The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 15

Abraham walked around the prison a couple times, trying to break in the stiff leather armor.  Or what the pirates called armor; it was mostly just made of a thick hide of an animal he couldn't identify.  He was remembering the conference the Emperor had with him.

As he entered the room, the Emperor had nodded appreciatively, "Get ready.  My men are bored and in need of amusement.  You will provide us some sport."  Shortly after that Abraham had returned to his cell, still having not had a clear look at the Emperor's face through the smoke.

And now he was about to fight in single combat with that trollish man who had killed all his companions.  He was to die here.. In the den of his enemies.  

No.  He must not think like that, he needed to make it out of this alive.  Before he could think further, the cell door rattled open and a short, broad bearded man stepped into the cell.  

"We're ready for you." Came the gravelly voice.

Abraham gripped and regripped his short sword, his weapon of choice, and proceeded out the door.  Head held high.  Stepping out of the crude house, he walked to the obvious battle ground.

Three score pirates were gathered around an oval paddock in the middle of the courtyard.  The Emperor sat on a raised bench at the far end of the paddock.  Now that he sat in broad daylight, Ab gave a start of surprise.  The Emperor looked like an owl that was forced to stay awake  through the day time.  He had those big orb-like eyes, with his skin yellowing and his thin and lanky limbs made him look like a living skeleton.  

When the Emperor saw him approaching, he started to speak in that deep voice (Abraham was expecting a squeaky voice), "Here you are.  Well, let's get to it then." He said impatiently, snapping his fingers together.

Abraham had thought it over carefully. "No."

The Emperor looked at him. "What?"

"You heard me.. no."

"I know what you said.  Do not try my patience boy.  I need to know what you mean.  I can have you killed right now."

Abraham smiled inwardly, perfect. "Exactly.  If you kill me now.  There won't be any sport for your men."  He paused to let this take the desired affect.  "And if you don't hear me out, I'll just start fighting right now and be killed quickly."

The tyrant considered this and said, "Fine.  You have earned my respect for wit.  I will hear you out."

Abraham looked him right in the eye, and closed the distance to half of what it had been, so that he was only a few yards away from the bench.  "If I win, give me the Lady Lydia and grant us freedom.  If I lose, you can keep her."

An unnatural quiet had fallen over the rowdy pirates as they watched the Emperor appraise Ab. The silence stretched on.  Then he laughed.  "Why not?  It's always better when the stakes are higher."

Abraham couldn't believe it.  Breathing a prayer, he demanded,"Bring Lydia out here if you are true to your promise."

"Of course, of course."

In a few minutes, Lydia appeared.  Not looking worse for wear.  Apparently, being a captains daughter has advantages.  When the Emperor looked at Abraham with a mock questioning look, Ab bowed.  

"Very well then!  Let it commence." He grinned.

Abraham bowed to Lydia, who had become stony-faced, and turned to face the champion.  He was armed to the teeth, and carried a battle-axe, which seemed highly unfair to Ab.  Without further ado, the troll-man threw himself at Ab.  Barely recovering from his surprise, he dodged the blow and rolled out of the way of the deadly slash.  Abraham leapt to his feet and turned around, just in time to see the champion charging back at him.  Throwing himself to one side, he barely dodged the next blow.  He  had just gotten to his feet when the marauder turned around and shot toward him again.  Ducking and sweeping his sword in, Ab caught the unsuspecting pirate on the weakest part of the armor, and injured his left shoulder blade.  

Letting out a growl of pain, he tried to react but Abraham jumped up and stabbed him in the back.  Cutting right through the armor, spine, and right out the other side.  The crowd gasped in surprise.  From the start, it had looked uneven.  The giant swayed, grunting in surprise and fell with a mighty crash, making the ground shudder.

The Emperor gazed at the lump that had once been his body guard, and grinned. "Well played.  Now.  Take the Lady before I change my mind."

Yanking out the sword, Abraham ran to Lydia and grabbed her by the arm, and sprinted toward the gate.  But before they could even get halfway across the yard, there was a mighty roar of anger.  The pirates had just realized that their comrade-in-arms had fallen.  Grabbing their weapons, they rushed after Abraham and Lydia.

Abraham urged her to go faster, "Hurry!  Let's make it to the cover of the forest.  We'll find a place to hide there."

With that, they raced for freedom.