Ferals

Alessia's POV The Grand Melee Final Round

“Want to talk strategy?” Jenkins asks as we make our way to the line of men entering the arena.

“Sure, what do you have in mind?” grinning, I ask.

“Okay, here’s the plan, You go in first, I’ll stand behind you while you take everyone out. If anyone manages to get by you, I’ll take care of them.” He beams.

I roll my eyes, “And how do you plan on impressing the Bride Brigade doing that?”

“You’re right, new plan. You stay behind me, watch my six, while I take everyone out. There that’s better.” He smirks.

I groan, “Jenkins…”

“Okay, okay, what’s your plan then?” he asks, bumping my shoulder with his.

“Obviously I can’t wait them out this time, they will be looking for me. So I’m doing the opposite, I’ll be waiting for them in the center as soon as the sword drops.” I state.

“What?! That’s suicide! You can’t do that, I won’t let you.” His tone suddenly serious, Jenkins crosses his arms over his chest, stepping out in front of me and blocking my way.

I raise my brow, “Really.”

“Yes, really, seriously Alessia, you’re good, the best, but there is no way you, or anyone else can fight from the middle of the ring. There’s no room to move, to fight, that's not a plan, it's madness!" he grinds out through clenched teeth.

"Well, it's a good thing I’m crazy then isn’t it?” I ask, stepping around him.

“Alessia! Stop!” he grabs my arm, jerking me to a halt. “Tell me what you’re planning.” He demands.

I look down at where his hand is wrapped around my arm, then raise my eyes back up to his. “Please..” he implores.

“Fine, but you have to act like you know nothing, like you’re just taking advantage of the situation. Understood?” I ask. He nods and releases my arm. I pull him to the side and whisper my plan in his ear as men march past us into the arena.

“Brilliant…ballsy…but brilliant. Do you think it will work?” he asks.

I look up at the sky, “I’m kind of betting on it. No plan is foolproof, but now that you know it, you can help, let the crowd get ahead of you, just remember to keep to the back and work your way in, keep your eyes down.”

“Yes Ma’am.” He salutes me as we make our way into the arena. He moves to the left side of the arena and I take a deep breath and stride out to the center of the field. I can feel all eyes on me as I stand alone at attention, waiting for King Henry to make his announcement and start the melee.

The evening sun sits in the sky, just above the western wall. King Henry makes his appearance on the mezzanine, “Ladies, and gentlemen,” he addresses the crowd, “This is the second round of the Grand Melee. There will be no intermission after this round. As soon as the arena is cleared, the remaining ten will start their battle until only three remain. Good luck gentlemen.” He raises his sword and drops it, “Begin!”

The men around the wall eye me warily, my presence makes them uneasy. They only hesitate for a moment, then they charge as one. I turn my back to the eastern wall, putting the sun in my eyes. They men charging from that direction slow and veer to the left and right, trying to get away from the sun’s glare. I stand my ground, listening as the men close in. I start pulling on the straps of my armor, loosening the outer padded leather layer. Just before the horde reaches me, I drop the padding, my polished steel chest piece reflecting the setting sun, blinding the oncoming swarm. Men shriek and cover their eyes from the sudden onslaught of blinding light. I charge their front line, kicking and punching my way through, taking complete advantage of the few moments I bought, making sure to hit pressure points, dropping men like flies.

In a matter of minutes fifteen men lay unconscious at my feet. Twenty five more to go. I look around the battlefield searching for Jenkins.  I spot him a few yards ahead of me a string of five men lay behind him in his path.  Twenty more. I roar out a battle cry, Jenkins looks up and starts my way.  Between us we take down five more men. Fifteen. I keep count in my head.  As we come together, Jenkins spins around and takes position at my back.  We take a moment to catch our breath as the sounds of grunts, cries, and flesh hitting flesh continues to ring out.  The battle around us has stalled, most of the battles taking place along the northern and southern walls. 

“What do you think half-pint? Can we let the rest take each other out?” Jenkins pants behind me.

“I don’t see why not, we’ve cleared half the field, they should get the chance to prove themselves.” I smirk back at him.

He smiles in answer, “Hey, how’d you do that anyway?” he asks.

“Do what?” I ask, not sure what he was talking about.

“You know what.” He gives me a funny look.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I answer, honestly confused.

