Without you, I'd be lost and bare
But with you, life is full and true
My heart sings with joy, with you here
My life is so much better with you.

Spear, bow, and sword.

There was no dagger in sight.

Judging my aim, I can prove to be exceptional with bow and arrow and my dainty physic hidden under these layers of clothing can prove to be perfect for this.

But personally, I want to use a sword.

What do I choose?

Looking at others, everyone was quick to make a choice. Almost everyone had picked the sword and spear. What do I pick?

If I want to survive in this place, I think I should pick a bow and arrow. And once I harness my sword skills, and train according to the book the merchant gave me, it could be one of my hidden skills.

That is a perfect plan!

With my head held high, I walked confidently towards the bow and arrow, picking the wooden weapon up, my legs started to guide me towards the target.

A hiss escaped my lips when something hard slammed against the back of my skull. My hand immediately went to the targeted spot.

Who in the world?

Turning around, I spotted Khulaid laughing while munching on his red apple.

This . . . This . . This man!

How dare he throw a rock at me!? How childish can he get?

"You going to do something about it?" Khulaid mocked me, his voice catching the attention of the few men around us.

Grinding my teeth, I raised my Bow, loading an arrow on it and taking aim.

My mouth threatened to spill vile words but I had to keep it shut. I could not blow my cover not now. Not at this point when I am so close!

"I dare you, I dare you to sho-"

And I released the arrow.

Thwack!

There was silence for a moment. The apple that rested in Khulaid's hand a minute ago was now plastered on the tree behind him with the arrow in it.

He was asking for it!

I felt eyes on me and my breathing that came out ragged a while ago started to calm down.

Before I could release another breath, cheers started around me and my eyes frantically watched people's faces as they cheered for me.

Was this truly that amazing?

"Quiet!" A raged Khulaid shouted yet no one heed his words as they were too busy cheering. It seemed almost forced, maybe no one like Khulaid here so they were purposely riling him up by over-appreciating me.

"I said Quiet!" Khulaid came closer to me and spoke in a murderous whisper, "I dare you to pick up the sword, come in my forte, and let us see who is better once and for all. If you surpass me on the battlefield or any other field by using your sword, I shall never bother you."

Raising my eyebrow, I shook my head. Raising a finger to his chest, I pointed from him to me.

"You want me to become your pet if I lose?" I nodded and he seethed out in anger, "Fine. Everyone here may be the judge of that."

Khulaid left, angrily stomping away and I rolled my eyes. Throwing the bow and the arrow on the ground, also moving towards the wooden sword and picking it up.

Turning around, I caught Aza's eyes.

He was watching me like a hawk as if trying to read me inside out.

I shuddered.

"Hamza!"

"Hamza!" Ahmad shouted in my ear and I got the urge to tell him that why was he screaming in my ear, go talk to a hamz-

Oh wait . . . Never mind. It's me, I am Hamza.

Stopping, I turn to him, cocking my head to the side.

"Hamza, are you sure you want to go through with this? You are amazing with the bow and Sahab said we can make a battalion under you for those who pick the bow. Though I was surprised when you picked up the Bow because you are to be a future leader but you were ama-"

Raising my hand, I stopped him. I was lost!

Future leader? Did this man really think I was the son of Amir? I feel like laughing even thinking about that.

"Oh, so you are confident that you will excel in sword fighting as well!? That's really good then. I hope to see how you do it." And just like that, Ahmad went away.

Can this man ever wait for me to tell him something?

But I wonder, where is the real Hamza, the real son of Amir? How long will they mistake me for royalty?

Ya Allah, what is happening? Is this your way of protecting me from being questioned?

To be honest, the smart thing right now is to pretend I am Hamza, son of Amir until the real Hamza comes out of hiding.

"So you are the son of Amir Khuzzain." My eyes widened at his voice. He was a stalker! I could not answer."I knew something was suspicious about you, maybe that was it."

A mysterious glint once again shimmered in his eyes and I knew it was not a good sign,

"So tell me son of Amir! What other qualities do you hide? I must say, I am deeply intrigued." Aza's thick voice was mocking me and was loud enough to once again focus all the attention on me.

This was worse than before because the men around me really believed I was the son of Amir.

Nodding at people in an acknowledging gesture, I wanted to punch Aza in the face. This man is atrocious! His eyes always had this mischievous glint indicating that he was planning something.

Aza disappeared among the crowd and no matter how hard my eyes tried to look for him, I could not catch him.

"Everyone line up! We are starting!" A sigh of content escaped my lips when the Sahab called everyone to himself.

Everyone started to line up with their designated weapons and I too stood among the sword wielders.

The only thing I knew about the sword-wielding so far was Dodge and Block, that too was told to me by that old merchant.

I don't have enough strength to block, how will I manage this!?

Three circles were formed, Sword wielders, spear carriers, and Now holders respectively.

Ahmad stood responsible in my circle, looking at the sheet of names.

"First duel is between, Aza and Abu Bakr. Men, fall in."

Such an important match right off the bat!?

Abu Bakr walks in the circle, his sword strapped to his hip. Good luck Abu Bakr!

Aza walks in the circle as well with his wooden sword already in his palm, tightly clutched.

Was not he a dual sword user?

My eyes were as big as saucers, filled with suspense and curiosity. I wonder who will come out on the top but if I had to judge solely on the looks, I would not like the answer.

"First to point at an instant death location wins. Begin." Instant death location? Like the neck or heart?

Aza stands tall, ready to take my brother on and Abu Bakr is the first to attack, slamming his sword hard towards Aza's side. Aza casually jumps over the range of the sword, managing to receive an appreciating reaction.

Does my leg have enough muscle to jump that high?

Abu Bakr kicks, aiming at Aza's head but he dodges again.

I have seen Abu Bakr's routine and no doubt, he is doing the exact one.

"Swish of the sword to the neck," I whisper under my breath, and just as I expected, Abu Bakr slashes his sword toward Aza's neck, missing by arm's length.

Aza was fast and light on his feet!

"Triple combo sword slash!" I sounded like Abu Bakr's fan, no doubt.

Abu Bakr does a Triple sword slash, missing by a hair's length at every strike.

Awww man!

"My turn." I could feel Aza smirking from beneath the mask and the way he moved in the next five seconds had everyone shocked.

Charging forward, he brought his sword up to Abu Bakr's neck which Abu Bakr obviously dodged but could not manage to maintain his balance. Aza took advantage of that, and swept his feet from right under him, causing Abu Bakr to fall down. Aza finished the match by placing the wooden sword on my brother's neck.

Cheers sounded from everyone in the circle while I watched Spellbound.

Amazing!

But I still did not appreciate the fact that he had a sword to my brother's neck. If anything, Abu Bakr would have to work harder from now, and people like Aza would kill him - Astghfirullah - on the battlefield.

Pulling the sword away from Abu Bakr's neck, Aza offered him his hand and pulled him up. Gave a pat on Abu Bakr's back and left, once again disappearing in the crowd.

"Khulaid and Huzaifa."

Khulaid walks in the circle, tall and proud but his opponent is nowhere in sight.

"Where is Huzaifa?" Ahmad seemed to ask but no one knew.

Khulaid seems to look around, his eyes stopping on me and my breath hitched.

Ya Allah, here I am again, save me!

"Hamza, why don't you replace my opponent?"

Is this a cliffhanger? Oooh, interesting!

I wonder what will happen next. Will Khulaid get his ass whooped or will whoop ass.
I wonder. Wait for the next chapter y'all.