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But she resisted the urge. It would never do to spoil her little 'surprise.' She had to grip her flag pole extra tight to prevent herself from automatically moving her legs towards him.
The days past quickly. It was the competition day. The sun shone intensely that day, and no clouds covered its penetrating glare. The competitors were all actively preparing themselves. Slipping on their amour and sharpening their swords. Alanna dug into her bag and slowly, she dragged out her Armour. It was Shang-made. The leather was strong and yet supple. Wearing it brought back fond memories of the three years. She secured it. Next, she rummaged through her back and unshielded Lightning. There was no way no one could recognize Lightning. Alanna had taken pains to conceal her beloved sword. Alanna had changed the sheath. The handle of the sword was worn with use, but with her gift, it became new again. Lastly, she sharpened the edge of the sword and stepped out of the tent. She did a few moves with the sword and gave a contented smile. She was ready.
The competition began. It was round-robin style. The knights fought with each other, and the others against each other. Finally, the five best from each respective group would fight against each other. The competition lasted for a few days. Alanna could easily beat everyone in her group, but she had to be inconspicuous. If she were too good, she would be easily noticed. Instead, Alanna scraped through each match by purposely slipping and slowing down her shots. It seemed normal enough to the others, although some wet-blankets did comment that she was just plain lucky.
The second round of the competition begun. There was no time left to be slow or careless. Alanna had to fight. Well. Alanna prepared herself. She met face to face with a knight she did not recognize. The gun shot sounded. Alanna swung her sword and began a series of complicated swings. She faked a swing at his side. The knight automatically blocked but Alanna swung back and began a series of quick accurate shots. Before he knew it, the sword was pointed right between his two eyes.
Slowly, Alanna beat everyone in that round. Jon was not competing; thankfully, (Distraction) and Alanna soon gained a reputation. Who was that mysterious lad? He was not a knight and yet he could beat everyone easily... Rumors spread but no one got close enough to guess the truth. Finally, the day came.
It was her versus Alex, no surprises there. Her old arch rival. It was going to be one tough match and Alanna had to put in all her energy to win. Carefully, she got into her crouch position. The match began.
Alex and Alanna studied each other carefully, and no one made a move. The spectators were surprisingly silent, all eyes bore down on the two. Everyone was engrossed. Finally, Alex made a move. There was a glint of complacency in his eyes. Ha! Thinks I am an easy opponent eh? She mused. Alex swung into the crescent move. Alanna immediately blocked it, with surprising strength. Alex was shocked and caught off guard. He suddenly became wary.
The match began. The duo were both really good, but Alanna knew she was better. She knew Alex's style, He was the attack type. Alanna was patient, She blocked every move Alex made and waited for her opportunity. Slowly, Alex slowed down. He became tired, his breathing more rugged. It was then Alanna struck. She swung into a series of moves she had made. Alex blocked them clumsily. Suddenly, Alanna struck with a great force. Alex was forced backwards. Alanna did a couple of fake moves before she swung the sword with great speed. It came flashing down, and glinted dangerously at the nape of his neck.
The field was filled with silence. Alanna took a peek at the king and Jon. They were both shocked. No one had beaten a knight before, especially not the best Tortall had. Suddenly, some commoners gave a scream. The field erupted into cheers and claps. Alanna bowed to the king.
"This is unexpected!" The king exclaimed. "Your fighting skills are superb!" The king lifted the prize- a brand new sword and a crown of laurels (sorry couldn't think of anything else). "Who do I have the pleasure of presenting this to?"
Alanna gave a smile. This was it. She lifted the cap that covered her hair. She undid the knot and her hair swung freely.
"Alanna sir, Alanna of Tortall. Remember me?"
But she resisted the urge. It would never do to spoil her little 'surprise.' She had to grip her flag pole extra tight to prevent herself from automatically moving her legs towards him.
The days past quickly. It was the competition day. The sun shone intensely that day, and no clouds covered its penetrating glare. The competitors were all actively preparing themselves. Slipping on their amour and sharpening their swords. Alanna dug into her bag and slowly, she dragged out her Armour. It was Shang-made. The leather was strong and yet supple. Wearing it brought back fond memories of the three years. She secured it. Next, she rummaged through her back and unshielded Lightning. There was no way no one could recognize Lightning. Alanna had taken pains to conceal her beloved sword. Alanna had changed the sheath. The handle of the sword was worn with use, but with her gift, it became new again. Lastly, she sharpened the edge of the sword and stepped out of the tent. She did a few moves with the sword and gave a contented smile. She was ready.
The competition began. It was round-robin style. The knights fought with each other, and the others against each other. Finally, the five best from each respective group would fight against each other. The competition lasted for a few days. Alanna could easily beat everyone in her group, but she had to be inconspicuous. If she were too good, she would be easily noticed. Instead, Alanna scraped through each match by purposely slipping and slowing down her shots. It seemed normal enough to the others, although some wet-blankets did comment that she was just plain lucky.
The second round of the competition begun. There was no time left to be slow or careless. Alanna had to fight. Well. Alanna prepared herself. She met face to face with a knight she did not recognize. The gun shot sounded. Alanna swung her sword and began a series of complicated swings. She faked a swing at his side. The knight automatically blocked but Alanna swung back and began a series of quick accurate shots. Before he knew it, the sword was pointed right between his two eyes.
Slowly, Alanna beat everyone in that round. Jon was not competing; thankfully, (Distraction) and Alanna soon gained a reputation. Who was that mysterious lad? He was not a knight and yet he could beat everyone easily... Rumors spread but no one got close enough to guess the truth. Finally, the day came.
It was her versus Alex, no surprises there. Her old arch rival. It was going to be one tough match and Alanna had to put in all her energy to win. Carefully, she got into her crouch position. The match began.
Alex and Alanna studied each other carefully, and no one made a move. The spectators were surprisingly silent, all eyes bore down on the two. Everyone was engrossed. Finally, Alex made a move. There was a glint of complacency in his eyes. Ha! Thinks I am an easy opponent eh? She mused. Alex swung into the crescent move. Alanna immediately blocked it, with surprising strength. Alex was shocked and caught off guard. He suddenly became wary.
The match began. The duo were both really good, but Alanna knew she was better. She knew Alex's style, He was the attack type. Alanna was patient, She blocked every move Alex made and waited for her opportunity. Slowly, Alex slowed down. He became tired, his breathing more rugged. It was then Alanna struck. She swung into a series of moves she had made. Alex blocked them clumsily. Suddenly, Alanna struck with a great force. Alex was forced backwards. Alanna did a couple of fake moves before she swung the sword with great speed. It came flashing down, and glinted dangerously at the nape of his neck.
The field was filled with silence. Alanna took a peek at the king and Jon. They were both shocked. No one had beaten a knight before, especially not the best Tortall had. Suddenly, some commoners gave a scream. The field erupted into cheers and claps. Alanna bowed to the king.
"This is unexpected!" The king exclaimed. "Your fighting skills are superb!" The king lifted the prize- a brand new sword and a crown of laurels (sorry couldn't think of anything else). "Who do I have the pleasure of presenting this to?"
Alanna gave a smile. This was it. She lifted the cap that covered her hair. She undid the knot and her hair swung freely.
"Alanna sir, Alanna of Tortall. Remember me?"