Read Online Aela by Rosalind Hyson - Free Book Online Page A

combatants, who were now facing each other a few paces apart. Juno shouted, ‘Start the fighting now!’
    A deep throated roar was heard from the crowd, as the two men began to circle each other, looking for an opening to plunge their swords into the body of the other. This manoeuvre continued for a period and the crowd began to grow restless. Some voices were heard to shout, ‘Run your sword through him Arnor, now! Don’t be a coward, Arnor! Kill him! Kill the bastard, Arnor and chop off his head.’
    Rom fast realised, that this strategy was not working as he would soon tire himself out and then would become an easy prey. So without losing a second further, he lunged forward with his sword straight at Arnor’s body. There was a loud sound of metal hitting metal as Arnor used his shield to deflect the blow. An audible sigh was heard from the crowd and then there was general cheering and chanting, ‘Arnor, Arnor, Arnor!’ echoing around the arena. Rom was reeling from the clash, just then Arnor used his sword to slash at Rom’s legs. Just in time, Rom saw the sword flashing towards him and he nimbly jumped sideways in time to miss the blow.
    Both men were now panting heavily, and sweat was pouring down their faces, bodies and legs as they glared at each other. Rom’s thoughts raced through his head, he must find a weakness in Arnor’s defence.
    Without warning Arnor dropped his heavy shield, grasped his sword with both hands and began to slice the air in front of him, left then right. All the time he slowly advanced towards Rom with small but determined steps. Rom was forced to step backwards trying to avoid the flashing sword, as it was whirled in the air by Arnor’s strong arm movements. Several blows from Arnor’s sword hit Rom’s shield sending shock waves up his arm.
    With a quick twist sideways, Rom rolled on the ground, dropped his shield and then thrust his sword at a slant upwards towards Arnor’s body. He plunged the tip of the sword into the side of Arnor’s body.
    There was a gasping sound from the crowd, as they saw Rom’s blade connect with Arnor’s torso. Arnor reacted to the sword thrust and staggered as Rom withdrew the blade of the weapon from Arnor’s body. Blood poured out of the wound as Arnor dropped his sword and slowly fell to the ground.
    The crowd went wild with rage. Their beloved hero was wounded! A chant began to resound from the main body of the mob, ‘Foul, foul, foul play. Death to the enemy. Death to Rom.’
    Juno quickly realised, that the crowd would riot, so with a crisp movement of his hand, the drums started to beat very loudly and gradually the crowd quietened. Arnor was carried away on his shield, back through the archway, in order to be treated for his wound. Then Juno stood in front of his throne, ‘Guards bring Rom to me.’
    Rom in the meantime had been completely surrounded by guards with their spears raised pointed towards his chest. Still with the bloodied sword in his hand, he faced the circle of armed guards. One of the guards motioned to Rom to throw down his sword on the ground immediately.
    Realising the difficulty of his situation, he complied with the order from the guard. Surrounded by guards Rom was marched towards Juno who continued to stand waiting for him.
    As Rom approached, Juno was very aware of his perilous position with the crowd. Their hero had been wounded and could die. Juno was not happy with the situation as he had hoped Rom would have been killed by Arnor. If that was so, then the crowd would have been overjoyed. Their hero would have won and his own popularity would have soared.
    â€˜You have placed me in a difficult position,’ Juno said to Rom. ‘You should be dying, not Arnor. What am I to do with you?’
    The crowd continued to chant non-stop ‘Death to the enemy. Death to Rom!’ and worked themselves into a frenzy.
    â€˜Guards take him away, I