>>5704451If Ronan’s info was to be believed, Flynn was a deadly spear fighter that was not afraid to assault his foe from afar with well-aimed javelins. There would be few in the company that would reliably be able to survive multiple attacks from him. While there were certainly some obvious options to go with, you knew that the duels would only progressively get harder from here. Ultimately, you make up your mind and settle on your fighter, perhaps much to the surprise of your comrades.
>“Ava. You’re up first.”“Ava?!” Corrine exclaims wide-eyed. “Why? Shouldn’t you throw that bandit woman in first? Or even Anemone?”
>“Ava. Are you up for it?”Ava looks up towards you from her seat. Whether she has objections or not, she does not voice them. Instead, she merely nods, and unstraps the bow hanging from her back. Her pegasus is led into the arena, with her following alongside it. The Blackwings offer up a cheer for the knight, but the noise from the Sreng crowd dwarfs them as they root for their own fighter. Flynn is led into the arena, spear drawn and ready for battle. As both fighters take their position, all eyes turn upon Prince Leif, who stands at attention and begins addressing the crowd. At his side is a young girl that appears to be about Ronan’s age. Leif begins speaking in the tongue of Sreng. Shortly after he starts, the young girl begins seemingly translating his speech for the Blackwings.
“Warriors of Sreng! We are here today to witness honored battle! These mercenaries have been chosen to defend themselves in the hollowed Five Trials of our Ancestors!” She cries. She takes a pause for Leif to continue. The Sreng side roars in thunderous applause. Once the noise dies down, the girl translates just what got them into such an uproar. “Victory has been foreseen by the Oracle, so victory is what we shall have!”
“Not if we have anything to say about it…” Corrine mutters under her breath next to you.
“The first warrior to meet the enemy in combat is none other than One-Eyed Flynn!” The girl shouts over the Sreng crowd’s cheers. “Hero of the Frozen Wastes, and renowned Spear of Sreng!” Flynn basks in the crowd’s embrace, pumping his spear into the air and spitting in front of Ava. “His opponent is…” The crowd begins laughing at some sort of joke Leif tells. The girl continues. “Some sort of serving wench. Perhaps a baker, or a seamstress.”
If Ava is offended, she does not show it. She’s mounted her Pegasus, and stares down Flynn with complete apathy.
“Caith síos do airm, fraochÚn.” Flynn says towards Ava. He makes a rude gesture. “Ná dramhaíola mo chuid ama.”
“Enough.” Ava sneers. “That savage tongue of yours nauseates me.”
“Fighters!” The girl begins speaking again, translating Leif’s speech. “On my mark, you may begin your duel!” Silence overtakes the arena. You hold your breath and pray this was the right decision.
“Begin!”
