The crowds roars echoed throughout the arena as some of the last fights took place. These would be the longest and most entertaining as it would be comprised of the most skilled warriors of the day. It was close to evening now so the crowd was sufficiently drunk enough to enjoy the fights even more, though their belligerent shouts did not help those in the arena. Jace being one of them, this was his last fight, if he won't this he would be through to the. Blood melee. The man in front of him wasn't very muscular, he was quite slender he wasn't tall either. If Jace had to describe the man in one word it would be forgettable, common earth brown hair, not homely nor comely. The only thing of note about him was his beard which was well trimmed, as well as his personal hygiene in general. It was mostly knights and other nobility that kept themselves clean regularly, others didn't pay too much attention to it as it wasn't important and could often cost coin.
Jace continued to analyse the man in front of him, he could tell immediately he was someone who relied on speed. Not only that but he had multiple weapons that were concealed on his body. He had hidden them well but the sun was at Jace's back allowing the light to catch against the metal of what he assumed were his daggers. The most concerning thing was his bow, Jace had no shield nor did he have anything to hide behind. He would need to close the distance before he could nock an arrow.
But therein lied the problem. If he got too close but didn't manage to disarm him then he wouldn't be able to avoid the arrow, but if he waited then he would be stranded at a distance with someone who was likely skilled with a bow. A grin spread on his face, this was exciting, he felt his nervousness melt away as his body began to heat up again.
"You should give up, you've done well to make it this far but you stand no chance against me," the man across from him said as if it were fact. Jace as his opponents hands inching towards his bow, he was right, he planned to keep him at a distance. Which meant he was likely better with a bow than a sword.
All Jace had to do was get close and he would win.
"Very well, know it is Edwyn that defeats you, carry my name throughout the rest of your days... no matter how short," he said arrogantly.
"FIGHT!"
Jace pushed off his left foot dashing towards his opponent, he pushed his body faster than he ever had before, his muscles straining as he rushed towards the man who was reaching to remove his bow. Jace almost laughed as he realised he wouldn't do it in time, his hands tightened around his sword as he prepared to end this match in one strike. He brought his blade back, his vision focused and tunnelled in one where he would strike, the outside of his arm that reached for his bow, he'd cut deeply enough that he wouldn't be able to use it.
'It's over.'
Though on the edge of his sight he saw Edwyn smirk slightly which partially snapped him out of his tunnel vision. Edwyn stopped reaching for his bow and instead drew a throwing knife from beneath the leather of his shoulder. Jaces eyes widened, he'd been tricked, Edwyn never had any intention of using his bow, he used it to make Jace rush him, he was too close to fully dodge the knife but too far away to stop him. Barely five seconds into the fight and Edwyn had already outplayed him.
The man before him flicked his wrist throwing the dagger straight at Jace whom could only roughly throw himself to the side, but that didn't stop the dagger from sinking through the leather and piercing his side. He yelled out as he hit the wooden floor with the knife sticking out. Knowing he had no time to lie there and wait he pushed himself back to his feet and jumped back, but it seemed Edwyn didn't capitalise on his advantage and was instead standing there waiting.
As the crowd roared in savage approval, Jace pulled the knife from his belt and hurled it aside, the blade sinking cleanly into a wooden plank on the stage. Jace was cursed himself for being foolish, he was too eager to end the fight. He wouldn't make that mistake again, he wouldn't make such a sloppy mistake again.
Back in the royal box Helaena had almost screamed when she saw Jace get hit with the dagger, it was only her uncle Daemon covering her mouth that stopped it. She begged them to go down there and stop the fight, but both men told her that he wasn't in danger yet. That the blade barely pierced his flesh because of the thick leather he wore. Helaena wouldn't care if Jace was wearing full plate armour, it didn't stop her from wanting to march down there and drag him away from the arena herself.
Jace starts to edge closer to Edwyn who instead of reaching for his bow draws a short sword similar to his own, though of a much better quality. Jace needed to test his fighting skills, but considering what just happened it was likely Edwyn would be waiting to counter whatever attack he mustered; He'd need to be ready to avoid or block that attack.
