Love and Blood
Mercenaries pushed through the crowd of soldiers, clearing a path to the ring. As the two women stepped forward, an almost incomprehensible presence seemed to surround them, as though they stood outside the balance of the world itself.
The NPC soldiers took seats on the cargo, some sat on the floor. Esemerlda's and Gregory's party were standing beside a tent.
A hint of worry crept across Esmerelda's party. They had no idea how strong the person in the hood was. During the hoglin wave she'd displayed impressive physical abilities. Far beyond what her lithe stature suggested. To them, this was anyone's fight.
Gregory bit his lip, staring at the two. His mind is still mostly occupied with the skill reward. During their spars, it was obvious she hadn't gone all out.
Even I… had never seen her go all out.
The two took their spots on opposite sides of the circle drawn into the dirt. All the soldiers who were fighting before made way for them. One with a bloody nose stared at them in a daze before retreating. Coins clattered into the split box.
Esmerelda's corner was filled before they had all exited the arena.
To them, it was a surefire defeat.
As the remaining soldiers took their seats, the arena was filled with a silent tension. Neither of them moved, not a single finger. Valerie's hands were at her sides, as if this was a light spar.
The sound of a coin entering the box.
Then, Esmerelda's forearm muscles twitched. Her form became a blur, leaving an indent in the dirt.
Her sword trailed behind her as she brought her elbow down, Valerie looked up, raising her arm to meet the blow. Only then did her eyes drop. The sword followed a second later, arcing toward her.
She's smart!
It was a move a coward would do. Totally unlike her boisterous, straightforward persona. Looking at her now, her expression seemed to say 'got ya.'
The sword raced toward Valerie's ribs.
Valerie looked down. Slowly, so slowly I don't even know if she actually did. And she simply placed her palm on the edge of the blade.
Gregory, who was watching with an impatient expression, was fully paying attention now.
It was just so… beautiful.
She tilted backward until her body was horizontal, with one palm still resting on Esmerelda's sword. She drew her knees onto her chest. Pushing her legs out, Both feet hit the arm that had feinted the elbow. Then, she twisted in mid-air.
Bouncing of her palms.
She landed gracefully on the dirt.
Esmerelda was recovering.
The camp was silent, not a single solitary breath could be heard. Nobody could properly comprehend what they'd just seen.
"Ouch! I went in a little dirty cause I thought you were strong but wow! You're getting me… so… fired up! More…" Esmerelda licked her lips. And the atmosphere changed, as if she was actually in control, and Valerie was being used to test herself.
"You're weird." Valerie replied.
"Thanks." Esmerelda said, flicking her nose and diving in again.
This time her speed was such that the weak NPC's looked confused. To them, Esmerelda had vanished. One soldier rubbed his eyes. The standard of a fighter was so low here…
Esmerelda's hair and skin were pulled back by her immense speed. As she raised her sword. Not making direct contact with the ground, the ground was ripped from underneath, and a blast of wind shot forward.
Valerie unsheathed her own, it was impossible for her to dodge at that speed. Planting her sword into the dirt, Esmerelda's sword was stopped. The elven steel was basically a brick wall.
Unplugging her rapier, Valerie leapt over Esmerelda's broadsword. On the other side of her swing.
She thrusted forward,
-Rrip..
Esmerelda tilted her head slightly, avoiding being skewered, but a line of blood ripped across her cheek. She wiped it off quickly, with a thumb before taking her sword back. "Hah… so fun!" Her breath was labored, so much that her breath was visible now.
But her face was bright red, nearly matching the blood flowing down her cheek.
It made tingles travel across my spine.
And… I wanted to root for her.
She had that kind of barbaric charisma.
Everyone else seemed to feel it too. The NPCs were hanging off the edges of their seats, a few having toppled forward without even noticing.
Esmerelda's party reacted differently. They looked exhausted rather than surprised—as if they'd seen this side of her before. Even so, a few couldn't hide their smirks.
"Hey!"
Esmerelda's eyes were glazed over, to her. It was just her and the princess. So it was obvious who she was referring to.
