Harold Lamb

“ Twice Rupen struck Hugh's shield—clashing blows that dented the steel. He edged forward and lashed out at Hugh's head, only to check the sweep of the ax in mid-air, for the crusader had stepped back swiftly. To miss a blow with the ax was to invite a return cut that might lay him on the ground. ”

“ And now the Georgian pressed the attack with the utmost of his strength. Only once had the crusader's weapon met his shield fairly, but the shock of that blow had cracked the steel, and Rupen feared that another such blow would break the bones in his arm.
He had meant to tire his enemy and then smash in his guard. Now it seemed to him that the crusader would never tire. And never had Rupen faced a man who could strike such a blow. The muscles of his left shoulder were strained and his whole side ached. If his shield were split it would be the end. ”

“ CHAPTER VII BLOOD IN THE SNOW MESSER ANTONIO, who had seen Rupen wield an ax in the lists before now, was filled with satisfaction. He had little doubt of the outcome, in spite of the crusader's strength, because he knew that the handling of the heavy battle-axes—short in the shaft and broad in the edge was a different affair altogether than sword-play, and Hugh was a swordsman.
With the ax there was no parrying. Nor would the chain-mail in which each warrior stood be proof against a full blow of the tempered axes. ”

“ But the warrior was too interested to answer. Hugh had begun to attack, and the strident clang of steel echoed in the river gorge. Always Rupen met the ax-edge with his shield, turning the face of it slightly, so that the crusader's weapon never met it fairly. ”

“ From the river came the sound of ice grinding and churning in the rapids below them.
“This Frank,” muttered a bearded noble from one of the northern passes, “is not as others. There is power in him.” ”

“ Well for the Lord of Kag that he does not face such a weapon. Look, he knows what he is about—treading the snow to test its firmness.”
The Georgian had examined his shield, which was triangular in shape and very little bowed. He settled the steel cap firmly over the mesh of his mail hood, so that the nasal and cheek pieces came well down. He glanced up at the sun, and slipped the leather loop of his ax shaft around his wrist.
Hugh stood quietly at the other side of the square. All at once he lifted his shield. ”