Jace stepped forward quickly rushing towards Edwyn. He brought up his sword in a high slash, however dropping to his knees he feinted snd transitioned into a low thrust. Instead of blocking Edwyn expertly sidestepped the thrust, throwing his sword into his offhand and bringing it down in a slash against his shoulder. Jace was expecting the slash and reversed grips on his sword slashing to his left and crossing blades with Edwyn. Jace was surprised at how strong he was as no matter how much he pussed Edwyn didn't move.
Hopping back Edwyn extended his sword and flicked his wrist which nearly threw Jace's sword out of his hands. He then aggressively pushed back on his left leg, flying forward again with his sword ready to impale Jace. With no way to block or dodge, Jace contorted his body and managed to deflect the sword using the metal pauldrons on his armour. This unorthodox move opened Edwyn up to Jace who immediately capitalised and slashed at his side.
It seemed that the man was ready however and in an unexpected move he leaped over Jace flipping over the lad and into his feet where he danced backwards making some space. "You would've had me there... had I been anyone else," Edwyn said as he flourished his sword a few times.
'Who in seven hells is this man,' Jace thought to himself. The crowd at this point was almost deafening, it had only been a few minutes into the fight and this was the most interesting match of the day.
Jace was starting to get slightly nervous, but he pushed that down and tried to come up with a plan. Though the voice of Maegor he heard inside his head urged him to just attack and overwhelm him, he couldn't do that in this situation. Or could he?
Jace rushed forward slashing his sword at the greatest speed he could. Edwyn leaned back, then side stepped and dodged all the subsequent slashes of Jaces sword. He countered a few times, but Jace was continuously moving around while keeping his body low to the ground. Jace thrust, slashed, kicked out and barged Edwyn, though in actuality none of his strikes were aimed to hit him, it was close but only someone truly observant would know.
Jace had noticed Edwyn relied on speed and agility, and right now he was herding the man towards the edge of the ring. With no where to dodge he would be forced to block, and with the momentum Jace was building up, Edwyn would find it difficult and would likely make a mistake. Around the wooden platform that served as their arena were four posts and interconnected between them was rope that served as a boundary as well as allowing competitors to stop themselves from falling.
Jace started going faster as they got closer, now he just needed to wait for the right opportunity, which wouldn't take too long as Edwyn stumbled back as he avoided a horizontal slash at his neck. He stumbled and grabbed the rope around the arena. Jace thrust his sword forward intent on running the man through, something he normally wouldn't have done, but this was no normal melee, he felt as if he were in the heat of battle.
"You must think me a fool," Edwyn commented. He then flipped backwards over the rope and swung around it before sliding on the ground next to Jace avoiding his thrust, he also slashed his sword against Jaces thigh which made him yell out and fall against the rope.
"Such a boring plan, but I wouldn't expect any less from a child," Edwyn said with a chuckle as he looked at Jace who pushed himself up from the rope. He was glad the crowd was currently drowning out anything they might say or he'd be concerned about being found out.
He out weight onto his left leg, it hurt but he could still use it. Jace chided himself as he moved forward going back towards the centre of the ring where Edwyn now stood. Edwyn then took a small bottle from his pouch and went through the effort of showing it to everyone, he then poured it on his sword before using a rag to spread it around. "You know what this is boy?" He asked.
"This is poison, one cut and you'll be finished, so do us both a favour now and surrender," he said as he flourished his sword flicking bits of the poison against the wood.
Jace felt his hands begin to shake but he stopped them by tightening the grip he had on his sword. 'He's underestimating me... that's good it means he'll trip up eventually,' Jace thought as he prepared for their next bout. He had been studying him intently, focusing on every dodge and movement. Each time Edwyn landed, it was almost always on his left leg, revealing a tendency to overextend—compensating for an attack coming from the right.
"You won't surrender?" Edwyn said as he cocked his head.
"Very well then, you only have yourself to blame for what comes next."
Jace lunged forward, he wasn't as aggressive this time, his swings were controlled and left little room to counter. He had to leave Edwyn into a trap while remaining vigilant of his sword, one scratch and it was over. One thing he had Edwyn beaten on was speed; while the man was more agile than he was and could perform advanced acrobatics he wasn't as fast as Jace was.
