Chapter 24
930 Words
The king and I led the way to the training grounds. With the giant crowd following quickly behind. A chair had been placed off to one side of the large arena and Halvor took his place there. I spared him no look as I turned to go pick out a sword from the weapons racks.
Gunnar, Eric, Hilda and Ann pushed through the crowd and caught me before I could walk across the arena to the racks.
“Please my Queen, you don’t have to do this” Gunnar begged, “Diana has blood in her eyes and she will try to kill you for sure.”
I looked back at Gunnar and Eric, both had pale anxious expressions. Hilda had tears in her eyes and was wringing her hands. I looked at Ann who had a confident smile. She moved towards me and placed her hands on my cheeks. “Hold nothing back” she said. I smiled and nodded at her, leaving her to deal with her confused husband and the others.
I decided that my gown was a bit heavy so I grabbed the bottom hem and tore apart the long right side seem that went up the length of the dress to my upper thigh. Sorry tailor, I thought. But at least it could be easily mended. The gown opened as I walked across the arena, exposing the dagger strapped to my thigh and billowing behind me. I felt powerful with the tiara still on my head and I knew I looked it.
I crossed in front of Halvor and glanced his way. His jaw dropped slightly as I passed and he appeared to shift uncomfortably in his seat. I quickly turned my focus to the weapons rack and pulled two swords. I swung them around and quickly tossed the heavier one aside. I moved back across the arena to take my place while the other girls chose their weapons.
Once again my gown opened up revealing my legs, earning a few whistles from men who had gathered around the arena. “Quiet!” Halvor bellowed. His response made me even more angry. He may look at other women, but other men may not look at me? I turned to him and removed my tiara, walking over and handing it to him. He took it with a frown on his face. I gritted my teeth and moved to the other side of the arena to face my opponents.
The three girls quickly chose their weapons and made their way towards me with menacing looks on their faces. As they walked towards me I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. In an instant I could see the battle before me. I would disarm Gies and Elsa quickly and they would not try to retaliate. Diana was a different matter. I would have to severely injure her, but she would probably live.
I opened my eyes again and Halvor yelled out “Begin!”
I held nothing back and moved in time to the pattern that had been laid out before me. Within seconds I had disarmed a stunned Gies and Elsa who had both been slightly injured. But it was enough to keep them from trying to attack again. I think they didn’t even know what happened. I disarmed Diana quickly too and heard gasps and quiet murmurs all around the arena. But I knew Diana wouldn’t quit. She grabbed a dagger from her boot and charged towards me. Before she could even get an attack in I sliced her wrist with my sword, cutting through tendons, rendering her hand useless forever. Once again I had moved too quickly for any of them to even lay a scratch on me.
I tossed my sword aside amidst the agonizing screams of Diana. Her screams were quickly drowned out by the deafening cheers that erupted all around me. Soon they were all chanting in unison “Queen Sylvia!”
King Halvor jumped up from his chair and placed the tiara back on my head. He then grabbed my hand, raised it up and announced “The victor, your queen, Queen Sylvia!” Cheers erupted once more as I glanced around to see Hilda crying and being held by Gunnar who had a huge grin on his face. Eric and Ann were embracing and laughing, which made me smile. I also happened to see the tailor, who looked pale and upset. I would need to apologize to him about the gown.
A nobleman, who looked like he could be Diana’s father rushed up to us with a distressed look on his face. Servants were carrying Diana out of the arena behind him. “Please my King, please call for the Royal physician. I beg of you.” Her father said. Halvor let go of my hand and placed a hand on the noble’s shoulder nodding to him. They both walked out of the arena, following Diana.
Cheers of my name were still loud all around me, but I didn’t care. Even though I had proven myself, Halvor once again made it clear who he really cared about. Of course he would probably care about a mistress he’s known longer. Plus I just maimed her for life, so he would be right to show concern. I banished the feelings of jealousy and made my heart cold once more.
I walked off the field and made my way to my chambers, not even sparing time for my friends on my way. I didn’t want to talk to anyone right now.
- Writer
