ch3

The enemy champion roared, a sound that seemed to shake the very air, and swung his sword in a mighty arc aimed at Lord Aldric's head. But the old lord was not to be bested so easily. He parried the blow, the clang of steel ringing out above the din of battle. For a moment, the two men stood locked in a stalemate, their swords trembling with the force of their exertion.

Edric's eyes darted between his father and the chaos around him. He knew that this duel was a pivotal moment in the battle, a clash that could sway the tide of war. The defenders' morale hung on the outcome, and he could feel the weight of their gazes on his back, urging him to act. With a deep breath, he took a step forward, ready to assist should his father falter.

The enemy champion, noticing the young lord's approach, bared his teeth in a snarl and broke the stalemate with a powerful thrust. Lord Aldric, anticipating the move, stepped aside with a grace that belied his years, and the blade sliced through the air where he had been standing a heartbeat before. Seizing the opportunity, Edric struck at the knight's unguarded flank, his sword biting deep into the man's chainmail.

The champion roared in fury, spinning to face the new threat. His eyes, filled with the madness of battle, fell upon the youthful face of Lord Edric. For a moment, there was a flicker of surprise, then a cold, calculating rage. The knight raised his sword, the rainwater streaming down the gleaming steel in a deadly arc.

Edric's heart raced as he locked eyes with the monstrous warrior. His father had taught him well, but this was a test beyond his training. The weight of the sword in his hand felt both reassuring and daunting. He knew that if he failed here, it would not only be his life that was forfeit, but the lives of everyone he had sworn to protect.

The enemy champion's blade descended, a blur of steel and fury. Edric's instincts took over, and he raised his sword to meet the blow. The impact vibrated through his bones, but he held firm, pushing back with all his might. The two swords scraped against each other, sparks flying in the downpour. The knight's strength was immense, but Edric had the advantage of speed and agility.

He stepped back, panting, and watched as his father moved in, his own blade a silver streak. The old lord's movements were precise, calculated, each strike designed to wear down the champion's defenses. The rain fell in sheets around them, turning the battlefield into a muddy nightmare, but Lord Aldric remained unfazed, his eyes never leaving his opponent.

Edric could feel the pressure building, the tension coiling tighter with each clang of steel. The ravens circled above, their caws now a deafening crescendo that seemed to fuel the fury of the combatants. The enemy knight's blows grew wilder, more desperate, as Lord Aldric's relentless assault pushed him back.

A sudden gust of wind tore through the battlefield, sending a shiver down Edric's spine. He saw his chance and lunged, his blade slicing through the air with the swiftness of a hawk. It connected with the knight's side, tearing through the weakened chainmail. The champion stumbled, his cry of pain lost in the storm's fury.

Lord Aldric took advantage of the opening, driving his sword through the knight's chest with a final, decisive thrust. The enemy's eyes went wide with shock, then dull with defeat as he crumpled to the ground. The ravens screeched in a victory cry that seemed to echo across the lands, as if the very gods had taken notice of the young lord's valor.