Ronosae’s War

By littleDemonwind

Prologue

"All warfare is based on deception." -- Sun Tzu.

Lord General Andrei of Whitewoods nearly choked when an adolescent girl walked onto the sands that were the battlefield of the yearly tournament held for the title of The Sword. Apparently he was not the only person within the audience to find this shocking. The girl looked barely strong enough to raise the long sword held in a one-handed grip.

How could the judges let someone so young, let alone a girl, into the competition? She’ll be slaughtered. Lord Whitewoods thought as the whispers began to fill the air.

Next to him, the aged King Sorin of Ronosae shifted in his seat to pay attention the tournament for the first time in decades. Within the private box the King shared with his advisors and guests no one spoke. No one knew what to make of the sudden change in the King. Many found the Tournament of the Sword to be exciting whereas it was a painful obligation to King Sorin since the day his only son and heir died on those sands.

Across the sands walked the girl’s opponent. He was a brute of a man and considered the one to beat for the title. Word among the people of the capitol city of Rone was that he was a cruel man who took pleasure in another’s pain. The herald in charge of this match reluctantly walked between the two and spoke in a clear voice that was heard throughout the stadium, “Do you fight of your own volition knowing you may leave these sands in the company of the Lady of Death?”

Two voices answered, “I do.”

“Then let the match begin.”

Hurryingly the herald left the field before the two swords clashed. Lord Whitewoods held his breath while he watched the girl battle against a bigger, stronger, and experience opponent. Minutes passed and the winner walked away from the heavily bleeding corpse and into the darken door leading to the waiting area for the competitors. Shocked silence deadened the air as the audience stared at the dead man who was thought to be the next Sword.

An experience swordsmen himself, Lord Whitewoods saw that this was no ordinary girl. Her swordplay was that of a master and it was apparent to any that she was more than a match for many who had come to test their swordsmanship and courage. He also glimpsed at the girl’s face. She was blind.