the tourney

Tamarack

He stood at the entrance to the ring. “Noel Campbell please enter the ring!” a new voiced called out. Noel walked into the ring. Torches lined the walls of the ring the box and the pillars were gone. The ring was empty except for him. “Now the reigning champion Tamarack!” The voice boomed. A large man painted red with elaborate tattoos all over his body walked out from the other side of the ring.

         “OO big man.” He called to Tamarack. “I’m going to crush you like I did the others.” Tamarack bellowed. “We’ll see about that big boy.” He taunted. Tamarack screamed and puffed out his chest. “What makes you so different from all of the others?” Tamarack asked. Noel stared him down. “I have a reason to fight and live the others wanted the money.” Tamarack looked confused. “Then what do you want?” He asked. “I want to save a life by taking yours.” The new announcer boomed. “May your steal decide you fate and your skills keep you alive.” Tamarack smiled. “Fight!” The announcer commanded. Tamarack charged at him yelling. Noel bent his knees ready to doge out of the way of the giant great sword that Tamarack wielded. Noel stood his ground waiting for the right moment. “For Ned, for mom, for everybody who died in this tournament I will kill you.” He said to himself. Tamarack swung his giant great sword. Noel rolled under the swing and swung at Tamaracks legs. Before he could even touch his leg Tamarack lifted him off the ground and threw him across the ring. He lost one of his axes while he was in the air he hit the ground with enough force to knock the air out of him. He struggled to his feat coughing. “That was my favorite lung.” He mocked Tamarack. Tamarack charged at him again. Noel was on his feet before he reached him. He rolled out of the way of Tamarack’s swing and swung at his leg this time he caught the back of his calf. Tamarack screamed in pain. “Gotcha.” He yelled in a cheerful voice. Tamarack looked down at him. “That was the biggest mistake you’ve made.” He yelled. Noel smiled. “I think that I’m one step closer to winning.” He said. Tamarack yelled and swung again. Noel took one step to the side and dogged his attack with ease and swung at his sword arm and caught his fore arm. Tamarack backhanded Noel with his free hand and caught him the face.

        “That’s all you got c’mon I’ve cut you twice with an axe and all you can do is slap me?” He asked Tamarack swung at him with his sword. Noel jumped back but the edge of the blade and caught his leather and tore it. Noel landed and his leather fell off his chest. “Oh no I feel naked.” He said and charged in at Tamarack. He swung at his face but he stood up and the blade was caught in his chest. Tamarack yelled in pain and looked down at Noel again. He tried to pull the axe out of his chest but it was no use. Tamarack tried to grab  him but Noel rolled out and started to run towards his other axe. It was lying in the middle of the ring. Noel broke out into a full sprint. Tamarack was tailing right behind him. Noel ran past his axe and picked it up.

           “With finesse.” He said and turned around jumped backwards and took aim at Tamarack’s head. He threw his axe with all of his strength. He hit the ground and watched the axe fly through air and hit Tamarack in the skull. His head flew back and blood shot out of his wound. Tamarack’s body hit the ground with a massive thud. At first everything was silent then cheering filled his ears. He got up and walked over to Tamarack’s body and pulled the axe in his chest out and cut his chest opened. He threw his axe to the side and reached into Tamarack’s chest and looked for his heart. He found his heart and ripped it out and raised it above his head. The crowd cheered him. He looked up at the announcer and threw the heart on the ground. He walked to the hall. “Our new champion!” He yelled. “Noel Campbell!” The crowd cheered even louder. Men started to walk out of the hall. “I presume that you will take me to my cash.” He said to them. Two men walked up to him and grabbed him by the arms. “Whoa would you be a little bit more gentler?” He asked them with a smile. “Sir please just keep quiet, the overseer wants to talk to you.”