A Trial of Unrivaled Importance

[CRP Goon 71]

 

A Trial of Unrivaled Importance

 

 

The soft lapping of ocean waves could be heard, gently kissing the fine sandy beaches of Siramenor. Many ‘ame had dueled upon these sands before, including the young Oryl Sirame on many occasions, but none had tested him like the spar he was about to enter. Across from him, blade held at neck level was an ‘ame clad in blue, with his hair tied back behind him. Rhathalas, sporting a fine short sword and a dangerously calm expression was waiting expectantly for Oryl’s first move. The young ranger-to-be donning a green tunic held out his blade, a fine single-edged short sword forged by the silver elves. Oryl let a smirk cross his face as he opened with a confident advance followed by a swift strike. Their blades met, slicing through the calm air that had enveloped the beach only moments prior. Rhathalas countered with a strong kick, aimed at the much younger ‘ame’s abdomen, which was immediately rushed by Oryl, as he took the force of the Okar’ir’s kick to his stomach. Having only managed to absorb the kick with his left arm partially, the stunned ‘ame was left slightly doubled over, as Rhathalas stumbled to regain his balance. Grimacing and straightening himself back up, Oryl raised his blade just in time to catch his opponent’s counter-attack. Taking a step back, Oryl was soon locked in an intense series of parries and deflections as Rhathalas pressed his attack. 

 

 

 

 

Having been training for several years by himself, the young ‘ame was light on his feet and able to counter most of his opponent’s attacks. Their blades clashing, the pair danced across the beach, until Rha’s blade lept out, soaring down towards Oryl’s leg. Breaking away from their deadly trance Oryl tried to avoid it, but the blade flew too quickly, boring a shallow cut through Oryl’s left quad. Hissing in anger rather than pain, the young ‘ame brought his blade arcing down at his Okar’ir’s still extended arm, landing a shallow hit of his own. Both fighters drew back from each other, regaining their composure as Oryl wiped the sweat from his brow. None of his spars over the years had challenged him quite like this one. Sparing a short glance around, he noticed that a small group had gathered on the beach. Wonderful, now my loss will have an audience. He’d think to himself as his pant leg slowly began to soak up the blood from his shallow wound, the sweat from his skin stinging it slightly. 

 

Bringing his blade up once more, another series of quick strikes brought the two woodland elves into a heated battle of strength, speed, and quick thinking, the result of which could be decided by even the smallest mistake. As Oryl brought his sword sailing down toward’s Rha’s blade once more in an attempt to disarm him, he miscalculated the angle of attack, allowing his opponent to swiftly counter this. The force of Rha’s counter opened up Oryl’s defense, leaving him vulnerable for a split second. This mistake left Oryl with a deep cut along the side of his shin, cutting into his calf too. Without a moment’s hesitation, Rhathalas slipped underneath Oryl’s poorly aimed counter-attack, holding his blade against the young ‘ame’s neck. Dropping his sword and doing his best to mask the screaming pain coming from the fresh laceration to his shin, Oryl hissed out a pained “I yield” as he bowed his head respectfully to Rhathalas. With an injury of his own, the Okar’ir returned the bow, holding his left arm close to his side, blood seeping out of the wound Oryl had scored upon the man’s flesh. Both ‘ame turned their attention to a beautiful, young, red-haired healer that had been watching the fight for some time. She hopped up quickly, readying her medical supplies as Oryl slowly lowered himself to the ground. “It’s not that bad,” he said to Aedrie as she began to clean his wounds. Oryl wiped the sweat from his forehead once more, looking at his injuries as the now-familiar sensation of the foul-smelling coagulant was applied to his shin. While this assessment of the young ‘ame’s skills may not have gone quite as he planned, it was a welcome lesson nonetheless.