the tourney

the after math

When he entered the hall he heard all of the other champions whooping and calling his name. Noel just kept his head down and walked to and empty changing room and closed the door and locked he put his axes on the wall in front of him and sat on the bench behind them and put his hands on his face. He was breathing heavily. He thought about the sound the axe made when it cut into the man’s foot. He shook his vigorously. Then screamed. He heard a knock at the door that silenced his screaming. He quickly looked at the door and got up and opened the door. It was Ned with his mocking smile. “You fought well friend.” He said with a big grin. Noel nodded still keeping his head down. “What’s wrong friend?” Ned asked. “It’s nothing.” Noel replied. Ned shook his head. “Don’t worry the first kill is always the hardest.” He said. “It’s good that you realize that you just took someone’s life. I was like you when I first started.” He explained. Noel looked up. “you were?” He asked.

       Ned nodded. “I mourned the dead as well.” He said. “Until that I was on my knees begging for life the overseer spared me. He told me that I will fight in the tournament until I find a blade that is worthy of taking my life. Noel looked at him shocked. “So you’re just living to die?” He asked. Ned nodded. “As it may seem yes.” Noel laughed. “This whole tournament thing is so messed up.” He said. “Indeed it is brother.” Noel looked at Ned again. “What happened to innocent one?’’ He asked.

        Ned smiled and said. “You’ve spilled your first blood in the ring you are a man grown now.” Noel smiled. “When do you fight.?” He asked. Ned looked at a roster paper. “After the round you fought in.” He says. Noel didn’t notice that there was another pair out there still fighting out in the ring. “Come and watch me fight you could learn a thing or two.” Ned said with his mocking smile. Noel laughed. “Yeah sure but I won’t learn anything.” Ned stood up. “It is only fair that you learn for I did the same with you and I learned a lot.” He said. Noel’s face went stone cold. “You thought I was joking but think again. You might be grown but that doesn’t make you smarter than a few minutes ago.” Ned said. Noel gave him weary smile and stood up grabbed his axes and followed Ned.