The Blue Rose Read online

  ***

  The tournament is held in the yard. They make a raised dais in the south of the tournament ground; there the masters and the Blessed warrior sit. My gaze is drawn to Sean immediately. It seems I can spot him effortlessly, much to my dismay.

  I sit with other disciples in wooden benches that especially build for us; it is circling the sand field where the match will take place.

  The tournament’s rule is simple. Each disciple has to have three matches, either as challenger or defender. Two loses mean they will eliminated from the tournament, while the rest will continue to second round. But this is just formality; I and most of the disciples know that. Few of us have greater gift than the other. Besides those people are more experienced than the rest, for they are often being sent to real fight outside the city. And Lady Raina is one of those few.

  I wonder. Is it where they meet? Outside the city? I hate to admit but Raina is a good catch. She comes from good family and her gift is greater than most. And she is pretty too I suppose.

  Stop think about them, about her and him, I scold myself sternly.

  I glance back to the fighting ground. And soon, the tournament is started.

  Hours have passed. The sun is shining high in the late spring sky. Few disciples already have their match, and now is my turn to defend.

  I stand on the ground, waiting for my challenger. I dearly hope I get an easy opponent.

  Beads of sweet are starting to dampen my skin. The spring sun is hot, scalding. But still no one steps forward.

  Then, I see a young lanky young man step down to the sand with and hand in his back. I know him. His gift is not strong as I recall. It is good. I might win this fight.

  He stops just in front of me, smile tugging in his lips. But instead of draw a sword as formal challenge, he draw a flower from behind his back, red rose. And it draws mocking cheer from others.

  Oh, this is so stupid. I should know what he is about.

  I take his rose, and smile. I do hope it resemble a smile instead of scowl.

  “I do thank you,” I pause and add, “But as you can see I am fighting now. I am sorry.” I give the rose back to him.

  He really is hopeless.

  With all the prospective Blessed Warrior as master here, looking, how can he do that? He must be given up all hope to find a master. Maybe I should too, resigned in my fate, and go back to my father house.

  I glace around, most of disciples still talking with each other, in buzzing voice, and few that not, they are staring at me, and annoyance is clear in their face. One of the pissed flock come forward. Of course, it is Lady Raina.

  Oh, great. I will be beaten up by my ex-fiancé lover.

  She draws her sword in salute, and then, I bow to her. And soon, we will start.

  But as I know, the Wind Blessed is not that good with sword; they prefer their bow and arrow. I really hope she is terrible at sword dance.

  I draw my sword and take my stance. My master at arm told me before that I am not that bad in sword fight. He said I have the grace and fluid movement, but lack of motivation and strength. Of course I have grace, for I always think of dance and music whenever I do sword fight. Because that is the only way, I can endure the core. For me, sword fight is not art of killing and hurting. I am just thinking it as another form of dancing.

  I wonder, what will Lady Raina think of me if she knows.

  I see her blunted sword gleaming in white glow as her eyes change to silver. She is deep in her energy word now. I try to summon my energy too, the ice within me. I feel the rush of energy to the center of my body. But the slash of Raina’s sword breaks my concentration. I duck hastily, bouncing around avoiding her sword.

  Graceful like a dancer, I try to remember.

  I feel a hard blow to my thigh before I successfully scramble away. Even with blunted sword, it still hurt because of the wind in her sword. And for the first time in my life, I want to hurt someone. I feel my anger is raising. My eyes must be turned blue now. I take a hold of the ice within me. I raise my sword, meeting hers. It clanks loudly. My sword is turning blue now; it is gleaming in cold fire.

  I roll, skidding, parrying. I feel out of breath, and I fall to my knee.

  From the corner of my eyes, I see Raina coming fast, with raised sword above her head; she is ready to give me a killing blow. In reflect, I raise my sword, stopping hers. In a flash, I see her sword freeze, and then it is cracking, crumbling and turns into dust.

  Swiftly, I stand on my feet, and put my sword in her throat.

  Her eyes widened briefly. I can see hatred in her eyes, mirroring mine. Reluctantly, she bows to me, admitting her defeat. I can help the smile that creeping in the corner of my lips. Finally, I bow to her to. Then, it is end.

  I am looking for Sean. I find him, our gaze meet and locked. And I smile smugly at him.

  Oh, the victory tastes so sweet. But instead of annoyance, I see Sean’s full lips twitching as if he tries not to smile.