Afraid

I always knew i would do this but despite my best preparation and planning for whatever this tournament could throw at me once I walked in through the gates of no return the feeling of uncertainty turned to panic and fear. I am going up against the strongest mages in the world with no magical ability of my own and no amount of planning could ever make me fully ready but OI'm standing here against all odds and I will do it! I just have to....

Suddenly there's an explosion maybe a few hundred feet from my current location. The fights have begun. And one of them is very close to me. There's no way I can get into a fight with any of the mages that are likely to have entered this competition. I need to avoid combat for as long as possible if I am to survive and win.

I decide to head in the opposite direction to the explosions but as I head towards the end of the forest I start hearing voices. There are 2 mages talking in a clearing a few feet away from me. I hide in a nearby shrub and take a short peek towards the clearing.

It seems 2 mages have just finished battle. One of them has the appearance of a common thug, wearing only a plain shirt, leather pants and a belt of throwing knives. He has an untrimmed beard which hides an evil smile. Just by seeing the look in this eyes you can clearly tell he is the victor of the skirmish. The other mage lies on the ground with heavy armour and a large sword that he can barely hold now. Taking a closer look at the mage I notice his head is bald, with dark skin and he's probably in his mid-forties and he has a scar on this forehead that appears to be shaped like an 'X'. I've read of many mages during my studies and this is undoubtedly the Legendary Mage Garrick! But he couldn't lose to some ordinary thug? The mage answers my question as he addresses the one in armour while twiddling one of his knives in his fingers.

"The Legendary Mages Garrick, Saviour of the Eastern Sea, Healer in armour, travelling across the world saving countless villages and fighting huge beasts alone to save a meek child. I guess this goes to show that not all the legends are as legendary as they say. If the rest are just like you I will be the victor by sunrise tomorrow!"

He starts laughing but suddenly stops and looks in your direction.

"Who's there",he says as he takes a step forth towards me.

I sink further into the shrub and suck me belly in trying to breath as quietly as possible in an attempt to stay hidden.

"I know you're there coward! Show yourself before I have one of my knives find you..."