Chapter 1: Part 1

Chapter 1: Humble Beginnings

“And so we meet at last, a battle to the death then for the sake of the kingdom, and upon myself I will vanquish your reign of terror forever, Skull Smasher,” Edwin exclaimed at the top of his voice, sword pointed towards his opponent.

Upon the pier leading to the port stood a giant of a man, his face expressionless except for a scowl, deep furrows etched across half his face from his left ear, giving the side of his mouth an almost improbable stretched maniacal look that freezes the hearts of lesser men. The dressing says it all, a large captain’s hat embossed with the emblem of his profession, a skull atop a menacing looking war hammer, his rag torn shirt giving full view of the sinewy muscle clad body and in his fist held no other weapon but the famed hammer that gave him the namesake, Skull Smasher.

“Aye, and I’m a landlubber to the hilt if that ever happens, many a foe seek the same claim as you and many have felt my beauty upon their skulls and now lay buried below my feet while I am still standing here and hearing idle boasts from the likes of you,” the voice rose from his throat in a hoarse yet deep tone that everyone a mile around could hear loud and clear.

Lord Edwin swung his sword about and exclaimed, “A boast it is not, for I Lord Edwin, Lord Protector of the Realm, will soon see to justice that so deserves for you for the various deeds and crimes you have committed upon this fair land.”

“Shall we see which weapon prevails in this test of skill and strength, My Lord?” a sneer leapt out from Skull Smasher, in a mocking tone.

“Then so be it,” Lord Edwin shouted and thus swung his sword wide and rushed at Skull Smasher.

Skull Smasher leapt away before the blade hit, moving away in an arc, gripping the war hammer’s haft with both leather bound hands and let swing in a wide arc, trying to get at the exposed back of Lord Edwin. Lord Edwin recovered and avoided the hammer’s swing easily, then came in fast with a quick succession of slashes and thrusts, measuring his foe’s reach. Blade met steel as Skull Bitter parried the blows with his hammer but neither could find the opening each needed to deal a fatal blow to their opponent, so the deadly dance of hammer blows and sword slashes continued on.

“Not bad, I expected someone as puny as you to tire out long ago, it seems I might be in for a surprise. It’s been a while since I had a chance to work myself up this much, do try to stay alive longer for me to work out a sweat,” Skull Smasher shouted amidst the sound of battle.

Lord Edwin retorted, “Someone who takes an opponent at face value would soon find themselves on the wrong side of the blade.”

“As I might suspect that the person that gave you that scar was one as such that you misjudged as well to your consternation,” he continued.

With this remark, a fury came over Skull Smasher’s visage, and he charged full force at Lord Edwin, letting out a blood curling scream in doing so.

Lord Edwin smiled and sprinted full on. In a split second it looks like Skull Smasher was about to let the full force of his hammer into Lord Edwin’s flank, he suddenly switched his stride, stopping suddenly and crouched low to avoid the wildly swung hammer and in an instant leapt up to a height which seems impossible for someone of his stature. Skull Smasher in his bloodlust looked up briefly and the sun caught his eye. In a flash, Lord Edwin descended, the blade slid through Skull Smasher’s back in so quick a moment and he stood dumbfounded and looked at Lord Edwin’s crouching form behind him. A few seconds, blood ran from his wound, a thin red line quickly darkening and widening, sending his life fluids gushing out. The giant form of Skull Smasher shuddered and he let fall his weapon, falling onto the stained plank floor of the pier.

“And so the last word is mine and a victory for all that is just and lawful as inscribed under my rule,” Lord Edwin thus said out loud to himself though he knew there were no others about, a silent pride in a battle well fought.

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