“Right after you dropped your padding, when the men stumbled, it’s like time stood still. You moved like the wind, I’ve never seen anything like it.” He says, looking at me in awe.

I crinkle my nose, my brow pulled down in a frown, “Did someone hit you in the head?” I ask.

“I’m serious, you took down fifteen men in ten minutes, that’s less than a minute per man, it shouldn’t be possible.” He tells me.

“Adrenaline.” I answer.

“I guess.” He reluctantly agrees.

Fifteen minutes pass, eight men join us in the center of the field. Five of them are Officer’s sons, the other three are non military who are either really good, or really lucky. Jenkins stands to my right and we face off with them as they take their places. As the runners hurry to move bodies, Jenkins can’t help but antagonize the group of men standing across from us.

“So who wants some boys?” he throws his hands up. “You want us to let you fight it out amongst yourselves for the third position? Or you guys wanna play with us and have your asses handed to you?” He taunts.

“Knock it off Jenkins.” I bump his shoulder with mine.

“You talk a big game, Jenkins, especially when you’re hiding behind Stone’s skirt.” Major Wells’ son, Marcus, scoffs.

Oh brother, here we go. Marcus and Jenkins have been rivals since we were just kids in basic training. With him being older than either of us, he used to spend his time tormenting us every chance he could get.  Until I turned twelve.  At twelve I had a growth spurt, and needless to say, I put a stop to his bullying, he still hasn’t forgiven me for breaking his arm, but he never messed with either of us afterward. 

“Who’s hiding, I’m standing right here!” Jenkins shouts back throwing his arms up and spinning around.

“Yeah, right behind your little whore.” He sneers.

I grind my teeth at the insult, I can feel the muscle twitching in my jaw.

“Oh s**t, you’ve done it now Marcus, you pissed her off!” Captain Wiggins’ son Trent warns, throwing up his hands and backing away.

“What’s the big deal? Why you guys acting so scared of some girl?” a big red-headed man asks. Four pairs of eyes round on him.

“Hey, isn’t that the farm boy that knocked you on your ass in the first round?” I lean over and ask Jenkins

“That’s Alessia Stone, General Stone’s daughter.” Trent explains.

“Hmm, I think it is.” Jenkins laughs.

“I don’t care, I’m going to kick both their asses!” Marcus shouts, “That’s right, I’m coming for you Alessia, we got a score to settle.”

“So, that doesn’t explain why you are all acting like a bunch of cowards.” Farm boy frowns. “She’s just a girl, being the General’s daughter is probably the only reason she’s even here.” The rest of the group snickers.

“Hey what’s your name farm boy?” Jenkins calls out.

“Cody.” He answers.

“Well Cody, let me give you some advice, if you want a chance at third, better pick one or two of your buddies over there to take down. You don’t want none of this.” Jenkins gestures at me and himself.

I roll my eyes, “You really don’t need to pick a fight, we’re already fighting.”

“We’ll see.” Cody shouts back.

“Yes, yes we will.” Jenkins smirks.

Jenkins turns toward me and lowers his voice, “Yes, I did have to pick a fight. You and I both know good and well they really would have fought it out amongst themselves, and there’s no way your father would accept that outcome.”

I take a moment to consider what he said, “Thanks Jenkins, I owe you one.” We turn and face the others just as the last body is pulled from the arena.

Marcus screams and charges.

“I got this.” Jenkins makes a move toward him.

“Not today, he’s mine.” I grab Jenkins by the arm and pull him back.

I charge at Marcus, running full speed, when he’s three steps away, I make a small jump and place my right foot on his left thigh. I push off and wrap my left leg around his neck, then throw myself back, swinging around until I’m sitting on his shoulders. He stumbles under my weight and I throw myself backward, riding down, then rolling away just as his back slams into the dirt. I waste no time and flip over, straddling his chest. Three sharp, quick punches to the face and he looses consciousness.

“Who’s next?” Jenkins shouts to the men still standing around.

Cody turns around and punches Trent straight in the nose. The rest of them scramble and start fighting each other as Jenkins whoops and charges the pack, “Good call Cody!” He cackles as he jumps into the fray. A few moments later I join him in the brawl. Ten minutes later Jenkins, Cody, and I were the left panting over the other seven finalist.

Cody turns to me, “ I apologize, I didn’t mean any disrespect earlier.”

“It’s okay, you didn’t know.” I give him a small smile, then we all turn to face the mezzanine