Antia and Ritta
All the best of luck to you, my dear Antia!
I haven't the slightest idea of where my letter will find you. I just hope the post pigeon doesn't get lost on its way. To tell the truth, I am worried about you: you are so young and your common sense often gives up to emotions and this might cause nasty mistakes... But so far the gossip bring news only about your victories, my dear! In the rays of your glory I also find my humble place, me, your Tayunna - I hope that my lessons and advice are of use to you! Now, as far as I know, you are traveling to the county Tagar, the mysterious place where wise sorceresses rule and dark-skinned warrior women fight. I believe you are going to fight against one of the most famous Tagar warriors, a 33-year-old woman Ritta. I don't think you'll lose the chance! I feel rather sad that you are fighting against her before me, but let my young but famous Amazon Antia try her luck in such a fight! And I sincerely wish you to entwine Ritta's name in the wreathe of your victories!
May you always walk in the light,
Tayunna.
Hello to Antia.
I am Ritta, a warrior of Tagar, 33 summers old, a woman and a mother. I have heard quite a lot about your adventures in other countries: it's amazing how such success could have been gained at your age. Of course, most of the gossip is not to be believed - I doubt you have won a fight against a six-handed giant or thirteen Slavic girls. But, as the wise say, there is no gurgle without a river: since Antia's name is surrounded by stories of glory and victory, then you probably are able to do something.
Let me be sincere. I hate such Amazons like you, wandering across the world, with fire for blood, looking for cheap fame! I guess you haven't arrived in Tagar to gamble or hunt. You were seen with a sharp sword - and I bet you'll swish it without thought to win over an inexperienced and delicate Tagar girl. But I, Ritta, will not let it happen! Your fame fight is going to end here, since the mature and experienced warrior fights better than any strange Amazon! yes, I believe that you have been very lucky, but now it's not going to help you. The gods of the High Heaven do not help silly girls!
So, I, Ritta, a Tagar woman, want to fight with you. You should choose the weapon and armor (I will use the same, without the slightest advantage!) and the rules of the fight. Let's meet tomorrow at dawn at the eastern gate, near the brook. The grass there is clean and soft, and there enough wood for a burial fire! If you and your bravery are well, I'm waiting for your answer, Antia. If you can't write, send me a message. Everyone can find Ritta here.
Ritta.
Hello, Ritta!
It's very nice to have won attention of such a famous warrior as you. But you shouldn't overestimate yourself! I'm only nineteen, but I fight without fear, and so far gods have favored me. I agree to fight with you and be sure, I'm not going to be easy prey! We will fight with narrow swords, without shields or other armor. And one more thing: I always fight naked, for youth and bravery protect better than leather! But since you are much older, I offer you to balance our skills by wearing a short ring mail or a leather sash.
Antia.
Hello to Antia from Ritta.
I hope it's the last time I'm writing to you. You are risking your life by choosing such suicidal terms of the fight! But let it be your way, silly! Yes, I'm 14 summers older than you and much more experienced, but this is why you, not me, should protect yourself with a sash or shield or ring mail. And I, a quick and light woman of 33, will fight against you with only my sword. It's not really narrow, but neither is it long: traditionally, a Tagar Akinak's blade is twice the length of its mistress's hand.
So, I'll be waiting for you tomorrow at dawn at the eastern gate. I'll be alone.
Ritta from Tagar.
The gates shut behind me with a heavy thud. Not a single sound, except for this thud. Karinna, today's guardian, didn't close the latch, so that I had a way to return.
And then I saw Antia. Stark naked, barefooted, full-figured. The Amazon stood near an old tree, her arm hugging a branch. She was about my height, but with much vaster shoulders and hips. Her dark hair was maid in a tight knot - to make fighting easier. All her appearance brought the impression of self-assurance and young, brave strength. Yes, she is strong! Buxom, with - I bet - a man-like blow and the wrath of the wild deer. She is no easy enemy...
I'm walking towards her. The heart starts beating louder and louder. The Amazon stands still. I see her face - large, beautiful features, gray eyes. Smooth shoulders, arms, thighs. Big tits, a round belly with a small chink of the bellybutton. A citadel...
