[centre][img]http://orig01.deviantart.net/e4a6/f/2016/083/1/2/ardos_by_fenixking13-d9w8yq4.png[/img][/centre]
[centre][color=6ecff6][b]Artos Bane[/b][/color][/centre]


[color=00aeef]"I will not sample it just yet." [/color]

Artos nimbly ducked the heavy swing and hopped away from the woodsman to put distance between them. Based on his appearance alone it was obvious he was of a northern clan of some sort, but whether that was a part of his home town was unclear. Certainly Artos would remember someone wielding such an obnoxious weapon and screaming bloody murder. His home sported warriors. This man was a clown, to say the least. An insult to the heritage they shared. Artos slowly drew the right handed sword from his left hip and stared at the big man. 

[color=00aeef]"Tell me, did I perhaps slay a friend of yours?"[/color]

If so this man had traveled for a long time to find his prey. For that at the very least Artos could respect the determination required. It had been years since he had thought of home, of his father, of his mother and his friends. All that was burned into memory were the routine exercises that had created his fighting style and perfected his control over the magic he now wielded. Though he claimed to be a master, it was not missed that the burly man was making the area snow unnaturally. That spoke of power and put Artos on high alert for any tricks and offered a silent prayer to the devils that this combatant proved worthy enough to finish his life.

Artos took a deep breathe and reached behind his back while pointing his sword at the enemy. Let us begin. There was a splash of water as on the pavement as Artos exploded into motion, a straight thrust to the stomach followed by a diagonal slash from left shoulder to right hip. Breaking momentum, he spun a tight circle and slammed the blade in a vicious arc that put the sword back firmly on the right before a mighty leap backwards disengaged him from potential retaliation, sword ready to deflect incoming attacks as needed. 
The opening salvo was always meant to determine defensive capability more than lasting damage.


(I started this post THREE times and it was deleted THREE times. Fucking hell.)