Chapter 5

The War Games

The city of Xeon held an annual contest called 'The War Games'. They were created by a Xeonian warrior who perfected all combat strategies. He had hoped that it would help choose the cities fiercest men, who would in turn help out in the military. But over the years it has turned into a festivity where the people of Xeon would gather and watch as soldiers faced each other in combat.

The basic outline of the contest was simple; there would be two groups of men, each with an equal number of fighters. Amongst each group only two would fight each other until one man from each group was left. Then those two would then fight each other, the winner would receive twenty crowns and a year's supply of food.

There were already signs of the long awaited contest, large posters hung from businesses campaigning the man they supported, chef's carried carts of pastries, cakes, bread, and other such goods up to the courtyard where the games were being held. As he continued walking he glanced at a poster with a very accurate painting of Adam on it, the artist must have known ever detail in Adam's features because it looked exactly like him.

Trey walked down the western side of the city, the clacking of hooves drove near as a horse rounded a corner pulling a heavily loaded cart. The War Games were at night, the sun was now just beginning to set casting an orange glare into the cloudless sky.

Trey reached the large twenty foot wide stairs that lead about a hundred yards up hill, to the courtyard where the games were being held. He climbed the stairs with agonizing slowness and, after several minutes, reached the courtyard.

Nolan was standing to the far northeastern side of the courtyard inspecting the production of the tents and stands. Adam was walking with Austin; he was suited in full battle armor with his sword sheathed on his belt. He held his helm under his right arm pressed against his side.

The last of the preparations were being dwelt with as Trey returned to his group, he would be opposing Adam's team. The sun had disappeared behind the mess hall's tower, silhouetting the tower's outline and casting a large shadow across the courtyard.

People began lighting torches along the arena's border and soon the courtyard was well lit. With that done and the audience settling in their seats Christopher, Xeon's main military captain, walked to the center of the arena and boomed to the spectators, "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the thirtieth annual 'War Games!'"

The crowd roared with excitement, some jumped into the air while others remained in their seats cheering and clapping.

"Now this evening we will go as we usually do, two opposing teams will send one man at a time to the battlefield, the winner will continue until he defeats his opponents or is defeated himself. This will go on until everyone has fought and one man from each team is left. Then the two men will fight each other to determine this year's winner." Christopher shouted, as if on cue the two teams entered the arena, each group on either side of the courtyard.

Then Christopher went over the rules and stated that any serious injuries will result in automatic removal of the attacker, however, scrapes and small cuts were allowed. Also no magic was to be used. After a brief speech he turned the audience's attention to the soldiers.

A large stand was positioned right in front of the arena giving the royalist a view of the entire courtyard. The royalist consisted of, King Xeno, Master Nolan, Christopher, the nobles, and priests.

The groups of fighters stood opposite each other as the announcer, a short stubby man by the name of Berol, approached a podium and began shouting the first contestants' names.

"First up we have Aetius and Ahenobarbus." As he said their names two men stepped out on to the courtyard.

Aetius was from Adam's side, his name meant 'eagle'. The reason for this was that when he was a child, Aetius had caught a full grown male eagle with his bare hands. And thus Aetius was granted his name. Aetius wasn't the one to attract wondering eyes, but when it came to battle he stole the show.

Ahenobarbus wasn't really the guy's name, but due to his bronze colored beard, the meaning of his name was born. Though he lacked education he made up for it with strength and overly sized muscles. He also was physically strong when it came to sword combat.

Aetius and Ahenobarbus were an even match.

The fight started when Berol smashed a metal mallet against a gong creating a smooth low sound that rippled through the quiet crowd.

The two men drew their swords and faced each other for a moment, and then Aetius charged, swinging his sword. Ahenobarbus tried to block the attack but was too slow. He yelped as Aetius struck him on the breast plate, causing a low thrum to reverberate into the surrounding area, and stumbled backward. The crowd gave a quick cheer for Aetius while Ahenobarbus's fans gave an encouraging chant.

Without thinking, he lunged forward, but Aetius parried the blow with ease. Suddenly, flashing with rage, Ahenobarbus whipped his sword towards Aetius's head, twisted it at the last moment, and then tried to hit his side. The solid ring of metal pounding metal resounded through the arena. Aetius moved in a wrong angle and was tripped by Ahenobarbus's over sized foot.

Aetius fell and Ahenobarbus pointed his sword down to him.

Aetius lost.

The crowd acknowledged Ahenobarbus's extensive fighting skills by shouting loudly at his victory. Ahenobarbus returned to his team as the next two fighters stepped out to meet.

"Next we have Anthony and Cornac!" Berol shouted from his spot at the podium.

The next two fighters fought with complete vigor and ferocity. They sparred for some time before Cornac, from Adam's team, won by disarming Anthony and sticking his sword at his chest.

Anthony retreated amongst the crowd as Cornac returned to his team.

The night went on like so. Men won men lost, but only the best made it to the finals and those men were Adam and Trey.

They stepped onto the courtyard as Berol informed the audience of the contestants." And the most awaited part of the War Games!" he shouted." The finales. Adam and Trey have fought through the night to achieve the spotlight. Who will win?"

The crowd gave a mixture of 'Adam' and 'Trey'. Berol hit the gong again and the fight started.

They didn't wait longer than a second. This time Trey attacked first. He lunged at Adam, who sidestepped and smashed Trey in the back with the hilt of his sword. Trey recovered fast and spun inhumanly fast, swung his sword towards Adam's armored chest, but to his dismay Adam parried the blow and leapt towards Trey. He tackled him to the ground and rolled back onto his feet, Trey still recovering from the impact.

Adam was about to claim victory when Trey shot up and resumed his stance. Trey charged Adam again as they locked themselves into battle. Engaged in a fiery dance, their bodies were linked then separated by their flashing swords.

Trey could not remember how long they fought. It was timeless, filled with nothing but action and reaction. His sword grew leaden in his hands; his arms burned ferociously with each strike. At last, he lunged forward; Adam nimbly sidestepped, sweeping the point of his sword up to Trey's jawbone with unnatural speed.

Trey froze as he felt the icy metal touch his skin. Dimly he heard the loud murmur of Master Nolan approving of Adam and Trey's fight with Christopher, and the audience cheering raucously around them. Adam lowered his sword and sheathed it."You have done well." He said quietly amid all the noise.

The members of Trey's group came out to congratulate him, patting him on the back for a job well done. Even though Trey had lost, he won to his team for making it as far as he did during the night. With nothing else to do he resisted the urge to sleep and decided to have a good time as a large feast came underway as the people began crowding a large table now being brought out to the center of the courtyard.