I crouch, flexing my knees,
The next moment, I erupt with a sudden lunge,
Leaping into his blindspot, my figure cuts through the air,
Twisting my fingers mid- air I flip the daggers,
Sriking the back of Mark's neck pommel first.
I roll, bracing for my landing.
After a couple of rolls, I come to a halt, kicking up dust in the process.
As for Mark my opponent?
Knocked out cold, or close to it.
I look back, locking onto his sprawled figure, groaning in pain.
"We have a winner!"
The commentating recruit shouts,breaking the silence.
As if on cue, cheers errupt, the recruits excitedly jumping around.
"What a match!"
~Cheers~
I hadn't realises that everyone had been so quiet, holding their breaths, immersed and engaged watching my fight.
A few excited smacks land on my back as I leave the ring- cheering me on.
"Calm down guy!" Judas yells , calming the winners yet to collect their won bets.
[Shiet! I forgot to bet on myself!]
Its just then that it hits my mind, an irritated frown marrs my visage.
Ah, next time,
I shrug it off, walking back to the weapons stand.
Everyone else disperses, still engaged in lively chatters.
"Oi ! Rain!"
My head turns, I come face to face with a recruit- we had previously gotten acquinted, before the fight proposal.
Allen, is his name.
I raise my brows, curious.
He pats my shoulder, excited.
"You just made my day!"
He shouts, springing around.
"Huh?"
"Oh! You don't know?"
~grabs his almost full coin pouch, throwing and catching it, coins clinking~
"I made a fortune brother!" He chatters excited
"You don't say!" I remark absent minded
"You wouldn't believe how the odds were stacked aganist you!"
The guy proceeds to narrate the fight to me- as if I wasn't the one fighting, heh!
But it was worth it, the next second
~Allen gently touches his chest~
"Brother, you know, Mi casa-" gestures at me "Su casa."
And proceeds to fish out a handfull of coins, handing it to me- without even counting!
[Now we're talking]
My heart swells in glee.
Counting the coins, I find that I have twenty four Orens, I cant begin to fathom Allen's winnings.
Its not a surprise he's so happy.
Just to make you glean the weight of all this, Ten orens were enough to feed a family of four for a month, and it'll be a feast.
Not morsels like the norm.
"The Cap'n is coming!"
A recruit yells, running into the training grounds- the one who was keeping watch of the Captain's arrival.
I watch in awe as the once rowdy recruits transform, running into positions.
Some to the dummies, others in formation.
The instant Captain Harlan walks in, there is a complete overhaul.
Did I just see a guy wiping his brows? As if he'd been practising hours on end?
I supress a giggle, pretending that I was busy training on a dummy.
We aren't so different after all.
~~
" Huut!" Captain Harlan shouts,
Everyone gets in formation.
"I see you busy training, That is commendable behaviour, Bravo!"
He compliments the 'exemplary' behaviour, fist raised high, and very proud.
Only if he knew.
"NOW SIXTY LAPS!" His voice bellows,
Dumbstruck looks land on him, he grins
"What? Thought I'd go easy?"
"Make it SEVENTY!" he snaps, his grin widening cheek to cheek.
I feel my legs turn to jelly, notheless I burst into a run, lest he adds more laps.
The feeling is mutual as recruits beeline out of the training grounds, making laps around the barracks.
We are sent off with a pleased chuckle from that bastard- I'm starting to suspect he's a demon.
With the way he finds pleasure in torturing us.
After an eternity, we make the seventieth lap, my muscles screaming, sounding blares to my brain.
Soldiering on was the only option, I wouldn't let them give out on me.
From experience, I knew stumbling or anything out of what Captain commands will be suicide, lest he adds more laps- how would I finish that then? When I already failed?
It would cost me more energy.
Stopping was out of mind, it never registered.
Not in the first instant.
Not ever!
It really wasn't as bad as the previous day, you know, lesser laps and maybe my body was starting to acclimatize.
We finish the last lap, looping back into the training square- imagine my surprise to find our 'torturer' lounging.
The fury- and the urge order him to run some laps.
Of course I wouldn't let my fury show - or tell him to run a few laps.
That would be suicide- the folly of the century.
Looking down at us- wheezing and sweat soaked - he shows mercy.
That is, by letting us catch a breath, whilst stretching.
"Thats enough!" He suddenly yells, not even a few minutes of stretching!
"Practise your moves, " he remarks, not even looking at us.
[Lazy bastard]
Harlan suddenly looks up.
Did I say that out loud? No, it cant be, or else the recruits would have gone mad, scattering in fear.
If not that, why?
It takes me a fraction of a second to realise it.
My intent filled gaze- he caught it!
"Got a problem kid?"
"Uhmm-" My mind races, attempting to come up with a good excuse.
"Oh," He lets a crooked smile, standing "You want a go at me kid?"
I had no other option but to nod.
[Here it comes] i sigh in resignation.
Look at the bright side, I get to pay back the torture inflicted in training- thats a win for me.
Even if I get pummeled in the process.
"Want to get forged in fire eh?" The Captain remarks, half rhetoric half statement.
I strike my daggers together, spurring him on.
From his expression, I know he'll enjoy inflicting pain onto me.
Springing from his seat, he jumps into the square, the recruits giving room, shaking their heads at my 'foolish' gambit, if not utterly suicidal.
Who loves being beaten up?
Apparently me!
I knew that was the train of thought they were having.
[Please be gentle]