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Radnor
Two Weeks Later

"Welcome one and all to The Northern Games!!" The announcer shouts. I look around the open field, the tents and set up prepared right outside the walls of the castle.

Castle walls

The majority of kingdom was here to witness the games.

Five lucky men will be chosen at the end of games to join the Northern warriors, and proceeding right after that, will be The Challenge.

Those warriors who find themselves worthy to be general, would be allowed to challenge Gor.

We had organized the tents a little different this year. Instead of just seating area so they can watch the games, we had some possessing food, others had small mini games like archery, ring toss, darts, but now it was time for the main event.

19 men all lined up.

Some looked ready, a few looked scared out of their mind. Most likely forced into this by their fathers. The last man had backed out last minute, and honestly I commend him...
it's better to not join, if you weren't serious.

The Northern Games was comprised of three rounds;

Combat.
All men will face each other, one on one in combat, but seeing as it's an odd number, we've decided to let three fight at once. The finally 10 will move on to the next stage which is;

Archery.
Every warrior was required to know how to shoot an arrow.

Why put the easiest one second, well when your out in battle you're not always in tip top shape when you have to shoot an arrow at your enemy. You're battered bruised and tired.

Thirdly we have, Survival.

Men will have to spend one night in the forest. We will blindfold them and put them at one of our points, and they'll have to find their way back to field.

The first five to return, will be named our new warriors.

"We will now have a word from our King." He says, stepping back. My father stands from his walks forward.

"Welcome everyone. It is the moment, the day, we have all been waiting for. Five lucky men will have the pleasure of joining our mighty warriors, and maybe, we might just have the appointing of a new General."

I watch as Cole, puffed out his chest. Some girls fawning after him from in the crowd.

"It's truly sad to hear that one of our men dropped out but either way, let's have a fair game gentlemen, and may the best five men win!" He declares and the crowd begins to cheer, but it's that familiar female voice, shouting above the noise and drawing everyone's attention to her, that peeked my interest.

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River
A few hours before the games.

"You be safe you here me. Don't you dare die on me." Mom pulls me into another hug.

Over the last two weeks, I have been training harder than I have ever done before. Max helping me when it came to combat, seeing as Dad also trained him.

"I was trained by one of the Kingdom's greatest warriors Mama, I won't fail." I tell her, pulling away.

She's a lot better now. The first week was rough. She cried for three days straight and then woke up the next day decided she was done with crying.

Rumors started spreading before we could even speak, and it's really pathetic how people had no clue what happened but they just assume the worst.

Some saying I pushed myself on him. Others saying we are just desperate for money. It's just horrible some human beings.

The King was giving his speech when we arrived. Attention drawing to us as we made our way passed the tents, towards the large crowd standing ahead.

"What is she doing?" I hear someone ask, and I glance over; a woman in purple, staring at me with calculating eyes.

Max hands my bow to me, as we almost reach the crowd, giving me a tight hug.
"Don't die River." I nod.

I kiss my mom's cheek, reassuring her that I'll be okay. I turn around, and we make our way forward. Pushing past people as I made my way to the front.

Many people stared at me in shock, others with suspicion. But all in all, they parted so that I could pass.

"Let the best five men win!"

"Your majesty!!" I shout, raising my bow in the air, when I push pass the last person.

Her outfit inspiration.

All attention turns to me. My eyes meet Cole's shocked ones for split second before I turn back to look at his father.

I couldn't really read the King's expression. His face was blank.
"What is going on here?" He asks.

"I would like to join the Northern games!" The crowd gasps.

"Abomination!!" A councilman shouts, standing from his seat.
"Stop this nonsense and know your place girl."

"No where in the law does it state that a woman cannot join the games. Matter of fact it says that everyone who wishes to join, can join. I wish to join." I boldly declare. I will not be made inferior again.

The King stares at me with a calculating gaze.

"She cannot join the games." Cole says, stepping forward.
"She is only doing this to get out of marriage with me father! I forbid you from joining the games River!" Cole shouts at me.

"I am not your wife for you to command Cole." I tell him bitterly.
"I wish to join the games, simply for the choice of becoming a warrior."

My eyes meet Radnor's for the first since our second meeting and once again his mask covered his face, sealing any emotion he may have been showing.

I wonder what he thought when word got to him about the Cole's proposal to me.

"Your majesty, we the council forbid this! A woman's place is not amongst men. She should know where her place belongs!" Head councilman Victor shouts. The King looks to the man, and then he glances at Radnor, before looking back at me.

"You are aware that by joining these games, you will not be given leverage because you are a woman?"

"Yes your majesty." I confidently say. Standing taller.

I won't fail.

"Hmm."

"Your majesty-" Head councilman starts saying but the King cuts him off.

"What does the people think?" He says raising his hand to them.
"Should we let her participate? If you agree step forward, if you oppose remain silent."

I turn around looking to the crowd. No one saying anything. Some glanced at each other, a few keeping their head down.

I look to my mother and brother, the fear within her eyes, but she pushes past it and steps forward with Max.

"We say yes your majesty!" Max shouts. Rider, Eric and Cassidy stepping forward with them. Surprisingly their parents did as well.

I looked around, waiting to see if anyone else will come forward. Many women watched me looking indecisive of if to step forward.

My eyes meet with a beautiful dark skin woman in a dark purple dress from before. Her black puff wrapped with a matching scarf.

Now I remember where I've seen her from. I think I've seen her outside the Pleasure House before, the two other women standing next to her as well. One of the same dark skin as her and a fair woman. Both also adorned in dark purple.

"Well there you have it. The majority-" Councilman Victor starts to speak again and I turn to look at him.

