The Duel

(A character related post. This post is a passage from Kharask's past)

Kharask stepped into the circle of stones, the dueling circling. She did the same. She was over a foot shorter than Kharask, and was not nearly as strong, but she was fast, and her mind was fast as well. The two were the top prospects for leaders in most of the neighboring tribes, the Dragonborn people had not seen members of there tribe who were as competent or powerful in ages. The duel tested the combat mettle of a warlord. A warlord in his own right was nothing without troops, but there were times when the leader would be faced to fight one on one, perhaps an ambush, perhaps being the last one standing. The duel fitted two leaders against each other, the warlord prospects had already gone up against experienced fighters, only she bested her opponent, the others learned lessons in combat. There was no failure in such a fight. Dragonborn fighters were the fiercest most dependable warriors of there day. This day was a leader versus a leader. Both were experienced, both were powerful. She was dressed in loose chain mail, wearing no helmet, letting her long corded hornes fall behind her like thick hair. Her scales were dark red, like her eyes, and the thick patches were an almost mud colored brown. She used a long sword as her primary weapon, and carried a small shield on her off hand. On her back she was equipped with several javelins, much like Kharask. Kharask had no shield, wielding a great maul in battle in its stead. Others in the tribe had gathered to see this fight, it was highly anticipated, and many elders from other tribes had gathered as well. A lorekeeper was to be the judge. The rules were simple, the first one to fall and not get up forfieted the match to the victor. Death was a possibility in this fight. A very real one. The ring of stones was large, large enough for the two to move about and use whatever weapons they had at there disposal without running out of space. Leaving the stones was disqualification, but it was not considered an honorable act to force a combatant out of the stones. The lorekeeper gave his signal to the two. Kharask bowed to her, having the greatest respect to his opponent, she in turn bowed to him. Then the battle began. She made the first move, coming in fast and low, a series of precision cuts aimed at Kharask's legs. She drew some blood, but his hide was thick, and the damage was minimal at best. Using leverage and size to his advantage, he brought the haft of his maul down on the side of her head, slamming her into the ground, then followed through with a powerful swing. She managed to roll out of the way and jump to her feet as the maul slammed into the ground where her head had been, he switched his momentum and swung the maul out and up hoping to catch her in the chest, but she manuevered easily out of the way, ducking in, and sending several inches of steel through the side of his chainmail and into his flesh. Off balance and reeling from the wound, Kharask stumbled backwards, she advanced quickly, hoping to take advantage of her previous attack. Kharask roared out as she closed in, and a blast of flames washed over her, she brought her shield up in time to protect her eyes, but the scales on her leg and sword arm were scorched badly. Kharask swung through the flames in a downward arc, she moved her shield up to deflect it, and the impact was met with a sickening crunch as the bones under the small metal shield were crushed. With her defenses down Kharask swung in a heavy arc, hoping to catch her in the head and end the fight. As his arms were behind his back in mid swing, she ducked quickly in, roaring out a blast of lightning that pushed the large dragonborn backwards into a stumble. She then brought her sword up into and through the elbow of his off hand, ripping it out and moving back to a defensive posture. Kharask reeled from his wounds, and was on the verge of collapse, but he would not give up, he promised himself and her to give his all in this battle, and thats exactly what he would do. With a great bellowing roar the great dragonborn charged her, she darted to the side but he caught her none the less, slamming his shoulder into her chest and sending her flying several feet back to land heavily on her side. She was stunned, and this was Kharasks moment, he moved forward, intent on bringing his maul down upon her and ending this battle. Something was wrong though, hee could not move, all strength had left his body. His mind reeled, how? his previous wounds were serious to be sure, but not so much to leave him in such a state. He watched as she stood up slowly, shakily, her shield hanging limply in her off hand. Her sword, where was her sword? Looking down he saw the hilt of it, buried just under his heart, perfectly piercing his lung. Clever, very clever, she had used the charge to give her the momentum to get through his thick scales and heavy armor. She stood there watching him for several moments, all was silent with the crowd, no one spoke, no one cheered. Kharask took two more deep, labored breaths, and then fell over, the life and spirit of battle leaving him. He had lost this day to her, as he had lost every contest to her. She truelly would be the leader of his people, and as darkness took hold of his sight, he clung to that simple, bright hope.

(and thats the end of that chapter. hope you enjoyed)