Sorry if this chapter ends up sucking. I'm not feeling my best, here goes!
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Chapter 44--Battle of Honor
There was no way Qui was going to allow Legolas to sacrifice himself for them. Legolas didn't know what lied in store for him if he did this, but Qui did. He reached out and grabbed Legolas's shoulder. "No, Legolas, not this time," he said. "We all leave together or die together." He pulled Legolas back and stepped in front of him.
"Do not be foolish, Qui. You will all die if you fight and I will still have him," Wai Chee sneered.
"You will never have him. My last action before I die will be to kill Legolas as well. He would be better off dead then in your power," Qui said coldly.
Legolas stared at Qui in shock. He couldn't believe he'd just said that.
Gimli and Aragorn moved up on either side of Qui, making it impossible for anyone to get to him without having to fight.
Suddenly Qui had an idea. "I claim the right of single combat for blood vengeance," he said.
"What?" Wai Chee demanded.
"You ordered my sister's murder. I demand you face me in combat to the death. If I win then we are free to go," Qui said.
"If I win," Wai Chee said, pointing to Legolas, "he is mine."
Qui hesitated, but he knew it was their only hope, though it was a slim one. There was no way they could fight a group of skilled assassins. "They also go free if we both die, agreed?" Qui asked.
"Agreed. I accept your challenge. Bring his weapon," Wai Chee ordered.
One of the men bowed and hurried off.
"Qui, are you mad what if you lose?" Aragorn hissed.
Qui switched to Western. "None of you agreed to let Wai Chee take Legolas," he pointed out. "If you are wise though your final act if you are defeated will be the same as mine. If Legolas is taken he will suffer badly and most likely die," he said.
"Do not speak in the barbarian's tongue in front of me!" Wai Chee demanded.
"I will speak in whatever language I wish," Qui said.
The man returned with Qui's scimitar and knobbed club and handed them to him. He then backed off to rejoin the others.
"They do not interfere," Qui warned. "Tell them."
Wai Chee smirked then glanced at his men. "Do not interfere and if I am killed you will not prevent them from leaving," he ordered. He returned his attention to Qui. "Shall we begin?"
"I am ready," Qui said. They bowed to each other respectfully then took their battle stances. At first they exchanged casual thrusts and feints as they tried to gauge each other's skill.
Finally Wai Chee lunged forward with a shout, aiming for Qui's head.
Qui ducked and parried the blow aside and thrust for Wai Chee's midsection. The blow was parried neatly aside.
The two men circled, both realizing they were both very skilled. The fight would be long and difficult before there was a winner. Neither of them intended to lose.
Qui hissed in pain as the sword sliced his side and struck back feeling his blade pierce flesh. It was a deep cut. Qui could tell that. He breathed a silent prayer to his ancestors to give him the strength to win. He couldn't let the Guild master get a hold of Legolas. He had meant it when he had swore his last act would be to kill Legolas. It would be quicker and cleaner then he would get from the guild. He noticed blood darkening the shirt over Wai Chee's shoulder.
Wai Chee let out a shout and lunged forward, thrusting straight for Qui's chest with all his might.
Qui cried out as he felt a searing pain surge through him. The blade had connected.
Legolas cried out in horror as Qui staggered back, clutching at his chest, blood welling between his fingers.
Wai Chee laughed and moved forward. "Now to finish this," he said….
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So who do you think will win? Qui or Wai? R/R please!!!