The Final Confrontation(Arthur,Dante,Evie,Henry)

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur stood in the tiny tent behind the main arena, buckling his gauntlets and checking the straps on the rest of his armour for the fiftieth time. He was so nervous about this fight that he had allowed no one into the room with him, not even Merlin had been allowed to help him dress and he was slightly paranoid that he might have forgotten how to do it himself and that it would be his downfall.

When he was satisfied that the heavy metal armour wasn't going to fall off, he set about fitting his weapons. The assassin and Arthur were both set to use a longsword each, chosen by a squire and given to each of them at the same time. Using other weapons would result in instant disqualification and in Dante's case- Death. Arthur paced the room waiting for the runner to arrive and let him know they were to begin.

He could practically feel the excitement from the crowd outside. The stands were packed with his supporters, including the King and his ward, Morgana and even a few of the Lows had shown up to support Dante. It only made Arthur all the more nervous.

After all, this was a fight to the death.

[Dante Grixis]

Dante stood in the open area on the other side of the arena. Two guards watched him, to make sure the conditions were followed. They needn't worry, he was going by the rules today.

He pulled his chainmail on and slowly strapped on his hard leather bracers. He would be fighting in his usual combat attire. It allowed him to be faster, and that would be necessary against his heavily armored opponent. He fastened his gauntlets tight and flexed his fists and stretched. He was nervous, but he was ready. He had been training nonstop for the past weeks and he was ready to go through those gates.

This could very well be his last fight but he knew it wouldn't be. He was confident that he could kill the Prince. He glanced into the arena and saw the crowd assembled. Many of them held banners bearing the Pendragon crest. But he could many lows too, showing their support for him. He hoped that Evie and Henry were watching. The thought that they were set his mind at ease.

A Trumpet blared from somewhere inside the arena and the gates slowly opened. A runner found Dante and told him "It's time." Dante nodded in acknowledgment He began to walk towards the gates and sighed deeply. He was ready.

[Evie Perroy]

Evie advanced through the barracks, heading to the open arena where Dante was waiting at one end to fight. The Prince wasn't yet present. Instead of armor, Evie was wearing a plain white linen dress; not very appropriate to watch a battle- but it was the nicest and cleanest thing she owned. She reached the two guards who stood close by Dante and watched him warily. And well they should Evie thought with an inward smile. She had fought Dante before. He was impressive.

When she was level with the guards, she asked politely, "May I?" and inclined her head toward Dante.
"Be quick." Came the gruff reply, and Evie strode toward Dante's turned back, who, caught up in the anticipation of battle, was looking out into the crowd and hadn't noticed her.

"Dante." she grabbed his arm, and led him slightly to the side so they weren't in the full glare of the crowds and the guards. "I... I came to wish you luck." The words sounded silly as they came out of her mouth, as if she were wishing him good luck for a journey or for taking part in a race. Remembering the severity of the match, tears pricked at her eyes and she bit them back. It would not be helping Dante to get all emotional.
Evie placed both hands on his upper arms and looked up into Dante's dark eyes. It occurred to her this was only the second time she had seen him without his hooded cloak on. Wordlessly, she leaned up and kissed him. Around them the crowd roared and as she leaned back, a breeze blew Evie's hair across her face. She brushed it away with the back of her hand, along with a single persistent tear that had edged it's way along her cheekbone.

"Thank you for everything." she half whispered, then added in a lighter tone, "I'll see you later." Evie kissed him once more on the cheek, resisting the urge to fling her arms around his neck and refuse to let go unless the guards dragged her away. Instead, she left, heading back to find Henry and melt into the crowd.

[Dante Grixis]

Dante smiled as Evie walked away. "I love you!" He called after her. If there were any reason he had to win it was for her and Henry. He turned and entered the arena. As the crowd saw him enter a chorus of boos echoed from the stands. They wanted him to loose, but Dante didn't care. He laughed and bowed to the booing crowd as he walked to the center of the arena and took a sword from one of the guards standing in the center.

He watched the other gate and waited for his enemy to enter.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur bounced from one foot to the other as he waited for the messenger to arrive, signalling he could enter the arena. He had finally got the kick of adrenaline he needed but he still wasn't in the same excited place he usually found himself before a battle. This was all a bit too real.

As he walked to the centre of the yard, where his opponent already waited, Arthur could see the crowd cheer, but somehow he could hear nothing but the sound of his own blood pumping in his ears. He took up his first stance- a defensive position that held no advantage other than a good block. It was a common starting point, one which just led them easily into the rhythm and flow of a fight but it was boring and before Arthur really knew what he was doing, he pulled out of it and took a hard swing at Dante's knees.