"Let's tear each other apart…"
The two fought for hours after that. Witnessing firsthand the stamina of two top-tier fighters I felt the chasm between us again… some soldiers came and went. Gregory and Baan left soon after, preparing for the next wave with Kiran.
The thief and I were the only two left watching.
During that time I was able to awkwardly ask for her name.
'Herty.'
We didn't talk much, as she went to go see Baan and Gregory. After I mentioned Baan, her face flushed. Oh, youth. Eventually, it was just me. And night had fallen. Men set up lanterns amidst the tents, illuminating the camp. The sound of their fight and the numerous conversations filled the airy silence.
The arena had become a mess, with Esmerelda's strikes and Valerie's. The arena was a map of lines.
Valerie pointed the tip of her blade toward Esmerelda's jugular. She was exhausted. It had been for hours, but it was finally hitting her. The ticklish sensation and the satisfaction of the blade made her erupt into laughter. Dropping her broadsword.
Esmerelda said sweetly, "You win."
And Valerie lowered her sword, sheathing it. "You're strong, I've never been pushed to this point." She offered her hand.
Esmerelda took it, chuckling to herself. "When a winner says that it doesn't mean anything." She stood up. Lightly tapping Valerie's chest with her fist. "Then, I'll beat you someday and say the same to you."
Valerie did the same, "I'll look forward to it."
After their exchange, Esmerelda dashed off. Something about wanting to fight Gregory. She seems to have infinite energy huh?
When she left, I realized it was just me and the princess now. The soldiers were in the city celebrating the defeat of the first wave, so only the introverted soldiers were around. Amidst the lanterns, she appeared to be glowing. I wasn't sure how to approach her…
We didn't talk much after I said 'that' on the roof of the inn.
[Relationship Board]
Valerie [50/100]
Gregory [30/100]
Pythia [-10/100]
Esmerelda [20/100]
Baan [90/100]
]
I checked it after she walked off, it went down ten points. And I know why…
Gulping, I approached her. My steps were stilted, as if you poured concrete into my bones. Valerie turned to watch me approach.
She was still standing in the arena. Squatting over it and tracing her fingers against the grooves.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, a little louder than I'd like.
Valerie turned away, watching her finger glide across an indent.
"What…?"
"I'm sorry." I wouldn't sugarcoat these words, I had to be forward.
"For what?" Valerie said, holding her head in the palm of her free hand, the uninterested tone made me remember she wasn't some unfathomable legend.
"For what I saw on the rooftop." I scratched the back of my neck. "It was uncalled for. I know how serious you are about your goals. It's one of the many things I admire about you… It was stupid, and I was just… upset, I'm sorry."
Weirdly, such honest words made the back of my throat ticklish.
She stayed silent, her fingers gliding across the groove faster.
"What else?" She uttered, she seemed to regret it. Shrinking into her hood.
"Hm?" Her tone, it wasn't angry?
[Relationship Board]
Valerie [60/100]
And that was back to normal.
"What do you mean?"
"What else do you… admire about me?"
"Let's see." I took a seat on a box, rubbing my chin. "For one, you're extremely strong and I never have to worry for my safety when you're around. Second, you have an overwhelming amount of desire and you'll stop at nothing, seeing you move forward gives me the strength to follow you. My journey started because of you and I've learned a lot about myself because of it… basically, you've become the person who pushes me forward."
Valerie's finger stopped moving.
And the embarrassment of my confession washed over me.
"That's good. Thank you for your honesty." She replied after clearing her throat. Turning away from me.
"Ahaha. I mean, you put me on the spot, it's all true, but… uh…" The warmth hanging over us made me go quiet as well. I was glad none of the party members were around. They'd probably misunderstand.
Ahem, after the air settled. I helped her up.
"It's getting late, wanna go back to the inn?"
"I was going to walk around for a little." She seemed to hesitate. The barely visible lips through her hood puckered. "As your apology, would you join me?"
"Sure. Are you looking for something? Like armor?"
…
"No. I just want to go for a walk with my knight."
She turned before I could answer, already making her way toward the lantern-lit streets of the village. I ran to catch up to her.