The Four Swords-Chapter 153: Not So Clean

Agnar and Carrion collided, hitting the ground next to each other.Miraculously both fighters kept hold of their swords. At least the match would continue.

In the struggle to right themselves quickly, Carrion's elbow came in contact with Agnar's helmet.The visor on Agnar's helmet flipped open in the tussle, exposing his eyes.

At least no one was stabbed in the commotion. Sword fights do not generally end up on the ground.

Lord Carrion rolled over trying to find his footing. In his haste, he kicked up dust from the arena straight into the open gap in Agnar's visor as he attempted to close it.

A hiss of pain emitted from my clansman. A face full of dust and dirt never helped anyone win a fight.

Carrion stood over his opponent, as Agnar attempted to clear his vision. Even with the helmet back in its proper place, I could tell that he was struggling to see.

At least Carrion waited until the man was upright before beginning his assault on his opponent. Agnar attempted to block what he could see. Without exposing his eyes again, it was hard to clear his vision.

Carrion started his advance and did not let up. Swing after swing, strike after strike he pushed Agnar back. My clansman finally found his stride and blocked a particularly brutish strike.

Sparks flew from the crossed blades as they passed by each other. The two competitors ended up locked in a battle of strength with their blades crossed.

If Carrion tried to use his shoulder again, I would lose my cool. Surely that was not the only move he ever learned.

Carrion dropped his shoulder looking like he would shove his counterpart yet again. Agnar attempted to side step the nonsense like he first managed to do.

Lord Carrion followed his partner like a dance. This time instead of both fighters ending up on the ground, only Agnar fell. He tripped backward over Carrion's trailing foot.

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From the casual observer it looked like a complete accident. I, however, could not help but wonder how great of actor Carrion could be. Surely this many accidents that helped turn the tide in Carrion's favor raised suspicion in others as well.

"Did Lord Carrion just trip Agnar on purpose?" I asked aloud toward Lord Garrison.

"Now Lord Holden, let us give him the benefit of the doubt. I know it is your clansman on the receiving end of the blows, but do not let that cloud your judgement." Lord Garrison responded in a somewhat fatherly manner.

No wonder Sir Gavin always strived for perfection. One comment from his father left me feeling small at best.

"I would not fully discount Lord Holden's suspicion." Cali grumbled looking at her brother's fighting style.

"Calista, let's keep those thoughts to ourselves. I do not know how your clan would react to having a newly appointed Swordsmen's integrity questioned so openly." Queen Valerie hushed the royal box.

She did not deny that my suspicions had merit, simply that they were inconvenient at best.

Lord Carrion turned on his heel to look toward Agnar's fallen form. More dust settled toward Agnar's helmet. Lord Carrion waited till my clansman righted himself before starting an onslaught of strikes, hits and feints.

The barrage took Sergeant Agnar by surprise. Lord Carrion took full advantage, landing more hits than he would have normally.

If the trumpet sounded after the first half of the fight, Sergeant Agnar had a victory well in hand, but after Carrion's questionable moves, the winner remained uncertain.

The trumpet sounded, ending the fight. The echo of metal hitting metal rang through the arena after the trumpeting finished. Carrion hit Agnar one final time, pretending to have already been in motion as the judges called time.

"Uncalled for," Calista muttered to herself. Every fiber of my being agreed.

The crowd looked like it was ready for more. Sadly they would have to wait till tomorrow for more action. Hopefully only all the champions left in the bracket would behave more honorably tomorrow.

My favorite post-match pastime came naturally now. It shocked me to find Gella's pinched expression looking angry. Gella held her golden banner higher in the air, as if to cast her vote for Agnar before the judges.

To be honest with myself, anger boiled inside me too. I needed to push down any thoughts and feelings having to do with Carrion's misconduct.

Queen Valerie had a point. Lord Carrion was supposed to prove himself in this tournament. His clan needed someone to rally behind, especially if the country marched straight into battle with the Norads. It would be counterproductive to openly question him in court. We needed unity.

A settling sigh huffed out of me, garnering a collective look from the rest of the royal box.

Contritely I bowed my head. I could let it go. I looked back up to confused expressions staring at me.

Apparently it was not my huff that caught their attention. It was the judges results that were being held by a servant at the door. I must have stared at Gella longer than I thought.

I jumped to my job, passing the final results to the queen. I was unable to bring myself to peek at the judge's decision.

"Thank you Champions for your passion and effort in that match. A kingdom cannot thrive without either of those things." Queen Valerie masterfully announced.

I looked back toward the field. Sergeant Agnar had taken off his helmet. His face could hardly be seen behind the caked on dirt and sweat that mixed behind his visor. He kept one eye squeezed tightly shut, as if he was still unable to clear his vision in that eye.

"The judges have a split decision. It was a hard fought fight on both sides. The final consensus among our honorable judges is that Lord Carrion is the victor!" The Queen boomed.

The arena erupted. I did not have a chance to see any more of the crowd's reaction as I had to follow Princess Alina and Lady Calista as they both sprinted from the royal box.