Hero Wars
Issaries, Inc. |
The Travels of Biturian VaroshA Duel at Tourney Altar
Tourney Altar is a great bowl-shaped arena left in this
miserable desert by some forgotten civilization. It is favored by the Humakt
cult as a dueling-ground, and I'd heard that two Swords of the cult would
settle a dispute there.
The first Sword was Alain, and he wore iron armor everywhere but his left leg. The second was the warrior Naimless, from Dragon Pass. Two sword-wielding dark trolls attended her, which was very strange. Alain was angry that Naimless and her friends would raise troops from among Alain's followers when he, too, was preparing an expedition against broos reported to be at Sog's Ruins. A bystander said that Alain's friends might be more tempted by Dragon Pass plunder than broos-killing, for the latter is fraught with danger and often yields little booty. A Sword named Jondar Blackmane laid out the sacred circle on the ground, then the Humakti chanted and clashed their weapons. Though I stood with those in the ancient stands, I detected the live magic in the arena below. Alain and Naimless swore a Truth Rune oath, as normal, stepped to opposite sides of the circle, saluted to each other, and began. Each circled a while, undoubtedly casting spells. The swords glowed, their armor wavered, the air inside the circle seemed to ripple, and Alain sheared away Naimless' shield despite her parry. Naimless' sword glanced off Alain's iron armor. Alain struck again, but was parried. There was no return attack as Alain drove in, hoping to take blood before Naimless' next magic took effect. He was too slow. A small salamander stuck him from behind before his sword thrust home. Naimless had to dodge his falling body. A moment later the elemental disappeared. The combat had taken less than a minute. Despite the damage, Alain rose. I could see his scorched flesh heal on his unarmored leg. Naimless used healing magic to put her fingers back in place. Alain accused Naimless of un-Humakti conduct, working himself into a rage. Naimless now was backed by her friends (including another Sword) since the fight was over, and she waited calmly, then said that Humakt could judge it. The god made no sign, so Naimless claimed victory. She claimed a bison-load of provisions, and divided it among her followers. I was astounded that they had walked here. I tried to find Naimless afterwards to see if she would trade a rune spell from me, for it was clear she had done so to get the salamander, but I did not find her though I searched all day. |
