"Well
Melanos, it's been awhile since I last sat in this seat.
Who do we have tonight? I tend to lose track. Too much
drink and too many women." Torgal sits in his chair
and puts a hand to his head. "Damn headache. Get
me a glass of ale, that ought to help."
Melanos pours a mug of golden ale and then hands
it over to his employer. "We have a match between
Duingar and the newcomer Morak." Melanos takes
his seat beside Torgal.
Torgal rises from his cushioned chair and crosses
the floor over to the balcony. "Morak eh? He's
that duergar isn't he? This ought to be a good match."
Torgal addresses the crowd in a loud voice. "Ladies,
gentlemen, young and old. Tonight we have a good match
for you. We have yet another debut match. You will
see the familiar face of Duingar as he battles the
dark ways of his duergar opponent, Morak Blakfist.
This will be a good match and I promise you only the
best." The crowd goes crazy as Torgal turns from
the balcony and returns to his seat. The crowd screams
for blood as they have been without it now for a couple
of days.
When the crowd begins to quiet a little the eastern
gate opens up and from within its darkened reaches
comes the sound of singing. The crowd goes wild as
the familiar songs of the dwarf come filtering out.
The dwarf bursts forth from the entrance and comes
to a stop just inside the arena. Frothing at the mouth
he prepares his two throwing axes. Luck hasn't been
with his twin blades lately but the look on Duingar's
face says that he is going to start changing that.
The crowd cheers on their favorite dwarf as he quivers
in anticipation and rage.
The Western gate begins to open and from its dark
depths comes the dwarf known as Morak. His black splint
mail absorbs the light and his dark features contrast
sharply with the flaming red hair of Duingar. Duingar's
eyes virtually leap from his head as his target enters
the ring. Within seconds Duingar is racing across
the field. The crowd doesn't have to wait long to
see the fighting capabilities of this new competitor.
Duingar raises both axes high as Morak removes his
shield from his back, preparing for the onslaught.
Duingar releases both axes one travelling a little
higher than the other does. Morak quickly brings his
shield up to block the axes. The first embeds itself
deep in the upraised shield. The second buries itself
deep into Morak's right leg. Morak only grunts in
annoyance as he hefts his battle-axe and prepares
to butcher this bothersome dwarf. Duingar with battleaxe
already in hand attempts to remove Morak's other leg
with a quick low swing. Morak easily steps back out
of range and brings his own axe screaming downward.
Duingar, outstretched and exposed, takes the blade
neatly between his shoulder blades. The gods saving
him from paralysis. Duingar brings his own blade back
up viciously, Morak again easily remaining inches
beyond his reach. The two square off again. This time
Morak steps in first, wielding his blade with devastating
might, but Duingar deflects the blow and answers back
with an onslaught of metal as both his hand axe and
battle axe flash in front of Morak's face. Morak nearly
falls as he scrambles back, away from the wall of
metal.
The sound of Duingar's songs begin to reach excessive
volume as he swells in size. His face contorting into
a mask of pure rage. His teeth grind together and
send shivers through the fans in the farthest corners.
Morak doesn't give a second thought as he plants his
battleaxe squarely into Duingar's inflated chest.
A blow that moments ago would have surely killed him
is only shrugged off as Duingar, in the midst of an
overpowering rage, screams at Morak. "I will
exterminate your kind, starting with you dark worm!!"
In a flash of steel, Duingar's battleaxe streaks toward
Morak taking the duergar in the left shoulder. Morak
reels back from the blow and swings his blade in a
wild arc. Duingar charges in under the arc and tries
to end the match in a swift blow. Morak off-balance,
still manages to duck under the crescent death. Backpedaling
as fast as he can Morak tries to regain his balance
and put some breathing room between him and Duingar.
Duingar will have no such thing as he once again slams
his blade down. The axe kicks up dirt as it plants
itself at Morak's feet. Morak gives a small sneer
as he brings his axe across at head level, hoping
to catch Duingar off-guard. Duingar drops to his knees
and with one hand still on the embedded battleaxe
brings his hand axe around in a quick and vicious
sweep. Morak's blade whistles harmlessly above Duingar's
head as the hand axe bites deep into the duergar's
hip, grinding against bone and spilling blood everywhere.
Morak's leg gives out and he crumbles to the floor.
Duingar grins evilly as he stands over his fallen
opponent, the anger slowly fading from his body. Duingar's
eyes glaze over as his exhausted body gives out. Blood
streaming from his back and chest. Both Dwarves lay
spent in the middle of the arena.
"I think Duingar won, but not by much. Better
gets those clerics down there and makes sure your
security force is handy." Torgal downs his ale
and reclines back, closing his eyes.
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