Space Knights: The Arrival by Gregory Samuelson (buy e reader .TXT) 📕

mercy. He was certain that fate had smiled at him and he would now have his revenge on Trance for all of the times Trance had beaten him and his team this last year.

With a quick decisive move he stepped forward and thrust his sword intending to win the match here and now. Yet to his outrage and frustration his opponent leaped back. Rex quickly moved forward and thrust his sword only to see Trance back up again and start moving away from him. He thrust yet again and then started to swing and chase after his fleeing opponent.

After his sword left his hand, Trance realized that he was now at Rex’s mercy. And knowing Rex as he did, Trance knew he wouldn’t get any mercy from Rex. He had only one chance. He would have to back away and run and try to retrieve his sword so he could defend himself. As Rex started to thrust and swing his sword Trance leaped back and started to run away from Rex. As he started to sprint around the field he heard the White Knights laughing at him and calling him a coward.

Rage filled Rex, as he had to chase down his opponent. “Trance, why don’t you stop and we’ll end this right now. It’ll be real quick and everything will be as it should be,” he called as he continued to swing his sword trying to end the match.

Trance ignored him and concentrated on trying to run around him and get back to his sword. It didn’t take long for Rex to figure out what Trance was up to. Rex did his best to keep between Trance and his sword. Finally Trance turned and sprinted down the field, and Rex, thinking that this might be his shot at finally catching him and winning, sped up.

Trance ran as fast as he could and started to feel a burning in his side. He had never been a very fast runner, and in his armor he knew he was a little slower than normal. Rex he knew was a good runner and was quite used to running in armor. This wasn’t a race, yet he saw it that way.

He needed to get to his sword before Rex caught up to him. With a quick glance Trance saw Rex right behind him and closing with glee in his eyes thinking that their match was near its end. In one instant Trance saw his opportunity as Rex took a wild swing at him.

Trance took his one chance and turned away from Rex’s swing and bolted back down the field. The move gained him a slight lead. Rex had to turn around when he realized that he had missed and that Trance was now running back the other way.

“You gafarthing coward!” Rex screamed. “When I get my sword on you everyone will know that I’m the best knight here!”

“Yeah right,” Trance blurted as he concentrated on getting back to his sword. There it was lying there on the field just twenty yards away. He was closing on it fast now, and he could still sense Rex behind him. It was coming up and he knew that he’d have only one shot at this and reached down ready to sweep the sword up as he passed. There, just another couple of feet. He reached and felt his fingers touch the hilt and then in one fumbling moment the sword flopped out of his hand. It would be over any moment.

Rex yelled with glee as he saw Trance’s failed attempt to retrieve his sword. Now he could take his time and enjoy his victory. However, Trance wouldn’t go down quite that easily. Trance kept running down the field. Why doesn’t he just accept defeat and get this over with. Well, it’ll be over in just a moment anyway.

Trance was frustrated with himself. He took some very deep breaths in an effort to calm his nerves and focus on one more attempt to get his sword. This was it; he’d get the sword or lose to Rex. He didn’t run as far this time before swerving and dodging Rex’s increasingly wild swings. At last he had his chance and raced back toward the sword.

This time he focused completely on the sword. In a way time seemed to be moving faster than normal and in another way it seemed that time had slowed for him. He was almost there and reached out with deliberate purpose and in one swift motion swept his hand down and this time felt instant relief as his hand closed on the familiar feel of his sword’s hilt. In one flashing move he swung the sword up as he spun to a stop and just caught Rex’s sword coming down at him.

Rex couldn’t believe that Trance had gotten his sword again. No matter, he thought. I’ll finish him now. Their battle continued just as fierce as before. Both boys were profusely sweating as they clashed and slashed at each other. Trance deflected all of Rex’s attacks and instantly swept his sword in an offensive swing at Rex.

Exhaustion was now starting to affect both boys, yet neither one would relent and concede. Once again their swords clashed as they both strove to beat the other. Here the differences really started to show. Rex was being ruthless and brutal in order to demonstrate his dominance with the sword. Trance on the other hand seemed to have a natural talent for the sword and a more innovative style. He transitioned so well from defense to offense that he surprised many of his opponents.

Trance blocked four more wild attacks from Rex and then in one sure swing flipped Rex’s sword from his hand. Now they were in opposite positions. Trance stayed his position though, and strangely Rex stood still and smiled a rather distrustful smile.

“Now here’s your shot! You can win now. Just swing and it’s over,” taunted Rex as he stood perfectly still with that unusual smile on his