The SONGS of SPRING

I AM HALF A HUMAN

Brenn picked up a sword, slipped a pair of fingerless gloves to his trembling hands. Wearing his grey-green sleeveless tunic his exposed muscled arms glistened with sweat, but he was not fearful as he looked.

It was rage that boiled his core and Brenn doesn't seem to know how to keep it down. A lock of dark hair fell down his face like a scar across his cheeks.

No later Raen stepped out behind him, terrible looking in her tousled hair. She too wore sleeveless upperclothes but more fortunate for hers was leather. Her knee high boots was of same skin too, nut red and weather-stained.

And when she stood where the crowd could see, there came a thunder of mocking words. Yet Raen turned deaf, she was used to such ill sounds. Near the weapon rack she picked up a weapon anyone would think too foolish to use.

Two guards were dragging Nestor's body back to the guard house. Brenn cursed. They've just butchered his only friend, the pain did cut him deep his swordhand was trembling, gritting his teeth as he walked slowly to the battle ground.

'You made a wise choice woman, but do not hope I will help you,' Brenn drew a heavy breath and gave her a sideway look.

'No one can help me,' Raen saundered behind him.

'You could have chosen a bow!' He threw a disappointed glance.

'Trust me, this is sharper than an arrow!' Raen twirled her bo side to side, drying her sweating palms with sand she flexed her fingers.

Drums beat, the crowd went wild. There came a burst of laughter and the rising Sun slantly beamed to where she was standing. On the canopy, Beren froze. Eänna locked her hand on his arm before he could make his move, telling him his impulsive action will only embarrass the Prince and that the show might stop and those prisoners will get hanged as they should. Beren swallowed his fear, but all the same he was prepared to risk it all.

Unlike Legolas who was first to jump off his seat and snaked the crowd. Gimli was still in shock he didn't hear Legolas urging him to leave.

He was already pushing knees and walking over seats, throwing his arms around to clear his way. But the crowd was dense and thick, elbows to elbows they were seated, many were standing on the walkways. As the master of the ceremony announces the next hopeful, he had gone just a twenty paces from where he'd been.

A Gondorian appeared from the other side, next to the exit door to freedom. He was tall, clad in black vest and iron greaves. He wields two long knives. Proud and strong he gained the crowd's cheer by sending waves and confident grin.

'He is a hunter hardened by experience,' Brenn said. 'Stay away from him as much as you can. If you find yourself near him, pray to the gods he will take a dagger.'

'I know the looks of a hunter, he seemed to be young.'

'Late twenties.'

'I say mid.'

'Whatever. I'll take that scum.' Brenn halted staring at his opponent as if he is thinking how he would skin him alive. Raen stood with her feet asunder, drawing heavy breaths by his side. 'One against two, that is plain mercy.'

'Or not.' Raen retorted. Another Gondorian jumped out of the door. Cladded in shining steel armour he held a spear and bow, a quiver full of red shafted arrows hanging by his waist. The man whistled and waved to the cheering crowd, thrusting his spear to the air to show he's pumped. 'I take that one.'