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by azrieljohnson

The Grand Tournament by Azriel Johnson

Fate's Children

Storm Crow

I've been called the girl wonder by many who've felt my axe cleave their limbs later. It weighs more than I do, yet I wield it with ease. My build is slight, only a short girl with long, black hair, it matches my name, Storm Crow.

Randonius called to us all, it woke me from my beauty rest, and I was quite upset at being awakened and at the circumstances awakening me. I've been alive for over 200 years, but nothing has chilled me to the core as the thought that I could soon die. Many lives I've taken with my axe, mortal or immortal, but I fear Dragon Tail, the strongest of us. It won't stop me from going, but I go with a respect that is rarely expressed by me. The others I suppose are strong too, The Great Bear, Lion Mane, The Eye of the Leopard, they would pose a threat, but I think if I try they will fall to my blade as well.

I sit up in my bed, the covers falling from my breasts. In all my years I've never been able to sleep with clothing on. I just can't help it. I stretch and swing my legs from under the covers as well. I feel someone staring at me; I look around and see the door to my hut is partially open. I walk silently to see who is watching. It is just a couple teenage boys, they mean no harm, but my lord, it is disrespectful to watch a lady getting out of bed in the nude. I throw a shoe at the door to close it and an "Ow" ensues from one of the boys. I smile. To think I protect this town.

I turn and go back to my bed, from under it I pull my black fur pants; I hunted many animals for my clothes. I slip the pants on my body and tie the thong in the front not too tightly. My shirt is a tie up white cotton, with long sleeves. It's kind of cold here in Topolis this time of year.

I admire myself in the mirror before putting the shirt on, "Yeah," I say to myself, "I don't blame those boys, if I were male I'd look at me too."

Of course I've had plenty of companions male and female, but none I could ever say I loved. I flex my muscles, I'm a slight girl, like I said, it doesn't look like I could handle the axe, it barely looks like I could handle a pair of scissors, but I can lift that axe with one hand.

I flex my chest muscles, getting my morning confidence boost. I know I look good. I slip my shirt on and tighten the thong leather holding the front of my shirt closed. My smaller breasts are no trouble beneath this shirt. I tie my hair up in a third leather thong and yawn, I'm still tired. Oh well, I should get going; I have a lot of miles to travel to Randonius' castle.

I pull on my shoes and walk out of my hut. I see the two boys, one with a bruise on his cheek. I frown. I approach him and say, "So sorry, did that door hurt you?"

He nods in fear of my axe.

"Well, I'll make it all better," I smile and kiss him on his bruised cheek.

The young boy faints in a swoon.

The Eye of the Leopard

Randonius called to me, I was prowling the city. This is my city; Dark City. My name is The Eye of the Leopard, I am sometimes called Princess.

I let my eyes flit back and forth scanning the city. I rarely sleep anymore. My apprehension of Dragon Tail greatly increased now. I sniff the air for the scent of her, but nothing, and none of her followers, the Wyverns, around either.

I stalk down the side of a building and reach the street, I stand up and snarl, I do not like the idea of crowds, but there is a disturbance in my city it must cease. It seems someone has stolen from someone else. I will rectify this.

With my speed I bound toward the supposed perpetrator, barely making an effort, my pounce successful, I wrestle him to the ground. A chorus of mortals behind me cheers me on.

"That's him! He's the one who stole my money!" a small, chubby man waddles up to me straddling the young man. "What's your name mortal," I hiss at him coldly."

"Eagle Talon," he cries out. "You're - ow - hurting - ow - me!"

"Eagle Talon," I snarl. "You've committed a crime, no one victimizes my city." I stand pulling him up with one hand. He struggles, but I do not let go. He is surprised that a small girl like me can handle him like a rag doll. He would be surprised with what else I could do.

"I - I - I'm sorry," Eagle Talon cries out.

The small, chubby man rushes toward us and punches Eagle Talon in the midsection, Eagle Talon doubles over, for a small, chubby man he can pack a punch. I continue to hold Eagle Talon up. "Give the man back his money," I growl. "And I'll let you go."

"Fine," Eagle Talon gasps. I allow one hand to be loosened holding sharply to the other. If he tries to run, I will pull his arm off. Eagle Talon reaches for the pouch on his waist, just as he reaches his hand to grab the pouch; he instead grabs a knife and turns to stab me. Just below the heart. He pushes the knife in to the hilt; I release his other arm and stagger back.

Eagle Talon is barely visible as he kicks me in the face; he kicks very hard for a mortal. I am projected backward knocking a few unfortunate mortals backwards.

The wound bleeds over my black shirt. I am in an extraordinary amount of pain. The knife is so very close to where I could be killed. I grimace in pain, in my 300 years I've never been in so much pain. What was on that dagger?

I cry out in pain. The mortals around me are all in shock. Eagle Talon is gone. They all stare at me as I writhe in pain.

I get up on all fours and pull the knife out of my chest. The blood pours from my wound, it drips on the ground. I cannot bear to look.

I stand and stumble to an alley as fast as I can in that much pain. When I reach the alley, I climb the walls and make my way to where I have a hide away. I reach my lair and collapse on the floor turning my self onto my back. Another wave of pain crosses my body and I cry out. The wound closes by itself, but the pain lingers and I fall unconscious.

I awake. There is a mortal in my lair. I do not know him. He smiles and introduces himself by a false name. We converse; his intent was to make sure I was okay considering I'd just been stabbed. He knows I'm immortal and it bothers him to see me in such pain.

"Did Randonius send you?" I hiss in pain.

"Yes. And I come of my own accord." he smiles.

"Why?"

"Because I want to help you."

I groan. "Who said I need your help?"

"The pain is a pretty good indicator, Leopard," he moves toward me.

"Leave me alone," I growl and throw him across the room as he tries to help me. I'm healed and snarl at him. "Tell Randonius that I don't need his help. And make sure he knows the next lackey he sends will not come back."

"This will be told to him," the mortal stands and walks to the entrance of my lair. He turns and looks at me, "You need to let people help you, or you will never win the tournament."

I throw a rock at him, missing barely.

He scoffs and walks out.