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

Trance stood his ground and in a moment had a flash of what was going on. In a weird way he just wondered if Rex really knew. This rule was set up to see who was truly un-chivalrous. If he struck down Rex unarmed it would show that he was un-chivalrous. What should he do? Rex seemed rather eager to attack him when he was unarmed. Didn’t Rex think that he would have been declared un-chivalrous if he struck Trance down when he was unarmed? In an instant he made up his mind.

“Pick up your sword,” Trance said calmly and stood his ground.

Rex suddenly looked surprised and stood to his full six feet, two inch frame, and with his arms out and stated, “Here’s your chance. Take it.”

Trance took a step back and still holding his sword in readiness replied, “Take up your sword.”

Rex’s smile changed and he started to realize the trap he himself had fallen into. He shook his head and glared at Trance and dared him to strike him. “It’s over, you’ve won now, strike me down and this’ll be over.”

“No, take up your sword and we’ll finish this fair and square,” Trance declared and even took another step back and sheathed his sword.

“Have it your way and get ready to lose,” said Rex angrily as he turned to spot his sword and went to retrieve it. As soon as he had his sword in his hand he lunged at Trance ready to cleave him and win the match.

Trance was ready for him and swiftly unsheathed his sword and swung it up and caught Rex’s attack. Once more they were at each other using all of their skill to win. The crowd was now on their feet watching two up-and-coming master swordsmen and future knights and yelled their approval.

Trance knew how tired he was becoming and kept noticing that Rex was just as exhausted. Rex’s swings were increasingly reckless and wild so Trance knew that he had to be even faster with his defensive swings. Rex was so focused on beating Trance that it never occurred to him that he might open himself up for an attack from his opponent, and that is just what happened.

Trance saw his opening in an instant. Rex raised his sword overhead to swing a crashing blow on him and exposed his chest to Trance. Trance’s reaction was almost pure instinct. Instead of preparing for the block he swung his sword and scored the winning blow at Rex’s chest.

Rex was completely shocked. One moment he was prepared to deliver the decisive blow that would end the match and then felt Trance score. For an instant he didn’t think that the referees had seen the blow; however, his indicator light had gone scarlet and he knew that Trance had indeed scored. More rage filled him, as he was about to swing down anyway, when his arm was grabbed by one of the referees. Still very angry Rex turned to the referee and glared at him.

“That’s enough! You have lost. We have witnessed your actions and you are Marked. When you went after an unarmed opponent you showed yourself to be un-chivalrous. During the remainder of the tournaments we will be watching you and if you do anything remotely un-chivalrous you will be Slashed. Is that understood?” the head referee stated.

Trance was stunned at what he heard. A moment later his hand was raised as the winner and the crowd roared its approval. His heart pounded to the thrill of winning his first singles event at the tournaments. He felt his face flush and he pumped his arms as he began to truly celebrate. Trance suddenly found himself surrounded by his team and Corena. He was hugged by her as his team cheered for him till they almost lost their voices. There was one thing that he wanted to know. So when his team and Corena quieted down a bit, he had a chance to ask.

“Hey, what did the ref mean when he told Rex that he was Marked and could be Slashed?” he asked and looked for an answer.

“Well it means that Rex is in a bit of trouble. Marked means that he has been seriously warned about being un-chivalrous. It also means that he will be very closely watched the rest of the tournament. If they catch him doing anything that they determine to be un-chivalrous he will be slashed. Slashed means that he will automatically be demoted from being captain of his team and he will be warned that anything he does wrong will disqualify him and his team from the rest of the tournaments. Being Marked could also affect him when he becomes a knight. He might not get into the division that he wants,” explained Zam.

“Wow!” exclaimed Trance. He was blown away by the seriousness of what Rex had done. In a way he was so glad that he had not stooped to Rex’s level. It just wasn’t in him to go after him when he was unarmed. He knew very well that the match could have gone the other way when Rex got his sword, yet Trance had been confident that he could still hold off Rex. Just then he knew that he wouldn’t have to worry about how the rest of the tournaments would go. He would compete and do his best to show how chivalrous he was.

Chapter 23

The Peaceful Blockade

Three Boulthorian battleships pushed their barrier drives to the limit as they raced across space. Aboard each ship was stationed a full division of ninety-five knights. These three divisions were selected to carry out the mission of wiping out as many people as possible at the end of year tournaments on Caldar. These divisions of seasoned warriors had fulfilled every mission assigned to them. They were the rough equivalent of Golden Griffins. With cold efficiency they made their preparations for their mission.

Each ship had four weapon sharpening stations. Each station had four grinding wheels