Getting to the Fight
1235 Words
Tiger's view
I wake up with a start. Another nightmare. I've been having them all night. They're all the same, yet every time I have it, it feels worse. The theme of the nightmare is: you could have saved Vlon. Always a pair of piercing blue eyes stare at me as the words I never want to hear are said.
Jorman bursts into my sleeping chamber. "What's wrong?"
I shake my head and reply, "Just a nightmare."
"It's sticking with you." Jorman observes, "Want to talk about it?"
"I keep seeing eyes like Vlon's. First in the warrior that Vlon has to fight. They stare at me as they deliver a crushing blow. Then in the eyes of a child who tells me I could have saved Vlon." I admit as I fight back tears of guilt and failure.
Jorman nods his head for a moment. Then he closes his eyes and tilts his head back. When he finally looks at me again he announces, "You're seeing the future you most fear. It is a possibility, but not guaranteed to happen."
I scramble towards him. "How do I keep it from happening?" I ask in desperation as I grab Jorman's arms.
"I don't have the answer to that." Jorman replies, "There might be a moment when a decision you make will effect the outcome of things; or it might just be a nightmare fueled by fears."
I let him go, and scoot back in my bed. "Better go get ready; I have a feeling it's going to be a long day."
Vlon's view
I wake up in silence. I've never been this relaxed, or this alone. Not just physically, but mentally. Shutting off the vibrations for this long has me alone in a whole different way. I itch to open them again, but I know I can't, or it will distract me.
I stand up and go to the bathroom to empty my bladder. Then I stand in my room, in my under clothes, and stretch every muscle in my body before putting on the first layer of the Warvian warrior battle uniform; black pants with special weapons pockets, and a deep blood red shirt. Mine has been altered to flatten my boobs, so they look more like the muscular chest of a male Warvian, not exactly comfortable, but necessary.
I take a deep breath and enter the kitchen area, as I've learned it's called. Just then there's a chime from the door. "Come in." I say, wondering who it is without the vibrations to tell me.
Arkner and Captain James step in. Arkner hands me a cup filled with my favorite hot drink. "Thought you might like to start your day with this."
I smile. "You know me so well."
"I don't." Captain James points out, "But, I'd like to, and the only way I'll get to is if you win today. Is there anything you need from me?"
"I already have your promise to keep Jorman safe." I tell him, "And I trust you'll be there to watch the fight."
"As your Captain, it's his place to put your armor on, and stand in your corner." Arkner points out.
"It's my honor." Captain James states with a grin.
"After drinks we prepare for battle." I toast, and take a small sip.
Captain James asks, "What are we drinking?"
"Krandy." Arkner and I answer together.
I grab a mug from a small shelf, pour a third of my drink into it, and pass the mug to Arkner, who does the same before giving it to Captain James.
"You start the official toasting." Arkner tells Captain James.
Captain James clears his throat and declares, "To victory, and what comes after."
We clink our mugs and take a drink.
"Tastes like hot apple cider, with a touch of caramel." Captain James informs us.
"May the fight not be too long, or too short." Arkner states as he raises his glass.
We repeat the process of clinking mugs and taking our drink.
"I understand not wanting a long fight." Captain James states, "But I don't see a problem with a short one."
Arkner explains, "In Warvian culture a short fight indicates your opponent isn't worthy of your skill. It would be disrespectful of Vlon to defeat the chosen warrior like those in the market space were."
Captain James gasps without making a sound.
"They would be forced to let me leave." I inform him, "But it could result in them declaring war on me, and the crew I belong to."
Captain James grimaces. "Then I'm glad I drank to that."
I raise my mug and toast, "To those who have made me who I am, and to those who will see who I become."
We clink our mugs one last time, and then drink the remaining Krandy. Arkner and I slam our mugs on the counter upside down, Captain James follows suit a mere space second behind us.
I move to stand in the open space of the room.
Arkner empties the bag of armor into a pile and calls Captain James over as he explains, "The warrior test is performed without weapons, but the warriors still dress as if they are armed. First thing Vlon needs is the dagger sheaths and belt."
Captain James takes the piece and walks over to me.
"You attach the belt first." I whisper.
Captain James chuckles, and gets to work. Once he has the belt on he moves to put the first strap just above my knee, and the second just below the knee, then does the other side.
This is the first time anyone other than Arkner has placed my armor on me. It feels strange, but I'm not about to admit that.
Arkner brings the chest piece over and hands it to Captain James.
I raise my arms. Captain James decides to slide my left arm in first. When he has the armor to my shoulders I bend my right arm and put it through the other arm hole. Captain James moves to the front and quickly attaches the clasps together.
It has been a long time since I felt the weight of the battle vest on me. I think of the hours I spent standing on a small pedestal while the tailor of the Phennox adjusted Arkner's spare to fit me, and hide the secret we knew we'd need to keep, if this day ever came.
The huge bottom clasp has Captain James confused, I note as I watch him stare at it.
Finally he asks, "Why is this one different?"
Arkner explains by lifting his shirt. "This place, just below the front ribs is the weakness of a Warvian. Hit it hard enough and you can kill the warrior. Hit it a little less hard and you can put them to sleep, for how long is determined by the amount of damage."
I add, "The curved triangle clasp shield disperses a blow given to that spot, protecting the warrior from their weakness; until it breaks."
"Vlon doesn't have that weakness, thanks to being only half Warvian, but we don't want the other warrior to know that." Arkner informs Captain James as he shows him how to connect the final clasp.
Then Arkner hands Captain James the helmet to place on his head.
With that the three of us leave my quarters and head to the Arena.
- Writer
