Bryn
08-27-2013, 07:53 AM
I woke to the sound of thunder. My cell seemed to shake and crumble with every booming clap, the sound echoing through the thick stone walls in which I lay. It was early; the sun was only just visible over the dark, menacing hills. I had dreaded this day for years, and I now felt sick and lightheaded as I looked out of my cell window. Three birds sat perched on the church roof, their heads twitching nervously side to side. The door opened, and in stepped a small, round faced man, with dark hair and a stiff upright posture. His name was Erik; he was second in command, a harsh Dane with a fiery temper. I looked back out towards the hills, closed my eyes and inhaled deeply; the air in the cell was thick and damp and lingered on my chest. “It’s time Gamal”. I turned towards Erik, who had already begun readying the shackles. My arms and legs were tightly enforced, and he led me away.
I had not left my cell in over two years and my legs felt weary during the long walk to the outside courtyard of stone. I was once a large man, with a strong, heavy physique and perfectly defined muscles. My arms were now thin and wirey through lack of exercise and malnutrition. The morning sun was visible over the towering stone walls, it comforted me, its rays bore down on my now bearded face. Stands had been erected around the courtyard and a sea of people were now taking their seats after placing bets and buying food. Erik kept a tight told of my left arm and walked me into the centre where he unshackled me and left. In front of me stood a grand wooden stage, on which was placed four large oak seats, I studied them. The craftsmen ship was impressive, each arm had been carefully carved into a different animal, the centre chair had been sculpted into a wolf. The detail intrigued me, the wolf’s teeth were bared and each limb was in complete proportion to the other. The crowd roared and the hairs on the back of my neck stuck up as Harek, his wife Inga and two sons Nasi and Olaf took their places on the stage. Harek had seldom changed, his bright green eyes stood out against his dark weather worn skin and his crooked smile easily recognisable.
The rain poured and puddles began to form on the ground, the clouds thickening above us. My cotton shirt was soaked through and stuck tightly to my chest; fine droplets of water fell from my beard and all this while Harek’s gaze never left mine. He was now grinning, he knew of what I faced. Certain death was almost inevitable. He addressed me, and forced me to bow towards his two sons, who sniggered in amusement. I heard a loud creek from behind me, and then the opening of large wooden doors. I turned to see the gates had completely opened and the great stone bridge leading out and away from the courtyard was now visible. Past this bridge lay a cart, its door open and its rider sitting on a large boulder to its left. “You are free to go master Gamal” he gestured towards the open gate. The crowd lay silent and my gaze stayed on the muddy ground. He waited another few seconds before speaking again, “I said, you are free to go!” his tone was threatening, and he cocked his head sideways in amusement. I grimaced and took one final haunting look at him before I once again turned towards the gate. The crowd exploded into roar, and began hailing me with pieces of fruit and vegetables. An eagle flew overhead, like a great dragon of old is soared, its wings piercing the clouds like a great blade in the sky. I was within five metres of the doors when I saw a figure, approach from behind the cart and begin striding towards me. He wore no shirt and carried a large battle axe, I took a step back and the crowd were still. The man must have been seven foot tall and wielded the axe in one enormous hand. I looked back at Harek, he shouted “Go Gamal! And claim your freedom!”
A one handed hunting axe was tossed to my feet from the crowd, and before I had a chance to move he was on me, reigning down mighty blows, missing my torso by inches. I dived sideways and collected the axe, its handle was cool and smooth in my hand, I gripped it tightly as he advanced on me again, this time I was ready. I parried his first attack and countered with a swift blow to his abdomen, forcing him back towards Harek. He regained his stance quickly and looked towards his master who nodded. It was me who now advanced, my weapon resting at my side and left arm out in front, I ducked under his looping strike and forced my elbow into the side of his neck, he cried out in pain and wildly flung his axe in my direction. I span away from the flying weapon and launched my own towards the mass of muscle, the look of desperation in his eyes was reassuring. He was now backpedalling fast, his hands stretched out to block blows to his face. I lunged towards him, with ferocity, with rage, and spinning away from his feeble attempt to seize my neck I embedded the axe into his knee. The crowd stood silent as the giant fell to his knees before me, his eyes now wild with terror. Harek and his sons were on their feet, the smile that was so sure and confident was now completely absent from his dark face and in the distance, I could hear an eagle screech.