Ten feet between us. Five. Antia lets the tree branch. Steps towards me. In a low, calm voice she sais:
"Hello, Ritta."
I am always the first to come. Maybe due to my impatience - at least that's what Tayunna always said. My wise, sober Tayunna! Her advice... Well, that was awfully nice of her to provide it, but I do know a thing or two about myself and my enemies...
A wave of excitement goes along my belly, and then - a light pang in the right knee. Very quickly I lean on the other leg: that's pretty nasty! The knee which has changes its color due to constant healing lotions and creams... I try not to think about what would happen if the knee "woke up" in the middle of the fight. I will become lame. It happened - once... Last spring, in Gallia...
Ritta! Here she is. Hhhm, she is so skinny! Reminds of a small animal - very dexterous and quick. She looks at me and approaches slowly. I let the tree branch and very carefully stand on both feet. Everything is okay. I step towards her and say:
"Hello, Ritta."
Her eyes are green. Like sea.
"Hello, Antia," she said. Her voice isn't harsh, isn't trembling. Ritta is absolutely calm. She's not afraid of me. Or is it - her self-control?
I'm silent, and Ritta, too. A few seconds pass in silence. Then Ritta frowns and sais:
"The terms?"
Oh yes, I've quite forgotten. This is their tradition - determining the terms of the fight just before it starts.
"Fight to death," I say. "No breaks."
Ritta nods, staring at me. What a strange stare! What is the matter with her? Thinking about how? Crazy with happiness? Or - she felt a trick?..
Antia's voice is deep and sensuous, not in the least tense or angry. As for the terms... Well, I was just like that in my youth! I loved fighting naked, especially with a lot of spectators, I would fight to death - nothing else would solve the problem! As years went by, I grew calmer and wiser. I loved the warmth of the leather belt on my waist, the cold of the metal buckle covering the bellybutton. And when I was kicked in the belly once, I learned the importance of at least one break! But I am 34, while Antia is only 20! She is young and very self-assured. But still...
"Think again, Amazon! We usually fight to victory, not death! The defeated can plea for mercy, and the winner can be noble--"
"Let the gods decide who should live," said Antia.
I opened my mouth to go on, but the girl added:
"And no breaks. If you make a mistake, it is your mistake."
I didn't want to be a coward in her eyes. I nodded and stepped five feet aside, bent a little to protect my belly (a stab in the chest is easier to knock aside). Antia bent a little, holding her sword at her waist. "Let's start!" she said. I nodded - and remained motionless. Nope, girl, you are not going to see me attacking! "Fight!" said Antia louder and sharper than before. "I'm already fighting," I answered.
We stood still for a few seconds. Even from the position I was standing I could hear Antia's loud breath. Her knees were trembling a little, she was so excited! One of the knees was a bit different in color - probably a bruise. Interesting... But 20 is 20. With a harsh "oh", the Amazon made one step towards me. Great! Here we go!
Look at this "Tagar heroine"! She is just a pathetic coward! Standing and not attacking. Of course it's easier to defend! Well, I guess I'm going to begin everything.
I step toward her. My sword at my waist. Don't look in her eyes. One more step. And one more.
Quickly, I jab her in the belly!
She is approaching. Step. One more step. Her armed arm is relaxed. I can try to do everything right now. But I don't want to. There might be truth in all these stories about Antia. The Amazon is not going to let me plunge my blade in her chest.
Her eyes... Antia's eyes betrayed her. She glanced down. I got ready. Jab! But I caught her sword with mine. Handle to handle, blade to blade. I try my best to draw her sword away from my naked body. Antia is strong, she is breathing harshly in my face. I feel a soft touch of her sword. No! Take this, bitch! With my knee, I kick her in the belly!
Hell! A split second before the kick, I moved backwards, but still Ritta got me, so awkwardly, almost falling, I flew a few feet away from her. "You bitch!" I hiss through my teeth, bending to the ground. I can breathe, but I pretend to be absolutely paralyzed and unable to inhale or exhale. Is Ritta buying this? She is approaching!..
Yes!
