The day dawns with an early, pale glow, many people gathering in the 
stands, quietly awaiting the battle of these two competitors.  Though it is 
early, there is a definite split in the cheering, the majority of it for the 
veteran warrior Rinac.
    Finally the time is right and a magical voice booms through the Arena.  
"Welcome to the Games of Saberhaven!  Today seems to promise something 
different for you all, a treat well worth the wait. Magics will be sparse, 
and out combatants will rely on strength and skill to defeat their foes.  
And now, without further pause, I present to you the first of our 
warriors...RINAC THE HAMMERMASTER!"
    As the voice proclaims the name, a set of large double doors on one end 
of the Arena begin to open, revealing a cloaked hall of darkness.  Just 
beyond the entrance, a well plated dwarf can be seen, not moving
to enter, but showing enough to confirm his readiness.
    Rinac is rough and rugged looking, even for a dwarf.  His red hair and 
twice braided beard flowing like fire under a battle helm fully polished 
along with his plate armor.  The combination of his armor,
bulging muscles, and his scarred face of fury he portrays in battle is a 
very fierce sight for all.
    Again, the magical voice begins its next announcement.  "And now, the 
challenger...ALAIA!"  As the voice dies down, a second pair of massive 
double doors across from Rinac begin to open, allowing the red haired female 
to enter.  With a crouched stance, Alaia moves with blinding speed into the 
Arena, leveling her loaded crossbow at her opponent.
    A momentary pause passes through the stands, followed by wild cheer as 
the voice screams out, "BEGIN!"
    With a blood curling scream, Rinac launches himself out of his alcove, 
his two hammers pumping in rhythm with his short legs.  As he closes the 
distance, an grin begins to cross his face, and suddenly, he stops, sending 
a shower of dust and rocks flying into the air.
    With one last look at Alaia, Rinac releases the two hammers, both of 
whom fly with incredible speed towards the flame haired woman.
    A startled look crosses Alaia's face, but it is quickly replaced with a 
look of determination.  A small 'click' is heard, and suddenly the bolt is 
flying towards the chest of the armored dwarf.
    The bolt hits first, crashing into the dwarf with enough force to make 
him stumble back, but causing no real damage other than a small dent in the 
shining armor.
    Rinac pays the bolt no attention however, watching as his hammers make 
their first pass.  The first one barely misses as Alaia as she moves to the 
side with an unearthly speed, but the second strikes the woman fighter in 
the side, causing her to fall momentarily to her knees.
    With a grunt of pain, Alaia again stands, but it is obvious that she is 
hurt.  The hammers complete their circle, returning to the outstretched 
hands of Rinac.
    Alaia immediately drops her crossbow and unsheathes her weapon.  She 
does not even give Rinac one moment to stare at it as she charges full speed 
towards her opponent.  As she runs, she growls out "You'll pay for that, orc 
spawn!"  Moving with a quickling's speed, the woman warrior charges towards 
Rinac, who seems to be giving her no attention.  With a sudden movement, the 
dwarven warrior releases his
hammers for another round of chaos.
    The first streaks towards Alaia, but again her speed wins out and she 
manages to dodge the attack with a cat-like grace.  Unfortunately, the 
second hammer was too close for the woman to dodge, and it crashes into her 
side, knocking Alaia to the ground where she immediately begins to cough up 
blood.
    Looking up at Rinac with nothing but hatred in her eyes, she starts to 
stand, her movements slow and awkward compared to her earlier grace.  With a 
look of determination, she looses a dagger from her belt in one fluid 
motion, letting it sink into Rinac's leg, causing a slight look of 
irritation to form on the warriors face.
    A slight frown appears on Rinac's face, but it is replaced by 
satisfaction as he releases one of his hammers again, sending it spinning 
towards the immobile woman.
    As the crowd watches with rapt attention, the hammer slams into the 
red-haired womans head, sending a slight tremor through Alaia's body before 
she slumps to the ground, a trail of blood leaking from the
massive head wound.
    A few seconds pass before the voice again speaks, "We declare Rinac 
Hammermaster the winner of this contest.  Well fought!"  A sudden rush of 
movement occurs near the side doors as clerics and warriors rush forward to 
aid the fallen Alaia.
    Rinac walks over to one of the clerics tending to Alaia's body and hands 
a note saying, "Give this to her when she wakes." He then looks at thebody, 
shakes his head, and walks away. The note reads:
    
	You have a warrior's heart, but not the skill. Join me 
	at the pub for a drink and maybe you can learn a thing 
	from my tales!

	Rinac