Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [80]
“But…” he stammers.
Jiron, having picked up a little of the language after having listened to the bidding, shouts out a bid in their language.
The crowd collectively catches their breath and the auctioneer pales. The giant of a man suddenly stops and turns to see Jiron staring fiercely back at him. He cries something out and again the crowd gasps.
“What’s going on?” James asks.
“That’s a Parvati,” he says, “terrible fighters.”
“And?” Jiron asks.
“They have a custom that is supported by the Empire,” Roland explains. “They may call for a blood duel if anyone crosses them.”
James looks shocked by that, “Why in god’s name would they support a custom like that?”
“They serve the Empire loyally and fiercely,” he explains. “That’s why no one crosses them, those that do, die.” He looks at Jiron and says somewhat nervously, “He has called one on you for challenging his right to this slave.”
Jiron looks over at the Parvati and sees him staring back at him. The crowd begins to widen into a circle, a wide circle.
“So now…” begins James.
“Jiron must fight him, right here, right now,” he finishes. Looking to Jiron, Roland says, “You have no choice in the matter and it’s to the death.”
Jiron looks toward Tersa, who is standing there on the platform, uncertain now that things are not going exactly as she had anticipated. He removes his excess native attire and with a glance to the waiting Parvati, he pulls his knives and advances.
“Good luck,” says James.
“Thanks,” Jiron says nonchalantly, “just like back in the pits.”
As he advances, the Parvati draws both swords, one slightly shorter than the other. Not nearly as confident as he’s making out, Jiron sizes up his opponent as he would in the pits.
When he’s within about six feet of the Parvati he stops and waits for the attack. Knives are no good against an opponent who’s prepared and waiting for your attack, you’ve got to get them moving so an opening will present itself that you can take advantage of. Those in the pits who failed to learn that didn’t last too long.
With a roar, the Parvati slashes with his longsword while keeping his shorter one close for defense.
Jiron dances back and lets the sword pass by in front of him, mere inches away, never once taking his eyes from the Parvati’s.
The Parvati studies Jiron and then begins a series of attacks using both the long and short sword.
Jiron easily deflects each blow, trying not to absorb too much of the impact. He’s good, but not the best I’ve seen, Jiron thinks as his knives move to counter each attack.
The Parvati stops his attacks and steps back as he stares in disbelief at the little man with the two knifes. The expression on his face says he doesn’t understand why Jiron is still standing.
Again the Parvati closes to attack Jiron and launches complicated pattern, using attacks and feints to try to get within Jiron’s defense. Unable to breach it, the Parvati begins growing frustrated at not being able to kill this upstart. Suddenly, pain erupts from his left outer thigh and he’s shocked to see blood beginning to well from a shallow cut that Jiron had managed to land.
The crowd gasps, utterly surprised that this man with knives against swords had managed to draw first blood, especially against a Parvati.
James nudges Roland who turns to see him there with a smile on his face, “He’s good.”
“I see that,” Roland says, amazed.
His pride wounded at not drawing first blood, the Parvati screams and presses the attack, trying to connect less by skill than by brute strength.
This new series of attacks begins to leave Jiron’s arms fatigued from having to take more of the force of the blow on his knives rather than deflecting it away. Deciding to change tactics, Jiron goes on the offensive, startling the Parvati who’s not used to such a maneuver from an opponent.
With amazing agility, Jiron manages to get within his guard and scores another slash across his chest. Not deep, but it’s a staggering blow to the Parvati’s ego. Jiron takes a few steps back to catch his