Chapter Nine, Tournament

Saturday, the day of the tournament.
They were running it Mob Rules, which was actually a speccific set of rules. Submission, death, or crowd involvement stopped the fight. Whoever was most able to leave the ring at the end of the fight won. Fighter's choice of weapons, magic was frowned upon but not actually banned. And the fight started whenever one opponent managed to goad the other into attacking.

Alicea had done her research on her opponents. The first four or five would be throwaways, no offense. The sheer number of people who wanted a chance at leading the mountainfolk into battle meant that their numbers would likely be halved before a leader was actually chosen. The prefered weapon combination was a short thrusting spear, broad, round wooden shield with a metal rim, usually iron, and a side arm, axes or swords mostly.
Her real challenge would be against the thane of the Frosthammer clan, Hveglir. He was the second generation leader of the Prynen range's, in which they were, foremost clan. He was a minor magic user, he could work alchemy and pierce the thoughts of those around him, but little more. The clan was named for the weapon he'd be using, the frosthammer. It was a one of a kind enchanted mace; bonesteel, with a three-ring head. Within the head was the enchantment's base, a large blue pearl magically suspended within the head's open core. On contact with an enemy or his equipment a dagger of ice as hard as steel would blast from the point of contact in the direction of the blow, allowing a sound blow to cripple or kill any opponent.

She chose to go unarmed. She had no intent to kill, or even permanently injure, any of her opponents. These were all men she knew she'd need for the battles ahead. All she had to do was disable her opponents and make her way to the top.

And she met great success. Each opponent in turn fell to her blows. She managed to dodge spear thrusts and sword swings. She was bruised by the time she faced Hveglir, but he was bloodied.

"How did a woman make it to face me? Go back to your cutlery wench."
"Afraid that if I stay you'll not beat me?"
"Ha! You face Hveglir of the Frosthammer clan. I have never met a foe who deserved my fear."
"I suppose I haven't introduced myself, have I? I am Alicea of the Howling Axes. I've been sent by Commander Haelvan of the Monastary to Call all Gasca to Arms. Will you answer the call?"
"I follow no man."
Alicea chose to forgo the obvious response and instead lunged at her opponent. He deflected her with his sheild and swung wide in response. She flung herself to the floor and swept his legs from beneath him, then disarmed him with a second kick. He pulled himself back up with great speed for one so heavily armored and braced his sheild against her rising uppercut. Instead of faltering under the pain of the blocked punch she reached around the shield and swung him to the ground by his own arm.

She had him beaten, but she didn't stop. She drew sharply on his arm, dislocating it. Then she pulled him to his feet by it.
"Now then; who will follow me to battle?"
Before anyone could respond, Hveglir drew a knife with his good arm and rammed it into her stomach. Without flinching she threw him to the ground and dropped to a knee on his chest. Then she pulled the knife out and stuck it into his hand.
"How about you Hveglir, will you answer the call?"

It was brutal, but the mountainfolk seemed impressed.
"If you can fight that well without a weapon," He spit some blood to the side, "Then the Frosthammers are yours to command, High Queen of the Mountains."