingrid watched Isaac huddle with his team, her arms crossed. She rolled her eyes. "Look at him, trying to sound so leader-like. Wait til he loses within a few minutes," she scoffed. 

Finally, the game marshall announces the start of the game. Isaac stands ready with his 3 groups while Ingrid was followed by her large undivided group, all with one goal to remove the bandanas on the enemy team. Ingrid eyed the flag on isaac's team. "You're mine," she muttered.

With a quick blow on a horn, the game started. Team B quickly circled Isaac as Isaac hid something underneath his shirt. As this happened, Team A rushed with a loud battlecry towards Ingrid's team, and they fought and shoved one another, each person standing their ground, not letting anyone get too close to the flag. 

As Team A pushed and shoved, Team C quickly went into action and removed bandanas from each member of Ingrid's team before they could even notice it. They were all fast on their feet, but one person was going faster than anyone else: Ingrid.

 As her men were too focused on pushing and shoving the other team, she ran as fast as a rabbit, taking off bandanas from Isaac's team at the blink of an eye, so fast the man wearing it didn't even feel it was off his head until it was too late. She dodged every enemy that tried to grab her, and also removed bandanas with a slight of hand. Finally, she saw Isaac's flag, and reached out to grab it.

Because of her speed, his men quickly dwindled, until Team B's members were all taken out. Soon enough, Isaac ran from Ingrid as she chased after him. "Not bad, princess," Isaac managed to say as they ran from one another. Around them, the cheers of the townsfolk grew louder and louder as they could tell the game was about to announce its winner.