Jace continued to swing his sword, boxing Edwyn in, making him avoid the strikes before he'd go on the attack and be more aggressive. His opponent was careful not to block with his sword, as he would be giving Jace the advantage that he currently held. A few swings later, Jace pivoted on his feet before pushing on his right foot into a thrust. Edwyn predictably dodged, however what he didn't expected was for Jace to extend his foot forward and pivot his left foot back swinging himself around and slashing at Edwyn just as he landed on his left foot.
Edwyn having no way to dodge or block jumped barely avoiding the sword, he landed roughly on the arena floor. Jace didn't burst forward swinging his sword down on his prone form, Edwyn could only roll sideways as he tried to get up, but Jace wouldn't let him. He swung clumsily at Jace trying to get some space, but the boy batted his sword aside and continued to attack. Running out of platform Edwyn had been forced into a corner, he drew several knives and threw them at Jace mid roll which was effective in stopping his charge as he had to lunge to the side to avoid them.
When he managed to stand up however Jace was back on him and he was much more intense than before. Whenever he dodged Jace seemed to know the right place to swing, he was able to counter any strike that Edwyn had thrown his way. A burning anger seethed through Edwyn as he realised that Jace had been reading his movements the entire time, and that now he was pressing him with the momentum he'd gained. His anger only began to grow as Jace managed to inflict several cuts on him, one of which was close to his neck.
Up in the box they watched with amazement. This was unlike any fight they'd ever seen. "I was dubious at first when you mentioned there would be no rules, but it seems I was wrong, this is indeed an incredible fight," Prince Qoren commented.
"Indeed, the smaller fighter is clearly outmatched yet he has managed to put his opponent on the back foot," Laenor added as he rocked Joffrey.
Edryck watched with a smile on his face too. Truth be told he was considering going down there when the man had put poison on his sword, he didn't think Jace was ready for that, but it seemed he had been proven wrong. Jace was improving before his very eyes, he had been reading his opponent from the very beginning and was now starting to capitalise on it.
"I wasn't half as good when I was his age," Daemon said with a grin.
"Neither was I," Edryck added.
"Is he going to be okay?" Helaena asked as she gripped her hands together in front of her chest, it was the only thing she could do to stop herself from shaking.
"He'll be more than okay if he keeps this up," Edryck said reassuring the young girl.
Down below in the stands Sara watched the fight equally as nervous as Helaena was. Seeing him injured was difficult, but she knew he could win, he wouldn't let some lousy guy with a fetish for knives beat him. Later she as joined by Cregan who had won all of his fights, however when he watched Jace fight he felt dissatisfied with his own performance reminding himself he needed to train harder.
Jace had again taken advantage of Edwyn's tendency to dodge to the left and managed to score a gash against his side. Jace kept pushing, he wouldn't let Edwyn use the other weapons in his arsenal; every time he reached for a dagger he thrust forward, if he tried to make space he'd step in closer. Everything looked as if it was only a matter of time before Jace won.
Jace raised his sword high, poised to bring it crashing down on Edwyn, when a sudden, unshakable unease gripped him. The hairs on the back of his neck bristled as Edwyn's stoic expression turned icy, his demeanor shifting in an instant. Jace barely registered the change before Edwyn's body blurred, moving with a burst of superhuman speed. In a blink, he avoided the swing, leaving Jace's blade cleaving empty air. The crowd, previously roaring in anticipation, fell into stunned silence, struggling to process what they had just witnessed.
Edwyn was no longer in front of Jace; he was nearly two meters away, positioned at Jace's side in the blink of an eye. A sudden warmth spread through Jace's arm, followed by a sharp sting. He turned his head to see Edwyn's outstretched arm, his sword glinting crimson. Glancing down, Jace's stomach sank—his leather armor was soaked with blood, a deep gash carving through his flesh beneath it.
'What just happened...' Jace stumbled back. How had he moved that fast? What was going on?
"Seven hells!" Edryck shouted slamming his fist against the wooden edge before he rushed out of the box and down the steps.
"What just happened?" Princess Aliandra asked, vocalising everyone's thoughts.