"I say yes your majesty!" My head snaps back around, the same woman now looking to me with a smile on her face, her hand raised.
"It's times for a change around here." She says.

The fair woman next to her steps forward as well, but she was pulled back by a man who begins to quarrel with them. She pushes him off her, stepping forward.
"I say yes as well your majesty. It's time a woman held a seat of rank in the North."

Sparking confidence in other women, soon almost majority stepped forward in support of me. Even a few men, stepped forward with their wives and daughters.

I feel tears fill my eyes as I watched them all. Turning back around to the King, he had a small smile on his face.
"Well there you have it. The majority-"

"Your majesty!" Councilman Victor storms up to him.
"This is against our ways. This one act can lead women to believing they have right over what they can and can't do. She will lead them into a rebellion."

"The people have spoken Victor." Simply says, causing the man to seethed in rage.

The King turns back to us, raising his hand in the air.
"Let the games begin!"

He signals to the announcer and he walks back to his throne chair. Councilman Victor glares at me, before walking back to his seat, the other councilmen whispering to him.

"First round is Combat." The announcer says.
"Each of you will be placed in teams of two. The last person standing when time is up or if your opponent yields will move on to the next round. Head Councilman Victor will now partner up the fighters." He states, glancing at me with worried eyes.

Oh no.
I look to him and he smirks.

--

"And finally, River will be paired with Manly." He declared smirking. I look over to the giant man who steps forward as I do. A sick grin on his face.

"That's unfair!!" A woman shouts.
"He did that on purpose!!"

"If the little lady wants to be a warrior, she should face the full wrath of it. Unless you want to back out? Now will be a good chance."

"Stop this foolishness River. Do you really think you will win?" Cole says, coming up to me.

"I will." I tell him confidently.

"Well then...I guess after a good beating, it'll be easier for me to break you." I grind my teeth in anger, my fists folded tight as I watch him walk away from me.

I won't fail. I tell myself again.

--

The others fought first.

Each fight more brutal than the last. Some badly injured, others making it out with only a few cuts and bruises.

9 winners already confirmed.

Now it was my turn.

I stood a few meters away from giant. His bulking muscles looked like they could crush my skull like a toothpick.

"I must give it to you princess, you are a brave one." The giant says.
"But you should of stayed on your back where you belong." My face scrunches up in anger. I'm getting tired of these men and their degrading attitudes.

Memories of my father training me came to mind as I get ready. His voice heard in my head, like my personal coach.

"They would never allow a woman to be a warrior baby girl. And because of that I know they would put you up against the biggest man at the games."

I was 16 at this time.

"Your opponent will think it will be an easy fight. He'll use his strength to his advantage instead of actually fighting properly. However strength can only take you so far."

Crouching down, I prepare myself to fight.

"Stay up till time. Just as I taught you...take him down."

"Fight!!"

He runs towards me, raising his fist to hit me. I manage to side step him, spinning around quickly. He turns around watching me with a taunting look on his face.

He's playing with me.

He shakes his shoulders, signaling me to come here.

"Don't run to him. Let him come to you."

I raise up, putting my hands on my hips. Taunting him back. It seems to work, because he lets out a loud roar of anger, running up to me.

"Anger will blind you. It will make your moves sloppy. Use your resources."

I quickly pick up some of the snow from the ground, throwing it in his face. He wavers a little but he still manages to grab unto me, sending a heavy punch to my gut, knocking all the air out of me.

I crouch down in pain, hearing my mother call out to me.

"Foolish woman." He grabs unto my neck, lifting me off the ground. I repeatedly hit his arm, and he laughs.

He pulls me closer to him, his stink breath in blowing in my face as he talks.
"I wonder how the little bunny tastes?" He whispers, sticking his tongue out and licking my cheek.

I hawk my spit, letting him have it, his moment of disgust causes his hold on me to slacken. I almost got out from him but he grabs hold of me and lifts me into the air, slamming me unto the ground, all the air leaving me again.

Black spots fill my vision, as I look up to him.

"Maybe I should just play with you until time is up." I close my eyes tight, as I feel him stroking my face with his nasty finger.

Flashback

"I can't Papa. You're stronger than me." I tell him, getting up from off the ground again. I was tired and my body was in pain.

Papa was not going easy on me.

"No I am not. I'm only stronger if you make me stronger." He tells me, getting in fighting stance again.
"You'll be going up against men my size or bigger. They won't take it easy on you either. Wipe those tears away." I rapidly wipe them away.

"You really think you could be a warrior?" He taunts.
"You're a woman. You're a pathetic good for nothing woman. Do you really think you could win?"

"Yes!" I scream in anger.

"Then take me down baby girl!" He shouts, hitting his chest. I scream in anger running to him.

End of flashback

My eyes snap open, and I raise my foot up, kicking him straight in his balls.

Papa had me trained for days to kick with strength, so I know he was in pain.

He falls to the side, and I quickly get up, my balance drifting slightly, my heart loudly booming in my ears.

"Time!" The announcer shouts and I freeze, looking up to the him. He had a relieved look on his face.
"Congratulations River Somet! You're moving on to the next round." The announcer says and the crowd begins to cheer.

"I won?" I say in disbelief.

"She won!" Someone shouts and they all begin to cheer.
"River! River! River! River!" They continuously chant my name. I look to the King, and he looked pleased.

"NO!!!" The giant stands unto his feet, coming towards me with a rage. Just as he falls to the ground, crying out in pain.

I stare at him in shock, as I see an arrow sticking out the back of his leg. I look up, watching as Radnor hands the bow over to the man next to him.

Our eyes lock unto each other. My mouth parted slightly as I try to even out my breathing.

"We now move on to our next round! Archery!"

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