The First Trial of Single Combat

[Morsereg Dîndaedel]

~The First Trial of Single Combat~

Down, past the halls of Carn Dum, into the deep depths of the Misty Mountains, a cavern, once used for Morsereg's twisted torture experiments, has been arranged to be used as the site of battle for the Trial of Lords. A large portion of the cavern floor has been cleared for use, a rectangle surrounded by a low wall of black rock. Set into the rock were many pikes, upon which rest the bodies of enemies of Angmar, long dead. Perhaps some of the contestants would recognize the bodies. Scattered about the field were skulls, placed to trip the combatants, as well as whips in every corner, which could be used to the contestants advantage. There were tables scattered around the battlefield, supplied with food and wine, save for the center table. Here sat only two: Morsereg, and a figure next to him, who was clothed in a black robe, concealing all of their features, although by the build it would be wise to assume she was female. Before them was sat a large crystal decanter filled with blood, and upon a platter lay a still alive, yet sedated, Elven child. This is the first of the trials of the Trial of Lord, and the contestants of this event are Núrutyáve, the Drow, and Chi'Gandir, theBat. Even now, as the sun rises to the bright world, they are escorted down by an entourage of northern Men, as well as those who chose to watch the events that would transpire that morning, leading them away from all light and into the darkness of the Misty Mountains. Magically-induced black flames were scattered around the cavern, giving enough light so that all could see. As seats are taken, Chi'Gandir and Núrutyáve enter the field at opposing ends, bowing curtly to each other from a distance. Then they made their way to the seat of Morsereg, to take the Cup of Tournament, and to pay homage to the Lord of the Trials ere the event begins. Morsereg rises, and all follow his lead as the contestants draw nigh. Morsereg proffers them the Cup, they drink, and bow to all assembled, and then walk to their places at opposite ends of the field.

Morsereg drops his hand and sits, and the First Trial is begun.

[Envin]

Maladath and Iblis streak from their sheaths at Nurutyave's sides, and he begins his masterful footwork, bouncing lightly from one foot to the other. His swords felt perfect in his hands, and the thin leather of his boots made but little noise upon the floor. Still, he did not underestimate his comrade of old, but approached Chi'Gandir cautiously, one blade extended as a guard and the other drawn back as a serpent to strike. He would see how Chi struck first.

[Chi'Gandir]

"What a grim turnout, eh, Nurutyave?" Chi'Gandir hissed with a smirk, beginning to slowly circle his friend. "We meet in the first round. Dindaedel has plans to see us tear each other apart, indeed." As he walked he unsheathed his two swords, readying himself for any sort of strike. He jumped forward, swinging his Elvish blade at Nurutyave, expecting such a blatant strike to be blocked. As they stood there, swords locked, he whispered to him, "Don't forget," so soft that none in the room would hear. He jumped backwards before continuing to pace around Nurutyave, locking his eyes with the cold orbs that the Drow possessed. He waited like a warg stalking his prey before he found an opening, and struck.

[Envin]

Nurutyave nodded quietly, fighting back a smirk - it would not do for Dindaedel, sitting in observe above, to think that there was aught amiss. When the two opponents stared each other down across their blades, mere inches from the face of the other, he hissed in return to Chi'Gandir. "The Drow never forgets." Nurutyave saw the tensing of Chi'Gandir's ankles as The Bat prepared to leap away, and in the same instant let go his own weight upon his blade, and threw himself into a backflip which he landed perfectly, his twin blades slowly slicing through the air in a crossing circle before him. Nurutyave did not move as Chi circled about him, but kept his muscles taut, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. He sniffed the dank air and thought to himself that in any other circumstance he would have enjoyed a stay here. As things were, however, this was not the most of hospitable places for him at the moment. He put such thoughts from his mind, and with good timing, for only seconds later, Chi chose to strike. It was a deceptive blow that he aimed for Nurutyave, the sword in his right hand aiming for the drow's left arm, calculated to make Nurutyave shift to his right, just as Chi's left sword streaked from thin air straight for where Nurutyave's chest now was. But The Drow was gifted with impossible reflexes, and he managed to lift his studded leather-clad arm into the flat of the first strike, sending it wide, and with a sweep in front of him deflected the second blow. Perfectly balanced upon his right leg, he swung his left boot at Chi's stomach, while he lowered his stubborn head and threw a massive head-butt clean at Chi's forehead.

[Chi'Gandir]

Chi'Gandir let the blows land, taking the blow to his stomach just moments before Nurutyave's head came smashing into his own. The Bat gave a grin as he bit into his own lip, a thin line of blood trickling down it. He drew back and away from Nurutyave for a moment, gaining a calm, peaceful look as he surveyed his enemy. The faint, magically-induced lighting shone off Chi'Gandir's sharpened teeth as he ran forward, bringing both of his blades upon Nurutyave, aware that they would indeed be blocked. However, this was his plan, for he moved his neck around the blades, careful to keep Nurutyave's swords locked with his own as he aimed to dig his teeth into the Drow's left hand.

[Envin]

The Drow moved his swords up to block Chi'Gandir's blows, of course, but his eyes also caught the subtle shifting of his foe's neck and head, and surmised that he was angling for his arm, or perhaps his hand. He held back the urge to smirk, for a little lost blood would not bother him at all. As Chi bit down upon his hand, he stepped aside and dropped his swords down rather than block the attack. Chi's weight stumbled forward, and for a split second Nurutyave supported The Bat with the hand which he had bit, and then drove his free hand and the sword in it straight for Chi's shoulder.

[Chi'Gandir]

Chi'Gandir let his weight fall forward with his comrade, silently acknowledging the sword aiming for his shoulder. He pulled his mouth back, sharp teeth slighty grazing Nurutyave's hand as he dodged to the side, the sword brushing against his skin and making itself an entrance. The Bat's eyes quickly scanned the cave, glimpsing out of the corner of his eye whips scattered within the confines of their battlefield. He rushed in at Nurutyave once again, giving the spectators something to watch, all the while not aiming to harm Nurutyave, but to move the fight towards a corner so he could retrieve a whip, perhaps finding a way to fit it into the fight.

[Envin]

Nurutyave saw Chi's attack, but prior to his assault had seen him darting glances around the room, and the Drow's shrewd mind grasped his comrade's intent. As Chi rushed headlong to attack him, Nurutyave lowered his head and his left shoulder, catching Chi beneath the ribs and using his own momentum to lift the Bat high into the air. Nurutyave spun for a few steps, quicker than thought before Chi could struggle, and then hurled the Bat down hard onto the stone floor, right near the closest wall. Nurutyave licked his lips and taunted Chi with a laugh.