9 THE STRANGER

CHAPTER NINE

A cock crowed at the rising sun, everyone was out doing their respective chores, opening their shops and going about their daily lives. Noorebella was out training in the yard, she had been out there from the eve of dawn. A pair of eyes stared at her, her flow of movement, her determination and her zeal to end a life with every thrust. The eyes were full of admiration, and it couldn't resist the pull to be close to her. A dagger flew, a few inches from opening up his head, his eyes popped shocked.

" Why have you been spying on me" Noorebella commanded the eyes to show itself, but nothing came out behind the veins

" I don't like repeating myself" a second dagger flew into the dark steams of root, her voice colder and darker now.

" I will come out but do not throw anymore daggers" it tried to make a deal.

" I don't make promises" Noorebella glared annoyed" don't make me pull you out from there" she warned deadly.

Big brown eyes, tall and muscled male came out, he was handsome with his burly arms and clear eyes, and his stature was marvelous, a scar leading from his eyebrow down to his cheek made his face more dangerously seductive but in Noorebella's eyes she saw a tall man with a scar.

" What do you want" Turning her back to the intruder, she picked up her bow and arrow and aimed at his chest

" Well, that rude, shouldn't you ask who I am first and where am from before you threaten me" he was amused by this girl's bravery.

" Threaten" she smirked," threaten is a warning, I kill" She moved closer to the man and pointed the arrow, aiming at his neck." now speak"

The arrow was taken out and aimed at Noorebella's neck instead in a matter of seconds, her eyes widened by the speed, impressed. He wants to fight; he should have just said so in the beginning. She kicked his thigh breaking his posture and balance, she held his neck snatching the arrow and aiming it again to his neck. He chuckled amazed by this girl's audacity and skills, he breaks free by twisting her hands, he stepped behind her and aimed the arrow on her back.

" Now princess, what are you going to do" his smile was short lived as he was on the ground whining in pain minutes after he declared himself the winner, she took her sword and weighed down on him. Her eyes demanding her answers.

He took out a powder and sprayed it into her eyes, she got off him and staggered back, mildly blinded and alert. He got off the ground and jumped her walls landing at the back of her house, dashing into trees and he was gone. She stood there for some minutes and recovered her sight, she stared dangerous at the wall he just escaped on.

Kinod was joyful, businesses were booming, and inn keepers were the most important people to be friends with at this time. The market sales were through the roof and the tax collectors' smiles were so bright, no one has fought with them, and everyone was willingly paying to stay in the city. Inside the palace the King has just received the news of General Rotama accepting his invitation, he heaved a pent up breath stored secretly inside his lungs for years, Finally the whole Kingdom will be at together and at peace for this event, General Rotama has this influence even he, the King doesn't possess, because of their victories over the decades, the people have this higher version of faith in the Dragon army than they have for him, to say he was jealous and outrage was an understatement. He loathes them strongly, but they were his elite warriors, and he will try his possible best to be civilized with them. The arena was decorated for the contest. More and more people journeyed from different clans to witness this once in a lifetime opportunity, is not every day that General Rotama is seen in the public eye and her Warriors skills on display in a one-on-one combat for them to witness.

The line to write your name to compete was long but no one has the bravery to stamp their name down. Everyone was waiting for the other to write first, but no one was ready. Three of the Dragon army warriors came and stamped their names and left, still no one volunteered to step forward and stamped their name. Minutes later horses' cries were heard and six tall men, knights came forward, they all stamped their names and turned back, three men followed, adoring the eagle insignia they also put their names down, more and more knights, soldiers and warriors started to gather courage and stamped their names, even fighting over who should go next. Squires were seen polishing their master's armor, weapons and boots, maids were running up and down the street preparing the final details. Everyone was busy with on time to spare.

" Maximus is everything ready, we have to win by all means necessary, we need the people's trust in us not in an outsider, double check everything and be extra cautious and vigilant" A Voice ordered, steps followed by a shut door" Now let see Dragon army, if you can still keep your head up after am done with you"