A Gentleman's Duel

[Scribe of Marwolaeth]

Closed to Comindant


"He's asked for what?" Marawol couldn't believe what he was hearing. Leaning over the table, he glared at the nervous monk.

"A non lethal battle, Sir, " the monk stammered, wiping his brow." To fight until forfeit with neither contestant being killed."

"And what would happen if I, say, pretended to agree, and then went and gave him a thrashing followed by a quick execution?"

"Well, uh," the monk swallowed, "you would probably be banned from the Citadel for at least a month. We take direct violations of arena agreements very seriously."

"Do you now?" He had spent the last hour or so looking for an interesting opponent. Having failed to locate one, he had asked for a random selection instead. He'd never thought he would have to fight in an arena that barred him from killing his opponent.

"Why would anyone come to the Citadel, the only real place that will put you back together again without any trouble or fee, and ask for a non lethal battle? " he fumed. Finally, with a sigh, he released his anger

"Fine, as he wishes, but I want the arena simple then. Forget the gravity cube. All I need is a floating circular platform, five meters across, with nothing but heavy mist below. Should one of us fall, the battle ends."

"I'll have it done before you get there, Sir. " The relieved monk scurried away, calling out behind him. "Arena three!"

With that said and done, Marawol took the short walk to the portal. He placed his bow and arrows against a wall. It was a non lethal battle after all.

Stepping in, he found the arena to be exactly how he wanted it. Hoping lightly, the wooden floor felt soft, almost padded.

"Wow," he chuckled, "Feels like I'm in a baby's playing pen. No danger at all." With his shield strapped tight to his left arm, and a lose grip on his rapier, he drilled himself through stances.

"Tick tock, the opponent's clock. "

[Comindant]

Moments later, a young fairly attractive looking knight walks through the portal. "Woah... Look at this place!" Alexai said as his eyes scanned the room. He takes a few steps forward and then notices his opponent drilling himself, "This man is really skilled" he thought to himself.

"Hey, Sir? Are you my opponent?" Alexai says as he waves at the man across from him, sword drawn and in his waving hand. On first glance it is obvious that Alexai is not a battle worn individual and that he is rather novice to this whole scene.

"How would you like to do this?" he says with a slight smile on his face.

[Scribe of Marwolaeth]

"Let's start by clearing up the rules. This battle can be won in two ways. First you can force your opponent to yield, either by tapping them with what would have been a killing blow, or through sheer exhaustion. Your other option is to knock me off the platform. Don't worry, it won't harm me, but the battle will end with you as a winner."

Peering closer at the knight, he realized what felt so odd about him. The almost bashful wave, the genuine smile, this wasn't a seasoned veteran, he was fighting little more than a boy. He groaned inwardly, but shook the feeling roughly away.

"He might be new to fighting but I might as well teach him a couple things," he mused, lowering his rapier.

"You're obviously new to this, kid," he spoke, raising his voice, "so I'll give you some hints. First, the pleasantries are fine for now, but in a real fight, none of the waving and smiling. You'll be stuck with an arrow or a spell before you even open your mouth. Now, you come at me with your best, and I'll hopefully be able to teach you a lesson or two."

Bowing slightly, he slid into a defensive stance, shield forward, and his rapier poised like a snake behind it.

[Comindant]

Now looking at his foe standing across the platform entering a defensive stance, the smile on Alexai's face has left. "Lets go." he says as his entire domineer has changes. The opponent that was just standing there is no longer, almost like he has disappeared and another more serious warrior.

Alexai leans forward and raises his blade almost like he is entering a strange unorthodox fighting stance not seen before. All of his weight is focused on his front leg and has a very loose grip on his sword with a lot of sway in his swinging wrist. His shield attached to his back, he slowly shifts his weight to his back foot and launches forward into a swift sprint at his opponent. His run starts off at a normal speed for a man of his size, about mid way to his target he increases speed kicking up almost a whole cloud of dust and dirt in his wake.

"Aaarrrhhh" Alexai cries as he swings his blade with all his strength and nails against the enemies shield. The force from the impact sends both combatants sliding back a few feet in opposite directions. The crowd watching is momentarily quite watching this scene but seconds later erupt in a wile roar witnessing that the unseasoned warrior can actually bare strong fangs. "Now show me!" he yells.