Chapter 202: One Against Five
Standing on the stage, bare handed and apparently unarmed while facing five armed and armored fighters, Jacques cut a heroic and imposing looking figure in the eyes of many. The audience on the lower levels cheered enthusiastically with several rushing up against the railing to get a better look at the spectacle that was about to unfold.
"Y’all go on ahead and make de first move," Jacques said, taking a defensive stance against the five men. "Dese folks, dey came here for a show, non?"
The group of fighters looked at each other for a moment, as if confirming that they’d heard correctly. A moment later, the three spear wielding fighters from the Horned clan charged in a loose arrow formation, rushing toward the lone witch with their spears raised.
"It’s over," Virve said, shaking her head sadly. While these men had been dressed to resemble soldiers from the Vale of Mists, they clearly didn’t fight like it.
"Already?" Nereida said, pausing with a spoonful of berry trifle half way to her lips. "How do you know?"
"Watch," Virve said, just a moment before the spearmen reached within a few feet of Jacques.
"Thorn. Ring," Jacques said loudly, waving a hand in an arc in front of himself. Instantly, a glowing golden ring six feet in diameter formed in front of him, covered in wicked thorns the size of arrow heads.
Two of the spearmen managed to dodge aside while the one in the center used his shield to smash through the glowing ring of thorns. Several small cuts appeared on his body and blood dripped to the stage as he charged forward, pressing his attack relentlessly.
Jacques, however, seemed completely unconcerned, taking a powerful step forward and striking out with a meaty fist. The instant the witch’s fist made contact with his opponent’s shield, an explosive sound like a crack of thunder split the air and the shield shattered into countless fragments, sending the lightweight horned fighter tumbling across the stage.