Anya was standing with Irien, rubbing her hands together nervously. The boys had left to fetch their horses to start the show. Men, women and children were all gathered around a fenced off area in the middle of the market where the show would take place. Irien was unreadable. Anya was surprised that Irien had let her do what she pleased throughout the day. In fact, now was the first time she had seen her since she had told her mother about the invite. Apparently Lira had done exactly what she said she would: she had told nearly everybody that stopped and talked to her and soon everywhere Anya went she was congratulated or given encouraging looks. 

I wonder if Nic knows. Anya stopped mid thought, slightly surprised at her own thoughts. Anya searched  the crowd and eventually spotted Nic. He was talking to Caleb, that strange warrior friend of his who had appeared a while back. He was glaring at something Caleb had said. Her stomach did a complete circle. What’s wrong with me? She chanced another glance at him; a broad smile replaced the scowl. A beautiful smile, a real smile that touched his light, blue eyes. Her whole body seemed to flutter at the sight of him. 

He glanced up in her direction and their eyes met for a moment before she diverted her gaze quickly. Anya you fool! She was rescued from her embarrassment when the band started and three elegant black stallions cantered gallantly into the arena. She clapped enthusiastically. Trey, Roan and Sam were wearing identical outfits; deep blue tunics with black breeches and riding boots. Gold and silver embroidery spread itself across their chests, together making the emblem of the Guardian’s Elite Soldiers. A sword in the middle of raging flames, with a vine curling itself around its blade. 

The horses were like black shadows, lifting their long legs high as they moved, their flowing tail streaming behind them, a silver bridle with a broach resting on their foreheads. Their ankles were covered with beautifully crafted leg guards with her father's emblem sewed on in silver thread. Their saddles were high pummeled and shined from their recent polish. She clapped enthusiastically and whistled through her teeth. 

The three cantered their horses around the arena a couple of times, allowing their horses to become accustomed to the noisy crowd. The three young men were sitting rigidly in the saddle and holding the reins loosely in their hands. Irien was smiling next to her, clapping her hands along with the beat. The horses slowed their canter and moved towards the centre of the arena. In unison, the three horses lifted themselves on to their hind legs. The crowd roared with pleasure. The horses slowly moved forward and the roar increased in volume and Anya realized just how many people were there for the festival. Hundreds! 

She laughed with delight. The rest of the display was flawless. Each horse looked like a warrior stead painted on a wall and their riders, valiant knights. When it was over the crowd shouted for more but the boys stuck to Anya’s father’s belief: leave when they still want more. Anya smiled and weaved her way out of the crowd to congratulate the stars of the show. She found them at the inn’s stables, laughing and hugging each other. Roan noticed her and ran to pick her up in a wholehearted hug. She hugged him back and when he put her down she got identical hugs from the other two. 

“You were great! You looked great and the horses were amazing!”

All of them started talking excitedly at the same time like little children, who just received a whole bunch of birthday presents. She just smiled at them.

“Where are my champions? Trey? Roan? Sam? That was nicely done my boys. You made me proud out there!” Lor was walking towards them with his arms outstretched. “Now we must get ready for the finale, Annie let the boys get changed. Go watch the other presentations.”

Anya gave them one last smile and quickly ran off. The crowd had dispersed slightly. Four men were carrying a large stage into the empty arena. The Wrestle! Anya’s heart stopped. People started to realize it too and began pushing their way for the best view. She scanned the crowd trying to pick out Nic. She was torn between rushing over to him and wishing him luck or staying where she was, remaining angry with him. 

Spotting him, the former won her over; she saw his lean body with another tall man. She moved quickly towards them. Weaving through the crowd. She reached Caleb’s side but Nic was not there.

“Where’s he?” she asked a bit out of breath.

Caleb looked around and studied her for a few moments. “He has gone.”

“Gone where?”

“I thought you knew about his challenge.”

“Yes, I do, but I need to speak to him.” Caleb looked confused; he narrowed his eyes encouraging her to continue. She opened her mouth to speak but shut it quickly when she realized she did not know what she would have said to Nic.

“Are you worried about him?” Caleb asked, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“No!” she said curtly. He chuckled and turned towards the empty stage where the Wrestle would take place. Anya twitched her mouth, wondering what to say, but Caleb relieved her of the task.

