Ivan waits in the forest for what feels like ages; relieved to be alive.
He peeks around a tree, making sure that he does not see any signs of the witch.
Only after he is absolutely sure that she’s gone, does he leave the safety of the trees. He holds his stomach, doubled over in pain. His head is still swarming and his leg is stiff.
Ivan is happy when he can finally see the castle in the distance. If I can make it home, I think I’ll be ok, he says to himself.
A sharp cramp rips through his middle. The pain worsens with each step he takes, but he is determined not to give up. He is not ready to call it quits, although it would be a lot easier to just lie down and die.
Ivan stumbles on. The roaring river next to him makes his head ache. Even the wind against his skin makes him wince in pain.
Ivan makes it to the barracks. As soon as he enters, the sickness and pain goes away. “She was testing my determination!” He says out loud. The witch’s curse was designed to keep him from reaching his home. Ivan goes to bed and sleeps the night away.
Ivan wakes later, feeling refreshed and energetic.
He has never been happier to be alive. Only the feeling of being close to death, brings such a feeling of gratitude.
Ivan pulls out an energy formula that he found during one of his voyages. He has a lot of training to do, so the extra energy is needed.
There’s no better way to train for battle, than against a tough opponent. He’s heard of a swords woman in town looking for a challenge. Ivan feels that he just may be the challenger that she is looking for.
“I hear you are looking for a challenge!” Ivan says .
Swordswoman Olga admires his confidence, but is not the least big intimidated. There are not many skilled enough to beat her.
Swordswoman Olga admires his confidence, but is not the least big intimidated. There are not many skilled enough to beat her.
Ivan throws down his gauntlet.
Olga quickly picks it up, “I accept your challenge. Be prepared to feel the power of my swing.”
Ivan surprises Olga with the swift swing of his sword; hitting Olga hard on her helmet.
She recovers quickly with contact of her own. Ivan attempts to recover and Olga stands en garde, ready to attack.
Olga definitely has skill. Ivan suddenly realizes that he has not fully recovered from the witch’s spell. He feels overpowered by Olga. “Ready to give up yet?” She asks through her helmet.
“Of course not!” He says, insulted by her question. He overpowers her with a thrust upward to her chest plate. She lands on her back.
Olga jumps up as if the blow was only a tickle. She is back on her feet, ready to attack before Ivan gets a chance to catch a breath.
A crowd gathers in time to see Ivan land on the ground after a blow to his torso by Olga.
Ivan’s next blow knocks Olga off balance.
She’s down on the ground and Ivan can see his victory.
Unfortunately, Olga does not give up quickly. She jumps up again and attacks ferociously.
Ivan, foolishly believing he has the upper hand thrusts forward in full force just as Olga moves to the side.
Olga gives him a quick blow to the side. Her sword finds a gap in his armor and slices his skin. He can feel small amount of blood escaping through the slash in his flesh. He places his hand on the injury and Olga sees her chance…
She steps forward, planting her feet firmly and swings her sword with enough force to literally knock Ivan off of his feet. He is lifted upward into the air with no hope of getting back to his feet.
Ivan’s helmet hits the ground with great force, the sound of metal hitting concrete and stone vibrates in the ears of the spectators. Olga holds her sword up in victory.
Olga walks away, while Ivan lies unconscious on the ground.
If not for his helmet, Ivan would not have survived the blow to his head.
Lots of time passes before Ivan comes to. His head is pounding. He inspects his injury and sees that Olga’s sword merely grazed his skin. It is an injury that he will survive.