"I am not rightly sure Princess," the King replied as he found himself lost for words.
"What he used is an advanced fighting technique?" Daemon who was still leaning against the balcony said loudly.
"You know of what he did?" Prince Qoren asked.
Daemon nodded. "It's not incredibly unknown, fighters use it all the time, but I've rarely seen it used in the way he has," he stated.
"Then enlighten us brother please," Viserys asked.
"When you learn any weapon and move into more advanced techniques, you are taught to move your body in a certain way, to combine multiple muscles into one strike which makes your attack both faster and stronger." He then moved away from the balcony and drew dark sister.
He showed them a basic slash which "In this I used the muscles primarily in my arm and shoulder, it was fast but not very strong," he explained.
"Now watch this," he said, squaring his stance with deliberate precision. He twisted his hips, the motion rippling up through his body as his muscles coiled tightly, from his legs to his shoulder. Then, in a seamless release, the stored energy snapped through him like a whip, propelling his swing with blistering speed. The strike was devastating, cleaving cleanly through the wooden balcony and smashing into the floor of the box below.
"Outstanding," Viserys said clapping his hands and applauding his younger brother.
"I know of the movements you speak of, but I've never seen them used in such a manner," Laenor said, his voice slightly awed.
"It isn't common in Westeros, aside from being difficult it doesn't suit those who wear full plate," Daemon replied.
The Rogue Prince then went back to watching the arena, Jace was stumbling, no doubt the poison was taking effect. 'What will you do now I wonder,' he thought to himself.
"You've shamed me, forcing me to use such a technique on a child,"
Edwyn said as Jace's vision started to blur.
Jace felt his entire body weakening and he struggled to stay up. He weakly swung his sword at Edwyn who bashed it out of the way and then he moved forward kicking Jace at the centre of his chest, he was flung backwards flipping onto his stomach. Edwyn watched him try to get up but struggle to, he started walking back to his end of the arena ready to leave as soon as the announcer called the fight.
Meanwhile Jace felt his vision darken, was this how it ended. Being poisoned in front of his friends and family, he hadn't expected to die in the melee. Helaena wouldn't be happy, though even if he did live he doubted she would let him off easy.
Helaena
Jace squeezed his fists, he didn't want to die, not when there was so much more he needed to say, but what could he do, the poison had invaded his blood and his heart was no doubt pumping it through his body. As the seconds counted Jace got weaker and his thoughts got slower, though just before he lost consciousness his mind went back to the last conversation he had with Maegor.
*****
Jace was breathing heavily as he had just finished his spar with Maegor, his entire body ached and he was full of wounds. The man before him however looked untouched, he stood with backfyre in his hands pointed down towards the stone. "Do not lose tomorrow, it will shame me as your instructor," Maegor simply stated to Jace who could barely speak.
"Before you leave for the night, I have something to share with you, something my mother taught to me," Maegor said as he sheathed his sword. Jace looked up at him slightly confused.
"It is a technique that those with enough dragon blood may use, though I urge you to only use it when you have to, it is dangerous and can very easily make your condition worse," Maegor said his usual stern voice even colder than before.
******
Jace using the final dredges of his strength mutters the words Maegor taught him. "Ivestragon, rōva se pīvagon, ñuhys hen gevīr." (Blood boil, heart free, mine by the gift of fire.)
Edwyn had almost made it to the end of the arena when he stopped, finding it weird that his victory hadn't announced yet he turned around only to see Jace standing up.
Jace felt energy rush back into his body as he pushed himself up onto his feet. The blood from his wounds started to sizzle and grow hot, his entire body felt like it was on fire and his heart felt like it was beating out of his chest. He watched as his skin started to grow slightly red as if he were sunburnt. He looked at Edwyn who was annoyed by his appearance, the man simply unstrung his bow and nocked an arrow.
*twang*
The arrow fired at Jace who pushed himself out of the way, though he nearly unbalanced himself when he did as he moved faster than he expected. Edwyn started to nock another arrow and the moment he did Jace rushed towards him. When he fired this time he cut the arrow out of the air with his sword which made the audience roar.