I had not left my cell in over two years and my legs felt weary during the long walk to the outside courtyard of stone. I was once a large man, with a strong, heavy physique and perfectly defined muscles. My arms were now thin and wirey through lack of exercise and malnutrition. The morning sun was visible over the towering stone walls, it comforted me, its rays bore down on my now bearded face. Stands had been erected around the courtyard and a sea of people were now taking their seats after placing bets and buying food. Erik kept a tight told of my left arm and walked me into the centre where he unshackled me and left. In front of me stood a grand wooden stage, on which was placed four large oak seats, I studied them. The craftsmen ship was impressive, each arm had been carefully carved into a different animal, the centre chair had been sculpted into a wolf. The detail intrigued me, the wolf’s teeth were bared and each limb was in complete proportion to the other. The crowd roared and the hairs on the back of my neck stuck up as Harek, his wife Inga and two sons Nasi and Olaf took their places on the stage. Harek had seldom changed, his bright green eyes stood out against his dark weather worn skin and his crooked smile easily recognisable.
The rain poured and puddles began to form on the ground, the clouds thickening above us. My cotton shirt was soaked through and stuck tightly to my chest; fine droplets of water fell from my beard and all this while Harek’s gaze never left mine. He was now grinning, he knew of what I faced. Certain death was almost inevitable. He addressed me, and forced me to bow towards his two sons, who sniggered in amusement. I heard a loud creek from behind me, and then the opening of large wooden doors. I turned to see the gates had completely opened and the great stone bridge leading out and away from the courtyard was now visible. Past this bridge lay a cart, its door open and its rider sitting on a large boulder to its left. “You are free to go master Gamal” he gestured towards the open gate. The crowd lay silent and my gaze stayed on the muddy ground. He waited another few seconds before speaking again, “I said, you are free to go!” his tone was threatening, and he cocked his head sideways in amusement. I grimaced and took one final haunting look at him before I once again turned towards the gate. The crowd exploded into roar, and began hailing me with pieces of fruit and vegetables. An eagle flew overhead, like a great dragon of old is soared, its wings piercing the clouds like a great blade in the sky. I was within five metres of the doors when I saw a figure, approach from behind the cart and begin striding towards me. He wore no shirt and carried a large battle axe, I took a step back and the crowd were still. The man must have been seven foot tall and wielded the axe in one enormous hand. I looked back at Harek, he shouted “Go Gamal! And claim your freedom!”
A one handed hunting axe was tossed to my feet from the crowd, and before I had a chance to move he was on me, reigning down mighty blows, missing my torso by inches. I dived sideways and collected the axe, its handle was cool and smooth in my hand, I gripped it tightly as he advanced on me again, this time I was ready. I parried his first attack and countered with a swift blow to his abdomen, forcing him back towards Harek. He regained his stance quickly and looked towards his master who nodded. It was me who now advanced, my weapon resting at my side and left arm out in front, I ducked under his looping strike and forced my elbow into the side of his neck, he cried out in pain and wildly flung his axe in my direction. I span away from the flying weapon and launched my own towards the mass of muscle, the look of desperation in his eyes was reassuring. He was now backpedalling fast, his hands stretched out to block blows to his face. I lunged towards him, with ferocity, with rage, and spinning away from his feeble attempt to seize my neck I embedded the axe into his knee. The crowd stood silent as the giant fell to his knees before me, his eyes now wild with terror. Harek and his sons were on their feet, the smile that was so sure and confident was now completely absent from his dark face and in the distance, I could hear an eagle screech.