The Sapien Empire by Nathan Ogloff

Author:Nathan Ogloff [Ogloff, Nathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nathan Ogloff
Published: 2024-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

A CROWD HAD formed around Jarim and Vik upon the field adjacent to the city walls. The most important people were in the center. On one side stood Jarim and Shindo. On the other was Vik, along with the other Lordchiefs. The two combatants stared each other down. A warrior handed Jarim a wooden staff. From behind, she felt a tug at her shoulder.

“Can you beat him?” said Shindo. “It took you a while to kill Vibrun. Vik was trained by him, but he is younger. Younger than you.”

Jarim almost smirked but forgave him.

“I lack his training,” she said, “but he lacks mine. That’s his shortcoming.”

Vik stepped toward the center of the circle. He twirled his staff around ferociously. Jarim stepped closer, her breath picking up. She widened her stance and steadied herself. Vik caught Jarim’s eye in the middle of his twirling and a slight grin reappeared.

“I won’t be too rough with you,” he said, “after I put you back in my harem.”

“You’re welcome to try,” said Jarim.

Lordchief Tersona stepped out a couple of paces.

“Only one rule is obeyed in combat—” shouted Tersona.

“—Rules are absent,” said the crowd in unison.

It was as close to an official start as the challenge had ever had. A silence fell over the crowd as they waited for someone to move. Vik immediately charged at Jarim. He raised his staff high and came down hard, but Jarim stepped aside in time to give him a hit to the arm. Vik came around, thrust the butt of the staff at Jarim’s abdomen and again she dodged.

Vik swerved the staff down and to the left. Jarim swerved to avoid it. She countered, trying to take out Vik’s balance by hitting his legs. She got one but didn’t stop him. With white-knuckled hands firmly on his staff, Vik swung high and came down. Jarim deflected this blow and quickly countered, using the butt of her staff to jab Vik’s face.

“You should have stayed in the Shrine,” said Vik.

His face contorted like a beast as he rushed toward Jarim. Vik swooped at her legs, but she blocked him. He immediately pivoted his staff again from another side and had better luck.

Jarim fell.

She bolted up and narrowly avoided a blow to the side of her head. Keep your mind clear, it’s your advantage over Vik. He raised his staff higher, but she parried and used the butt of her staff to hit Vik’s stomach. Vik’s erratic movements made it obvious he was getting increasingly agitated as the fight wore on.

“See how I’m using your anger against you,” said Jarim.

“Shut your mouth,” said Vik.

“There are no rules, so I’ll do as I damn well please,” said Jarim.

Jarim landed a weak blow from up high. Vik blocked. She swung the staff around, like a sword, to pound Vik from the side, but he blocked her again before they both stepped back and circled each other.

To regain their strength, they patiently waited for the perfect time to attack. Jarim struck first. Vik jumped and made a large arcing movement toward Jarim’s right side, which she couldn’t block.

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