It was hard to explain what this felt like, but the closest he could think of is when he had run from those pale men in Valyria, he didn't feel like he would tire, he felt like he could run forever, but at that moment his thoughts were clouded. At the moment he felt the same except his thoughts weren't clouded, he felt like he was stronger and faster, he felt incredible.
Edwyn nocked three arrows and fired them in succession. Jace avoided the first one by hopping to the side, he then slid under the next one and for the final one he ripped his pauldron off and threw it directly in the path which deflected the arrow off course. Jace was close now and Edwyn realised that as he dropped his bow and drew his sword again just in time to block a swing from him. Edwyn roared and ducked parrying the blade over his head before he drew a dagger with his offhand and went to stab him.
Instead of dodging Jace stepped outward tapping his empty arm around his elbow. He then drew his head back and smashed it into Edwyns; he had not been wearing a helmet so his nose crunched when it made contact with his great helm. Edwyn pivoted on his feet and twisted his hips throwing Jace to the ground, but Jace fell into a roll and was back on his feet in a matter of seconds he then swung his sword in a 180 degree slash which carved a gash through Edwyns stomach though not deep enough to disembowel him.
Jace then rushed forward shoulder checking him and unbalancing him before launching into a string of slashes and thrusts, though he didn't limit it there he started grabbing his opponent, no longer scared at being overpowered. Right now Jace wasn't thinking he was acting, and it had put Edwyn on the back foot as he had been under the impression that Jace was a calm and calculated fighter.
Edwyn realises that he can no longer worry about shame or taking it easy, if he loses then that would be a shame much worse than going all out against a child. Edwyn uses his full body movement technique to clear some distance between them, he then uses it again to dash towards Jace feinting a high slash before moving to a low strike at his knees.
The whole crowd is shocked when Jace jumps and flips over Edwyn who nearly falls over as he tries to keep his eyes on him. 'That bastard!' He thought as he quickly regained his footing and span around. Jace had just copied his movement and used it against him. Edwyn is brought back to reality when he parried a strike that opened up his legs for Jace to try and kick out from under him.
Edwyn maintains balance and launches into a series of rapid thrusts, soon his best to enhance them with his full body technique. Jace danced backwards using Edwyns own acrobatic techniques against him and even scoring a hit against his shoulder. Edwyn roared and threw his sword to his feet —letting it sink into the wood. He then drew two long daggers, and rushed forward, his strikes were even faster now, that even Jace was having issues blocking them.
Jace stepped in on his left while parrying off the right blade, he continued doing it until Edwyn couldn't swing his left dagger as Jace was too close. He then thrust towards his neck which Edwyn avoided, but he pushed forwards pinning the dagger towards his chest. Edwyn tried to sink the other dagger into his neck but Jace moved forward again headbutting him and shattering his nose further while avoiding the strike. He then smoothly pivoted back while slashing down with his sword, he didn't manage to cut through Edwyns armour but he scored a deep gash in his hand forcing him to drop the knife.
Edwyns yell was so loud that it even rose above the roars of the audience. He moved back at supernatural speed creating distance, but Jace wouldn't let him go that easily and rushed towards him. For the first time in the entire fight Edwyn felt a shiver run through his body, especially since he could see a set of glowing blue eyes through the slits of Jaces helmet.
Edwyn was beginning to pant as he used his full body technique in quick succession. He made it to the end of the ring throwing two daggers to cut the rope at both ends and then grabbing it before it fell. He then spun around whipping the rope around. Jace slid underneath, but Edwyn kicked the other end of the rope out which slammed into his helmet. It didn't cause much damage but it stopped his momentum. Edwyn then swung it around Jace's arm and pulled him closer before kicking him in the chest, but the man wouldn't let him fall. He pushed off his feet with explosive speed before stopping and pivoting on his foot and actually yanking Jace off his feet and swinging him across the arena floor. Jace tumbled around but managed to slice the rope, however his momentum continued and his sword was knocked out of his hand until it fell off the platform.
Jace pushed himself up and was greeted to Edwyn smiling. "I know you wont surrender, I'm glad, I want to kill you," he said, malice dripping off of every word.