With a loud "uhhhhhhh", Antia flew backwards, bending to the ground. I bet she would! I kicked her just below the bellybutton, I could feel her soft flesh surrender before my knee! Somehow she managed not to fall, but the tip of her sword is now at the ground, and Antia's free hand in covering the belly. Take this, you silly Amazon!
Antia is breathing in gulps, for I have also paralyzed her breath. What if - now? During her shock... I walk towards her - but the Amazon doesn't seem to notice that, she is in pain. Her tits, large and snow-white, are not protected. She won't dodge - she can hardly move. Just a stab - and that's it!
I imagine the blow line - from my sword to her round left nipple. One more step. Antia is squeezing one little breath in her lungs.
Jab!
Hahaha! Come on, Ritta of Tagar!
She is slowly approaching me, her armed hand at her side. I quickly dodge to the right - and her sword swishes the air! For a split second, Ritta freezes in a clumsy position before me - and I push my sword in her side!
Noooooo!!!
The knee explodes in a pang of sharp pain. My hands weaken immediately. Instead of plunging Ritta's guts, my sword just scratches her... It's all over...
"AAAAhhhhhhhh!!!"
Antia's sword blinked like a lightning. A cold, paralyzing hit. And right after it, pain. Terrible, frightening pain, coming from somewhere below.
She is lucky, while I'm not. The Amazon's passado wasn't unusual, but it was very quick! I moved back, but I wasn't quick enough to dodge it. The tip of Antia's blade entered my belly right below the bellybutton, below the line where I usually wear my belt...
The pain was crawling upwards. My right leg felt funny. Inside, deep inside I had a feeling of something torn, something broken. The air suddenly turned hard to swallow, so I had to breathe in shallow little gasps. I understood, that was the end. I am still standing armed, and I am doomed. Antia will weaken me, will take my sword... Ritta, get ready to live your last morning like a Tagar warrior!
But what is it? Antia's face bears a very strange expression. She shudders, shuffles backwards - and falls on her right knee.
Me too. My leg cannot hold me any longer. And I fall in the same position as my enemy.
Oh God!!! How is hurts!!!
The pain is so strong that for a few seconds I lose track of anything else. I can't see my wounded enemy fall on the ground, I can't hear her gasp for air. I make an enormous effort to return to reality. Ritta and me, both kneeling on the ground in front of each other. And I understand: the fight has to be finished. Right now. I have neither time nor strength to try to stand up. So I take my sword like a dagger and crawl to my enemy. Ritta doesn't seem surprised. The pale exhausted woman also takes her sword and stretches her trembling hand.
I feel that I have the advantage - Ritta is too weak... Reaching forward, I stab her in the belly!
Pain is the color red.
Everything turns red before my eyes. The air freezes in my open mouth. Antia's sword entered me, giving me pain. Right into my belly, just below the waist.
The cold shaft in leaving me - Antia pulls her sword backwards. The hands automatically cover the wounded belly. My body seems very strange, paralyzed. Hugging my belly, I fall on my back. And I remember...
Karinna, the today's guardian! I asked her... if anything... Karinna is a wonderful bowzone. And if I'm badly wounded, she will kill me by her arrow.
How can I do it? Moaning, shaking, I slowly turn my face to the gates. I feel so helpless... The belly is burning, but the chest seems empty. Come on, Karinna, shoot me! Right in the heart...
Ritta is dying. I have seen this happen many times, but each time it's a mystery. What does she feel? What does she think? What does she see?
She is in agony. It's going to be over in a minute or two. She rolls on the grass, while I stand still and watch her every move... It's so mesmerizing...
And suddenly, I hear a familiar hiss, and a moment later an arrow plunges Ritta's chest. The arrow came from the fortress, there's no doubt about it! Are they going to shoot me, too? Or is it their tradition?
Anyway, Ritta is dead, and I've got to be going. I've lots of things to do... And I just had a thought... Maybe it's about time for me to go see Tayunna and the rest of the girls in the encampment? It's been so long since I left... And I'm so famous now, everybody will be proud to hear my stories and wear my presents! Well, I won't tell them about last spring in Gallia...
I won't.
And I won't be surprised to hear the hiss of the arrow behind my back.
The End
Copyright by Nica and another female ;) (2002).