13 Chapter 12: The Winner
Zane arrived at the rings with Pug. A large crowed was gathered by one circle. They made their way through the crowed until they came across Aaron. He nodded in greeting as they approached.
"I see you lost," he said addressing Zane. "After watching your first fight I thought for sure you had a chance to win the whole thing." Zane looked down at his feet. The fact that he lost hadn't really set in until then. Haran was counting on him to become the best soldier possible. He resolved himself to work as hard as possible to succeed in the Semper Vitae. If he wanted to meet his father's expectations he would have to focus his energy on the sword and free-style tournaments in the following days. Aaron must have noticed Zane's reaction and quickly changed the subject. "What about you Pug? How did you do?"
"I got my butt whipped in the first fight," he replied grinning.
"So did I," Aaron replied with a sigh.
"At least I'm not the only one then," Pug smiled and patted Aaron on the back. "I guess were not cut out to be fighters eh?"
"No kidding," Aaron replied nodding. They continued chatting and Zane turned his attention toward the circle. It must have been the final fight. All of the officers were standing together in the center of the circle with the two final fighters. Cliff was standing in the circle with the beefy guy that had knocked Zane out.
"Not a surprise that Cliff made it to the finals," Pug and Aaron must have turned their attention to the match as well.
"I agree with you there," Aaron replied. Zane simply nodded. He was still not in much of a mood to talk wanted to focus on the fight. He might be able to learn from watching these two fight.
They watched as the officers wished the two final fighters good luck and exited the circle. Dirt face gave the signal for the match to start and the two sprang into action. As fast as Zane had thought his opponent had been, Cliff was even faster. Zane watched in awe as Cliff jabbed the kid in the face and followed up with a lighting fast hook that knocked him off his feet and left him out cold.
The four judges gathered around him and congratulated him on his win as nurses rushed in to take care of his opponent. Penny was among the nurses helping the large kid onto the stretcher, and Zane couldn't help but think that Cliff stuck out his chest and looked a bit prouder when he noticed her.
Zane, Pug, and Aaron made their way to Cliff to congratulate him. The crowd was dispersing for dinner, and they had to weave their way through the crowd.
"Congrats big man!" Pug yelled as they approached. Cliff just smiled meekly, but Zane could tell he was happy despite his shyness. "Yet another reason to stay on your good side!" Pug threw an arm around the now uncomfortable looking Cliff.
"That guy didn't stand a chance," Aaron joined in. "You knocked him out cold like it was nothing!" Zane nodded and smiled at Cliff in congratulations. Aaron was right, Cliff was able to defeat him easily, yet Zane hadn't stood a chance. Cliff was leagues above him when it came to hand to hand combat. Another reminder of how hard he would need to work to live up to Haran's expectations.
