Arthur, are you okay, man?, a middle aged guy asked him while he tries to take off his chest plate and couldn't do so he looked at a young boy to help him with the struggle.
Boi! Help me out here please, I really can't breathe…haaaa….haaa….I think I'm going to die here!!!, Arthur added while gripping his chest and breathing harshly.
Father, Arthur is pale…I can't pull the plate out, it's stuck….Boi added trying to pull the armor out of Arthur's chest.
Oh man! Fil, please, take this off me….haaa…..Arthur, desperate to stay alive and win the tournament.
Okay, hang on!, Fil added and took his mallet to hit the side of Arthur's plate, once, twice and pulled on his side a sort of like crooked metal with a twisted end like a fork to bend it on Arthur's side armor plate to slice it open and it did in one snap.
There you go, mate!, Fil said smiling and tapping Arthur who regained his breathe after his ordeal with a crushed armor plate has been resolved.
Ahhh…. you're a lifesaver my friend. Thank you!
Can you still fight for the winning match? You don't need to do this if you can't fight. You have won almost all of the matches they have and that young lad can have this one, aye, right?, Fil cried while checking out another chest plate they brought with them for Arthur to use if he will decide to go on with the match. Boi is just looking at Arthur with admiration. He is just 12 but he wants to be just like his big brother Arthur, jousting, when he grows up.
Father! I know I can win this, the gold we will have in this match is for mum's operation. You know how expensive eye surgeries in Egypt. I'll use my old armor to give me luck. Remember, how mum made it shine like silver when she still sees clearly when I was fifteen years. How I wish I could have done something and prevented the accident that ruined her life. Because fo me… she…..
Stop it Arthur, you were young and it's no one's fault, it's an accident. You can undo the past but make a better future with the winnings. Your mother would be happy to see you spend it by being a scribe in Egypt, Fil added smiling and touching his son's shoulder to assure him that everything is fine and that he doesn't need to worry about his mother and their family.
No!!!! I promised mum! And I will win the match no matter what, with or without an armor and however beautiful the girl is as my opponent….ahh
Ahah….beautiful? So you fancy your challenger? That's new, Arthur….are you?, Fil said smiling and his eyes widening with excitement. Who is she?
I don't know, she is a stranger, from Egypt. What I have heard is that she and her companion are queen's maidens. But maidens with great warrior and soldier skills…hmm. I think their mercenaries or spies, even. Anyway! I need to win this to qualify for the championship joust in Rome. Father, help me!, Arthur ordered while Fil placed the chest plate on his son and cleaned it a bit for the last finishing touches. Good luck, son!
Arthur, nods in approval and hopped to his horse. Let's get the party moving, Champion! Are you with me!, Arthur's horse agreed and put a flair as he stood up and growled in confidence. Chargeeee...
You….Spira….why didn't you tell me that it's a jousting match. And that I'm about to fight the world's greatest champion Arthur. I hate you so much!! If you weren't the queen's favorite, I couldn't have strangled you to death by now!, Spia said while Spira is laughing hard while drinking beer at the crowd's seat beside the List Field or arena.
Hello, there! I am Arthur, it is an honor for me to joust a beautiful maiden from Egypt, may the gods bless you queen!
Hello, yes, thank you! It was nice to have met and fought you too! I am Spia and this is Spira, I said casually. I can't help but notice that this Arthur, the countries champion is handsome and kind. He has dimples and a beautiful stance in him that I couldn't resist but notice.
Ah… yes, we are on vacation here and just having fun while we stayed in Sicily. Thank you for
Ah… yes, we are on vacation here and just having fun while we stayed in Sicily. Thank you for your people's warm welcome!, Spira said shaking Arthur's hand.
If you two ladies don't have anything to do today, maybe you can join us back to our place to taste mum's Arancini and Caponata (fried stuffed rice balls and popular dish which contains aurbigines, pine nuts, vinegar and raisins) specialty in Siracusa. And wine called Retsina (which is derived from Aleppo pine resin). We are so happy to make friends from Egypt…Arthur said with an irresistible manliness while Fil and Boi smiled with him. Who can resist that offer, Spira thought.
Ah...yes, that would be splendid!, Spira said and looked at Spia smiling like the devil she is in real life. Spia just breathed heavily and looked up giving up her rights since Spira is her commanding officer in the queen's courts.
Sicily is a small but beautiful city in Greece. I never would have come here if not for the queen's orders to protect Spira or vice versa. I am new to being a spy and as an elite warrior and mercenary I know I have many things to learn from Spira, General Hydra and Pharaoh Henshupta, which I am absorbing as much as I can to become the best fighter and version oy myself soon.
Spia, how's your stay in Sicily, are you having fun here?, Arthur said when they were both left behind since Fil, Boi and Spira's horses are up front at about 20 feet away from them.
Well, it's a beautiful city, indeed, but I miss my family when I come to festive places like this. Thank you for inviting us to your home!, Spia said genuinely happy for the invitation.