Page 9 of Journey to the Elderoak
What the hell was I thinking fighting an orc soldier?
She tried to ignore her racing heart and focus on the moves Casimir had taught her. Pax lunged forward, quick as lightning. He wrapped one arm around her torso and moved behind her, ducking his head at the middle of her back.
He gripped her as they pushed each other in the center of the ring. Ava yelped at his strength and tried to get one of her legs under his to topple him, but his feet were planted too far away. She reached one arm behind her and wrapped it around his back. Well, she tried to, but he was so wide she couldn’t reach allthe way across. With her other hand, she yanked his arm with all her strength. Twisting, she used the angle and momentum and rolled him onto his back clumsily, almost falling on top of him.
The crowd cheered, not caring that Pax was being easy on her, they just wanted a fight. He grinned as he hopped to his feet, ready to go again. Ava darted forward and tried to land a punch on his side, but he grasped her wrist and twisted it against her back, moving behind her again. She winced as her arm screamed in pain, but ignored it, trying to decide on her next move.
“Pax…” Casimir growled from the sidelines.
Pax loosened his hold and Ava stomped on his foot, causing him to release her arm. She pushed herself away and whirled toward Casimir.
“Keep your mouth shut and don’t distract me,” she snapped, then faced Pax again.
The crowd cheered.
“You heard her, general,” said one of the sailors. “Princess says stop interfering.”
Casimir grumbled as she prepared for the next move. Pax lunged and Ava tried to dart away, but he grabbed her legs and yanked them out from under her. She landed on her back with a thud, leaving her breathless.
“Shit,” she wheezed.
The captain started counting to ten, but Ava wasn’t ready to concede. Sailors shouted, “Get up! Get up! Get up!”
Zeph’s voice cut through the noise, “It’s not over yet, Ava!”
Just as Gisela made it to six, she was on her feet again. Pax advanced toward her, but this time she ducked at the last second and threw herself on the ground, crawling in between his legs. Before he had a chance to whirl around, she jumped on his back and wrapped an arm around his neck, putting him in a headlock.
She wrapped her legs around his torso, digging her heelsinto his ribs. He yelped at the pressure and the crowd went wild, chanting, “princess!” Confidence soared as she jammed her heels into his ribs.
“Ouch, you little shit,” he said as she repeated her actions.
He spun around, trying to loosen her hold but she pulled her arm tighter and kicked him as hard as she could. Grunting, he yanked her arm down so fiercely, she cried out as he leaned over and threw her over his shoulder.
“Fuck!” she yelled as she was flipped onto her back and landed on the mat.
She gasped, trying to catch her breath.
Gisela counted to ten and Pax was declared the winner, cheers of the crowd echoing in the night. He approached and held out his hand. She grasped it and let him pull her up, still panting.
“Did I hurt you?”
“I’ll be sore, but I’m fine,” she croaked.
Relief washed over his face. “Great job.”
Ava made her way to Casimir as Pax picked the next two to fight. His arms were still crossed, and he was holding her tunic as she took her place next to him, watching the next round.
“You should put your shirt back on,” he whispered.
“Why? I’m too hot and sweaty right now,” she said as she watched two sailors square off.
“Because it’s very distracting,” he mumbled under his breath.
“None of the sailors are even looking at me. They’re quite respectful. So, who’s getting distracted?”
He edged closer to her and leaned in. “Me.”
A shiver went down Ava’s spine as she glanced at him, but he had straightened out and was watching the fight as if he’d said nothing.
