Chapter 6.4- The Seadragon's Roar

“Yeah, yeah” I said with irritation building at how quickly my win was disregarded before I took my stance again. This time, the Morningstar wielding knight was more hesitant, no willing tp play my game and trying to force me to play his home by remaining in his stance. I knew I couuld outwait him but I could already hear Manfred’s scathing words in my ear if tried that strategy. The Baratheon household were not big fans of what they perceived to be cowardice. I turned away from him for a second, looking like I was examining something to the side and the second I felt his head turn out of curiosity, I dove in on the attack.

Of course, that was not enough to catch him completely by surprise. His shield rose in time, blocking my jumping slash, bt the force forced his hand down slightly, and that was all I needed. I jammed my shield into his own n a shield bash. Thirteen or not, I was big and strong, and in this case, I wanted it very much. He stumbled back and then came around with his Morningstar again. I danced around it, moving to the side where I jammed my blade into the back of his leg. Blunted or not, that must have hurt like a motherfucker, evidenced from the grunt of pain and him falling down to one knee.

That was all I needed to get fully behind him and place my blade at his neck from behind.

“Yield?” I asked with a smile, feeling the euphoria of victory take me. He grunted before jamming his head backwards, sending pain straight to my midsection.

Did that motherfucker crack a rib with his helmet? I wondered but got no time to think further as he hobbled to his feet and was instantly upon me. Swing after swing of his Morningstar was blocked by my shield, until it began to become clear that he would not be stopping and reassessing. His plan was to put me under so much pressure that I would inevitably mess up and when I did he would be in perfect position to take advantage. No. I refused.

I dropped my sword and I could see the way his eyes narrowed at that move. He came again with renewed vigor but this time I wa supporting my Shield with both arms, making it near impossible for him to get the same kind of headway he must have been used to. And then when he took a second too long with his next attack, probably still feeling it in his leg just like I was feeling it in my ribs, I pushed out with the shield, hitting him in the body with it and sending the both of us to the ground.

This was a strategy I’d tried with Manfred a few times but the Baratheon master-at-arms has wasted no time in showing me just why that was a bad idea with people bigger than me. This man, hedge knight or not, was bigger than me as well.