The tale of Nokigon

Nokigon carefully watched Belthazor's eyes, waiting for some sort of hint that would give away his movements. It came, lightning fast.

Belthazor's sword seemed to move of it's own accord as it flashed out of his sheath and came whistling down at Nokigon's skull.

But Nokigon was equally fast. His shield blocked the weapon, leaving his sword open to stab at Belthazor's torso. But his opponent was wickedly fast, faster than any other opponent he'd ever faced, and his sword was sent bouncing away.

Nokigon used his momentum to spin, however, and flash a deadly strike at Belthazor's neck. But Belthazor's speed saved him, and Nokigon's sword went flashing through mid air.

Hell! He's good! Nokigon knew that one mistake, one careless movement could get him killed. But Nokigon was a soldier. There was nothing he enjoyed more than an honourable fight against a good opponent, and this ticked both boxes. And as Belthazor's sword flashed at his ear, Nokigon stopped day dreaming.

He leapt forward in a confident attack, his sword moving almost too quickly for the eye to see. But Belthazor blocked each one. Not one blow got inside his defence; not one even came close. Therefore, Nokigon realised he would have to do the unexpected.

Nokigon roared a war cry and feinted at Belthazor's neck, then his leg, then struck at his sword hand.

Belthazor eventually took the bait. He didn't fall for the first feint; but he did the second. Thrown off balance by expecting a blow that never came, he was completely unprepared for the blow that knocked his sword out of his hand. And then Nokigon's sword was pressing against his neck.

Nokigon grinned. "Yield?" he asked. Belthazor grinned as well- too confidently. Nokigon looked down to find Belthazor's knife pressing into his stomach.

"I thought a draw." Belthazor joked. Nokigon nodded, and they both withdrew. Then they burst out laughing.

"How did you do that? That was fantastic!" Belthazor asked the second he got his breath back.

"Oh, I don't know. That was the best swordfight I've had for a long time." Nokigon grinned broadly.

"Oh, come on. You never even broke a sweat." Belthazor said self-disparagingly. Nokigon opened his mouth in mock horror, and pointed a finger at one of his many sweat patches.

"And what is that, exactly?" Nokigon asked, with mock retort.

Belthazor grinned. "Dribble."

Nokigon shook his head disparingly. Then he became serious.

"Where are you going to go now?"

Belthazor stared into space. "I think that I'll spend the night here, in Mortifera. We can go our separate ways in the morning." Belthazor met Nokigon's eyes, smiling. "And Elissa and I have an appointment I simply can't miss."

Nokigon grinned in response. "I'm sure you can't."

Nokigon stood up. "Anyway, I have to see Gothic right now."

Belthazor raised an eyebrow. "Don't be too hard on him."

Nokigon smiled. But his eyes were bleak.

*

Nokigon strode into the Great Hall, and felt a flicker of humour as he witnessed the shock of Lord Gothic.

"Nokigon!" Gothic said, angry now that he'd gotten over his shock. "You should really introduce yourself next time. Anyway, welcome back. You're dismissed."

Nokigon stared at him, feeling blood roaring in his ears. He couldn't believe that someone could be so uncaring. This had gone too far.

"What about my report?"

Gothic waved his hand airily. "Doesn't matter."

"Don't you want to know who has died?" Nokigon hissed.

Gothic looked up. "I said it doesn't matter, Nokigon. And I also said you're dismissed. So get out."

Nokigon spoke then. Each word fell merciless and cold like a hammer blow. "People died out on the fields in front of Gajik Hinor, Gothic. Real people. People I know. That you know. Many were my friends. And you have the cheek to sit there and say it DOESN'T MATTER?!"

Gothic's eyes blazed with anger. "You watch your tongue, Nokigon!"

"Oh, you should watch yours, Gothic. Because I'm reporting to King Sigurd himself tomorrow. And your attitude is not going to go unmentioned. I won't rest until Mortifera is rid of you."

Nokigon stared with hate into Gothic's eyes. Then he stormed out.