The Arena, Before dusk in Alvion
The mid day sun beat down on the sandy plateau that was the Arena, shadows danced among the many pillars but the center remained clear. Crowds had gathered in earnest throngs, some barely seating to contain their excitement.
A thin, tall man with a white curly wig stood in the center. No longer willing to flirt in the pressence of a watchful gaze. He curtsied to the crowd, tapping his cane on the floor to get their attention.
"Gracious folk of Alvion, ladies and gentlemen from the Otherlands! Today!"
"TODAY! Is our decadely celebration of the day we drove back the fiends. The day! We established humanity's hold on these lands a hundred years ago, the day our elven, halfling and mankind's ancestors built fair Alvion! In rememberence of the sacrifice they made, in here we shall fight as they did! AND IF EVER THERE BE ANOTHER SCOURGE~~~-"
He took off his hat, placing it solemnly against his chest.
"We will have our champions!! -ON MY RIGHT, from right here in Alvion, Cicero of House Bladewalker!"
The crowd roared in cheers, some jeers, likely from fans of other contenders.
"ON MY LEFT! Travelled from the swamps of Navoreth, Rhakkar!"
It was at this point the two were to walk on the stage of battle and flourish their skills as they address the crowd, Rhakkar screamed at the top of his lungs an unholy sound then glared at Cicero, drawing axes in both hands. The spectators stood, a few cheered - he was a favourite of many a halfdemon.
Fom the highest stand overwatching the scene, a figure emerged, stood tall in regal red and white velvet. A gold laurel rested on his temple, glinting in the noon. His face though young, bore a solemn expression well beyond his years. He raised his hand, the crowds clapped for their monarch. Therian the III specifically requested his arrival to do away with as little announcement as possible, but alas he must still address his subjects in one way or another.
"For the glory of Alvion!"
He hollered simply, a smile barely restrained on his lips. Then sat back down as calmly as possible. This was the championship match he was about to watch...
"Gentlemen. ...For the glory of Alvion."
The announcer took two steps back, cutting a palm between them then turned on his heels.
The stage belonged to them now...
@Spiffy
Usually contestants would bear some formality with each other, a few exchanged words, prosed taunts to prod at the ego, even a nod would suffice. But Cicero knew that his foe had not a single bone of honour among men and it proved true rhakkar simply waited for the Bladewalker to bow - that was when he liked to suprise them. But Cicero did not bow.
He spit, looking at the crowds for a long while before a smug smile spread on his lips. Without further ado, he charged Cicero, flinging axe after axe at the knight. He had more than he had last time and it seemed someone had provided him with better quality weaponary than the last they met, these were steel axes forged by civillized men now. They flew faster, weighed less and had sharper edges.
The knight was at a disadvantage for he bore no ranged weaponary, he could stand his ground and raise his shield - weathering the barrage until the barbarian came close where he could return the advance. Or he could back to the outer edges, let the setting sun and shadows blur his form to make the axes more likely to miss their mark, loaning him some time to think of a better strategy.
@Cyrania
It was as Gwyneira was watching from the stands, hugging the satchel that held her ...friend's... items with rested hands. That she looked up and noticed that there was no woman with red hair by Therian's side, reminding her of her unfulfiled task, minor as it seemed. But the monarch looked uneasy, his eyes though filled with excitement at the bloodshed, had been dulled by the occasional squint then fingers rubbing his temple.
She could go further up in the spectator's seats to pay more attention to the ruler of Alvion as he whispered to his guards. If anything, out of curiousity. Yet if she did so, she would be giving up a front row seat - the crowd up there would clearly make it more difficult to view the match. Staying would let her watch the duel more closely.
