the tourney

Ned

        Noel was walking into the arena a huge circle with dirt for ground and pillars on one side and collapsed pillars on the other side and in the middle a huge box were men fought on the top on slim beams and if they were to be knocked they would fall into a valley of spikes. He remembered that from watching two fight on it last year. He hardened his grip on both of his axes. HE was at a lost he didn’t know what to do. He saw the man that he was talking to earlier. He ran up to him “Hey!” He called out to him. The man looked back at him . “Ah the innocent one.” He proclaimed. Noel looked at him. “What is that my nickname now?” He asked. The man shrugged his shoulders. “I saw it fitting because you’ve not shed any blood yet.” He said with a mocking smile on his face. Noel looked around at the stadium chairs all filled with people. “a packed house today we have.” The man said as he breathed in. “Blood will be spilled today.” He said making his mocking smile bigger. Noel smiled and looked at him. “To the end?” He asked. The man looked at him. “To the end.” He agreed.

          He looked at the battle axes. “You wield heavy weapons but you wear light armor?” He questioned Noel. Noel looked down and let out a breathy laugh. “Yes move like a humming bird and swing with the force of a bull.” He said. The man smiled we will see your talent on the field. “So how does this work?” Noel asked the man. “Six men in the ring two on every section. the roster is posted on every wall in the hall go see I’ll be waiting here when you return.” The man said with smile. Noel looked at him then back at the entrance to the hall then broke into a light jog. He ran to the closest wall in the hall and found the roster paper. He searched for his name and saw that he was one of the first to fight. HE was to fight on top of the box. He sighed “The first one up and the last one to fall.” He said to himself. He turned and ran back out to talk to the man. He was in the middle of the  arena leaning on his grate sword. “Do you know when you are to fight?” He asked.
   
          Noel held up one finger. The man looked at him in surprise. The overseer must see something in you, The best fight first then everyone fights to kill each other off. Noel shudders at the thought of death.  The man starts to walk away. “See you in the ring.” He said. Noel watched him walk before he called out .”Wait I never caught your name!” The man looked back and yelled. “Ned!” Then continued to walk away.