"You're right," Jace said, speaking for the first time this fight. He wouldn't surrender, though he could feel pain start to spread across his body and his heart began to ache. He needed to end this quickly.
Edwyn rushed at him with his dagger unsheathed, Jace could only move backwards and avoid slash after slash as he tried to come up with a way to win. Though a smile soon spread across his face as a plan formed. He would need to create some distance between them however, and Edwyn wasn't giving him any breathing room.
However Jace had been watching Edwyn the entire fight, but more importantly he'd been watching him when he'd do those quick bursts of speed. Jace had seen how his entire body seemed to tense just before it, he hadn't understood at first and even now he wasn't entirely sure, but he wouldn't loose anything by trying.
Edwyn was going wild now, a malicious grin on his face as he swiped left and right, aiming for all of his vital areas. Jace tried to move to the left, but Edwyn threw a dagger stopping him and creating an opening. Edwyn brought his dagger down in a diagonal slash that would open his artery and most of his neck, and it was too late for him to dodge.
*whoosh*
Once again the crowd was rendered speechless as Jace nearly disappeared from the spot he was in avoiding the slash. Up in the box Daemon started laughing, he laughed so much he nearly fell to the ground. "What a monster!" He shouted as he looked back down to the arena not tearing his eyes off it for a single moment. Jace had just copied a full body technique and used it to avoid a fatal blow.
Edryck who had his sword in his hand and was next to the arena also couldn't help but laugh. He had never met someone as prodigious with the sword as Jace and even now he had just exceeded his expectations. In five years Jace might just be the best damn swordsman in Westeros.
Edwyn was in shock, a technique he had spent years learning and even longer perfecting had been stolen and used by someone he knew to be a child. He turned and looked at Jace who was edging back from him creating even more space. "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!" Edwyn roared, he would kill this kid in the most painful way imaginable.
He burst forward ignoring the pain in his body as he started thrusting his dagger forward Jace moved backwards avoiding him though he stepped too roughly on one of the wooden planks and he stumbled.
"YOU DIE NOW BOY!!!" Edwyn screeched as he thrust his dagger right through the slit of his great helm. The whole crowd quietened as they saw what was essentially Jace being killed.
"Hahahaha HAHAHAHAHAHAHA," Edwyn started laughing half crazed as he had finally killed the boy who had humiliated and shamed him.
Edryck was already fighting multiple guards to get on stage, but it seemed like it was too late. Jace had just been killed by Edwyn. Even Daemon up in the box felt his smile disappear, and Helaena started wailing as she burst into tears. Sara and Cregan were no better as they started running to get onto the stage, but it was all in vain. Edwyns dagger had punctured through his helmet.
Suddenly Jace's hands moved up which shocked the crowd and everyone else watching. "This helmet always was a bit too big for me," Jace said. As he lifted the helmet up with one hand showing blood pouring down the top of his head soaking his silver hair and face. At the final moment Jace had shifted his helmet up which had angled the dagger away from his eye and only caused a scratch across his head. Edwyns laughter was gone and he stood there in shock.
Jace then slammed his foot down on the plank he'd stumbled on and it lifted up at the other side throwing towards Edwyns back. However that wasn't important, what was important was the dagger he had thrown into the plank at the beginning of the fight. Jace threw his helmet wide taking Edwyns dagger with it, he then grabbed the dagger from the plank and sliced it across his cheek. Edwyn tried to dodge backwards but Jace used the full body technique to follow him and he stabbed the dagger right in his stomach twisting it and making Edwyn scream. He then brought it to the man's neck. "Forfeit," he said coldly, pressing the dagger hard enough for a line of blood to be drawn.
Edwyn didn't reply at first, but the wound in his stomach hurt and he knew Jace would kill him. "I forfeit!!!" He shouted.
Jace stood up throwing the dagger down close enough that it nearly nicked Edwyns ear. He was panting heavily, he looked around and saw everyone was watching him in shock. He cursed as he realised he didn't have his helmet on.
"Winner: Prince Jacaerys!!!"
