I followed the few kids through the crowd where they went from house to house, store to store, and building to building calling up names where one or two kids would respond. This continued until we were a swelling group that the adults that ignored us earlier now they either gave way or scolded us harder. I don''t think the kids around me didn''t knew I was an outsider, simply they welcomed any kid who joined them with cape and swords and proclaimed their allegiance to the ugly rabbit banner.
Some girls, caped and holding their own wooden weapon, tried to join but either the group rejected them or their parents got those tomboyish girls by the ear.
“You can learn to fight when your older!”
Is something the mothers often say to the one that had a tantrum when they were taken away.
When what seems like they siphoned every male kid in this part of the town we funneled in an alleyway. It wasn''t long when I heard the clashing on this narrow place that we squeezed our way through. The banner of the ugly sewn rabbit was my rally point to follow. I was amazed as when I saw the epicenter of the clash. What beholden me was an empty lot that a house could fit was turned into a small Colosseum. Boys were shouting and waving their wooden weapons as they stood by and watched two kids fought on the middle and the adults passing by seemed not to care at this children gladiatorial game.
“For the dusty rabbits! Robby! For the dusty rabbits!”
The banner bearer in our group said aloud as the fight went on.
“This here is Bull territory!”
On the other side as they raised their banner of a pair of horn. It was literal broken, blunted, black horns that was tied above a flag that had also a badly sewn bull head.
Then, with a thwack that echoed in the air and a wooden sword was snapped to its mid guard and its pieces on the dirt.
“Yeahhhhhh!!!!!”
The Rabbit side cheered a loud, the banner bearer then staked their bunny banner on the ground and proclaimed their new territory. Surely it''s not over, I wanna join in this fun.
“New warren for the Dusty Rabbit clan!”
They took their champ and carried him. All the while the Bull clan picked up their weeping champion as they gave him the broken piece.
“Come on Jeremy! There''s still the tool shop, I mean the great black forge to be had!”
One of the Bull member shouted aloud and the clan began shout in agreement making their run towards the main street.
“Yeah! The Warrens are all here get the black forge lads!”
“Block them while we claim it.”
Without a warning we were blitzed, sound of wood slapping to one another filled the lot. I dodged one attacker and ran away from this sudden brawl. Assess the situation, May taught me, a portion of the bull clan ran while the other half distracted the rabbits.
“Hey, that''s our warren! Hey! Lads! The Bulls are invading!”
“Defend the warren!”
With a mighty cheer some slipped through this brawl and, like earlier, waved their wooden sword and chased the bull.
“Come on! What are you waiting for our warren is danger!”
A kid ushered to me.
“Well, I guess I''m a rabbit then.”
Following them, and again through an alley way, we came upon a broken back door -- which I thought they broke it but the rusted lock caught my attention -- when I entered it was a farm noise and typical brawl every boy clashing one another in this confined two story shop.
Whether be shoes thundering upstairs, fights on the stairs, or on the main floor they were hitting each other''s wooden weaponry, be it ax, sword, or spear, all the while they said Hop! Hop! And Moo! Mighty Moo! To probably show their alliance since it was plethora of coloured capes in here. There were no tactics or anything. They simply whacked and trash their weaponry until the enemy''s wooden weapon snapped, cracked or have disarmed the opponent. By then the defeated members sat on a dusty corner with tears and broken wooden weaponry while the victor waited for an enemy.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
I sheathed out my sword and grinned. I wanted to test my new found strength but always reminded myself these are children. Raising my sword and just stepping a few feet in I heard a moo charging in and about make a big swing to hit my new sword.
“Ha!”
Which I did not let it happen and dodged that obvious attack and hit his fingers light as I could disarming his sword and leaving him blowing his fingers and finding his slipped sword.
Hopefully he can find it.
Going deeper inside it became more spacious as the number of broken spear heads, swords, and axe heads and splinters made many to sit and cry on the corner or look for their broken part.
“Hoppity hop! ”
Jumped another one with a strike that is easily dodged and opening to his fingers. At that moment, and I put a bit of unnecessary force and with a loud pak the kid was shaking his red hands and cried.
I began to ask why did I think this was good idea.
I retraced back away from this childish brawl but another hop came and I just danced it away and headed for the back door and made a run to the main street. Getting a glimpse outside I saw a lot of crying and a feint yet victorious moo came about. Even if the sweat and adrenaline in my stream made me think that went on for a whole few minuets, I could see the sun made a small leap and the church bells sang again.
“Arghhh! You there!”
Someone called from behind me as I was to depart. Giving my attention I saw his blue eye, the tall black hair, and the brown hair chubby kid. Its Elfien''s friends that I met in my first week here.
“Uwah... Ha... Haa... Dusty Rabbits Calvary is here.... Haah... Ha– Where''s the fighting?”
They cried in sweat and eagerness under their own coloured cloak and crude wooden weaponry that could easily be cracked and splat in two hits.
“Well, you guys are too late.”
I lifted my cowl off and told them they just lost a territory. The bulls clearly have that place.
“What!?”
Billy and Grayson quickly stuck their face on the window to inspect the shop.
“Elfien! Haha! Elfien Good to see you mate!”
Said John, as I recalled by his blonde and blue eyes.
“Dammit! Look the horn is raised in the warren like a newly staked scarecrow! Looks like there''s 7 still active; three on top and four downstairs taking our provisions.”
Said the round Billy.
“Oh, oh, oh! Elfien''s got a sword! A handsome one at that!”
Pointed tall Grayson.
With their look at my sword I said no.
But here I am inside again being cheered by a roar of hops and for the warren.
Well, since I was the only one with a functioning sword whereas every hopping member, including the supposed calvary, has broken their wooden craft.
“Ow!!! Not fair!”
He blew his burning finger as he picked up his sword.
Meanwhile a moo of boos came from the other side shouting that I stop dodging and use my sword proper. Well, I''m not going to put a dent on this gift of mine from these childish acts. Either way, I think it''s just two more. Let''s get this over with.
“Two more to go buddy!”
They said, and a bit tired as I may be, I know this guy would... He actually has a nice stance.
Laden before my eyes is a kid in a blue cape and hidden his face in a cowl. He was smaller than me, held his sword in a good mid guard stance, his footing, the way he holds the handle, means this one wants to have a proper, not childish, fight and probably in the same regard of wanting to waste time and a good challenge, for once.
Replying to that I gave my own guard and stance to him, this time I took the offence first. Testing him, I a made feint thrust which he reacted by a good defense. This I knew, he has some good experience.
This time I gave my real attack this time. Blow after blow he blocked each one until he deflected my attack and made his first attack and a burning sting on my shoulder enveloped me as I backed off.
I gave a smile since the wood was blunt and thought the rules were just breaking the enemy''s weapon or disarming them. But the rabbits nor the bulls were complaining, in fact everyone was silent and more room was given to us as each eyes burned on us.
This embolden me to change tactics but still the same goal, as a challenge for myself. I gave a guard to which I hope he does not recognize. This made John, Billy, and Grayson and some to comment on what I was doing. He seems to know what I was going to do hence he tried to circle around, but that I keep adjusting, I am waiting for him and even taunting him.
And alas, by some pressure of his fellow Bull and holding his sword hard, he made his resolved and strike. He slashed down my hanging sword but I stepped backward and with a quick of twist of my wrist my wooden blade swung over my head and downward I hit his exposed fingers. His sword clattered down the dusty floor and he made a howl that could categorize him as a she.
“Owww!!! Why do you always do that!?”
That was a girl''s voice... Wasn''t it.