the tourney

the worthy blade

“You have one more fight before You fight Tamarack.” Ned explained to Noel. Noel raised his head and saw no one in the hall. They had all died in their fights. “Who?” He asked. “You’ll know soon enough.” Ned told him. “Is he in the other hall?” Noel asked. Ned just shrugged his shoulders. Noel could still here the women’s cry and he still haven’t washed her blood off of him. “Was it because it was a girl?” Ned asked. Noel nodded. “My mom taught me to never hit a girl when I was growing up and here I am I killed two men already and cut both of a girls arms off. The worst part of it was that I didn’t even care when I was doing.” He paused to catch his breath. “I enjoyed it when  I cut her other arm off.”

            He covered his face with both of his hands and started to cry. “My mom would get sick if she knew what I did to get her the money and she would be even more mad if she knew that I risked my own life just for a couple of thousand dollars for her.” Ned put both hands on his shoulders. “Hey!” He yelled to grab his attention. Noel looked up at him tears streaking down his face. “She would understand she would be proud that you would give your life for hers so shape up and get ready for your next fight!” Noel stood up grabbed only one of his axes and stormed out of the hall. The announcer started to boom but he paid no attention to him he just walked to the box and climbed the steps with his head down. He stood on the platform and waited for his opponent. Moments later he saw movement on the other side of box. He looked up and his mouth dropped open. “No!” He yelled as he stared at Ned on the other side of the box. “For your mother!” He called back. “No!” Noel yelled again as tears running down his face. “You promised me that you would take my life if it came to it and it came to it so take it!” He yelled. “This battle will pick a champion to fight Tamarack!” The announcer boomed. “May your steel decide your fate and your skills keep you alive.” Noel remembered his promise to Ned and wiped his face. “I’ll keep that promise!” He yelled at Ned.

                     “Fight!” The announcer demanded. Noel’s thoughts were cloud by the crowds cheering. Noel charged and Ned did the same. Their steel rang together for what felt like hours. Both of them fought with all of their hearts until they could no more. Ned had been balancing between to beams when Noel charged at him. Noel came down with all of his force Ned tried to block it but the power of the strike broke his long sword in two. Ned fell back between the beams but caught himself before he fell into the spike. Noel jumped onto the beam that Ned was holding onto and carefully walked over to him. He extended his hand down to Ned. Ned grabbed his arm and Noel pulled him up straining all of his muscles in his arm to pull him up. He steadied himself on the beam and looked at Noel. He smiled. “You are the worthy blade of taking my life.” He said and opened his arms. “Take my life.” He told him.. Ned closed his eyes and smiled. Noel looked at him and raised his axe above his head and came down with immense power cutting Ned clean in two. Blood splattered on Noel for every inch that his axe cut Ned. After it was done. Noel raised his axe and threw it into the box. And walked back into the hall. “The champion that will fight Tamarack is Noel Campbell