The announcer shouted with more enthusiasm than Jace had seen all day. The crowd erupted into cheers, this had been one of the greatest fights they'd seen in their lives and it was none other than their own Prince who had been involved. Edryck had knocked out the guards who had stopped him and made his way onto the stage. By this point Jace was already limping off, he had stopped using the technique Maegor had taught him and now he felt like he might collapse on his feet.
"A few close calls there, even I thought we lost you at the end," Edryck said as he clasped his arm.
"And it took you that long to get involved? Pretty piss poor guard if you ask me," Jace replied.
"I believed you could handle it, I was right it seems," Edryck commented.
Jace rolled his eyes. "If that were true you would've stayed in the box." They both walked down the steps of the arena, Edryck had to help keep him up as he nearly fell a few times. The crowds roars were deafening, and it wasn't just the small folk either, but other competitors. He had been so focused on his fight that he hadn't realised his was the only one left, all the others had finished and now there was a massive crowd of competitors watching the fight.
Pushing through all of them though was Sara and who he imagined was Cregan based on his height and build, though he wore his disguise still. Sara not caring about anyone who was looking jumped into Jace's arms —who had to be held up by Edryck to stop him from falling over. "That was the most incredible fight I've ever seen," she said as she drew back.
She then started slapping his arm. "But why were you being so stupid!" She said while hitting him. "You should've forfeited when he used poison!" She said.
Jace laughed weakly "I had it handled," he replied.
"Bollocks," she said slapping his chest one more time.
"Great fight, makes me wonder what else you've been hiding in our spars," Cregan asked as he pulled Sara away.
"Nothing... that was just a different situation, I had to push myself or I'd lose," Jace replied.
"Well we should get you to a maester, you look like shit," Cregan said with Sara agreeing.
However a commotion was caused as multiple Kingsguard started pushing the crowd out of the way as they made their way to Jace.
"Edryck get me out of here," Jace commanded as soon as he saw who was behind the Kingsguard. His mother, his father, Helaena, and Daella, all of them with the same expression. Worry mixed with fury.
"Sorry little Prince, but no amount of gold in the world could put me between you and them," Edryck said with a snort as he moved back.
Jace looked to his friends but they had already moved back themselves. "Traitors..." he muttered before steeling himself and facing the music.
Meanwhile up in the box, those who remained were still in awe at the display they'd witnessed. Daemon had explained to them all what Jace had done and even then they couldn't believe it. "Your grandson will grow up to become a truly frightening warrior," Prince Qoren commented.
"It was irresponsible of him to join such a dangerous melee," Alicent stated.
"Indeed, as second in line it is unbecoming of him to engage in such dangerous acts," Otto said in agreement.
Viserys was torn between agreeing with his wife and incredibly proud of him. This fight had truly been the most intense and entertaining one he had ever seen, to see his Grandson push himself to his limits and even go beyond them. "We can speak of this later at the feast," Viserys said with an air of finality.
Sitting next to her father and clutching the arms of her chair Aliandra nearly went feral when she saw Jace unmask himself. Right now her dress and even her seat was soaked, juices gushed from her womanhood as she witnessed Jaces skill.
In contrast was Aegon and Aemond who both looked as if they'd eaten a whole lemon. They had both truly believed that they were not that far behind Jace, they had trusted Cristons words that they just needed to train harder. That they had more natural talent than he did and just needed to put in the work.
In that one fight they realised it was all a lie. Aegon was angry as he had been humiliated by Jace in a spar and he had been hoping to push himself hard so he could challenge him again and win.
Aemond however felt himself shiver slightly, he had still not forgotten that night Jace had come to his room. At first he had some doubts on whether Jace would carry through his threat and kill him, but after this he knew he would.
The crowd had already began to gossip, it didn't take long for them to find out Edwyn was an assassin and in merely a few hours a legend had been born. One that would spawn the first of many songs. By nightfall Jace had already earned himself a nickname that was spread through Kingslanding.
'The Warrior Reborn.
(AN: So the fight is over, I hope you like it, I put a bit more effort into it than I usually do. I know a lot of it is unrealistic, but game of thrones is a low fantasy place so I thought it wasn't too bad for the time period. Maegor was beating grown men by that age and while Jace isn't his size he's pretty smart. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)
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