“He will be fine, you should have some confidence in him.”

“But he is up against Robert! Robert, the town’s bully! The boy who put his last opponent in a continual sleep for a few days! And Nic is… well Nic is…”

“He is what?” Caleb turned to face her again with a raised eyebrow. 

This is amusing to him. Men! “Different.” It was the only reply she could think of.

“You are worried about him.”

Anya threw her head slightly back in frustration. “Yes, just a bit.”

As Anya finished, Shen Gipps – the town mayor – walked onto the stage. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” his voice boomed above the mass of voices. All turned to look at him, a hush falling over the crowd. Anya felt herself being pushed and shoved. She tried to push back but it was one against an army. A firm hand grabbed her shoulder and steered her towards the stage. Caleb pulled her in front of him, protecting her from the over-eager crowd. She looked up at the big man, he was concentrating on what Shen Gipps was saying, but smiled at her when he noticed her gaze. 

“It has been a tradition in our town to hold a monthly event known to us as the Wrestle.” A cheer rose up from the local villagers. “Tonight is not only the end of a productive year, it is also the end of another month and we have decided to hold strong to the tradition. Tonight you will witness two of our strongest, young warriors battle it out for the title of Champion. Our current Champion - who has reigned for this whole year – is Robert Stafford.” The crowd erupted again. Anya and Caleb slowly clapped along but with no enthusiasm. Robert stepped onto the stage, hands in the air; a self-contented smile plastered his face. 

“His challenger, is new to the Wrestle, but do not be fooled, he is still a formidable contestant. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Nicholaes Shaw!” 

The crowd applauded, not as loudly as they had done for Robert, but Anya was relieved they had applauded at all. She looked at Caleb. His face was looking at Nic as he walked hesitantly on stage. He noticed her gaze and winked down at her. She turned back to see Nic walk towards the centre of the raised platform. He held a wooden sword in his right hand and, unlike Robert, his shoulders were hunched, but his gaze was steadfast. She could not tell what he was thinking though. His eyes held neither fear nor excitement; it was almost as if he found the whole situation boring. 

“I see you boys have decided on a sword fight. Now without any more frippery let us begin. Let’s have a clean fight, no funny business and no dangerous or reckless behaviour. Good luck.” Shen walked off the stage leaving the two boys looking at each other from opposite sides of the stage. A bell struck, signaling the beginning of the fight. Anya had her hands in front of her mouth. Her stomach was clenched. Nic raised his sword in front of him, but remained where he was. Robert was swinging his sword from side to side, a huge smile on his face. He charged Nic, slashing his sword at his opponent. Anya’s hands shot up to her eyes. She couldn’t watch.

“You should watch him instead of hiding behind your hands.” Caleb was talking loudly trying to be heard over the crowd. Anya looked through her fingers. Nic was evading Robert’s sword with ease. His movements were swift and precise, the blade missing him every time. Robert’s face was of sheer frustration. He withdrew his attack, breathing hard.

Robert screamed something at Nic; Nic ignored the remark. Instead he lifted his sword again ready for Robert’s next attack. Robert repeated his onslaught, this time putting more strength behind each blow. Nic still easily dodged them, his body twisting and turning as if it were a dance. Anya lowered her hands. She understood what Nic was doing now. “Keep it up Nic!” she shouted, she knew he couldn’t hear her but she shouted anyway. Please Nic! Do not slacken. Please. Just keep going! 

She mentally willed him all her strength, not that it would help, but she did it anyway. Robert retreated to regain a bit of his breath. His big chest was heaving heavily. Nic was breathing hard too. Does that mean he is tired? Gods please get him through this. Gods please get me through this! 

Nic initiated the next attack. His body and sword moved as one. His strikes were short and quick. Robert was no longer smiling. His face was grim with concentration but Nic did not slacken his assault. Robert tripped over his feet and fell to the ground. She heard the gasp of the crowd and her own among them.

“He’s going to beat him!” Anya was jumping with excitement but that was quickly replaced with shock and anger. “What happened?” she asked nervously. Caleb was scowling, his eyes blazing with anger.

“Bastard!” he cursed. “Son of a whore!”

