Kratz

39

"Who was he?" asked Wallens. They both sat in chairs in Kratz's tent that evening. Kratz busied himself rummaging through a chest of things he'd brought along for the campaign.

"A boy I had trained with, a fine soldier too."

"Do you believe you will defeat him?" asked Wallens. The General appeared quite concerned, which highly contradicted Kratz's own calm and collected mood.

"Perhaps," Kratz said, finally finding what he was looking for in the chest. He pulled out a small clear glass. Inside was a thick black liquid. Kratz pulled off the lid and set the glass down next to his chair.

"You do not worry?" asked Wallens.

"Nay. I believe Ellis to be a strong warrior, but I have always been better trained," Kratz admitted.

"What if you fall?"

"If I fall, then retreat. But I shall not leave you without comfort," Kratz promised. He pointed to Wallens bow that rested next to the Generals chair.

"What is it?" asked Wallens, looking down at his bow.

"An arrow." Wallens reached into the quiver and pulled out an arrow. He held it out to Kratz who used his powers to lift it from his hands. He then commanded the arrow, head first, over to him. When it reached his side he waved his finger, making the arrow turn and point at the bottle below it. Kratz finally grabbed the arrow with his hand and cautiously dipped the head into the black liquid. He covered the tip in several layers of the thick substance. When he finished he sealed the bottle and handed the arrow back to Wallens.

"What is this?" asked Wallens looking at the arrow. Kratz stood and smiled at him.

"If all does not go well, I will look at you. You shall light this arrow and fire it onto the bridge, understood?" asked Kratz.

"What good would that do?" asked Wallens, confused.

"You shall see."

At dawn Kratz dressed for battle. His wear was, as it usually was. The green robe he always wore, tough leather shoes, and a back scabbard. The sheath contained two short swords. Their hilts pointed in the same direction behind his right shoulder. Before leaving Kratz wished the men in patrols goodbye. Then he left with Wallens and his strong men accompanying him. Wallens brought his bow and arrow along, both his weapon of choice and necessary for Kratz's unheard plan. The dipped arrow he had specifically marked.

When they reached the bridge they were greeted with a similar view as the day before. In fact, exactly the same. The commoner soldiers and Diamond Guards all present. Even the sun had come out to watch the duel. Kratz's strong men, and Wallens, stopped at the top of the hill while he walked alone to the bridge.

Kratz stepped onto the wooden bridge with an air of confidence. At the other end of the bridge stood Ellis. His rival wore little armor and had a sling of rondel daggers across his chest. Adding six more blades to his arsenal, along with his trusted longsword. Kratz nodded to Ellis who grinned back at him.

"Prepare to fall dear mud," Ellis quipped. Kratz responded by pulling out one of his short swords and starting forward. He held it in his hands and prepared for an initial duel without powers. But Ellis reacted by waving his hand in the air. This commanded two rondels from his sling. The daggers pointed at Kratz as Ellis sent them for his head. The daggers darted through the air with great speed. Kratz raised his sword and swung through the air and connected with both daggers, knocking them both down onto the wooden walkway to the bridge. Kratz used his open hand to raise one of them and point it back at Ellis. He pointed his finger at Ellis' torso and the rondel raced swiftly back at him. Ellis pulled out his longsword and swung it at the incoming blade. He too knocked the projectile from the air, and over the railing to the bridge. Kratz watched as it fell a long way before splashing into the water below. He turned back to Ellis.

"You have been training," Kratz observed. Ellis walked forward, his longsword in his hands, and nodding with a smile.

"Indeed. You have not," he chuckled. Kratz walked towards him and they both stopped once meeting in the middle. Their swords both drawn and both of them in battle stances. Ellis made the first move and swung violently at Kratz's stomach. But his blow would be easily blocked by Kratz. Ellis tried several more times for Kratz's torso, but his opponent blocked him with ease.

"I believe my defense prevails," Kratz smiled playfully. Ellis' eyes darkened and he raised his sword before yelling angrily.

"You devil!" he roared while hacking ruthlessly at Kratz from above. Kratz blocked every shot but felt Ellis' superior physical strength beating on his own.

Ellis swung too hard and stepped past Kratz. But he wisely used the opportunity to elbow Kratz in the jaw. Which knocked him to the ground with a rough thud. He rolled several paces before jumping back to his feet. Ellis continued back towards him and tried a side kick. Kratz swung his own and met his shin with a smack. The two winced in pain as both of their feet fell back down. Kratz quickly swung again, but for Ellis' head. The Captain was quick and ducked before he could be hit. When he rose again he stepped even closer to Kratz. Still smiling darkly.

Kratz knew he needed distance. He waited for Ellis to make the first move. When he did he quickly kicked him in the stomach before he could move furth. Which sent Ellis back onto the ground. Ellis was down for only a second before jumping back to his feet. Kratz threw his short sword into the air and took a step back. He then focused a great amount of energy into his floating sword. While he could not beat Ellis with his own strength, he could certainly beat him with his powers.

Kratz pointed his finger at Ellis and sent the sword straight for his chest. Ellis caught sight of the move and raised his longsword to block it. While Kratz commanded the sword to fly point first at Ellis he eyed the other dagger from Ellis' earlier attack. As the sword flew at Ellis, who was ready to block it, Kratz used his powers to also lift the other dagger. He aimed the dagger as well and also sent it through the air, following the sword.

As predicted Ellis swung and knocked the oncoming sword to the ground, but he failed to see the dagger right behind it. The dagger plunged deep into his stomach and Ellis screamed in pain. He stumbled for a moment and fell onto a nearby railing.

"You... you... you will never defeat me," Ellis panted, looking over the edge of the railing. Kratz raised an eyebrow at him. Without much warning Ellis instinctively jumped over the railing. Kratz ran to try and catch him, but failed. He watched as Ellis fell for a long way down. Smiling up at Kratz until he splashed into the water. Several moments later he popped up in the rough current and began floating downstream. As he floated he also held his longsword high above him.

Kratz quickly looked back up the hill at Wallens. Wallens nodded and drew his arrow. Kratz then climbed onto the railing and looked down at the water below, prepared to jump. Meanwhile on the other side of the hill the Diamond Guards were enraged to see their commander fall into the water. They immediately began charging onto the bridge.

Wallens did as Kratz had asked him. He lit the arrow on fire and quickly shot it at the bridge. It landed in the center, only a few paces from where Kratz stood. Sticking neatly into one of the wooden logs. Kratz quickly opened a hand and pointed his palm at the flaming arrow. He then expanded the flame, bigger and bigger. Slowly the fire grew under his command and began to cover the walkway of the bridge. The oncoming Diamond Guards stopped soon after seeing a wall of fire in front of them. Kratz maintained control over the fire as he stepped off the railing and over the edge. He dragged the flame with him as he fell, being sure to spread it to every support on the bridge. When he landed in the river the entire bridge was burning to a likely collapse. Wallens smiled at the sight, quite impressed with his friend.