[Dante Grixis]

And so it began. Dante barely had time to react to the rapid attack, but he jumped over the blade's arc and landed on one foot and rolled a few feet away. That was the exact reason he was wearing light armor, to be able to pull off finesse moves like that.

He quickly jumped to a standing position and swung diagonally towards the Prince's chest. A successful hit would not likely harm his opponent, but it would put him off balance meaning Dante could quickly follow up with a stab aimed to kill.

[Veryan Lithônion]

Veryan had been told of this dark day. But not by the silly note posted on a tree by the King’s command to inform everyone in the city. No, his two friends had spoken of it earlier. He had accompanied Dante toward the arena and though he had been mainly silent and stated he trusted in Dante’s abilities, there was fear in his heart at the thought of losing such a friend, like an elder brother. He had allowed him time to put on his armour and met up with sweet Evie.

He made his way through the annoying crowd and as he finally reached the first line he frowned at the reaction of the crowd as Dante approached the ring where the fight was to take place. And though everyone booed him Veryan still looked at him fondly, like a younger brother would to a move beloved elder brother, the one who stood like a role model and an even greater fear struck him though he remained confident and would render Dante all the support he was capable of.

His eyes turned toward Evie and Henry, two persons truly important for Dante, he only hoped that karma was on his side though this was a hard moment for Veryan, he trusted that Arthur was too noble to simply kill a man on a fair fight, but he was beginning to wonder if he had too high opinion on the young Prince. He obviously did not want to believe Arthur would do such a thing; after all they were friends too.

It was so hard knowing both contestants as deeply as Veryan did, though one more than the other, he had still done things with them, gone hunting, swordplay, horseback riding, helped his father in being renown by the King himself and even Veryan was, by now, developing such skills his father was almost certain he could start off as a blacksmith from this moment on.

One of the persons he felt he owed much more than friendship was Dante, and perhaps that was why he had worked so hard on a chainmail suitable for Dante, that could take on any blow and protect his body as strongly as heavy armour, yet it was light as a feather for Dante’s abilities were mainly speed and cunning. Ever since Dante told him of this day he started working, nonstop, until he finished the chainmail and handed it to him the day before this match took place. He was quite proud of his work and even the emblem of the brotherhood shone upon it, every single detail sparkled as Dante stood proud and strong waiting for the young Prince.

Veryan pressed his fingers against the fence that stopped any spectator from interfering. He was so nervous he did not realize he was pressing his fingers too hard it was beginning to make the wood crack. The moment both contestants were in the arena Veryan’s heart pounded faster than ever, if only something could be done. But he sighed in regret; this was beyond anyone’s help now. He looked at Dante as he skipped the first blow and only hoped both would come out of this unharmed, and perhaps for the sake of weapon mastery and great combat skills, Dante would be forgiven and allowed to live. Veryan’s heart shrank thinking of Evie, who loved Dante so much, what would become of her if Uther did not stick to his word and allowed Dante to be killed? He felt a cold shiver down his spine yet he did his best not to think of this anymore.

[Lady Morgana le Fey]

As much as Morgana and Arthur didn't always get along, she certainly was worried about him. She knew that he had agreed to fight the same man who had slashed the back of his legs earlier in the year. That man had done quite a bit of damage and she was aware that the fight would be to the death. Gwen dressed her in a deep forest green dress. She wished she had the kind of magic that could keep him safe but she did not even know the full strength or kind of magic she possessed.

Morgana accompanied Uther down to the battleground but before taking her seat she excused herself as she wanted to wish Arthur good luck. As she approached his tent the guards that were standing outside of it cross their colour flags across the entrance to block her way in.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Forgive us Lady Morgana, but Prince Arthur has expressly wished to be left alone to prepare."

"Is Merlin not even in there with him?"

"No m'lady. He is preparing himself and does not wish to be disturbed."

Left alone? Merlin not even in there with him? She would have barged in but knew that in the state he was probably in he would have her in the gaol for sure. Morgana could see that the guards were getting anxious as they were denying the Ward of the King admittance to the tent but in their defence it was at the Prince's express command. Rather than get them more anxious then they already were, she raised a hand in defeat.

"When Arthur is ready, please wish him the best of luck for me..."

Morgana turned and left the door of Arthur's tent and returned to her seat next to Uther. Arthur had better come out of this alive, or there would be hell to pay. She looked up into Uther's eyes for a moment then turned towards the field. When the two combatants- Dante and Arthur- came out to the field there was a resounding Hiss for Dante's presence and also a resounding cheer for the Prince's. During the entire battle Morgana was practically on the edge of her seat waiting for the blow that would bring the end of the battle.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur darted backwards as Dante's longsword swept towards his chest. He couldnt help but smirk as he easily dodged the attack and whipped his own sword round to deflect it. Although not as fast as his opponent who wore the lightest of armours, Arthur was still quick on his feet and his armour would withstand attacks that the assassin's just wouldnt- and he was very aware of that fact.