“What happened?” Anya’s voice was more urgent this time.

“He threw dirt in his eyes! The sly little fox! He must have had some in his pocket.”

Anya looked back at Nic. He was stumbling and rubbing his eyes. Robert was grinning with satisfaction, slowly making his way to a defenseless Nic. He had dropped his sword and was now frantically scratching at his eyes. She cursed under her breath. I need to do something! But what? 

Before she could stop herself Anya was pushing forward through the few people who stood in front of her. Caleb had tried to grab hold of her shoulder but she shrugged him off easily. She grabbed a water sack from one man’s hands and carried on leaving the man scowling at her. She climbed onto the stage. Robert stopped smiling and was looking at her with irritation. She scowled at him and rushed forward to Nic. His eyes were shut and he was rubbing anxiously at them. 

She approached him carefully. “Nic? It’s Anya. Hold still for a second.” Nic froze, his eyes were still shut but he had stopped rubbing them.

“Anya? What are you doing? You cannot-”

“I can do whatever I want, now stop talking so I can fix your eyes and you can get back to beating this fraud of a Champion.” Anya retrieved her handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed it with some water from the water sack. She gently dabbed Nic’s eyes, removing the dirt. She told him to slowly open his eyes to make sure there was no real damage to them. He did so reluctantly. She stepped onto her toes. He was a bit more then a head taller then her, making it difficult for her to see. From what she could see his eyes were bloodshot. His normally beautiful grey, blue eyes were dark and swollen. She dabbed his eyes again. Through the corner of her own she saw Shenn Gipps marching towards her.

“Anya! What do you think you are doing young lady?”

“I am fixing Robert’s mess.” She said shortly.

“You cannot just interrupt a fair match like that, it is-”

“You call this a fair match! Throwing dirt in someone’s eyes to win!”

“It says nothing in the rules-”

“You could have blinded him Robert!” she cut him off. Shenn was taken aback by her hostility but eventually nodded and looked at Robert with a reprimanding glance and then turned to Nic. 

“Are you able to continue?” Nic looked at Anya, she felt a well of compassion build up inside her chest for the young man. His swollen eyes searched hers before turning to the mayor.

“I am.” Nic said while looking at her again.

“Alright then. Let us get this thing going before the crowd disperses.”

Anya gave Nic one last encouraging smile and moved off the stage, resuming her place in front of Caleb. He smiled as she approached. The bell sounded again and the fight resumed. Robert began the attack with a few successive blows. The dull thud of their wooded swords were drowned by the shouts from the crowd. 

Nic blocked the attacks but not as easily as before. The last swing scratched his shoulder, causing him to stumble back a few paces while holding his hurt arm. Luckily it was not his sword arm and the blow not too serious; it would probably be just a bruise. Robert lunged at his distracted opponent but Nic sidestepped out of the way. Nic’s counterattack was so quick; Anya did not even see how he started it. His sword swung left, right and centre. Robert was taken by surprise; he had clearly underestimated Nic’s abilities and determination. 

Nic’s sword hilt connected with Robert’s stomach winding him instantly. Nic took his opportunity. Robert landed heavily on his back as Nic tripped him with his leg. Immediately Nic’s sword point was by Robert’s neck. The crowd erupted in applause. Anya could not believe what she was seeing. Her jaw had dropped and her eyes were wide. She turned to look at Caleb. His expression was unexpected. He was clearly deep in thought. A deep frown spread across his forehead and he was looking straight at Nic. The fool does not realize his friend has won.

“Yield?” Just as Nic uttered the word, the crowd began cheering. He withdrew his sword. I won! Gods bless it I have won! 

Shen Gipps ran over to him and lifted his healthy arm.

“Our new Champion!” The crowd’s roar was deafening. Nic’s cheeks started to burn from his permanent smile. He looked for Anya in the crowd. She was standing with Caleb, smiling at him; he smiled back. He looked at the warrior. Caleb was regarding Nic, not even noticing Nic’s gaze. He was frowning and his eyes were like dark slits. His arms were folded in front of his chest in a very formal manner. 

He should be happy. What is he thinking about? 

Caleb noticed Nic was looking at him and smiled. He started clapping with the crowd and lowered his head in approval. Nic responded in the same way.