“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 breath as he watches to see what the Parvati will do next.
The Parvati stands there staring at the blood coming from his chest and then looks over to Jiron. His eyes begin to turn red and flecks of foam can be seen at the edges of his mouth. Berserker! Jiron recognizes the signs from others he had faced in the pits. Berserkers are incredibly dangerous, but often leave themselves open for counter attacks, providing their opponent lives that long.
With a cry unlike any he had uttered thus far, the Parvati races toward Jiron, swords flying with incredible speed. Jiron’s knives deflect blow after blow, his arms deadening from the impact of a berserker’s strength.
Then the moment comes that he was waiting for, a series of attacks that will bring the longsword into just the right position. He catches the longsword between his knives and twists while at the same time jerking the longsword. To the amazement of the onlookers, the Parvati’s longsword flies out of his hand and sails over the crowd. Onlookers dive out of the way as the sword strikes the ground, its point sinking a foot into the ground. Everyone looks in awe at the weapon standing upright a dozen feet from the combatants.
The loss of his sword snaps the Parvati out of the berserker’s rage which greatly diminishes his strength. All berserkers use up most of their stamina while in the rage. He staggers backward, staring at his empty hand, not understanding what had just happened.
Taking the offensive, Jiron advances upon him, knives whirling in a pattern that a single sword is unable to defend against.
Doing his best, the Parvati, who had been so sure of victory, now was trying to merely survive. Cut after cut springs open upon his body; arms, legs, and chest all begin to well blood. Greatly weakened by the berserker rage, he’s increasingly becoming unable to block Jiron’s blows. Until at last, Jiron gets within his defense and slices him across the wrist, severing the tendons. Unable to hold the sword any longer, he watches as it falls from his now useless hand to the ground.
Without even pausing, Jiron moves in and finishes him off with a stab through the chest, puncturing his heart. To the shocked awe of the crowd, the Parvati falls to the ground, dead.
Coming over to him, James asks, “You okay?”
Nodding, Jiron says, “Just tired.” He then reaches down and cleans his knives on his opponent’s shirt. Once his knives are sheathed, he takes the Parvati’s purse and walks up to the auctioneer. Roland joins him before he reaches the platform.
The auctioneer says something and Roland says, “She’s yours, Jiron, free and clear.”
Jiron turns to Tersa as she comes down the steps off the platform. They give him a slave shift for her and he puts it on her. Giving her an apologetic look, he takes the tether that had been placed around her neck and then leads her out of the courtyard while the onlookers move aside, clearing a path for them.
She tries to give him a hug once they’re outside the slaver compound, but he stops her saying, “Not here, not now.” Understanding, she continues to play the part of a slave until they reach the caravan.
Chapter Fifteen
When they leave the city and are seen approaching the caravan, Delia and Tinok leave the others and race toward them. Delia gives Tersa a big hug while Tinok pats Jiron on the back.
Jiron takes hold of the tether around his sister’s neck and uses one of his knives to cut it off of her. The world seems to stop for a moment as they finally look at each other, reunited after so many hardships. Allowing herself to finally express her emotions, Tersa hugs her brother as tears begin to fall.
The others remove themselves closer to the wagons to give them a moment alone and James relates the events back at the slaver compound. When he gets to the part where Jiron is fighting the Parvati, Jiron and Tersa join the group. After he’s finished, Tinok says, “Wish I could have been there.”
Delia goes over to one of the wagons and brings back a small, rectangular box and hands it Tersa. Opening it, she finds a beautiful new dress inside. She looks to Delia, almost ready to break down into tears again. “Thank you!” she exclaims as she removes the dress from the box.
Smiling, Delia says, “I just thought you would want something other than slave rags to wear.”
Jiron gets up and hugs Delia, saying, “I never even thought about clothes for her, thank you.”
Returning his hug, she pats him on the shoulder as she says, “You’re a man. I figured you wouldn’t.”
Tersa turns to her brother and asks, “Are we going back home?”