Arthur parried another blow, dodging to the left and letting the other mans sword just graze the edge of his vambrace. The weight of the sword as it met with his arm was painful, but would be nothing more than a bruise later. Besides he quickly forgot the wound as he went into a frenzy of slashes, advancing towards Dante with each step matching a lunge and finally finishing with a spin and downwards swing.

[Dante Grixis]

Dante easily parried all of the rapid strikes from his opponents longsword and with each block took a step back causing his opponent to take a step forward, hoping to put him off balance. That was not the case though, it seemed as though Arthur had been training as hard as he had been. Dante was surprised when Arthur went into a spinning attack and was barely able to maneuver out of the way. The attack had interrupted the rhythm of attacks and parries and Dante quickly stabbed low towards his opponents midsection.

The attack was dodged and this time it was Dante's turn to rapidly string together a series of slashes all aimed at vital weak points in Arthur's armor. After forcing his opponent back a few feet Dante stabbed straight out towards Arthur's throat and stepped towards him, closing the distance between the two of them. His elbow flashed out towards Arthur's face, hoping to break his nose, then Dante quickly jumped back, out of sword range.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Blood spattered across his face as Dante's armoured elbow collided with the front of Arthurs helm. It was surprising how much damage could be done even when armoured and Arthur stumbled backwards, clawing at the dented helmet and trying to pull it off.

The crowd jeered, booing at Dante's "low blow" but he simply jumped back, anticipating any retalliation Arthur might make. In fact, Arthur was partially blinded by the blood that was pooling on his face and was too occupied with getting the thing off of his head to think about attacking.
When he was finally free he almost felt the crowd gasp at the state of his face, the metal had caved in, forming sharp points which had cut his cheeks- that was going to take some healing.

"You fight dirty assassin." He spat, bloody globules staining the sand in the arena, "But two can easily play at that game.
With a sprint Arthur leapt at Dante, swinging his sword every way he could. He wouldn't normally aim at the face, but now playing by the rules wasn't important. He twirled around the other boy, swinging his sword heavily into Dante's back. A collision could have proved fatal.

[Dante Grixis]

Dante grinned seeing the damage he had done. He brought his sword up when the Prince spoke and blocked the first attack aimed at his face. When Arthur spun and swung at his back Dante dropped to a low crouch and let the blade pass harmlessly over his head, though he did feel the wind from the sword. He quickly stood up and spun back swinging his blade hard for Arthur's throat.

He was surprised how agile the Prince was even with the heavy plate armor encumbering him. Perhaps he had underestimated his opponent slightly.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

The swords smashed between the boys faces as Arthur blocked another swing. And another. They continued at deadlock, neither of the boys gaining the upper hand at any point for sometime, until Arthur was beginning to tire. He had on a lot more armour than Dante, and under that he wore his mail too. He toyed with the idea of removing some of it, but he couldn't decide whether any of it was surplus to requirements and so decided to keep the lot.

As the blade swung towards Arthur's neck, he barely had time to block it. He felt the crowd gasp even before he did and just managed to deflect the blow at the last second. He doubled over, catching his breath but still keeping half an eye on Dante all the while. Just when he felt he had lulled him into a false sense of security he sprung out, jabbing his sword at the boys stomach hoping to make a connection.

[Dante Grixis]

Dante smirked and sidestepped the stab with ease. Arthur was probably sweating like a pig under all of his armor, but he was quite comfortable and had energy to fight all day if he had to. The crowd booed as he swung at Arthur who blocked his attack weakly. Dante took a step back. "That all you got Pendragon?" He asked.

He held his sword high over his head and took a step forward and swung down powerfully at Arthur's exposed head. If he was lucky he could end the fight here and walk away victorious.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur winced as he felt the air ripple when Dante's blade barely missed his face.
"You have no idea." He replied to the assassin, whipping into a frenzy of manic attacks, spinning left and right and finishing with another hard downwards swing. The brotherhood cretin's remarks were starting to get to him, but rather than putting him off (which he was convinced was what they were meant to do) the jibes were only making him more determined and aggressive.

Sweat was starting to bead on the prince's forehead and he finally decided that his amour wasn't necessary. He ripped off his cuirass, breaking the leather ties that bound it to his torso. He didn't care, he could always get another made when he won this fight.

Filled with confidence now Arthur sprung at his opponent. He landed almost on top of him and aimed a few blows at his chest. Then, he pressed his sword against Dante's, forcing him to lean backwards. The he kicked out underneath the crossed blades, hoping to connect with his knees.